Daily Health Tips: Trusted Medical Information, Health Tips and Advices

What's your goal today? And does it fit into your life plan? If these questions leave you scratching your head, then your brain might be suffering in more ways than one. In a recent study, older adults who had a strong sense of purpose in their lives were significantly less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or cognitive impairment over the long haul. The Purpose-Driven Life What does having a purpose in life got to do with the price of eggs? Well, for one, it means that your actions and choices are guided by specific goals and desires. For another, it makes you more wired to look for meaning in personal events and experiences. And the piece de resistance of all this meaning-making? Researchers think it may help positively alter immune-system functioning in a way that benefits your heart and blood vessels. And that's good for your noggin.    A Better Health Perspective Lots of things can add purpose and meaning to your life, whether it's settin...

Hot or cold, cereal always tastes better with a little something on top. And for better blood pressure, the topper you should choose is blueberries. In a recent study of people with health conditions, those who had freeze-dried blueberries added to their diets every day experienced significant improvements in both their systolic and diastolic blood pressure after just 8 weeks. Blue-Blooded Benefits Researchers think that nutrients in blueberries may help soften blood pressure by increasing body levels of enzymes that relax blood vessels. These enzymes also support healthy endothelium -- those fragile cells that line blood vessel walls. And the blueberry lovin' may be particularly helpful for people with sub-par health. In the study, all of the men and women were obese (body mass index of 30 or more) and had metabolic syndrome -- a cluster of health risk factors that can lead to diabetes or heart disease. Get more antioxidants from your blueberries. Taking th...

Rear-Facing Seats Infants - from birth to at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds For the best possible protection keep infants in the back seat, in rear-facing child safety seats, as long as possible up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. At a minimum, keep infants rear-facing until a minimum of age 1 and at least 20 pounds. Forward-Facing Seats Toddlers - Age 1 & 20 lbs to Age 4 & 40 lbs When children outgrow their rear-facing seats (at a minimum age 1 and at least 20 pounds) they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds). Booster Seats Children - from about age 4 to at least age 8 Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays ...

Next time you get a sore throat and sniffles, here's what you need to do to avoid can't-get-out-of-bed misery later: stay home. Research shows that people who report to work sick are much more likely to get laid out flat by an even nastier bout of illness down the road. Sick at Work People who came to work sick at least six times within the previous year were 50 percent more likely to need extended sick leave later on -- as much as two or more weeks off within the next 18 months. Why is punching the clock when you're sick so bad? Researchers speculate that when people don't take time to rest and recuperate, the body gets more and more run down -- to the point where it can't keep a little illness from ballooning into big trouble.    Healthy Solution Okay, so sometimes you might feel like you really just don't have time to be sick. Or maybe you don't have the luxury of copious sick days. If you can swing it, stay home. But also try these ...

Weight Lifting Not Associated With Increased Risk of Arm Swelling Contrary to what's been thought, a program of weight lifting may not increase the risk for arm swelling caused by lymphedema in breast cancer survivors.  Weight lifting may help breast cancer patients who already have lymphedema in their arms to gain strength. Lymphedema is buildup of fluid that causes swelling. It can be a lasting side effect of removing lymph nodes during breast cancer surgery. To avoid developing the condition or making it worse, the vast majority of the 2.4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. are typically advised against lifting children, heavy bags, or anything else weighing more than 5 pounds. The findings "do not mean women can just go out, buy a set of weights and start their own rehabilitation program." What "breast cancer survivors should do is go to their physician and insist on getting a prescription for physical therapy. The physical therapist ...

For years they've been the staples in holiday stuffing. Now it turns out they're pretty fantastic for your heart, too. The savories in question? In a study, a powerful flavonoid found in celery and thyme appeared to hinder the production of compounds that trigger inflammation. Good news for your heart, because high bodywide levels of inflammation can open the door to heart disease. Good Guy, Bad Guy Inflammation isn't all bad. It's a normal bodily process that you need to stay healthy. It allows helpful things to happen, like wound healing and infection fighting. But when inflammation runs amok -- for either genetic or lifestyle reasons -- the body suffers. It opens the door not only to heart disease but also to scourges like diabetes and cancer. (Get your fill of celery and thyme with this savory stuffing: Wild Rice Stuffing.) Health Hazards Enter luteolin, the antioxidant compound found in celery and thyme. In fact, food is an excellent way to he...

Marinate your meat or poultry in oils and spices? Heck no! Not when you can do these dishes a healthy and delicious turn with this twist: wine or fruit juice marinades. Oil-based marinades can make a high-fat meal even fattier. But a low-fat marinade that relies on fruit for flavor can add moist taste, help control calories, and even cut down on harmful by-products produced by high-heat cooking. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry The key is to choose a marinade that is light on oil and high in spices and relies on vinegar, wine, or diluted juice for the majority of the liquids. The next time you marinate beef or poultry, enjoy the rich flavor in this low-fat marinade: Rosemary-Red Wine Marinade . For pork and fish, try this fruity-spicy tropical marinade: Pineapple-Chipotle Marinade . More Smart Swaps The great cooking and baking ideas that help make holiday favorites better for your waistline. Just think how great it will feel to be ahead of the game when the New Year...

Possible Link Between Prenatal Cell Phone Exposure and Childhood Behavior Problems Exposure to cell phones before birth and afterward may increase a child's risk for developing certain behavioral problems, including hyperactivity, inattention, and problems getting along with peers. The new research does have limitations; the study researchers point out that there aren't enough data to say how, or even if, cell phone exposure may cause any behavioral problems in children. "There are theories, but I do not know." "Exposure to the fetus is likely to be very low, so it's unclear how it can influence fetal development." But taking some simple precautions to reduce exposure during pregnancy and among children seems prudent. "Be aware of your exposure and while the science develops, use precaution."  "It is very easy to reduce exposure by keeping your phone away from body and using a hands-free device, so why not do it?...

Want to stay faithful to your diet or lose more weight? Eat a handful of nuts when you get the munchies. Despite their high fat and calorie count, nuts are the perfect diet food. Research shows that people who eat nuts lose more weight and are more likely to stick to their weight loss plans than people who don't nibble on this ultrasatisfying munchy. Perfect Helper Food Nuts boost weight loss efforts in three ways. First, they satisfy hunger, helping people to eat less later. Second, research shows that eating nuts helps people burn more calories at rest. And finally -- because of how the body digests them -- nuts might actually deliver fewer calories than you think (in fact, fewer calories per serving than nutrition labels suggest). Yep, sounds like nuts just might be the superfood of all superfoods. Nuts About Nuts Of course, noshing on nuts isn't a shortcut to weight loss. To drop pounds, you still need to cut calories from your day -- either by eatin...

Reduce cancer risk and control cholesterol with one protein choice? Maybe so, if that protein is salmon. Salmon -- and other fatty fish like trout and herring -- may help boost blood levels of good cholesterol. But here's the kicker. That same heart-healthy act could slash the risk of several different types of cancer as well. So warm up the broiler and slice some lemon. HDL and Cancer A recent review of several studies revealed that the risk of certain cancers -- including lung, colon, prostate, and breast -- may be affected by HDL levels. In the studies, the risk of these cancers took a nosedive in people with bountiful levels of the good-for-you kind of cholesterol. Seems the inflammation dampening that results from high HDL may also help discourage the survival, growth, and spread of various tumor cells. HDL Boost from the Sea Having high HDL won't guarantee that you'll never get cancer -- and more research is needed to confirm the link. But th...

Spend 20 easy minutes doing this and you could help guarantee a good mood for 12 hours: walk. That's what a recent study revealed. A short, moderately paced workout produced feel-good brain chemicals that lasted up to 12 hours afterward. Step Up to Happy In the study, college students either rested quietly for 20 minutes or cycled on a stationary bike for the same amount of time. And the cyclers weren't even really pushing it. They merely exercised at a mild to moderate pace (60 percent of maximum heart rate). Both groups reported lower levels of negative emotions -- like anger, depression, fatigue, and tension -- immediately after the experiment as well as 2 hours later. But only the cyclers continued to enjoy their happier mindset a full 12 hours after the workout session. Attitude Adjustment Yep, it all boils down to those mood-enhancing brain chemicals that exercise is so good at producing. Here's the catch, though: For an ongoing effect on your t...

Stroke Deaths Declining, but Stroke Is Still Third Leading Cause of Death A healthy lifestyle -- which includes not smoking, eating a low-fat diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body weight -- may help prevent a first-time stroke. That's according to the American Heart Association, whose revised guidelines say such healthy behaviors reduce the risk for stroke by as much as 80%. In addition to a healthy lifestyle, authors of the guidelines say primary care visits and emergency room visits provide a major opportunity to intervene and reduce the risk of stroke. Emergency room physicians could identify people at risk, particularly patients with diabetes , asymptomatic high blood pressure , or atrial fibrillation, and make recommendations to help prevent a first-time stroke. "Stroke remains a major health care problem,"  "Its human and economic toll is staggering." The guidelines, last updated in 200...

Sleep Requirements Vary From Person to Person   Did you need an alarm clock to wake up this morning? If you did, you probably didn't get enough sleep last night. A new paper published by the National Sleep Foundation suggests that although there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how much sleep adults need, there are ways to tell if you are not getting sufficient sleep, such as a reliance on an alarm clock. "We are all different,"  "You need enough sleep so you can awaken feeling refreshed without an alarm clock." Some people need more sleep than others. This need is based on genes, age, sex, and previous sleep amount, among other things. It also varies across the life cycle. Sleep Deprivation and Health Whether you need seven, eight, or even nine hours of sleep a night may be up for debate, but the importance of getting adequate sleep is not debatable. Sleep loss increases the risk of high blood pressure , inflammation, weight ...

Yesterday I was watching an health show so they were discussing on soft skin and what measure we should take to soft your skin What do your skin and that last slice of leftover turkey in the fridge have in common? They both might be a little dry right about now. So do them both a favor. Make yourself a little portobello mushroom gravy -- and eat it. Why? Because mushrooms provide a host of nutrients that give skin a radiant, youthful glow, writes Allison Tannis in Feed Your Skin, Starve Your Wrinkles . And we already know what gravy does for turkey leftovers. Skin-Loving Fungi Actually, just about any type of mushroom -- portobello, crimini, white button, shiitake, oyster -- will help buoy a youthful complexion, writes Tannis. All because of the following vitamins and minerals: Selenium -- Selenium shields newly formed skin cells from damage brought on by chemicals, inflammation, or too much time in the sun. Exactly what you want, because newbie skin cells are what mak...

Walking 6 Miles a Week May Protect Against Dementia Walking a little over three-fourths of a mile a day may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.           Among people who already have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), walking a similar amount may slow the brain degeneration and memory loss associated with the condition, "In cognitively normal adults, walking 6 miles a week instead of being sedentary was associated with a 50% reduction in Alzheimer's risk over 13 years. "In people with MCI, walking just 5 miles a week reduced brain atrophy and cognitive decline -- by more than 50%. Any type of exercise that's equivalent to walking 5 or 6 miles a week will probably offer the same brain protection. As Brain Cells Die, Brain Volume Decreases Between 2.4 million and 5.1 million American have Alzheimer's disease, according to the National Institute on Aging. Alzheimer's is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slo...

If your day doesn't start until you've brewed a fresh pot of coffee or tea, then your brain is one lucky mass of gray matter. A recent study revealed that folks who drink at least half a cup or more of either beverage each day may be far less likely to develop a glioma  an aggressive, hard-to-treat, and dangerous type of brain tumor. So put the pot on! Brain-Protective Brews In fact, regularly drinking either brew could cut the risk of a glioma by up to 34 percent. Researchers suspect that antioxidant compounds in the two drinks probably get the credit for the benefit. These compounds stimulate activity of a protein that can repair cancer-causing damage to brain-cell DNA. Pretty powerful stuff! Caffeine Counts But there may be more at work. Researchers also think that the caffeine in coffee and tea might have something to do with the brews' power to deflect cancer . In fact, petri dish research has shown that caffeine delays the growth of glioma tu...