Nearly half of all opioid doses and more than a quarter of all opioid prescriptions in the United States come from 1% of health care providers, a new study says. The authors said this suggests that efforts to reduce overuse of prescription opioid painkillers should not focus on strict limits for all doctors but on… read on >
All Food:
Eating Out: A Recipe for Poor Nutrition, Study Finds
Whether you’re stopping at a casual fast-food place or sitting down to eat in a full-service restaurant, eating out is an easy way to fill up when you’re hungry. But those meals may not deliver much nutritional value, a new study suggests. The researchers found that 70% of fast-food meals consumed in the United States… read on >
Americans Toss Out Nearly a Third of Food at Home
Before you throw any leftovers away, heed new research that suggests the choice could hit you right in your pocketbook. It turns out that almost one-third of food in American households goes to waste, costing each household thousands of dollars a year, researchers report. “Our findings are consistent with previous studies, which have shown that… read on >
Health Tip: Preventing E. coli Infection
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that lives in the intestines of healthy people and animals, says Mayo Clinic. A few strains found in contaminated water or food can cause abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting. To help prevent E. coli infection, Mayo Clinic encourages people to: Cook hamburgers until they’re 160 degrees Fahrenheit.… read on >
Super-Cooled Injections Might Ice Away ‘Deep Fat’
The Harvard-associated lab that created the “CoolSculpting” process of reducing fat says it’s on the trail of the next advance in nonsurgical slimming. CoolSculpting freezes fat cells by applying an ice-cold gel pad to the skin, causing cells to die off and either be flushed away or absorbed by the body, said lead researcher Dr.… read on >
Health Tip: Healthy Eating for Vegetarians
With the right amount and variety of foods to meet your nutritional needs, a vegetarian diet can be healthy, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA provides healthy eating advice for vegetarians: Think about protein. Incorporate beans, nuts or soy products into your diet. Add calcium. Aside from dairy products, there are many other… read on >
Health Tip: Nuts and Heart Health
Regular nut consumption can lower the risk of heart disease by up to 14 percent, says the American College of Cardiology. Nuts contain heart-healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals. The group reminds people that a complete heart-healthy diet should include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fish and nuts. But as one ounce of… read on >
Canadian Study Probes Links Between Food Access and Early Death
“Food insecurity” — not having enough money to afford sufficient food — increases the risk of premature death, new research suggests. For the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 510,000 adults in Canada between 2005 and 2017. Over the study period, nearly 25,500 people died prematurely. The average life expectancy in Canada between 2008… read on >
Could a Switch to Skim Milk Add Years to Your Life?
If you want to slow down the aging process, it might not hurt to replace whole milk with skim, new research suggests. The study of over 5,800 U.S. adults found that those who regularly indulged in higher-fat milk had shorter telomeres in their cells — a sign of accelerated “biological aging.” The findings do not… read on >
Health Tip: Signs of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning symptoms can range in severity depending on the type of germ swallowed, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After consuming contaminated food, it can take hours or days to have symptoms. The CDC mentions these common signs of food poisoning: Upset stomach. Stomach cramps. Nausea. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Fever. If you… read on >