For Alzheimer's patients, resveratrol brings new hope
Over the years, resveratrol, an antioxidant found in grapes, chocolate and red wine, has been touted as a possible antidote to Alzheimer's disease, cancer, diabetes and many other conditions. Now, the first study in people with Alzheimer's suggests that the compound, when taken in concentrated doses, may actually have benefit in slowing progression of this disease. (Source: CNN.com - Health)
Source: CNN.com - Health - December 17, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Eating healthily at Christmas
We all know that the festive season can also be the season of food. But that doesn’t have to stop you getting the vitamins and minerals that you need. Not having enough (a deficiency) of some vitamins and minerals seems to be linked with arthritis progressing more quickly. The most important vitamins and minerals to think about if you have arthritis are: calcium vitamin D iron vitamin C. It's also important to keep to a healthy weight as being overweight puts extra strain on weight-bearing joints like your back, knees, hips, feet and ankles. And having too much body fat may also incr...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - December 17, 2015 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news

What to Bring to a Potluck
By Stacy Simon With all the parties and festivities this time of year, there is bound to be at least one potluck, where you are expected to come bearing a dish to share. This year, consider bringing something that not only tastes good, but is good for you too. Making healthier food choices can help you reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. American Cancer Society Director of Nutrition and Physical Activity Colleen Doyle, MS, RD recommends making something you like to eat that’s healthy, so you’ll know there will be a healthy option for you at the party. In genera...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - December 14, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Diet/Exercise/Weight Source Type: news

Go Ahead, Take a Bite: New GMO Apples Are Perfectly Safe
There is perhaps no more iconic food than the apple. Think about it; from the Garden of Eden to the logo on the smart phone you might be holding in your hand right now, the apple claims a special place in the arc of modern civilization. It's both a forbidden fruit and the main ingredient in our all-American dessert. We cried when Snow White ate the poisoned version but eating one a day can keep the doctor away. It's the name of a body part and the nickname of America's biggest city. Heck, Gwyneth even named her daughter Apple. So, could an apple now symbolize a major turning point in the public's acceptance of GMOs (genet...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - November 24, 2015 Category: Science Source Type: news

How to Take Control of Your DNA
Modern medicine likes to tell you that chronic diseases are in your genes. Maybe you’re worried about inheriting your mother’s cancer, or your father’s heart disease, or your grandmother’s arthritis. I never bought into that. I tell my patients that they aren’t “destined” to get any modern diseases. These are the results of your primal body coming up against a hostile environment. Genes are only part of the equation. External influences like diet and environment affect how your genes express themselves. I have seen it many times with my own patients. And the scientific area of “epigenetics” proves what I...
Source: Al Sears, MD Natural Remedies - November 23, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Al Sears Tags: Anti-Aging DNA gene therapy Source Type: news

Woman finds black widow spider in a pack of grapes
Pennsylvania mom says she was washing the grapes to give to one of her children when the poisonous spider crawled out (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)
Source: Health News: CBSNews.com - November 13, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

No hard evidence champagne can prevent dementia
ConclusionThis research found champagne might improve spatial memory in adult rats, possibly in relation to the phenolic acids in the drink. These chemicals are similar to another type of plant chemical called flavonoids, which have also been suggested as having biological effects on animals.Previous research has suggested flavonoids may have effects on nerve cells in the brain and cognitive functioning. This study on rats found those given champagne to drink over six weeks seemed to have improved performance when finding treats in a maze test. These rats also seemed to have increased levels of brain proteins related to a...
Source: NHS News Feed - November 9, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Food/diet Neurology Source Type: news

Move Over, Yellow 6. More Natural Colors From Plants Are Coming
From purple carrots and cabbage to grapes, the food industry is finding new ways to derive natural colors from plants. It's happening just as consumers are pushing Big Food to ditch artificial colors.» EMail This (Source: NPR Health and Science)
Source: NPR Health and Science - November 2, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Lynne Shallcross Source Type: news

The Ultimate Guide for Pet Sitters
I have always had a strong love and admiration for animals. From that, my dog has become a pretty important part of my life. In all honesty, pretty important is an understatement and he is more like a child to me. He certainly behaves like one too. Just like parents, I worry when he doesn't eat and I worry if he eats too much. Really, I worry about anything that could seem out of his usual behavior. I can surely say that in the past, we have definitely had our share of unnecessary trips to the vet. With that being said, still one of the concerns -- out of the long list of them -- has taken my overbearingly anxious parent...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - October 30, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

For Alzheimer's patients, resveratrol brings new hope
Over the years, resveratrol, an antioxidant found in grapes, chocolate and red wine, has been touted as a possible antidote to Alzheimer's disease, cancer, diabetes and many other conditions. Now, the first study in people with Alzheimer's suggests that the compound, when taken in concentrated doses, may actually have benefit in slowing progression of this disease. (Source: CNN.com - Health)
Source: CNN.com - Health - October 7, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

This Alien Shore: 1 Month on sMars
There are a number of oddities inherent to space missions. Some are obvious and predictable: communication delays and dependence upon spacesuits, for example. Others are a little more... unexpected. One of the unexpected twists on being in simulated space comes from this very blog. It turns out that when you when you go to space, or simulated space, and write a blog, people will sometimes hit you up for interviews via the blog. This strikes me as a bit of a strange venue by which to approach someone for their time, particularly a scientist who also happens to be a journalist. After all, I am A) published, and therefore...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - September 30, 2015 Category: Science Source Type: news

Your Chewing Drives Me Insane But It's Not My Fault: I Have Misophonia!
For as long as I can remember, certain sounds people make have caused me rage. The word rage isn't any sort of hyperbole, either--I have felt compelled to rush up to obnoxious gum chewers, slurpers and whistlers (not to mention loud talkers, hummers, bag crinklers and those who play the TV or music too loud) and cause bodily harm, despite the fact that I've never so much as shoved someone in my life. Now, when you're a generally intolerant person--someone with overly high expectations, little patience and a desire for perfection from others--you will assume that surges of anger over noises people make is just another exam...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - September 23, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

For a New Culture of Water in California
Thirty-eight compressed pages, with a clear, concise text, along with eye-catching tables, charts, photos, a glossary and a bibliography, the report was written by Juliet Christian-Smith and Kristyn Abhold with inputs from academics, hydrologists and environmentalists from all across the state who took part in a series of roundtable discussions in June and July 2015. "Measuring What Matters" throws down a gauntlet. From now on, no reading, thinking citizen will be able to beg ignorance when it comes to the future of water in California. While the report might be too technical for the average water user - the authors use w...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - September 17, 2015 Category: Science Source Type: news

The South Pacific Secret to Breaking the Poverty Cycle
Let me tell you a secret about the World Bank. One of the most effective things it ever did to help people break out of poverty is to help them migrate, temporarily, to pick fruit overseas. Migration to pick fruit is probably not the first thing you think of when you think of the World Bank's work, or the broader global effort to eliminate poverty after 2015. That's understandable, and it helps explain why this remarkable project is so little-known. It started in the South Pacific in 2006. Tonga is a poor country, with few good jobs and at least a third of the population in poverty. New Zealand is a rich producer of wine...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - September 15, 2015 Category: Science Source Type: news

7 Human Foods That Could Make Your Pet Sick
By Dana Poblete for Thrive Market Anyone who's ever owned a dog knows that sometimes, they double as vacuum cleaners. Whether it's a defiant toddler or a careless cook, food sometimes ends up on the floor, and most dogs (and cats!) are more than happy to be of service. But while those scraps might seem innocuous, pet owners should know there are some foods that are harmless to humans -- but deadly for pets. Want to know what to watch out for? We did the homework for you. According to the ASPCA, the Humane Society, and the Pet Poison Helpline, there are seven human foods and medications that could be toxic to pets. Avoc...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - September 14, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news