Health Headlines - May 11

Soda Before Bedtime Raises Reflux Risk

The nearly one in two American adults plagued by heartburn may want to steer clear of carbonated soft drinks in the hours before bedtime, with a new study linking soda consumption to troublesome acid reflux at night.

Statin Drug May Help Slow Alzheimer's

The cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin (Lipitor) may help boost thinking ability and psychiatric symptoms in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, according to preliminary research.

A Drink A Day May Help Protect Kidneys

In a finding that runs counter to conventional wisdom, researchers have found that consuming moderate amounts of alcohol -- about one drink a day -- may prevent kidney function decline in men.

Vaccine Industry Needs Shot in the Arm

The fact that many Americans underestimate the health threat posed by the flu may have been an big factor in helping the nation cope with last fall's vaccine shortage, a new survey finds.

Debate Rekindled in Homosexual Brain Research

The latest research indicating that at least some aspects of homosexuality may be "hard-wired" into the brain has once again fanned the flames of debate.

Study: Alzheimer's Hits U.S. Latinos Earlier

American Hispanics develop symptoms of Alzheimer's disease an average of five to seven years earlier than their white peers, a new study suggests.

Money Affects Angioplasty Outcomes

Money may help safeguard the heart: A new study finds those who struggle to afford health care are more likely to be in worse condition by the time they undergo angioplasty, and have poorer recoveries after the artery-opening surgery, compared to patients with no health insurance worries.

Vitamin D Does Prevent Fractures in Elderly

Vitamin D supplements can prevent fractures in elderly people, according to new research that comes hard on the heels of two British studies that found just the opposite.

Early HIV Treatment Extending Kids' Lives

New research provides more evidence that advanced treatments greatly improve the lives of children infected with the virus that causes AIDS, especially when the drugs are given shortly after birth.

Too Few Kids Rechecked for Lead Exposure

Children who show high levels of lead in their blood during routine screenings often don't get the necessary follow-up tests to make sure those lead levels are coming down, researchers report.

DNA-Based Cystic Fibrosis Test Approved

The first DNA-based blood test to detect cystic fibrosis has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Dairy Products Defend Against Diabetes

Milk, ice cream and other dairy products, especially low-fat varieties, may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes in men, a new study claims.

Moms pregnant with boys may be less forgetful

Mothers pregnant with boys may be less forgetful than those carrying girls, Canadian researchers said on Tuesday.

Food Fact:
Raspberry preserve.

Fresh raspberries are delicious -- but fragile. Here's how to treat them right. Because all fresh berries are highly perishable, they should be refrigerated (unwashed) as soon as possible after they're picked. Before refrigerating, spread the juicy, fragile berries in a single layer on a large tray or baking sheet. Wash berries gently but thoroughly before you eat them or use them in a recipe. Juicy and sweet, raspberries are jam-packed with vitamin C, folate and potassium; one cup has more than a third of your daily requirement of fiber. Raspberries are particularly powerful antioxidants. When researchers at Tufts University in Boston measured levels of antioxidants in various fruits and vegetables, berries consistently cropped up at the top of the list.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Write it down.

Stuck in a rut? Reached a plateau? Break the logjam with an activity log! Keeping a fitness journal to track your routine will give you insight into your performance, let you measure your progress and help you set goals.

FAQ of the day:
How many calories do I need each day?

Fifteen calories per pound per day is a good rule of thumb for maintaining your weight. But remember, this is a rough estimate for the average, moderately active person; the actual number you need will depend on your relative amounts of lean and fat body tissue, and your fitness level. If you're very lean and active, you may burn as many as 17 calories per pound per day. Here's a rough guide to the number of calories a 125-lb. woman burns during different activities: About 1 calorie a minute sleeping or sitting quietly, 3 calories a minute doing light housework, and 14 calories a minute walking up stairs.