Key take-aways: Good - Apples, especially organic; tea, dark chocolate, plant-based foods, mindfulness meditation, probiotics, rye, blueberries. Bad: more than 2 caffienated drinks a day, lavender oil
Diet
An apple carries about 100 million bacteria -- good luck washing them off
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 18 hours ago
To the heroes among you who eat the whole apple: besides extra fiber, flavonoids and flavor, you're also quaffing 10 times as many bacteria per fruit as your core-discarding counterparts. Is this a good thing? Probably. But it might depend on how your apples were grown. Published in *Frontiers in Microbiology*, a new study shows that organic apples harbor a more diverse and balanced bacterial community -- which could make them healthier and tastier than conventional apples, as well as better for the environment. *You are w... more »
People who eat dark chocolate less likely to be depressed
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 18 hours ago
Eating dark chocolate may positively affect mood and relieve depressive symptoms, finds a new UCL-led study looking at whether different types of chocolate are associated with mood disorders. The study, published in *Depression and Anxiety*, is the first to examine the association with depression according to the type of chocolate consumed. Researchers from UCL worked in collaboration with scientists from the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services Canada and assessed data from 13,626 adults from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants' chocolat... more »
Apples, tea and moderation -- the 3 ingredients for a long life
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 2 days ago
Consuming flavonoid-rich items such as apples and tea protects against cancer and heart disease, particularly for smokers and heavy drinkers, according to new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU). Researchers from ECU's School of Medical and Health Sciences analysed data from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort that assessed the diets of 53,048 Danes over 23 years. They found that people who habitually consumed moderate to high amounts of foods rich in flavonoids, compounds found in plant-based foods and drinks, were less likely to die from cancer or heart disease. *No q... more »
1-2 caffeinated drinks not linked with higher risk of migraines; 3+ may trigger them
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 6 days ago
Afflicting more than one billion adults worldwide, migraine is the third most prevalent illness in the world. In addition to severe headache, symptoms of migraine can include nausea, changes in mood, sensitivity to light and sound, as well as visual and auditory hallucinations. People who suffer from migraine report that weather patterns, sleep disturbances, hormonal changes, stress, medications and certain foods or beverages can bring on migraine attacks. However, few studies have evaluated the immediate effects of these suspected triggers. In a study published today in the *Amer... more »
Eating more plant-based foods may be linked to better heart health --
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
Eating mostly plant-based foods and fewer animal-based foods may be linked to better heart health and a lower risk of dying from a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular disease according to new research published in the *Journal of the American Heart Association*, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. "While you don't have to give up foods derived from animals completely, our study does suggest that eating a larger proportion of plant-based foods and a smaller proportion of animal-based foods may help reduce your risk of havin... more »
Substituting poultry for red meat may reduce breast cancer risk
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
Results from a new study suggest that red meat consumption may increase the risk of breast cancer, whereas poultry consumption may be protective against breast cancer risk. The findings are published in the *International Journal of Cancer*. For the study, investigators analyzed information on consumption of different types of meat and meat cooking practices from 42,012 women who were followed for an average of 7.6 years. During follow-up, 1,536 invasive breast cancers were diagnosed. Increasing consumption of red meat was associated with increased risk of invasive breast cancer: ... more »
Dietary choline associates with reduced risk of dementia
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
A new study by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland is the first to observe that dietary intake of phosphatidylcholine is associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Phosphatidylcholine was also linked to enhanced cognitive performance. The main dietary sources of phosphatidylcholine were eggs and meat. The findings were published in the *American Journal of Clinical Nutrition*. Choline is an essential nutrient, usually occurring in food in various compounds. Choline is also necessary for the formation of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter. Earlier studies have l... more »
Eating rye comes with a variety of health benefits
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland now shows that both lactic acid bacteria and gut bacteria contribute to the health benefits of rye. Published in *Microbiome*, the study used a metabolomics approach to analyse metabolites found in food and the human body. Rye sourdough used for the baking of rye bread is rich in lactic acid bacteria. In addition to fermenting the dough, these bacteria also modify bioactive compounds found in rye. They produce branched-chain amino acids and amino acid-containing small peptides, which are known to have an impact on insulin metabolism... more »
Sesame allergy is more common than previously known
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
Sesame allergy affects more than 1 million children and adults in the U.S., more than previously known, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study. But sesame labeling is currently not required by law as are the other top eight allergens like peanut and milk, and is often labeled in a potentially confusing manner, such as tahini. This increases the risk of accidental ingestion. The new study provides the first up-to-date estimates on the current prevalence of sesame allergy among U.S. children and adults in all 50 states. "Our study shows sesame allergy is prevalent in the U.S. in... more » »
Diets rich in blueberries yield diverse benefits
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 2 weeks ago
A collection of new studies in *The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences* further quantifies how blueberry consumption can contribute to healthy aging. "Since the 1990s, research on the health benefits of blueberries has grown exponentially," wrote guest editor Donald K. Ingram, PhD, FGSA, in an opening editorial. "Studies have documented that this fruit ranks highest in antioxidant activity compared to many other popular fruits. Moreover, other mechanisms for the health benefits of blueberries, such as their anti-inflammatory properties, have ... more »
Supplements
Probiotics benefit vaginal health
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 15 hours ago
Researchers have shown that three genes from a probiotic Lactobacillus species, used in some commercial probiotic vaginal capsules, are almost certainly involved in mediating adhesion to the vaginal epithelium. This is likely critical to how this species benefits vaginal health. "These results could help us screen for better probiotic candidates in the future," said principal investigator Harold Marcotte, PhD. The research is published this week in *Applied and Environmental Microbiology*, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology. "An imbalance of the normal microbiota, a... more »
Testosterone supplements made people more sensitive to moral norm
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 day ago
Although some studies have linked high levels of testosterone to immoral behavior, a new study published in *Nature Human Behaviour* finds testosterone supplements actually made people more sensitive to moral norms, suggesting that testosterone's influence on behavior is more complicated than previously thought. Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin took a deeper look at the hormonal underpinnings of moral reasoning. Previous research has investigated moral judgment on the basis of behavioral responses and brain activity, but the current study goes beyond this to analyze... more »
Lavender oil may contribute to abnormal breast growth in young girls
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 day ago
Abnormal breast growth in young girls is linked to lavender oil exposure, according to a recent study published in the Endocrine Society's *Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism*. Previous research has associated breast growth in boys with lavender-containing fragrances. This study, "Lavender Products Associated With Premature Thelarche and Prepubertal Gynecomastia: Case Reports and EDC Activities," is the first to report abnormal breast growth in young girls. The researchers found that breast growth in young girls and boys resolved after discontinuing lavender-containing f... more »
Dietary choline associates with reduced risk of dementia
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
A new study by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland is the first to observe that dietary intake of phosphatidylcholine is associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Phosphatidylcholine was also linked to enhanced cognitive performance. The main dietary sources of phosphatidylcholine were eggs and meat. The findings were published in the *American Journal of Clinical Nutrition*. Choline is also available as a supplement. Choline is an essential nutrient, usually occurring in food in various compounds. Choline is also necessary for the formation of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter. Earlier studies have l... more »
Higher vitamin A intake linked to lower skin cancer risk
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 2 weeks ago
People whose diets included high levels of vitamin A had a 17 percent reduction in risk for getting the second-most-common type of skin cancer, as compared to those who ate modest amounts of foods and supplements rich in vitamin A. That's according to researchers from Brown University, who unearthed that finding after analyzing data from two long-term observational studies. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is the second-most-common type of skin cancer among people with fair skin. Vitamin A is known to be essential for the healthy growth and maturation of skin cells, but prior studi... more »
Medicine
Osteoporosis drugs linked to reduced risk of premature death
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 2 days ago
Two studies led by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have revealed that nitrogen-bisphosphonates, drugs commonly prescribed for osteoporosis, reduced the risk of premature mortality by 34% in a cohort of over 6,000 individuals. This reduction in early mortality risk was significantly associated with a reduction in bone loss compared with no treatment. The findings present new advice of the significant benefits of taking approved osteoporosis medicine for those at risk of osteoporosis, and their health care professional. After the age of 50, 40% of women and 25% of men will s... more »
ADHD medication may affect brain development in children
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 2 days ago
A drug used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) appears to affect the development of the brain's signal-carrying white matter in children with the disorder, according to a study published in the journal *Radiology*. The same effects were not found in adults with ADHD. Methylphenidate (MPH), sold under trade names including Ritalin and Concerta, is a commonly prescribed treatment for ADHD that is effective in up to 80 percent of patients. However, not much is known about its effect on the development of the brain, including the brain's white matter, which is imp... more »
Statins, cholesterol and glaucoma risk
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 2 days ago
Statins, the gold standard for high cholesterol treatment, may be associated with a lower risk of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) when used over time, per new research into cholesterol's interplay with glaucoma. "This is another study that supports statin use being associated with a reduced risk of the development of glaucoma. What is not clear is the reason why." Published online in *JAMA Ophthalmology*, the study found a 21% *lower* risk of POAG among adults using statins for five or more years and, conversely, a 7% *greater* risk of POAG for every 20 mg/dL increase in total ... more »
Pain medications linked to higher cardiovascular risks in patients with osteoarthritis
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help to control the pain and inflammation in individuals with osteoarthritis (OA), but a new *Arthritis & Rheumatology* study suggests that NSAIDs contribute to cardiovascular side effects in these patients. The study matched 7,743 OA patients with 23,229 non-OA controls. The risk of developing cardiovascular disease among people with OA was 23% higher compared with people without OA. Among secondary outcomes assessed in the study, the risk of congestive heart failure was 42% higher among people with OA compared with people without O... more »
New data indicate rise in opioid use for migraine treatment
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
- Nearly 1 in 5 people with migraine use opioids to treat their headaches, up from 16 percent in 2009. - People who experienced more frequent headaches were even more likely to use opioids to treat migraine, with more than half of them taking opioids at least one time to treat migraine. - Clinical guidelines discourage the use of opioids for treatment of migraine symptoms, except in rare cases. An increasing number of Americans are using opioids to treat their migraine headaches, despite the fact that opioids are not the recommended first-line therapy for mi... more »
Doctors more likely to recommend antihistamines rather than cough & cold medicine for kids
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 2 weeks ago
For respiratory infections in children under 12, physicians are increasingly more likely to recommend antihistamines and less likely to recommend cough and cold medicines, a Rutgers study found. Antihistamines are widely used over-the-counter to treat various allergic conditions. However, these medicines have little known benefit for children with colds, and some older antihistamines cause sedation and occasionally agitation in children. The study, in *JAMA Pediatrics*, found a sharp decline in cough and cold medicine recommendations for children under 2 after 2008, when the Food ... more »
Sleep
Links between glaucoma and sleep
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 2 days ago
A recent study reports that abnormal sleep patterns may be risk factors for or consequences of glaucoma. "Whether sleep dysfunction is a byproduct of glaucoma or a risk factor for it still needs to be resolved, but this study addresses some interesting questions." In the recent cross-sectional study, "Association Between Sleep Parameters and Glaucoma in the United States Population: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey," researchers reviewed data from the survey's nearly 6,800 patients over 40 years of age who responded to the sleep questionnaire between 2005 and 2008.... more »
Optimistic people sleep better, longer
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
People who are the most optimistic tend to be better sleepers, a study of young and middle-aged adults found. More than 3,500 people ages 32-51 were included in the study sample. The participants included people in Birmingham, Alabama; Oakland, California; Chicago; and Minneapolis. The research was led by Rosalba Hernandez, a professor of social work at the University of Illinois. "Results from this study revealed significant associations between optimism and various characteristics of self-reported sleep after adjusting for a wide array of variables, including socio-demographic cha... more »
Evening use of alcohol or nicotine sabotage sleep, caffeine doesn't
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
Between 50 to 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder. Sleepless nights are associated with a number of adverse health outcomes including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers. Evening use of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are believed to sabotage sleep. Yet, studies examining their effects on sleep are limited by small sample sizes that don't represent racial and ethnic diversity or objective measures of sleep. Furthermore, these investigations have been conducted in laboratory or observatory settings. Considering the pu... more »
1 in 300 thrives on very-early-to-bed, very-early-to-rise routine
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
A quirk of the body clock that lures some people to sleep at 8 p.m., enabling them to greet the new day as early as 4 a.m., may be significantly more common than previously believed. So-called advanced sleep phase -- previously believed to be very rare -- may affect at least one in 300 adults, according to a study led by UC San Francisco and publishing in the journal *SLEEP* on Aug. 6, 2019. Advanced sleep phase means that the body's clock, or circadian rhythm, operates on a schedule hours earlier than most people's, with a premature release of the sleep hormone melatonin and shift ... more »
Exercise
Exercises to ward off weight gain despite 'obesity genes'
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
[image: IMAGE] *IMAGE: *This is an image depicting a female running on a treadmill. Running increases the heart rate and acts as good cardiovascular exercise. The treadmill is shown surrounded by plants and... view more For people who inherited genes that increase their chance of becoming obese, there is hope for keeping the weight off. A study by Wan-Yu Lin of National Taiwan University and colleagues, published 1st August in PLOS Genetics, identified the types of exercise that are especially effective at combatting genetic effects that contribute to obesity. Worldwide, obesity i... more »
General Health
Accidental infant deaths in bed tripled from 1999 to 2016 in the US
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 18 hours ago
While the number of babies who die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been on the decline, a study by researchers at Florida Atlantic University's Schmidt College of Medicine and collaborators shows that infant deaths from accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed have more than tripled between 1999 and 2016 in the United States with increases in racial inequalities. Findings from the study, published in the *Maternal and Child Health Journal*, reveal similar risk factor profiles for non-Hispanic black infants and non-Hispanic white infants, though in every instan... more »
Strong evidence for causal link between obesity and multiple diseases
Jonathan KantrowitzatHealth News Report - 1 week ago
A new study, led by Professor Elina Hyppönen from UniSA's Australian Centre for Precision Health, presents the strongest evidence yet of a causal relationship between obesity and a wide range of serious conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurological, musculoskeletal and respiratory afflictions. The study, published in *Lancet Digital Health*, draws data from the UK Biobank - a research database holding health and genetic information from half a million volunteers - to analyse associations between body mass index (BMI) and a range of disease outcome... more »
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