Angie Gaytan never cared much for beets, but beets sure do love her — doctors say that veggie shakes, fruits, beet juice and other healthy foods likely helped the 16-year-old defeat her life-threatening leukemia. Such a healthy diet helped more than Angie: A new study found that adopting a low-fat, low-sugar diet appeared to boost…  read on >  read on >

Beta-blocker blood pressure medications may increase the risk of heart problems in people with HIV, new research suggests. For the study, the researchers reviewed the medical records of more than 8,000 U.S. veterans with HIV who developed high blood pressure between 2000 and 2018. Of those, around 6,500 had never been diagnosed with heart or…  read on >  read on >

When it comes to guarding against colon cancer, what you eat is everything. You can reduce your risk of colon cancer by eating five food types, an expert says. These include: vegetables; whole grains; legumes; nuts and seeds; and fiber-rich fruit. “Vegetables contain cancer-preventing nutrients called carotenoids and flavonoids,” said Amy Rosenfeld, program coordinator of…  read on >  read on >

That piece of sausage you’re about to enjoy? You may want to put it down for something healthier. New research found an association between eating even small amounts of processed meats, 150 grams (a little over 5 ounces) per week, and a higher risk of major heart disease and death. But not all meat is…  read on >  read on >

Live well, live longer. New research offers more evidence that the mantra rings true: People who got regular exercise and ate a healthy diet in middle age had a reduced risk of serious health problems as seniors. “Health care professionals could use these findings to further promote and emphasize to their patients the benefits of…  read on >  read on >

Obesity may shorten the lives of patients with certain types of cancers, but not others, a new research review concludes. The analysis, of more than 200 studies, found that across numerous cancers, obesity was linked to shorter survival. The list included breast, colon, prostate, uterine and pancreatic cancers. On the other hand, patients with lung,…  read on >  read on >

“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 >