The microbes on your toothbrush mostly come from your mouth — not your toilet — and provide insight into your oral health, researchers say. Their study was inspired by people’s concerns that flushing a toilet might create a cloud of aerosol particles that end up on toothbrushes and other bathroom surfaces. The researchers asked people… read on > read on >
SATURDAY, Feb.6, 2021The COVID-19 pandemic can make mental health struggles even worse for some people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression triggered by the shorter daylight hours and gray skies of winter. It causes symptoms such as overeating, social withdrawal and decreased energy. Pandemic-related effects such as stress, anxiety and… read on > read on >
Nearly all U.S. adults get some vegetables every day, but the old “apple a day” adage is falling out of favor, a new government survey suggests. Researchers found that a full 95% of U.S. adults said they ate some amount of vegetables on any given day. On the other hand, only about two-thirds said the… read on > read on >
FRIDAY, Feb. 5, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — This Super Bowl Sunday, millions of Americans will reach for avocados to make guacamole, a standard go-to snack for game day. But that green goodness can offer plenty of other benefits that make them a heart-healthy food option year-round. Rich, creamy and satiating, avocados travel well,… read on > read on >
New research reinforces advice to include more whole grains in your diet. A diet heavy in “refined” grains (such as white bread, cookies and muffins) may increase your risk for heart disease and early death, while whole grains may lower it, according to the study. “We encourage people to have moderate consumption of carbohydrates and… read on > read on >
Many young Americans are prescribed psychiatric drugs to treat medical conditions, but nearly one-third of them wind up misusing the medications, a new study finds. “Misuse of prescription substances is alarmingly high among U.S. youth and young adults,” said lead researcher Israel Agaku, a part-time lecturer in oral health policy and epidemiology at the Harvard… read on > read on >
If pandemic-related stress has you grinding your teeth, you’re not alone. Dentists say tooth-grinding and jaw-clenching are on the rise due to the many challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’ve been seeing an increase in the number of patients looking for appointments to replace broken mouth guards” that have been cracked or chewed through,… read on > read on >
The great outdoors can soothe the soul, but new research suggests that working outside might also guard against breast cancer. The study wasn’t designed to say how working outside affects chances of developing breast cancer, but vitamin D exposure may be the driving force, the researchers suggested. “The main hypothesis is that sun exposure through… read on > read on >
Homemade juices are a popular way for health-conscious people to get their veggies. But the juicing method of choice makes a difference, a recent study suggests. Researchers found that three different techniques — using either a blender or a low- or high-speed juicer — produced beverages with different levels of antioxidants and various plant compounds.… read on > read on >
Expanded unemployment benefits, passed by Congress last spring to ease the economic pain of the pandemic, appear to have held hunger at bay for millions of Americans, new research shows. Called “The CARES Act” when it was put into effect nearly a year ago, the law expanded who is eligible for unemployment benefits and how… read on > read on >
