Are we eating ourselves to death?
By Steve Porter, M.D. whatdoctorsknow.com Americans spend billions of dollars every year on health and fitness. Chasing a rainbow for the perfect body and perfect health drives us to buy fitness equipment that quickly collects dust in the attic, garage or storage facility. The chase has us buying millions of dollars of vitamins and supplements […]
The acrylamide-cancer link
By Clare Tone, M.S., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Humans have been eating acrylamide, a chemical that forms in some foods when they are exposed to high heat, for as long as we have been cooking, but it wasn’t until 2002 that its presence in foods was discovered. The Maillard reaction, a naturally occurring reaction between […]
The Kid’s Doctor: Caring for kids with strep throat
By Sue Hubbard, M.D. Strep throat, a bacterial infection, seems to “flourish” during early spring. It is typically seen in school aged children between the ages of 4 and 16 years (but may be seen in younger children and adults on occasion). Strep symptoms begin with a sore throat, often a fever, swollen lymph nodes […]
Walk your way to health with these 5 tips
By Dr. Jean Harvey-Berino, Ph.D., R.D., and Joyce Hendley, EatingWell You probably know why you should exercise more. Weight management and stress relief are just two advantages of the many advantages of staying active. But finding the time and motivation to stay in shape can be tricky. Here’s the good news: You don’t need to […]
The elusive fountain of youth
By Scott J. Gilbert More people may be living to 100, and beyond, than ever before. But the real challenge is how to become one of them yourself, and how to care for an aging population. Noel H. Ballentine, M.D., director of geriatric health in the Division of General Internal Medicine at Penn State Milton […]
Environmental Nutrition: B vitamins on the brain
By Marsha McCulloch, M.S., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Cognitive function — including memory, mental speed and problem solving ability — declines gradually over the life span in most people. Although you can’t completely prevent this, B vitamins, particularly folate and vitamins B12 and B6, play specific roles in keeping your mind sharp. EN takes a […]
5 power foods to fuel your workout
EatingWell Want to give your workout a boost?  And as a bonus, they can be packed into a delicious, convenient energy bar (recipe below) to power your workout and help you refuel afterward. 1. Peanuts. The most protein-rich nut of them all helps give this energy bar an egg’s worth of quality protein. Pre-workout: A little […]
How exercise boosts brain function
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I keep hearing that exercise helps with memory and other brain functions. What’s the connection? What types of exercise and how much do I need? A: Exercise boosts your memory and thinking skills both directly and indirectly. It acts directly on the body […]
The Western diet affects immunity
By Sharon Palmer, R.D.N., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter If you need one more reason to avoid the Western diet — our nation’s typical highly processed eating style — here it is: It may compromise your gut microbiota and immune function. A recent National Institutes of Health review of the science on this topic reveals that there […]
The healthiest fall vegetables you’re not eating
By Carolyn Malcoun If the craze for pumpkin-spice everything is any indication, many of us love fall vegetables (at least in latte form). But even a true fall-vegetable lover can get into a cooking rut. Particularly when fall’s bounty of colorful squash, leafy greens and hearty roots arrives and summer’s easy-to-love tomatoes and peppers are […]
Decongestants can sometimes cause more harm than good
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve heard that nonprescription decongestants can have significant side effects. Is this true? ANSWER: While many people rely on nasal decongestants to help ease symptoms of a cold or flu, these medications can sometimes cause more harm than good, especially if taken repeatedly. Examples of commonly used decongestants include […]
Study Shows Childhood Myopia Increasing at Alarming Pace
Source: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine The largest study of childhood eye diseases ever undertaken in the U.S. confirms that the incidence of childhood myopia among American children has more than doubled over the last 50 years. The findings echo a troubling trend among adults and children in Asia, where 90 percent […]
Teach your kids how to swallow a pill
The Kid’s Doctor By Sue Hubbard, M.D. I’ve always been a proponent of teaching children how to swallow a pill. In fact, I think I taught my boys this skill before they were 5 years old, mainly because I was tired of trying to find the measuring cup or syringe for liquid medicine, which often […]
What happens to your body when you don’t get enough sleep?
By The Brain and Spine Team, Cleveland Clinic If you eat well and exercise regularly but don’t get at least seven hours of sleep every night, you may undermine all your other efforts. Sleep disorders expert Harneet Walia, M.D., says it’s important to focus on getting enough sleep, something many of us lack. “First and […]
Thumbs up for vitamin D supplements, but dietary calcium is best
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I consider myself a healthy 70-year-old man. I eat a balanced diet with lots of vegetables. But I am not sure if I need to take a vitamin D and calcium supplement. What’s your opinion? A: Vitamin D is essential to maintain bone […]
Why Pregnant Women Should Avoid Artificially Sweetened Beverages
By Claire McCarthy, M.D. Harvard Health Blog For a while now, research has shown that when pregnant women gain a lot of weight, they have heavier babies. And because heavier babies tend to grow into heavier children who tend to grow into heavier adults, it’s a good idea for pregnant women to try not to […]
Fertility advances bring help and hope
Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham Medicine Sometimes it takes a little science to help fulfill a dream. At least that’s what it often feels like for people who turn to University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility for answers, help and hope. Now more of those dreams are coming true. […]
Study examines aggressive end-of-life care
Source: University of North Carolina School of Medicine Advanced cancer patients receive aggressive care at high rates at the end of life In the last month of their lives, younger cancer patients continued to be hospitalized and receive other aggressive treatment at high rates, a University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center-led study found. […]
New ways to help dementia patients
By Sally Abrahms, Kiplinger Retirement Report Lynn Porter has helped people with dementia learn to draw and led an American history discussion with elementary-school students. Hardly extraordinary — except that Porter also has dementia. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2006, Porter, a retired jeweler from Cambridge, Mass., spent two years in a pioneering day program […]
Make Skin Health a Priority
Source: Skin Cancer Foundation There are several steps you can take to take care of your skin. 1. Don’t skimp on sun protection. Proper sun protection is essential year-round since the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are present every day. Skin cancer is mainly a behavioral disease and it is strongly linked to sun exposure — […]
Fainting: Simple or something to worry about?
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I fainted a couple times in the past three weeks. I woke up on the ground. No injury but I don’t recall what happened. I consider myself a healthy 26-year-old woman. Should I be worried? A: Fainting can be alarming, and it should […]
Risk for developing depression increases following traumatic brain injury
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Is there a link between traumatic brain injury, or TBI, and depression? Would the treatment for depression in someone with a TBI be different than treatment for depression without this sort of injury? ANSWER: Quite a bit of research has been done on this topic. The results clearly show […]
A little more sleep has big rewards
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: My wife says I am more forgetful because I don’t get enough sleep. I sleep 6 hours a night. But I don’t feel tired during the day and I haven’t noticed any change. What do you think? A: I won’t get in the […]
A few easy steps keep kidneys healthy
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I recently had a blood test that showed my kidneys are not working like they used to. I have high blood pressure, but otherwise consider myself healthy. What can I do to help preserve my kidney function? A: Great question! Your situation is […]
Lung disease in smokers who don’t have COPD
By Wynne Armand, M.D. Harvard Health Blog Smoking cigarettes damages your health in a number of ways. The top three smoking-related causes of death are cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to these “top three,” smoking is also linked to a number of other cancers, getting more colds and […]
Sugar isn’t sweet for your heart
Environmental Nutrition:Â By Judy Thalheimer, R.D., L.D.N., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter People who consume more added sugars have a higher risk of death from heart disease. Researchers used to think it was the calories in sugary foods that were the problem: sugar made us fat, and obesity raised our risk of heart disease. But a 2014 […]
Chronic fatigue syndrome not just in your head
Source: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Researchers at the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health have identified distinct immune changes in patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, known medically as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) or systemic exertion intolerance disease. The findings could help improve diagnosis and identify […]
How to Exercise Without Even Knowing It
By EatingWell In a review that appeared in the International Journal of Obesity, a group of scientists recently suggested that Americans are simply spending too much time talking about how our toxic food environment and our couch potato ways are making us obese. Perhaps there are other reasons that we’re plumping up, they proposed. Among […]
Treatment plan for pancreatic cancer unique to each individual
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: How do doctors determine whether or not chemotherapy or surgery is appropriate for treating pancreatic cancer? Why do some people with a late-stage diagnosis have treatment, while others are told treatment will not help their situation? ANSWER: The treatment plan for each individual with pancreatic cancer is unique to […]
Pass the bread, please
Environmental Nutrition By Heidi McIndoo, M.S., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Sliced bread may seem like a mere vehicle for your sandwich fillings, but it can be much more. Bread can be a terrific source of fiber, whole grains, vitamins and minerals. Plus, it can provide delicious flavor, thanks to the wide assortment of breads now […]
Successful strategy to beat sleep med dependence
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I have been taking medication to help me sleep for years. I think it’s now slowing me down during the day. I want to stop but hate the thought of lying awake all night. I feel stuck. What should I do? A: You […]
What To Do When Blood Test Results are Not Quite ‘Normal’
By Heidi Godman Harvard Health Blog Picture this: You’re reading the results of your recent bloodwork, and you notice some numbers are teetering on the edge of the normal range. Should you be concerned? “It’s tricky, because in some tests, a borderline result makes no difference. In others, it might indicate an important change in […]
Environmental Nutrition: Nourish your bones
Unlike the static human skeletons that commonly hang in biology classrooms, your bones are continually being broken down and rebuilt. In fact, your entire skeleton is replaced about every 10 years. In addition to exercise, about 20 different nutrients help prevent the weakening of bones that leads to osteoporosis. We review nutrients you’re more than […]
Know the types of fat you need in your diet
By Holley Grainger, M.S., R.D. Fat can be confusing. For a long time, fat — any fat — was the enemy; now, researchers say certain types of fat are a necessary part of a balanced diet. Here’s help decoding each type of fat: saturated, unsaturated and trans fat. Saturated fat Saturated fat is typically solid […]
Environmental Nutrition: Some ovarian problems treatable by diet
By Judy Thalheimer, R.D., L.D.N., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Up to one in five women of reproductive age suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormone imbalance that can lead to infertility, diabetes, depression and increased risk for heart problems. PCOS is named after cyst-like follicles that often form on the ovaries of women with this […]
Physical therapy after hip replacement: Can rehab happen at home?
By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. Harvard Health Blog Chances are good that at some point you or someone you know will have hip replacement surgery. I can say that with some confidence because it’s a common operation that’s becoming more common all the time. An estimated 300,000 total hip replacements are performed each year in […]
Eight ways to lower blood pressure besides cutting sodium
EatingWell.com When it comes to “natural” ways to improve blood pressure, sodium restriction snags the spotlight. Most experts agree that limiting sodium is a smart strategy for those looking to lower blood pressure, but why focus on what you can’t — or shouldn’t — have? Shift your emphasis to positive lifestyle changes you can make […]
What you need to know if you’re taking multiple medications
Harvard Health Letters Taking several types of medications can be challenging. But this is something you have to get right. If you don’t, you may have unwanted side effects, or you may not properly treat your chronic condition. “I see people who average 15 medications, and it’s very difficult for them to juggle that many […]
What men can gain from therapy
By Matthew Solan Harvard Health Blog Speaking for my gender, there are two qualities that define most men: We seldom like to ask for help, and we do not like to talk about our feelings. Combining the two — asking for help about our feelings — is the ultimate affront to many men’s masculinity. We […]
The rise of pushups: A classic exercise that can help you get stronger
By Matthew Solan Harvard Health Blog The morning of my 50th birthday in May I did something I had not tried in a long time. I dropped to the floor and did 50 pushups, one for each year. I had to break it up into sets and the last few where shaky, but I did […]
Some common causes of infertility can be treated
Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham Medicine There are several complex processes that must occur in order for you to become pregnant and carry a baby to term. Disruption of any of these processes can lead to infertility. The physicians in UAB’s infertility program are specially-equipped to diagnose the cause of infertility and begin treatment […]
The big benefits of plain water
By Mallika Marshall, M.D. Harvard Health Blog “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” Unlike Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner, who was surrounded by undrinkable salt water, most Americans have an unlimited supply of clean water to quench our thirsts. Yet many of us turn a blind eye to it and instead reach for […]
Breast cancer drug found to reduce seizures
Source: Northwestern University A class of drug that inhibits estrogen production and is used to treat breast cancer has been found to quickly and effectively suppress dangerous brain seizures, according to a new Northwestern University study. “The effect was profound and very clear,” said Catherine S. Woolley, Ph.D., senior author of the study, which was […]
Prevent a slightly high blood sugar from progressing to diabetes
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I recently had a blood sugar test. The level was slightly higher than normal. Does this mean I have diabetes? A: No, it more likely means you have prediabetes. It’s a condition in which the blood sugar is higher than normal, but not […]
The trouble with antibiotics
By Susan Farrell, M.D. Harvard Health Blog Most people are aware of the potential downsides of taking an antibiotic. These side effects can range from allergic reactions to stomach upset, diarrhea, mental confusion and, in some cases, Clostridium difficile colitis — painful colon inflammation caused by a disruption in the normal balance of bacteria in […]
Why regular exercise helps reduce cancer risk
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: It makes sense that regular exercise helps prevent heart disease. But I have also read that it might help prevent cancer. What’s the reason? A: Many studies show that people who are physically active are less likely to develop cancer. Such associations don’t […]
Incidence of diabetes and pre-diabetes on the rise
Source: Penn State Hershey Medical Center whatdoctorsknow.com A generation ago, there was no such thing as pre-diabetes. Well, the condition existed – it just wasn’t given a name or diagnosed the way it is now. Chris Fan, M.D., practice site director for the endocrinology and nephrology clinic at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, said news […]
Straight talk about oral health
Harvard Health Letter If you want a snapshot of your current and future health, then open wide. “The condition of your teeth and gums can often show warning signs of serious issues, from potential tooth loss to possible cardiovascular disease and cancer,” says Lisa Simon, D.M.D., instructor in oral health policy and epidemiology at the […]
Waist size trumps body weight to gauge heart disease risk
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I recently met my new doctor. He was worried about my waist size. I’ve always had a big belly but I have never been overweight. What’s more important: body weight or waist size? A: That’s terrific that your doctor focused on your waist […]
Colonic hydrotherapy health benefits remain unproven
The Medicine Cabinet By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: A friend is trying to convince me to get colonic irrigation. After two sessions, she claims to have more energy and believes the colon cleanse removed toxins from her body. Is this true? Is colonic irrigation safe? A: Colonic irrigation, also called colonic hydrotherapy, is a variant […]
