“Couch potatoes,” take note: Sedentary behavior now accounts for up to 8% of non-communicable diseases and deaths worldwide, researchers say. Physical inactivity is a known risk factor for premature death and several non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and several cancers. In a new study, researchers analyzed 2016 data… read on > read on >
Middle-aged adults looking to boost their muscle mass do not need to bulk up on protein, a new study suggests. Researchers found that 10 weeks of strength training plus a moderate amount of protein were enough to build muscle in previously sedentary middle-aged people. And extra protein brought no added gains. The findings run counter… read on > read on >
Want to ward off high blood pressure? Don’t forget to brush and floss. A new study finds that severe gum disease may make an otherwise healthy person significantly more likely to develop high blood pressure. “[Our] evidence indicates that periodontal bacteria cause damage to the gums and also triggers inflammatory responses that can impact the… read on > read on >
Using cellphones to track patients’ painkiller use, a new study found more than 60% of opioid painkillers prescribed to surgical patients after their procedures went unused. That has implications for the ongoing epidemic of opioid misuse in the United States, where unused medications can be diverted to others. Giving surgical patients only the amount of… read on > read on >
If you want to improve your muscle function, regular helpings of leafy green vegetables might do the trick, new research suggests. “Our study has shown that diets high in nitrate-rich vegetables may bolster your muscle strength independently of any physical activity,” said lead author Marc Sim, from the Institute for Nutrition Research at Edith Cowan… read on > read on >
Makers of inhalers that contain the nasal decongestant propylhexedrine should make design changes to prevent misuse, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. Propylhexedrine is a nasal decongestant in over-the-counter inhalers, and right now is “only marketed under the brand name Benzedrex,” the FDA said. The agency said that propylhexedrine is effective and safe when… read on > read on >
A drug with a 30-year track record as an effective tool for fighting cancer may significantly improve memory and thinking in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease, new research suggests. Sargramostim (brand name: Leukine) has long been used after cancer treatment to coax a patient’s bone marrow to make more disease-fighting white blood cells. It uses… read on > read on >
Whether it’s takeout or dining in, lives filled with lots of restaurant fare could turn out to be shorter, new research shows. The study found that dining out frequently — two or more meals prepared away from home each day — is tied to an increased risk of death from any cause. One nutritionist who… read on > read on >
Among older Americans, deaths from falls are up sharply, dovetailing with a surge in use of medications that increase the risk of falling, researchers say. Two decades ago, about 57% of U.S. seniors took medications that increased their risk of falls. By 2017, that number had risen to 94%, and deaths caused by falls had… read on > read on >
