Chronic diseases top causes of deaths globally: WHO
Chronic conditions such as heart disease and stroke, often associated with a Western lifestyle, have become the chief causes of death globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday. more...

Fruit, veggies may lower head and neck cancer risk
People who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables may have a lower risk of developing cancers of the head and neck. more...

Lifestyle change may keep diabetes at bay
Chinese adults with 'pre-diabetes' who adopted a healthy diet and exercised for 6 years were much less likely to progress to full blown diabetes over the next 14 years as their pre-diabetic counterparts who made no healthy lifestyle changes. more...

Low vitamin D tied to back pain in older women
Older women who aren't getting enough vitamin D appear to be at risk for suffering from back pain, new research shows. more...

Prenatal fish intake benefits kids' brains
Three-year-olds whose mothers ate more fish while pregnant with them score better on several tests of cognitive function than their peers whose mothers avoided seafood, a new study shows. more...

Omega-3 may ease depression during pregnancy
For pregnant women diagnosed with major depressive disorder, treatment with omega-3 fatty acid supplements may reduce depressive symptoms, according to the findings of a small clinical trial. more...

Mediterranean diet may prevent diabetes
Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with a substantially reduced risk of diabetes, according to findings from a large prospective study conducted in Spain and reported in BMJ Online First, posted on May 30th. more...

Mediterranean diet may also help stop diabetes
A Mediterranean diet rich in fruits and vegetables -- already known to protect against heart disease -- also appears to help ward off diabetes, Spanish researchers said on Friday. more...

Fatty acids improve preterm infants' mental abilities
Very preterm infants who are fed human milk that is supplemented with fatty acids show signs of improved intellectual development, or 'cognition,' at 6 months of age, researchers in Norway report in the medical journal Pediatrics. more...

Diabetes risk score may help target prevention interventions
The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score may help identify high-risk patients who are most likely to benefit from intensive lifestyle intervention to prevent type 2 diabetes, results of a study published in the May issue of Diabetes Care suggest. more...

'Good' bacteria may ease hay fever symptoms: study
A probiotic drink a day may help keep hay fever away, British researchers said on Tuesday. more...

Dehydrated tomatoes may fight prostate tumors
A compound found in dehydrated tomatoes may help quash prostate cancer tumors, new animal research suggests. more...

Vitamin D recommendations for teens may be too low
Adolescents can safely take, and may need, vitamin D doses that are up to 10 times what is generally recommended, a small study suggests. more...

Diabetic weight-loss plan yields long-term success
Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center report that a 12-week weight-loss program they devised for patients with type 2 diabetes continues to have a positive, long-lasting effect on weight loss 1 year later, long after patients are off on their own. more...

Cooking method key to potatoes' potassium level
Cubing your potatoes before boiling them can cut down on cooking time, but it will also shortchange you on potassium, a new study demonstrates. more...

Eating fish may curb risk of age-related eye disease
Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids and oily fish appear to lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to pooled data from nine 'observational' studies that evaluated omega-3 or fish intake in the prevention of AMD. more...

Lifestyle change alters gene expression in prostate cancer patients
Comprehensive diet and lifestyle modifications alter gene expression in prostate tissue of men with low-risk prostate cancer, investigators report in a prospective pilot study. The results showed that expression of genes involved in tumorigenesis were down-regulated. more...

Exercise increases protein that may curb appetite
In a small study of overweight and obese adults, 3 months of aerobic exercise, with no change in diet, led to a significant decrease in body fat and a spontaneous drop in calorie intake. The amount of weight loss and the reduction in calorie intake were directly related to blood levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). more...

Healthy lifestyle triggers genetic changes: study
Comprehensive lifestyle changes, including a better diet and more exercise, can lead not only to a better physique but also to swift and dramatic changes at the genetic level, U.S. researchers said on Monday. more...

Healthy lifestyle key to 'successful aging'
A good diet, exercise and other health- conscious habits can help adults remain free of disease and disability as they age, regardless of their income or education level, a UK study suggests. more...

New US estimates show diabetes affects 24 million
New government estimates show that nearly 24 million people in the United States have diabetes, an increase of more than 3 million in two years. more...

'Good' bacteria may relieve diarrhea in children
The 'good' strain of Escherichia coli -- known as E. coli Nissle 1917, or EcN -- is effective in treating diarrhea in infants and toddlers, researchers have found. more...

Low-fat diet as heart-healthy as Mediterranean
After a heart attack, adopting either a low-fat or Mediterranean-style diet similarly and significantly benefits overall and cardiovascular health, research suggests. more...

Low vitamin B tied to hip fracture risk
Older adults who are low in B vitamins or have elevated levels of a blood protein called homocysteine may be at increased risk of suffering a hip fracture, new study findings suggest. more...

Talk to your doc about alternative therapies: NIH
The federal government has a new message for people 50 and older who use complementary and alternative therapies, and their physicians too: do ask, and do tell. more...

Population-wide approach needed to curb obesity
A broad range of policy and environmental initiatives at the local, state and federal levels aimed at increasing physical activity and healthful eating is needed to reduce rates of obesity in the United States, according to an American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statement in the Association's journal Circulation, published Monday. more...

Vitamins block post-meal grogginess in diabetics
Fatty meals may cloud the brains of people with type 2 diabetes, but antioxidant vitamins can help clear the fog, Canadian researchers demonstrated in a study they conducted. more...

Green tea protects against heart disease: study
A few cups of green tea each day may help prevent heart disease, Greek researchers said on Wednesday. more...

Low vitamin D may harm the bones of IBD patients
Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels in the body may help guard against bone disease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a study in which researchers found a link between inadequate vitamin D levels and lower bone mineral density in a group of IBD patients. more...

Omega-3 fatty acid may guard against repeat stroke
Eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA -- the essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid abundant in oily fish -- may help protect stroke patients from suffering a second stroke, a Japanese study shows. more...

Prenatal vitamin D linked to kids' dental health
By maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during pregnancy, mothers may be protecting their babies against early tooth decay in childhood, according a study reported Friday at the International Association for Dental Research meeting in Toronto, Canada. more...

Probiotics help babies fight off respiratory ills
Dosing expectant mothers and their new babies with a probiotic mix of 'good bacteria' may help the infants fight off respiratory infections, new research suggests. more...

Healthy vegetable oils protect the heart: studies
Research published today supports the heart-health benefits of consuming vegetable oils and foods rich in omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. more...

Range of tactics can help couch potatoes get moving
No more excuses for staying sedentary -- new research shows that a variety of tricks and tools, from motivational programs to scheduling workouts to suit a busy life, can get people off the couch. more...

Active lifestyle may prevent cancer: Japan study
Physically active people are less likely than sedentary types to develop cancer, a research group led by the Japanese health ministry announced on Thursday. more...

Fruit juice tied to modest rise in diabetes risk
Women wanting to ward off type 2 diabetes should load their plates with green leafy vegetables and whole fruits, but perhaps stay away from fruit juice, new research suggests. more...

Vitamin D levels tied to colorectal cancer survival
Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer who had abundant vitamin D in their blood prior to diagnosis were less likely to die during a follow-up period than those who were deficient in the vitamin, researchers report. more...

Alternatives to low-fat diets just as effective
In a 2-year study comparing different diets, low-carbohydrate and Mediterranean diets proved to be as safe and at least as effective as a low-fat diet in achieving weight loss. more...

Red yeast rice, fish oil fight high cholesterol
A regimen of supplements and lifestyle coaching is just as effective as statin medication for reducing levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or 'bad' cholesterol, and more effective in helping people lose weight, new research shows. more...

Prenatal fish oil may lower child's asthma risk
Children born to women who took fish oil capsules in late pregnancy are less likely to have asthma at the age of 16, according to a new European Union-funded study. more...

Low-fat diets per se do not reduce older women's risk of diabetes
In the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial, a low-fat dietary pattern did not reduce the incidence of diabetes. However, among subjects randomized to the low-fat diet who lost weight over the 8-year trial period, fewer subjects developed diabetes. more...

Garlic supplements help lower high blood pressure
Garlic supplements may lower blood pressure just as effectively as some drugs used to treat hypertension can, according to a new research review. more...

Potassium may help lower blood pressure: studies
Research shows that boosting levels of potassium in the diet may lower a person's risk of developing high blood pressure and may decrease blood pressure in people who already have 'hypertension.' more...

Exercise plus relaxation may lessen migraine pain
A combination of aerobic exercise and muscle relaxation may help ease migraine pain, a small study suggests. more...

Eating fish may thwart 'silent' brain damage
Older adults who regularly eat fish may have a lower risk of subtle brain damage that contributes to stroke and dementia -- as long as the fish isn't fried -- researchers reported Monday. more...

High vitamin C intake may cut diabetes risk
An abundance of vitamin C in the diet may help lower a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, new research suggests. more...

Healthy lifestyle cuts stroke risk: study
A person's odds of suffering a stroke might be significantly reduced by maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle, which includes not smoking, exercising daily, consuming a healthy diet, drinking alcohol in moderation and maintaining a healthy weight, according to a study released today. more...

Low vitamin D tied to increased death risk
New research suggests that low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with a 26 percent increased risk of death from any cause. more...

Spices may lessen consequences of high blood sugar
People with diabetes may want to start spicing up their diets, if new lab research findings prove true in humans. more...

Low levels of vitamin D boost hip fracture risk
Older women with higher concentrations of vitamin D in their blood are less likely to sustain hip fractures, according to research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. more...

Study confirms berberine benefits for diabetics
Berberine, an herbal medicine commonly used to treat diarrhea, can also significantly reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes, Chinese researchers report based on a study they conducted. more...

Kids who eat dairy have stronger bones as teens
Children who get at least two servings of dairy products a day tend to have stronger bones as teenagers, a new study shows. more...

Plant-based flavonoids may cut ovarian cancer risk
High consumption of two types of flavonoids -- antioxidant chemicals found in plant foods -- may help protect women from ovarian cancer, research from Italy suggests. more...

Study backs low vitamin D-diabetes link
People with lower levels of vitamin D in their blood may be at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to research published in the journal Epidemiology this month. more...

High doses of vitamin D safe for children
Giving school children very high doses of vitamin D is safe, and may be necessary to bring their blood levels of the nutrient up to the amount necessary for optimum bone growth and health, a new study shows. more...

Dietary alpha-tocopherol intake linked with lung cancer risk reductions
A comparison of the effects of various forms of dietary vitamin E on lung cancer risk shows a strong independent relationship only for alpha-tocopherol, researchers report. more...

High intake of linoleic acid may keep BP in check
In a study of middle-aged adults, maintaining a diet high in linoleic acid -- the main dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid found in certain plants and vegetables -- seemed to lower the risk of developing high blood pressure. more...

YMCA-based program may help prevent diabetes
Intensive diabetes prevention programs can work in the real world, results of a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine demonstrate. more...

Healthy lifestyle raises beneficial enzyme: study
Sweeping lifestyle changes including a better diet and more exercise can raise the body's levels of an enzyme closely involved in controlling the aging process, U.S. researchers reported on Monday. more...

Whole grains, leafy greens may lower diabetes risk
A diet filled with plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dairy may help people lower their risk of type 2 diabetes, regardless of their race or ethnicity, a new study suggests. more...

Calcium in pregnancy shields fetus from lead risks
Taking calcium supplements during pregnancy reduces a woman's blood levels of lead, and thus the danger that her fetus will be exposed to the toxic metal, new research conducted in Mexico shows. more...

Exercise helps seniors cut pounds, keep muscle
A combination of diet and exercise may help overweight older adults lose pounds without losing muscle, a new study suggests. more...

Soy-rich diet improves arteries in stroke patients
Isoflavone, a chemical found in soybeans, chickpeas, legumes and clovers, can improve artery function in stroke patients, a study in Hong Kong has found. more...

Fish in children's diet cuts eczema risk: study
Feeding babies as little as one portion of fish before they are nine months old may cut their risk of developing eczema, Swedish researchers said on Thursday. more...

Omega-6 fatty acid intake tied to breast cancer
Substances called heterocyclic amines (HAs) found in cooked meat and fish don't appear to boost a woman's risk of developing breast cancer after menopause, Swedish researchers report. more...

Vitamin C may prevent hyperuricemia, gout
Recent findings published in the September issue of the Journal of Rheumatology indicate an inverse association between vitamin C intake and serum uric acid concentration in men. more...

Mediterranean diet may protect kids from asthma
A Mediterranean-type diet may protect children from developing asthma and allergic rhinitis -- better known as hay fever -- research suggests. more...

Eating dark chocolate may keep heart healthy
Eating dark chocolate regularly may help lower levels of inflammation, which is strongly associated with heart and blood vessel disease, Italian researchers report. more...

Ginkgo extract offers promise to cut stroke
Extract from the leaves of the ginkgo tree offers promise to minimize brain damage caused by a stroke, scientists announced this week. more...

New vitamin D recommendations issued
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) today announced a doubling of the amount of vitamin D it recommends for infants, children and adolescents. more...

Vitamin D may help prevent some skin infections
A small study suggests that supplementation with vitamin D can boost production of a protective chemical normally found in the skin, and may help prevent skin infections that are a common result of atopic dermatitis. more...

Pectin may fuel fruits' cancer-fighting ability
A complex carbohydrate called pectin may help explain why diets rich in fruits and vegetables can lower cancer risk, according to scientists. more...

Grapes may help lower blood pressure: study
Grapes helped lower blood pressure and improve heart function in lab rats fed an otherwise salty diet, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday. more...

Low vitamin D common in kids with cystic fibrosis
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and current treatment recommendations for correcting the deficiency are 'inadequate,' conclude clinicians from The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore, Maryland. more...

Fish may help prevent diabetic kidney trouble
For adults with diabetes, eating fish twice a week may help prevent kidney disease -- one of the most serious complications of diabetes, according to British researchers. more...

Autism linked with rainfall in study
Children who live in the U.S. Northwest's wettest counties are more likely to have autism, but it is unclear why, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday. more...

Green tea compound may prevent diabetes: study
A compound found in green tea could slow or even prevent the development of type 1 diabetes, new research in mice suggests. more...

Low potassium linked to high blood pressure
In a multi-ethnic population-based group of 3,303 adults, half of whom were African American, a low potassium level in the urine correlated with high blood pressure, regardless of the level of salt (sodium) in the diet or cardiovascular risk factors. more...

Calcium builds men's bones, too, study confirms
Men's bones benefit from calcium supplementation just as much as women's do, a new study out in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows. more...

Iron in water supply linked to bowel inflammation
The risk of developing ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease is associated with elevated iron levels in drinking water, according to a study conducted by investigators at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo. more...

Beta-alanine helps seniors stave off fatigue
Older people taking a sports nutrition supplement favored by Olympic athletes show substantial increases in their ability to withstand fatigue, new research shows. more...

Low vitamin D linked with high blood pressure
Lower blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, a protein that provides an acquire measure of vitamin D in the blood, are independently associated with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, according to findings published in Hypertension. more...

Low vitamin D linked to sudden cardiac death
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with heart dysfunction, sudden cardiac death, and death due to heart failure, German researchers report. more...

Pine tree extract may ease jet lag
Taking a pine bark extract for a few days before a long-haul flight may reduce the severity and duration of jet lag symptoms, new research shows. more...

Magnesium impacts calcium's anti-cancer effect
In the Calcium Polyp Prevention Study, calcium supplementation reduced the risk of recurrent colorectal adenomas -- growths or polyps that can become cancerous - only in men with a low dietary ratio of calcium to magnesium. more...

Exercise, calcium may lower metabolic syndrome risk
Regular exercise and a calcium-rich diet could be two ways to help lower the risk of metabolic syndrome, according to a new study. more...

Evidence growing for vitamin D-heart health link
People with a deficiency in vitamin D may be at increased risk of heart and blood vessel disease, the authors of a new review of current research on vitamin D and cardiovascular health conclude. more...

Mediterranean diet plus nuts may cut heart risks
A traditional Mediterranean diet that includes a healthy serving of nuts each day may help reverse a cluster of risk factors for heart disease, researchers reported Monday. more...

High-dose supplements may improve stroke rehab
People who are undernourished after suffering a stroke benefit from intensive dietary supplementation during rehabilitation, according to results of a pilot study conducted at the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in New York. more...

A little wine may boost heart-healthy omega-3
A glass or two of wine per day may increase the amount of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids in a person's blood, a new study suggests. more...

Fish oil reduces cardiac deaths but not arrhythmias or all-cause mortality
Fish oil supplementation may help reduce deaths from cardiac disease but has no effect on arrhythmias or all-cause mortality, according to a systematic review of trials involving more than 30,000 people. more...

Vitamin D deficiency common in diabetic kids
Children and teenagers with type 1 diabetes may have a particularly high rate of deficiency in bone-building vitamin D, a small study suggests. more...