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.
Follow us on Twitter @StarsHollowGzt
These five recipes from Martha Rose Shulman’s Recipes for Health in the New York Times were from the “Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives” conference at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, an event that bridges health care, nutrition science and cooking.
Asparagus taste better when it’s not cooked in or near water, but also that it doesn’t cause that distinctive odor in urine many people experience after eating it.
Bulgur and Chickpea Salad With Roasted Artichokes
The roasted artichokes are perfect served atop or on the side of this lemony grain, chickpea and herb salad.
Rainbow Quinoa Salad With Mixed Nuts, Herbs and Dried Fruit
You can use a variety of dried fruits and nuts, as well as a mix of herbs. Chop the larger dried fruits small so that the pieces are uniform.
Red and Basmati or Jasmine Rice With Peanuts, Asian Dressing and Baked Tofu
The antioxidant-rich pigment from the red rice will bleed into the white rice, turning it an attractive pale rusty color.
Middle Eastern Black Rice and Lentil Salad on a Bed of Spinach
Black rice is inky, as black as squid ink, and glistens against a bed of spinach. The pigments provide anthocyanins, flavonoids that are high in antioxidants.
Tyson Chicken Nuggets Recalled
By Kevin S. Austin, WebMD Health News
April 7, 2014 — Tyson Foods has voluntarily recalled more than 75,000 pounds of chicken nuggets sold at Sam’s Clubs nationwide because the nuggets may contain pieces of plastic, the company says.
According to the company, the plastic pieces have been found in a small number of packages.
Customers have complained about finding small pieces of plastic in 5-pound bags of fully cooked, frozen white meat nuggets. Smaller packages or products sold at other retailers are not affected by this recall.
Restaurants Pose Double the Risk of Food Poisoning?
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Many cases may be going unreported, consumer advocacy group adds
April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Restaurant dining may be less bother than a home-cooked meal, but a new study finds that you’re twice as likely to get food poisoning dining out compared to eating in.
Researchers from the consumer watchdog group Center for Science in the Public Interest analyzed data on more than 3,900 solved cases of foodborne illness occurring in the United States over 10 years.
Lab-Grown Vaginas, Noses Herald New Options for Patients
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
Regenerative surgery takes a leap forward, two studies show
April 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Doctors have successfully implanted laboratory-grown vaginas into four teenage girls suffering from a rare birth defect, creating new organs with feel and function comparable to that of a “natural” vagina, a new study reports.
Another research team is reporting the first successful nose reconstruction surgery using laboratory-grown cartilage.
In both cases, doctors harvested the patients’ own cells and used them to create new tissue that was then grafted back onto the body.
A Doctor’s ‘People Skills’ Affect Patients’ Health
By Amy Norton, HealthDay
Comfortable relationship can be as beneficial as statins for heart problems, study finds
April 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A doctor’s “bedside manner” seems to have a real effect on patients’ health, a new research review suggests.
The review, of 13 clinical trials, found that when doctors were given training to hone their people skills, patients typically fared better in their efforts to lose weight, lower their blood pressure or manage pain.
Don’t Bother ‘Faking It’ in the Bedroom
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Study says partners can gauge each other’s sexual satisfaction
April 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) — “Was it good for you, too?” can be such a loaded question. Now a new study says you can’t fool your sex partner by faking satisfaction.
The study also found that women and men are equally able to determine their partners’ levels of sexual satisfaction.
The Canadian study included 84 couples whose members were individually asked about their levels of sexual satisfaction, sexual communication, ability to recognize emotions and relationship satisfaction.
‘Milestone’ Therapy: Leg Movement in Paraplegics
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
Electrodes along spinal cord gave four men ability to flex toes, ankles and knees, but it’s no cure, researchers report
April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Four men paralyzed below the waist have regained some movement in their legs after a series of electrodes implanted along their spinal cord reawakened nerves long thought deadened, researchers are reporting.
Electrical stimulation of the spinal cord has given the men the ability to voluntarily flex their toes, ankles and knees, and the strength and precision of their movements has improved over time through intense physical rehabilitation, the researchers said.
Chemo Might Give Some Lung Cancer Patients an Edge
By Randy Dotinga, HealthDay
Traditional treatment offers small advantage for people without a specific gene mutation, study says
April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Cancer specialists have been unsure about how best to treat certain patients with an advanced form of lung cancer.
Now, a new analysis of existing research finds that traditional chemotherapy outperforms newer, targeted treatments in delaying the time until the cancer worsens for these patients. However, chemo doesn’t extend their survival, the review found.
Drug Shows Early Promise Against Advanced Melanoma
By Amy Norton, HealthDay
Helps immune system recognize, kill cancer cells, researchers explain
April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) — An experimental cancer drug that activates the immune system has shown early promise for advanced cases of melanoma skin cancer, researchers report.
The findings come from an early stage trial of just 31 patients. But experts were cautiously optimistic about what the study showed: The drug’s side effects were manageable, and four patients saw their tumors shrink.
That’s a small number, but a trial like this is largely aimed at seeing whether a drug is safe and finding a tolerable dose.
Stem Cells Show Promise for Stroke Recovery
By Brenda Goodman, HealthDay
Early study found they can be safely transplanted into the brain; 2 patients showed significant improvement
April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) — In an early test, researchers report they’ve safely injected stem cells into the brains of 18 patients who had suffered strokes. And two of the patients showed significant improvement.
All the patients saw some improvement in weakness or paralysis within six months of their procedures. Although three people developed complications related to the surgery, they all recovered. There were no adverse reactions to the transplanted stem cells themselves, the study authors said.
What’s more, the researchers said, two patients experienced dramatic recoveries almost immediately after the treatments.
Aspirin Advised for Some Pregnant Women
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
Low daily dose helps protect against preeclampsia, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says
April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Pregnant women at high risk for the serious condition called preeclampsia should take low-dose aspirin every day after their first trimester, according to a new draft recommendation by an influential U.S. panel of experts.
Daily low-dose aspirin (81 milligrams) in middle and late pregnancy can significantly reduce the occurrence of preeclampsia among these women. And it can lower the risk of preterm birth or low birth weight resulting from the pregnancy-related condition, according to the recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Facebook Making Women Feel Bad About Their Bodies?
By Brenda Goodman, HealthDay
Study found more time on the social networking site was tied to greater likelihood of negative self-image
April 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Too much time on Facebook may take a toll on a young woman’s sense of self-esteem, particularly how she feels about her body, a new study suggests.
The study surveyed 881 female college students. They were asked questions about their Facebook use within the past month, including how often they visited the site, how long they typically spent there and what their favorite activities were.
Irregular Periods: Risk Factor for Ovarian Cancer?
By Serena Gordon, HealthDay
Preliminary finding might eventually offer clue to which women would benefit from early screening
April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Women with irregular menstrual cycles may have more than double the risk of ovarian cancer compared to women who have regular monthly periods, new research suggests.
This finding suggests that women with irregular periods — including those with a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome — might be a group that could benefit from early screening for ovarian cancer, said the study’s lead author, Barbara Cohn. She is director of child health and development studies at the Public Health Institute in Berkeley, Calif.
Experimental Breast Cancer Drug Seems Safe
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Preliminary results look promising, experts say
April 6, 2014 (HealthDay News) — In an early trial, an experimental breast cancer drug stopped disease growth and shrank tumors by more than 30 percent in some patients.
The pill, bemaciclib, was safe and well-tolerated by women with breast cancer that had spread, or metastasized, to other parts of the body, according to the results of this phase 1 trial.
Men With Eating Disorders Often Ignore Symptoms
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
British study finds that too many males associate anorexia, bulimia as only a woman’s issue
April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) — The widely held belief that only women experience eating disorders delays men with these conditions from getting treatment, a new British study says.
“Men with eating disorders are underdiagnosed, undertreated and under-researched,” write a team led by Ulla Raisanen at the University of Oxford.
Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia and binge eating.
Could Dads’ Obesity Raise Autism Risk for Kids?
By Amy Norton, HealthDay
Study finds slight increase linked to weight of fathers, not mothers
April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Children born to obese fathers, but not obese mothers, may have a slightly higher risk of autism than kids with thinner dads, a large new study suggests.
Researchers found that of nearly 93,000 Norwegian children they followed, those born to obese dads had double the risk of developing autism. But the odds were still small: just under 0.3 percent were diagnosed with autism, versus 0.14 percent of kids with normal-weight fathers.
Naps Enhance Learning for Young Children: Study
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Preschoolers, infants performed better on language experiments after brief sleep
April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Naps play a crucial role in helping infants and preschoolers remember things they’ve just learned, according to new research.
Investigators examined young children’s ability to recognize instances that are similar, but not identical, to something they’ve recently learned and apply it to a new situation, a skill called generalization.
Girls Suffer Worse Concussions, Study Suggests
By Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay
Researchers found they had more severe symptoms, longer recovery times than boys
April 10 (HealthDay News) — Girls who suffer a concussion may have more severe symptoms that last longer compared to boys, according to new research that builds on other studies finding gender differences.
“There have been several studies suggesting there are differences between boys and girls as far as [concussion] symptom reporting and the duration of symptoms,” said Dr. Shayne Fehr, a pediatric sports medicine specialist at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
Season of High School Football Hits May Alter Brain
By Lisa Esposito, HealthDay
Players did not have concussions, still showed changes in white matter
April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Even among high school football players who’ve never had a concussion, a small preliminary study suggests that changes can still occur to their brains within the course of a single season.
The study involved 45 members of a 2012 varsity team. Players underwent two brain scans — one before and one after the season — with a special type of MRI.
More U.S. Children Severely Obese, Study Says
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Report, which conflicts with recent CDC review, finds growing number of kids likely to suffer serious health problems
April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Contrary to a recent report with encouraging figures on childhood obesity in the United States, a new study presents a more sobering picture of the nation’s pediatric weight problem.
Severe obesity, which sets kids up for a lifetime of health problems, has increased over the past 14 years, North Carolina researchers found. They used the same data that researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mined for their encouraging report in February.
Certain Rx Painkillers Tied to Higher AFib Risk
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Dutch researchers looked at rates of atrial fibrillation and NSAID use in older adults
April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A long-term study suggests that older people who use common prescription painkillers, including prescription-strength ibuprofen, may be increasing their risk for developing a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke and heart failure and can shorten life. Previous studies have also linked these painkillers — called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs — to a risk of heart attack and stroke, the researchers noted.
Beans, Lentils: Your Recipe for Lower Cholesterol?
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Review of 26 studies finds one serving per day tied to healthier arteries, especially in men
April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Eating beans, lentils and other legumes may help you cut down on LDL “bad” cholesterol and lower your risk for heart disease, a new review suggests.
Canadian researchers examined 26 U.S. and Canadian studies that included a total of more than 1,000 people. Their analysis showed that one daily serving (3/4 cup) of legumes — foods such as beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas — was linked to a reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 5 percent. The study couldn’t confirm cause-and-effect, but did show a strong association.
Sitting Too Much: How Bad Is It?
By Kathleen Doheny, WebMD Health News
Excess Sitting Has Been Linked to a Host of Health Problems. Here’s How to Reduce Your Sitting Time.
April 7, 2014 — The studies just keep coming. Sitting our life away, it seems, may be very bad for our health and even our life expectancy.
Just since January, researchers have reported that sitting for long hours is linked to:
Worse mental health
A higher risk of death from heart disease and other causes
A higher risk of being disabledThe new studies add even more weight to earlier research suggesting that too much sitting is bad — even if you get regular exercise.
Experts say they still don’t know for sure which comes first. Does too much sitting trigger poor health, or is it the other way around?
Kitchen Cutting Boards and Drug-Resistant Germs
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Poultry prep linked to E. coli found on food equipment in homes, hospitals
April 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Kitchen cutting boards can become contaminated with drug-resistant germs, a new study shows.
Swiss researchers analyzed 154 cutting boards from University Hospital in Basel and 144 cutting boards from private homes after they were used to prepare poultry, pork, beef/veal, lamb, game or fish.
Vegetables in Childhood May Benefit Breast Health
By Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay
Girls who ate carotenoid-rich foods less likely to have breast conditions, study finds
April 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Girls who ate the most fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids were less likely to get benign breast disease, a new study suggests.
Carotenoids are a group of pigments that typically produce an orange, red or dark green color. They are believed to have antioxidant properties that may guard against disease.
Benign breast disease describes a variety of noncancerous conditions of the breast; some forms raise the risk of breast cancer.
Study Links Coffee to Lower Liver Cancer Risk
By Brenda Goodman, HealthDay
Daily drinkers had reduced risk of the most common form of liver malignancy, but researchers can’t say why
April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Researchers say they’ve discovered yet another reason to love coffee: A new study suggests that people who drink at least a cup a day have a lower risk of liver cancer compared to those who only indulge occasionally.
The study was to be presented Wednesday at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Researchers in San Diego. Research presented at meetings should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
Exercise May Curtail COPD Complications
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Regular physical activity could cut need for hospital readmission for lung disease, study says
April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Exercise might help reduce the risk of hospital readmission in people with a progressive lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study finds.
“Our findings suggest that regular physical activity could buffer the stresses of hospitalization,” said study author Huong Nguyen, of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research and Evaluation.
Aerobic Exercise and Women at Risk for Dementia
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Small study suggests regular walking increases hippocampus area of brain
April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Regular aerobic workouts increase the size of the brain’s memory area in older women and may help slow the progression of dementia, according to a small new study.
It included 86 women, aged 70 to 80, who had mild memory problems, also known as “mild cognitive impairment,” which researchers say is a common risk factor for dementia. The women also underwent MRIs to assess the size of their hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in verbal memory and learning.
High-Fat Diet May Boost Breast Cancer Risk
By Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay
Study found women who ate the most saturated fat were more likely to develop tumors
April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) — For more than three decades, experts have debated whether eating a high-fat diet increases breast cancer risk.
Now, new research suggests it might boost the chances of three common types of breast cancer.
Drinking Milk May Slow Knee Arthritis in Women
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Same effect was not seen in men, and high cheese intake was tied to poorer knee health
April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Milk may be a useful weapon against arthritis of the knee for women, but the same can’t be said for yogurt or cheese, a new study says.
The more low-fat or fat-free milk women drank, the slower the progression of osteoarthritis of the knee, according to the study funded by the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Milk consumption did not show the same benefit for men, however.
Recent Comments