Three new studies strengthen links between sugar-sweetened drinks and excess weight. The New England Journal of Medicine published them online September 21. Two studies involved children. One included 224 overweight and obese teenagers. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group received water and diet drinks delivered to their homes for a year. They were urged to avoid sugar-sweetened drinks and got regular pep talks. The other group got no drinks or advice. After a year, teens who got the free drinks had gained less weight than those in the other group. But a year after the program ended the difference had disappeared. A second study involved younger children who drank sugar-sweetened beverages regularly. Researchers gave each child a canned drink daily. One group got sugar-sweetened drinks.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
A large study has found that 4 of every 100 surgical patients die in the 2 months after their surgery. That is at least twice as high as what was previously thought. The study included more than 46,000 surgery patients in 28 European countries. All types of surgery except heart-related surgery were included. In the 60 days after surgery, 4% died. Deaths were from all causes, not just surgical complications. But most people who died were never admitted to intensive care. Rates varied by country as well.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
People with high levels of HDL (good) cholesterol are less likely to develop heart disease than those with low HDL. Taking drugs to boost HDL, though, may not provide the most heart-healthy bang for the buck.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
More and more men are trying testosterone supplementation, but the tests used to diagnose “low T” are notoriously unreliable. By combining more than one kind of blood test, and by making sure to retest, your doctor can offer you a trustworthy diagnosis.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
The CDC is urging all baby boomers (folks born between 1945 and 1965) to be tested for the hepatitis C virus. It can reside silently in the liver for decades, causing slow damage that may lead to liver failure or cancer.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
“Good” bacteria found in food and dietary supplements may help ward off illness. Called probiotics, these bacteria been shown to secrete protective substances that turn on the immune system and prevent pathogens from taking hold.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
A procedure known as hip resurfacing is emerging as an alternative to hip replacement. But not everyone has the right anatomy for hip resurfacing, and because of its track record, total hip replacement is best for people over 65.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
All baby boomers-everyone born between 1945 and 1965-should be tested for hepatitis C. That’s because an estimated 1.5 million of them have hepatitis C, which can cause liver failure or liver cancer, but don’t know it.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Treating varicose veins used to mean a trip to the operating room and general anesthesia. Now it is usually an office procedure that involves using heat to make the vein collapse.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
A new medicine appears effective against multiple sclerosis (MS), 2 new studies find. Unlike most MS drugs, it is given as a pill. The studies focused on BG-12, developed by Biogen Idec. The drug is a version of the chemical fumarate. It works by protecting nerves against injury. One study included about 1,200 people. They had the relapsing and remitting form of MS. Symptoms for this type of MS come and go. People were randomly assigned to receive either of 2 doses of BG-12, or placebo (fake) pills. After 2 years, relapse rates were reduced by half in the 2 groups that received BG-12, compared with the placebo group. The other study included about 1,400 people. The design and results were similar. But this study also included a group that received glatiramer (Copaxone). This is an injection drug already used to treat MS.
Content restricted. Requires subscription