Fish Oil Pills Might Cut Diabetes Risk, Researchers Say

Fish oil supplements could help reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes, new research suggests. The supplements, also known as omega-3 fatty acids, increase levels of a hormone called adiponectin that's linked to insulin sensitivity, Harvard researchers found. Higher levels of this hormone in the bloodstream have also been linked to a lower risk for heart disease. "While prior animal studies found fish oil increased circulating adiponectin, whether similar effects apply in humans is not established," the study's lead author, Jason Wu, from the Harvard School of Public Health, said in a news release from the Endocrine Society. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_137090.html

Cauliflower Popcorn

Abused Children at Risk for Obesity as Adults: Study

Children who are physically, sexually or emotionally abused or neglected are at greater risk for obesity later in life, a new review suggests. British researchers found that abused children are 36 percent more likely to be obese as adults. They concluded that child abuse could be viewed as a modifiable risk factor for obesity. "We found that being maltreated as a child significantly increased the risk of obesity in adult life," study author Dr. Andrea Danese, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, said in a news release from King's College. "Prevention of child maltreatment remains paramount, and our findings highlight the serious long-term health effects of these experiences." http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_137088.html

How Many Calories in Your Fast-Food Meal? Guess Again

People who eat at fast-food restaurants are consuming significantly more calories than they realize -- and teens are the worst offenders, a new study found. "Teens underestimate the number of calories in their meals by as much as 34 percent, parents of school-age children by as much as 23 percent, and adults by as much as 20 percent," study lead researcher, Dr. Jason Block, said in a news release from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which helped fund the study. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_137139.html

Studies Support Population-Based Efforts to Lower Excessive Dietary Sodium Intakes, But Raise Questions About Potential Harm From Too Little Salt Intake

Recent studies that examine links between sodium consumption and health outcomes support recommendations to lower sodium intake from the very high levels some Americans consume now, but evidence from these studies does not support reduction in sodium intake to below 2,300 mg per day, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=18311

Type 2 Diabetes Progresses Faster in Kids, Study Finds

Type 2 diabetes is more aggressive in children than adults, with signs of serious complications seen just a few years after diagnosis, new research finds. "Based on the latest results, it seems like type 2 is progressing more rapidly in children," said Dr. Jane Chiang, senior vice president of medical affairs and community information for the American Diabetes Association. "Complications are appearing faster, and it appears to be at a more significant rate than we see in adults." The results are alarming, Chiang and other experts said. "If these children continue to progress this rapidly, we could see many of the consequences of type 2 diabetes at a much younger age, like kidney disease and heart disease," she said. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_137136.html

Depression May Raise Low Blood Sugar Risk in Diabetics

Depression can affect almost every aspect of life, but some of the changes brought about by the disorder can be downright dangerous for those with diabetes. New research has found that people with diabetes who are depressed have more than a 40 percent higher risk of having a severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) episode that lands them in the hospital compared to people with diabetes who aren't depressed. "Depression is a very common accompanying condition for people with diabetes. It's important to know that depression can lead to hypoglycemic episodes," said study author Dr. Wayne Katon, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle. "About one-quarter of all severe drug side effects that lead people to an ER visit or hospitalization are related to dramatic drops in blood sugar. Hypoglycemia is a dangerous and expensive problem. And, for people with diabetes, depression increases the risk of serious hypoglycemia by about 40 percent over five years, and leads to a greater number of hypoglycemic episodes," he explained. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_137049.html

Americans Still Making Unhealthy Choices: CDC

The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising, a new government report shows. Released Tuesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the report found Americans continuing to make many of the lifestyle choices that have led to soaring rates of heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses, including the following: About six of 10 adults drink, including an increase in those who reported episodic heavy drinking of five or more drinks in one day during the previous year. Twenty percent of adults smoke, and less than one-half of smokers attempted to quit in the past year. Only one in five adults met federal guidelines for both aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening exercise. One in three was completely inactive when it came to any leisure-time aerobic activity. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_137050.html

People choose larger portions of ‘healthy' foods

People will choose larger portions of food if they are labeled as being "healthier," even if they have the same number of calories, according to a new study. "People think (healthier food) is lower in calories," said Pierre Chandon, a marketing professor at the INSEAD Social Science Research Center in France, and they "tend to consume more of it." That misconception can lead to people eating larger portion sizes of so-called healthy foods, and therefore more calories. "Foods are marketed as being healthier for a reason, because food producers believe, and they correctly believe, that those labels will influence us to eat their products and perhaps eat more of their products," said Dr. Cliodhna Foley Nolan the director of Human Health and Nutrition at Safefood, a government agency in Ireland. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_137068.html

Relief from Reflux

Studies suggest that as many as one third of all Americans have gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD for short. Obesity is a major factor in GERD, so researchers wanted to see if losing a few pounds and becoming more physically fit could help ease symptoms. A total of 213 patients were recruited. All were overweight or obese, and asked to participate in a structured weight loss program. Their weight, caloric intake, exercise minutes and reflux symptoms were recorded at the start, mid-way through and at the end of the study. All of the participants lost weight by the 6-month mark, which greatly improved their GERD symptoms, even with as little as less than a 5% change. By the 12-month check-in, 172 people had started regaining the weight, and their GERD symptoms got worse again. These findings suggest that small lifestyle steps can make a big difference in your health. I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the health news that matters to you. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/videos/news/Relief_Reflux_052113-1.html

Coffee May Protect Against Liver Disease

Coffee lovers have another reason to rejoice as a new study claims that regular consumption of the popular beverage can reduce the risk of a rare but serious liver disease. According to research published by the Mayo Clinic, coffee intake can lower the chance of contracting primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), an autoimmune liver disease. The disease can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and biliary cancer. http://www.voanews.com/content/coffee-may-protect-against-liver-disease/1664647.html

Extra Vitamin D May Ease Crohn's Symptoms, Study Finds

Vitamin D supplements may help those with Crohn's disease overcome the fatigue and decreased muscle strength associated with the inflammatory bowel disease, according to new research. Extra vitamin D "was associated with significantly less physical, emotional and general fatigue, greater quality of life and the ability to perform activities of daily living," said Tara Raftery, a research dietitian and doctoral candidate at Trinity College Dublin. She is scheduled to present the findings Saturday at the Digestive Disease Week meeting in Orlando, Fla. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136989.html

ADHD and Weight

Does having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as a child increase the risk of obesity later in life? That was the question posed by an international team of researchers. They collected data from 207 boys, 8 to 12 years old, who were diagnosed with ADHD. 178 boys without the condition were recruited for comparison. The majority of the participants were then tracked for more than 30 years with follow-up exams conducted at the mean ages of 18, 25 and 41. The results? Men with childhood ADHD had significantly higher body mass index compared to those without the condition, an average 30.1 versus 27.6. Obesity rates were also higher in men with childhood ADHD 41.4% versus 21.6% for the control group. Why the connection? The researchers say men with ADHD may lack impulse control and good planning skills, which could lead them to make poor food choices. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/videos/news/ADHD_Obese_052013-1.html

Obesity Crisis May Be Fueling Big Jump in Sleep Apnea Cases

The widening American waistline may be feeding an epidemic of sleep apnea, potentially robbing millions of people of a good night's rest, a new study suggests. The research didn't definitively link the rise in obesity to sleep apnea, and it only looked at 1,520 people, almost all white, in Wisconsin. But study author Paul Peppard believes the findings show a big spike in sleep apnea cases over the past two decades -- as much as 55 percent -- and may translate to the entire United States. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136710.html

Health Tip: Don't Overcook Veggies

Cooking vegetables properly can help maintain peak nutrition. On the other hand, overcooking them may cause valuable vitamins and nutrients to go down the drain, experts say. The Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition offers this advice: Use a soft brush and water to clean produce with thick skins. By contrast, soaking them may cause some nutrients to dissolve in the water. Steam produce instead of cooking in water. If you do cook produce in water, save the water for later use. Microwave vegetables, as the shorter cooking time may help keep key nutrients. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136708.html

Yet Another Reason to Avoid Fatty Foods: Fatigue

The food you eat may affect your level of sleepiness or alertness during the day, according to a new, small study. Researchers assessed the daytime sleepiness/alertness levels of 31 healthy, non-obese people, aged 18 to 65, who were normal sleepers. Then they looked at the meals they ate. Higher fat consumption was associated with increased daytime sleepiness while higher carbohydrate intake was linked with increased alertness. There was no relationship between protein consumption and sleepiness or alertness. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136721.html

More Time in Gym Class Equals Stronger Kids

Spending more time in physical education classes helps students develop muscle strength and doesn't increase their risk of broken bones, a new study finds. The study included more than 900 girls and boys at a school in Sweden who had up to 200 minutes of physical education a week for two years. A control group of students continued with the standard amount of 60 minutes of physical education each week. The children who had more physical education time developed greater muscle mass and strength than those in the control group, according to the study, published in the May issue of the journal Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136748.html

Money Motivates Weight Loss -- One Step at a Time

When a health insurer told obese people they could either pay 20 percent more for coverage or start exercising, most of them decided to get active, according to a new study. More than 6,500 obese people insured by Blue Care Network enrolled in a pedometer-based program to obtain insurance discounts, and the majority met their fitness goals, researchers found. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136631.html

Fast Food Hasn't Gotten Much Healthier, Study Says

Next time you have a craving for fast food, don't kid yourself that choices today are much healthier, a new study says. The nutritional quality of menu items at fast-food restaurants has improved only modestly over 14 years, according to researchers. The researchers analyzed menus from eight fast-food restaurant chains. The menus from 1997-1998 to 2009-2010 came from McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Arby's, Jack in the Box and Dairy Queen. The study authors used the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Healthy Eating Index to evaluate the nutritional quality of the menu items. Overall, the score for all eight restaurants increased from 45 to 48 during the 14-year period. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136633.html

Just How Might Exercise Lower Breast Cancer Risk?

Exercise appears to change the way women's bodies metabolize the hormone estrogen, and this could help explain how aerobic activity reduces a woman's breast cancer risk, a new study suggests. Previous research has suggested that exercise lowers breast cancer risk, but there haven't been any clinical studies that explain the mechanism behind this, said Mindy Kurzer, a professor in the department of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota in Saint Paul. "Ours is the first study to show that aerobic exercise influences the way our bodies break down estrogens to produce more of the 'good' metabolites that lower breast cancer risk," she said. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136635.html

High Blood Sugar May Add to Alzheimer's Risk: Study

Elevated blood sugar levels may increase a person's risk for Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study. Previous research has suggested that diabetes may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's, but University of Arizona researchers wanted to examine if high blood sugar levels in people without diabetes may also increase the chances of developing Alzheimer's. The study included 124 people, aged 47 to 68, who were diabetes-free and had normal brain function, but did have a family history of Alzheimer's. The participants underwent scans that revealed metabolic activity in the brain. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136639.html

Study questions fish oil benefit before heart attack

Fish oil supplements did not prevent heart problems in people who hadn't had a heart attack yet, in a large long-term study from Italy. The study - a gold-standard randomized, controlled trial - tested the effect of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in oily fish such as tuna or sardines. Patients in the study had risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a history of smoking or narrowed arteries. But patients who had a heart attack in the past weren't allowed to enroll. Five years after the study began, 11.7 percent of the 6,244 patients taking a capsule containing one gram of fish oil daily had died or been hospitalized for heart problems, compared to 11.9 percent for the 6,269 volunteers who instead received one gram of olive oil every day as a placebo. The result, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday, is in sharp contrast to other research suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids can help those who have survived a heart attack or suffer from heart failure. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136654.html

For Pregnant Smokers, Vitamin C Might Help Babies' Lungs

Vitamin C may help prevent lung problems in babies born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy, according to a small new study. Pregnant women are advised not to smoke because it can harm the baby's lungs and lead to problems such as wheezing and asthma. But if a pregnant woman can't quit smoking, taking vitamin C may help protect their baby's lungs, researchers found. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136602.html

Magnesium-Rich Food May Help Keep Kids' Bones Strong

Magnesium may be as crucial to children's bone health as calcium, according to a small, early study. While it's known that magnesium is important for adults' bone health, few studies have examined the nutrient's role in children's bones. This study found a significant association between magnesium intake and absorption, and bone density in children. "Lots of nutrients are key for children to have healthy bones. One of these appears to be magnesium," lead author Dr. Steven Abrams, a professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said in an American Academy of Pediatrics news release. "Calcium is important, but, except for those children and adolescents with very low intakes, may not be more important than magnesium." http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136604.html

Better handwashing could cut healthcare infections in half

Hundreds of millions of patients every year worldwide get healthcare-associated infections, but handwashing could prevent half of them, U.N. officials say. Officials at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, said the most common healthcare-associated infections include urinary tract, surgical site infections, pneumonia and infections of the bloodstream. "More than half of these infections could be prevented by caregivers properly cleaning their hands at key moments in patient care," WHO officials said in a statement released at U.N. headquarters in New York. Read more: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2013/05/06/Better-handwashing-could-cut-healthcare-infections-in-half/UPI-73511367822068/#ixzz2SfaqzA6g

The Kids Are Alright: The Video

Parsnip Fries, anyone?

The Kids Are Alright: gluten-free meals on a budget

A stroll down the gluten-free aisle at your supermarket can quickly put you over your weekly food budget. With a few tips and some planning, it's easy to prepare healthful, gluten-free meals for your family without breaking the bank. Foods recommended for those following a gluten-free diet are similar to healthful foods suggested for the general population — fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, eggs, plant-based proteins such as beans, nuts and seeds, fish and lean cuts of poultry and meat. The only difference is that the gluten free have to steer clear of wheat, rye and barley when making their choices. Focusing on naturally gluten-free foods and limiting highly-processed specialty items is the key to healthful, cost-effective meal planning.http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442476254

U.S.-born kids have more allergies, asthma

Kids and teens who are born abroad and immigrate to the United States are about half as likely to have asthma and allergies as those who are born in the U.S., according to a new study. Researchers surveyed the parents of 80,000 children in one of six languages and found that association held even after they took into account where families lived and how often they moved, as well as their race and income. "This is definitely something we see clinically and we're trying to better understand, what is it in our environment that's increasing the risk of allergic disease?" said Dr. Ruchi Gupta, who studies allergies at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago but wasn't involved in the new research. "Food allergies have increased tremendously," she told Reuters Health. "We do see people who come from other countries don't tend to have it, but immigrants who are maybe second generation, they're identical (to U.S.-born people)." It's not obvious what explains that pattern, researchers said. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136355.html

Gene Test May Help Predict Success of Weight-Loss Surgery

Weight loss after gastric bypass surgery varies widely, and scientists say they have identified a genetic variation that may help explain the discrepancy. The discovery, detailed in a study published May 2 in the American Journal of Human Genetics, is already driving creation of a gene test that may one day help patients predict how many pounds they might shed after weight-loss surgery. Some patients lose 60 percent of their weight after the surgery, and others just 15 percent. Factors such as age, activity level and whether a patient has other health problems, such as diabetes, help doctors estimate a patient's potential results. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136467.html

One in five adults meet overall physical activity guidelines

About 20 percent of U.S. adults are meeting both the aerobic and muscle strengthening components of the federal government's physical activity recommendations, according to a report published in today's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a journal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data are based on self-reported information from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; an annual phone survey of adults aged 18 and over conducted by state health departments. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get at least 2½ hours a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as walking, or one hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, such as jogging, or a combination of both. The guidelines also recommend that adults do muscle-strengthening activities, such as push-ups, sit-ups, or activities using resistance bands or weights. These activities should involve all major muscle groups and be done on two or more days per week. http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2013/p0502-physical-activity.html

How Weight-Loss Surgery Improves Diabetes Control

Gastric bypass -- a widely used weight-loss procedure -- appears to change the hormones and amino acids produced during digestion, which could explain how the surgery eliminates symptoms of type 2 diabetes, according to a small new study. The findings could lead to new treatments for type 2 diabetes, the researchers said. Untreated, diabetes can lead to heart disease, blindness, amputations and kidney disease. In gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is divided into two sections. Food is then directed to the smaller section, so people feel full after eating less food. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136381.html

Sneaky sugar: We're eating too much, and we don't even know it

Americans may be heeding warnings to avoid sugary drinks, but many are still consuming way too much “added sugar” in their food, a new government report shows. And most of those sugary foods are being consumed at home rather than at restaurants, said study co-author Bethene Ervin, a nutritional epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Current government guidelines suggest that Americans limit total discretionary calories, including added sugars and solid fats, to 5 to 15 percent of food consumed per day. Ervin and her co-author Cynthia Ogden found that added sugars make up approximately 13 percent of the average American adult’s total intake. Ervin and Ogden found that adult consumption of added sugars declined with increasing income. So, while women in the lowest income category were consuming 15.7 percent of their calories as added sugars, those in the highest income category were consuming 11.6 percent of their calories as added sugars. The researchers found a similar trend for men. http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/01/17989684-sneaky-sugar-were-eating-too-much-and-we-dont-even-know-it

The Kids Are Alright: ease the pain of constipation

Constipation can be painful, stressful and embarrassing for kids and it takes a toll on parents, too. If your child is struggling with constipation, they’re not alone. Constipation is the cause for about three to five percent of visits to the pediatrician, but it may affect up to 30 percent of kids. http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442476123

The Kids Are Alright: meal in a peel potato bar