Steering clear of red meat, dairy and processed foods in favor of vegetables, fruits, nuts, extra virgin olive oil and whole grains will do a woman’s heart good, a new review shows. How much good? Australian investigators concluded that women who most closely followed the Mediterranean diet — which also features legumes, fish and shellfish,… read on > read on >
All Food:
Diabetes, Tooth Loss Can Be Double Trouble for Aging Brains
Diabetes is a known risk factor for mental decline and dementia. Paired with total tooth loss, the potential harm to the brain is even more significant, new research indicates. The findings highlight the importance of good dental care and diabetes control in aging adults, said Bei Wu, lead author of a new study of nearly… read on > read on >
Even a Little Extra Weight Can Raise Kids’ Odds for High Blood Pressure
Even modest weight gain above the average puts kids at risk for high blood pressure, new research shows. “Hypertension during youth tracks into adulthood and is associated with cardiac and vascular organ damage,” said lead study author Corinna Koebnick of Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “Since the organ damage can be irreversible, preventing hypertension in our… read on > read on >
More Additives Being Added to Americans’ Food, Report Finds
Americans are eating more food additives, according to a new study that found about 60% of foods they purchase contain coloring or flavoring agents, preservatives and sweeteners. That’s up by 10% from 2001. “Our research clearly shows that the proportion of ultra-processed foods with additives in Americans’ shopping carts increased significantly between 2001 and 2019,”… read on > read on >
U.S. to Tighten Control of PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water
U.S. water utilities will be required to remove certain “forever chemicals” from drinking water as the Biden administration sets first-ever limits on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, better known as known as PFAS. Nearly all Americans have PFAS in their bloodstream. The toxic chemicals are found in an enormous range of goods from dental floss to… read on > read on >
New Nasal Spray for Migraines Approved by FDA
(HealthDay News) – Migraine sufferers will soon have a new treatment option that works more quickly and may be safer for people at risk of heart attack or stroke. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Pfizer Inc.’s zavegepant (Zavzpret), a nasal spray meant to treat severe headache pain, the company announced Friday. “The… read on > read on >
What Are Eating Disorders, and What Are the Signs?
Eating disorders are on the rise, affecting about 30 million people worldwide, and they can be deadly. The causes are “like pieces of a puzzle,” according to Amy Ethridge, an occupational therapist and clinical psychiatric specialist in the Adolescent Medicine and Eating Disorders Program at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey. “It… read on > read on >
Parents, Plan Now for Allergy-Free Summer Camp
Planning for a safe summer camp experience requires some extra steps if your child has asthma or allergies. An allergy expert noted that it’s a huge concern for parents. “Most kids heading off to summer camp for the first time wonder how they’ll cope sleeping in a cabin with 10 other kids, if they’ll make… read on > read on >
For Seniors on Antidepressants, Adding a Drug May Work Better Than Switching
Many older adults with depression don’t respond to their first antidepressant, so doctors will switch them to another one to see if that does the trick. Now, new research suggests that the best strategy for these folks may instead be to add the antipsychotic drug Abilify (aripiprazole) to the original antidepressant. “This is good news… read on > read on >
Mammogram Centers Must Notify Patients of Breast Density, FDA Says
New U.S. federal regulations will require mammography facilities to tell women if they have dense breasts, a description of how the tissue looks on the X-ray. It can be more difficult to detect cancer in dense breast tissue on a mammogram. Having dense breasts is also a risk factor for developing breast cancer. The U.S.… read on > read on >