Welcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.
Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.
You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.
Kale is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables (genus Brassica), so named because their flowers have four petals in the shape of a cross. A nutritional powerhouse that tastes wonderful when properly cooked, kale is one of nature’s best sources of vitamins A, C and K and a very good source of copper, potassium, iron, manganese and phosphorus. The flavonoids and sulfur-containing compounds called glucosinolates are believed to have antioxidant properties, as are two other compounds that kale delivers, zeaxanthin and lutein, both thought to play a role in protecting the eyes.
These greens are hearty, and they maintain about 50 percent of their volume when you cook them, unlike spinach, which cooks down to a fraction of its volume. The various types of kale also maintain a lot of texture, which makes them perfect for stir-fries. Make sure to remove the ropy stems and wash the leaves in at least two changes of water, as organic kale can be very attractive to aphids. Aphids won’t hurt you, but it might take a few rinses to clean them off the leaves.
Kale is a good choice of greens for a stir-fry because it retains its texture.
When tomatoes are out of season, canned tomatoes are a good substitute in this Apulian-style meal.
This satisfying dish, made with low-fat milk, puts stale bread to good use.
Despite what you may have heard about risotto, this colorful dish doesn’t require constant stirring.
Using precut frozen fish makes this dish economical as well as delicious.
New Heart Failure Risks: Fractures and Memory Problems
by Denise Mann
Studies Highlight 2 New Complications of Heart Failure
Feb. 2, 2012 — Two new studies shine a light on some lesser known consequences of heart failure: fractures and memory problems.
About 5 million people in the U.S. have heart failure, according to the American Heart Association. A chronic and progressive condition, heart failure occurs when the heart muscle can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Symptoms may include swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs, tiredness, and shortness of breath. It is usually treated with medications aimed at relieving symptoms and helping the heart do its job.
Some Body Parts More Satisfying to Scratch
by Rita Ruben
Itching More Intense, and Scratching More Pleasurable, at Ankle Than at Back or Forearm
Feb. 2, 2012 — You’ve got to love a scientific paper entitled “The Pleasurability of Scratching an Itch.”
We’ve all been there, done that: “Ahhh.” But did you know that scratching one part of the body is more pleasurable than scratching another? And no, not your first thought. Lower. Try the ankles.
Actually, the authors of the new paper didn’t study the “private” region, “a totally different ball game,” says co-author Gil Yosipovitch, MD, founder of the International Forum for the Study of Itch. For one, Yosipovitch says, psychological factors probably help determine how pleasurable it is to scratch that part of the body.
1 in 2 Stroke Survivors Has High Blood Pressure
by Charlene Laino
High Blood Pressure a Major Risk Factor for Stroke
Feb. 2, 2012 — A disturbing 47% of people who have had a stroke have poorly controlled high blood pressure, researchers say.
“High blood pressure is the strongest risk factor for stroke, so you would think patients and their doctors would be vigilant about making sure blood pressure is under control,” says researcher Amy Towfighi, MD, assistant professor of neurology at the University of Southern California.
According to the American Heart Association, people with high blood pressure have twice the risk of stroke compared to people with normal blood pressure, and treating high blood pressure with medication and lifestyle changes such as exercise substantially reduces stroke risk.
Norovirus Causes Most Hospital Infection Outbreaks
by Cari Niernberg
3 Bacteria and 1 Virus Cause Almost 60% of Hospital-Associated Outbreaks, Survey Shows
Feb. 2, 2012 — Norovirus is the leading cause of infection outbreaks in hospitals throughout the country, a new study reveals.
The virus, which causes a “stomach flu” known as gastroenteritis, was the culprit in some 18% of all outbreaks in U.S. hospitals during a two-year period. It also was responsible for 65% of unit closures in health care facilities.
Norovirus has also been associated with outbreaks on cruise ships.
Sunny Skies Linked to Lower Stroke Risk
by Charlene Laino
Dietary Vitamin D Also Associated With Decreased Risk of Stroke
Feb. 1, 2012 — People who live in sunny places may have a lower risk of stroke, new research suggests.
The researchers believe it is the first to show an association between sunlight and stroke.
A second study suggests eating a lot of salmon, eggs, tuna, and other vitamin D-rich foods may help protect against stroke and memory loss.
Both studies were presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2012.
Sleep Apnea Linked to Silent Strokes
by Charlene Laino
Breathing Pauses During Sleep Tied to Brain Lesions
Feb. 1, 2012 — A common sleep disorder is associated with an increased risk of symptomless but serious strokes called “silent strokes,” German researchers report.
Sleep apnea, a condition marked by periodic interruptions in breathing during sleep, has been linked to an increased risk of strokes. But there hasn’t been much research exploring the relationship between sleep apnea and silent strokes, says researcher Jessica Kepplinger, MD, of Dresden University Stroke Center at the University of Technology in Dresden, Germany.
Study: Stents as Good as Surgery at Keeping Neck Arteries Open
by Charlene Laino
Procedures Lower Stroke Risk With Low Reblockage Rates
Feb. 1, 2012 — A less invasive approach for clearing neck arteries of dangerous plaque works just as well as surgical treatment for most people at high risk of stroke, according to the largest comparison of the two procedures to date.
Ninety-four percent of patients’ arteries remained open two years after undergoing either surgery or the less invasive procedure, which involved inserting a stent.
Stenting, in which flexible mesh tubes are used to prop open blocked blood vessels, is widely used to clear plaque-clogged heart arteries, which cause heart attacks. More recently, it began to be used to open blocked neck arteries that lead to strokes, but surgery in which the vessel is cut open and cleared out, called endarterectomy, remains the gold standard.
Does Obesity Cause Pain?
by Brenda Goodman, MA
Study: Obese People Are in Pain More Often, Even if They Are Healthy
Jan. 30, 2012 — A large new study shows that obesity and pain often go hand in hand. That appears to be true even if an obese person is otherwise healthy.
Researchers say that begs some questions: Can extra pounds cause pain? If so, how does fat make us hurt?
A slew of chronic conditions that cause pain are also more common in people who are overweight and obese. Those conditions include arthritis, depression, fibromyalgia, type 2 diabetes, and back pain.
Should Blood Pressure Be Taken in Both Arms?
by Peter Russell
Differences in Blood Pressure Between Arms May Signal Blood Vessel Problems
Jan. 30, 2012 — Differences in blood pressure readings taken from the left and right arms may be a sign of heart and blood vessel disease and death risk, according to a new review of recent research.
Researchers found that a difference of 15 points or more in the readings between the left and right arms raised the risk of peripheral vascular disease, a narrowing or blockage of the arteries, by two-and-a-half times.
That same 15 point-difference in systolic readings (the top number in a blood pressure reading) also increased the risk of cerebrovascular disease by 60%. Cerebrovascular disease is associated with thinking problems, such as dementia, and an increased risk of stroke.
Researchers say the results suggest that doctors should routinely compare blood pressure readings from both arms to prevent unnecessary deaths.
1 Million Birth Control Pill Packs Recalled
by Daniel J. DeNoon
Pregnancy Risk With Lo/Ovral-28, Generic Norgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol
Feb. 1, 2012 — Pfizer has recalled 1 million packs of Lo/Ovral-28 and generic norgestrel/ethinyl estradiol birth control pills.
The pills, which must be taken in the correct sequence, may be mixed up. Women using the products risk pregnancy and should consult their doctors.
Although the pills are made and packaged by Pfizer, they are sold by Akrimax Rx Products and carry the Akrimax name on their labels.
The recall includes 14 lots of brand-name birth control pills and 14 lots of generic birth control pills distributed across the U.S.
FDA and EPA: Orange Juice Is Safe to Drink
by Matt McMillen
Tests Reveal Low Levels of Fungicide in Some Imported OJ Products
(Jan. 30, 2012) — The FDA is continuing to assure consumers that orange juice is safe to drink, despite possible contamination by carbendazim, a fungicide used by growers in some foreign countries but which is illegal for use on citrus fruits in the United States.
“FDA is confident that orange juice in the United States may be consumed without concerns,” the federal agency said in a news release issued Friday.
That statement was part of the third weekly update the FDA has issued since Jan. 9, when the agency alerted the orange juice processing industry about reports that carbendazim had been detected in OJ products imported from Brazil.
In that country, growers legally use the fungicide to fight black spot, a mold that grows on orange trees. Other major importing countries, such as Mexico, also allow carbendazim.
New Drug Treats Fibroids With Fewer Side Effects
by Salynn Boyles
Drug May Control Bleeding as Well as Older Drug Lupron, With Fewer Hot Flashes
Feb. 1, 2012 — A new drug appears to be effective for shrinking uterine fibroids and controlling the heavy menstrual bleeding they often cause, according to new research from Europe.
In one study, the drug ulipristal acetate proved to be much more effective than a placebo for shrinking the non-malignant uterine tumors.
In another, ulipristal acetate was found to be as effective as monthly injections of the drug Lupron for reducing heavy bleeding in women with uterine fibroids.
Both studies appear in the Feb. 2 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
1 in 4 Partial Mastectomy Patients Have Second Surgery
by Salynn Boyles
Study Finds Wide Variations Among Surgeons in Rates of Additional Surgeries
Jan. 31, 2012 — Close to 1 in 4 breast cancer patients who have partial mastectomies undergo a second surgery to remove suspicious tissue, but there is little agreement about when the second surgery is needed.
Researchers found huge variations from institution to institution and from surgeon to surgeon in the rate of follow-up surgeries women had after breast-conserving surgery.
The study found that some surgeons almost never performed second surgeries while others performed them in 70% of their patients.
Heartburn Drugs Linked to Hip Fractures in Women
by Denise Mann
Study Helps Clarify Who Is at Risk for Fractures With Long-Term PPI Use
Jan. 31, 2012 — Postmenopausal women with a history of smoking who take heartburn drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for two years or longer may be more likely to sustain a hip fracture.
And the longer women take PPIs, the greater their risk.
That said, the risk does disappear after women stop taking these drugs for two years. The new findings appear in the journal BMJ.
Study: Radioactive Seeds Beat Out Other Prostate Cancer Treatments
by Charlene Laino
Brachytherapy May Have Fewer Side Effects, Is Cheaper Than Surgery, External Radiation Therapy
an. 31, 2012 — For most men with prostate cancer, having radioactive seeds implanted in the prostate is associated with fewer serious side effects than either surgery to remove the prostate or having a beam of high-energy radiation aimed directly at the cancer, researchers say.
The analysis of the Medicare records of more than 100,000 prostate cancer patients also shows that treatment with radioactive seeds, called brachytherapy, is cheaper than surgery or external beam radiation therapy (EBRT).
New Type of Prostate Cancer Pill Extends Lives
by Charlene Laino
Men Given MDV3100 Live an Average of Nearly 5 Months Longer
Jan. 31, 2012 — An experimental pill that works differently than other prostate cancer drugs extended the lives of men with spreading cancer by an average of nearly five months.
Men with late-stage prostate cancer given the new hormone treatment, MDV3100, lived an average of nearly a year-and-a-half from the time they started taking the treatment, compared with fewer than 14 months for those given placebo.
MDV3100 works differently than other hormone treatments, launching a three-pronged attack against testosterone and its related hormones, called androgens, which fuel prostate cancer growth.
In Dollars Alone, Cost of U.S. Child Abuse High
by Daniel J.DeNoon
CDC: Cost of Child Abuse Higher Than Cost of Diabetes or Stroke
Feb. 1, 2012 — Child abuse and neglect are rampant in the U.S., and the annual cost is as high or higher than the cost of other major health problems, the CDC reports.
In 2008, based on data from child protective services, there were about 579,000 new cases of child abuse. But based on earlier U.S. survey data, there are as many as 2.8 million new cases a year.
The annual cost is between $124 billion and $585 billion. The lifetime cost of each case — the CDC’s low-end estimate is $210,012 — outstrips the lifetime cost of diabetes or stroke cases.
Breastfeeding OK for Moms With Asthma
by Salynn Boyles
Study: Breastfed Babies Have Better Childhood Lung Function
Feb. 3, 2012 — New moms with asthma can safely breastfeed without worrying that the practice will increase their child’s asthma risk, a new study shows.
Researchers followed children in the United Kingdom from birth until around age 12 to assess the impact of breastfeeding, if any, on lung development.
They found that kids who were breastfed as babies had modestly better lung function than those who were not — and breastfeeding seemed to convey the most protection to children whose mothers had asthma.
Can Too Much Texting Make Teens Shallow?
by Kathleen Doheny
Study: Young People Who Text Frequently Focus on Wealth, Image; Less on Moral, Spiritual Goals
Feb. 3, 2012 — Teens and young adults who text frequently — such as more than 300 text messages a day — may be risking more than sore thumbs, according to a new study.
“Heavy texters do seem to be a little more materialistic and less concerned about inward growth,” says Paul Trapnell, PhD, associate professor of psychology at the University of Winnipeg in Canada.
Sense of Humor Starts Early in Children
by Jennifer Warner
Researchers Hope Finding Will Lead to a Better Understanding of How Humor Affects a Child’s Well-being
Jan. 31, 2012 — It may come as no surprise to parents of funny kids, but a new study shows children’s sense of humor starts developing early.
Researchers found the same parts of the brain that respond to humor in adults are active in children as young as 6 years old. But the circuitry within the brain associated with a sense of humor becomes more sophisticated with age.
“Our new finding suggests that the network that responds to humorous stimuli in adults is already present in kids but is not as well-developed,” researcher Allan Reiss, MD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Stanford University School of Medicine, says in a news release.
Study: Constipation May Cause Bed-wetting
by Salynn Boyles
Some Kids With Bed-wetting May Have Undiagnosed, Unrecognized Constipation
Jan. 30, 2012 — A surprising new study suggests that for many children who wet the bed, the cause may start with their bowels and not their bladders.
Undiagnosed constipation appeared to be a frequent contributor to bed-wetting among the children who took part in the research.
When these children were treated with laxatives or enemas, most stopped wetting the bed within a few months.
“Most of these kids did not have symptoms consistent with constipation and the parents had no clue,” says researcher Steve J. Hodges, MD, an assistant professor of urology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. “What these children had was stool in their rectums, and that is the problem we addressed in this study.”
Mom’s Support Tied to Child’s Brain Development
by Brenda Goodman. MA
Study Finds That Strong Parental Support May Be Linked to Area of Brain Important for Handling Stress
Jan. 30, 2012 — Mothers who are more supportive of their young children through the stresses and frustrations of life are doing more than heading off full-blown tantrums. They may actually be encouraging healthy brain development, a new study shows.
For decades, researchers have observed that the brains of animals who are nurtured early in life look different than those of animals that are not given similar care. Studies have also found that nurtured animals tolerate stress better than animals that are raised without support.
“Parental support, particularly in early childhood, is a very, very powerful force in a child’s life,” says researcher Joan L. Luby, MD, a professor of child psychiatry at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. “It’s a very positive, powerful force.”
Sex and the Elderly: STD Risk Often Ignored
by Salynn Boyles
STD Rates Rising, but Reasons Aren’t Clear
Feb. 2, 2012 — The rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has more than doubled among middle-aged adults and the elderly over the last decade, but the reasons for this are unclear.
One cause may be the increased popularity of erectile dysfunction drugs that have made sex possible for millions of aging men.
Or it could be the determination of baby boomers, who ushered in the sexual revolution, to stay sexually active as they age.
Or it might be the low rate of condom use among older couples, who no longer worry about pregnancy and may not think they are at risk for STDs.
The contribution of any or all of these factors to the rising STD rate in this age group is not clear, experts say, because very few researchers have studied the issue.
Senior Moment or Something Worse? Yes/No Test May Tell
by Denise Mann
Test Can Help Identify People at High Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
Feb. 3, 2012 — When are “senior moments” just a normal part of healthy aging, and when are they a sign of something more serious such as Alzheimer’s disease?
This is the million dollar question, and the Alzheimer’s Questionnaire, a set of 21 yes or no questions that can be answered by a loved one or caregiver, may help answer it.
The 21 questions fall into five categories including memory, orientation, ability to function, visuospatial ability, and language. A score of 15 or higher suggests Alzheimer’s disease, while a score between five and 14 suggests mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — a form of early memory loss that may progress to Alzheimer’s. Scores of four or lower suggest the memory is working just fine.
Signs of Alzheimer’s May Show Up Years Before Symptoms
by Denise Mann
Study: Signs of Disease Seen in Brains of People Who Don’t Have Alzheimer’s Yet
Feb. 1, 2012 — Amyloid protein plaques in the brain are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Now, new research shows that this plaque actually builds up gradually and causes subtle changes in memory and mental status even in some adults who are healthy.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Symptoms including serious memory loss, confusion, and mood changes that develop gradually and worsen with time.
Blood Test May Help Diagnose Depression
by Brenda Goodman, MA
Researchers Say an Experimental Test Correctly Points to Depression in a Majority of Cases
Feb. 3, 2012 — Researchers say they have developed a blood test that may reliably detect depression.
If the test continues to perform well in studies, experts say it could become one of the first objective ways to look for depression, which affects nearly 1 in 10 American adults.
“Psychiatry is a field that is begging for tests because all of our diagnoses, for the most part, are based on clinical assessments, and clinical assessments are very subjective and can be biased,” says Jennifer L. Payne, MD, a psychiatrist and co-director of the Mood Disorders Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
Purple Potatoes Lower Blood Pressure in Overweight People
by Cari Nierneberg
Eating Colorful Spuds Reduced High Blood Pressure Without Adding Pounds
Feb. 3, 2012 — Looking for an unusual way to lower your blood pressure? Try an unusually colored potato.
When overweight people included two servings of purple potatoes a day in their diet for a month, they not only reduced their blood pressure, they also didn’t gain weight in the process, a small study shows.
In the study, published online in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers tracked 18 middle-aged adults. Half of them were asked to eat the skin and flesh of six to eight small purple potatoes at lunch and dinner for four weeks, while the others did not add the microwaved taters to their meals.
People Pleasers May Overeat at Parties
by Jennifer Warner
People Who Don’t Want to Rock the Boat May Overindulge at Super Bowl Parties
Feb. 3, 2012 — People pleasers may want to steer clear of this weekend’s Super Bowl parties in order to avoid a dietary fumble.
A new study shows people who have a strong desire to please others tend to overeat in social situations, even if they’re not hungry.
They’re also more likely to indulge in foods they’d normally avoid, like fatty snacks and sweet desserts.
“People pleasers feel more intense pressure to eat when they believe that their eating will help another person feel more comfortable,” says researcher Julie Exline, PhD, a Case Western Reserve psychologist, in a news release.
Eating Behavior May Be Shaped by Who You Eat With
by Matt McMillen
New Study Shows How People Mimic Those With Whom They Eat
Feb. 2, 2012 — How you eat may depend on who you’re eating with, according to a study published in the online journal PLoS ONE.
Diners who eat together, the authors report, tend to mirror each other, taking bites of food at the same time. They call it behavioral mimicry, or “the process in which a person unwittingly imitates the behavior of another person.”
And they conclude that such insights have “significant implications for one’s health and well-being.”
Massage May Help Sore Muscles Recover
by Brenda Goodman, MA
Study Suggests Post-Exercise Massage Decreases Inflammation and Could Enhance Muscle Growth
Feb. 1, 2012 — There may be more to love about massage than just the “ahhhhh.” A new study shows that kneading muscles after hard exercise decreases inflammation and helps your muscles recover.
The study hints that massage after exercise may help relieve soreness, and may also help muscles become fitter faster — two benefits that have thus far been mutually exclusive in the “no pain, no gain” world of athletics.
Americans Sweet on Sugar: Time to Regulate?
by Kathleen Doheny
Researchers Say Excess Sugar Should Be Regulated Like Alcohol and Tobacco
Feb. 1, 2012 — Americans are eating unhealthy amounts of sugar, and excess sugar should be regulated like alcohol and tobacco, say researchers from the University of California, San Francisco.
“We are now seeing the toxic downside [of excess sugar intake],” Robert H. Lustig, MD, a professor of clinical pediatrics at the UCSF Center for Obesity Assessment, Study, and Treatment, tells WebMD. “There has to be some sort of societal intervention. We cannot do it on our own because sugar is addictive. Personal intervention is necessary, but not sufficient.”
His views on regulating sugar are published as a commentary in the journal Nature.
Doctor Overweight? Slim Chance of Getting Weight Loss Advice
by Denise Mann
Doctor’s Weight May Be a Factor in Diagnosing Obesity, Study Finds
Jan. 31, 2012 — Doctors who are normal weight are more likely to give patients advice on diet and exercise, according to a new study.
And normal-weight doctors were also more apt to make a diagnosis of obesity, compared to overweight or obese doctors.
“Your doctor is often not going to diagnose obesity or have weight loss discussions with you if they weigh more than you do,” says researcher Sara Bleich, PhD. She is an assistant professor with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School’s department of health policy and management in Baltimore, Md.
New Weight Loss Strategy: Postponing a Snack
by Kathleen Doheny
People Who Postpone a Snack Craving Have Less Desire for It; Eat Less Over Time, Study Finds
Jan. 30, 2012 — Got a craving for chocolate ice cream, greasy chips, or something else that you’re trying not to eat?
Postpone it.
People who postpone a snack they crave actually desire it less and are able to delay eating it, says researcher Nicole Mead, PhD, an assistant professor at Catolica-Lisbon School of Business and Economics in Portugal.
What’s more, they then eat less of that food over the next week, she has found.
One key? Postponing has to be to some vague time in the future.
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