Researchers in California and Wisconsin tell us, “Sleep duration may be an important regulator of body weight and metabolism.”
So, they studied changes in metabolic hormones and their potential relationship to weight loss. Continue reading Sleep to help lose weight
A healthy diet should be rich in vegetables and fruits, whole-grain, high-fiber foods, and fish, and should contain a small amount of saturated and trans fats.
Researchers at Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, in France, reviewed dietary approaches proven to be associated with lowering LDL-cholesterol. Continue reading Lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol with diet
“The warning that there is a potential to enhance the effect of warfarin… with cranberry juice intake is mostly based on faulty reports.”
That’s the conclusion by researchers at Lenox Hill Hospital, in New York City. Continue reading The final word on the warfarin-cranberry interaction?
FDA is warning companies to stop making MRSA claims.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria can cause an infection that’s highly resistant to some antibiotics. MRSA cause infection after they enter the body through a cut or sore.
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued 4 warning letters to companies that manufacture and market over-the-counter (OTC) drug products (including hand sanitizers) that claim to prevent infection by MRSA. Continue reading FDA warns companies to stop making MRSA claims
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, reviewed allopathic and CAM options.
Let’s focus on CAM. Continue reading Review: CAM to treat menopausal vasomotor symptoms
During the Society for Endocrinology BES 2011 conference, researchers at the Queen Margaret University, in Edinburgh, Scotland, studied the effects of drinking pomegranate. Continue reading Lowering blood pressure with pomegranate juice
Researchers in Boston and Washington, DC, determined the prevalence of multivitamins, folic acid, and herbal supplement use. Continue reading CAM use among African American breast cancer survivors
Fear of falling may lead to activity restriction that is self-imposed rather than due to actual physical impairments.
Researchers in Canada and Israel reviewed CAM treatment options. Continue reading Tai chi improves low balance confidence
Dr. Gordon Bloomberg is professor of pediatrics in the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Pulmonary Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, in St Louis, Missouri.
He has reviewed the influence of factors that affect recurrent wheezing in young children. Continue reading Environmental factors that increase wheezing in children
Most drugs used to treat Alzheimer’s disease are classified as cholinesterase inhibitors.
Researchers in California and Washington DC studied huperzine A, a natural cholinesterase inhibitor derived from the Chinese herb Huperzia serrata. Continue reading Huperzine A treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for hand hygiene state that alcohol-based hand wipes are not an effective substitute for alcohol-based hand rub or hand washing with an antimicrobial soap and water.
So, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania upped the alcohol content of the wipes. Continue reading Improving alcohol-based hand wipes
Ms. Sasha Britton shares her thoughts on a recent NPR story that reviews evidence that may help keep you from something that everyone dreads — catching a cold or flu this season. Continue reading Yoga practice may help ward off cold and flu
Research suggests that patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics have low vitamin D blood levels and may have a higher risk of hip fractures in their later years than the general population.
Researchers at Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, in France, evaluated whether the vitamin D levels in adolescent psychiatric inpatients were lower than the 30 ng/mL recommended to protect against osteoporosis. Continue reading Vitamin D levels in adolescents with severe mental illness
Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have reported the interim findings of the effects of a mind body physical exercise (tai chi) on cognitive function in Chinese people at risk of cognitive decline. Continue reading Tai chi and the risk of cognitive decline
Dr. June Kloubec at Gustavus Adolphus College, in St. Peter, Minnesota reports her findings. Continue reading Effects of Pilates on endurance, flexibility, balance, and posture
The associations between different sources of dietary omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and the risk of depression have not been prospectively studied.
So, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston, examined these associations. Continue reading Omega-3 and -6 and the risk for depression
Researchers at the University of Jyvaskyla, in Finland, studied the benefits of music therapy when added to standard care among working-age people with depression. Continue reading Accumulating evidence supports music therapy for depression
Zinc is critical for immune function. However, zinc deficiency occurs in more than 50% of HIV-infected adults.
Researchers at Florida International University examined the effects of long-term zinc supplementation in relation to HIV disease. Continue reading Importance of zinc supplements in HIV-infected patients
During the National Conference in Pediatric Psychology, researchers at the University of Cincinnati reported that urban adolescents with asthma might experience worse outcomes when not using spiritual coping. Continue reading Relaxation and prayer among people with asthma
Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Vitamin E and the risk of stroke