Could swings in your blood fat levels increase your chances of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease? Yes, suggests a new study that found fluctuating cholesterol levels among older adults may increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Those who had the most fluctuations in cholesterol had a 19% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s… read on > read on >
All Food:
FDA Sends Warning to Companies Selling THC Products That Look Like Candy, Cookies
Several companies are selling copycat food items that have the potential to trick people, including children, into consuming dangerous quantities of cannabis. On Wednesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission warned six companies about selling these copycat food products that contain delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as delta-8 THC, a substance… read on > read on >
FDA Approves First Blood Test to Predict Preeclampsia in Pregnant Women
A new blood test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration can predict imminent preeclampsia, helping pregnant women who are at risk of this severe and sometimes deadly form of high blood pressure. The test can identify with 96% accuracy which women with sometimes-vague symptoms will develop preeclampsia within the following two weeks, The… read on > read on >
Are Your Allergies Ready to Head Off to College?
As you stare down your freshman year of college and contemplate living away from home, you’re probably facing a few “firsts”: First roommate who isn’t a sibling; first time fending for yourself to make sure you’re eating properly; and if you have nasal allergies, food allergies or asthma, this could be the first time you’re… read on > read on >
What’s in the Water? Maybe Germs That Could Harm You
Under the surface of your favorite swimming pool, beach and lakes, hazards too small to be seen by the naked eye may await. And these bacteria, viruses and parasites can turn a refreshing plunge into a nasty infection. “There’s a variety of microorganisms that can make recreational activities in water less than fun,” said Dr.… read on > read on >
Taking Ozempic, Wegovy? Stop Before Surgery, Anesthesiologists Say
The trendy weight-loss drug Ozempic could be dangerous for a patient undergoing anesthesia for an operation, according to a new warning from the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and other drugs of their class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists cause digestion to slow down, which decreases hunger and reduces how much people eat.… read on > read on >
Hormone Replacement Therapy May Raise a Woman’s Risk for Chronic Reflux
Some women take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to combat the hot flashes and night sweats that accompany menopause, but a new study review suggests hormone therapy may increase a woman’s risk for developing heartburn. Women who take or have ever taken hormones are at greater risk for developing gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, which is… read on > read on >
More Teens Worldwide Are Underestimating Their Weight
Fewer teens consider themselves overweight and more underestimate what they weigh, a perception concerning to experts worried about childhood obesity. These trends could reduce the effectiveness of public health interventions meant to help young people lose weight, researchers warn. Their findings were published July 3 in the journal Child and Adolescent Obesity. “Young people who… read on > read on >
WHO Experts Take Another Look at Aspartame’s Safety
The artificial sweetener aspartame is in the hot seat once more. Two separate committees made up of health experts from around the world will soon offer advice on consuming aspartame, a popular sugar substitute that is added to sodas, cough drops, desserts and gum. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)… read on > read on >
Mixed Results on Vitamin D’s Benefit for Aging Hearts
Vitamin D supplements might lower the risk of heart attack and other cardiac ills for people over 60 — especially if they’re already taking heart meds, a new study suggests. “Our results suggest that further exploration of the possible benefit of vitamin D on cardiovascular events, particularly in those at higher risk of having an… read on > read on >