Daily Health News Blog

A flu shot protects you from coming down with influenza. While it may not always provide total protection, it's certainly worth getting. Influenza is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, and flu immunizations are the most effective way to prevent it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated annually. The influenza viruses selected for inclusion in the seasonal flu vaccine are updated each year based on information about which viruses are being found, how they are spreading, and how well the previous season's vaccine might protect against new viruses discovered in the current year. National influenza centers in over 100 countries conduct year-round surveillance for influenza viruses and disease activity. These laboratories send found viruses for additional analyses to the five World Health  Organization Collaborating Centers, which are located in the followi

Mastering Weight-Maintenance Skills Before Embarking On Diet Helps Women Avoid Backsliding Would you take part in a weight-loss program in which you were explicitly asked not to lose any weight for the first eight weeks? Although the approach sounds counterintuitive, a study from researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine found that women who spent eight weeks mastering weight-maintenance skills before embarking on a weight-loss program shed the same number of pounds as women who started a weight-loss program immediately. More importantly, the study showed that the "maintenance-first" women had regained only 3 pounds on average a year later, compared to the average 7-pound gain for the immediate dieters. The study's authors say that the maintenance-first approach may offer a way to halt the cycle of yo-yo dieting. "Those eight weeks were like a practice run. Women could try out different stability skills and work out the kinks without the p

Bariatric surgery, which significantly curtails the amount of food a person can eat, is the most effective treatment against obesity and is being recognized as a potentially valuable tool in the fight against diabetes related to obesity. It is being performed on increasing numbers of people worldwide, including teenagers. Unfortunately, some types of bariatric surgery may also cause bone loss, a cause for concern, particularly when carried out on young people who have not yet reached their peak bone mass, say endocrinologists from Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research, who have just published a review of current literature in the journal Obesity Reviews , now online. Authors, Dr Malgorzata Brzozowska and Associate Professor Jackie Center, say that skeletal examination and treatment should be considered part of patient care, before and after procedures. In the United States, 'Roux-en-Y' gastric bypass surgery, one of the most invasive of the proce

If you are exercising regularly but not losing weight, take a look at how you eat on the days you work out. Many people feel hungrier after a strenuous workout or feel like they deserve a reward for a good fitness effort. They may eat more on those days without even realizing it. Plan your meals ahead of your workout so that you aren't tempted to overeat and undo all the good you've done. For more articles, tips and advice on nutrition and healthy eating and weight loss please visit my websites:   Nutrition and Healthy Eating  and  Losing Weight Answers

This year when you carve your jack-o-lantern, save those pumpkin seeds. You can make a tasty snack on the cheap that will have everyone asking for more. Try some of these variations this fall season. For each recipe, follow this easy procedure. Remove and clean your seeds. Rinse them well, let them dry and then season them. Spread on a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for about 20 minutes in a 350 degree F oven, stirring half way through, until the seeds are crispy and light golden brown. Remove from baking sheet, give them a good stir, and serve once they've cooled. After you've toasted them, you can store them in an airtight container for up to one week. Spicy Garlic Pumpkin Seeds 1 cup pumpkin seeds, cleaned and rinsed 1 tablespoon melted butter 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper Savory Pumpkin Seeds 1 cup pumpkin seeds, cleaned and rinsed 1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons

By the age of 70, over half of all Americans will develop cataracts. In fact, the older you are, the more likely it is that you will not escape cataracts. There are effective treatments for cataracts, including surgery. Not only can this type of surgery remove cloudy lenses, it can also improve vision for those who are near- or far-sighted. A surprising benefit of cataract surgery is a lessened risk of breaking a hip in a fall. A study of Medicare patients showed that patients who had cataract surgery had a significant reduction in the number of hip fractures, with a 16 percent decrease in this type of injury. Vision loss is a major factor in seniors' risk of falling, and a reduction in visual sharpness and depth perception can lead to a loss of balance, stability, and mobility. Many people believe that they are "too old" to receive cataract surgery. But researchers have found that you can never be too told. In fact, they found the greatest benefit in terms of reduced hip

Make it on the big day or prepare it days or weeks before A holiday special: Sweet potato casserole This tried and true recipe will be a hit at your holiday dinner. Although the sweet potato relatively low calorie, this recipe includes a lot of sugar, although some substitutions can be made (see below). On the plus side, the sweet potato is loaded with vitamin A, three times your daily value, plus generous amounts of vitamins C and B6. Sweet potato casserole 1 40-ounce can sweet potatoes or 2 1/2 pounds cooked fresh sweet potatoes 1/4 cup milk 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted and cooled 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup flour 1/3 cup butter or margarine, chilled 1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped With a potato masher or food processor, puree sweet potatoes. Add milk, melted butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. In another bowl, (for the topping) stir together the brown sugar and flour. Slice chil