Welcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness News 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.
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I decided to devote most of the recipes this week to dishes that involve cooking lettuce. I couldn’t resist one simple romaine and radish salad, but the rest of the dishes are cooked. I used the tough outer leaves of romaine or leaf lettuce in blended sauces and entire heads in soups. I tested several classic French braised lettuce recipes, but as promising as these looked on paper, they didn’t appeal to me nearly as much as the more vibrant Chinese stir-fried lettuce dishes I tried, or the puréed soups. In the French braised dishes, the life seemed to be cooked out of the lettuces.
I used sturdy lettuces like romaine and leaf lettuce for the cooked dishes, not tender spring mixes, which really should be dedicated to salads. Bitter lettuces with tough outer leaves, like curly endive (a k a escarole or chicory) and Batavia, stand up to cooking the same way greens like kale do. Use the recipes not only when you have a surfeit of lettuce in your C.S.A. basket, but also for the tough outer leaves of the one head of romaine in your fridge that you don’t want to include in your salads.
~Martha Rose Shulman~
A warm sauce featuring tomatillos and lettuce gives tender poached chicken a Mexican accent.
Stir-Fried Lettuce With Seared Tofu and Red Pepper
If you’ve got too much lettuce on hand, put the salad dressing away and try stir-frying it.
Romaine and Radish Salad With Buttermilk Lemon Dressing
A tangy, creamy dressing cuts the bite of the radishes and the mild bitterness of the romaine.
Puréed fava beans and cooked chicory are a classic pairing in Italy; for this version, almost any kind of hearty bitter lettuce will work.
Use a flavorful broth – chicken or vegetable – to enhance the subtle flavors in this thick, comforting soup.
Bypass Beats Angioplasty for People With Diabetes
Study Compares Survival Rates for Bypass Surgery and Angioplasty Among Different Types of Patients
May 11, 2012 — People with diabetes who undergo bypass surgery to open clogged heart arteries may live longer than their counterparts who chose angioplasty, a new study shows.
During angioplasty, a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into a blocked heart artery to widen it and boost blood flow. Often a stent is inserted into the heart artery during the procedure to help keep the artery open.
Surgeons perform bypass surgery by taking a healthy blood vessel from inside the chest wall or the lower leg and reattaching it above and below the blocked heart artery. This also improves blood flow by allowing blood to bypass the blockage.
Sleep That’s Slightly Shifted Away From Normal Biological Rhythms May Increase Obesity Risk
May 10, 2012 — People who have different sleep patterns on the weekends than they do during the work week may experience “social jet lag,” and a new study shows this shift in sleep schedule is linked to obesity.
For every hour of social jet lag, the risk of being overweight or obese rises about 33%, says researcher Till Roenneberg, PhD, a professor at the Institute of Medical Psychology at the University of Munich.
Predicting Success Rates for Epilepsy Drugs
50% of Patients Seizure-Free After Trying First Anti-Seizure Drug
May 9, 2012 — Half of all epilepsy patients who are initially started on one anti-seizure drug remain seizure-free for at least a year, a new study confirms.
Among patients followed for as long as 26 years, initial response to drug treatments strongly predicted future seizure control.
Yet less than 1% of patients who failed to respond to three anti-seizure drug regimens achieved adequate seizure control on subsequent drug treatments even though some were treated with as many as nine different drugs or drug combinations.
Having ‘Type D’ Personality May Hurt Your Health
People With Distressed Personalities More Likely to Report Worse Health After Getting a Defibrillator
May 9, 2012 — Doctors need to focus on their heart patients’ psychological well-being in addition to their physical well-being, suggests a new study in the journal Circulation.
According to the research, patients with what’s known as a “type D” personality — meaning a distressed and generally pessimistic outlook on life — may be more likely to face poor health after having an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) put in place than other patients with the same device.
An ICD monitors the heart and shocks it back on cours
Antibiotics in Environment Fuel Drug Resistance?
Antibiotics in Water and Soil May Contribute to Rising Rates of Antibiotic Resistance
May 8, 2012 — Antibiotics found in river sediment, farmed soil, and other sources are polluting the environment and contributing to the rising rates of antibiotic resistance, a new report suggests.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when a bacteria grows immune to the effect of an antibiotic or class of antibiotics. It has been called one of the world’s greatest health threats by the CDC, the FDA, and the World Health Organization.
Probiotics Reduce Antibiotic Diarrhea
Users Had 42% Lower Risk of Diarrhea While Taking Antibiotics
May 8, 2012 — Diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotic use, occurring in almost 1 in 3 people who take the drugs. But new research suggests that probiotics may help lower the risk of that unwanted side effect.
By affecting good bacteria, as well as bad, antibiotics can disrupt the delicate microbial balance in the intestines, but the live microorganisms marketed as probiotics can help restore this balance to reduce diarrhea risk, a new review of the research suggests.
Supported by a federal grant, researchers from the nonprofit research and analysis group RAND Corporation pooled the best available research on probiotics and antibiotic-associated diarrhea, including the most recent studies.
They found that in people taking antibiotics, those who used probiotics were 42% less likely to develop diarrhea.
Fat Future: 42% of Americans May Be Obese by 2030
20-Year Estimate Predicts 2.2-Fold Bulge in Extreme Obesity
May 7, 2012 — By 2030, 42% of Americans will be obese and 11% of Americans will be severely obese, Duke University and CDC researchers predict.
These shocking numbers actually are conservative, note study researchers Eric A. Finkelstein, PhD, and colleagues.
Eye Color Linked to Skin Diseases
Eye Color May Reveal Risk of Vitiligo, Melanoma
May 7, 2012 — They say “the eyes are the window to the soul.” But a new study suggests the eyes may also offer a sneak peek at the risk of serious skin problems down the road.
The results showed that people with blue eyes were less likely to develop vitiligo. Meanwhile, people with brown eyes were more likely to develop the skin disease and its characteristic white patches of skin and hair.
Researchers say the findings suggest eye color may also have important implications on melanoma risk because the two diseases are related genetically.
Zinc May Slightly Help Adults With Colds, Not Kids
Study Shows Zinc Supplements Do Little to Lessen the Severity of Cold Symptoms
May 7, 2012 — Adults who take zinc supplements at the first sign of a cold may shave almost two days off of their sniffling, sneezing, and coughing, a new review study suggests.
That said, the supplements didn’t lessen the severity of these symptoms in adults, and had no effects on children, who can catch as many as eight to 10 colds per year. Zinc lozenges or liquids also have their share of side effects, including bad taste and nausea.
“Although oral zinc can impact the duration of [the] common cold in adults, there is not enough evidence to recommend its use in children, and only a weak rationale for its use in adults,” says researcher Michelle Science, MD. She is an infectious disease specialist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sunburns, Tanning Beds: Young Adults at Risk
Low Sunscreen Use in People Under 30; Indoor Tanning Most Common in White Women
May 10, 2012 — Two new reports from the CDC are shedding more light on just how many young people may be soaking up ultraviolet (UV) rays — whether it’s outdoors or UV rays from indoor tanning.
And there are signs of some worrisome trends: The sun-seeking habits of young men and women, along with their inadequate sun protection strategies, are putting them at greater risk for skin cancer.
The first study looked at trends among young people ages 18 to 29 between the years 2000 and 2010. It found that about 66% of whites in this age group had gotten at least one sunburn in the past year.
Sunscreen Ingredient Linked to Endometriosis
Study Ties a Common Ingredient in Sunscreens, Nail Polishes, and Lotions to Endometriosis
May 11, 2012 — Certain chemicals that are widely used in sunscreens and other products because they protect against UV light are associated with an increased risk of developing the gynecological condition endometriosis, a new study shows.
But the Personal Care Products Council, a group that represents cosmetics manufacturers, called the study “weak” and “unconvincing” and said it shouldn’t scare people away from safe sun practices, including sunscreen use.
FDA Panel OKs Truvada as First HIV-Preventive Drug
AIDS Activists Divided Over Whether Drug Will Help or Harm Epidemic
May 10, 2012 — An FDA advisory panel today recommended approval of the drug Truvada to prevent the spread of HIV infection in high-risk, healthy people.
Since 2004, the drug has been been approved to treat people already infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Many Pregnant Women Fear Exercising
Despite Proven Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy, Many Still Think It Will Harm Their Babies
May 10, 2012 — Are you pregnant and afraid to exercise?
Though exercise during pregnancy has proven benefits for healthy women, many still fear it, according to a new study.
“Despite what we have said over the last 10 years, pregnant women are still afraid exercise is going to hurt their child,” says researcher Melissa J. Hague, MD, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita.
About 20% of White Women Smoke While Pregnant
Hispanic Moms Least Likely to Smoke, Drink, or Use Drugs, Report Finds
May 10, 2012 — White women who are pregnant are more likely to smoke cigarettes than African-American or Hispanic mothers-to-be, a new government report shows.
The study found that pregnant white women had high rates of cigarette smoking at 21.8% compared with 14.2% among African-American women and 6.5% among Hispanic women.
The report, which was done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, did not include how much or how often the women smoked.
Pregnancy After 40: Healthy Weight Improves Risk
Age, Obesity Both Affect Risks, but Losing Weight Before Conceiving May Help, Experts Say
May 9, 2012 — Pregnancy after 40 does carry more risks, but being at a healthy weight before getting pregnant seems to modify those risks, new research suggests.
“If you are healthy, over 40, and not obese, your risks of pregnancy complications are certainly less than an obese 40-year-old,” says researcher John R. Barton, MD, director of maternal-fetal medicine at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Ky. “And [they are] not that much different, other than a higher C-section rate, than a non-obese, younger woman.”
Preventing Skin Cancer in Youths: Appeal to Vanity
Task Force Counsels Docs to Use Appearance-Based Approaches for Fair-Skinned Youth
May 7, 2012 — If you’re young, fair-skinned, and have a doctor’s appointment soon, here’s a prediction.
Your doctor may give you a gentle lecture about sun protection. He or she may appeal to your vanity to reduce sun exposure now and the risk of skin cancer later.
The counseling sessions are a new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The independent group of experts reviews evidence and makes recommendations about preventive health services.
Concussions: Girls Have Longer Recovery Time
High School Athletes Also Take Longer Than College Athletes to Recover, Researchers Find
May 11, 2012 — Girls take longer to recover from sports-related concussions than boys do, according to new research.
High school athletes, both boys and girls, also have longer recovery times than do college athletes, says researcher Tracey Covassin, PhD, associate professor of kinesiology and a certified athletic trainer at Michigan State University.
“We have known that high school kids will take longer,” Covassin tells WebMD. “We are starting to show there are differences between female and male athletes.”
Many Moms Don’t Know Their Babies Are Overweight
Misperceptions May Pave the Way to Obesity
May 8, 2012 — Many moms of chubby toddlers don’t realize their babies are large for their age, and this misperception may be setting the stage for their tots to grow up to be overweight or obese, a new study shows.
Nearly 70% of moms inaccurately assessed their toddler’s body size when selecting an image they thought reflected their child’s body size. Moms of overweight toddlers were more than 88% less likely to accurately perceive their child’s body size when compared to moms of toddlers with a healthy weight, the study shows.
New Weight Loss Plan for U.S. Obesity Crisis
Plan Would Cut Fast-Food Ads/Sales, Promote Activity and Healthy Foods
May 8, 2012 — Obesity in America is a crisis that threatens national security — and urgent action is needed, says the Institute of Medicine.
The IOM’s plan: Totally change the way Americans approach exercise and nutrition.
How? By asking every single American to become involved, says Daniel R. Glickman, chair of the IOM committee that issued the 478-page plan. Glickman, former secretary of agriculture under President Bill Clinton, is executive director of congressional programs for the Aspen Institute.
Eggs at Breakfast May Delay Hunger
A Morning Meal With Eggs Makes You Feel Full Longer Than Cereal, Study Shows
May 11, 2012 — Starting your day off with an egg may help curb your appetite better than cereal, new research suggests.
In a small study, it took longer for people who ate eggs for breakfast to show signs of hunger than it did for those who had a bowl of ready-to-eat cereal.
Scientists suspect that egg protein may be better at making people feel full longer compared to the protein found in wheat.
For people hoping to shed some pounds, changing the type of protein in the diet, rather than the amount of it, is an idea the researchers think deserves more study as a weight loss strategy.
An Easier Way to Assess Body Fat and Health Risks
Waist-to-Height Ratio May Predict Health Risks More Accurately Than BMI
May 11, 2012 — BMI’s days as a top way to measure body fat and associated health risks may be numbered.
New research presented at the 19th European Congress on Obesity in Lyon, France, suggests that the better way to know where you stand concerning health risks related to your amount of body fat is your waist-to-height ratio.
BMI, or body mass index, is based on height and weight. It can help determine if a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese, but it has its limitations. For example, BMI doesn’t consider muscle mass, so a very muscular person’s BMI might incorrectly indicate obesity. You also need a calculator to determine your BMI. All you typically need is a tape measure to find out your waist-to-height ratio.
Longer Commutes Can Put Us on Road to Poor Health
Study: Commuting More Than 15 Miles Linked to Obesity, Belly Fat, High Blood Pressure, and Less Exercise
May 8, 2012 — A long commute may pave the way to poor health, a new study shows.
The study found that people who commuted more than 15 miles to work each day were more likely to be obese and to carry a lot of fat around the belly — where it’s especially bad for the heart — and less likely to get enough exercise compared to those who drove less than 5 miles to work each day. Workers who drove more than 10 miles each day also tended to have high blood pressure.
“You are on your way to heart disease. You have an elevated blood pressure, an elevated BMI, an elevated waist circumference; you’re on your way to diabetes and high cholesterol,” says Suzanne Steinbaum, DO, a preventive cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
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