Topic: Health & Healing

Global warming is likely to increase the proportion of the population affected by kidney stones by expanding the higher-risk region known as the “kidney-stone belt” into neighboring states, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center and UT Dallas have found.

Dehydration is one of the risk factors linked to kidney-stone disease, and a new research paper suggests global warming will exacerbate this effect. The researchers predict that by 2050, higher temperatures will cause an additional 1.6 million to 2.2 million kidney-stone cases, representing up to a 30 percent growth in some areas.

Researchers at the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry have uncovered the health benefits of aspirin in the fight against osteoporosis.

Researchers at the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry have uncovered the health benefits of aspirin in the fight against osteoporosis. Forty-four million Americans, 68 percent of whom are women, suffer from the debilitating effects of osteoporosis according to the National Institute of Health. One out of every two women and one in four men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.

In the July issue of "Mayo Clinic Proceedings," a group of researchers from Pennsylvania examine whether an alternative approach to treating high blood cholesterol may provide an effective treatment option for patients who are unable or unwilling to take statins.

A great deal of scientific evidence shows that cholesterol-reducing medications known as statins can help prevent coronary artery disease. Although the safety of these medications has been well documented, as many as 40 percent of patients who receive a prescription for statins take the drug for less than one year. Doctors believe that several factors - including cost, adverse effects, poor understanding of statin benefits and patients’ reluctance to take prescription medications long term - may explain why some patients stop taking these medicines. In the July issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, a group of researchers from Pennsylvania examine whether an alternative approach to treating high blood cholesterol may provide an effective treatment option for patients who are unable or unwilling to take statins.

Farm-raised tilapia, one of the most highly consumed fish in America, has very low levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and, perhaps worse, very high levels of omega-6 fatty acids. The combination could be potentially dangerous for some patients with heart disease, arthritis, asthma and other allergic and auto-immune diseases that are particularly vulnerable to an “exaggerated inflammatory response.”

Farm-raised tilapia, one of the most highly consumed fish in America, has very low levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and, perhaps worse, very high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, according to new research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

How to cut back on your expenses dramatically by controlling the emotional component revealed by Hale Dwoskin, author of "The Sedona Method" and featured teacher in "The Secret."

Hale Dwoskin, featured teacher in the book and film The Secret and author of The Sedona Method, has revealed how to cut back on your expenses dramatically by (finally!) controlling the emotional component.

Consumer-driven health plans -- hailed since their inception in 2000 as a tool to help control costs -- are resulting in members forgoing care and discontinuing drugs to treat chronic medical problems, according to two newly published studies.

Under employer-offered consumer-driven health plans (CDHP), members pay up-front deductibles either out-of-pocket or from a dedicated health-care account before insurance coverage begins. Proponents - including President Bush and presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain - argue that consumers in a market-oriented approach will make better health-care choices and drive health-care costs down by doing cost comparisons and accessing information about their conditions. Critics argue that people will instead opt out of important care.

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Jessica Greene, health care policy analyst, of the University of Oregon.

Compelling research about the benefits of wild blueberries has prompted a surge of interest in a diet rich in this powerful, nutritious fruit.

The new generation of healthy eaters is eschewing old adages about relying on the usual fruits to keep the doctor away. Instead, they are adopting the wild blueberry as their new dietary favorite. Promising research about the wild blueberry has encouraged today's eaters to go "wild" over the nutrient-rich fruit. New interest in eating well and maintaining health by eating whole foods, natural foods, and organic foods, as well as getting the optimum number of servings of fruits and vegetables per day, has contributed to the swell of interest, prompting many to seek original ways to integrate wild blueberries into their diet.

We know that stress can have a dramatic effect on the immune system. And quite often, that can create immune-related responses in the skin. That means stressed-out skin loses its ability to defend and rebuild itself.

Stressed out? You might find yourself pigging out on sugary snacks, snapping at your kids or lying awake half the night. And it will show on your skin because stress can lead to skin problems, as well. "We know that stress can have a dramatic effect on the immune system," says Joshua Fox, MD, founder of Advanced Dermatology and a spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatology. "And quite often, that can create immune-related responses in the skin."

A load of antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins are available in the produce aisle from white and brown fungi, commonly known as mushrooms. Mushrooms are low in calories, cholesterol and sodium, and they provide plenty of fiber and flavor when cooked. But the big news is that they are high in antioxidants, selenium, riboflavin and other healthful substances that protect the immune system and fight cancer.

Several scientists addressed the health benefits of mushrooms in a session Monday at the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting and Food Expo in New Orleans.

How to most sensitively and effectively live with those experiencing menopause revealed by Hale Dwoskin, author of the New York Times bestseller "The Sedona Method" and featured teacher in "The Secret."

Hale Dwoskin, featured teacher in the blockbuster book and film The Secret and author of The New York Times bestseller The Sedona Method, has revealed how to most sensitively and effectively live with those experiencing menopause.