Health Headlines - May 2

Acid in Animal Fats May Lower Blood Pressure

A lower intake of arachidonic acid -- a fatty acid found in animal fats -- is related to lower systolic blood pressure, according to a new international study.

Japanese Women Show Lower Incidence of Breast Cancer Recurrence

American women of Japanese descent treated for early-stage breast cancer are less likely to suffer a recurrence of the disease than women of other ancestries.

Amino Acid May Harm Memory and More

The amino acid homocysteine may damage the brain, according to a study by researchers in the Netherlands.

Men's Social Status Linked to Heart Disease

Scientists may have uncovered a reason why men who are socially isolated tend to have more cardiovascular disease.

Adding Fiber May Help Diabetics

Fiber supplements may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes, according to the results of a new study.

Liver Enzyme May Be at Root of Heart Disease

A single enzyme produced by the liver may be guilty of cholesterol accumulation, hardening of the arteries, and death by heart attack.

Health Risks Escalate for Overweight Kids

Severely obese children have lipoprotein abnormalities that indicate early risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, according to new research.

Feelings of Discrimination May Hurt the Heart

Stress stemming from discrimination may be causing coronary artery calcification in black women, says a study by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Low-Salt Diets May Harm Heart, Study Says

New research would appear to upend long-standing advice to limit daily salt intake if you want to protect your heart.

Combat Veterans Pay a Price Decades Later

Combat can take a lasting toll on veterans, making them more likely to drink heavily and smoke decades after battle, a new study finds.

Too Little Magnesium Tied to Artery Troubles

Not having enough magnesium in your diet may increase your chances of developing coronary artery disease, study findings suggest.

College, U.N. Fight Hunger in Guatemala

Danielle Mann, a senior at Georgetown College, was one of five students from the small, private Baptist college to visit Guatemala in February as part of a project to film a documentary on chronic malnutrition that will be used by the United Nations' World Food Programme.

First Extreme Obesity Study Shows Risks

When the fat get even fatter, their risk of death jumps, too, especially if they have an apple-shaped waistline. So concludes a study of 90,000 women in the United States, the first to look closely at the alarming trend of extreme obesity, being at least 90 pounds overweight.

Food Fact:
Attention, Popeye!

Here's a secret for getting the most iron from spinach.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Speak up.

Chatting on the phone? It's the perfect time to get active!

FAQ of the day:
What's the difference between an herb and a spice?

Spices are generally derived from the dried seeds, roots or bark of a plant, often a tropical one. Herbs generally come from leaves, flowers and stems.