(Science Daily) Don't put down the red wine and vitamins just yet, but if you're taking antioxidants because you hope to live longer, consider this: a new study … casts doubt on the theory that oxidative stress to our tissues shortens lifespan.

That's because researchers from McGill University in Canada have identified mutations in 10 different genes of worms (genes believed to have counterparts in humans) that extend their lifespan without reducing the level of oxidative stress the worms suffer. The results contradict the popular theory that production of toxic reactive oxygen species in tissues is responsible for aging.

Read more.

Community: Well, we’ll see. This study could be an anomaly. Besides, just yesterday we found out that antioxidants help arteries stay healthy.

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(HealthDay News) The popular supplement glucosamine offers little or no relief for sufferers of chronic lower back pain caused by osteoarthritis, a new study finds.

The Norwegian trial seems to be another knock against glucosamine, with other recent studies showing similar results.

"The study answer the questions: 'I have suffered low back pain for a long time (more than 6 months), will a 6-month intake of glucosamine help me?'" said lead researcher Philip Wilkens… "And the answer according to this study is no."

Read more.

Community: Again, we’ll have to see. I could barely walk before I started taking glucosamine.

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(Science Daily) In the initial stages of sleep, energy levels increase dramatically in brain regions found to be active during waking hours, according to new research… These results suggest that a surge of cellular energy may replenish brain processes needed to function normally while awake.

A good night's rest has clear restorative benefits, but evidence of the actual biological processes that occur during sleep has been elusive…

"This research provides intriguing evidence that a sleep-dependent energy surge is needed to facilitate the restorative biosynthetic processes," said Robert Greene, MD, PhD…, a sleep expert who was unaffiliated with the study.

Read more.

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(Vanderbilt University Medical Center) Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have shown that ordinary water – without any additives – does more than just quench thirst. It has some other unexpected, physiological effects. It increases the activity of the sympathetic – fight or flight – nervous system, which raises alertness, blood pressure and energy expenditure.

David Robertson, M.D., and colleagues first observed water's curious ability to increase blood pressure about 10 years ago, in patients who had lost their baroreflexes – the system that keeps blood pressure within a normal range.

The observation came as a complete surprise, said Robertson, professor of Medicine, Pharmacology and Neurology.

"We had to unlearn the idea that water had no effect on blood pressure, which is what all medical students had been told until the last couple of years."

Read more.

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(SouthBeachDiet.com) Iced tea may be the quintessential summer drink, but a glass is more than just a delicious refreshment on a hot day.

The Surprising Benefits of Tea
All black and green teas, iced or hot, contain antioxidants called polyphenols. Research suggests that polyphenols work to track down free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cell structure. By combating free radicals, antioxidants may be able to prevent widespread cell damage and, therefore, decrease the risk of heart disease and cancer. Green tea gets more hype because it contains the highest concentration of polyphenols, but all teas, with the exception of herbal teas, contain some polyphenols. (Polyphenols are also found in dark chocolate and red wine.)

How to Prepare Iced Tea
To get the most from a glass of iced tea, brew it from loose leaves or a tea bag using boiling water. You can add sliced lemon to perk up the flavor or, even better, fiber-rich crushed raspberries … for a fruity variety. If you like your iced tea sweet, add a sugar substitute. Decaffeinated tea is another option, as is unsweetened herbal iced tea (though, again, herbal teas don't provide the same health benefits from polyphenols as green or black tea).

Source

Community: The tea bag should steep in the hot water for at about five minutes, to get the best taste and the most benefits.

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(USA Today) Most people don't know their own number.

That is, they don't know how many calories they should consume in a day to maintain their current weight, a nationally representative online survey of 1,024 people shows…

Having some frame of reference could be an important first step in tackling your weight, [registered dietitian Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak] says. "There is confusion on all sides of the calorie equation. People don't know how many calories they should consume in a day, and even more are unclear how many they burn."

Other survey findings:

• 70% of people say they are concerned about their weight.

• 54% say they are trying to lose weight; 23% are trying to maintain; 19% are doing nothing; and 4% are trying to gain weight.

• Of those trying to lose or maintain weight, most say they are changing the amount and types of food they eat and doing physical activity; 65% say weight loss is the main reason they're eating better.

• Among roadblocks people give for not sticking with weight loss attempts: lack of willpower, lack of time, not seeing results quickly and boredom.

• 77% don't meet the government's guidelines of 2½ hours of moderate-intensity physical activity a week.

Read more.

Community: You can use the Mayo Clinic’s calorie calculator to determine how many calories you should consume per day to maintain your current weight. Eat fewer calories than that, and you should lose weight over time.

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MyRecipes.com:

Spaghetti with Peppery No-Cook Tomato Sauce
Strong ingredients--like pungent cheese, sharp olives, fruity olive oil, and briny capers--give this pasta sauce tons of flavor.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

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Nutrition Made Easy
Our nutrition experts and registered dietitians translate the latest nutrition research into tips you can use to eat healthier every day

Superfast Southwest
Get zesty flavor on the table in 20 minutes or less.

6 Simple Sauces
Jazz up a basic chicken breast with these versatile sauces. All are made with 6 or fewer ingredients.

Quick Vegetarian Dinners
Try going meatless at least one night a week. These vegetarian dinners make it hard to find an excuse not to.

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(HealthDay News) Cellular changes in fat tissue play a major role in the development of type 2 diabetes, a new study shows.

University of Cincinnati researchers found that these changes in fat cells -- not the immune system, as previously thought -- are linked to the "hyperinflammation" seen in obesity-related glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes. The findings, they said, may eventually lead to the development of new drugs to treat type 2 diabetes and may also offer insights into the formation of aggressive cancers.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) Scientists are reporting a possible explanation for the symptoms of anxiety and depression that occur in some patients taking the popular statin family of anti-cholesterol drugs, and reported by some individuals on low-cholesterol diets. These symptoms could result from long-term, low levels of cholesterol in the brain, the report suggests…

In lab tests using human serotonin receptors expressed in animal cells, [the researchers] showed that long-term use of [mevastatin] caused significant changes in the structure and function of serotonin cell receptors. Adding cholesterol to cells treated with mevastatin restored them to normal. The results represent the first report describing the effect of long-term cholesterol depletion on this type of cell receptor and suggest that chronic, low cholesterol levels in the brain might trigger anxiety and depression, the scientists say.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) New findings by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers suggest that an enzyme in the brain known as PI3 kinase might control the increased generation of body heat that helps burn off excess calories after eating a high-fat meal.

The increase in energy expenditure, called a thermogenic response, burns calories even in the absence of exercise, so understanding how it is regulated could aid efforts to combat obesity, said Dr. Joel Elmquist, professor of internal medicine, psychiatry and pharmacology.

Read more.

Community: Yes, but there are reasons other than burning off excess calories to engage in exercise. For one thing, it delays the shortening of chromosome’s telomeres. See below for one of the things that makes that fact important.

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(HealthDay News) People who have white blood cells with shorter telomeres may be at a higher risk of developing cancer, especially aggressive cancers that are more likely to kill, new research suggests.

Telomeres are the "shoelace ends" that cap and protect your chromosomes and naturally get shorter as you age.

Right now, the findings aren't likely to have any clinical usefulness, said Dr. Stefan Kiechl, senior author of a paper… But in the future, he added, "telomere length may well become a component of risk scores for cancer manifestation and, eventually, cancer prognosis."

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) While more Americans are being screened for colon and breast cancer than ever before, millions aren't getting the tests and thousands are dying needlessly as a result, according to U.S. health officials…

Dr. Marcus Plescia, director of CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, noted that there are several barriers that prevent some people from being screened for these cancers.

"There are a number of disparities," he said. "Disparities based on race and ethnicity, disparities based on lack of insurance, and disparities based across geographic regions."

Read more.

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(UPI) Women may live longer than men but they are more likely to spend the extra years in disability, researchers in Spain said…

The study, published in the Journal of Women's Health, found the prevalence of disability in people age 64 and older increased among women, but not among men. The prevalence of disability in 2006 was 30 percent among men and 53 percent in women.

"The double burden of work that women experience throughout their lives -- domestic work and work outside the home -- is a key factor in explaining this difference in different studies," [lead author Albert] Espelt added.

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(USA Today) Heart attack death rates have dropped markedly in U.S. hospitals, according to an analysis of Medicare data released today…

The new hospital report card comes seven years into an effort by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to spur improvement by publicly reporting how consistently hospitals provide recommended treatments to patients. Three years ago, the agency added heart attack and heart failure mortality. The agency now also reports pneumonia death rates and 30-day readmission rates for all three conditions.

CMS officials say they don't have enough data yet to credit the decline in heart attack mortality to public reporting. "It does appear that there's been movement," says Barry Straube, the agency's chief medical officer.

Read more.

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(Eric Heiden, MD, Tribune Media Services) When summer vacations roll around, folks often leave their exercise routines behind with their cares. But studies show that after 10 to 20 days without exercise, most people begin to display symptoms of detraining on all physical fronts. So it's important to couple your travel with exercise, not only to burn off the extra calories a vacation tends to include but also to retain the hard-won fitness gains you've made to date this year.

To incorporate exercise into your vacation plans, try exploring local offerings in your favorite activity…

A good brisk walk is almost always possible, even when flight cancelations or talkative relatives conspire to prevent you from going anywhere. Walk the concourse or the stairs. Or ask tourist information, hotel staff or someone with good local knowledge to point out streets, trails, tracks, beaches or malls that are safe for you to walk. Avoid walking in unfamiliar towns by yourself, however. Stick to times of the day when others will be around, and tell someone your route and when you expect to be back. During your run or walk, don't be distracted by listening to music or talking on your cell phone. Remain aware of landmarks and surroundings so you won't get lost. And always carry an ID, the address of your hotel or other lodging, and $20 or so in local currency just in case you need a snack or cab fare back.

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(HealthDay News) There are a number of ways to prevent overheating and protect yourself and others from heat exhaustion and heat stroke, said Dr. Larry Mellick…:

• Schedule outdoor activities for early morning or early evening.

• Take regular breaks in shady areas or indoors so that your body's thermostat has a chance to recover.

• Avoid direct sunlight whenever possible. Always use sunscreen to reduce the heat your body absorbs and to limit moisture loss…

• Drink plenty of fluids and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink…

• Don't eat a heavy or hot meal before going outside in hot weather…

• Avoid liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar -- they may cause you to lose more body fluids…

• During hot weather, monitor the condition of family, friends and co-workers, and have someone do the same for you…

• Call 911 immediately if you suspect that you or someone else has had a heat stroke, marked by a high body temperature, a rapid pulse, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, headache, seizure and/or hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) Long-term supplementation with dietary antioxidants has beneficial effects on sugar and fat metabolism, blood pressure and arterial flexibility in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers … report these positive results in a randomized controlled trial of combined vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium capsules.

Reuven Zimlichman … said, "Antioxidant supplementation significantly increased large and small artery elasticity in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. This beneficial vascular effect was associated with an improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism as well as significant decrease in blood pressure."

Previous results from clinical trials into the cardiovascular health effects of antioxidants have been equivocal.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) A new study adds to the mounting evidence that older adults commonly have low vitamin D levels and that vitamin D inadequacy may be a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome, a condition that affects one in four adults…

"Because the metabolic syndrome increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, an adequate vitamin D level in the body might be important in the prevention of these diseases," said study co-author Marelise Eekhoff, MD, PhD.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) Everyone knows olive oil and a Mediterranean diet are associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular disease, but a new research report … offers a surprising reason why: These foods change how genes associated with atherosclerosis function.

"Knowing which genes can be modulated by diet in a healthy way can help people select healthy diets," said Maria Isabel Covas, D.Pharm., Ph.D… "It is also a first step for future nutritional therapies with selected foods."

Read more.

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Spicy Chipotle Shrimp Salad
Shrimp salad is an easy make-ahead meal. For a kid-friendly twist, substitute diced red bell pepper for the chiles.

Superfast Pork Chop Suppers

Stir-Fry for Top Flavor
A hint of oil is all you need to cook an Asian-inspired main dish in minutes.

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(Chicago Tribune) Twenty-five years ago, a hobbled woman in her 50s would have seemed unusual. Not anymore. Health care providers report an increase in the number of patients under age 64 suffering from disabilities in the past decade or so.

"The people I'm seeing are aging more quickly than the people I used to see, and for what seems appropriate," said Dr. F. David Schneider…

Studies show similar findings on a national level…

[A recent] national study didn't pinpoint a root cause of the increase in disabilities among middle-aged people, but local health care providers list these as the biggest reasons: obesity, sedentary lifestyles and lack of preventive medical care.

"I don't think people are taking time for themselves to be focused on healthy behaviors," said Carolyn Baum, director of occupational therapy at Washington University.

Dr. Michael Mueller, associate director of the Movement Science Program at Washington University and lead researcher on the study, said it's never too late to make lifestyle improvements. Anyone, with or without disabilities, will see health benefits.

Read more.

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(AP) Cancer survivors, better work up a sweat.

New guidelines are urging survivors to exercise more, even — hard as it may sound — those who haven't yet finished their treatment.

There's growing evidence that physical activity improves quality of life and eases some cancer-related fatigue. More, it can help fend off a serious decline in physical function that can last long after therapy is finished.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) A novel therapy designed to attack tumors in patients with a genetic mutation in either BRCA1 or BRCA2, slowed tumor growth in 85 percent of advanced breast cancer patients treated in a small study, researchers report…

"That is really an enormous response rate in a population of patients who have received a median of three prior therapies," says study co-author Susan M. Domchek, MD…

"This is the first time that we have been able to take the genetic reason a person has developed cancer and make it a target," Domchek says.

Read more.

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(Reuters Health) Under a new set of guidelines proposed by an influential U.S. panel, more women would be eligible for bone density tests to detect the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis.

The draft guidelines … call for all women to be screened for osteoporosis starting at age 65. Women who are deemed to have higher risks could start earlier, at any age.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) For the first time, scientists have linked a brain compound called kynurenic acid to cognition, possibly opening doors for new ways to enhance memory function and treat catastrophic brain diseases, according to a new study… When researchers decreased the levels of kynurenic acid in the brains of mice, their cognition was shown to improve markedly, according to the study.

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(Reuters) High levels of a blood protein called clusterin are linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease, scientists said on Monday -- a finding which could pave the way for doctors to detect the disease before it takes hold…

"We found that this clusterin protein was increased in blood as much as 10 years before people had the signs of Alzheimer's disease in their brains," said Simon Lovestone, who led the study. "And even when they had signs of disease in their brains, they still had no clinical signs of the disorder -- so this suggests that this is a really, really early change that occurs in people who are going to get the disease."

Lovestone said it was important to stress there was still a lot more work to do before a test could be used by doctors in clinics, but said such a technique may in future become part of a range of tests to find people with early signs of the disease.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) Premenopausal women who make even small increases in the amount of time they spend bicycling or walking briskly every day decrease their risk of gaining weight, according to a new study by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)…

"Small daily increments in bicycling helped women control their weight. But the more time women spent bicycling, the better. Women with excess weight appeared to benefit the most. This is encouraging for women with weight problems because they could substitute bicycling for slow walking or car driving," said [research associate Rania] Mekary…

"Our study provides evidence that to combat obesity, the U.S. needs to have policies that not only endorse design guidelines for sidewalks, but also for separate and comfortable places to bicycle, such as cycle tracks between sidewalks and parked cars," said Anne Lusk, research fellow in the HSPH Department of Nutrition.

When promoting physical activity to their patients, the authors encourage physicians to prescribe brisk walking, rather than just walking, but also bicycling.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) This Fourth of July, the U.S. National Cancer Institute is drawing attention to the public health issue of women and smoking by encouraging American women to take a "Smokefree Pledge" to kick the habit…

[W]omen are often less inclined to quit than men, and less confident that they can do so. Statistics indicate that women are more likely than men to resume smoking after attempting to quit, according to the institute.

That said, the NCI pointed out that the health risks associated with smoking can be even greater for women than men…

With these concerns in mind, the NCI's campaign is designed to address these gender-specific issues by creating an online community titled "Smokefree Women" (http://women.smokefree.gov).

The site provides a step-by-step outline for quitting smoking. Accredited counselors are offered through an online chat service, alongside a Facebook page, two Facebook apps (QuitBoost and QuitTracker) and a Twitter feed. The site also offers links to information on free national phone counseling and local services available in communities across the country, the institute said.

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(New York Times) Drank claims it can help prevent jet lag. A drink called Blue Cow says it can improve concentration, relieve anxiety and irritability from fatigue, and even diminish PMS symptoms. Another brand, Mini Chill, says that because it lessens tension, some users have reported better sex lives.

These would-be wonder drinks are coming soon to more grocery, big-box and convenience stores across the land. In the beverage industry they are known as “relaxation drinks” — and they are a big business…

The drinks often contain melatonin, valerian root and rose hips. But relaxation drinks are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration…

The beverage makers say on their Web sites that the levels they recommend are safe. Doctors say there is no way to know, and that consumers should confer with their physicians before drinking a bottle — which typically costs several dollars.

Dr. [Wahida] Karmally offered some alternatives: take a warm bath before bedtime, listen to relaxing music, practice yoga, sip warm milk.

“A cup of skim milk,” she said, “is about 25 cents.”

Read more.

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(Consults, New York Times) What happens when you follow all the lifestyle recommendations for sound sleep, like turning off the TV and cutting out the coffee, but you still can’t get a good night’s sleep? …

One option, not widely known, is cognitive-behavior therapy for insomnia, or CBT-I. This approach may be particularly useful for those who prefer not to take medications to help them sleep. It is an evidence-based, nondrug, short-term (usually four to eight sessions) therapy…

Therapy includes, for example, education about what can interfere with sleep, sleep hygiene measures, individualized sleep-wake scheduling programs, elimination of sleep-incompatible behaviors (like watching TV), relaxation training and identification of challenging thoughts that can meddle with good sleep. It is considered by many sleep specialists to be a first-line treatment for insomnia.

Drugs for insomnia are considered when an underlying medical disorder, like depression, is contributing to the sleep disturbance, when a rapid elimination of the disturbance is required, or if behavioral approaches have been unsuccessful. Prescription medications require that the insomnia be evaluated by a medical professional.

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(Science Daily) While 20/20 vision is a symbol of visual acuity, between now and the year 2020, more and more people will experience some extent of vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other sight-robbing diseases.

Now, Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded scientists at the Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research are finding that healthy eating can reduce not only health care costs, but also the decline of quality of life due to these diseases…

One study indicated that regularly consuming a combination of protective nutrients and a low-glycemic-index, or "slow carb," diet provided an AMD protective effect. A food's glycemic index is an indicator of how fast the carbohydrate it contains will spike blood sugar levels…

The nutrients that were found to be most protective in combination with the low-glycemic-index diet were vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and the omega-3 fatty acids known as DHA and EPA.

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(The People's Pharmacy, Chicago Tribune) Red yeast rice (RYR) can help in lowering cholesterol. In one study, researchers recruited people who had high cholesterol but had discontinued statin-type drugs because of muscle pain or weakness. They were randomized to RYR or a placebo. Those taking red yeast rice lowered both bad LDL and total cholesterol significantly and did not suffer serious side effects…

There are natural statins in red yeast rice, so it is not surprising that some readers have reported muscle problems while taking this supplement. Anyone who takes RYR should be under medical supervision.

Read more, including the potential for cinnamon to lower blood sugar levels.

Community: I took Red Yeast Rice to lower my cholesterol, but my doctor worried that the concentrations aren’t well regulated in such OTC supplements, so he prescribed a generic statin. It turns out that the prescribed medication is cheaper than the supplement.

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(SouthBeachDiet.com) With summer in full swing, you may be gearing up for a vacation with family or friends. There’s no doubt that maintaining healthy habits while traveling can be tricky — especially with all the sugary, high-fat food options that confront you in airports, train stations, and roadside rest stops. Fortunately, with a little planning and preparation you can stay “on the beach” while you’re on the road. Here’s how:

1. Eat a healthy meal before you leave…
2. Pack [healthy] foods…
3. Don’t skip meals and snacks…
4. Make time to exercise…
5. Be choosy when dining out… When ordering, ask to have dressings and sauces on the side; substitute steamed vegetables for bread, potatoes, or rice; opt for grilled items over fried foods; and ask for the chef to prepare your meal with as little oil and butter as possible. Lastly, enjoy an occasional treat. You’re on vacation after all — use our Three-Bite Rule (have just three bites of decadent dessert) and you won’t put all your hard work to waste.

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(Chicago Tribune) The expansive McDonald's menu is undergoing a makeover. Out will be some low sellers; in will be leaner breakfast fare.

In a memo sent to franchisees, the Oak Brook-based chain signaled the impending demise of the Big N' Tasty, Mac Snack Wraps and the fruit and walnut salad, among other items. At the same time, McDonald's is gearing up for a planned national rollout in January of an oatmeal breakfast, currently being test-marketed.

The menu moves, particularly the new breakfast offering, could prove healthy for customers' waistlines and McDonald's bottom line, according to [a] restaurant analyst.

Read more.

Community: Now, why would anyone go to McDonald’s for oatmeal? It’s so easy to make at home, especially with a microwave, and so much cheaper.

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(Dr John La Puma) Fat and broke, and getting fatter: the Healthy Americans new study showing that no state dropped in obesity rate last year and 38 states are over 25% obese.

But undiscussed is income: it’s a major driver of the obesity epidemic, because calorie-rich food is cheap and getting cheaper. Over 35 percent of adults who earn under $15,000 a year are obese, but only 24.5 percent in the over-$50,000 per year.

Yes, this is also education, and ethnicity: poor urban neighborhoods too often are unsafe places to play, and have too few fruits and vegetables for sale…

But there is a cure: it’s learning to cook.

Read more.

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(Well, New York Times) In this week’s Recipes for Health, Martha Rose Shulman provides an update of one of the mainstays of classic French cuisine: the rich and creamy white sauce called béchamel…

Here she offers a healthful makeover of this classic white “mother sauce,” along with four delicious ways to use it.

Olive Oil Béchamel: The classic French béchamel, made with olive oil and low-fat milk rather than butter and cream.

Chard and Chard Stalk Gratin: This simple Provençal gratin is a great way to use both the stalks and leaves of chard.

Carrot Gratin With Béchamel: A simple blend of carrots and white sauce, baked until bubbly.

Asparagus and Herb Lasagna: A great do-ahead meal for a dinner party.

Creamed Spinach: A healthful take on classic creamed spinach, just as rich and a terrific accompaniment to fish.

Source

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(Science Daily) Researchers at the University at Buffalo conducting a neighborhood-scaled exploratory study that tested the association between the food environment, the built environment and women's body mass index (BMI) have found that women with homes closer to a supermarket, relative to a convenience store, had lower BMIs, and that the greater the number of restaurants within a five minute walk of a woman's home, the higher her BMI…

[Samina Raja, PhD, UB professor of urban and regional planning,] says future research on the built environment and health must take into account the role of the food environment on women's health, and the study offers suggestions for how food environments may be improved using planning strategies…

"Comprehensive plans, regulatory mechanisms and financial incentives can be used individually or in concert to improve food environments," the study says, and cites recent efforts in Madison and Dane County, Wis.; Marin County, Calif.; Harrison County, Miss.; special regulations adopted in New York City that offer zoning incentives (e.g. allowing denser development and reduction in parking requirements) for development projects that dedicate a greater store floor area to fresh foods in underserved neighborhoods.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) With summer in full swing, researchers caution that children and the elderly, in particular, need protection from extreme heat, humidity and other seasonal hazards.

Among other things, parents should never leave children alone in a car or near a pool or any other body of water, and the elderly should be checked up on twice daily for signs of heat-related illness, according to experts…

If possible, the elderly should not be left alone in non-air-conditioned spaces on hot days, add researchers, who advise relatives and neighbors to offer to sit with elders near an open window or take them to an air-conditioned place until things cool down. They should also be checked twice a day for signs of heat exhaustion, including heavy perspiration, dizziness, weakness and nausea. Heat exhaustion is treated at home with rest, cool clothes applied to the skin, and the drinking of cool water every 10 to 15 minutes. If symptoms don't improve, seek medical help immediately, researchers advise.

Read more.

Community: Chicago has cooling centers. You might check to see if your community has them.

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(Science Daily) Scientists are reporting an advance toward the next big treatment revolution in dentistry -- the era in which root canal therapy brings diseased teeth back to life, rather than leaving a "non-vital" or dead tooth in the mouth. In a report…, they describe a first-of-its-kind, nano-sized dental film that shows early promise for achieving this long-sought goal.

Read more.

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(Arthur Agatston, MD, Everyday Health) Recently, I've begun recommending what's known as interval walking to many of my patients. With interval walking, you alternate between short bursts of intensive effort and easier recovery periods, as opposed to walking at a steady, continuous, and potentially monotonous pace. In fact, studies show that you can get better results in 20 minutes of interval exercise than you would in an hour of steady-state exercise. And you can apply the principles of interval walking to a treadmill or elliptical trainer, to biking or swimming, or even to doing jumping jacks in your living room…

I recommend that you do interval walking every other day, alternating it with some core-strengthening exercises. Not only will this type of walking improve your cardiovascular health, it will boost your metabolism so you burn more calories and fat, and that translates into faster weight loss.

Interval training is not only for the very fit. It works just as well for people who are less fit, and is even being used to help cardiac patients and people with lung disease get back in shape. That said, I do recommend that you talk with your doctor before embarking on this or any other exercise program.

Read more.

Community: I prefer to do the same exercises every day, and when I walk, I do it at the same pace—except when I stop to pet a dog or give a peanut to a squirrel. I do what I like to do, and that makes me more likely to exercise consistently. And although consistency may be the hobgoblin of small minds, it’s also the molder of smaller bodies.

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(UPI) A U.S. physician suggests core strengthening exercise and a swing coach to help prevent pain from playing golf…

To avoid injury, [Dr. Jon-David] Hoppenfeld suggests golfers warm up and stretch before starting play. However, he says, combined with core strengthening, one of the more obvious ways to help prevent injury is to arrange for a lesson from a professional.

Read more.

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(Reuters Health) A form of 'mind-body' therapy that focuses on the role of emotions in physical pain may offer some relief to people with fibromyalgia, a small clinical trial suggests.

The study, of 45 women with fibromyalgia, found that those who learned a technique called "affective self-awareness" were more likely to show a significant reduction in their pain over six months…

The therapy involves an educational component where patients learn about the emotion-pain connection. They learn specific techniques -- including mindfulness meditation and "expressive" writing -- for recognizing and dealing with the emotions that may be contributing to their pain. Patients are also encouraged to get back to any exercise or other activities that they have been avoiding due to pain.

[The research] team found that six months later, 46 percent of the treatment group had at least a 30-percent reduction in their pain ratings compared with scores at the outset. And 21 percent had a 50-percent or greater reduction.

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(UPI) The food borne illness Salmonella can occur at any time of the year, but it can be most prevalent during hot-weather holiday picnics, a U.S. professor says.

[Dr. Kurt] Kleinschmidt says to outsmart this germ:

-- Refrigerate or freeze perishables immediately and cook food to recommended temperatures in order to kill bacteria.

-- Wash hands in hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before preparing, serving or eating food.

-- Thoroughly wash plates, utensils, cutting boards and countertops after contact with raw meat.

-- Avoid leaving food standing for long periods of time.

"Just be smart about how you buy, store, prepare and serve food, and you'll reduce the risk of food borne illnesses," Kleinschmidt says.

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