Health Advice

/

Health

/

ArcaMax

Muscling in on brain power

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson are more than super-strong superheroes -- they have brain power, too. Schwarzenegger, movie idol and former governor of California, has an IQ of 132, according to CBS News. Johnson graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor's degree in criminology and physiology and is now a major ...Read more

Living Long Depends on Where You're Living

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

Even with modern medicine, vaccines and artificial intelligence helping to diagnose diseases early, the risk of dying before age 70 -- called probability of premature death, or PPD -- still varies widely around the world.

In 2019, 12% of people in the world's healthiest countries died before age 70. In sub-Saharan Africa, that number was 52%;...Read more

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is More Effective Than Sleep Aids

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 82-year-old female who has a hard time staying asleep. I have been taking melatonin to help. I read recently that if you have taken melatonin for a long time, you could have a danger of heart problems. Should I stop?

I started taking 1/8 of a gummy with CBD instead. It helps me sleep but makes me feel dopey and dizzy. ...Read more

It takes (healthy) guts to fight cancer

Bear Bryant, who won six national championships and 13 conference championships as the head coach at the University of Alabama, once said, "There's no substitute for guts." And while gumption can power a lot of positive accomplishments, when it comes to fighting cancer (instead of Auburn), you want to make sure your guts are healthy enough for ...Read more

Is your LDL cholesterol level cumin down?

Cumin, a member of the parsley family, is a spice used in Asian and Indian cuisines and shows up in garam masala, curries, and rice and vegetable dishes -- either as a powder or whole seeds. But it may do a lot more than add a warm, earthy flavor to your food. A new study in Food Science & Nutrition looked at the effect of eating 5 grams of ...Read more

Osteoboost Belt Needs More Study Before Being Recommended

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old female who was first diagnosed with osteopenia and now osteoporosis. My physician has highly recommended medication or a monthly injection. I have completed hours of research and am very unhappy with the many personal stories of side effects. Evenity, the one drug that actually claims to rebuild bone, is not ...Read more

If you don't give a hill of beans about your kidney health, beware!

More than 35 million Americans are estimated to have chronic kidney disease (that means their kidneys cannot effectively clear out waste and extra fluid from their bloodstream), and 90% have no idea they have the life-shortening condition. That sets them up for kidney failure, dialysis, stroke, and heart disease. And those risks are compounded ...Read more

Working Out Which Plant-Based Milk Substitute Is The Healthiest

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: Everyone in my family except for me has converted to using almond milk instead of cow's milk. I just saw something on the internet that says almond milk is possibly the worst plant-based milk substitute. I trust your opinion and research. Can you please educate me on what is best? Are plant-based milks really better than cow's ...Read more

Investigating Whether Vaccine Side Effects Are Underreported

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: You recently posted a couple of articles about the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine and the benefits versus the risks. I know the risks are based on data. But I wonder how many people have severe reactions to the vaccine, and it doesn't get reported because they don't end up going to the hospital or the doctor.

I ...Read more

The power of prehab

Did you know that one out of every nine people in the U.S. reports undergoing at least one surgical procedure in the past year? Or that for folks receiving Medicare, that number hits one in five? Unfortunately, things don't always go smoothly.

A study in The BMJ identified adverse events in more than one-third of U.S. patients admitted to the ...Read more

Comparing Treatments For BPH, From Tamsulosin To Surgery

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and I am taking tamsulosin daily. It works and helps with my daily urination. How long should I continue to take it? Are there any related side effects? Or should I consider an eventual prostatectomy? Thank you. -- A.

ANSWER: Tamsulosin is an effective treatment for most men with ...Read more

Surprise! A cup of coffee actually reduces your AFib risks

For years, doctors have told the 10 million atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients in the U.S. to avoid drinking coffee. But the DECAF study (Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation?), conducted by researchers in California and Australia, reveals that one cup or one shot of espresso daily (not more) has a very positive benefit. Over six months, ...Read more

California Sober

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

The so-called "California sober" trend involves swapping alcohol in favor of cannabis consumption in the belief that it's less harmful to the body and reduces the danger of using more potent drugs like opioids, cocaine and methamphetamine.

A small published study suggests the approach actually does reduce alcohol consumption, at least in the ...Read more

Puhhha/Dreamstime/TNS

On Nutrition: Collagen supplements?

Health Advice / Nutrition /

Susan T. reads this column on the Omaha World-Herald and asks: “What do you think of taking collagen as a supplement? My son saw something about the benefits of collagen and asked ChatGPT about it. The response touted the benefits of collagen, but I am a skeptic. I would like to hear the opinion of a registered dietitian. Thank you.”

It ...Read more

Life, Death and Axes

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

Let's look at some converging lines of population numbers. The United States appears to be trending toward a new club of nations: those in which annual deaths routinely outnumber births. Some countries in Europe and Asia, such as Japan, Italy, South Korea and Germany, already have more deaths each year than births.

The biggest driver appears ...Read more

GLP One Less for the Road

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

Apart from their widely celebrated effect at weight loss and diabetes management, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy might also reduce alcohol use.

In a pilot study published in Scientific Reports, researchers found that GLP-1 agonists (which mimic the effects of GLP-1 compounds) slowed the speed at which alcohol enters the bloodstream, ...Read more

Skypixel/Dreamstime/TNS

On Nutrition: Mechanics of nutrition

Health Advice / Nutrition /

I’ve been a nutrition nerd for a long time. In my college years, I’m sure I was a source of irritation with my many questions. One professor in particular got especially annoyed when I continued to drill him to understand not just the “what” of nutrients, but the “how.”

I guess I’m still that way. And over the years, as we’ve ...Read more

Homeopathy for Endometriosis-Related Hormonal Imbalances: Natural Support for Hormonal Health

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue lining the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing hormonal imbalances and various symptoms. While conventional medical treatments are available, some individuals seek alternative approaches like homeopathy to manage endometriosis-related hormonal imbalances. Homeopathy is a holistic system of...Read more

Homeopathy for Female Hormonal Imbalances: Natural Approaches for Hormonal Health

Female hormonal imbalances can cause a range of symptoms and affect overall well-being. While there are various factors contributing to these imbalances, some individuals explore alternative therapies like homeopathy for potential solutions. Homeopathy is a holistic approach that aims to address the underlying imbalances and restore harmony ...Read more

Homeopathy for Premature Ejaculation: Natural Approaches for Improved Sexual Health

Premature ejaculation is a common sexual concern that can affect the quality of intimate relationships and cause distress. While there are various factors contributing to this condition, including psychological, physiological, and emotional aspects, some individuals explore alternative therapies like homeopathy for potential solutions. ...Read more