12/07/16

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Blood tests for heart disease

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20049357

How optimism may help you live longer

New research suggests people with a positive outlook on life have a lower risk of dying from several major diseases

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/optimism-may-help-you-live-longer/

5 ways to boost your weight-loss confidence

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/five-ways-boost-weight-loss/art-20270837

Ask for support to achieve your health goals

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/support-achieve-health-goals/art-20270836

Don't let the scale weigh you down

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/dont-scale-weigh-you-down/art-20269948

5 ways to sleep more soundly

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/five-ways-sleep-soundly/art-20267152

Blood tests for heart disease

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20049357

Tip the scales on a weight-loss plateau

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/tip-scales-weight-loss-plateau/art-20269852

Can optimism help you live longer?

According to a new Harvard study, women with more optimistic outlooks may live longer, healthier lives. Dr. Mallika Marshall reports from Boston.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/can-optimism-help-you-live-longer/

Mercury poisoning victims demand tests decades later

Victims of Minamata disease mercury poisoning consumed shellfish from a river contaminated with chemical factory wastewater

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/japan-mercury-poisoning-victims-minamata-disease-tests-decades-later/

Therapeutic Vaccine Promising Against a Leukemia

Made by combining immune cells, cancer cells, it's kept some study patients in remission for nearly 5 years

From: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/lymphoma/news/20161207/therapeutic-vaccine-shows-game-changing-promise-against-a-leukemia?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Spice up your holidays with brain-healthy seasonings

Many of the flavorings that add a special touch to our favorite holiday foods confer the gift of brain health at the same time. Researchers have discovered that cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices that we mix into baked goods and savory dishes contain nutrients that sharpen memory, reduce stress, or improve sleep, among other benefits.

Delicious and beneficial

Your kitchen cabinet contains a number of seasonings that have been linked to positive effects on brain health and functioning. These flavorings are often incorporated into holiday cooking, adding a special touch to our holiday festivities. Spices and herbs have a long history as a safe component of human diets and traditional health practices. Their effects on the brain can be significant, and we need more research to determine the potential of using compounds found in common seasonings as medications.

I don’t recommend taking any spice in large quantities, and it’s always best to check with a doctor before making significant changes in your diet. However, unlike many pharmaceutical products, common seasonings generally cause no undesirable side effects for most individuals when used as part of a normal diet. Enjoying them all year long — not just during the holidays — seems to be a natural and delicious way to strengthen the brain.

Many herbs and spices contain nutrients that have been linked to brain benefits, and ongoing research is adding to the list of their positive effects. The seasonings most likely to be featured in cakes, cookies, breads, and favorite savory dishes served over the holidays are described below.

Cinnamon

The bark of a tree native to Southeast Asia, cinnamon has been shown to have antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial properties. An animal study published in the July 2015 issue of Nutritional Neuroscience found that an extract made from the spice helped protect lab rats from cognitive impairment and brain damage associated with oxidative stress. Brain benefits associated with cinnamon consumption in humans include reduced inflammation, improved memory, increased attention, and enhanced cognitive processing. Serving ideas: Sprinkle cinnamon into your coffee, add it to fresh fruit, or mix it into your breakfast oatmeal. Better yet, enjoy a cinnamon bun!

Nutmeg

Nutmeg grows on a type of evergreen indigenous to Indonesia. The spice contains various compounds that boost mood, help relieve pain, and relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Some research suggests that a nutrient found in nutmeg may help slow cognitive decline in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and promote the recovery of brain tissue following a stroke. Sprinkled in warm milk, it appears to help induce sleep. Serving ideas: Great with baked goods, or added to egg dishes, casseroles, and even burgers. Try adding it to brown rice, or grating it over whipped cream.

Cloves

Made from the dried flower buds of the evergreen clove tree, cloves are also native to Indonesia. The spice is loaded with antioxidant power. Research comparing clove with more than 1,100 other foods found that it had three times the antioxidants of the next highest source, dried oregano. Cloves are also a natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent, a local anesthetic, and have been found to have antifungal properties. A compound found in cloves has been shown to be 29 times more powerful than aspirin in helping to prevent blood clots. Serving ideas: Delicious added to baked goods, cooked grains, bean soups and chili, applesauce, smoothies, and cooked cereals.

Ginger

This spice, made from the root of the ginger plant, has been shown to be an effective pain reliever, with active compounds that resemble those of capsaicin, another well-known pain reliever found in hot peppers. The spice also helps reduce nausea, control inflammation, counters the activities of cell-damaging free radicals, acts as a blood thinner, and has been found to help protect brain cells from deterioration associated with Alzheimer’s. A 2012 study involving 60 middle-aged women found that a daily dose of 800 mg of ginger extract helped improve working memory and attention. Serving ideas: Use grated fresh ginger in salad dressings and marinades. Cook ginger with vegetables, such as squashes, sweet potatoes, and green beans. Add ginger powder to baked goods, tea, or fruit smoothies.

Cardamom

A relative of ginger and turmeric, cardamom has shown antibacterial properties, and antioxidant properties that help protect brain cells from free radical damage. A study published several years ago in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics found that consuming just ½ teaspoon a day for three months along with a healthy diet helps normalize blood pressure and lower risk for stroke by relaxing the arteries and the muscles of the heart. Serving ideas: Brew your coffee or tea with cardamom, add it to stews or soups, or sprinkle it into batters and dough for tasty baked goods. It’s also delicious with smoothies and hot breakfast cereals.

The post Spice up your holidays with brain-healthy seasonings appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Uma Naidoo, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/spice-up-your-holidays-with-brain-healthy-seasonings-2016120710734

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Passage of the 21st Century Cures Act

WASHINGTON, December 7, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement on the 21st Century Cures Act, passed by the Senate today:

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/12/0258.xml&contentidonly=true

ADA joins FDA stakeholder meeting

The ADA was one of several health organizations invited to a Dec. 6 stakeholder meeting with the Food and Drug Administration.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/december/ada-joins-fda-stakeholder-meeting

Baby teether study finds potentially harmful chemicals

Even some teethers labeled "BPA-free" and non-toxic" contained BPA and other chemicals banned or restricted in other baby products

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/baby-teether-study-bpa-endocrine-disruptors-chemicals/

What's in Tobacco Smoke? Many Americans Don't Know

Surveys show misunderstandings about safety of filters are also common

From: http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20161207/whats-in-tobacco-smoke-many-americans-dont-know?src=RSS_PUBLIC

CDA Foundation awards student loan repayment grant to former refugee

The California Dental Association Foundation announced Dec. 1 it awarded Dr. Habiba Ismail — a Somali refugee who graduated from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 2013 — a $105,000 Student Loan Repayment grant in exchange for her commitment to provide dental care in an underserved community in Los Angeles.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/december/cda-foundation-awards-student-loan-repayment-grant-to-former-refugee

5 ways to sleep more soundly

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/five-ways-sleep-soundly/art-20267152

Tip the scales on a weight-loss plateau

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tip-scales-weight-loss-plateau/art-20269852

Don't let the scale weigh you down

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/dont-scale-weigh-you-down/art-20269948

Blood tests for heart disease

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20049357

Ask for support to achieve your health goals

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/support-achieve-health-goals/art-20270836

5 ways to boost your weight-loss confidence

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/five-ways-boost-weight-loss/art-20270837

Mother sues Minneapolis hospital after newborn mixup

Tammy Van Dyke is seeking more than $50,000 in damages after her baby was placed in the wrong bassinet and taken to another new mother’s room to be breastfed

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mother-sues-minneapolis-hospital-after-newborn-mixup/

Patient safety may drop during doctor rotations

Hospitalized patients who are handed off by their original medical team to a new set of caregivers may ultimately face a higher risk of early death, study finds

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/patient-safety-may-drop-during-doctor-rotations/

Mayo Clinic Minute: Stem cells reduce pain of knee arthritis

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHKZoju8HyA

Engage in standards development

ANSI/ADA Standard No. 2000 for Systemized Nomenclature of Dentistry, which was approved as a standard in November, will be reviewed annually to ensure its quality.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/december/engage-in-standards-development

USDA Announces New Conservation Opportunities to Improve Water Quality and Restore Wildlife Habitat

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 7, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will offer farmers and ranchers more opportunities to participate in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The announcement includes new CRP practices to protect water quality and adds an additional 1.1 million acres targeted to benefit wildlife, pollinators and wetlands.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/12/0257.xml&contentidonly=true

Newly approved standard enables electronic capture of patient diagnoses

An ADA-developed diagnostic code set designed to capture dental patient information that can be used across electronic health record platforms has been approved as a national standard.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/december/newly-approved-standard-enables-electronic-capture-of-patient-diagnoses

5 ways to sleep more soundly

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/five-ways-sleep-soundly/art-20267152

Blood tests for heart disease

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20049357

Don't let the scale weigh you down

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/dont-scale-weigh-you-down/art-20269948

Ask for support to achieve your health goals

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/support-achieve-health-goals/art-20270836

5 ways to boost your weight-loss confidence

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/five-ways-boost-weight-loss/art-20270837

Tip the scales on a weight-loss plateau

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/tip-scales-weight-loss-plateau/art-20269852

Baby Boomers Going to Pot

Americans 65-plus more than doubled their use of marijuana over 8 years, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20161206/baby-boomers-going-to-pot?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Spice up your holidays with brain-healthy seasonings

Delicious and beneficial

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Cloves

Ginger

Cardamom

The post Spice up your holidays with brain-healthy seasonings appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Uma Naidoo, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/spice-up-your-holidays-with-brain-healthy-seasonings-2016120710734

Palliative Medicine in Clinical Practice 2017: Clinical Pearls

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CxHjDh0kdc

Treatment of Tonsil and Base of Tongue Cancer - Mayo Clinic

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb0xQSdaprg

Excess Sweating May Affect Your Mental Health

People with hyperhidrosis seem to have higher rates of anxiety and depression, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20161207/excess-sweating-can-be-a-drenching-wrenching-burden?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Many Americans Skip the Dentist Due to Cost

Researchers say finding highlights need to overhaul dental insurance

From: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/news/20161206/many-americans-skip-the-dentist-due-to-cost?src=RSS_PUBLIC

The 3 biggest feeding mistakes you can make with your preschooler

Follow me on Twitter @drClaire

As parents, we sometimes forget that habits learned early can stick with us for a lifetime. We cut corners and just figure that we’ll fix things later. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work out. This is particularly true with preschoolers, both because they are at a point when they are learning all sorts of habits — and because they can be opinionated and very stubborn. This can be particularly true when it comes to eating!

That’s why you need to be patient and persistent — and just as stubborn — when it comes to feeding your preschooler. Here are the three biggest mistakes to avoid:

1. Choosing foods based on what they want, rather than what’s healthy. It’s totally understandable why parents do this; after all, nobody wants their child to go hungry. So they fill the plate with chicken fingers and French fries and skip the vegetables. They serve white bread and not whole grain, they let them eat chips instead of apple slices for snacks. The kid is happy and eats up, so the parents are happy. The problem is that not only is the child not eating a healthy diet, the child isn’t learning to like the foods that can keep him healthy for a lifetime.It can take a bunch of tries before a child figures out that kale, strawberries, or brown rice taste great.

Don’t be a short-order cook. Prepare healthy food for everyone (which is key — you’re going to have to eat healthy too for this to work) and insist that your child at least try everything. You can have a back-up food (something super simple and healthy, like yogurt or leftover food you can quickly microwave), but your child needs to eat some of what is served before he gets it. Sure, he might be a little hungry when he finishes. But knowing that you aren’t going to give in, and that he’ll be hungry if he doesn’t eat, may make him more likely to eat next time.

2. Letting them fill up on liquids. It’s amazing how even just a little bit of milk or juice can cut a child’s appetite. So many children carry sippy cups around — which not only is bad for the teeth and increases the risk of obesity, but can make kids less interested in eating meals. Parents often don’t think twice about giving their child milk or juice, as they think of thirst as separate from hunger, but it’s important to think twice. Give children water in between meals instead — and at mealtime, have them eat first and then drink.

3. Overdoing the snacking. Here’s another thing parents don’t think twice about: letting their child have something to eat when they are hungry. But just as with drinking milk or juice, having a snack can make children less hungry for a meal. Children can eat between meals, and when there is a long time between meals, they should eat. But there should just be one snack between meals (like a mid-morning and a mid-afternoon snack, instead of constant access to food), it should be a small amount (not a whole sandwich or big bowl of cereal, for example), and it should be healthy, like some fruit with nut butter or a yogurt or some cheese.

If you start these habits early, they will stick and become what your child is used to. It may be a struggle at the beginning, especially if you have been making these mistakes, but it’s worth the effort. They can help your child be healthy not just now, but for the rest of his life.

The post The 3 biggest feeding mistakes you can make with your preschooler appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Claire McCarthy, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-3-biggest-feeding-mistakes-you-can-make-with-your-preschooler-2016120610804

The post The 3 biggest feeding mistakes you can make with your preschooler appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Claire McCarthy, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-3-biggest-feeding-mistakes-you-can-make-with-your-preschooler-2016120610804