It’s well known that it’s unhealthy to have belly fat accumulating around your abdominal organs, but there’s a more insidious form of fat that could be even more hazardous to your health, a new study says. Fat that infiltrates your muscles appears to dramatically increase your risk of death, according to findings published May 16…  read on >  read on >

Working nights can be tough on the body, and a new study suggests it might take a particular toll on men’s health. The research, which involved lab mice and humans, hints that the male of the species might be more vulnerable to the “body clock” disturbances that come with shift work. In the lab, researchers…  read on >  read on >

Combining a swallowable gastric balloon with a weight loss drug may be a way to lose significant body weight, a new study suggests. In about eight months of combination treatment, participants lost an average of 19% of their body weight, and significantly reduced their body mass index (BMI), researchers report. “Combination therapy gives providers much…  read on >  read on >

Skip artificial sweeteners if you’re trying to lose weight, warns the World Health Organization (WHO), noting the sugar substitutes aren’t effective for shedding pounds and may also cause harm. Long-term use of sugar substitutes may cause “potential undesirable effects,” according to new WHO guidance. This can include an “increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular…  read on >  read on >

Vegan moms can breastfeed their children and not worry that their breast milk is missing essential nutrients, a new study finds. Researchers from Amsterdam University Medical Center in the Netherlands tested the milk of vegan mothers, finding it contains sufficient levels of vitamin B2 and carnitine. “The maternal diet greatly influences the nutritional composition of…  read on >  read on >

Black and Hispanic communities in the United States are more often poor — and also more likely to have harmful levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their drinking water, a new study reveals. Sources of PFAS pollution — including major manufacturers, airports, military bases, wastewater treatment plants and landfills — are disproportionately sited…  read on >  read on >

It’s important to ask questions when your doctor or dentist writes you a new prescription. This is especially true for opioid pain medications, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone or morphine. While these drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for acute and chronic pain, they can have serious side effects, including addiction and…  read on >  read on >

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first nonhormonal medication aimed at easing menopause hot flashes. The new pill, called Veozah (fezolinetant), is from a class of drugs called neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor antagonists. It targets a specific brain neuron that’s thought to be set off balance as estrogen levels naturally decline…  read on >  read on >