Diets heavy in red meat and fatty foods could help spur a leading cause of vision loss in older Americans, new research suggests. The study found that people who ate more typical Western diets were three times more likely to develop an eye condition that robs you of your central vision — late-stage age-related macular…  read on >

If you’re overweight or obese, shedding pounds can help improve your health and your longevity. What’s more, doing so may also significantly boost your bank balance. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore wanted to know how a person’s expenses and income might change if their weight went from obese to overweight to normal at…  read on >

Stomach cramps typically refer to abdominal pain or discomfort between your chest and groin. Causes range from constipation to food intolerance, says the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. To help ease mild stomach cramps at home, Mount Sinai suggests: Sip water or other clear fluids. Only drink sports drinks in small amounts. Avoid…  read on >

You suddenly break out in a rash or your throat gets scratchy. You assume you’re allergic to something … maybe pollen or a detergent. But could you be allergic to something in your food or medicine, and how could you tell? The medical community disagrees as to whether additives in food or even medications —…  read on >

Heartburn. Millions of people suffer from it. But what exactly is it and, most important, could it actually be something serious? Heartburn got its name from the burning sensation you get when acid that rises up from the stomach burns the esophagus, which is located behind the heart. If you have persistent symptoms, you may…  read on >

If your child is obese, new research suggests that those extra pounds can alter the results of routine blood tests. “We performed the first comprehensive analysis of the effect of obesity on routine blood tests in a large community population of children and found that almost 70% of the blood tests studied were affected,” said…  read on >

Elegant holiday dishes are surprisingly easy to pull off when you stick to only a few ingredients. Try this delicious pork loin roast flavored with fragrant dried herbs and the perfect accompaniment — apples and sweet potatoes. Roasted Pork Loin 2-pound pork loin 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon extra-virgin…  read on >

You can enjoy guilt-free holiday desserts by making some simple ingredient changes, a nutrition expert says. “I succeeded in making a healthier cheesecake that was a rich and creamy dessert that pleased even the most discerning taste buds,” said registered dietitian Libby Mills, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Making some substitutions…  read on >

Rising obesity rates worldwide may be contributing to the climate crisis, researchers report. “Our analysis suggests that, in addition to beneficial effects on morbidity, mortality and health care costs, managing obesity can favorably affect the environment as well,” said study corresponding author Faidon Magkos, from the department of nutrition, exercise and sports at the University…  read on >

Healthier eating could save the United States more than $50 billion a year in health care costs associated with heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and related illnesses, according to a new study. An unhealthy diet is one of the leading risk factors for poor health and accounts for up to 45% of all deaths…  read on >