New research that looked at data from 1,600 counties across the United States between 2005 and 2010 revealed that individuals living in counties with more air pollution not only had a higher risk for stroke but also short life expectancy—particularly … [Read more...]
Health Alert
Resting Heart Rate Change May Signal Type 2 Diabetes…
New research indicates that changes in resting heart rate over several years may signal an elevated risk for type 2 diabetes. In this study, researchers monitored the resting heart rate of 12,155 adults six years apart and found that participants who … [Read more...]
Most Americans Will Eventually Have High Blood Pressure
The American Heart Association estimates that the average American has about a 90% chance of developing high blood pressure in his/her lifetime. However, one can reduce their hypertension risk by not smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, … [Read more...]
Risk Factors for Early Childhood Obesity
Past studies have shown that kids who are overweight have an elevated risk for obesity in adulthood. In this study, researchers analyzed data concerning 502 three-year-old children and identified the following risk factors for obesity in early … [Read more...]
Gestational Diabetes and Vitamin D
According to a new study, women with poor vitamin D status during their second trimester may have up to a 74% increased risk for gestational diabetes mellitus. Gynecological Endocrinology, January 2019 … [Read more...]
Vitamin D Status and Colorectal Cancer…
An analysis of data from eleven studies that involved over 7,000 colorectal cancer patients identified an association between higher vitamin D serum levels and a better prognosis. Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, December 2018 … [Read more...]
Persistent Hot Flashes May Increase Breast Cancer Risk
According to a review of data concerning more than 25,000 women, there’s an association between persistent vasomotor symptoms (which includes symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats) lasting ten or more years and an elevated risk for breast … [Read more...]
Insomnia Linked to Accelerated Cellular Aging
Telomeres are the molecular structures found on the ends of chromosomes that help keep them from deteriorating or sticking to neighboring chromosomes. In recent years, researchers have identified an association between reduced telomere length and … [Read more...]
Is More Green Space Good for the Heart?
Though more research is necessary to understand the underlying mechanisms at play, a five-year study has found that individuals living in neighborhoods with more green space appear to be less affected by stress, which may reduce their risk for … [Read more...]
Air Pollution May Raise Diabetes Risk
A review of existing research suggests that individuals with greater exposure to air pollution may be at an elevated risk for impaired glucose metabolism, a condition known to precede type 2 diabetes. Current Epidemiology Reports, November 2018 … [Read more...]
Soaps, Shampoos May Be Pushing Girls into Early Puberty
Exposure to chemicals found in many personal care products appears to be linked to early puberty in girls. In this study, researchers observed that when a woman had double the amount of phthalates, parabens, or triclosan in her blood during … [Read more...]
FDA Bans Lead in Hair Dyes
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that lead acetate will no longer be approved as a hair color additive. Tom Neltner, the chemicals policy director at the Environmental Defense Fund, explains, “In the last several decades, we've … [Read more...]
A Dangerous Synthetic Opioid Now Showing Up in Crack Cocaine
Fentanyl-laced crack cocaine is causing life-threatening overdoses. According to researchers, within a four-day period, 18 patients in a Philadelphia hospital were treated for an apparent opioid overdose after using crack cocaine. Lead study author … [Read more...]
Instant-Soup Burns Sends Thousands of Kids to ER Yearly
Instant soups can provide a quick meal for kids, but these food products can also lead to scalding burns. Researchers analyzed data from 2006 to 2016 and found that burns associated with instant soups and noodles affect more than 9,500 children each … [Read more...]