Potatoes, especially chips, are the biggest cause of gradual middle-age weight gain, researchers said based on a new study. Their analysis included more than 120,000 people from 3 long-running studies of health professionals. They were asked regularly about what they ate and how much they weighed. In 20 years, the average person gained nearly 17 pounds. Researchers said food choices contributed most of that. Potato chips did the most damage. People gained about 1.7 pounds every 4 years for each ounce of potato chips they consumed daily. Non-chip potatoes added 1.3 pounds in 4 years for someone who ate a daily serving. French fries were the biggest culprit within this group. The weight gain was about 1 pound for someone who drank a soda daily and 0.4 pounds for sweets or alcohol. The New England Journal of Medicine published the study.
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People taking certain drugs for rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis may also reduce their risk of diabetes, a new study suggests. The study was based on insurance data. It included 13,905 people. All of them had rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. They were taking one or more medicines for their illness. None of them had diabetes at the start of the study. Researchers tracked their health for 12 years. They found that people taking certain drugs were less likely than others to develop diabetes. Risk of diabetes was reduced for those taking hydroxychloroquine or a type of drug called a TNF inhibitor. The study appeared in the journal Neurology. HealthDay News wrote about it June 21.
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More U.S. children may have food allergies than previously thought, a new survey suggests. The survey found that 8% of children are allergic to some food. Nearly 40% of those allergies are severe. The most recent U.S. government estimate is that 4% of children have food allergies. The new survey was done through online interviews. It included parents of more than 40,000 U.S. children under age 18. People who said their child had a food allergy were asked if a doctor had diagnosed it. The survey also asked about allergy symptoms. The Food Allergy Initiative paid for the study. This is an advocacy group funded by the parents of children with food allergies. The journal Pediatrics published the study. The Associated Press wrote about it June 20.
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The American Heart Association is recommending that people with high triglyceride readings undertake an intensive program of diet, exercise, and weight loss.
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A study in Spain found that chemical compounds derived from marijuana plants slowed the growth of prostate cancer cells in mice.
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When you talk about breast cancer screening, why don’t you mention thermography? I’ve been using it for several years instead of mammography, which uses radiation.
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Researchers are exploring the many ways in which music may influence health, from stress relief to athletic performance.
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A poll by the American Heart Association found that many people do not know some basic facts about heart health.
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The debate over calcium supplements continues, with a new analysis suggesting that people who take them may have an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
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Further information about cardiac rehabilitation programs for people with heart disease and yoga as a way to reduce episodes of atrial fibrillation.
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