"Speechless" Micah Fowler Talks About Acting With Cerebral Palsy

"Speechless" star Micah Fowler shares his take on acting with cerebral palsy.

From: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/micah-fowler-10-questions?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Probe could help cancer surgeons know they got it all

The device is highly experimental, but lab tests show it can quickly distinguish between cancerous cells and healthy ones

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/testing-probe-to-help-cancer-surgeons-know-they-got-it-all/

Jake Gyllenhaal Finds Joy, Strength in 'Stronger' Role

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal put his usual hard effort into the movie "Stronger," in which he portrays Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman and shows the double amputee's path back to walking.

From: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/jake-gyllenhaal-joy-strength-new-role?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mayo Clinic Minute: Ankle sprains 101

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAb2nqxeP8Q

Food trends through the years: A mixed bag for heart health?

Remember when packaged foods emblazoned with the words “fat free” seemed to be everywhere? Then came labels boasting “zero grams of trans fat.” “Sugar free” and “low sodium” claims soon joined the chorus. These days, gluten-free foods are all the rage.

For the most part, food industry trends have echoed the nutritional mantras of the time and were designed to improve our health — especially cardiovascular health. But just how successful have these efforts been?

“It’s a mixed picture, but over all, I think we’re going in a good direction,” says Dr. Walter Willett, professor in nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Here’s a rundown of the major trends over the past few decades.

Terminating trans fat

The biggest change — and greatest success story — is removal of trans fats from processed foods, says Dr. Willett. The main source of these harmful fats is partially hydrogenated oil, a longtime food industry favorite because it’s cheap, it’s easy to use, and it has a long shelf life. For decades, deep-fried fast foods, baked goods, crackers, chips, and margarine were made with partially hydrogenated oils.

But trans fats raise undesirable LDL cholesterol, make blood more likely to clot, and ramp up inflammation in the body — all of which raise heart disease risk. In 2003, the FDA began requiring manufacturers to list trans fat on the Nutrition Facts label to boost consumer awareness. As a result, many companies chose to stop using trans fats in their products. By June 2018, the fats will be banned from our food supply entirely, thanks to a long-awaited FDA ruling.

The carb calamity

The low-fat craze that took hold in the 1980s turned out to have unintended — and very unhealthy — consequences. Following the nutrition dogma of the day, food manufacturers cut fat from their products. But often they replaced it with refined carbohydrates, such as white flour and sugar. Americans also began eating more carbs (think pasta, white potatoes, white bread, and sugary desserts). Eating less fat, however, doesn’t necessarily help you lose weight. And diets high in refined carbohydrates may contribute to weight gain and promote type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Just as is true for fats, some carbohydrates are far healthier than others. The best choices include unprocessed or minimally processed whole grains, such as whole-wheat or rye bread, brown rice, bulgur wheat, oatmeal, popcorn, and corn tortillas.

Going against the grain?

But some grains — including wheat, barley, and rye — also contain gluten, a protein that’s been getting lots of attention in recent years. “Gluten-free diets have been a big trend lately, but there is no good evidence to support these diets for most people,” says Dr. Willett. Exceptions include people with celiac disease, which affects about 1% of the population.

Many Americans believe that a gluten-free diet could improve their health. In fact, the opposite might be true. A recent Harvard study found that people who avoid gluten may eat fewer whole-grain foods. Also, gluten-free packaged foods may have more sugar, fat, and salt than their gluten-containing counterparts. Gluten-free diets aren’t inherently bad, but the way they’ve been translated into the average diet isn’t necessarily healthy, says Dr. Willett. People who need or want to avoid wheat should be sure to eat gluten-free whole grains such as brown rice, oats, buckwheat, and quinoa.

Sugar: Good news, bad news

The carbohydrates that pose the greatest threat to heart health are the simple, refined ones, especially sugar. High-sugar diets have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, even in people who aren’t overweight. Sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas, energy drinks, and sports drinks contribute most of the added sugar in the average American’s diet. But recent data show that consumption of sugary drinks has dropped by about 25% in the United States over the past decade, thanks in part to education campaigns and bans on soda sales in schools.

Unfortunately, other sugar-awareness efforts are on hold. In 2016, the FDA approved a revamp of the Nutrition Facts label that would require food manufacturers to list added sugars in their products, among other changes. But the ruling was shelved earlier this year.

Salt: Still too high

In 2016, the FDA proposed voluntary guidelines for the food industry to slash the amount of sodium in our food supply. Excess sodium (which pairs with chloride to form salt) is linked to high blood pressure, heart attacks, and stroke. The average American eats about 50% more sodium than nutrition experts recommend, and much of is already in their food before it reaches the table.

Time will tell if the FDA guidelines will make a difference. But a recent study suggests that we’ve been moving in the right direction: the average amount of sodium that households acquired from packaged foods and beverages decreased by 400 milligrams per capita between 2000 and 2014.

The post Food trends through the years: A mixed bag for heart health? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Julie Corliss https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/food-trends-through-the-years-a-mixed-bag-for-heart-health-2017090612317

Mayo Clinic Minute:: 3 factors to help prevent memory loss

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAmuwoVUYz0

OMS: Prévenir le suicide des adolescents – témoignage d’une jeune fille

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whl0DkoXY3g

OMS: Prévenir le suicide des adolescents – témoignage

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEJHqiLWNaI

OMS: Prévenir le suicide des adolescents – témoignage d’une mère

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQbuLmJNhQg

Help ADA Foundation provide emergency disaster relief

The disaster that is unfolding in Texas and Louisiana as a result of Hurricane Harvey has likely affected hundreds of dentists, and the ADA Foundation is asking ADA members to consider making a contribution to the ADA Foundation Emergency Disaster Grant Program.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/help-ada-foundation-provide-emergency-disaster-relief

Chairside Instructor, ADA’s most popular patient education guide, recently revised

To be ready for just about anything patients may bring their way, dentists can be equipped with a Chairside Instructor.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/chairside-instructor-adas-most-popular-patient-education-guide

Organized dentistry supports Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act

Washington — The ADA is one of 15 dental organizations supporting the Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act, legislation that would enable borrowers to more efficiently pay back their loans.

From: By Jennifer Garvin http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/organized-dentistry-supports-student-loan-refinancing-and-recalculation-act

Student researchers invited to apply for ADA Foundation award

The ADA Foundation is accepting applications for a new award that aims to help a student’s research career that advances the oral health of the public.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/student-researchers-invited-to-apply-for-ada-foundation-award

Triad of dental organizations urge government to rescind Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage requirement

The ADA, the National Association of Dental Plans and Delta Dental Plans Association urged the federal government to remove or delay an enrollment requirement for dentists who participate.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/triad-of-dental-organizations-urge-government-to-rescind-medicare-part-c

'Cancer Pen' Lets Docs Spot Tumor Cells in Seconds

Tool might one day allow more complete removal of malignant tissue, less time on operating table

From: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20170906/cancer-pen-lets-docs-spot-tumor-cells-in-seconds?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Irma Aims for Florida, Residents Prepare for Worst

Category 5 hurricane could bring catastrophic damage to the state, officials say

From: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20170906/irma-aims-for-florida-residents-prepare-for-worst?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Congress holds first hearing on health care since failure to repeal ACA

Insurance commissioners urged lawmakers to continue cost-sharing payments and provide permanent reinsurance pools

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/congress-holds-first-hearing-on-health-care-after-repeal-replace-failure/

New report a "wake-up call" about stroke risk

After decades of decline, progress has slowed in preventing stroke deaths​, new research finds

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/stroke-report-a-wake-up-call-for-americans/

Mayo Clinic Minute: Ankle sprains 101

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAb2nqxeP8Q

Help ADA Foundation provide emergency disaster relief

The disaster that is unfolding in Texas and Louisiana as a result of Hurricane Harvey has likely affected hundreds of dentists, and the ADA Foundation is asking ADA members to consider making a contribution to the ADA Foundation Emergency Disaster Grant Program.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/help-ada-foundation-provide-emergency-disaster-relief

Organized dentistry supports Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act

Washington — The ADA is one of 15 dental organizations supporting the Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act, legislation that would enable borrowers to more efficiently pay back their loans.

From: By Jennifer Garvin http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/organized-dentistry-supports-student-loan-refinancing-and-recalculation-act

Triad of dental organizations urge government to rescind Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage requirement

The ADA, the National Association of Dental Plans and Delta Dental Plans Association urged the federal government to remove or delay an enrollment requirement for dentists who participate.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/triad-of-dental-organizations-urge-government-to-rescind-medicare-part-c

Why end-of-life care should focus on quality of life, not survival

Dr. Atul Gawande's book, "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End," helped transform the conversation about aging

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/doctor-atul-gawande-being-mortal-author-end-of-life-care/

Could Zika virus help battle deadly brain cancer?

The research is in the early stages, but appears promising, scientists say

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/could-zika-virus-help-battle-deadly-brain-cancer/

Investigation ordered after child dies from malaria

The 4-year-old had not traveled to any country at risk for the disease, officials said

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/italy-orders-investigation-after-rare-child-death-from-malaria/

There’s Lead in That?!

Lead still exists in many common household items such as costume jewelry, toys, furniture and clothes. How worried should you be?

From: http://www.webmd.com/special-reports/lead-dangers/20170906/lead-consumer-products?src=RSS_PUBLIC

As Lead Poisons A Child, A Slow Response

At 16 months, Austin Poteet was diagnosed with lead poisoning. The state of Georgia's slow response may have put others at risk.

From: http://www.webmd.com/special-reports/lead-dangers/20170906/lead-poisons-austin-poteet?src=RSS_PUBLIC

How Hot Dog Bite Threatened and Saved a Boy's Life

It led to a medical crisis, and then discovery of hidden heart defect

From: http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20170906/how-hot-dog-bite-threatened-and-saved-a-boys-life?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Student researchers invited to apply for ADA Foundation award

The ADA Foundation is accepting applications for a new award that aims to help a student’s research career that advances the oral health of the public.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/student-researchers-invited-to-apply-for-ada-foundation-award

Study suggests a health benefit of being short

The taller you are, the higher your odds for this serious health risk, new research suggests

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/blood-clots-health-benefit-of-being-short/

Food trends through the years: A mixed bag for heart health?

Remember when packaged foods emblazoned with the words “fat free” seemed to be everywhere? Then came labels boasting “zero grams of trans fat.” “Sugar free” and “low sodium” claims soon joined the chorus. These days, gluten-free foods are all the rage.

For the most part, food industry trends have echoed the nutritional mantras of the time and were designed to improve our health — especially cardiovascular health. But just how successful have these efforts been?

“It’s a mixed picture, but over all, I think we’re going in a good direction,” says Dr. Walter Willett, professor in nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Here’s a rundown of the major trends over the past few decades.

Terminating trans fat

The biggest change — and greatest success story — is removal of trans fats from processed foods, says Dr. Willett. The main source of these harmful fats is partially hydrogenated oil, a longtime food industry favorite because it’s cheap, it’s easy to use, and it has a long shelf life. For decades, deep-fried fast foods, baked goods, crackers, chips, and margarine were made with partially hydrogenated oils.

But trans fats raise undesirable LDL cholesterol, make blood more likely to clot, and ramp up inflammation in the body — all of which raise heart disease risk. In 2003, the FDA began requiring manufacturers to list trans fat on the Nutrition Facts label to boost consumer awareness. As a result, many companies chose to stop using trans fats in their products. By June 2018, the fats will be banned from our food supply entirely, thanks to a long-awaited FDA ruling.

The carb calamity

The low-fat craze that took hold in the 1980s turned out to have unintended — and very unhealthy — consequences. Following the nutrition dogma of the day, food manufacturers cut fat from their products. But often they replaced it with refined carbohydrates, such as white flour and sugar. Americans also began eating more carbs (think pasta, white potatoes, white bread, and sugary desserts). Eating less fat, however, doesn’t necessarily help you lose weight. And diets high in refined carbohydrates may contribute to weight gain and promote type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Just as is true for fats, some carbohydrates are far healthier than others. The best choices include unprocessed or minimally processed whole grains, such as whole-wheat or rye bread, brown rice, bulgur wheat, oatmeal, popcorn, and corn tortillas.

Going against the grain?

But some grains — including wheat, barley, and rye — also contain gluten, a protein that’s been getting lots of attention in recent years. “Gluten-free diets have been a big trend lately, but there is no good evidence to support these diets for most people,” says Dr. Willett. Exceptions include people with celiac disease, which affects about 1% of the population.

Many Americans believe that a gluten-free diet could improve their health. In fact, the opposite might be true. A recent Harvard study found that people who avoid gluten may eat fewer whole-grain foods. Also, gluten-free packaged foods may have more sugar, fat, and salt than their gluten-containing counterparts. Gluten-free diets aren’t inherently bad, but the way they’ve been translated into the average diet isn’t necessarily healthy, says Dr. Willett. People who need or want to avoid wheat should be sure to eat gluten-free whole grains such as brown rice, oats, buckwheat, and quinoa.

Sugar: Good news, bad news

The carbohydrates that pose the greatest threat to heart health are the simple, refined ones, especially sugar. High-sugar diets have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, even in people who aren’t overweight. Sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas, energy drinks, and sports drinks contribute most of the added sugar in the average American’s diet. But recent data show that consumption of sugary drinks has dropped by about 25% in the United States over the past decade, thanks in part to education campaigns and bans on soda sales in schools.

Unfortunately, other sugar-awareness efforts are on hold. In 2016, the FDA approved a revamp of the Nutrition Facts label that would require food manufacturers to list added sugars in their products, among other changes. But the ruling was shelved earlier this year.

Salt: Still too high

In 2016, the FDA proposed voluntary guidelines for the food industry to slash the amount of sodium in our food supply. Excess sodium (which pairs with chloride to form salt) is linked to high blood pressure, heart attacks, and stroke. The average American eats about 50% more sodium than nutrition experts recommend, and much of is already in their food before it reaches the table.

Time will tell if the FDA guidelines will make a difference. But a recent study suggests that we’ve been moving in the right direction: the average amount of sodium that households acquired from packaged foods and beverages decreased by 400 milligrams per capita between 2000 and 2014.

The post Food trends through the years: A mixed bag for heart health? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Julie Corliss https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/food-trends-through-the-years-a-mixed-bag-for-heart-health-2017090612317

Mayo Clinic Minute:: 3 factors to help prevent memory loss

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAmuwoVUYz0

Chairside Instructor, ADA’s most popular patient education guide, recently revised

To be ready for just about anything patients may bring their way, dentists can be equipped with a Chairside Instructor.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/chairside-instructor-adas-most-popular-patient-education-guide

A Medical Upside to Being Short: Fewer Blood Clots

The taller you are, the higher your odds for blood clots in your veins, research suggests

From: http://www.webmd.com/dvt/news/20170905/a-medical-upside-to-being-short-fewer-blood-clots?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Dr. Atul Gawande on what we should be asking in end-of-life care

Dr. Atul Gawande helped transform the conversation about aging and death in his book, "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End." The book spent 85 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list and is now available in paperback. Dr. Gawande, a surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the importance of focusing on how someone wants to live at the end of their life -- not just how to keep them alive.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/dr-atul-gawande-on-what-we-should-be-asking-in-end-of-life-care/

Sierra Leone to begin cholera vaccination drive in disaster-affected areas

Half a million people in Sierra Leone will be able to access the life-saving cholera vaccine within weeks, the country’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation announced on Tuesday.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/sierra-leone-cholera-vaccination/en/index.html

OMS: Prévenir le suicide des adolescents – témoignage d’une jeune fille

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whl0DkoXY3g

OMS: Prévenir le suicide des adolescents – témoignage

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEJHqiLWNaI

OMS: Prévenir le suicide des adolescents – témoignage d’une mère

From: World Health Organization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQbuLmJNhQg

Artery Calcium May Predict Heart Attack, Stroke

Factors such as cholesterol and blood pressure might be less of a concern, study contends

From: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/news/20170831/artery-calcium-may-predict-heart-attack-stroke?src=RSS_PUBLIC

As Harvey Exits, Water, Pain, And Need Remain

Thousands left in hurricane's wake in need of medicine, treatment and assistance.

From: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20170831/as-harvey-exits-water-pain-and-need-remain?src=RSS_PUBLIC

U.S. Obesity Rate Holding Steady, but Still High

In 25 states adult rates exceeded 30 percent this year, report notes

From: http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/news/20170831/us-obesity-rate-holding-steady-but-still-high?src=RSS_PUBLIC

New Hope From Old Drugs in Parkinson's Fight

Asthma medications may lower risk, but much more research is needed

From: http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/news/20170831/new-hope-from-old-drugs-in--parkinsons-fight?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Fentanyl Drives Rise in Opioid Deaths in U.S.

The synthetic drug is more powerful than heroin or morphine

From: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20170831/fentanyl-drives-rise-in-opioid-deaths-in-us?src=RSS_PUBLIC

New Clues to Why Yawns Are Contagious

Primitive brain reflexes may be at play

From: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20170831/new-clues-to-why-yawns-are-contagious?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Stay in School for a Healthier Heart

College degree may reduce your risk of cardiac disease by one-third, study suggests

From: http://www.webmd.com/heart/news/20170831/stay-in-school-for-a-healthier-heart?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Eating Feeds 'Feel Good' Hormones in the Brain

Overstimulation of this system could play a role in obesity, researchers say

From: http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20170831/eating-feeds-feel-good-hormones-in-the-brain?src=RSS_PUBLIC

60% of Single Guys Say They Handle Contraception

Most rely on condoms, but use of another method has doubled, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/news/20170831/60-of-single-guys-say-they-handle-contraception?src=RSS_PUBLIC

More Evidence Links the 'Mono' Virus to MS Risk

Latest study shows blacks and Hispanics also vulnerable

From: http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/news/20170831/more-evidence-links-the-mono-virus-to-ms-risk?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Is ADHD Real? What the Medical Community Says

An ADHD diagnosis is not so clearcut. WebMD looks at the controversy surrounding this condition.

From: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/features/adhd-critics?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Yes, Girls Can Have ADHD

Many girls struggling with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) go unnoticed by parents, teachers, and other adults. WebMD explains.

From: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/features/do-girls-get-adhd?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Painkillers Could Raise Arthritis Patients' BP

Widely used NSAID drugs may not be as safe as previously thought, researchers warn

From: http://www.webmd.com/arthritis/news/20170830/painkillers-could-raise-arthritis-patients-bp?src=RSS_PUBLIC

FDA Approves First-of-Its-Kind Cancer Treatment

The FDA has approved a first-of-its-kind treatment, called CAR T-cell therapy, to treat a type of leukemia in children and young adults.

From: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20170830/fda-approves-breakthrough-cancer-treatment?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Beware The Plastic Surgeon You Found on Instagram

You may end up with a barber or a dentist instead

From: http://www.webmd.com/beauty/news/20170830/beware-the-plastic-surgeon-you-found-on-instagram?src=RSS_PUBLIC

America's New Dads Are Older Than Ever

Average age of new fathers has risen to 31, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/men/news/20170830/americas-new-dads-are-older-than-ever?src=RSS_PUBLIC