If you worry about ever getting cancer, you might want to pass on the processed foods at your supermarket. Every 10 percent dietary increase in packaged snacks, fizzy drinks, sugary cereals and other highly processed foods boosts the risk for cancer by 12 percent, new research suggests. Breast cancer, in particular, was associated with greater… read on >
Asthma and allergies can put on damper on your Valentine’s Day romancing, an expert warns. “Keeping everyone free of allergy and asthma flare-ups helps keep the focus on romance this Valentine’s Day. Red or itchy eyes, runny noses, coughs and fatigue can ruin your celebration,” Dr. Bradley Chipps, president of the American College of Allergy,… read on >
About 5 percent of American children and 4 percent of adults have a food allergy, but many more are getting unnecessary testing. Specific blood and skin prick tests can help detect food allergies. But the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recommends them only for people who’ve had immediate allergic reactions, have a… read on >
Instead of gulping your food, try eating more slowly. It may help you drop those unwanted pounds, a new study by Japanese researchers suggests. Also helpful: Avoiding after-dinner snacks and eating anything in the two hours before you go to bed, the researchers said. The study linked those simple changes to a smaller waist, and… read on >
The scale can be your best friend — or your worst enemy — when you’re on a diet. But whether or not you like what you see, a scale isn’t the only — or the best — way to track your progress. Rather than looking for a particular number on a scale, measure success in… read on >
Has your favorite tabby gotten a tad tubby? You can help that fat cat slim down safely. But be forewarned: It won’t happen overnight. Researchers at the University of Illinois put eight overweight neutered male cats on a diet for 18 weeks. They wanted the cats to lose enough weight to be noticeable but not… read on >
Highly caffeinated energy drinks aren’t safe for children and teens, and should not be marketed to them, a leading sports medicine organization warns. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) on Friday released an official statement about the beverages. “Energy drinks are extremely popular, and concerns about their consumption are coming from every sector of… read on >
Does it seem as though the second you try to cut back on calories all you can think about is food? It’s even harder to minimize the role of food in your life if you’re using tasty treats to manage emotions, according to a Finnish study published in the journal Eating Behaviors. People who lose… read on >
Fruits and veggies are great ways to get important nutrients, try new tastes, and add low-calorie sides to your meals. When fresh isn’t available or affordable, frozen is a healthy option. Look for fresh-frozen fruits and vegetables that have been properly stored, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends. Packages should feel firm. They shouldn’t be… read on >
Super Bowl Sunday is synonymous with greasy chicken wings, calorie-laden chili, salty potato chips and sugary brownies — but experts say there’s no reason you can’t enjoy tasty fare without sending your body into a nutritional tailspin. “On any given day, you normally consume 7 percent to 10 percent of fat as part of your… read on >
