Daily Health News Blog

If I suggested to you that a glass of grapefruit or orange juice in the morning might be harming your health, you’d probably think I’d lost my mind. Everybody knows that citrus juice is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants. You also know that juice is an easy way to boost your fruit and vegetable intake, so it can be part of a healthy diet. But if you take prescription drugs, you need to think twice before you reach for a glass of  juice . New research shows that many different kinds of juices change the affects of prescription drugs. For a long time, doctors and scientists have known that grapefruit juice and many drugs don’t mix, but it turns out grapefruit juice isn’t the only juice you need to worry about. It is one of the most dangerous, though, so let’s start by looking at why if you take prescriptions, you should avoid  grapefruit juice . How Grapefruit Juice Can Turn Your Prescription Into a Killer Among juice and drug interactions, grapefruit juice is ...

If you’ve stopped exercising due to illness, injury, or any personal setback, these six simple steps will help you get back to being fit. I have a friend who spent much of last spring training for a half marathon. She printed out a training schedule and gathered a group of friends to run with in the early morning before her kids woke up. She spent 12 weeks building her endurance, experimenting with running at different speeds, and getting mentally ready. Three days before race day she developed a deep cough. She tried to run the race but had to drop out after two miles due to the pain in her chest. Eventually the cough morphed into pneumonia. All told, she stopped exercising for 29 days, which meant that when her body was finally healed, she was sorely out of shape -- and demoralized to boot. Sound familiar? I'll bet you've thought at some point, "I'll never get in shape again.” Maybe your exercise plans got derailed by an injury. Or maybe it was work demands, f...

The stress of a colon cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, so it's very important to have a support system of family and friends to help you with the questions and decisions you face. In this Health Alert, Johns Hopkins provides practical advice to help you cope. Q. My doctor just told me that I have colon cancer and will need to undergo colon cancer surgery. Should I get a second opinion? A. It is common for people to request a second opinion, especially before surgery or other involved treatment. Indeed, many insurance companies require a second opinion. Ask your insurance company what your policy covers and if it requires you to see a doctor within that plan. Also tell your doctor you would like to have a second opinion. Most doctors are accustomed to this and will be supportive. Ask for a referral and for copies of your medical records, including all test results, x-rays, and other imaging tests to take with you to the next doctor. You may have to sign a release a...

Arthritis is a condition that affects nearly 70 million people. Treatment can vary extensively, based on severity, on what type of arthritis you have, and on where it strikes. While individual attention from your doctor is necessary to best manage your unique symptoms, certain Superfoods have entered the marketplace that can offer tremendous relief for many arthritis sufferers. Certain Types of Arthritis…Demand Certain Foods For Help! The most common form of arthritis is  osteoarthritis , or the deterioration of cartilage surrounding the bones. This causes bones to rub against one another, resulting in pain and difficulty moving.  Rheumatoid arthritis  is an autoimmune disease where the joint lining becomes inflamed due to dysfunction of the immune system. It can be serious and tends to effect women more than men. Though these forms of arthritis are different, both are joint conditions, which can be quite complex. They involve various systems of the body and are...

Fiber serves two main purposes that affect your health. Soluble fiber -- in foods like oat bran, nuts, beans, and some fruits and vegetables -- helps prevent your body from reabsorbing bile acids in your gastrointestinal tract, which can help lower your cholesterol without medication. Insoluble fiber -- found in wheat bran, whole wheat bread, and many vegetables -- absorbs water in your colon and can help keep you regular. Because fiber absorbs water, it can also help you feel fuller after taking in fewer calories. Most of us get less than the 25 grams of daily fiber recommended by the American Heart Association. Consuming this recommended amount can help you lose weight while improving your heart health. You can bulk up on fiber pretty easily by increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables, and making a point of trying higher-fiber breads, cereals, and rice. In some cases, you can meet your fiber goals with the use of a fiber supplement, but talk to your health care provid...

Are you dealing with another episode of the 3 p.m. doldrums? Can you feel your energy draining and your eyelids starting to droop as the afternoon wears on? When fatigue drags you down, don't look to a candy bar, cup of coffee, or energy drink for a solution. The sugar and caffeine might give you an immediate pick-me-up, but after that quick high wears off, you'll crash and feel even more drained and groggy than before. Want to boost energy in a real and lasting way? Here are a few fatigue fighters that will leave you feeling refreshed, revitalized, and ready to take on your day. 1. Eat your breakfast.  There’s a reason it’s called the most important meal of the day. A good, nutritious breakfast gives you the energy you need to stay awake and alert. People who eat breakfast every morning report less fatigue and stress than people who skip breakfast. High-fiber foods, like hot oatmeal, will stick with you longer than a sweet roll or pastry. As the day wears on, they...

Nearly every aspect of cow’s milk inspires debate—from its fat, protein and sugar (lactose) content to the hormone residues it may contain, the pasteurization process it undergoes, and even its very suitability for human consumption. We’ve discussed all that, but some of our readers have raised concerns about something else: homogenization. You may wonder, what could be wrong with homogenized milk? Well, it seems there are plenty of people who are promoting “non-homogenized” milk as a healthier option. You may see it on the shelves in health-food stores and some supermarkets. Let’s get one thing out of the way first: non-homogenized isn’t necessarily raw milk (“raw” simply means not pasteurized). Though all raw milk is non-homogenized, not all non-homogenized milk is raw. And while raw milk poses definite health risks, non-homogenized milk does not unless it’s not pasteurized. Ye olde milk? When cow’s milk is not homogenized, its fat separates out, producing a layer of crea...