Majority of Americans Are Still Unable to Lose Weight and Keep it Off

03 September 2010

Only about one in every six Americans who have ever been overweight or obese loses weight and maintains that loss, according to researchers. While that number is larger than most weight-loss clinical trials report, the majority of Americans are still unable to lose weight and keep it off. Identifying those who lose weight and successfully maintain that loss may aid health professionals in developing approaches to help others maintain weight loss, the researchers say. Two-thirds of the United States adult population is overweight, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of at...

Unique New Therapy Shows Promise for Treating Depression

03 September 2010

Major depression is a common and disabling brain condition marked not only by the presence of depressed mood but also by its effects on sleep, energy, decision-making, memory and thoughts of death or of suicide. Major depression affects 15 million adults in the U.S., and the World Health Organization projects that by 2020, it will be the largest contributor to disability in the world after heart disease. While antidepressants have helped many to recover and resume their lives, only 30 percent of patients will experience full remission with the first medication they...

Osteoporosis Drug Could Double Risk of Oesophageal Cancer

03 September 2010

According to a new large-scale study study, people who take oral bisphosphonates for bone disease over five years may be doubling their risk of developing oesophageal cancer (cancer of the gullet). Oral bisphosphonates are a type of drug used to treat osteoporosis and other bone diseases and are the most commonly recommended treatment for such conditions. Case reports suggest an association between use of oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis and increased risk of oesophageal cancer. But the evidence is limited, and no adequately large study with information on potential confounding factors and long...

Children Who Eat Vended Snack Foods More Likely to Develop Poor Diet

03 September 2010

According to research, school children who consume foods purchased in vending machines are more likely to develop poor diet quality – and that may be associated with being overweight, obese or at risk for chronic health problems such as diabetes and coronary artery disease. The study also looked at foods sold in school stores, snack bars and other related sales that compete with USDA lunch program offerings and found that these pose the same health and diet risks in school-aged children. "The foods that children are exposed to early on in life...

Researchers Discover How Omega-3 Fatty Acids Work Against Diabetes

02 September 2010

Researchers have identified the molecular mechanism that makes omega-3 fatty acids so effective in reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. The discovery could lead to development of a simple dietary remedy for many of the more than 23 million Americans suffering from diabetes and other conditions. Jerrold Olefsky and colleagues identified a key receptor on macrophages abundantly found in obese body fat. Obesity and diabetes are closely correlated. The scientists say omega-3 fatty acids activate this macrophage receptor, resulting in broad anti-inflammatory effects and improved systemic insulin sensitivity. Macrophages are specialized white blood...

Behavioral Migraine Management Gives Sufferers a Confidence Boost

02 September 2010

For severe migraine sufferers, psychological treatments build on the benefits of drug therapy, according to a new study by Elizabeth Seng and Dr. Kenneth Holroyd. Their comparison of the effects of various treatment combinations for severe migraine - drug therapy with or without behavioral management - shows that those patients receiving the behavioral management program alongside drug therapy are significantly more confident in their ability to use behavioral skills to effectively self-manage migraines. And surprisingly, the increase in confidence in self-management abilities is greatest among those who feel that they...

Study Shows Cranberry Juice Cocktail Blocks Staph Infection

02 September 2010

Expanding their scope of study on the mechanisms of bacterial infection, researchers have reported the surprise finding from a small clinical study that cranberry juice cocktail blocked a strain of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) from beginning the process of infection. "Most of our work with cranberry juice has been with E. coli and urinary tract infections, but we included Staphylococcus aureus in this study because it is a very serious health threat," professor Terri Camesano said. "This is early data, but the results are surprising." The virulent form of E. coli that...

Organic Farms Produce More Flavorful and Nutritious Berries

02 September 2010

Side-by-side comparisons of organic and conventional strawberry farms and their fruit found the organic farms produced more flavorful and nutritious berries while leaving the soil healthier and more genetically diverse. "Our findings have global implications and advance what we know about the sustainability benefits of organic farming systems," said John Reganold, lead author of the study. "We also show you can have high quality, healthy produce without resorting to an arsenal of pesticides." The study is among the most comprehensive of its kind, analyzing 31 chemical and biological soil properties, soil DNA,...

New Insomnia Guidelines, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Effective

02 September 2010

Insomnia and other sleep disorders are very common, yet are not generally well understood by doctors and other health care professionals. Now the British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP) has released up-to-the-minute guidelines to guide psychiatrists and physicians caring for those with sleep problems. BAP members, representative clinicians with a strong interest in sleep disorders and experts from the US and Europe got together in May 2009 in London, England to share their knowledge of insomnia, parasomnias and circadian rhythm disorders. As well as a chance to share literature reviews and clinical...