(Science Daily) Staying up late every night and sleeping in is a habit that could put you at risk for gaining weight. People who go to bed late and sleep late eat more calories in the evening, more fast food, fewer fruits and vegetables and weigh more than people who go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study.

Late sleepers consumed 248 more calories a day, twice as much fast food and half as many fruits and vegetables as those with earlier sleep times, according to the study. They also drank more full-calorie sodas. The late sleepers consumed the extra calories during dinner and later in the evening when everyone else was asleep. They also had a higher body mass index, a measure of body weight, than normal sleepers.

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(RealAge.com) [E]very additional hour of sleep you lose increases your risk of high blood pressure by 37 percent, according to a study of middle-aged adults.

Unfortunately, most people are losing ground when it comes to getting adequate shut-eye. In the 5-year study, over 40 percent of the participants got fewer than 6 hours of sleep per night. And only a paltry 1 percent averaged 8 or more hours nightly. That lack of sleep doesn't just leave your eyes bleary and your head cloudy. It puts all your body systems in a state of disarray. (Related: Use this checklist of bedtime do's and don'ts to help get more ZZZs.)

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) People with diabetes who sleep poorly have higher blood glucose levels and a more difficult time controlling their disease, a new study shows.

"We found that in those with diabetes, there was an association between poor sleep quality and worse glucose measures," said study leader Kristen Knutson…

"We did not see a relationship in people without diabetes," she said.

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(LiveScience) Men think about sex every seven seconds, right? Not according to a new study that finds men ponder sleep and food as much as they do sex.

The median number of thoughts about sex by college-age men was 18 times a day to women's 10 times a day, the study found. But the men also thought about food and sleep proportionately more.

"In other words, there was nothing special about sexual thoughts," study researcher Terri Fisher … told LiveScience. "Males thought more about any of the health-related thoughts compared to females, not just thoughts about sex."

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(Science Daily) [A] team of neurobiologists at Brown University and several other institutions has now found that "Notch," a fundamental signaling pathway found in all animals, is directly involved in sleep in the nematode C. elegans…

"We understand sleep as little as we understand consciousness," said [Anne] Hart, the paper's senior author. "We're not clear why sleep is required, how animals enter into a sleep state, how sleep is maintained, or how animals wake up. We're still trying to figure out what is critical at the cellular level and the molecular level."

Ultimately, Hart added, researchers could use that knowledge to develop more precise and safer sleep aids.

Read more.

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MyRecipes.com:

Turkey Panini with Watercress and Citrus Aioli
Take your average turkey sandwich to the next level with a citrusy spread and a few minutes on the panini press.

Prosciutto, Fontina, and Fig Panini

Strawberry-Turkey-Brie Panini

Philly Beef Panini

EatingWell:

Brazilian Grilled Flank Steak
Barbecued meats (churrasco) are served in churrascarias, Brazilian barbecued-meat restaurants, with a salsa-like sauce as an accompaniment. Since hearts of palm show up at every salad bar in these restaurants, we've added them to the sauce to give it a tasty twist.

Bistro Flank Steak Sandwich

Chipotle Flank Steak Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

Garlic-Chile Flank Steak

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(Reader's Digest) Low-glycemic foods are those that have only a minimal or moderate effect on blood sugar. Studies show that people who eat more of these foods and fewer high-glycemic foods are less likely to develop insulin resistance, a core problem underlying type 2 diabetes. Low-glycemic foods are often rich in fiber, protein, or fat, though it’s not smart to eat fatty foods just for the sake of your blood sugar unless those fats are “good” (unsaturated) fats.

1. An apple with the skin

2. Whole wheat crackers with peanut butter

3. Baby carrots dipped in low-fat sour cream

4. A small handful of walnuts or almonds

5. Low-fat yogurt sprinkled with fresh fruit or bran cereal

6. A toasted whole wheat pita with bean dip

7. Soybeans with a little salt

8. Air-popped popcorn

9. Dried apricots (no more than 1/3 cup)

10. A hard-boiled egg

Source

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(Reuters Health) Having normal blood sugar levels is no guarantee against developing type 2 diabetes down the road, according to Italian researchers…

When fasting blood sugar levels reach 126 milligrams or more per deciliter, doctors will diagnose diabetes, because too much sugar in the blood will cause severe damage to the heart, kidneys and other organs over time.

Traditionally, blood sugar levels below 100 milligrams per deciliter have been considered safe, whereas levels between 100 and 126 signal a higher risk of diabetes -- termed prediabetes…

The researchers looked at data for nearly 14,000 men and women who'd had blood drawn several times at their clinic…

Less than one percent of those who started out with fasting blood sugar levels between 51 and 82 milligrams per deciliter wound up with the disease, while more than three percent did so if they had values between 91 and 99.

After controlling for other factors that might influence the likelihood of getting diabetes, that corresponded to a two-fold difference in risk of developing the disease.

Read more.

Community: Maybe this change would convince more people to lead a healthier lifestyle.

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(Reader's Digest) These three new approaches promise relief for the 35 million Americans who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS):

Try an antibiotic.
A two-week course of the common antibiotic rifaximin shut down symptoms — diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain — for 40 percent of participants in a recent study, and relief lasted more than two months…

Check for other explanations.
Nearly two thirds of people diagnosed with IBS instead had gallbladder-related problems,..

Use your brain.
Simple strategies like muscle relaxation and controlling excessive worry significantly improved symptoms in 80 percent of patients in a trial.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) People with two common inflammatory diseases stand a higher chance of developing a heart condition that is strongly associated with stroke, a new study suggests…

Atrial fibrillation undermines people's quality of life and increases the risk of dying, said [Dr. Abhishek] Deshmukh, adding that it is associated with congestive heart failure, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Signs of atrial fibrillation include fluttering of the heart, dizziness, sweating, fatigue, confusion, weakness, shortness of breath and anxiety, although some patients display no symptoms. Many drugs are used to treat it, including the anticoagulant warfarin, which can reduce the risk of death by 68 percent for those with the illness, according to the heart association.

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(UPI) Most African-Americans who experience symptoms of a stroke say they call a friend instead of 911, U.S. researchers discovered.

Dr. Chelsea Kidwell … said the finding is critical to understanding why many blacks delay getting to a hospital where emergency care such as the medication tPA can be administrated, or blood clots can be broken up, to reduce the effects of stroke and reduce permanent disability.

The drug tPA must be given to the patient within the first few hours of the stroke symptoms, so any delay can mean the difference between serious side effects and full recovery, Kidwell said.

"Previous studies have shown that fewer blacks receive tPA than whites, and one reason is that they're not getting to a hospital in time," Kidwell said in a statement.

Read more.

Community: If you want to prevent, delay, or reduce the severity of stroke, here are some ways to do it.

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(Reuters Health) Hot flashes that are common during and after menopause may last an average of more than 10 years, suggests a new study.

The research … also found that women who start getting hot flashes before menopause or in the early stages of menopause will have them for longer, on average, than women who don't have their first hot flashes until later.

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(Science Daily) Latest insights into immunity to HIV could help to develop a vaccine to build antibodies' defences against the disease, a University of Melbourne study has found.  By investigating the action of the human antibodies called ADCC, in people with HIV, researchers were able to identify that the virus evolves to evade or 'escape' the antibodies…

The group is now working on designing HIV vaccines to induce ADCC antibodies that make it more difficult for the virus to escape.

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(Science Daily) Using a monkey model of AIDS, scientists have identified a vaccine-generated immune-system response that correlates with protection against infection by the monkey version of HIV, called simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). The researchers found that neutralizing antibodies generated by immunization were associated with protection against SIV infection.

The finding marks an important step toward understanding how an effective HIV vaccine could work, according to scientists who led the study.

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(HealthDay News) The airline industry needs to standardize procedures and equipment for in-flight medical emergencies, according to two American doctors…

While emergency medical kits on passenger aircraft must contain certain medications and equipment, the actual contents of the kits vary by airline, the doctors said. They also noted that U.S. Federal Aviation Administration requires flight attendants to be trained in CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators, yet does not require standard curriculum or testing.

This means that physicians who have to deal with in-flight emergencies face a number of challenges, including having to work in cramped spaces, using emergency medical kits with unfamiliar, inadequate and poorly organized contents, and dealing with flight crews who don't know how best to assist doctors.

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(UPI) Three clinics that offer insured patients longer hours and treatments not done in doctors' offices help prevent big hospital bills, insurer Bravo Health says…

Since the clinics opened, beginning in 2010, hospital stays have declined by about 10 percent among the 20,000 patients living near a clinic, [senior executive Jason] Feuerman says.

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(Science Daily) By knocking down the expression of a protein in rat brains known to stimulate eating, Johns Hopkins researchers say they not only reduced the animals' calorie intake and weight, but also transformed their fat into a type that burns off more energy. The finding could lead to better obesity treatments for humans, the scientists report.

"If we could get the human body to turn 'bad fat' into 'good fat' that burns calories instead of storing them, we could add a serious new tool to tackle the obesity epidemic in the United States," says study leader Sheng Bi, M.D.

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Community: Until they find the magic pill, we’ll have to do it the old fashioned way. See the following articles for some suggestions.

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(RealAge.com) Could grapefruit -- touted for years as a weight loss wonder -- actually work?

Possibly. In one 12-week study, obese people who ate half a grapefruit before each of three daily meals shed more pounds than their counterparts did…

Although grapefruit juice and grapefruit capsules also may have pound-shedding potential, whole fruit was clearly the winner in the study -- probably because the whole fruit has appetite-controlling fiber as well…

Exercise and a calorie-controlled diet remain the true cornerstones of weight loss, but if grapefruit helps, great! However, if you're taking medications of any kind, talk to your doctor before adding grapefruit to the mix; it interacts with several meds. Try these other fat-blasting tips, too:

Walk with me. Walking has the highest stick-to-it rate of any exercise. And a walking buddy can help even more. Here's a video that can help you walk off pounds right in your own living room.

Be sane. Fad diets, like the famous but extreme 600-calories-or-so-a-day grapefruit diet, may help some people lose weight temporarily, but most gain it all back in the long run. Here's a sensible weight loss plan that really works long term.

Get a grip. Do you eat when you're bored? Stressed? Sad? Find out what's behind emotional eating and what you can do to curb it.

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(Andrew Weil, M.D.) We all know the "secret" of successful weight loss: Eat less and exercise more. It's not always easy, but by adopting healthy eating habits and a regular exercise routine, you are sure to lose weight without depriving yourself of nourishing, satisfying food. And if you continue those good habits after you reach your goal, you will have an excellent chance of maintaining your desired weight. Here are some tips for successful weight loss:

1.    Avoid artificial sweeteners and synthetic fat substitutes. They are unhealthy and don't help you develop good eating habits.

2.    Dietary supplements or "fat-burning herbs" are usually just stimulants - don't rely on them. The pounds will surely return once you've stopped taking them.

3.    Build lean body mass. Strength training burns excess calories and influences the way your brain regulates hunger, making you less susceptible to food cravings.

4.    Pay attention to the mental and spiritual aspects of weight control. Use relaxation exercises - instead of food - to combat anxiety.

5.    Accept your body. You may see it as less than perfect, but it is beautiful just the same.

Source

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(EatingWell) We’re living in a world where a cup of coffee—albeit a fancy one—can cost you 450 calories. A world where football-size burritos—that pack 1,000 calories—are the norm. Where even home-cooked meals can balloon out of control. A report in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that the average number of calories per serving in recipes found in The Joy of Cooking jumped from 268 to 437 in the past 70 years, in part due to bigger portions. Is it even possible to lose weight in this modern society? Yes. Here are [some] secrets to help you.

Plan Ahead…
According to one study, a menu plan for the whole day really does help you lose weight. Perhaps it’s because having a plan forces you to keep healthier foods on hand. Planning ahead also helps you keep your eating on schedule: if you already know what you’re having for lunch, you’re less likely to let 6 or 7 hours pass without having something to eat—a situation that usually results in eating too much when you finally do sit down to a meal.

First you need to decide how many calories you should be eating: 1,500 calories a day usually leads to a 1- to 2-pound weight loss per week, but maybe it just doesn’t quite work for you.

Avoid “Portion Distortion”…
Compare things: 3 ounces of meat or protein is about the size of a deck of cards, a medium potato is the size of a computer mouse and a 1/4 cup is the size of a golf ball.

Here are the 5 foods you should be eating as part of a balanced diet every day:

Whole Grains…

Fruits & Vegetables…

Lean Proteins…

Low-Fat Dairy…

Healthy Fats…

Move On From Slip-Ups
The key to overcoming slip-ups is to forgive, forget it and get right back on track. Guilt begets more bingeing; don’t give in to that…

Recognizing realistic expectations is the key to slimming down. Aiming to be “too good” sets you up to fail. Don’t deprive yourself of everything you love, just keep your little splurges in moderation and calculate them into your plan for the day. Dieting isn’t about perfection; it’s about balance. So if you love chocolate, eat a little, or if you love wine, drink a little. Just make room for the calories by passing on something else—perhaps bread. In other words, prioritize.

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(HealthDay News) Seeing overweight people can cause you to choose unhealthy foods and to eat more of them unless you consciously focus on your health goals, according to new research…

"Seeing someone overweight leads to a temporary decrease in a person's own felt commitment to his or her health goal," study authors Margaret C. Campbell, of Leeds School of Business, and Gina S. Mohr, of the University of Colorado in Boulder, explained in a journal news release.

However, the researchers found that two main factors helped people resist overeating when they saw overweight people: thinking about their health goals and being reminded of the link between unhealthy eating and gaining weight.

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MyRecipes.com:

Easy Baked Fish Fillets
Looking for a simple fish dinner? Try this easy recipe for baked fish fillets. You can use any firm white fish: cod, haddock, or grouper work well.

Spicy Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa and Guacamole

Salt-baked Striped Bass with Herb Lemon Chile Sauce 

Thai Green Curry Fish

EatingWell:

Fragrant Fish Soup
Lemony rice, delicately flavored broth and gently poached tilapia are topped with a colorful blend of vegetables and herbs. The aromatic mint provides fresh and complex flavor.

Southeast Asian-Inspired Salmon Soup

Spicy Cioppino

Tom Yum Soup with Pineapple

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(UPI) The avocado, celebrated for centuries as an indulgent food with a seductively creamy texture, is also high in nutrition, a U.S. food expert says…

A ripe avocado is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and heart-healthy fats, and while considered a vegetable, it is actually a fruit, rich in monounsaturated fats that may help reduce "bad" low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood and raise the levels of "good" high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, [Phil Lempert, a food industry analyst,] says.

Avocados contain more lutein, a cancer-fighting carotenoid, than any other fruit. Men who eat foods rich in lutein are linked to low rates of prostate cancer and lutein also protects against eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts.

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(Reuters Health) Eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids doesn't appear to stave off the blues in women, U.S. researchers have found…

Dr. Teodore Postolache, who directs the mood and anxiety program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, told Reuters Health he is not yet ready to give up on fish oil…

"If groups who may have underlying deficits in fish oil were studied, like lower socioeconomic groups, we might have seen a more powerful effect of the omega-3s in preventing depression," he said.

He also noted that the study excluded women who had previous episodes of depression, although this group is one of "the most important targets for intervention because they are at high risk for a repeat episode."

He called for more research on animals and in broader swaths of the population.

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(Science Daily) Contrary to what we've been told, eliminating or severely limiting fats from the diet may not be beneficial to cardiac function in patients suffering from heart failure… Results from biological model studies … demonstrate that a high-fat diet improved overall mechanical function, in other words, the heart's ability to pump, and was accompanied by cardiac insulin resistance.

"Does that mean I can go out and eat my Big Mac after I have a heart attack," [assistant professor of physiology and biophysics Margaret Chandler, PhD] says "No, but treatments that act to provide sufficient energy to the heart and allow the heart to utilize or to maintain its normal metabolic profile may actually be advantageous."

The research … suggests that for a damaged heart, a balanced diet that includes mono- and polyunsaturated fats, and which replaces simple sugars (sucrose and fructose) with complex carbohydrates, may be beneficial.

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(UPI) Ignorance about ingredients found in more than 600 over-the-counter and prescription drugs could account for increasing liver failure, U.S. researchers say.

Senior author Michael Wolf … says his study found only 31 percent of participants knew Tylenol contained acetaminophen; 75 percent of participants knew Bayer contained aspirin; 47 percent knew Motrin contained ibuprofen; 19 percent knew Aleve contained naproxen sodium and 19 percent knew Advil contained ibuprofen.

"It's incredibly alarming," Wolf says in a statement. "People may unintentionally misuse these medicines to a point where they cause severe liver damage. It's easy to exceed the safe limit if people don't realize how much acetaminophen they are taking. Unlike prescription products, there is no gatekeeper, no one monitoring how you take it."

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(Science Daily) The anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib may be a useful additional treatment for people with breast cancer, Dutch researchers report…

The results of a randomized trial in 45 patients with primary invasive breast cancer showed that the drug -- which is currently used to treat arthritis and other painful conditions -- clearly induced an anti-tumor response at the molecular level.

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(HealthDay News) Elderly black and Hispanic Americans are less likely than whites to get colorectal cancer screening, even though Medicare has expanded coverage for screening tests such as colonoscopy and fecal occult blood test, a new study has found…

"Colorectal cancer screening increased as Medicare coverage expanded. However, screening rates were still low according to recommendations," study author Aricia White, an epidemic service officer at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a news release from the American Association for Cancer Research.

"More efforts need to be made to increase colorectal cancer screening among all [Medicare] beneficiaries," she added.

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(Science Daily) A protein capable of halting the spread of breast cancer cells could lead to a therapy for preventing or limiting the spread of the disease.

"Cancer researchers want to design new therapeutic strategies in which the metastasis or spreading stage of cancer can be blocked," explains Andrew Craig, lead researcher…"Patients stand a much better chance of survival if the primary tumor is the only tumor that needs to be treated."

The regulatory protein identified by Dr Craig's team inhibits the spread of cancer cells by removing and breaking down an invasive enzyme on the surface of cancer cells. If it remains unchecked, this enzyme degrades and modifies surrounding tissues, facilitating the spread of cancer through the body.

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(UPI) "Chemo brain" a decline in mental and fine motor skills due to cancer and its treatment disappears for most patients after five years, U.S. researchers say.

Researchers … say powerful chemotherapy drugs … as well as medicines can impact motor and memory skills.

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(UPI) An Alzheimer's blood test measures the production of the brain hormone dehydroepiandrosterone, known as DHEA, Canadian researchers say…

[Said Dr. Vassilios Papadopoulos, the senior study author,] "We demonstrated we could accurately and repetitively detect Alzheimer's disease, with small samples of blood. This test also allowed for differential diagnosis of early stages of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting this can be used as a test to diagnose the disease in its infancy."

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(Science Daily) A new study from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) offers an explanation for why our brains produce fewer and fewer neurons with age, a phenomenon thought to underlie age-related cognitive decline. The study … suggests that this drop in production is due to the shrinking cache of adult stem cells in our brains…

[T]herapeutic deep brain stimulation of certain brain areas, Prozac, and exercise stimulate the downstream progeny of stem cells and increase production of new neurons while keeping the stem cell pool itself safe and intact. [team leader Grigori Enikolopov, Ph.D.,] and his colleagues plan to use these findings and their mouse toolbox to find drugs that can spur neuronal growth without harming the adult stem cell cache.

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(Science Daily) Scientists have discovered why some people may be protected from harmful parasitic worms naturally while others cannot in what could lead to new therapies for up to one billion people worldwide.

Parasitic worms are a major cause of mortality and morbidity affecting up to a billion people, particularly in the Third World, as well as domestic pets and livestock across the globe.

Now, University of Manchester researchers have, for the first time, identified a key component of mucus found in the guts of humans and animals that is toxic to worms.

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(Reuters) Congressional Republicans on Thursday backed away from a contentious plan to overhaul Medicare that President Barack Obama and fellow Democrats have turned into a weapon against them for next year's elections.

House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman David Camp said his panel will not advance a Republican proposal to privatize Medicare for future retirees because it stands no chance of getting passed by the Democratic-led Senate…

Republicans, who control the House, have encountered voter anger over the proposal, which would phase out traditional government-run Medicare and replace it for future retirees with subsidies to purchase health policies from private insurers.

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(UPI) How one thinks of the past affects how one feels in the present, with those who remember the past positively being happier than others, U.S. researchers say…

The study … says the finding is good news because it may be difficult to change one's personality -- a predictor of happiness -- but it is possible to alter one's view of the past and increase happiness.

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(HealthDay News) Being sociable can help keep your brain healthy as you age, researchers report.

The team at Rush University Medical Center found that elderly people with the highest levels of social activity -- doing things such as visiting friends, going to parties or attending church -- showed much lower levels of cognitive decline than those who were the least socially active.

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(Science Daily) A study of older married couples … finds strong associations between the physical and emotional health of older married couples -- and provides important new information on the psychological toll of physical limitations in old age.

"This study shows how important marital relationships can be in determining old age health," says lead author Prof. Christiane Hoppmann… "In addition, we show that many of the associations between functional limitations and depressive symptoms that have previously been found in individuals are in fact related to spouses."

The researchers found that spouses' depressive symptoms waxed and waned closely with those of their partners. 

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) Vigorous exercise offers more of a mood boost than less strenuous exercise, a new study finds…

The participants' moods were more negative during and immediately after high-intensity exercise, compared to when they did the less strenuous exercise or no exercise. However, their mood 20 minutes after doing the vigorous workout was much better compared to before the workout.

This type of improvement did not occur after moderate or no exercise, the investigators found.

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(Science Daily) Scientists are reporting an in-depth analysis of how the caffeine in coffee, tea, and other foods seems to protect against conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and heart disease on the most fundamental levels…

[The researchers] describe evidence suggesting that coffee is one of the richest sources of healthful antioxidants in the average person's diet. Some of the newest research points to caffeine (also present in tea, cocoa, and other foods) as the source of powerful antioxidant effects that may help protect people from Alzheimer's and other diseases.

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Cooking Light:

Top 20 Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
Kick off your morning with this collection of healthy breakfast recipes from casseroles and quiches, to muffins and sweet rolls—just in time for Mother's Day.

Crustless Smoked Turkey and Spinach Quiche
Banana-Cinnamon Waffles
Southern Shrimp & Grits
French Toast Soufflé
Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Healthy Muffins
Whether sweet or savory—these easy-to-prepare little quick breads are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert.

Superfast Mexican Recipes
Zesty south-of-the-border flavor is easy to achieve with these 20-minute recipes.

MyRecipes.com:

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
Trade the traditional enchilada sauce for a creamy, cheesy topping on this Mexican chicken recipe. Your family will never know they're enjoying a lightened meal.

Mexican Chicken Casserole with Charred Tomato Salsa

Easy Mexican Black Bean Casserole

Mexican-Grilled Shrimp with Smoky Sweet Sauce

EatingWell:

Chicken with Quick Mole Sauce
Rich, dark and delicious, mole is a signature sauce in Mexican cooking. There are many variations, but the basic ingredients include plenty of chiles and nuts along with a touch of chocolate to tame the heat of the chiles. Traditional recipes can take several hours to prepare—this quick version takes a few shortcuts by using chili powder, nut butter and chocolate chips. Serve with rice and a medley of sautéed zucchini, pepper and onion.

Cranberry Mole

Three Sisters Black Mole

Roast Chicken Dal

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(Science Daily) In the midst of ongoing concerns about radiation exposure from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, scientists are reporting that a substance similar to resveratrol -- an antioxidant found in red wine, grapes and nuts -- could protect against radiation sickness…

[T]he researchers studied whether resveratrol -- a natural and healthful antioxidant found in many foods -- could protect against radiation injuries.

They found that resveratrol protected cells in flasks but did not protect mice (stand-ins for humans in the laboratory) from radiation damage. However, the similar natural product called acetyl resveratrol did protect the irradiated mice. It also can be produced easily in large quantities and given orally. The authors caution that it has not yet been determined whether acetyl resveratrol is effective when orally administered.

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(Reuters Health) A new study deflates hopes that certain nutritional supplements could stave off prostate cancer, the second most common cancer in men.

Canadian researchers found that vitamin E, selenium and soy, taken daily for three years, provided no benefit to men who were at a higher risk of developing the disease.

The findings come three years after a larger study of men, who were at no increased risk of prostate cancer, also found no benefit of selenium or vitamin E supplementation.

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(HealthDay News) Among men under 65 with early stage prostate cancer, those who have the prostate gland removed are less likely to die than those who adopt a "watchful waiting" approach, according to a new long-term study out of Europe…

Men with prostate cancer face a confusing maze of options today, including not only surgery but hormone therapy, different kinds of radiation therapy and even simply foregoing medical treatment while monitoring the cancer closely ("watchful waiting," also known as "active surveillance").

"Watchful waiting" is often recommended when a man is not expected to die of the cancer and would like to avoid the risk of the debilitating side effects associated with prostate cancer treatment. These may include: incontinence and erectile dysfunction (surgery); erectile dysfunction and secondary cancers (radiation therapy); nausea, breast growth, liver problems (hormonal therapy); and weakness, hair loss, fluid retention (chemotherapy).

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