Although the herbal supplement kratom is still legal and widely available, its opioid-like effects have caused significant withdrawal symptoms in at least two newborns in the United States and that should raise concerns, researchers say. A case study of a baby boy exposed to kratom during his mother’s pregnancy — only the second American case… read on >
Caffeine-laden energy drinks are popular, but they might make your blood vessels less efficient, a small study suggests. These drinks — sold as Monster and Red Bull, to name two — have been linked to heart, nerve and stomach problems, researchers say. “A lot of young kids use energy drinks when they exercise, a time… read on >
Many kids love a quick bowl of instant soup or tasty noodles, but these fast foods cause almost 10,000 scald burns in children each year in the United States, a new study estimates. What’s more, researchers found that two out of every 10 scald burns that send kids to the ER are caused by microwavable… read on >
Obese kids may have extra difficulty with schoolwork and coping under stress, a preliminary study suggests. In a survey of nearly 23,000 parents, researchers found that kids who were obese were less likely to show certain indicators of “flourishing,” versus their normal-weight peers. That meant less engagement in schoolwork and learning, and more difficulty coping… read on >
An “alarming” number of American parents save unused antibiotics and give them to family members and other people, a new study finds. This type of misuse helps fuel antibiotic resistance, the study authors said. Their report is scheduled for presentation Monday in Orlando, Fla., at the national conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).… read on >
Even when eating nutritiously, healthy aging depends on moderating the number of calories you take in. Surprisingly, studies show that if you follow a healthy diet, but eat more than an average number of calories, you won’t fare any better in terms of healthy aging than people who follow the traditional Western diet. You want… read on >
As scientists look more deeply into the effects of diet on health, they’re finding that more and more everyday foods offer benefits that go well beyond making dishes tastier. Garlic, an ingredient found in almost every type of cuisine, is emerging as one such superfood. Part of the allium family, which includes onions and leeks,… read on >
Deciding to have weight-loss surgery is tough enough, but then you have to choose between several procedures — each with different risks and potential weight loss. So how do you decide which one is best for you? New research that compares three types of weight-loss surgery in more than 46,000 patients may help. The three… read on >
Unhealthy gums can be swollen, red and painful. Common triggers for this condition include improper dental care, malnutrition, poorly fitted dentures or side effects of certain medications. The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests ways to help prevent swollen gums: Eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables. Avoid foods that… read on >
Diabetes is a formidable foe that can tax the bodies and the spirits of people diagnosed with the blood sugar disease. But a plant-based diet may help boost the physical and the mental health of unhappy people with type 2 diabetes, a new evidence review reports. Diabetics who switched to a plant-based diet tended to… read on >
