Month: January 2014

Many herbal supplements may contain undisclosed substances that could be harmful.

Amyloid PET scanning can detect an abnormal brain protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The scan can be helpful when the disease is suspected but still needs to be confirmed. The test is very expensive and may not be covered by insurance.

Blood type is important to health mainly in two situations: blood transfusion and tissue or organ donation. The current interest in diet plans and personality typing based on blood type are not supported by scientific evidence.

New guidelines for preventing cardiovascular disease have lowered the threshold for when a person could consider taking a cholesterol-lowering statin drug. The potential benefit needs to be weighed against costs and possible drug side effects.

Either antacids or H2 blockers can control occasional heartburn. The choice depends on how frequent or predictable the symptoms are.

High-quality carbohydrate foods are the foundation of healthy diets. They are rich in nutrients and fiber. They are absorbed slowly and do not cause large swings in blood sugar and insulin. The best sources are from fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.