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

More Accident-Prone Driving sleep deprived can be as dangerous as driving drunk. Anywhere from 16 percent to 60 percent of car accidents involve a sleep-deprived driver, and 30 to 40 percent of all heavy truck accidents are caused by fatigue. Additionally, if you haven't gotten enough sleep, chances are you are going to be a bit clumsier than normal, resulting in a higher probability of having an accident doing routine tasks around the home or office. Increased Medical Expenses People who don't get enough sleep are more likely to have health issues. People who don't get enough sleep are 15 percent more likely to have a stroke and 48 percent more likely to develop or pass away from heart disease. Additionally, people who sleep four hours or less each night have a 75 percent higher chance of being obese due to the fact that sleep deprivation can affect appetite hormones. Bad Financial Decision Making If you're tired, chances are you are more likely...

There might be a simple approach for treating low back pain, but you'll need a spotter. It's backward walking. In a small study of college athletes, the participants who engaged in backward walking for several weeks experienced a significant reduction in their lower back pain. Walking This Way During the 3-week study, all participants -- both those with back pain and those without -- walked backward on a treadmill for 15 minutes a day, 3 days a week, at whatever pace they felt comfortable. And at the study's conclusion, all the people with low back pain reported a significant decrease in pain, as well as better range of motion. What's more, most of the lower back pain group also showed a reduction in shock attenuation -- a measurement that shows the body impact of the foot striking the ground.  Safety First Researchers think that backward walking may baby the back because it requires that the toe contact the ground first, rather than the heel -- whi...

Looking for a pill-free way to ease back pain? A survey recently revealed the top six. And none requires surgery. They are chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, herbal therapy, relaxation training, and stretching-based Eastern exercises (think yoga and tai chi). Ache-Alleviating Alternatives In a large national survey, 60 percent of people who had used one of these therapies in the previous year said that it brought them a "great deal" of relief from their low back pain. And, in fact, more was better. People who used a combination of one or more of these therapies tended to experience even greater back pain relief compared with people who used just one. Ask Your Doc First Whether your low back pain is mild, or much more problematic, you'll want to check with your doctor before trying any new form of exercise or pain relief therapy. Depending on your situation, certain alternative treatments could aggravate things rather than provide relief. But it...

Tea and exercise lovers, rejoice. If you look to the East, you'll give your bones a boost. A recent study suggests that combining green tea with tai chi -- two staples of Eastern cultures -- may work synergistically to prevent bone loss that leads to osteoporosis. Inflammation Fighters In a study of postmenopausal women who had bone thinning but not full-blown osteoporosis, consuming 500 milligrams a day of green tea polyphenols while participating three times a week in tai chi, a traditional Chinese form of mind-body exercise, resulted in improved bone health after just a few months. The women's blood and urine tests showed fewer markers of oxidative stress -- which is a good thing for not only bones but also the whole body. Oxidative stress is a primary cause of bodywide inflammation that can lead to osteoporosis as well as other inflammatory health problems like heart disease.  More Eastern Benefits Ready to get more Eastern influence into your bones...

Mitochondria, the cellular power plants that generate virtually all the energy your body requires, play a vital role in keeping organs youthful and healthy, too. So what can you do to keep those mitochondria powered up? Try reaching for the green -- like green pepper, green kiwifruit, and green parsley . Green-pigmented foods like these are rich in pyrroloquinoline quinone -- or PQQ for short -- a powerful antioxidant that shields mitochondria from oxidative damage in such vital organs as the brain and heart. More PQQs, Please Over time, damage to the delicate DNA inside mitochondria can accelerate aging and lead directly to degenerative disease. Dietary PQQ may not only shield these precious mitochondria from damage but also promote the formation of new mitochondria. Studies also suggest that PQQ may protect against neurological damage caused by the common environmental toxin methylmercury, which has been linked to Parkinson's  and Alzheimer's disease....

Researchers continue to search for the underlying causes of AD. The causes likely involve some combination of environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and genetics. Currently, the only proven risk factors for the disease include age and family history. Age The incidence of AD increases with age. Ten percent of people over 65 have AD. Fifty percent of people over 85 have the disease. The risk of AD doubles every 5 years after the age of 65. Family History People who have one or more blood relatives with AD are at increased risk of developing the disease. Early-onset AD  is a familial form of the disease caused by rare inherited mutations in one of three genes involved in the production and accumulation of beta-amyloid , a protein that gathers into sticky plaques in the brains of AD sufferers. Late-onset AD  is the most common form of the disease. Although they are still working to understand the nature of this type of dementia, researchers have identified two genes that ...

Eating a bit more like our hunter-gatherer ancestors could be a boon to your heart health. A growing number of evolutionary biologists posit that in order to live healthier lives, we should return to more of a hunter-gatherer diet -- with more grass-fed beef, root vegetables, berries, nuts, and eggs. And in a recent study, this style diet appeared to boost cardiovascular health. Heart of the Matter In the study, investigators fed nine healthy non-obese men and women their usual diets for a few days. After switching to a Paleolithic-era diet for 7 days, study participants experienced improved cardiovascular health; greater insulin sensitivity (which means their bodies needed less insulin to keep blood sugar steady); and less after-meal arterial stiffness, a measure of cardiovascular health. Which led some researchers to speculate that our grain- and dairy-based diet over the last 10,000 years may have resulted in epidemics of cardiovascular disease , since our bodies...

One of the best ways to reduce your risk of chronic disease and live a longer life may be to act like a hunter-gatherer. Scientists recently analyzed the physical habits of our hunter-gatherer ancestors -- people who tended to engage in short bursts of physical activity (mostly outside) coupled with periods of rest -- and health experts agree we'd probably all be better off physically if we followed that example. In fact, our bodies may be genetically programmed for it. Walk on the Wild Side Our hunter-gatherer predecessors were pretty busy. Whether they were digging for roots and tubers; making tools; building shelters; hunting; or carrying logs, food, or small children, they were often on the move. All in all, they probably expended between 800 and 1,200 calories per day doing physical things -- most of them outdoors. But the average American today? We expend only a small fraction of energy doing anything physical. As a result, our stamina, muscle strength, and fl...

Are you among the 85 percent of menstruating women who get premenstrual syndrome (PMS)? Then here's some good news: You can fight back with spinach. Researchers recently analyzed the diets of over 1,000 women who suffered from PMS and compared their diets to the diets of women who were PMS-free. And high intakes of thiamin (vitamin B1) and riboflavin (vitamin B2) -- both found in spinach -- appeared to reduce the risk of PMS symptoms by up to 35 percent. The B's Have It More research is needed to confirm the link. But investigators believe that vitamins B1 and B2 may somehow increase two brain neurotransmitters -- serotonin and dopamine. And a lack of those two neurotransmitters may play a role in PMS symptoms. But popping a supplement won't cut it. The researchers saw a reduction in the risk of symptoms only from eating B1- and B2-rich foods. Also important: Women who reduced their risk of PMS by 25 to 35 percent consumed twice the current recommended di...

If you've already blown out 60 birthday candles, it's time to get extra serious about protecting your eyes from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) -- by hitting the salad bar. AMD is a progressive disease in the retina affecting people mostly over age 60. It gradually destroys sharp, central vision. But new research suggests that the nutrients you need to prevent it are all front and center at your local salad buffet. Eye on Nutrition AMD occurs in two forms: wet and dry. In the dry form, AMD may advance so slowly that people notice little change in their vision. In the wet form, the disease progresses faster and may lead to a loss of central vision in both eyes.  But newly published studies suggest that high dietary intakes of beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fats -- as well as vitamin D and zinc -- could reduce the risk of early AMD, especially in people with an inherited tendency toward the disease. So here are three eat-for-your-eyes sal...

1. Kale Cooked kale, spinach, collards, and turnip greens (along with broccoli and eggs) are crammed full of lutein and zeaxanthin -- two powerful antioxidants that may help protect against retinal damage and the onset of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.   2. Oranges Vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies -- like oranges, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, and red bell peppers -- help support blood vessels in the eye and may reduce the risk of cataracts. 3. Peanuts Peanuts are a good source of vitamin E, a nutrient known for protecting eyes from free-radical damage. Vitamin E may also hinder the progression of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Almonds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts are other good sources of vitamin E. 4. Kidney Beans Your eyes do love a cup of red kidney beans straight out of the can. Why? Because they are a good source of zinc, a mineral that is vital to eye health. It helps get vitamin A from the liver t...

Study found omega-3 fatty acids linked to lower risk of age-related macular degeneration. MONDAY, March 14 (HealthDay News) -- Women who consume fish regularly -- and the abundance of omega-3 fatty acids found in that meal choice -- have a lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), new research suggests. This latest evidence of a protective link between fish oil and eye health mirrors past research that has found the same benefit. In this study, Harvard researchers performed a dietary analysis on more than 38,000 women. "Our observational data needs to be confirmed in randomized trials," cautioned study author William G. Christen, an associate professor with the division of preventive medicine in the department of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. "But already the message seems to be simple and strong," Christen added. "Fish oil, that is the omega-3 fat...

Why zinc is good for you, how much you need, and where to get it Benefits of Zinc Zinc is an essential mineral that helps wounds heal and keeps your immune system strong. But does zinc help prevent colds? Recommended Amount: How Much You Need To prevent zinc deficiency, the current government guidelines recommend 11 milligrams (mg) of zinc per day for men and 8 mg for women. For optimal health and disease prevention, RealAge recommends adults get 12 mg of zinc per day, preferably through food. Too much zinc can interfere with your body's ability to absorb other vitamins and minerals, so if you take a daily zinc supplement or multivitamin, opt for one with no more than 15 mg of zinc. Good Sources of Zinc Oysters, raw (3 medium) 16–25 mg Lamb chop (3 ounces) 6 mg Ground beef, 85% lean (3 ounces) 5.3 mg Ricotta cheese, part-skim milk (1 cup) 3.3 mg Turkey, no skin (3 ounces) 2.6 mg Kidney beans, canned (1/2 cup) 2 mg Yogurt, plain, low fat (8 o...

What works -- and what doesn't -- when it comes to revving up your immune system Once you notice trees dropping their leaves, days getting shorter, nights getting darker, and the air feeling a little crisper, you can be sure of two things: Drugstore aisles will be crammed with cold and flu preventions, from echinacea to zinc. And "coffee talk" with friends, family, and coworkers will inevitably turn to how to prevent a cold or the flu – or even ways to steer clear of the latest virus. Seems like everyone has his or her own method for preventing colds and flu, from simple rules like never leaving the house with wet hair, to more deliberate methods such as: Taking a special combo of vitamins and minerals Sipping an effervescent vitamin drink Getting a daily dose of an herbal remedy Loading up on garlic You know that taking steps to protect your immune system is wise. In fact, doing so can make your RealAge as much as 6 years younger. But on the flip side, ta...