FDA Approves Antibiotic Combo Ceftazidime-avibactam approved for complicated abdominal and urinary tract infections.

The FDA approved the new antibiotic Avycaz (ceftazidime-avibactam) for treatment of adults with complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis, the agency said.http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/GeneralInfectiousDisease/50232?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-28&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

New Marketing Campaign Aims To Rebrand Fruits And Vegetables.

the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) launched a new marketing effort to rebrand fruits and vegetables (FNV) as cool. Created by the Victors & Spoils ad agency, the “FNV” campaign will initially focus on social media networks with videos featuring celebrities and athletes, and then expand later to include TV and print ads. Victors & Spoils Chief Marketing Officer Andrew Nathan said, “our inspiration for all this was behaving like a big, iconic brand” and giving fruits and vegetables some of “the ‘marketing pixie dust’ that makes packaged foods so irresistible.” Speaking at the PHA annual summit, first lady Michelle Obama “expressed excitement for FNV,” saying “If folks are going to pour money into marketing unhealthy foods, let’s fight back with ads for healthy foods.” http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MARKETING_FRUITS__VEGETABLES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Study: Access To Healthy Food Isn’t Enough To Convince People To Buy It.

a new study published in the journal Public Health Nutrition examined the impact of the Health Food Financing Initiative, a government program that offers favorable tax credits to supermarket chains that build in so-called food desserts. “Brian Elbel, associate professor of population health and health policy at New York University School of Medicine, and his colleagues compared eating habits in families in” two Bronx neighborhoods – one with a new supermarket and one without. After speaking with parents each six months over one and a half years, the researchers found that “what the families were buying...didn’t change much.” Commenting on the study, “Elbel says his results highlight the fact that access isn’t the only answer.” He suggested “that policy makers may...need stricter definitions of food desserts,” and the government tax credit program might need more stringent criteria. http://time.com/3724029/better-grocery-stores-alone-cant-improve-kids-diets-study-finds/

Dentist’s Office May Be A Good Place To Screen People For Diabetes.

research published in the American Journal of Public Health suggests that “the dentist’s office may be a good place to screen people for diabetes.” The research, which involved more than 400 “dental patients, found that blood collected from the mouth during dental procedures was 99 percent as accurate for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing as finger-prick blood samples.” http://consumer.healthday.com/dental-and-oral-information-9/misc-dental-problem-news-174/get-checked-for-diabetes-while-getting-your-teeth-cleaned-696777.html

New Developments Are Taking Place In Male Birth Control Research.

despite men having limited choices for birth control, the “pharmaceutical industry is wary of supporting new methods of birth control for a variety of reasons – such as lawsuits and a fear of disrupting a lucrative oral contraceptive market.” However, Diana Blithe, program director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Contraceptive Discovery and Development program, says other Phase II trials are being conducted on a variety of contraceptive gels. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2015/02/26/the-future-of-male-birth-control

CDC investigates deadly bacteria's link to doctors' and dental offices

The bacteria, C. difficile, is typically found in hospitals, but a study out Wednesday reports a substantial number of people contracted the bug who hadn't been in a hospital, but had recently visited the doctor or dentist. The bacteria can cause deadly diarrhea, according to the CDC, with infections on the rise. The new report shows nearly half a million Americans infected in various locations in one year, with 15,000 deaths directly attributed to C. diff. http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/25/health/deadly-bacteria-doctors-offices/

In Young Kids, Viral Pneumonia Most Common

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children was far more likely to be viral than bacterial (73% versus 15%) and to infect children under the age of 5 compared with older children, according to Seema Jain, MD, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and colleagues. During hospitalization, 88% of patients were treated with antibiotics. Biological samples were not taken during the antibiotic course. http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/Pneumonia/50197?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-26&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

Sleep Loss May Cause People To Consume More Fat.

The result: those in the sleep-deprived group consumed roughly 950 extra calories after the night they were forced to stay awake. Total calorie consumption was about the same among the sleep-deprived group during the day that followed their all-nighter as it was among those who had normal sleep. However, when calories were broken down by content, investigators found a big difference between the groups. Those who hadn't slept consumed a lot more fat and a lot less carbohydrates than those who had slept. Overall, the study findings support the link between sleep patterns "and changes in food intake and subsequent obesity. Of course, in the real world it is not total sleep loss that is the main problem, but chronic insufficient sleep," Dijk explained. "Nevertheless," he added, "the current study is important because it provides hints to the brain mechanisms involved in the link between sleep loss and changes in food intake." http://consumer.healthday.com/vitamins-and-nutrition-information-27/dietary-fat-health-news-301/sleep-loss-prompts-higher-intake-of-fat-696700.html

Is common food additive to blame for rising rates of bowel disease?

reports a new study conducted on rats and published Wednesday as a “Research Letter” in the journal Nature found that the emulsifiers carboxymethylcellulose, also called cellulose gum, and polysorbate 80 “promotes inflammatory bowel disease and a cluster of obesity-related diseases known as metabolic syndrome.” Researchers found that the substances, when fed to rats, “induced low-grade inflammation, increased weight gain and fat deposition, caused worrisome changes in metabolic function,” promoted strains of gut bacteria that promote inflammation, inhibited strains that prevent the process, and eroded the mucous membrane that lines the gut. The emulsifiers are widely used in processed foods and pharmaceuticals. these–and many other–food additives are inadequately tested by the” Food and Drug Administration . They keep ingredients—often oils and fats—from separating. They are also used to improve the texture and shelf-life of many foods found on supermarket shelves, from ice cream and baked goods, to salad dressings, veggie burgers, non-dairy milks, and hamburger patties. http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-metabolic-bowel-emulsifiers-20150225-story.html

Study Finds Association Between Fluoride And Underactive Thyroid.

a study performed in England found an association between fluoride in drinking water and increased rates of underactive thyroid. The team found that in locations where fluoride levels were greater than 0.3mg/L, there was a 30 percent increase in the risk of under active thyroid. Dr. Edmond Hewlett, ADA spokesman and a professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, argued against the claims posed by the research group and stressed that, “currently, the best available scientific evidence indicates that optimally fluoridated water does not have an adverse effect on the thyroid gland or its function.” http://consumer.healthday.com/general-health-information-16/thyroid-news-659/fluoride-in-drinking-water-tied-to-higher-rates-of-underactive-thyroid-696704.html

Rhinovirus Linked With Worsening Asthma

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/AAAAI/50175?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-25&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

Exceeding 4,000 IUs Of Vitamin D May Lead To Health Problems.

“To Your Health” blog reports that a viewpoint published online Feb. 19 in the Journal of the American Medical Association observes that “some physicians are prescribing large doses of Vitamin D supplements for their patients in the hope of preventing cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and other maladies, despite a lack of evidence that this works.” In some cases, people are taking big daily doses of vitamin D all on their own. But, if people exceed “4,000 IUs, unless there’s a specific reason” such an amount is needed, they “risk kidney stones, calcification of blood vessels and possibly the very cardiovascular disease” they are trying to stave off, one of the viewpoint’s authors “said in an interview.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/02/24/lay-off-the-mega-doses-of-vitamin-d/

Cryotherapy: Would you freeze yourself fit?

Guided by research from Setanta College, it's played a key part in my recovery, especially between competitive periods." Cryotherapy translates as cold cure -- but for some the intense chill goes beyond words. "The cold floods your brain and you can't process much more than putting one foot in front of another," Mike Moynihan, a columnist for the Irish Examiner, recalls of his experience in the chiller. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/17/golf/freeze-yourself-fit-with-cryotherapy/

Hand Dishwashing Tied to Fewer Allergies for Kids

Swedish study finds lower rates of asthma, eczema, and allergic conjunctivitis. Hesselmar told MedPage Today in a separate e-mail that this study was done to test the so-called "hygiene hypothesis" using questions related to a family's daily lifestyle and activities. "We know, for example, that living on a farm is associated with [fewer allergies] in children, but that information is only interesting from a theoretical point of view -- you can't recommend people to buy a farm," he said. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/Asthma/50141?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-24&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

U.S. Still Poorly Prepared to Treat Obesity

The authors pointed to several shortcomings in the training of health professionals when it comes to obesity and nutrition. But training is often difficult -- there are less than 1,200 certified obesity medicine physicians in the U.S., said Primack. "It will take another 20 years to just get enough providers of any type to adequately treat the overt 100 million Americans who are overweight or obese," Primack said. "In addition, insurance generally does not reimburse for the treatment of obesity." Medical professionals and medical students have biases surrounding obesity treatment, said the article. Many think that "patients with obesity are lazy, noncompliant with treatment, less responsive to counseling, responsible for their condition, have no willpower, and deserve to be targets of derogatory humor, even in the clinical-care environment," wrote the authors, citing a 2006 study of medical students and a 2013 one of U.K. healthcare workers. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/Obesity/50120

Postmenopausal Women At High Risk For Broken Bones May Also Face Increased Risk For Gum Disease.

research published in Menopause suggests that “postmenopausal women who are at high risk for broken bones may also be at increased risk for gum disease.” Participants’ “gums were examined and their fracture risk was assessed on a Fracture Assessment Risk Tool (FRAX), which takes into account factors such as weight, height, previous fractures, arthritis, smoking and diabetes.” The researchers pointed out that some of these factors have also been linked to gum disease. The investigators also found that “women with high fracture risk scores...showed the strongest signs of gum disease,” which “suggests that fracture risk could be a reliable indicator of gum disease.” http://consumer.healthday.com/bone-and-joint-information-4/bone-joint-and-tendon-news-72/post-menopausal-women-may-be-at-risk-of-gum-disease-696571.html

Researchers Discover Molecular Link That May Explain Association Between T2D And Increased Alzheimer’s Risk.

ndividuals “with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, and now researchers...may have discovered the molecular link that explains the association.” The investigators “focused on amyloidosis – the process by which misfolded amyloid proteins form insoluble fibril deposits – which occurs in a host of diseases, including type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s.” MedPage Today adds that “in transgenic mice, amyloid from the brain was found to stimulate the growth of fibrils in the pancreas, and pancreatic amyloid was also found in amyloid specific to human brain senile plaques.” The findings were published online in The American Journal of Pathology. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/Diabetes/50131

CDC: Novel Virus Killed Kansas Man

Pathogen is similar to others carried by ticks and mosquitoes, agency says. Naming it the Bourbon virus after the county where the man had lived, researchers from the CDC, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the University of Kansas classified the agent as a new member of the Thogotovirus genus, others of which are known to cause human disease. Advertisement Other Thogotovirus species -- none of which have been seen in the Western Hemisphere -- are known to be carried by ticks and mosquitoes, the researchers said in their report, appearing online in the CDC journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. He reported numerous tick bites in the days prior to falling ill. He was consequently treated with doxycycline, but there was no improvement and he shortly developed multi-organ failure, dying of cardiopulmonary arrest 11 days after symptom onset. His blood was tested for known tickborne diseases but these were negative. http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/GeneralInfectiousDisease/50124?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-21&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

Stroke Rounds: Aspirin Timing Matters ... a Little

Aspirin for secondary prevention of stroke and heart disease might be better taken at night only from the standpoint of antiplatelet effects, not antihypertensive activity, a crossover trial showed. Morning platelet reactivity scores averaged 22 aspirin reactivity units (ARU) lower with bedtime dosing compared with morning dosing (P=0.001), Tobias N. Bonten, MD, of Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and colleagues found. 280,000 recurrent cardiovascular events occur in the U.S. every year, with a known excess of 40% during the morning hours," the group noted. "If aspirin intake at bedtime would reduce this morning peak by 20%, it would lead to an absolute reduction of 4,853 recurrent events each year in the U.S. alone. "So, switching to bedtime aspirin intake is a simple and possible effective intervention. Future studies should evaluate whether this indeed translates in a reduction of cardiovascular events." Advertisement B http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Prevention/50100?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-20&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

Lack Of Sleep May Lead To Increased Fatty Acid Levels In The Blood.

reports that a study published online Feb. 19 in the journal Diabetologia “helps explain why getting too little sleep might boost diabetes risk.” The study of 19 male volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 30 who underwent sleep deprivation reveals that “lack of sleep can lead to increased levels of substances called free fatty acids in the blood.” These free fatty acids “interfere with the ability of the hormone insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Researchers say lack of sleep can lead to increased levels of substances called free fatty acids in the blood. These substances interfere with the ability of the hormone insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. The researchers said these findings suggest that high rates of obesity and diabetes could be reduced by something as simple as having people get more sleep. "At the population level, multiple studies have reported connections between restricted sleep, weight gain and type 2 diabetes," said study senior author Dr. Esra Tasali in a University of Chicago news release. She is an assistant professor of medicine at the university. http://consumer.healthday.com/diabetes-information-10/misc-diabetes-news-181/study-looks-at-how-too-little-sleep-might-lead-to-type-2-diabetes-696577.html

Nutrition Panel Announces New Dietary Recommendations.

blog reports the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee “recommended sharp new limits on the amount of added sugar that Americans should consume,” following “the lead of other major health groups like the American Heart Association.” According to the panel, Americans are “eating too much salt, sugar and saturated fat, and not enough foods that fit a ‘healthy dietary pattern,’ like fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish and moderate levels of alcohol.” One of the panel’s major concerns is added sugar, and “for the first time the panel recommended that Americans limit it to no more than 10 percent of daily calories” because “of its link to obesity and chronic disease.” Many experts “applauded” the panel’s “stronger stance on added sugars.” One of the panel’s major concerns is added sugar, and “for the first time the panel recommended that Americans limit it to no more than 10 percent of daily calories” because “of its link to obesity and chronic disease.” Many experts “applauded” the panel’s “stronger stance on added sugars.” http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/19/nutrition-panel-calls-for-less-sugar-and-eases-cholesterol-and-fat-restrictions/

Will FDA allow the release of genetically modified mosquitoes?

a proposal to release the nation’s first genetically modified mosquitoes, hatched in a lab and pumped with synthetic DNA to try to combat two painful mosquito-borne viral diseases, dengue and chikungunya. http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/will-fda-allow-the-release-of-genetically-modified-mosquitoes/

9-Valent HPV Vaccine Effective

Adding more strains of human papillomavirus could increase protection. A vaccine targeting nine cancer-causing strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) -- rather than two or four -- was highly effective in preventing disease, researchers reported. In a randomized, controlled trial, the nine-valent vaccine was 96.7% effective in preventing high-grade cervical, vulvar, or vaginal disease associated with its five new HPV strains, Joura and colleagues reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/Vaccines/50082?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-19&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

Project Sheds Light on What Drives Genes

More than 200 scientists working on an ambitious federal project have begun to understand the complicated system of switches that regulates genes, turning some on and others off, making some glow brightly while others dim.” The scientists “hope these discoveries...will eventually lead to a deeper understanding of diseases and new ways to treat or cure them.” Their findings “are published in 24 papers in Nature and other journals from Nature Publishing.” http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/19/health/scientists-shed-light-on-circuits-that-control-genes.html?ref=health&_r=0

Neurological Mechanism Responsible For Marijuana “Munchies.”

researchers “believe they have deciphered the neurological mechanism that causes” marijuana users to get the “munchies,” or the “inexplicable urge to eat.” The paper, published in the journal Nature, says that the “phenomenon appears to be driven by neurons in the brain that typically involve suppressing the appetite,” called pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). When responding to marijuana, those “neurons that normally turn off hunger pangs instead made users ravenous – at least when those users were transgenic lab mice.” The research was funded, in part, by the National Institutes of Health and the American Diabetes Association. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/02/17/marijuana-and-the-brain-the-science-behind-the-munchies/ In a 2005 study, scientists founds that cannabis use rendered specific neurons in the brain "more excitable" and inhibited the appetite-suppressing hormone leptin. In 2009, research out of Japan found that marijuana might interact with taste receptors to enhance the sweet taste in foods, thus boosting cravings.

Worldwide Examination Of Dietary Habits Finds Increased Consumption Of Unhealthy Foods.

“There may be more fruit, vegetables and healthy options available than ever before, but the world is mostly hungry for junk food, according to a study of eating habits in nearly 190 countries.” Investigators “found that even though people are eating more healthy foods including whole grains and fish, there has been an even bigger jump in the amount of junk food eaten.” The Washington Post (2/19, Bernstein) “To Your Health” blog reports that the researchers found that even though “some people — older folks, women and those in some developed nations — have increased their consumption of...healthful foods and substances, that improvement has been surpassed by increased consumption of seven unhealthful foods, particularly among younger generations, men and middle-income and poor nations.” a study that found highly processed foods may be addictive and lead to overeating. Researchers at the University of Michigan and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai examined 500 participants in two study groups and found highly processed foods “may be capable of triggering addictive-like eating behavior.” The findings have implications for treating obesity, and Icahn assistant professor of pharmacology and systems therapeutics Nicole Avena said “It may not be a simple matter of ‘cutting back’ on certain foods, but rather, adopting methods used to curtail smoking, drinking and drug use.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/02/18/diets-around-the-world-are-getting-worse-not-better/

Superbug linked to 2 deaths at UCLA hospital; 179 potentially exposed

The Times has learned that the two people who died are among seven patients that UCLA found were infected by the drug-resistant superbug known as CRE — a number that may grow as more patients get tested. The outbreak is the latest in a string of similar incidents across the country that has top health officials scrambling for a solution. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hospital-infections-20150218-story.html#page=1

CDC: US Measles Count Reaches 141 Cases In 17 States And DC.

that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported yesterday that the number of measles cases increased to 141, having spread to 17 states and the District of Columbia between Jan. 1 and Feb. 13, with 113, or 80% of the cases, linked to the multistate outbreak stemming from Disneyland. The numbers represent a 16.5% increase from last week, suggesting the outbreak is gradually slowing but not yet under control, especially in California where half of the 20 new cases were reported. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/measles-continue-spread-reaching-141-cases-17-states/story?id=29018910 The AP (2/18, Stobbe) reports that most of the new illnesses are “tied to outbreaks at Disneyland in California and an Illinois day care center.” Eight of the 20 new cases are linked to “the suburban Chicago outbreak at a day care center, and two unrelated cases in Nevada.” The CDC has said that most of those infected this year “were not vaccinated”; in some cases, children were “too young to get the shots.”

Some Bodybuilders Drinking Breast Milk In Effort To Gain Muscle Mass.

reports that some bodybuilders are drinking breast milk in an effort to gain muscle mass. Even though studies suggest that “breast milk has numerous advantages for newborns and infants,” Jacques Moritz, MD, the director of the division of gynecology at Mount Sinai Roosevelt in New York, “said there are virtually no studies looking at what it can do for any adult, let alone bodybuilders. That’s because there is no scientific reason it should help.” The piece also notes that breast milk bought from “unregulated internet sites” may not be stored at proper temperatures and thus could be contaminated. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/body-builders-pounding-breast-milk/story?id=29020910

Warmth + Sugar = Less Vaccination Pain for Babies

babies who were placed under an infant warmer and given a sucrose solution cried and grimaced for 50% less time after receiving the hepatitis B vaccination than babies who were given sucrose alone (P<0.05, respectively). The babies who received warmth and sucrose after being vaccinated had lower heart rate and heart rate variability (i.e., respiratory sinus arrhythmia responses, or RSA) than the sucrose-only control group (P<0.01). In fact, the sucrose-only group experienced overall greater increases in heart rate (P<0.02) and decreases in RSA (P<0.03). Heartbeat in the warmth plus sucrose group increased about 11 beats per minute, compared with 20 beats per minute for the control group. RSA also declined about 0.65 (natural log units) for the warmth plus sucrose group compared with 1.83 (natural log units) for the control group.http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/GeneralPediatrics/50043?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-17&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

To lose weight, experts suggest a focus on fiber

If you’re trying to lose weight, you could count your calories, keep track of precisely how much salt and sugar your eat, and make sure you hit certain targets for protein, carbohydrates, cholesterol and the various types of fat. Or you could set all of that aside and concentrate on just one thing: Eating at least 30 grams of fiber each day. Members of both groups had lower blood pressure, lower total cholesterol and lower triglycerides. Both groups also reduced daily calories, with the AHA dieters recording a larger average decline (465 fewer calories per day) than their counterparts in the fiber group (200 fewer calories per day).http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-high-fiber-diet-weight-loss-20150213-story.html

Canada confirms new case of mad cow disease, cattle prices rise

Canada confirmed its first case of mad cow disease since 2011 on Friday, but said the discovery should not hit a beef export sector worth C$2 billion ($1.6 billion) a year. http://www.aol.com/article/2015/02/13/canada-confirms-new-case-of-mad-cow-disease-cattle-prices-rise/21142691/

VIDEO lady just off of life support does the chicken dance until her knee gives out

This is really funny. I bet it goes viral https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152948279338189&pnref=story

VIDEO How Much Does Moderate Alcohol Really Help?

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/PreventiveCare/50020?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-14&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

How good is the nursing job market? Depends on where you are

For example, although Massachusetts has large numbers of nursing students in search of a job, the ease of obtaining one varies by region, with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reporting that in 2013, nursing schools in the South had a 68 percent job offer rate for graduates, compared to 59 percent in the Midwest, 50 percent in the Northeast and 47 percent in the West.http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/how-good-nursing-job-market-depends-where-you-are/2015-02-09

Nutrisca dog food recalled due to possible salmonella: Food and Drug Recalls

http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2015/02/nutrisca_dog_food_recalled_due.html

Flu-Related Deaths, Hospitalizations Set Record Highs.

health authorities said on Wednesday that a fifth child has died from the flu this season. The Minnesota Department of Health “did not identify the latest victim, say whether other medical conditions came into play or specify when the death occurred.” The number of child flu deaths in Minnesota is disproportionate to the nationwide number of 69, according to the CDC. The reason is unclear, although “some states aren’t as quick to report flu-related deaths.” http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/291761531.html

Hospira Recalls 60 Lots Of Pain Reliever.

Hospira announced it is recalling “more than 60 lots of the pain reliever ketorolac tromethamine injection in the U.S. and Singapore.” The recall was instigated by a “complaint of particulate,” specifically in this case, “visible, floating particulate identified in glass fliptop vials,” according to the FDA. http://www.fiercepharmamanufacturing.com/story/hospira-recalls-60-lots-pain-drug/2015-02-12

Smoking’s US Health Toll Worse Than Estimated.

a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine “adds at least five diseases and 60,000 deaths a year to the toll taken by tobacco in the United States.” The study’s research was paid for by the American Cancer Society and performed by ACS epidemiologist Brian Carter and researchers from the US National Cancer Institute and four universities. “The smoking epidemic is still ongoing, and there is a need to evaluate how smoking is hurting us as a society, to support clinicians and policy making in public health,” Carter said. the study found 83% of smokers’ deaths were attributed to established smoking-related illnesses, but the remainder were linked to diseases including renal failure, hypertensive heart disease, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. “In nearly every case, the diseases in this second group were more likely to kill current smokers than nonsmokers, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/12/health/smokings-health-toll-worse-than-previously-thought-study-says.html?_r=0

Type 2 Diabetes Medicine Could Be A New Lupus Treatment.

according to researchers, a treatment involving the type 2 diabetes drug metformin combined with a glucose inhibitor could be a potential new treatment for lupus. The research was funded by grants from both the National Institutes of Health and the Alliance for Lupus Research. In lupus, a person's antibodies, which normally fight against bacteria and viruses, instead attack healthy tissue. The white blood cells secreting the antibodies feed mostly on blood sugars called glucose, said lead researcher Laurence Morel, a pathology and immunology specialist at the University of Florida medical school.treatment with the first-line type 2 diabetes drug metformin - in combination with a glucose inhibitor - slowed the metabolism of the white blood cells. They returned them to normal functioning, Morel said. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/11/usa-health-lupus-idUSL1N0VL1NE20150211 So could a diet high in refined carbohydrates like white breads/pasta and sugars worsen lupus symptoms?

New Genes Mean the Future of Obesity Treatment Could Get Personal

reports that two companion papers published Feb. 11 in the journal Nature “describe the results of two studies that connected the obesity-related factors of body mass index...and fat distribution to their potential genetic drivers.” The studies, which examined the “genomes of nearly 340,000 people,” were able to identify “areas in the human genome where people with different BMIs and different patterns of fat distribution varied in their genetic code.” one study “found 97 different DNA mutations that affect obesity,” and these mutations are located throughout the body, including the brain. Meanwhile, the “second study found 49 mutations that affect where that fat goes — and that helps explain why some people are apple-shaped while others are pear-shaped.” Both studies indicate that “obesity is a really complex disease.” http://time.com/3704927/genetic-clues-obesity/

IOM Panel Says Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Real.

chronic fatigue syndrome is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, and “many experts now refer to the condition as ME/CFS.” However, the IOM panel “recommended that the illness be renamed ‘systemic exertion intolerance disease.’” The blog also points out that the IOM “panel was convened at the request of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and other federal agencies.” http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MED_CHRONIC_FATIGUE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-02-10-16-37-12

Panel could scrap advice on dietary cholesterol

according to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, a government advisory panel, “we don’t have to worry so much after all about cholesterol in our diets.” Dr. Jon Lapook noted that while “the amount of cholesterol in your blood is still important,” the panel found that “the amount of cholesterol in your food doesn’t necessarily translate to a higher level of cholesterol in your blood.” While the current recommendations “say people should have less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol in their diet a day,” that number is “likely to change when the recommendations come out later this year.” Foods that increase liver production of LDL (bad cholesterol) like saturated and trans fats are the new focus. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/10/new-dietary-cholesterol-advice/23174871/

DoD Publishes List Of “High Risk” Supplements.

The inventory, which contains more than 130 bodybuilding supplements, dietary aids and fat-burners, is nearly identical to the U.S. Anti-doping Agency’s high-risk supplement list and actually was developed in conjunction with that organization, said HPRC senior nutrition scientist Andrea Lindsey. “We basically used the World Anti-Doping Agency list as a guide. We also have our own specific inclusion document” for adding supplements of concern to military personnel,” Lindsey said. The list contains several supplements that have made headlines, including: 12 that contain DMBA, or 1,3-dimethylbutylamine, which some researchers say is a synthetic stimulant never tested on humans. Jack3d Micro, a reformulated product introduced after predecessor Jack3d was banned for containing DMAA, or 1,3-dimethylamylamine. Mayhem, a supplement found to contain undeclared drugs such as dexamethasone, a prescription anti-inflammatory, and cyproheptadine, a prescription antihistamine. http://pt365.militarytimes.com/2015/02/10/defense-department-posts-high-risk-supplement-list/

Napping May Help Undo Negative Health Effects Of A Sleepless Night.

“a small study of 11 healthy men published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” suggests that “the negative health effects of a sleepless night can actually be reversed by a good nap.” For the study, participants underwent two laboratory sleep sessions. In the first session, “the men only got two hours of sleep and then had their urine and saliva measured and analyzed for hormonal changes.” The study found that when men only slept for two hours, they had a 2.5 increase in norepinephrine, a hormone and neurotransmitter which responds to stress. That increase can up the body’s heart rate and blood pressure. The men also had low levels of the protein interleukin-6 which is critical for having a proper immune response. However, when the men were sleep-deprived but napped the following day, the researchers found there were no changes in either their protein or hormone levels.For “the second session, the men once again only got two hours of sleep, but this time they also took two 30-minute naps the following day.” Again, they provide samples of urine and saliva. http://time.com/3703317/napping-good-for-you/

Childhood Vitamin D Deficiency May Be Tied To Hardening Of The Arteries In Middle Age.

a study published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals that “vitamin D deficiency in childhood may be linked to hardening of the arteries in middle age.” The study of 2,148 youngsters ranging in age from three to 18 and followed since 1980 revealed that kids “in the lowest one-quarter for vitamin D levels, about 15 nanograms per milliliter, were nearly twice as likely to have thickening of the carotid artery as those in the other three quarters.” This associated “persisted after adjusting for age, sex and other cardiovascular risk factors.” http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/10/low-vitamin-d-in-childhood-linked-to-later-heart-risks/?smid=tw-nytimeswell&seid=auto&_r=1

HPV Vaccine Does Not Lead To Risky Sexual Behaviors In Teen Girls.

Getting a vaccine for one sexually-transmitted disease, human papillomavirus (HPV), does not lead teen girls to throw sexual caution to the wind and end up with other infections, a new study says. The study addresses a fear that may be contributing to low HPV vaccination rates, researchers say. The first HPV vaccine became available in 2006. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a series of three shots for girls and boys ages 11-12 and for older teens and young adults who are not yet vaccinated. The shots protect against common HPV strains that can cause cervical cancer, genital warts and other diseases. They work best when given before teens become sexually active, the CDC says. As of 2013, the latest figures available, just 38% of girls and 14% of boys ages 13 to 17 had been fully vaccinated. The vaccine has not been recommended for boys as long as it has been for girls. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/02/09/hpv-vaccine-sex/22998833/

Measles Outbreak Grows To 166 Cases Across 18 States, DC.

that the measles outbreak has now spread to 166 reported cases in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Reuters (2/10, Whitcomb) specifies that 107 of those cases are in California alone, with 39 stemming from the Disneyland outbreak. http://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-says-u-s-measles-cases-have-risen-over-past-week-1423508551?mod=WSJ_hppMIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond

Report Says Low-Fat Diet Recommendations Lacked Evidence.

argues that guidelines on fat consumption first issued in the 1970s lacked evidence, and that such recommendations “should never have been made.” She concluded that the data available at the time guidelines were issued in 1977, “did not provide any support for the idea that eating less fat would translate to fewer cases of heart disease.” She further points out that the recommendation that fat be no more than 30 percent of daily calories, “wasn’t tested, let alone proven.” Because of such findings, the American Heart Association “has gradually revised its guidelines and moved away from the strict guidance to lower fat intake.” Harcombe came to the stronger conclusion that “dietary interventions did not provide the evidence that dietary fat is associated with heart disease outcomes.” http://time.com/3702058/dietary-guidelines-fat-wrong/

CDC Reports Mixed Results In Battle Against Childhood Obesity.

reports mixed results in the battle against childhood obesity. Even though “childhood obesity among children between two and five years old dropped 3.7% from 2010 to 2012, the rate increased 2.1% for children 12-19 during the same period.” Meanwhile, “the overall childhood obesity rate...remained at a constant 16.9% from 2008 through 2012.” The figures are from the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. http://time.com/3700930/childhood-obesity-michelle-obama-lets-move/

Experts Seek New Ways To Help Pediatricians Convince Parents To Get Kids Vaccinated.

program reported that research published in the December issue of Pediatrics suggests that “shared decision making” between physicians and parents when it comes to child immunizations results in a disproportionate number of parents opting to forgo vaccinations. The study enrolled “111 parents, some hesitant about vaccines and some not.” When the physician “assumed parents would be OK with vaccines, they were. More than 70 percent had their child vaccinated.” Conversely, “when physicians were more flexible and allowed for discussion, most of the parents — 83 percent — decided against vaccination.” http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/02/06/384322665/to-get-parents-to-vaccinate-their-kids-dont-ask-just-tell

Four Or More Cups Of Coffee Daily May Be Linked To Reduced Risk Of Endometrial Cancer.

investigators, “using data on more than 456,000 women from two large ongoing studies...evaluated the dietary habits of more than 2,800 women diagnosed with cancer of the endometrium.” The researchers found that “compared to women who drank less than a cup a day, those who drank about four cups daily had an 18 percent lower risk of getting this cancer.” The researchers also can't say for sure why coffee may lower the cancer risk. However, one possibility is that coffee reduces estrogen levels in the body, changing the balance of hormones, Merritt said. If the balance between estrogen and progesterone shifts and leans more toward estrogen, the risk of endometrial cancer rises, according to the American Cancer Society. Other risk factors for endometrial cancer include being overweight and having an early start to periods (before age 12) and a late menopause. The average age of menopause in the United States is 51. The research, funded by the NIH, was published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. http://consumer.healthday.com/vitamins-and-nutrition-information-27/caffeine-health-news-89/coffee-habit-may-lower-endometrial-cancer-risk-696198.html

HRT Preserves Joint Implants in Women

A 40% decrease in revision surgery for hips/knees with hormone replacement. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Surgery/Orthopedics/49922?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-09&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

Facts about the cold and flu that will shock you

http://www.weather.com/tv/shows/amhq/video/amazing-facts-about-the-flu?&cm_ven=Email&cm_cat=undefined

How and Why We Sneeze. Really cool info

http://www.weather.com/health/video/brainstorm-what-causes-you-to-sneeze?&cm_ven=Email&cm_cat=undefined

New York Subway System Filled With Hundreds Of Species Of Bacteria.

researchers released a study yesterday “that mapped DNA found in New York’s subway system — a crowded, largely subterranean behemoth that carries 5.5 million riders in an average week, and is filled with hundreds of species of bacteria (mostly harmless), the occasional spot of bubonic plague, and a universe of enigmas.” Nearly “half of the DNA found on the system’s surfaces did not match any known organism and just 0.2 percent matched the human genome.” The study produced some less appetizing news. Live, antibiotic-resistant bacteria were discovered in 27 percent of the collected samples, though among all the bacteria, only 12 percent could be associated with disease. Researchers also found three samples associated with bubonic plague and two with DNA fragments of anthrax, though they noted that none of those samples showed evidence of being alive, and that neither disease had been diagnosed in New York for some time. The presence of anthrax, Dr. Mason said, “is consistent with the many documented cases of anthrax in livestock in New York State and the East Coast broadly.” http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/06/nyregion/among-the-new-york-city-subways-millions-of-riders-a-study-finds-many-mystery-microbes.html?ref=health&_r=0

Change In Stomach Bacteria May Precede Type 1 Diabetes In Some Young Children.

in some young children who develop type 1 diabetes, a change in normal stomach bacteria can precede the disease by a year.” For the study, researchers “analyzed stool samples” of “33 children at increased genetic risk of type 1 diabetes.” Four of the youngsters studied developed type 1 diabetes by age three. About a year before they developed type 1 diabetes, the kids exhibited “a decline in ‘good bugs’ that produce beneficial fatty acids, and an increase in organisms linked to inflammation...explained” the study’s lead author. http://consumer.healthday.com/diabetes-information-10/misc-diabetes-news-181/change-in-gut-bacteria-may-precede-type-1-diabetes-696231.html

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Linked to Early Menopause: CDC

Although the study was able to find a link between early menopause and chronic fatigue syndrome, the researchers weren't able to learn whether one condition causes the other, or if there's another factor that might cause both conditions. Women with chronic fatigue syndrome were more likely (57 percent vs. 26 percent) to use hormones for purposes other than birth control, such as to treat irregular periods, menopausal symptoms or bone loss, than women without the condition. Hysterectomy-related early menopause (at or before age 45) occurred in 62 percent of women with chronic fatigue syndrome, compared with 33 percent of those in the control group. Bleeding as the reason for hysterectomy was much more common among women with CFS. http://consumer.healthday.com/sleep-disorder-information-33/fatigue-health-news-303/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-linked-to-early-menopause-cdc-696170.html

Type 1 Diabetes Much More Deadly For Women Than Men.

Women may have a harder time controlling blood sugar levels due to a number of factors, such as changing hormone levels -- particularly during puberty -- that can affect the body's sensitivity to insulin and cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels, according to Huxley and her co-authors. The researchers also speculated that high levels of blood sugar may cause more damage to women's blood vessels than to men's. "The findings suggest that young girls and women with type 1 diabetes may need additional monitoring, not only to ensure that they are keeping their blood sugar levels under control, but also to make sure that their levels for other major risk factors, such as blood pressure, are also closely monitored," she said. http://consumer.healthday.com/senior-citizen-information-31/misc-death-and-dying-news-172/women-with-type-1-diabetes-face-higher-death-risk-than-male-peers-696234.html

Five Infants From Palatine Daycare Center Diagnosed With Measles

All five children are under age one, including four from the suburbs, and one from Chicago. Lab tests have confirmed measles cases in two of the children; the other three have been diagnosed with measles, but doctors were waiting for lab tests to confirm the diagnoses. “Individuals who are under the age of one or with certain clinical conditions cannot be vaccinated and are therefore at highest risk for measles. Residents are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated to protect themselves and the most vulnerable members of the community,” officials said. http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/02/05/five-infants-from-palatine-daycare-center-diagnosed-with-measles/

Could Infections Protect Against RA?

A recent history of gastrointestinal or urogenital infection was associated with a decreased risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Swedish researchers reported. For individuals who reported having had gastroenteritis within the previous 2 years, the odds ratio for being diagnosed with RA was 0.71 (95% CI 0.63-0.80) after adjustment for socioeconomic status and smoking, according to Maria E.C. Sandberg, PhD, of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and colleagues. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Rheumatology/Arthritis/49879?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-05&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

Breast Cancer Deaths Have Dropped Dramatically In Past Two Decades.

reported that “breast cancer deaths have dropped dramatically in the past two decades — the result of better treatment, greater awareness and more women getting mammograms.” The most recent “government statistics show deaths declined 34% between 1990 and 2011, from 33 to 22 per 100,000 women, and experts expect that the downward trend has continued in the four years since.” http://time.com/3694919/breast-cancer-deaths-decline-us/

Researchers Examine Causes Of Early Female Puberty.

pediatric endocrinologist Louise Greenspan, MD, and Julianna Deardorff, PhD, an associate professor at the University of California-Berkeley, the authors of “The New Puberty: How to Navigate Early Development in Today’s Girls,” write an op-ed about their research into early female puberty, which they assert occurs because of obesity and family stress. Obesity may contribute to early breast development because fat cells secrete estrogen. The researchers cite a study from the Harvard School of Public Health, which “suggested that girls who drank more sodas were also more likely to reach puberty early, regardless of whether they were overweight.” They call for more research into the effects of chemicals in flame retardants and plastics on puberty. To prevent early puberty, which can lead to depression, eating disorders, and breast cancer, the researchers suggest mothers breast-feed and maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy. Eating soy and “providing a warm emotional environment at home” may also delay puberty. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/opinion/what-causes-girls-to-enter-puberty-early.html?ref=opinion&_r=0

Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Cut in Half

The number of people exposed to secondhand smoke dropped by half over the last decade, but one in four nonsmokers, or some 58 million people, are still exposed, a CDC report said today. Declines in exposure haven't been uniform across the board, with two in five children, and seven in 10 black children still being exposed. http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/Smoking/49853?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-04&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

Home> Health 'Bogus' Herbal Supplements Fail Ingredient Test: Investigation

reports that New York’s Attorney General (AG) Eric Schneiderman is “accusing four major retailers,” GNC, Target, Walgreens. and Wal-Mart, “of selling bogus herbal supplements, saying some of the pills tested had fillers or contaminants like rice, wheat, even house plants.” ABC News correspondent Tom Llamas said, “Nearly 400 tests were conducted. Seventy-nine percent of the samples containing none of the product labeled or they were contaminated.” http://abcnews.go.com/Health/bogus-herbal-supplements-fail-ingredient-test-investigation/story?id=28684472

What about exercising with lupus? Ask the experts

http://www.lupus.org/blog/entry/qa-with-dr.-hazel-l.-breland-exercise-and-lupus?utm_source=Newsletter+2-3-15&utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=email

High-Dose Flu Vaccine Better for Frail Elderly

For frail older people living in long-term care, a high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine is a better option than the standard drug, researchers are reporting. In a randomized, single-blind trial over two flu seasons, the higher dose gave better immune responses to four out of five strains contained in the vaccines, according to David Nace, MD, of the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues. The high-dose vaccine has been approved for older adults, but this is first trial to see how well it works among adults in relatively poor health, Nace and colleagues reported online in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Geriatrics/Vaccines/49198

Formula Improves Bedsores for Malnourished Patients

Those on oral formula with arginine, zinc, and antioxidants showed improvement. http://www.medpagetoday.com/HospitalBasedMedicine/GeneralHospitalPractice/49841?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-03&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

National Sleep Foundation's new recommendations for a good night's rest

reported that the National Sleep Foundation has issued “new sleep guidelines for all age groups starting with newborns at 14 to 17 hours a day,” while “teenagers should aim for eight to ten” hours of sleep each day. As for adults, those “age 26 to 64 should aim for seven to nine” hours of sleep, while seniors 65 and over should get “seven to eight” hours of sleep. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/national-sleep-foundation-new-recommendations-for-good-nights-rest/

Differences In Fetal DNA May Contribute To Some Premature Births.

research to be presented this week at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual meeting suggests that “a fetus’ DNA – not a mother’s – may contribute to at least some premature births.” After comparing “the DNA of some 900 babies born before 34 weeks and their mothers with a comparably-sized control group of babies born full-term and their mothers,” researchers found a “twofold to elevenfold increase in preterm birth among infants who had any four gene duplications or seven gene deletions.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/genes-preterm-birth_n_6598656.html

January 2015 Saw More Measles Cases Than All of 2012

Before the measles vaccination program started in 1963, the disease was endemic in the U.S., according to the CDC. Three million to 4 million Americans a year caught measles, just under 50,000 were hospitalized, 4,000 developed brain swelling, and between 400 and 500 died. http://www.newsweek.com/january-2015-saw-more-measles-cases-all-2012-304089 http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/02/health/measles-how-bad-can-it-be/

How Doctors Can Win the Vaccine Debate With Patients

News stories have been focusing on the threat posed by children who are not vaccinated. While anti-vaccine advocates continue to get press attention, there are also stories which underscore the public health threat posed by parents who fail to get their children vaccinated. And a number of stories reported on the case of an immunocompromised child and his parents who feared for his life. http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/Vaccines/49815?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-02&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily

Researchers, Scientist Question Food Fortification.

recent studies have found that “people are exceeding the safe limits of nutrient intakes established by the Institute of Medicine” as more foods are being fortified with vitamins and minerals to meet consumer demand for such products. Researchers note that the vitamins that are the most widely used to fortified products, “are already plentiful in the average person’s diet.” Mara Z. Vitolins, a registered dietitian and professor of epidemiology and prevention at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center stated that for “general population today, there is no scientific justification for a high intake of vitamins and minerals.” The Times notes that efforts by the FDA in the 1970s to restrict “the number of foods that could be fortified” was “shot down” and led to Congress restricting the FDA’s “authority over fortification and dietary supplements.” http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/30/are-vitamin-drinks-putting-our-health-at-risk/?ref=health&_r=0

Estrogen, Estradiol May Help Protect Against Lead’s Harmful Effects On Frontal Areas Of Brain.

research published in the Journal of Environmental Health suggests that “the female hormones estrogen and estradiol may help protect against lead’s harmful effects on the frontal areas of the brain.” The research also suggested that “elevated lead levels had a much stronger negative impact on thinking abilities than on reading readiness.” Researchers came to these conclusions after studying 40 kids between ages three and six who resided “in an area of Omaha considered the largest residential lead clean-up site in the” US. http://consumer.healthday.com/cognitive-health-information-26/brain-health-news-80/girls-less-affected-by-lead-exposure-than-boys-695831.html

Benefits Of Milk Questioned In Several Studies.

some studies are questioning the positive health effects of milk, just as milk producers are launching a campaign to tout their product. While the US Department of Agriculture “recommends daily consumption of fat-free or low-fat milk or dairy products, at 2 to 2 1/2 cups for younger children and 3 cups a day for older children and adults” recent studies have questioned milk’s benefits for muscles and bones. The AP lists a study of Asian countries which consume little milk but have low bone fracture rates and a Swedish study “found women who drank three or more glasses a day died at a nearly twice the rate of those who drank less than one glass a day.” http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MED_MILK_FIGHTS_BACK_HEALTH?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-01-30-12-22-02