Poor oral health is tied to "poor living conditions, low education, and lack of traditions, according to Heather Hansman at Smithsonian.com.
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Some researchers believe sugar, not fat, is the most dangerous dietary ingredient, causing obesity and ills ranging from diabetes to hypertension. They also suggest that the focus on decreasing dietary fat has resulted in a concomitant switch to additional added sugars. But a new study of obese children isn't convincing.
One policy that has elicited much sturm und drang is the requirement that chain restaurants post calorie content of their foods on their menus. Some cities have had to comply with the law since 2009. So how effective has it been in stemming obesity? Not very, according to some new research.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity and increased risk of heart, kidney and eye ailments. And heart attacks are the most common cause of death of those with the disease. But a new study has linked the excess risk of death from any cause to the level of control of blood glucose, as well as to the degree of kidney complications.
In this space we've covered numerous research articles about dieting and weight loss especially those that evaluate the effects of low fat or low carbohydrate diets (most recently here and here). Although it might seem that the topic has been thoroughly covered, there are apparently still unanswered questions.
A review of government statistics by two Princeton economists reveals a disturbing, and surprising, rising trend of mortality rates among middle-aged white Americans. The likely causes: drugs, both legal and illicit, liver diseases, alcohol and suicide.
Prospective study of 228 morbidly obese teens shows that two different types of bariatric surgery led to significant benefits. They included weight loss, and improved cardiometabolic levels, including blood pressure, lipids, diabetes and kidney function.
The U.S. Department of Justice is now finally doing what the FDA has been prevented from attempting in the past -- it's taking down makers and sellers of supplements, pursuing criminal and civil charges stemming, in part, from unlawful advertising practices.
A hair-styling movement is underway that shuns shampoo, which critics say has toxic chemicals and deprives hair of its natural oils. It's being replaced with products containing aloe vera extracts and essential oils. This is only stirring up fear for those who were otherwise happy with their hair products.
All of today's domestic turkeys -- even the ones labeled organic -- are actually of the GMO variety. Years of artificial selection by optimizing genetic traits have made the genome of the turkey we eat significantly different than the genome of those found in the wild. Therefore, unless you shot yours in the woods, the turkey heading to your table is not "natural."
The American College of Physicians has advised clinicians where possible to prescribe generic medications, rather than expensive brand name drugs. ACP also conducted an extensive review of 2,500 publications in an attempt to answer five important questions about the use of generic meds.
Women with relatively severe PMS may be at higher risk of developing high blood pressure (HBP), or hypertension. It's not clear how such an interaction may occur. Premenstrual syndrome sufferers may be at especially high risk of developing HBP before age 40. Thiamine and riboflavin may reduce the increased risk.
A recent Centers for Disease Control report highlights the need for improved sex-ed curriculum for middle and high schools. With U.S. youngsters making up half of the 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections, we are not focusing enough effort on preventive measures for this vulnerable demographic.
With the issue of drug pricing currently in the news, The New York Times ran an editorial decrying prices that are "too high," while failing to truly address the real issues. Instead, the paper took the easy way out by linking Turing's price gouging to pricing methods of established pharmaceutical makers.
A new study in Nature used mathematical/analytical tools to show that three quarters of cancers are likely caused by environmental exposures, rather than chance or bad luck. Avoiding known causes of cancer, especially smoking, can reduce your risk significantly.
Pfizer has received FDA approval for a chewable formulation of the stimulant drug, methylphenidate, used to treat children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. This means, among other things, that kids can soon take these pills on the run without having to stop for water.
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death in the U.S. from a gynecological malignancy. A recent study of the disease, the third and largest randomized, controlled trial ever with up to a 15-year follow-up, shows that screening for this type of cancer improves mortality rates by an estimated 20 percent.
A new report finds that few entities administering clinical trials governmental agencies, nonprofits and academic institutions and private companies are reporting data to the government, as is required. The most common reason given for failure to do so on time (or at all) was that it's too much work.
A new study shows a strong association between androgen-deprivation therapy for advanced prostate cancer, and the development of Alzheimer's disease. This is a retrospective data-based study, so no change in treatment using ADT is indicated now. Further, prospective studies are needed.
A discussion in Rolling Stone magazine of vaping, and the hysteria and fearmongering about it, is a breath of fresh air.
America's huge addiction problem stems from the use of opioid narcotics, such as oxycodone (Percocet) and hydrocodone (Vicodin). But attempts to limit access to these drugs have had unintended consequences. And as the pills become harder to get and more expensive, heroin use is growing. Here an overview of a big mess.
Engineers at MIT in Boston are attempting to create the so-called Band-Aid of the future. The product is able to stretch and remain adherent, ideal for use on flexural surfaces of the body, like the elbow or knee.
It s been a banner year here at The American Council on Science and Health. From covering the CRISPR revolution in biotechnology to helping thousands of people quit smoking to fighting chemophobia, we have been very busy promoting healthy living and fighting junk science.
If you want doom and gloom, go visit Natural Resources Defense Council. In the world outside merchant of doubt brochures, things are better than ever.
More and more women are choosing to give birth at home, or in birthing centers, rather than in hospitals. The important question is whether these alternatives are safe for mothers and/or babies. A new report sheds light on this important question, and mostly appears to support the choice.
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