Raising chickens in your backyard — a popular trend during the COVID-19 pandemic — holds risks that can come home to roost in an unwelcome way. It’s already well known that poultry can spread the salmonella bacteria to human handlers. But chickens cooped up in backyards could also be breeding grounds for viruses that pose… read on > read on >
All Food:
Switch to Plant-Based Diet Can Cut Your Odds for Stroke
A healthy, plant-based diet could reduce your risk of stroke by up to 10%, researchers say. This type of diet includes greater amounts of foods like vegetables, whole grains and beans, and fewer less-healthy foods like refined grains or added sugars. “Many studies already show that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can… read on > read on >
Pandemic Stress Has Americans Gaining Weight, Drinking More: Poll
If you’re drinking more, sleeping less, seeing downright scary numbers on your scale and fretting about the future, you’re far from alone, a new survey reveals. “We’ve been concerned throughout this pandemic about the level of prolonged stress, exacerbated by the grief, trauma and isolation that Americans are experiencing,” said Arthur Evans Jr., chief executive… read on > read on >
Alzheimer’s Patients Are Being Given Too Many Meds
Many older adults with dementia are prescribed dangerous combinations of drugs that raise their risk of overdose, falls and further mental deterioration, a new study finds. About 1 in 7 people with dementia living outside of nursing homes are taking three or more drugs that act on their brain and nervous system, researchers reported. The… read on > read on >
Breastfeeding Moms Get Mixed Messages When Baby Has an Allergy
Breastfeeding mothers whose babies have food allergies often get conflicting advice from doctors on whether they should change their eating habits, according to a new study. “We found that guidance from health care practitioners for breastfeeding mothers in this situation was inconsistent,” said study lead author Dr. Hannah Wangberg, an allergist-immunologist in San Diego. “Of… read on > read on >
Global Study Supports Eating Fish for Heart Health
TUESDAY, March. 9, 2021For people with heart disease, eating fish twice a week may be a lifesaver. New worldwide research shows that two 6-ounce servings a week of oily fish, like salmon, might help prevent cardiovascular disease in high-risk people, such as those who have heart disease or who have experienced a stroke. “Eating at… read on > read on >
Don’t Use Veterinary Drug Ivermectin Against COVID, FDA Warns
Desperate for a treatment against COVID-19, some Americans have reached for an anti-parasitic drug aimed at animals, with serious consequences, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. “Never use medications intended for animals on yourself. Ivermectin preparations for animals are very different from those approved for humans,” the FDA cautioned in a statement. The agency… read on > read on >
Science Reveals Why Tea Is Good for Your Heart
If a nice hot cup of tea sounds good to you, there’s even more reason to enjoy one now. Scientists have gained new insight into how tea helps lower blood pressure, perhaps pointing the way to new types of blood pressure medications. The researchers found that certain compounds in both black and green tea help… read on > read on >
School Dental Care Program Could Cut Cavities in Half: Study
School-based dental care cut cavities in half among thousands of elementary students, a new study says. “The widespread implementation of oral health programs in schools could increase the reach of traditional dental practices and improve children’s oral health — all while reducing health disparities and the cost of care,” said senior author Dr. Richard Niederman.… read on > read on >
Obesity a Big Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19, Study Confirms
Yet another study confirms what doctors have long known: Being obese greatly raises the odds that if you contract COVID-19, your case could be a severe one. The study, from researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supports calls for obese Americans to move to the head of the line for protective… read on > read on >