Three weight-loss diets compared: low-fat diet is the
loser.
Three weight loss diets were compared over the course of two years
in a newly published clinical trial conducted in Israel. The
"winners" are the Mediterranean and the Atkins diets. People
on one . . .
Brighter lights and melatonin improves cognition in elderly
people with dementia.(Brief article)
Brighter than usual lights in nursing homes can improve cognition
and other functions in elderly residents with dementia. The improvements
were described as "modest" by the authors of a new study. . . .
Old drug, new claim: the women-in-towels Evista ad
explained.
The women in Eli Lilly's new ad campaign are attractive,
healthy-looking and wearing nothing but towels. "Cut two risks with
Evista. The only agent indicated to treat osteoporosis and reduce . . .
Coffee as a health drink? (it may or not be the caffeine).(Brief
article)
For years researchers have been trying to find out whether coffee
drinking is bad for you. Once again, there's good news. A new study
found that coffee drinking does not increase a person's risk . . .
Osteoporosis: many drugs prescribed, not so many hip fractures
avoided.(Drug overview)
Fracture prevention is focussed on bone density, but other factors
like bone quality and muscle strength are also important, according to a
recent commentary by two Toronto physicians for the . . .
Hospital patients still unsafe.(From the Director
...)(Report)
It has been more than eight years since the Institute of Medicine
issued its report, To Err is Human, describing the alarming epidemic of
medical errors in U.S. hospitals killing 100,000 patients . . .
Walk more--that's all you have to do.(Interview)
For cardiovascular and other health benefits like increased
longevity, you need only exercise moderately for 30 minutes at least
five days a week. That has been the recommendation for nearly 15 . . .
New book: "overtreated--why too much medicine is making us
sicker and poorer".(Book review)
In a nutshell, overtreatment is unnecessary treatment. It's
treatment that has no positive impact on health or longevity, and in
many cases, causes harm. It's the coronary-artery opening
procedures . . .
Five-year HealthFacts index.
For the index to all HealthFacts from 2003 through 2007, send a
check for $5 to Center for Medical Consumers, 239 Thompson St., New
York, New York . . .
FDA alert regarding "Natural" hormones.(Food and Drug
Administration)(Brief article)
The FDA sent warning letters to seven compounding pharmacy
operations that are making unsubstantiated claims about the safety and
effectiveness of what they call "bio-identical hormone . . .
Thumbs down on OTC statin drugs.(over the counter )
The FDA recently turned down a request by Merck to allow its
cholesterol-lowering statin drug Mevacor to be sold over the counter.
The December HealthFacts supported non-prescription status--not . . .
Letter to the Editor.(Letter to the editor)
I would appreciate knowing whether two comments made in the January
issue [Interview with Dr. Robert Lustig, "Why is America
Fat?"] are typographical errors:
1) "We humans used to eat between . . .
Thyroid Cancer on the rise in many countries.
Cancer of the thyroid is increasing in incidence in the U.S.,
Canada, Europe and Australia. Radiation exposure is a major suspect
because this gland at the base of the neck is one of the . . .
FDA alert about osteoporosis drugs.(Drug News in Brief)(Food and
Drug Administration gives online informatin about bone disorder
The FDA posted an alert on its Web site, " ... highlighting
the possibility of severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint,
and/or muscle (musculoskeletal) pain in patients taking . . .
Free drug samples.(Drug News in Brief)(Brief article)
The rich and the insured are more likely than the poor to receive
free prescription drug samples from their doctors, according to a new
study. Lack of access to medical care by the uninsured and . . .
Medicare drug benefit Boondoggle.(Drug News in Brief)(medical
savings accounts are not well promoted by Medicare Part D)(Brief
a
"The Medicare prescription drug benefit (Part D) saves
enrollees $9 or less per month, according to researchers who tracked
purchases of over 100,000 older adults before and after the benefit
began . . .
U.S. healthcare spending.(Drug News in Brief)(United
States)(Brief article)
"National health spending soared above $2 Trillion for the
first time in 2006 and has nearly doubled in the last decade, amounting
to an average of $7,000 a person, the government reported. With . . .
15 Steps you can take to reduce your risk of a hospital
infection: reprinted with permission from the committee to reduce
hospit
1. Ask that hospital staff clean their hands before treating you,
and ask visitors to clean their hands too. This is the single most
important way to protect yourself in the hospital. Alcohol-based . . .
Hospital-acquired infection and what to do about it.(Betsy
McCaughey of Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths)(Interview)
What kills more than five times as many Americans as AIDS? Betsy
McCaughey, PhD, chairman and founder of the Committee to Reduce
Infection Deaths (RID) wants you to know that it is hospital . . .
From the Director ...(presidential candidates must reduce the
health care cost and regulated health care industry service)
Health care has re-emerged as a top issue in the 2008 presidential
campaign. Not since the failed Clinton reform effort 13 years ago has
the national political scene been so focused on how to rein . . .
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