When Dr. Yezaz Ghouri sees patients with the cramping, abdominal pain and diarrhea that are hallmark symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), he’ll typically ask how life’s going. More often than not, his patients say they are experiencing stress in their lives. Now, Ghouri’s team has established a link between IBS and anxiety, depression and… read on > read on >
All Food:
Colon Cancer Is Being Spotted in Younger People, and at Later Stages
Colon cancer continues to rise among younger U.S. adults, with the American Cancer Society reporting a doubling of cases in people younger than 55 in about 25 years. Also, significantly more Americans are being diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease, the cancer society says. As of 2019, 20% of colon cancer cases occurred in… read on > read on >
Bed Rails Can Help and Harm: FDA Gives Guidance
While adult bed rails are marketed with safety in mind, they need to be used with caution, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises. “Many death and injury reports related to entrapment and falls for adult portable bed rail products and hospital bed rails have been reported to the FDA and the CPSC [U.S. Consumer… read on > read on >
FDA Panel Backs Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine for Older Americans
In a tight vote, U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisors on Tuesday recommended the approval of an RSV vaccine that could be used in Americans ages 60 and up. The vaccine, known as RENOIR, was developed by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. The same panel of advisors will weigh the potential approval of another respiratory syncytial… read on > read on >
Could Tiny Plastic Particles Reach the Fetus From Mom’s Food? Rat Study Raises Concerns
Most food and water contains “nano-sized” microplastics, and new animal research suggests these tiny particles pass from pregnant rats to their unborn offspring and may impair fetal development. The same could be true in humans, the study suggests. “Much remains unknown, but this is certainly cause for concern and follow-up study,” said Philip Demokritou, a… read on > read on >
FDA Takes Action Against Animal Tranquilizer Tied to Fatal ODs
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that it has taken action to restrict imports of the veterinary tranquilizer xylazine to prevent illicit use of the drug. While veterinarians use products containing xylazine to sedate large animals such as horses and deer, the drug is not safe for people. It is sold on the… read on > read on >
Black Patients With Dementia Are Less Likely to Get Appropriate Meds: Study
When Black patients struggle with dementia, they are less likely to receive helpful medications than their white peers, a new study warns. Researchers looked at how often patients received one or more of five classes of medications commonly given to dementia patients living at home. The study builds on prior research that has identified a… read on > read on >
Could a Common Sweetener Raise Heart Risks?
An artificial sweetener commonly used in processed foods could be increasing people’s risk of heart attack and stroke, a new study argues. Erythritol is a natural sugar alcohol found in many vegetables and fruit. Even the human body produces small amounts of erythritol. But higher levels of the sweetener added to processed foods might increase… read on > read on >
Is Obesity Especially Dangerous for Women at Genetic Risk for Breast Cancer?
Certain gene mutations put women at high risk of breast cancer, and now an early study hints that obesity might make matters worse. The findings come from a study of breast tissue samples from women who carried particular mutations in genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 — which convey much higher-than-normal risks of both breast and… read on > read on >
Milk, or a Plant-Based ‘Milk’: What’s the Nutritional Difference?
Not all milks are created equally when it comes to nutrients. Reading the label can clue you in to what you’re getting out of the beverage, whether it be plant-based or dairy, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional content can vary between different plant-based products, the FDA said in a recent news… read on > read on >