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 routinely throw them into salads of all kinds, and finely chopped walnuts can go into everything from omelets to pungent Mediterranean nut-based sauces to soups, pasta dishes and of course desserts. I consider them a pantry staple and keep a bag of shelled walnuts in the freezer at all times. When unshelled walnuts are available at my farmers’ market I keep them on hand as well. I use them up so quickly that I probably don’t need to keep the shelled walnuts in the freezer, but that’s where I always keep my nuts, because the oils in nuts are volatile and they can become rancid if they are not kept in a cool environment. I toast walnuts occasionally, but most often I prefer the sweeter flavor of fresh untoasted walnuts.
~Martha Rose Shulman~
Mediterranean flatbread where walnuts and their oil stand in for olives.
Leek and Turnip Soup With Kale and Walnut Garnish
The crunchy walnuts contrast beautifully with the smooth, sweet-tasting soup.
Green Bean and Fava Bean Salad With Walnuts
Two seasonal beans make a beautiful salad for spring.
Mache and Endive Salad With Clementines and Walnuts
A salad with two high-omega-3 ingredients.
Iranian Herb and Walnut Frittata
A classic Persian herb frittata with yogurt and walnuts.
New Strategy Helps Young Lymphoma Patients
by Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay Reporter
Approach resulted in high remission rates without the risks tied to radiotherapy, researchers say
April 10 (HealthDay News) — A new treatment approach may mean that young people with a form of lymphoma can go without radiation therapy, sparing them side effects or raised cancer risks down the road.
In a trial conducted by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, nearly all patients with a form of cancer known as primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma who received chemotherapy, but did not undergo chest radiation, achieved a full remission.
Common Virus Tied to Type of Lung Cancer
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Certain strains of the cervical cancer virus found in tumors from nonsmokers
April 10 (HealthDay News) — Human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that can cause cervical and head and neck cancers, may also trigger some cases of lung cancer, according to a small new study.
Researchers examined 36 tumor tissue samples from patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who had never smoked. Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer, but the causes of lung cancer in nonsmokers can be difficult to pinpoint.
Stem Cells to Relieve Low Back Pain?
by Brenda Goodman, HealthDay Reporter
Early study says maybe, but experts say much more research on treatment is needed
April 12 (HealthDay News) — Medical researchers are trying a new treatment for low back pain. Their hope is that harvesting and then re-injecting the body’s own bone marrow — which is rich in stem cells — may repair worn-out discs in the spine.
In a small new study, the approach appeared to be safe — and none of the patients reported that their pain got worse after the procedure.
But both the doctors who are testing the technique and outside experts say much more research is needed before they can say whether the treatment offers real relief.
Pain ‘Signature’ Spotted on Brain MRIs
by Amy Norton, HealthDay Reporter
Scientists could distinguish physical from emotional pain, discomfort in study
April 10 (HealthDay News) — For the first time, scientists say they’ve found evidence that physical pain may leave a distinct “signature” in the brain that can be picked up with specialized MRI scans.
The study looked only at short-term pain in healthy people, but researchers hope the findings will lead to better understanding of complex conditions such as chronic severe headaches or fibromyalgia.
Common Sleep Disorder May Impair Drivers
by Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay Reporter
Motorists with sleep apnea were more likely to fall asleep at wheel, fail simulated road tests
April 12 (HealthDay News) — Drivers with the sleep disorder sleep apnea are more likely to nod off at the wheel and fail simulated driving tests than motorists without the condition, new research finds.
Scientists from the University Hospital in Leeds, England, conducted two studies involving sleep apnea — a pattern of disrupted breathing during sleep — and driving performance.
In one study, they tested the driving ability of 133 patients with untreated sleep apnea and 89 people without the condition using a simulated driving test. As they navigated the roughly 56-mile course, the “drivers” were assessed on completion, time spent in the middle lane, unprovoked crashes and crashes caused by veering off the road.
Unemployment’s Toll Can Be Heartbreaking
by Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
Resulting stress, anxiety, bad habits may lead to cardiovascular trouble
April 11 (HealthDay News) — As anyone who’s lost a job can attest, stress and worry often quickly follow. But the health of your heart after unemployment can also take a tumble.
Job loss can cause immediate heart issues, and the stress and bad habits that frequently come with unemployment can build up over time, causing cardiovascular damage, health experts say.
New Spin on ‘Sound Sleep’
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
German researchers say certain sounds may boost memory while you snooze
April 11 (HealthDay News) — Playing a certain type of sound stimulation during sleep might help improve your memory, a small new study suggests.
Slow oscillations in brain activity occur during slow-wave sleep and are critical for retaining memories. This study found that playing sounds synchronized to the rhythm of those oscillations enhances the oscillations and boosts memory.
The findings suggest an easy and noninvasive way to enhance memory, according to the authors of the study, which was published online April 11 in the journal Neuron.
Strides Made in Preventing Cancer
by Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
American Cancer Society looked at smoking, obesity, disease screening, tanning and more
April 11 (HealthDay News) — When it comes to cancer prevention, the latest report from the American Cancer Society offers mostly good news but some bad news as well.
Cigarette smoking rates continue to drop, with significant declines seen in high school-aged smoking. But, in response to the now ubiquitous smoke-free areas in most public spaces, cigarette companies upped their marketing for smokeless tobacco products by nearly 120 percent, according to the report released Thursday.
Weight Loss Surgery May Affect Fat-Related Genes
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Swedish researchers found better body-fat control in people who had procedure
April 11 (HealthDay News) — Weight-loss surgery changes the levels of genes involved in burning and storing fat, a new study says.
The findings may help lead to the development of new drugs that mimic this weight-loss-associated control of gene regulation, said the authors of the study published online April 11 in the journal Cell Reports.
New Diabetes Drug Expected This Week
by Kathleen Doheny, WebMD Health News
April 11, 2013 — A new oral diabetes drug is expected to arrive on pharmacy shelves in the U.S. this week.
Many people predict that Invokana (canagliflozin), approved by the FDA in March, will be a brisk seller. That’s partly because it treats type 2 diabetes in a new way.
It’s also because Invokana not only helped patients improve blood sugar control, but also lose weight and control their high blood pressure, according to maker Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies.
Bedbug Remedy Based on Kidney Bean Leaves?
by Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay Reporter
Microscopic hairs on the plants stab the blood-thirsty critters, study shows
April 10 (HealthDay News) — A centuries-old bedbug remedy has scientists full of beans — kidney beans to be precise.
The bean leaves used to trap bedbugs hundreds of years ago in southeastern Europe may offer a model for a non-toxic, modern-day treatment, say U.S. researchers.
The biting nocturnal insects have invaded U.S. homes, hotels, schools, hospitals and more in recent years, causing widespread itching, burning and psychological distress.
Calcium May Cut Risk of Colon Lesions in Some
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Study found association only among those with specific genes
April 10 (HealthDay News) — Consuming higher amounts of calcium may lower the likelihood of precancerous colon and rectal lesions in people who are at increased risk due to variations in two genes, a new study suggests.
High calcium intake did not affect risk in people without the genetic variations.
The findings may help explain inconsistent results in previous research about the link between calcium intake and the risk for these lesions, called colorectal adenomas, the researchers said.
Antibiotic Prescribing Rates May Vary by Region
by Barbara Bronson Gray, HealthDay Reporter
It may be contributing to growing problem of drug-resistant bacteria, researcher says
April 10 (HealthDay News) — The chances that your doctor will give you antibiotics when you’re sick may be influenced by geography, new research reveals.
It’s tough to know exactly what factors contributed to the regional variations the research team found in antibiotic prescription rates, said study author Lauri Hicks, medical director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Drug Reps Tell Docs Little of Side Effects: Survey
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Many U.S., Canadian and French physicians prescribed the promoted meds anyway
April 10 (HealthDay News) — Drug company salespeople provide family doctors with little or no information about the harmful effects of medicines they are promoting, a new study says.
Despite this lack of knowledge, doctors are likely to start prescribing these drugs after visits from company representatives, according to the findings from questionnaires completed by American, Canadian and French doctors.
Can Coffee Bean Extract Help Control Blood Sugar?
by Maureen Salamon, HealthDay Reporter
Small study suggests supplement might help, but diabetes expert is skeptical
April 9 (HealthDay News) — A natural extract from unroasted coffee beans may be a tool in fighting the uncontrolled blood sugar levels characteristic of diabetes, a small, preliminary new study suggests.
Research done in India on normal-weight participants with normal blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels found that various doses of supplements containing green coffee extract all lowered blood sugar, with higher doses associated with larger drops.
Too Many Melanoma Survivors Skip Sunscreen
by Amy Norton, HealthDay Reporter
And 2 percent continue to use tanning beds, researchers report
April 8 (HealthDay News) — Even people who have survived melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, often fail to protect themselves from the sun, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that of 171 melanoma survivors in a U.S. survey, more than 25 percent said they never used sunscreen when spending more than an hour outside on a sunny day. What’s more, 2 percent said they had used tanning beds in the past year.
New Bird Flu No Immediate Threat: U.S. Experts
by Amanda Gardner, HealthDay Reporter
There’s been no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission in Chinese outbreak
April 9 (HealthDay News) — At this point, there’s no reason to believe that the emerging H7N9 strain of bird flu that has sickened at least 24 people and killed seven in China is cause for alarm, health officials in the United States say.
For one thing, no cases of human-to-human transmission of the virus have yet been reported — a necessary precursor to a full-blown pandemic.
FDA Allows Return of Drug for Morning Sickness
by Margaret Farley Steele, HealthDay Reporter
Safety issues resolved, experts say Diclegis’ return is long overdue
April 9 (HealthDay News) — A morning-sickness medication that was withdrawn from the market 30 years ago has won U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval under a new name.
In its new form, the drug — formerly called Bendectin and now renamed Diclegis — is the only medication specifically approved to treat the stomach upset many women suffer from during pregnancy.
Clues to How Exercise May Lower Breast Cancer Risk
by Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay Reporter
Physical activity lowers estrogen levels in older women, study says
April 9 (HealthDay News) — Older women who are physically active have lower levels of estrogen and its breakdown products in their bodies, according to a new study, perhaps explaining why exercise may reduce breast cancer risk.
Researchers have long linked exercise with lower breast cancer risk for women past menopause, believing it works partly by lowering their estrogen levels. Higher estrogen levels can raise breast cancer risk.
Moderate Drinking OK for Breast Cancer Survivors?
by Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay Reporter
Women who consume alcohol in moderation have lower risk of heart disease death, researchers add
April 9 (HealthDay News) — Women who have survived breast cancer can drink alcohol in moderation, new research indicates.
Overall, moderate drinking before or after a diagnosis of breast cancer doesn’t seem to have a harmful impact on survival from breast cancer, the study found.
When researchers looked only at moderate drinking before a breast cancer diagnosis, it was linked with a 15 percent lower risk of dying from breast cancer compared to nondrinkers, said study author Polly Newcomb, head of the cancer prevention program at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in Seattle.
Can Selenium Cut Risk of Advanced Prostate Cancer?
by Amanda Gardner, HealthDay Reporter
Study found men with higher levels of mineral were 60 percent less likely to develop disease
April 9 (HealthDay News) — Men who have higher levels of the mineral known as selenium may also face a lower risk of developing advanced prostate cancer, new research suggests.
The authors of the study said the mineral — found in foods such as Brazil nuts, in supplements and in foods grown in selenium-rich soil — might one day offer a way to reduce prostate cancer risk in men.
Most Men Don’t Need PSA Tests, Doctors’ Group Says
by Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
American College of Physicians notes limited benefit of prostate cancer screening
April 8 (HealthDay News) — Men have long been encouraged to get prostate cancer screenings, but there’s insufficient evidence that the benefits of a PSA test outweigh the substantial risks associated with the screening.
That’s why the American College of Physicians (ACP) announced new guidelines Monday that recommend that men between the ages of 50 and 69 years old should discuss the limited benefits of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test with their physicians.
Babies’ Birth Month May Affect MS Risk: Study
by Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay Reporter
Lower levels of vitamin D seen among those born in May
April 8 (HealthDay News) — A newborn’s immune system development, vitamin D levels and risk for multiple sclerosis may be influenced by the month of birth, new research suggests.
A study conducted in London found that babies born in May have significantly lower levels of vitamin D and a potentially greater risk for developing MS than babies born in November. Multiple sclerosis is a disabling neurological condition that can lead to problems with vision, muscle control, hearing and memory.
The findings suggest that more research is needed to explore the benefits of prenatal vitamin D supplements, according to the report, published in the April 8 issue of the journal JAMA Neurology.
ADHD Redefined?
by Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
Experts disagree over whether this will help or harm in the long run
April 12 (HealthDay News) — When the latest version of what is considered the “bible” of psychiatry is unveiled in May, experts believe several changes in it will broaden both the definition and diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder — or ADHD.
But experts also differ on whether the shifts in thinking about this neurodevelopmental disorder will be a good thing.
Dr. James Norcross, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, outlined the major changes that should be coming in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association.
Compound in Red Meat May Have Heart Disease Link
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Gut bacteria break down carnitine into another substance that damages blood vessels, study finds
April 7 (HealthDay News) — A compound found in red meat and added as a supplement to popular energy drinks promotes hardening and clogging of the arteries, otherwise known as atherosclerosis, a new study suggests.
Researchers say that bacteria in the digestive tract convert the compound, called carnitine, into trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). Previous research by the same team of Cleveland Clinic investigators found that TMAO promotes atherosclerosis in people.
And there was an another twist: The study also found that a diet high in carnitine encourages the growth of the bacteria that metabolize the compound, leading to even higher TMAO production.
Frequent Eating in Kids Tied to Less Weight Gain
by Amy Norton, HealthDay Reporter
But this won’t hold true with unhealthy foods, expert warns
April 8 (HealthDay News) — In what may seem a surprising finding, kids in a new study who ate more often over the course of a day were less likely to be overweight than their peers who ate the traditional three squares.
Looking at 11 past studies, Greek researchers found that overall, kids — particularly boys — who typically dined more than three times a day weighed less than those who had three or fewer meals. And they were 22 percent less likely to be overweight or obese.
The findings, reported online April 8 and in the May print issue of Pediatrics, are in line with the theory that smaller meals, spaced out over the day, may aid weight control.
Kids Given Big Plates Help Themselves to More Food
by Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay Reporter
Plate size and self-serving increased first-graders’ food intake, researchers found
April 8 (HealthDay News) — Small kids who are given large plates and then allowed to serve themselves take more food and consume more calories, new research finds.
The study used 41 first-graders in a Philadelphia elementary school to test whether adult research on dishware size and food intake also holds true for children.
Super-Size Soda Ban Could Fizzle, Study Suggests
by Randy Dotinga, HealthDay Reporter
But the research didn’t involve actual consumers or beverages
April 10 (HealthDay News) — A new study may take the fizz out of New York City’s bid to improve health by banning super-sized sugary drinks: It suggests restaurants could bypass the rules, and make more money to boot, by offering pairs of drinks that add up to forbidden sizes.
For now, the Big Apple’s ban on drink sizes bigger than 16 ounces is moot — a judge’s ruling put it on hold last month. But if it’s upheld, the study findings point to a major loophole, said lead author Brent Wilson, a psychology graduate student at the University of California, San Diego. “The risk is that regulations intended to reduce consumption could unintentionally increase consumption,” he said.
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