Do any supplements really boost energy?
Do you feel tired or run-down? Do you lack the energy you used to have? If so, you’re part of a large group.Fatigue is one of the most common problems patients report to their doctors. As many as 14 percent of men and 20 percent of women say they feel “frequently fatigued,” and in a survey of more than 17 million people 51 and older, 31 percent reported the symptom of... READ MORE
How you can save on healthcare abroad
Last year, more than a half-million U.S. residents got medical care abroad, according to Patients Beyond Borders, a consumer advisory service. That number is likely to grow at a 25 to 35 percent annual rate.Some procedures lend themselves to international travel. The five most-popular overseas procedures are cosmetic surgery, dentistry, orthopedics, weight-loss surgery, and in vitro... READ MORE
Stem cells may restore vision in the blind
Two legally blind women appeared to gain some vision after receiving an experimental treatment using embryonic stem cells, scientists reported in January.While embryonic stem cells were first isolated more than a decade ago, most of the research has been done in lab animals. The new results come from the first tests in humans for a vision problem. Researchers caution the work is still very... READ MORE
Help test a new colorectal cancer screen
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, and about 51,000 people will die of the disease this year, according to the National Cancer InstituteIt is often considered the most preventable, yet least prevented cancer. Colorectal cancer is highly treatable if found early, but 40 percent of adults age 50 and older do not get screened as recommended.Exact... READ MORE
Medicare data will be used to rate doctors
Picking a specialist for a delicate medical procedure like a heart bypass could get a lot easier in the not-too-distant future.The government announced in December that Medicare will finally allow its extensive claims database to be used by employers, insurance companies and consumer groups to produce report cards on local doctors — and improve current ratings of hospitals.By... READ MORE
Eating between meals can be a good idea
Q: I’m confused by conflicting advice about whether snacking helps or hurts weight control and health. What do you suggest?A: Snacks can promote good health when you choose foods that fill nutritional gaps. For example, if you have trouble including enough fruit, dietary fiber and calcium-rich foods (such as dairy products and soymilk) in your meals, snacks offer a great chance to do... READ MORE
Study suggests pill reduces deep wrinkles
Beauty may be no more than skin-deep, but many of us think that leaves plenty of room for improvement. So a new dietary treatment that promises to shrink wrinkles from inside the skin is news.The makers of the three-a-day capsules say they use blends of natural food extracts to activate genes that improve skin tone — and early results suggest they may be on the right track.If the... READ MORE
Pythons’ hearts may hold clues for health
You don’t think of pythons as big-hearted toward their fellow creatures. They’re better known for the bulge in their bodies after swallowing one of those critters whole.But the snakes’ hearts balloon in size as they’re digesting. And now scientists are studying them for clues about human heart health.The expanded python heart appears remarkably similar to the... READ MORE
Computer games can help you stay sharp
Can you recommend some good brain-fitness computer games that are designed to help seniors keep their minds sharp? I love to play solitaire on my computer, but I’m interested in expanding to some other games that can benefit my mind and memory.— Forgetful FrankDear Frank:There are actually a handful of great brain-training websites and computer software products on the market... READ MORE
Benefits attributed to pomegranate juice
There are many good reasons to pick up a pomegranate: the bright red fruits are festive, seasonal, pack tons of antioxidants and, a new study suggests, may help relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease.May reduce arthritis painIn a recent study from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, researchers gave mice either a daily dose of pomegranate extract or... READ MORE
