Welcome to the Stars Hollow Gazette‘s 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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Countless words are devoted every year to finessing the usual centerpieces of your summer barbecues: how to grill up the perfect burgers, juiciest steaks, flakiest fish, most tender pork butt.
But what about the humble boneless, skinless chicken breast? The staple of dinner tables all over this country most of the year, it doesn’t get much attention when grilling season arrives. [..]
The upshot is that grilling juicy, well-cooked chicken breasts involves three basic steps: pounding the breasts to even out the thickness, marinating them aggressively with salt and aromatics, then grilling them hot and fast.
Melissa Clark, The New York Times
Brown sugar gives these grilled chicken breasts a glistening glaze and caramel-like sweetness, while mustard powder and cayenne add an earthy kick.
Grilled Sesame Lime Chicken Breasts
Brining chicken breasts in a soy sauce and fish sauce marinade flecked with lime adds flavor and helps retain moisture while they are on the grill.
Lemon and Thyme Grilled Chicken Breasts
These classic herb and lemon-seasoned chicken breasts will win over fans, especially when cooked over charcoal to give them the deepest, smokiest taste.
E. Coli Scare Spurs Bottled Water Recall
June 23, 2015 — The Niagara Bottling company is recalling 14 brands of its bottled water products after one spring showed signs of contamination with the E. coli bacteria, the company said in a news release.
While the company says no E. coli has been detected in any finished product, “we immediately shut down our operations, disinfected our bottling lines and initiated a voluntary recall in an abundance of caution and in the interests of consumer safety.”
Niagara says no complaints of illness have yet been received.
Labels on Edible Pot Products May Be Misleading
June 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — When it comes to edible medical marijuana products, new research shows that ailing people are unlikely to get what they pay for in that pot brownie or chocolate chunk cookie.
Most edible pot products sampled in three major U.S. cities were mislabeled, often containing less active ingredient than promised on the packaging, according to a report published in the June 23 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Could a Vitamin Play a Role in Acne Outbreaks?
By Randy Dotinga, HealthDay
Study finds excess B12 tied to common skin condition
June 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — New research suggests that high levels of vitamin B12 may affect germ activity in certain people, boosting the odds that they’ll develop acne.
However, it’s too early to say if anyone should cut down on their vitamin B12 intake from food or vitamins to avoid getting pimples, researchers said.
Blood Protein May Spot Pancreatic Cancer Early
By Amy Norton, HealthDay
But more research is needed before test is used for monitoring or screening, researchers say
June 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers have discovered a protein that pancreatic tumors consistently shed into the blood, making a potentially significant advance toward a blood test that could catch the deadly cancer early.
Experts were cautiously optimistic about the findings, published online June 24 in the journal Nature.
These Tests May Spot Head and Neck Cancers Early
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Study shows potential for noninvasive tumor detection
June 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Scientists report they’ve found DNA from head and neck cancer tumors in patients’ blood and saliva samples, a development that potentially could lead to early diagnosis of these malignancies.
Although not yet ready for real-world use, such tests could also help in planning and monitoring treatment, the Johns Hopkins University researchers said.
Can the ‘Chemical Soup’ We Live in Cause Cancer?
By Rita Rubin, WebMD Health News
June 24, 2015 — Researchers have been testing individual chemicals for years to see if they can cause cancer.
Now, a groundbreaking new report suggests scientists should also be looking at how low doses of chemicals considered safe on their own might cause cancer when mixed together.
Exercise Benefits People With Parkinson’s Disease
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
The sooner you start regular physical activity, the better, researchers say
June 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Parkinson’s disease patients who begin regular exercise earlier have a much slower decline in quality of life than those who start exercising later, a new study finds.
National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) researchers looked at information from nearly 3,000 patients. More than 1,300 reported doing little regular exercise before taking part in the study.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug May Also Ease Vitiligo
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
Case study showed tofacitinib cleared up skin pigmentation loss in woman after just 2 months
June 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — It’s only been tested in one patient so far, but researchers report that a drug for rheumatoid arthritis may be a promising treatment for the discoloring skin condition known as vitiligo.
Vitiligo is characterized by a disfiguring loss of pigmentation in skin. Most notably, pop star Michael Jackson suffered from the disorder much of his adult life. According to the Yale University researchers, current treatments are limited to steroid creams and light therapy, neither of which is reliably effective.
Oxygen Chamber Therapy May Ease Fibromyalgia
By Maureen Salamon, HealthDay
But treatment isn’t FDA-approved, so insurance companies might not cover the cost
June 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The majority of women with fibromyalgia who underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy — best known for treating “the bends” in scuba divers — experienced relief from pain and other symptoms, a small study found.
Brain scans of the patients showed that two months of hyperbaric oxygen therapy may have also repaired abnormal brain activity in pain-related areas of the brain, the researchers said.
Evidence Backs Medical Pot for Some Conditions
By Dennis Thompson,
Review of 79 studies suggests states may have put cart before the horse, experts say
June 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical marijuana can be useful in treating chronic pain, but may be less effective for other conditions, a new analysis reveals.
A review of nearly 80 clinical trials involving medical marijuana or marijuana-derived drugs revealed moderately strong evidence to support their use in treating chronic pain, says a report published June 23 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Many Smokers May Have Undiagnosed Lung Disease
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
Study shows scans, other tests can help spot respiratory problems early
June 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Millions of long-term smokers may have undiagnosed lung disease, a new study finds.
Fifty-five percent of those who pass lung function tests still have a respiratory impairment, researchers report.
But, using advanced imaging techniques along with walking and quality-of-life tests can reveal early signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). An incurable, progressive disease, COPD is associated with smoking and is the third-leading cause of death in the United States, the researchers added.
New Rapid Ebola Test Shows Promise in Clinics
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
Researchers say speedy detection would dramatically improve containment efforts
June 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new rapid-detection test that diagnoses Ebola within minutes could improve treatment of the deadly virus and help health care workers contain outbreaks, researchers say.
Harvard Medical School researchers found the rapid diagnostic test as sensitive as traditional lab tests that can take days to produce results. The findings suggest this diagnostic tool could be a potential game-changer in the fight against Ebola, the researchers said.
Antidepressants, Fracture Risk in Menopausal Women
By Alan Mozes, HealthDay
Drugs like Celexa, Prozac could undermine bone, research suggests
June 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women prescribed a common class of antidepressants to ease menopausal symptoms may face a long-term rise in their risk for bone fracture, a new study suggests.
The antidepressants in question are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) medications such as Celexa, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft.
One Stillbirth Greatly Raises Odds for Another
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Still, most second pregnancies lead to normal, healthy babies, experts say
June 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women who’ve had one stillbirth have a four times higher risk of having another stillbirth compared to women who’ve had a live birth, British researchers report.
The researchers noted that the overall risk of stillbirth is low. The review included millions of pregnant women, and fewer than 1 percent had a stillbirth. In a subsequent pregnancy, only 2.5 percent of women who’d experienced a previous stillbirth had another stillbirth, the study found.
HPV Shot and Precancerous Cervical Lesions
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
But screening rules for women changed recently, so impact of the shots remains unclear, researchers say
June 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new study offers more evidence that the advent of vaccines to fight human papillomavirus (HPV) could reduce cervical cancer in American women.
While it’s still too early to say that vaccines such as Gardasil and Cervarix are lowering cases of cervical cancer, the new study finds a recent decline in the number of young American women with cervical tissue changes that can lead to cancer.
However, researchers led by Susan Hariri of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stressed that another factor may be driving the trend: changes made to cervical cancer screening recommendations in recent years.
Docs Should Discourage Pot During Pregnancy: ACOG
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
Recommendation notes evidence has shown it can affect brain development in baby
June 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Doctors should discourage women from using marijuana during pregnancy, due to the potential effects that pot’s active ingredients can have on a child’s brain development, new guidelines state.
The recommendation was released Monday by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Pregnancy in Women With Controlled Lupus
By Amy Norton, HealthDay
But blacks, Hispanics face greater odds of complications than whites, though reasons why are unclear
June 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Not long ago, women with lupus were often told pregnancy was too risky. But new research confirms that when the disease is under control, women usually have healthy pregnancies and babies.
The study, of 385 pregnant women with lupus, found that 81 percent gave birth to a full-term, normal-weight baby.
Surgery May Help Teens With Frequent Migraines
By Valerie DeBenedette, HealthDay
At least one expert questions whether improvements are due to the procedure
June 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Migraine surgery may be an effective choice for teens who haven’t gotten relief from standard treatment, a small study suggests.
In the study, researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland reviewed the medical records of 14 patients, with an average age of 16.
In teens with migraine who haven’t responded well to other treatments, “migraine surgery may offer symptomatic improvement of migraine headache frequency, duration and severity in patients with identifiable anatomical trigger sites,” wrote the study’s authors.
Teens Unfamiliar With Harms of Pot, E-Cigs
By Tara Haelle, HealthDay
Focus group of 24 kids finds they do understand dangers of cigarettes
June 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Teens may have a firm grasp on the dangers of smoking cigarettes, but they appear less clear about how using marijuana or electronic cigarettes might harm their health, new research suggests.
“The most striking finding from this study was how little information adolescents were getting regarding risks related to marijuana and e-cigarettes,” said lead author Maria Roditis, a researcher at the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco.
Too Few Old Heart Attack Patients Get This Device?
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Age alone should not be a barrier, researchers say
June 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer than one in 10 older heart attack survivors gets a potentially lifesaving implantable defibrillator, a new study finds.
This small, battery-powered device sits under the skin in the chest. If the heart starts beating abnormally or stops altogether, the defibrillator shocks the heart to restore a normal rhythm.
Heart doctors say many heart attack survivors — but not all — would benefit from such a device.
Memory, Thinking Tests: Hints to Alzheimer’s Risk?
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
Low score could be early warning sign for the disease up to 18 years before diagnosis, researchers report
June 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Mistakes made on memory and thinking tests may be early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers report.
Low scores on such tests could serve as a “red flag” for the progressive brain disease up to 18 years before it can be diagnosed, the study authors added.
Could Brain Scans Help Guide Treatment for OCD?
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
Small study suggests neural activity can point to patients who’ll benefit most from psychotherapy
une 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Psychotherapy can help some people avoid the disruptive behaviors linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and a new study suggests that brain scans can help spot those patients for whom the therapy will be most effective.
The treatment is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It works by placing patients in controlled situations where they are exposed to anxiety-causing stimuli, so that they gradually learn to deal better with these situations.
More Than Two-Thirds of Adults Overweight or Obese
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
Only 25 percent of men and 33 percent of women at a healthy weight, researchers say
June 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer than one-third of Americans are currently at a healthy weight, with the rest of the population either overweight or obese, a new report finds.
About 35 percent of men and 37 percent of women are obese. Another 40 percent of men and 30 percent of women are overweight, researchers said in the June 22 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine.
Fat No Longer the Focus of New Dietary Guidelines
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
Nutrition experts endorse decision to drop restrictions, focus on quality of food instead
June 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nutrition experts are hailing a federal decision to drop recommended restrictions on total fat consumption in the forthcoming 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Over the past decade, research has shown that a diet rich in healthy fats can be better for people, particularly if those fats help offset consumption of foods containing high levels of salt, sugar and refined grains, Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, dean of Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy in Boston, wrote in a viewpoint article on the federal decision.
Could a Microbe in Your Gut Help You Lose Weight?
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
June 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — It’s possible that among the millions of bacteria living in your gut, at least one microbe might change how your body processes food and affect your weight, a small French study suggests.
The microbe — Akkermansia muciniphila — makes up 3 percent to 5 percent of the gut bacteria. The strain is linked with a fiber-rich diet. It’s also associated with lower levels of blood sugar, insulin and fats, which help ward off obesity, diabetes and heart disease. A. muciniphila also helps with a healthier distribution of body fat, the researchers said.
Food Eating Order May Affect Type 2 Blood Sugar
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
Eating protein, vegetables and fat before carbohydrates might help, study says
June 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The order in which obese people with type 2 diabetes eat their food can affect their blood sugar levels, a small study suggests.
The new research found that having protein and vegetables before carbohydrates was linked to lower blood sugar and insulin levels after the meal.
“We’re always looking for ways to help people with diabetes lower their blood sugar,” principal investigator Dr. Louis Aronne, a professor of metabolic research and of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, said in a university news release.
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