Your Health from Creators Syndicate

Scientists Take a New Look at Ancient Remedies for Treatment of Pain for 06/27/2009

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The results of a new study suggest that extracts of the herb ginkgo biloba may be effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain, a potentially debilitating condition commonly associated with nerve damage caused by injury, shingles and diabetes.

Neuropathic pain is a complex, chronic disorder in which damaged or dysfunctional nerve fibers misfire and otherwise malfunction. Although sympt ...

Updated: Sat Jun 27, 2009

Recognition of Poison Ivy Plant Is Key to Prevention for 07/04/2009

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Summer is here, and it's time to prepare for a little jungle warfare. Stepping into the great outdoors makes your body fair game for stinging bees, biting insects and, worst of all, the plague of poison ivy.

Nearly half of Americans are allergic to poison ivy and its 150 plant cousins, reacting with a skin rash known as allergic contact dermatitis.

You aren't allergic to poison iv ...

Updated: Sat Jul 04, 2009

Red, Purple and Blue Fruits and Vegetables Offer Powerful Health Benefits for 07/11/2009

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Summer is a great time to get serious about upgrading your diet. All around the country, fresh fruits and veggies are ripe, delicious and ready to eat.

If you're not eating the recommended five to nine servings each day, you're probably not as healthy as you could be. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with a lower risk of dozens of chronic illnesses, including obesity, h ...

Updated: Sat Jul 11, 2009

Natural Fat Fighters? Scientists Take a Fresh Look at Old Remedies for 07/18/2009

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

If you're trying to slim down, you've probably resigned yourself to the fact that you'll have to eat less and exercise more. But wouldn't it be great if there were some way to make weight loss a little easier?

Scientists around the world are working hard to create new drugs that can melt away body fat effortlessly. As the quest for revolutionary weight-loss medicines continues, many rese ...

Updated: Sat Jul 18, 2009

Searching for Sunglasses? Don't Sacrifice Function for Fashion for 07/25/2009

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Bright sunshine is a welcome part of summer, but sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad for your health. Excessive exposure to sunlight doesn't just damage your skin, it can injure your eyes as well.

The ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun — especially UVA and UVB rays — are responsible for wreaking havoc with your eyes. Long-term exposure to both types of radiation can d ...

Updated: Sat Jul 25, 2009

Long-Term Use of Acid-Suppressing Drugs May Pose Significant Health Risks for 08/01/2009

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

If you're one of the millions of Americans suffering from heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you may be taking an acid-suppressing medication known as a proton pump inhibitor. While there's no doubt these drugs can be beneficial in the short run, recent research has uncovered a number of potential pitfalls associated with long-term use, including a higher risk of pneumonia, bo ...

Updated: Sat Aug 01, 2009

Adequate Zinc Intake Important for Mature Men for 08/08/2009

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

For most men, growing older is accompanied by a number of positive changes, including greater knowledge, wisdom, and patience. On the downside, advancing age is associated with some unwelcome physical changes, such as weight gain, muscle loss, and low energy levels.

While these changes are often considered a natural part of aging, dwindling levels of the male hormone testosterone could b ...

Updated: Sat Aug 08, 2009

Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help Prevent Vision Loss With Age for 08/15/2009

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from fish and nuts is a great way to improve your overall health. New research suggests that it might also help protect your eyesight as you grow older.

The results of a study published in the August 2009 issue of the American Journal of Pathology showed that boosting omega-3 intake can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, th ...

Updated: Sat Aug 15, 2009

Blueberries May Help Shrink Belly Fat; Boost Brain Health for 08/22/2009

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

A bowlful of blueberries is more than just a tasty treat — it's also good medicine. The results of a recent study performed by University of Michigan researchers suggest that natural compounds in blueberries help shrink belly fat, lower cholesterol levels and improve blood-sugar regulation.

For the study, researchers placed overweight laboratory rats on either a high-fat or low-fat ...

Updated: Sat Aug 22, 2009

Supplemental Magnesium May Help Prevent Migraine Headaches for 08/29/2009

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

A migraine is more than just a bad headache. For millions of Americans, migraines are often so painful and debilitating that they significantly reduce the quality and enjoyment of life.

Even worse, the headaches can be associated with other, more serious health conditions. Studies show that among all migraine sufferers, including men and women, the risk of experiencing a stroke is more t ...

Updated: Sat Aug 29, 2009

Choose Beverages Wisely to Avoid Negative Health Effects for 09/05/2009

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

When it comes to promoting good health and nutrition, what you drink is just as important as what you eat. Most American adults obtain about a fifth of their daily calories from beverages, many of which are sweetened with sugar.

Recent research suggests that calories from foods and beverages differ in their effects on appetite and eating behaviors. After eating a snack or a meal, most fo ...

Updated: Sat Sep 05, 2009

Smokeless Tobacco -- Safer Than Cigarettes? for 09/12/2009

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

If you're looking for a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes, smokeless tobacco isn't it.

Recent research conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota banished the notion that snuff and chewing tobacco are safer because they don't burn and produce inhalable smoke. The researchers discovered that a single pinch of smokeless tobacco exposes the user to the same amount of anoth ...

Updated: Sat Sep 12, 2009

Feet Hurt? It Could Be Plantar Fasciitis for 09/19/2009

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

If you're like most Americans, you spend more than four hours a day on your feet and take around 5,000 steps daily. That's quite a pounding for your poor pups, so it's no wonder they whimper at the end of a long day.

But if your feet hurt as soon as they hit the floor each morning, you could have a condition called plantar fasciitis.

The plantar fascia is a fibrous band of tissue ...

Updated: Sat Sep 19, 2009

Natural Remedies Quell Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome for 09/26/2009

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

For individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, cramping and bloating are part of daily life.

As the most frequently diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder in the U.S., IBS affects as many as one in five Americans. The condition is more common in women than in men and typically strikes in late adolescence or early adulthood.

In addition to abdominal pain and ...

Updated: Sat Sep 26, 2009

Exercise Beneficial at Any Age for 10/03/2009

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

No matter what your age, it's never too late to start exercising. In fact, if you're a senior citizen, physical activity is an excellent way to improve your overall health.

In older adults, regular exercise reduces the risk of illness, injury and even death. The results of a recent Harvard study demonstrated that physical activity can increase life expectancy, even in folks who don't beg ...

Updated: Sat Oct 03, 2009

Dietary Supplement May Stall Progression of Parkinson's Disease for 10/10/2009

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

An over-the-counter dietary supplement may help slow the progression of Parkinson's Disease, a degenerative neurological disorder marked by tremor, stiffness of the limbs and trunk, impaired balance and coordination, and slowing of movements.

The supplement, called coenzyme Q10, is a vitamin-like compound with powerful antioxidant properties that is vital for the proper function of virtu ...

Updated: Sat Oct 10, 2009

Late-Night Snacking Can Sabotage Weight Loss Efforts for 10/17/2009

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

If you're trying to slim down, you already know you need to cut calories. The results of a new study suggest that when it comes to losing weight, the timing of your meals and snacks may be just as important as the number of calories you consume.

Published in the Sept. 3 issue of the medical journal Obesity, the study provides the first concrete evidence linking meal timing and weight gai ...

Updated: Sat Oct 17, 2009

Research Sheds Light on Connection between Celiac Disease and Osteoporosis for 10/24/2009

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Scientists have long known that people with celiac disease have a higher than average risk for developing osteoporosis, but until recently the link between the two conditions was poorly understood.

Celiac disease is caused by an immune system reaction to gluten, a natural protein found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye.

When individuals with the disorder eat gluten-containin ...

Updated: Sat Oct 24, 2009

Got a Cold? Bring on the Chicken Soup for 10/31/2009

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

People have been catching colds since the beginning of time — and for just as long, we've been trying to cure them. In spite of our best efforts, the common cold remains one of the most frequently acquired illnesses in the world.

If you're like most adults, you can expect to catch a cold two to four times each year. With each infection, you'll likely spend around eight to 10 days c ...

Updated: Sat Oct 31, 2009

Excessive Drinking Shrinks Your Brain and Your Memory for 11/07/2009

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Moderate alcohol consumption may be good for your heart, but new research suggests that it doesn't appear to offer the same protective benefits for the brain. While moderate amounts of alcohol don't necessarily help the brain, regularly consuming more than two drinks a day can definitely harm it.

Habitual consumption of more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week actually causes the brain to ...

Updated: Sat Nov 07, 2009