Monthly News Archives



		Physically Fit Kids Stay Physically Healthy Kids who are less physically active and have excess body fat have more sick days, new research reports. Not a Lean Year for Health News Although SARS grabbed the global headlines this year by ruthlessly claiming hundreds of lives in Asia and Canada, the year's most troubling health-care news in the United States was actually staring most people in the face: More Americans than ever are so overweight that they are putting their lives at risk. Could Cutting Calories Add Years to Your Life? According to the results of two new studies done on yeast cells, reducing calories activates the silenced information regulator (Sir2) gene, which prolongs cell life. Food Labels Educate the Consumer People who want to take control of their diet need to start paying more attention to a little white box that appears on just about every food label in the supermarket, a University of Michigan dietician says. Glutamine No Help for Dieting Athletes Some wrestlers and other athletes take glutamine supplements to maintain muscle mass while losing weight, but the approach does not seem to work, at least in the short term, researchers report. Kids' Acting Out May Signal Asthma Onset Young children with eczema or atopic dermatitis are known to have a higher risk of developing asthma. Now, new study results suggest that such children who exhibit behavioral problems are more likely to go on to become asthmatic. When Babies Get the Blues To a greater degree than ever before, psychologists and family therapists are focusing on the emotional well-being of babies. The reason: Even infants can experience physical and emotional stress just like adults, but they lack the coping mechanisms years of living bring. Five Common Toxic Metals to Avoid, And Where You�ll Find Them Are you feeling tired or irritable? Is your head foggy or are you suffering from Alzheimer�s disease, depression or anemia? These are just a few of the signs that you may be suffering from metal poisoning--a toxic accumulation of heavy metals in the soft tissues of the body. Brain Rewards Us for Laughing They say laughter is the best medicine, and a new study may help explain how laughter makes us feel good. Researchers report that humor seems to activate brain networks that are involved in rewards. Helmets a Good Idea for Winter Sports Dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh can be downright dangerous. So can skiing, skating or tobogganing. Every year, thousands get seriously hurt while playing winter sports, and many of those injuries are to the head. Reusing Cooking Oil Ups Blood Pressure Experts say that different types of cooking oils are better for you than others, and a new study suggests that the number of times you reuse cooking oils can also affect your health. The Smart Woman's Guide to Health Care If you view your obstetrician-gynecologist as your primary-care physician, make certain to let him or her know -- or you may not get all the medical attention you need and deserve. Keep Kids Safe During the Holidays The holiday season can be a potential danger zone for children, warn doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. They offer the following advice on how you can ensure your children remain healthy and happy during the holidays. School Nutrition Programs Can Work School programs to get kids to eat their fruits and vegetables do make a difference, according to researchers. Their review of several past studies found that "multicomponent" school programs to promote fruits and vegetables--including classroom activities and cafeteria changes such as simply making more produce available--do appear to work. Overweight and Obese Growing at Phenomenal Rates in the U.S. The number of overweight and obese children in the United States is growing at a phenomenal rate. On the whole, kids are spending less time exercising and more time in front of the TV, computer, or video game console. And today's busy families have fewer free moments to prepare wholesome, home-cooked meals, day in and day out. From fast food to electronics, quick and easy seems to be the mindset of many people, young and old, in the new millennium. Magnesium May Lower Diabetes Risk An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but new research suggests that nuts, grains, leafy green vegetables and other foods high in magnesium may keep diabetes at bay. How to Decompress During the Holidays Balancing holiday shopping, socializing and travel with the normal demands of work, school and family can be just too much for some. Even winter weather can cause stress for some people. Here's some simple ways to reduce the effects of daily stress. Obesity Linked to Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness Obesity increases the risk for higher grade prostate cancer and higher recurrence rates after radical prostatectomy, two research groups report. Both propose that obesity may at least partially explain the racial disparity in prostate cancer outcomes. Bears Give Clues to Avoiding Osteoporosis Inactivity is a prime cause of osteoporosis in most animals, including humans. Black bears hibernate for as long as six months a year. Despite that extended period of idleness, the bruins manage to avoid becoming afflicted with osteoporosis. More Study Needed on Salt's Health Risks A new analysis says more research is needed to demonstrate the toll a high sodium diet takes on the body over a lifetime. You Can't Catch a Cold out in the Cold Who hasn't warned their children to bundle up in winter so they won't catch a cold? The truth is that, despite the common belief, colds, flu and other infections are typically not spread as a result of weather or being out in the cold. Allergic to Laytex? Watch Out for Poinsettas A study by Medical College of Georgia (MCG) researchers found about 40 percent of people with a rubber latex allergy were also allergic to poinsettias. Latex allergies affect about 8 percent of the general population. Poor Fitness Increases Risk of Heart Disease Poorly-fit young adults are three to six times more likely to develop diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments in middle age that put them at greater risk of heart disease or stroke, according to a study. Use Tape Measure to Track Diabetes Identifying who is at risk of diabetes and a number of other health concerns may be as simple as measuring waist size, according to a new report. WHO Calls for Boost in Basic Health Care Global efforts to battle HIV/AIDS and slash infant mortality rates will flounder unless the international community boosts basic medical care in poor countries, the U.N. health agency said. School Sports Participants Grow Into Active Adults Raise kids to play sports, and you may also raise future generations of healthier adults, according to new research. Early Fitness Pays Off, Study Finds High blood pressure, heart disease and related problems are not the inevitable products of aging but problems that can be held at bay by being fit early in life, a study said. Adults Don't Eat Enough Fruit, Veggies to Fight Cancer As many as 2.5 million Canadians could be at risk of developing cancer because they don't eat enough fruits and vegetables to reap cancer-fighting benefits, don't exercise enough and don't keep their weight in check, suggests a new study by Cancer Care Ontario. Periodontitis an Antisocial Disease? Social hermits and people who are constantly angry have an increased risk of gum disease. Believe it or not, that's what a Harvard University study in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association found. Neighborhoods That Encourage People to Exercise Inviting, tree-lined sidewalks. Speed bumps that make roads safe for bikers. Zoning laws that inspire people to walk to work. This kind of community might actually end the obesity epidemic, and all the attendant diseases that come with it. Positive Approach Shortens Potty Training Parents may do well to focus on the positive when toilet training their children, according to the results of a new study. Children whose parents do not use negative words about poop tended to become toilet-trained sooner. Coffee Does Not Raise Arthritis Risk Drinking multiple cups of coffee every day does not appear to increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), new research suggests. People With Social Anxiety People with social anxiety disorder may use alcohol to help them cope with social situations and may actually avoid social encounters where there is no alcohol available. Heart Health in the Cold Winter isn't only about suffering through cold and flu season. More heart attacks occur during these months than at any other time of year. Eating Too Much May Raise Colon Cancer Risk In determining a person's risk of colon cancer, how much they eat may be more important than what they eat, US researchers report in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Overweight Boys More Prone to Stress Overweight boys carry a heavier burden of stress-related blood pressure increases and a decreased ability to regain normal blood pressure than overweight girls, says a Medical College of Georgia (MCG) study. A Spoonful of Cinnamon Helps Treat Diabetes People with diabetes can help keep their bodies healthy by simply adding a dash of spice to their diet, new research reports. Hypertension May Be Inflammatory Disease A study of more than 20,000 women provides evidence that high blood pressure in part may be an inflammatory disease, a finding that could provide new avenues for treatment, researchers said. Depression May Not Cause Heart Problems New research suggests that depression does not cause heart attacks or related problems in patients with heart disease. Educate on Children's Fitness with BLAST Our communities are in need of a program that will motivate children and educate the parents about Physical Fitness and sport specific skills. B.L.A.S.T. - Balanced Living Active Sport Training gives children a solid foundation of skills, which will develop youth into empowered, skilful athletes and get their instructors active. Family Strain Spurs Symptoms in Some Bulimic Teens Family arguments and conflict may trigger cycles of bingeing and purging for some teenage girls with bulimia, a small study suggests. Peanut Allergies More Common - U.S., Canada Studies Nut and peanut allergies may be getting more common in children, doubling over the past five years in the United States, researchers reported. Psychological Factors May Raise Alzheimer's Risk Susceptibility to psychological distress seems to be associated with the risk of Alzheimer's disease, researchers in Chicago report in the current issue of the journal Neurology. Calcium, Vitamin D Work Together to Fight Cancer Several reports have linked calcium and vitamin D with protection against colon cancer. Now, new study findings suggest that calcium and vitamin D act together to achieve this effect. Clots More Common in Overweight People New research suggests the risk of potentially deadly blood clots from long airline flights is small but rises sharply in people who are older, overweight or taking birth control pills. Fear of New Things May Shorten Life Being afraid of new experiences may lead to a shorter life, new research in rats suggests. Studies Shed Light on 'Economy Class Syndrome' Some air travelers have a higher risk than others of developing blood clots during long flights, a phenomenon sometimes called "economy class syndrome," according to studies recently published. Early Exercise Wards Off Osteoporosis Girls who do regular jumping exercises around the age of 10 may add bone mass that could delay the onset of osteoporosis in later years, researchers said. Eating Cereal Helps Kids Control Weight If you want to keep your kid's weight down, serving breakfast cereal in the morning might not be a bad idea, researchers report. Kids Who Watch More TV Eat Fewer Vegetables The more television children watch the less fruit and vegetables they eat, probably because the advertising they see leaves them craving junk food instead, a study said. Protecting the Knees of Seniors Social support, aerobic activity and self-efficacy are among the factors that help prevent disability in elderly people with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. U.N. Launches Fight Against Obesity, Poor Diets The World Health Organization, alarmed at mounting deaths linked to high sugar and fatty diets, presented its recipe for a world of fitter and more health-conscious eaters. One Third of Symptoms Have Mysterious Origin More than one third of the physical symptoms that bring people to doctors' offices have no clear cause, new research suggests. Internet's Impact on Cancer Needs More Study Nearly four out of 10 people with cancer in the developed world use the Internet, but the impact of the World Wide Web on cancer outcome is still uncertain, according to a report from Canada. Puffing in Pregnancy Ups Risk Child Will Smoke Children of mothers who smoked at least one pack of cigarettes per day while pregnant are more likely to become addicted to nicotine as adults than children whose time in the womb was spent smoke-free, new research reports. Anti-Aging Supplement May Clog Arteries Adding another chapter to the conflicting history of medical reports about the supposed "anti-aging" supplement DHEA, a new study suggests the hormone could contribute to clogged arteries. Kentucky Survery Says Teens Getting Fatter A new survey by two state agencies says teens are eating worse and getting fatter. An Orange a Day Can Keep Some Cancers Away Eating an orange a day can keep certain cancers away, according to a new Australian study. The government's key research group, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), found consuming citrus fruits could reduce the risk of mouth, larynx and stomach cancers by up to 50 percent. Herbal Cold Remedy No Help to Childen Echinacea, touted as an herbal remedy for the common cold, did nothing to alleviate symptoms in children, a study said. Benefits of Low Back Pain Program Persist One year after starting a self-management program for low back pain, patients still retain early improvements in function, confidence and reduced depression and anxiety levels, investigators report in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Study Predicts Rise in Type 2 Diabetes Carey Guthrie says she can spot students in a middle-school classroom who are most likely to become diabetic. The dietitian is among several Alaska health-care providers watching for an expected rise in young people of type 2 diabetes, an ailment normally found in adults. Hydrotherapy and Exercise Help Arthritis Patients Participation in either a hydrotherapy program or a gym-based exercise program for just 6 weeks improves the functional of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). "However, it seems that hydrotherapy may be more suitable for aerobic-based exercise programs and the gym-based exercise program more suitable for strengthening programs," researchers report. Doctors Advised to Screen for Obesity In response to ever-expanding waistlines, an independent panel of medical experts recommends that doctors and other health providers screen all adults for obesity. Stomach Stapling a Double Risk Severely obese people who undergo stomach stapling are at high risk for complications from the surgery itself and because their weight makes them poor surgical candidates, a doctor warned. AIDS Epidemic Continues To Grow In Canada The HIV-AIDS epidemic continues to rage on in Canada with a record 56,000 people now infected despite two decades of prevention efforts and hundreds of million of dollars spent battling the scourge. U.S. Health Chief Says World Losing AIDS Fight The world is losing the war on HIV/AIDS and must do more to halt the pandemic, U.S. Health Secretary Tommy Thompson said marking World AIDS day in Zambia, one of the worst-hit nations. Women's Risk of Lung Cancer Double That of Men Being a woman appears to be a major risk factor for lung cancer. A 10-year study using computed tomography (CT) screening found women had twice the risk of developing lung cancer from using tobacco that men did. Is This Any Way to Choose Foods? Glycemic index is a term bandied about a lot these days. The Atkins, South Beach, Zone, and Sugar Busters diets advise against foods high on the glycemic index, and thus against many grain products, fruits, and vegetables. People with diabetes may hear about it. Is it something you really need to bother about? Think Cold for Winter Sports Injury Treatment That tumble you took while trying to conquer the expert ski hill or that crushing body check you received in your weekly hockey game has left you with an injury. What do you do now -- apply ice or heat? Healthy Ways to Keep Diabetes at Bay As we become fatter and continue to ignore the messages to lose weight and exercise regularly, doctors aren't just worrying about the increasing threat of heart disease. The extra pounds and sedentary lifestyles are putting more people at risk of diabetes. Heart Attacks: Cold Plays A Role As winter temperatures settle in each year, emergency rooms see an upsurge of men complaining of chest pain. Scientists now think that inactivity may be at least partially responsible. Help for College Drinkers Just a Click Away Inflexxion Inc. has created a Web site called MyStudentBody.com that can provide a personalized assessment of a student's drinking habits and then offer helpful information to combat problems.