Monthly News Archives



		Exercise Helps Breast Cancer Fight Getting modest amounts of exercise, even just an easy half-hour walk a day, appears to substantially improve women's chances of surviving breast cancer. Value of Pre-Workout Stretch Unclear Coaches and athletic trainers often recommend stretching before a workout, but a new report suggests that there is not enough evidence to prove that stretching can prevent injury. Single Drop of Blood Measures Stress Levels A new test can measure a person's stress level by analyzing a single drop of blood. The test, developed by Oxford University scientists, checks the blood for immune system changes. The blood sample is exposed to a chemical that mimics bacteria and causes a reaction in white blood cells, which regard the chemical as an intruder. Some People Can Blame Taste Buds for Weight Gain Science has confirmed it: a preference for sweet or fatty foods can indeed put inches on the waistline. Investigators found that Pima Indians in Arizona -- who are naturally prone to obesity -- were more likely to gain weight over time if they particularly liked the taste of highly sweetened and fatty foods. Report on Heartburn Millions of men and women experience heartburn at least once a month. Sometimes it may even hurt to lie down. The good news is that you can find relief, and sometimes in surprising places. Find out how to make changes to your lifestyle to help manage your heartburn. More Evidence Found of How Vitamins Prevent Cancer Vitamin E protects against at least two common forms of cancer -- prostate and bladder -- but popping supplements is probably not the best way to get the vital nutrient, researchers said. Consistent Diet Key to Weight Loss In one of the latest studies to look at how those who successfully lost weight manage to keep it off, researchers found that consistency -- paying attention to food consumption seven days a week, not just five -- pays off in better weight maintenance. Housework, Walking Lowers Cancer, Death Risk Housework may be a hated chore but it can reduce the risk of a certain form of uterine cancer, U.S. and Chinese researchers reported. Too Much Sleep Not a Good Thing Like most everything else, sleep is best done in moderation. Spending too many hours in bed each night can cause as many problems as getting too few hours of sack time, according to a University of California, San Diego study in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. Ease Into Spring Activity Raise your hand if you spent your winter climbing in the Himalayas or snowboarding in Utah: You are excused from reading this. Report: The Dangers of Anabolic Steroids Many teenage body builders and athletes mistakenly believe that taking steroids involves all gain and little risk. Steroids do work, but what are the most probable consequences and side effects if you starting taking them? Obesity Experts Offer Suggestions For Prevention A doctor, an activist for fat people and a McDonald's dietitian were among experts who offered a wide menu of ideas for shrinking the bulging waistlines that have made obesity the No. 2 cause of death in America. Fructose Sweetener Linked to Obesity Rise Researchers say they've found more evidence of a link between a rapid rise in obesity and a corn product used to sweeten soft drinks and food since the 1970s. Circumcision Seen as Method to Block HIV Infection Circumcised men are less likely to be infected with the virus that causes AIDS because of biological reasons and not less risky behavior, scientists said. Exercising to Music May Make You Smarter If music makes you smarter, and exercise helps brain function, can exercising to music really boost brainpower? U.S. researchers stated it can. Kids Who Avoid Milk Risk Broken Bones Children who shun milk and don't get enough calcium-rich substitutes may face an increased risk of breaking a bone, according to a new report. Walking 15 Minutes a Day Won't Prevent Obesity Walking briskly for 15 minutes each day is not sufficient to burn off the extra calories in the diet, new research reports. Martial Arts Improves Middle-Age Fitness If working out in the gym isn't appealing, middle-aged men and women wanting to boost their overall fitness should try martial arts training. Dietary Deficiencies Threaten Billions Dietary shortages of crucial vitamins and minerals like zinc and iron may be keeping as many as a third of the world's people from reaching their full potential, researchers told a U.N. panel. Talk Therapy Helpful for Hypochondriacs A type of talk therapy can help hypochondriacs recognize their illnesses are only in their heads, a study said. Herbal Supplements/Meds Not That Dangerous a Mix Most potential interactions between drugs and dietary supplements are not serious, says a University of Pittsburgh study in the March 22 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Ireland's Pioneering Smoking Ban Soon to Start Ireland is set to stamp out smoking in bars and restaurants in the biggest such crackdown yet seen in Europe but one that has angered the owners of some of the country's renowned pubs. Low-Calorie Diet May Extend Life A study in mice suggests that a low-calorie diet could help extend life even if the dietary change doesn't start until old age. Daily Drink Eases Hypertensives' Heart Risk The protection against heart disease from moderate drinking extends to men with high blood pressure, suggesting current advice for such patients to avoid alcohol is wrong, researchers said. Stress Can Cause Heart to Misfire Anger and frustration are more likely to kick a susceptible heart into potentially fatal irregular rhythm than exercise is, U.S.-based researchers reported. Internet Is a Popular Portal for Dieters Internet dieting has exploded in the last few years, attracting people who lack the time to attend face-to-face meetings or those too embarrassed to get on a scale in front of strangers. But the popularity of cyberdieting has left some experts wondering whether it is as effective as traditional counseling. Canada Plans Medical Marijuana Project Canada plans to make government-certified marijuana available in local pharmacies, a move that would make it only the second country in the world to allow the direct sale of medical marijuana. Unraveling the Mysteries of MS There are no clear or easy answers when it comes to multiple sclerosis. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, about 400,000 Americans and 2.5 million people worldwide suffer from the disease, more often women than men. Fish-Oil Supplements Contain Contaminants Levels of fire retardants found in cod liver oil-based dietary supplements are on the rise, a new British study claims. Many Europeans Don't Get Help for Chronic Pain Half the people with musculoskeletal pain in Europe -- about 100 million individuals -- endure chronic pain because they don't receive treatment for their condition, says a study in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Why Junk Food is so Tempting, And How to Beat Your Temptation You see it there on the shelf--a chocolate-covered doughnut, a King-size candy bar, an �everything� bagel--and you know you shouldn�t have it. So what is it about junk food that makes us want it, crave it even, despite knowing that it is just what it claims to be--junk? Acupuncture's Secret: Blood Flow to Brain Acupuncture on pain-relief points cuts blood flow to key areas of the brain within seconds, providing the clearest explanation to date for how the ancient technique might relieve pain and treat addictions, a Harvard scientist reports today. Hypertension in Childhood Foreshadows Heart Disease Children with high blood pressure are more likely to have hardened arteries when they reach middle age, says a Tulane University study. Health Canada Proposes Tough New Warnings for Tanning Equipment Health Canada is stepping in to set the record straight for millions of Canadians who like a tan for all seasons. Under proposed new regulations, sunlamps will have to carry eye-catching, yellow signs of danger and radiation. EU Warns Pregnant Women Over Mercury in Fish Pregnant women should limit consumption of swordfish and tuna due to high mercury levels which can cause brain damage in unborn children, the EU's food safety authority said. Parents Don't See Obesity in Their Children Parents are so accustomed to seeing overweight youngsters that many fail to realize when their own children are obese, British researchers said. Obesity Takes Years Off Diabetics' Lives Obesity can reduce the life expectancy of diabetes patients by up to eight years, British researchers said. Surveys Examine Urinary Infections, Women Most women who contract urinary tract infections don't know the risk factors or simple preventative strategies, while some sufferers shun medical treatment altogether, two surveys showed. Pumping Iron Improves Insulin Effects in Diabetics Strength training improves the effects of insulin in the muscles of patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a report from Denmark. Scientists Change Cows' Diet for Healthier Milk Cows fed rapeseed oil as part of their daily diet produce milk with significantly less saturated fat, British scientists said. Blood Pressure Points to Heart Trouble for Women As blood pressure goes up, a woman's risk of a second heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular disaster also goes up, researchers reported in a rare heart study looking at women exclusively. UK Criticized for Not Doing Enough to End Smoking Britain, where tobacco kills someone every five minutes, was criticized for not doing enough to convince people to stop smoking. Acupuncture Helps Chronic Headache Sufferers Acupuncture is a useful, cost-effective treatment for patients who suffer from chronic headaches or migraine, American researchers stated. Fizzy Drinks Are Major Cause of Teen Tooth Erosion Fizzy drinks are the major cause of tooth erosion in British teenagers but many parents are not aware of the problem, researchers said. Daily Behavior Tied to Obesity Levels Researchers stated that too much time driving cars and watching television rather than exercising is making us fat. The study helps shed light on the obesity epidemic. Brain Area Plays Role Bonding Mother and Baby An area of a woman's brain associated with emotion processing seems to play an important role in establishing the bond between a mother and her baby, says a University of Wisconsin-Madison study. Bad Habits Faulted for One-Third of American Deaths Poor eating habits, lack of exercise and smoking are to blame for more than a third of all deaths in the United States. Don't Over-Treat Kids' Earache, Doctors Urge Two major physician groups jointly issued guidelines on Tuesday for the diagnosis and treatment of middle-ear infections, also called acute otitis media (AOM), in children. How Many Pesticides are in Your Food? It is becoming increasingly clear that traditional farming is leading to declining yields due to soil degradation and there are indications that eating foods laced with peticides are leading to a number of negative health effects in humans. Grandmothers Key to Raising Children It was no accident if your grandmother helped raise you: It was a biological and social necessity that helped you survive and helped your mother have more children, researchers report. Obesity Gains on Smoking as Top Cause of U.S. Death Obesity is quickly catching up to smoking as the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, government researchers said, and a concerned federal government launched an advertising campaign aimed at getting Americans to eat better and exercise more. McDonald's Salad Has More Fat Than Cheeseburger Global hamburger giant McDonald's latest line in healthy looking salads may contain more fat than its hamburgers, according to the company's Web Site. Obesity Could Erase Health Care Gains in U.S. The continuing epidemic of obesity in America could wipe out many of the recent improvements in health within the next 20 years, according to a new U.S. analysis released. Diet Affects Hormone That May Protect Heart Moderate drinking may boost levels of adiponectin -- a substance secreted by fat tissue that seems to affect how well the body responds to the sugar-processing hormone insulin -- according to the results of a study released last week. Teen Weight Gain Surpasses Previous Generation Teens are gaining weight at twice the rate their parents did when they were in adolescence. And the fatter teens get, the quicker they are to tire when exercising. Exercise Treats Chest Pain, for Free A little exercise every day is more effective at relieving chest pain in people with heart disease than a common surgical procedure -- and it's cheap, German doctors reported. Obesity Grows Despite Diets to Curb It Americans are getting morbidly fatter even as they speed up their efforts to lose weight. The American Heart Association hosted a panel to try to unearth what Americans eat and what, exactly, is contributing to the rising tide of obesity. Teens: Curb Your Anger to Avoid Weight Gain Teens who constantly suppress feelings of anger or lose their tempers are more likely to be overweight than teens who are better at controlling their anger, new research reports. Stress Stresses the Heart The cumulative effect of daily mental and emotional stresses reduces the heart's ability to respond appropriately to the outside world. That claim was made by Duke University Medical Center researchers during a presentation March 4 at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society in Orlando, Fla. Filmmaker Tests McDonald's Fare with Big Results A filmmaker was so intrigued by McDonald's claim its food was nutritious that he ate all his meals at the fast-food giant for a month. The results speak for themselves. High Blood Pressure Risk Climbs with Kids' Weight Overweight children face a far greater risk of high blood pressure than their leaner peers do, a study of Houston public schools shows. The Genetics of Rheumatoid Arthritis Researchers have identified several disease features that are common among people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are related. Dairy, Moderate Fat Intake May Help Kids Stay Lean Diets that are moderate in fat and rich in dairy, fruits and vegetables may guard against obesity in children, a study released on Thursday suggests. Web Program Helps Kids With Diet, Exercise An interactive Internet program helps children reduce dietary fat and increase exercise, researchers report. Race a Factor in Obesity College-educated black American women have higher body mass (BMI) ratings than college-educated white women, says a Rush University Medical Center study. Stomach Size Alone Affects Food Intake Although bigger people tend to have bigger appetites, the size of the stomach--and not just the size of the body--appears to affect the feeling of fullness, or satiation, during and after a meal, new research shows. McDonald's to Eliminate Supersizes by Year-End McDonald's Corp., battered by criticism of its fatty foods, said it would eliminate Supersize french fries and soft drinks by the end of the year, part of a swing toward pleasing health-minded customers and simplifying its menu. Video Games Make Kids Fat, Violent, Swedish Experts Say Video games can make children fat and, in the case of violent games popular among teenage and younger boys, aggressive and even criminal, Swedish experts said Too Much Weight Tugs at Kids' Hearts Researchers have found that many schoolchildren are exhibiting early risk factors of diabetes and heart disease, often displaying troubling symptoms that usually show up in adults. Low Vitamin C May Up Asthma Risk Children with low levels of vitamin C may be more likely to develop asthma, researchers report. Research Needed Into Rising Teen Cancers Cancer in teenagers and young adults has risen to become the most common cause of natural death for their age, but not enough research is being done into its causes or treatment. Doctors Urge Eye Wear for Kids in Sports With youth basketball season winding down and baseball looming, two influential physician groups are strongly recommending protective eye gear for young athletes in many organized sports.