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Craving Fast Food

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

Researchers at the University of Michigan, Harvard and Duke argue in a new study that ultraprocessed foods, from packaged snacks to sugary beverages to ready-to-eat meals, aren't simply junk food or bad nutritional choices. They're industrially engineered products designed to keep you coming back using strategies once designed to sell ...Read more

Man Seeks A New Treatment For A Case Of An Overactive Bladder

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am in relatively good health for an 82-year-old male. For the past six years, I have been having trouble with an overactive bladder. I need to urinate at least every two hours. Often there is a sudden urge, and I can barely make it to the bathroom. In the morning when I wake up, I generally have to urinate in small amounts ...Read more

Singing the blues

Fats Domino may have declared, "I Found My Thrill on Blueberry Hill," in 1959, but in 2026, it's researchers from the University of Maine (of course!) and elsewhere who are singing about the thrilling benefits of wild blueberries.

Researchers reviewed 12 clinical trials conducted over a span of 24 years and found that eating a cup of wild ...Read more

Signs you are not getting vital nutrients

Only 12% of Americans get the recommended amount of vegetables, 15% eat the minimum recommended amount of fruit and a measly 1% get the amount of whole grains needed for a healthy diet, according to a study in Circulation. And a recent survey by Purdue University determined that almost 46% of people have a markedly unhealthy diet.

Unfortunately...Read more

Continuous Symptoms After Covid Point To A Bacterial Infection

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 49-year-old woman who recently had COVID. When I was sick with it, I lost my sense of taste and smell. I no longer have COVID, but I still have a stuffy nose with no sense of taste or smell. Then one day, out of nowhere, I smell this horrible smell, like an infection. I went to the doctor and was told that it was a sinus...Read more

Putting cancer on the run

Obesity is an epidemic in countries around the world. The U.S.A comes in at No. 10, with almost 42% of folks having obesity. (American Samoa is No. 1; 70% of their population has obesity.) Add to that the fact that 28 million Americans contend with alcohol abuse and almost 11% smoke marijuana, around 9% smoke cigarettes and 6.5% vape, and you've...Read more

Man With Very Low Kidney Function Chooses To Avoid Dialysis

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: A loved one of mine has had kidney problems for his whole life. He's now on the transplant list, and his kidney function is very low. But he continues to avoid dialysis, saying that he's not ready for it. Surprisingly, his heart health, cholesterol and blood pressure are always great when tested. He sometimes has swelling if he...Read more

Patient With Family History Of Lymphoma Questions Drug For RA

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm 72 years old, and I have been prescribed azathioprine for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I have only mild discomfort in my hands and wrist, which came on suddenly. While researching this medicine, I saw that the extended use of it increases the risk of lymphoma. My brother has been treated for lymphoma for 12 years, and my sister...Read more

Introducing More Fiber Into The Diet To Help With Diverticulosis

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 75 and have not been able to eat beef or dairy products since my mid-20s. A colonoscopy revealed that I have diverticulosis, but I am generally not bothered if I stay away from all products that come from cows.

My doctor suggested adding more fiber to my diet. I already eat a diet of salads, fresh vegetables, fish, ...Read more

The keto diet: short-term benefits, long-term risks

The keto diet garnered 25.4 million unique Google searches in 2020. And while it's lost a bit of its trendiness since then, it's estimated that 13 million Americans still spend a couple of billion dollars annually on "keto foods."

Are they getting the weight loss and health benefits they think they are? Well, that depends if you look at the ...Read more

Driven to Distraction -- and Then Off the Road

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

Once, when automobile dashboards were festooned with knobs and dials, it was relatively easy and safe to "feel" your way to the right control without taking your eyes off the road. Dashboard touch screens have changed that -- and it's not a pretty picture.

In a study using vehicle simulators, participant "drivers" were tasked with navigating ...Read more

DREAMSTIME/TNS

On Nutrition: The skinny on fat

Health Advice / Nutrition /

This is the first celebration of Heart Month (it comes every February) since the release of the updated dietary guidelines for Americans. If you missed the news on these new recommendations, they are meant to represent the most current scientific evidence on how we are to eat to avoid chronic diseases, including heart disease.

While no one ...Read more

Carpal Versus Cubital

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

When your hand starts to tingle or go numb, it's common to blame carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. CPS can be triggered by repetitive wrist tasks, pregnancy, obesity or underlying conditions like diabetes. It affects 1%-5% of the general population. Treatments range from splinting and ...Read more

Why Your Gym Plans Don't Work Out

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

University of Michigan researchers have an idea why so many people who make ambitious plans and goals regarding physical fitness ultimately give up on them -- more specifically, why planned daily exercise doesn't happen.

Blame it on an all-or-nothing mindset, said behavioral scientist Michelle Segar, who, with colleagues, just published data on...Read more

Artisticco Llc/Dreamstime/TNS

On Nutrition: Reader comments

Health Advice / Nutrition /

In a recent column, I described myself as a “nutrition nerd” regarding my fascination with the human body’s ability to process food into substances we need to maintain health.

Outlining how food is digested, I wrote: “As food nears the stomach, it arrives at a security gate called the esophageal sphincter that opens just long enough for...Read more

Finding Balance Within: Homeopathy for Anxiety-related Emotional Trauma

Living with anxiety can be challenging, especially when accompanied by emotional trauma. While professional help is vital in managing anxiety, homeopathy can provide support in addressing the emotional wounds associated with this condition. In this article, we will explore the potential benefits of homeopathy in healing anxiety-related ...Read more

Healing from Within: Homeopathy for Depression-related Emotional Trauma

Emotional trauma can have a profound impact on our well-being, particularly when it comes to conditions like depression. While seeking professional help is essential for managing depression, homeopathy can play a supportive role in addressing the emotional trauma associated with this condition. In this article, we will explore the potential ...Read more

Where There's Smoke, It's Dire

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, responsible for one in five deaths in the U.S. annually. A longtime smoking habit is estimated to reduce average life expectancy by at least 10 years.

But smoking costs more than lives. WalletHub, a personal finance company, recently released a report on the economic costs of smoking: more ...Read more

Soothing Relief: Homeopathy for Radiation Burns

Radiation therapy is a common treatment for cancer, but it can sometimes lead to skin issues, such as radiation burns. These burns can cause discomfort and pain. While medical interventions are crucial for managing radiation burns, homeopathy can offer supportive care to alleviate symptoms and promote healing. In this article, we will explore...Read more

Natural Relief: Homeopathy for Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, can be a source of discomfort and pain. While proper oral hygiene and care are important, homeopathy offers natural support for managing mouth ulcers and promoting healing. In this article, we will explore the potential benefits of homeopathy in addressing mouth ulcers and some commonly used remedies ...Read more