Welcome to the Health and Fitness NewsWelcome 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 had already decided that this week I would play around with breakfast grains when I noticed that food manufacturers are also coming up with new ideas. I rarely look at the breakfast cereals on the shelves in the supermarket or at Trader Joe’s, as it’s easier and cheaper for me to put together my own combos. But this week, as I reached for a container of steel-cut oats, I noticed several prepared mixes of grains and seeds like oats, quinoa and flax, mostly for hot cereal, that I hadn’t seen before. [..]
When I’m planning on porridge for breakfast on a weekday morning I begin the process the night before. I pour boiling water over the grains and cover the bowl with a plate. The next morning all I need to do is heat the mixture in the microwave for two to four minutes. I might also grate in some apple, but basically, hot cereal made this way requires no more fuss than a bowl of cold cereal with milk.
This sweet and grainy polenta makes a delicious brunch dish.
Rolled Oats With Amaranth Seeds, Maple Syrup and Apple
Amaranth and apple contribute texture and sweetness to this morning bowl.
Steel-Cut Oats With Amaranth Seeds, Chia Seeds and Blueberries
Amaranth and chia seeds pump up the nutritional content of this sweet and hearty morning bowl.
Oatmeal and Teff With Cinnamon and Dried Fruit
Cinnamon and dried fruit sweeten this oatmeal/teff mix.
These fragrant Middle Eastern wheat berries can be stirred into yogurt or eaten on their own.
Timing Is Key to Massage’s Benefits for Neck Pain
By Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay
Two or three one-hour sessions a week reduced pain, improved functioning
March 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Massage can relieve neck pain if it’s done often by a professional therapist and for the correct length of time, according to new research.
One-hour sessions two or three times a week appear to be best, said study researcher Karen Sherman, senior scientific investigator at Group Health Research Institute in Seattle.
Science Probes Secrets of ‘Contagious Yawning’
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
People don’t do it because they are empathizing with a yawner, study suggests
March 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) — If watching other people yawn makes you yawn in response, don’t chalk it up to empathy.
A new study challenges the supposed link between “contagious” yawning and being on the same emotional wavelength.
Contagious yawning is well documented and occurs in response to seeing, thinking or hearing about yawning. It’s different than spontaneous yawning, which is linked with being tired or bored.
Some studies have suggested an association between yawning and empathy, but this new research found that contagious yawning may decrease with age and is not strongly associated with empathy, tiredness or energy levels.
Why It’s Hard to Kick the Smoking Habit
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Brain scans showed nicotine withdrawal weakens parts of the brain tied to ability to control cravings
March 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Nicotine withdrawal triggers changes to the brain that help explain why smokers have such a tough time quitting, a new study suggests.
Up to 80 percent of smokers who try to quit eventually start smoking again. This latest finding might lead to new ways to identify smokers who are at high risk for failure when they try to quit, the researchers said. The study might also lead to more intensive treatment to help smokers quit for good.
Every Minute Matters With Clot-Busting Stroke Drug
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Every 60 seconds shaved off how quickly tPA was given meant patient had one less day of disability
March 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Every 15-minute delay in receiving a clot-busting drug means stroke survivors will have about one month less of a disability-free life, while every minute sooner that they receive the drug translates into more than one extra day of healthy life.
That’s the finding of a study that examined the use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in treating ischemic strokes, which occur when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain.
Guidelines say the drug should be given within four and a half hours after stroke symptoms begin, but this study shows that the earlier patients receive the drug within that window, the better.
Blood Test Might Help Spot, Monitor Concussions
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Study found levels of a protein linked with brain damage spiked right after injury, dropped with recovery
March 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) — When someone suffers a concussion, it can be hard to tell how serious it is and how long recovery will take, but a new blood test might help answer those questions.
Swedish researchers report they have found a way to test blood for a protein called total tau (T-tau), which is released when the brain is injured. The amount of T-tau is apparently key to diagnosing a concussion and predicting when players can get back into the game.
Even Slightly Higher BP May Raise Stroke Risk
By Maureen Salamon, HealthDay
Experts say the finding highlights importance of keeping blood pressure under control
March 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) — High blood pressure has long been pegged as a risk factor for stroke, but a new analysis suggests that even slightly elevated blood pressure levels raise the odds of suffering a stroke.
The sweeping review analyzed data from 760,000 study participants who were followed for up to 36 years. The researchers found that people with “prehypertension” — higher-than-optimal blood pressure not officially defined as high blood pressure — were 66 percent more likely to experience a stroke than those with normal blood pressure.
Gut Bacteria May Play Role in Crohn’s Disease
By Brenda Goodman, HealthDay
Study found more harmful strains, fewer helpful ones in people with the inflammatory bowel condition
March 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) — The community of bacteria that typically live in the human gut is radically altered in patients with Crohn’s disease, a new study shows.
Overall, patients with Crohn’s have less diversity among their intestinal bacteria than healthy individuals. And certain types of harmful bacteria appear to be increased in Crohn’s patients, while the amounts of beneficial bacteria are decreased, the study found.
ADHD Drug Use By Young Adults Doubled: Report
WebMD News from HealthDay
March 13, 2014 — A new report says that the number of young American adults, ages 26 to 34, receiving drug treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) nearly doubled between 2008 to 2012, from 340,000 to 640,000.
It also found that the total number of American adults taking ADHD drugs rose 53 percent during that time, from about 1.7 million to 2.6 million, The New York Times reported.
New Knees, Hips May Also Help the Heart
By Serena Gordon, HealthDay
Joint replacement might boost physical activity in arthritis patients, study author says
March 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A knee or hip joint replacement may provide a surprising benefit: better heart health.
In a study of 2,200 people older than 55 with arthritis, researchers found that the odds of a serious heart problem or death were 37 percent lower in people who had a knee or hip replacement compared to those who didn’t have such surgery.
“Arthritis is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular death. It is possible that arthroplasty can reduce these risks,” said lead study author Dr. Bheeshma Ravi, a physician in the division of orthopedic surgery at the University of Toronto.
Knee Pain May Not Be Helped by Glucosamine
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Popular supplement did not reduce cartilage damage or improve joint function in study
March 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) — The dietary supplement glucosamine does not slow cartilage damage in people with chronic knee pain, according to a new study.
Millions of Americans take glucosamine in an effort to treat osteoarthritis of the knee and other joints. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis is related to normal wear and tear of the joints.
Whole-Genome Scans Not Ready for Widespread Use?
By Amy Norton, HealthDay
Tests are promising but not yet reliable enough, experts say
March 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Commercially available tests can analyze your genetic profile and try to predict your risk of a host of diseases. But a new study suggests they aren’t ready for prime time.
The technology, known as whole-genome sequencing, allows scientists to “map” the information encoded in most of the billions of building blocks that make up a person’s DNA.
Hormones Might Offer Relief From Chronic Pain
By Randy Dotinga, HealthDay
Early research found 7 of 9 patients benefited from treatment with the ‘love’ hormone
March 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A combination of two hormones might make a difference in reducing suffering in people with chronic pain, according to a small, preliminary study.
Seven of 9 patients reported a 30 percent to 40 percent decrease in pain after taking doses of oxytocin and human chorionic gonadotropin, the researchers found. In addition, the level of opioid (narcotic) painkillers needed by these seven patients also declined by 30 percent to 40 percent.
Patients also reported improvement in the intensity of pain flare-ups and longer time between flares, the study authors said.
Vaginal Gel Might Prevent HIV Hours After Exposure
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
Lab tests with monkeys look promising, study says
March 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A new vaginal gel has the potential to protect women from HIV, even if it is applied several hours after sex, animal research suggests.
The antimicrobial gel protected five out of six monkeys from a hybrid simian/human AIDS virus when it was used three hours after exposure to the AIDS-causing virus, said lead author Walid Heneine, a researcher in HIV/AIDS prevention for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The same gel also protected two out of three monkeys when applied a half-hour before HIV exposure, according to the study, published March 12 in Science Translational Medicine.
Pain Can Plague Women After Knee Replacement
By Randy Dotinga, HealthDay
Study also found that type of anesthesia and patient’s weight play a role in levels of discomfort
March 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Women with certain kinds of arthritis are among groups of patients who are most vulnerable to serious pain after undergoing knee replacement surgery, a new study finds.
General anesthesia and longer time in a tourniquet also appear to contribute to higher levels of pain, the study authors said.
“There is no question that pain after total knee replacement is greater than that after total hip replacement,” Dr. Thomas Sculco, surgeon-in-chief at New York City’s Hospital for Special Surgery, said in a hospital news release. “Many factors play a role, and our studies found that younger female patients, particularly those with post-traumatic or rheumatoid arthritis, had the highest pain scores.”
Pregnancy-Related Diabetes, Future Heart Risk?
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
20-year study compared thickness of neck arteries
March 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes might be at increased risk for heart disease later in life, a long-term study suggests.
Gestational diabetes develops only during pregnancy and typically goes away after pregnancy. It does, however, increase a woman’s risk for type 2 diabetes in future years.
The new study found that gestational diabetes might also increase a woman’s risk of heart disease in midlife and before she develops diabetes or metabolic syndrome, a group of symptoms and conditions known to increase the chances of heart troubles.
Panel Recommends HPV Test as Replacement for Pap Panel
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Experts voted 13-0 that Roche’s test was safe and effective as first step in cervical cancer screening
March 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted unanimously on Wednesday that a new HPV test could be used before or instead of the Pap smear as a first step in cervical cancer screening.
In three separate 13-0 votes, the agency’s Medical Devices Advisory Committee Microbiology Panel concluded that the cobas HPV (human papillomavirus) test, made by Roche Molecular Systems, is safe and effective as a first-line screen for cervical cancer.
Although the FDA is not required to follow the recommendations of its advisory panels, it typically does.
Nicotine Patches Don’t Help Pregnant Women Quit Smoking: Study
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Researchers also found those who used them had higher blood pressure than those who didn’t
March 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Nicotine patches don’t seem to help pregnant women quit smoking, a new study has found.
The study included 402 pregnant women in France who smoked at least five cigarettes a day. The women, who were 12 to 20 weeks’ pregnant, were randomly selected to use either 16-hour nicotine patches or inactive placebo patches until they gave birth.
Excess Weight a Risk Factor for Ovarian Cancer?
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Review adds the disease to long list of tumors linked to obesity
March 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A new report reveals that excess weight raises the risk of yet another kind of cancer, with the latest results linking levels of body fat to ovarian tumors.
The chances for developing many cancers — such as postmenopausal breast, colorectal, endometrial, esophageal, kidney, gallbladder and pancreatic cancers — are known to increase with a person’s weight, but the evidence for any such link to ovarian cancer has been inconclusive until now, the report authors said.
2 Surgeries May Work Equally Well for Incontinence
By Mary Brophy Marcus, HealthDay
Doctors can choose the one they’re more familiar with, expert says
March 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Two surgeries are equally effective and safe for women who have pelvic problems that can cause pain and incontinence, say the authors of a new study.
Pelvic organ prolapse is a weakening of the pelvic organs often seen in older women and those who’ve given birth several times. Surgeons typically choose one of two procedures to repair the condition, but little hard data has been available to back up their choice.
Protein From Meat, Fish May Help Men Age Well
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
But Japanese study saw no such benefits for women
March 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Older men may gain a boost physically, mentally and socially if they eat a diet rich in meat and fish, according to a new study from Japan.
This study of more than 1,000 older adults suggested that men who ate the most meat and fish reduced their odds of mental and physical decline by 39 percent, compared with men who ate the least animal protein.
But the same association was not seen in women. Nor were the same benefits linked to proteins from plants, the researchers found.
‘Low T’ Diagnosis May Need More Than a Blood Test
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Physical exam for testosterone levels is also essential because of lab inconsistencies
March 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A blood test alone is not enough to diagnose low testosterone levels in men, and it should be used in tandem with a physical exam, a panel of experts says.
The number of men in the United States diagnosed with low testosterone has increased significantly over the last decade, they noted. However, inconsistent laboratory practices and other problems result in unreliable blood test results for the condition. Testosterone is the major male sex hormone.
Environmental Exposures and Autism
By Amy Norton, HealthDay
Where birth defects increased, so did diagnoses of the developmental disorder, study showed
March 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A large U.S. study suggests environmental pollution might be contributing to autism risk, although the specific culprit toxins remain unknown.
Researchers analyzed medical records and found a correlation between U.S. counties’ autism rates and their rates of genital birth defects in boys, which could be a sign of some common environmental contributors.
However, the findings, which were reported March 13 in the journal PLoS Computational Biology, do not prove that any particular environmental exposure directly raises the risk for the developmental disorder, experts said.
Head Lice Growing Resistant to Standard Meds
By Alan Mozes, HealthDay
It’s probably time to turn to newer treatments, study suggests
March 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Most head lice found in North America now carry a gene mutation that makes them resistant to standard over-the-counter treatments, a new study cautions.
Head lice infestation is a major public-health issue, the researchers said, with roughly 10 percent of all American school-aged children missing school due to the intense itching and secondary infections that signal exposure.
Autism, ADHD Tied to Gender Concerns in Some Kids
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
These children may be less inhibited, more likely to say they want to be another gender, researchers suggest
March 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) — The desire to be another gender appears to be more common among children with autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new study.
Researchers looked at children aged 6 to 18 and found that gender identity issues were about 7.6 times more common in those with an autism spectrum disorder and 6.6 times more common in those with ADHD than in those with neither of the disorders.
When Smartphone Is Near, Parenting May Falter
By Serena Gordon, HealthDay
Study found many caregivers focused on devices instead of children
March 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Mealtime is supposed to be family time, but a new study suggests that ever-present smartphones are impeding parent-child communication at the table.
Researchers who observed more than 50 family-type groups eating out found a significant number of adults were preoccupied with their smartphones.
‘Senior Moments’ Don’t Seem to Lead to Dementia for Most
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Study reassuring for people with ‘mild cognitive impairment,’ experts say
March 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Only about 20 percent of people who experience “senior moments” of forgetfulness, memory lapses and poor judgment will go on to development serious brain-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new German study.
Although some people will be stricken with Alzheimer’s or dementia, many will see their symptoms remain the same or disappear, the researchers said. It’s all part of a condition called “mild cognitive impairment,” they added.
Blood Test May Have Power to Predict Alzheimer’s
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
Scientists who tested seniors say the results detected almost all of those who would develop problems
March 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A blood test has been developed that can predict with 90 percent certainty whether a senior will suffer from dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease within the next few years, researchers report.
The test relies on levels of 10 lipids, or fats, in the bloodstream to estimate the chances of either mild cognitive impairment — which involves memory loss and a decline in thinking ability — or the beginnings of Alzheimer’s disease.
Weed Use Up, Cocaine Use Down, U.S. Report Finds
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Review covered 2000 to 2010, so doesn’t reflect suspected increase in heroin use
March 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Americans’ use of cocaine fell by half from 2006 to 2010, but marijuana use increased by more than 30 percent during that time, according to a new report.
The spike in pot use may be due to an increase in the number of people who said they use the drug on a daily or near-daily basis, said the researchers, whose study covered drug trends from 2000 to 2010.
Heroin use remained fairly stable during the decade, while methamphetamine use rose sharply during the first half of the decade and then fell.
‘Love Hormone’ May Help Those With Anorexia
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Small, preliminary study found it lowered levels of obsession with images of food and obesity
March 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A small, preliminary study hints that a hormone connected to positive feelings could help ease obsessions with food and obesity in people with anorexia.
“Patients with anorexia have a range of social difficulties, which often start in their early teenage years before the onset of the illness,” senior study author Janet Treasure, of the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, in England, said in a university news release.
‘Five-Second’ Food Rule May Be Real, Study Finds
By Randy Dotinga, HealthDay
Microbiology professor and students test the theory, find it isn’t just a myth
March 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) — The five-second rule — pick up that dropped food on the floor fast if you want to safely eat it — may have some basis in reality, researchers report.
“Consuming food dropped on the floor still carries an infection risk, as it very much depends on which bacteria are present on the floor at the time,” Anthony Hilton, a professor of microbiology at Aston University in England, said in university news release.
“However, the findings of this study will bring some light relief to those who have been employing the five-second rule for years, despite a general consensus that it is purely a myth,” he added. “We have found evidence that transfer from indoor flooring surfaces is incredibly poor with carpet actually posing the lowest risk of bacterial transfer onto dropped food.”
Wider Waistline May Mean Shorter Lifespan: Study
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Evidence review suggests extra inches raise risk of dying younger, regardless of body weight
March 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Having a big belly means big trouble when it comes to your health, researchers warn.
They analyzed data from 11 studies that included more than 600,000 people worldwide and found that people with large waist circumferences were at increased risk of dying younger and dying from conditions such as heart disease, lung problems and cancer.
Men with waists of 43 inches or more had a 50 percent higher risk of death than those with waists less than 35 inches. This equated to a three-year lower life expectancy after age 40, according to the study.
Scientists Spot New Obesity Gene
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Finding could also help efforts to find ways to treat diabetes
March 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Scientists who identified a gene that appears to be strongly linked with obesity say their discovery could help efforts to find drug treatments for obesity and diabetes.
“Our data strongly suggest that [the gene] IRX3 controls body mass and regulates body composition,” study senior author Marcelo Nobrega, an associate professor of human genetics at the University of Chicago, said in a university news release.
Although the research showed an association between the gene and obesity, it did not prove a cause-and-effect link.
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