It used to be that we avoided eating fat, ignoring everything else. Remember candy ads that boasted how the high sugar treats were “fat free”? Since then we’ve come to realize the dangers of sugar (often found in “fat free foods”) in our diets. The biggest trend in weight loss has many variations—the high-protein Atkins… Continue reading High Fat? Low Fat? The Newest Diet Controversy
Author: Jane Farrell
Are You Taking Your Medicine?
Researchers from Johns Hopkins are at work on a program that physicians can use to identify “nonadherent” patients – those who are not fully complying with their doctor’s orders. Nonadherence costs the health care system billions of dollars per year. The study appeared in the December issue of Pediatric Nephrology. It was conducted in a… Continue reading Are You Taking Your Medicine?
Can “Fake” Medicine Help You?
Linda Buonanno dealt with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) for years, suffering serious pain and stomach issues. She got involved with a study for a new IBS treatment. The doctor gave her this new medication: sugar pills with no active ingredients. She took the pills When new medicines are developed, they have to go and started… Continue reading Can “Fake” Medicine Help You?
Mutual Fund Managers: No More Rock Stars
The era of celebrity mutual fund managers is over. A few titans retired with their reputations intact, but many have been shown to have feet of clay. Even in this era of indexing, there’s still a place for active management for a certain part of your portfolio. But don’t hitch your investment wagon to a… Continue reading Mutual Fund Managers: No More Rock Stars
The Roots of Psychological Boundaries
Researchers say that age and gender play a greater role than culture in determining psychological boundaries. The researchers, professor Sofya Nartova-Bochaver of the Higher School of Economics in Russia and colleagues from universities in Armenia and China, conducted a comparative analysis of the psychological boundaries of individuals living in different countries. The study was published… Continue reading The Roots of Psychological Boundaries
Safely Treating Teething Pain in Children
Teething is normal but may be a painful experience for infants and toddlers. Too often, well-meaning parents and caregivers who want to ease a child’s pain turn to medications and products that could be harmful. Soothing children’s gums with prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, homeopathic drugs, or teething jewelry marketed for relieving teething pain may… Continue reading Safely Treating Teething Pain in Children
Get Started Preserving Your Memories
If you’re old enough to remember the John F. Kennedy assassination or the Cuban missile crisis, you’re probably realizing that your memory isn’t what it used to be. Indeed, the Centers for Disease Control has reported that one in eight Americans over the age of 60 complains of worsening memory loss. The problem may be… Continue reading Get Started Preserving Your Memories
Confronting The Side Effects of A Common Anti-Cancer Treatment
A new treatment approach is needed to deal with the side effects of aromatase inhibitors, drugs that are commonly given to men and women to stop the recurrence of estrogen-positive breast cancer, researchers say. The therapy, though effective, has been linked with hot flashes, memory lapses, anxiety and depression. Sometimes the effects have been so… Continue reading Confronting The Side Effects of A Common Anti-Cancer Treatment
Watch Out for “Fashion” Contact Lenses
Cosmetic contacts lenses – also known as costume or decorative contact lenses – can change the way your eye looks without correcting your vision. While they may seem like just another fashion accessory, the fact is all contacts require a prescription. Anyone who sells you lenses without getting a copy of your prescription or verifying… Continue reading Watch Out for “Fashion” Contact Lenses
Secondhand Smoke Linked to Sudden Cardiac Death
Continuous indoor exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke triggers changes in the heart’s electrical activity, known as cardiac alternans, that can predict cardiac arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, a new study shows. The authors, from the University of California, Davis, believe the study, conducted in mice, suggests that second-hand smoke exposure alters cells that regulate how… Continue reading Secondhand Smoke Linked to Sudden Cardiac Death
New Moms: Weaker Breast-Cancer Prevention Benefits
Although women who have had children generally have a lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who have never given birth, new research has found that mothers don’t experience that breast cancer benefits until decades later. Additionally, mothers may face an elevated risk of breast cancer for more than 20 years after their last… Continue reading New Moms: Weaker Breast-Cancer Prevention Benefits
How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes
Dirty makeup brushes are more than just yucky. They accumulate product residue, dirt and oil and are a breeding ground for bacteria, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. And grime can lead to acne breakouts and rashes, and can even affect your health. “Dirty makeup brushes can irritate your skin and cause an infection,… Continue reading How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes
Pelvic-Floor Disorders Linked to Mode of Delivery Among First-Time Mothers
The risk of pelvic floor disorders among first-time mothers is strongly linked to how the baby is delivered, a new study shows. Pelvic floor disorders are believed to result from weakening or injury of the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue in the lowest part of the pelvis. The study was funded by National Institute of… Continue reading Pelvic-Floor Disorders Linked to Mode of Delivery Among First-Time Mothers
Is That Birthday Cake Safe to Eat?
An elaborate birthday cake may look great, but be careful of all those cute decorations. Many decorative glitters and dusts are sold over the Internet and in craft and bakery supply stores under names such as luster dust, disco dust, twinkle dust, sparkle dust, highlighter, shimmer powder, pearl dust, and petal dust. And for the… Continue reading Is That Birthday Cake Safe to Eat?
Make 2019 The Year of Your Healthy Brain
Before 2018 is firmly in the rearview mirror, most people will participate in the honored tradition of making their New Year’s resolutions. There are many resolutions that may be spoken but not kept. However, there is one that is well worth the effort: improving your brain health. Here’s how to do it this year: Make… Continue reading Make 2019 The Year of Your Healthy Brain
Antibiotics Are Commonly Over-Prescribed for Urological Procedures
Antibiotics are being overused in up to 50 percent of patients who undergo routine urological procedures, a new study shows. The study, led by Daniel Livorsi, MD, University of Iowa assistant professor of internal medicine, shows that the overuse was mostly due to extended use of antibiotics following the procedure. The findings were published Dec.… Continue reading Antibiotics Are Commonly Over-Prescribed for Urological Procedures
Binge Drinkers and “Drunk Posting” on Social Media
College students who are binge drinkers frequently post on social media while they’re drunk, seemingly without considering possible consequences, according to a new study. “During these times when young students are feeling disinhibited by alcohol, they may be even more likely than usual to post inappropriate material without considering the future impact,” said lead researcher… Continue reading Binge Drinkers and “Drunk Posting” on Social Media
Habit Hacks for A Healthy 2019
I can’t believe 2019 is here already. The beginning of a year is always such a great time to reassess our lives and what’s important to us. Usually it’s around this time that we realize we should be spending more of our precious hours with family and friends and taking care of our health. This… Continue reading Habit Hacks for A Healthy 2019