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

You know those pills that block fat absorption? There may be a natural snack that offers a similar benefit: toasted nori. This crispy Japanese munchie -- made of thin sheets of seaweed that have been roasted or toasted and lightly salted -- could help your body block fat calories. In a new study, a special fiber found in seaweed appeared to inhibit fat absorption by over 75 percent! Natural Fat-Blocker The fat-blocking fiber in seaweed is called alginate. And in a recent lab study using an artificial gut, alginate interfered with a key enzyme responsible for breaking down dietary fat. The likely result in a real gut? The undigested fat would just pass right through and get expelled, which means fewer fat calories to use or store. Another small study using alginate-spiked drinks provides additional evidence of the fat-blocking effect. In that study, getting just 1.5 grams per day of alginate fiber caused a reduction in calorie intake over the course of a week.  ...

Before you spend 20 minutes pumping iron at the gym or hauling your body up that park hill, feed yourself a little protein-rich snack first. Research suggests that a protein fix before a workout could boost your metabolic rate -- and thus your calorie burn -- for a full 24 hours after you strength train. Muscle Factory Whether you use elastic bands, gym weights, or your own body as resistance, strength training revs up your body's calorie burning from hours to days after a single session. And there are two reasons why: First, your body is simply working overtime to replenish the fuel -- oxygen and blood sugar -- you used up in your workout. But second, your body is also trying to rebuild the muscle broken down in the workout. And, as it turns out, a little extra protein may encourage your body to work even harder on that second part. The Power of Protein In a study done on exercisers, a protein-rich drink consumed 20 minutes before strength-training resulted ...

Eating lunch at your desk? Good for productivity, maybe. But very bad for your waistline. Research confirms it. Seems that eating when your mind is somewhere else -- whether it's on a work project, a YouTube video, or a magazine article -- can make you apt to eat more than you need to. Food out of Focus In a study, men and women were served a lunch consisting of several different foods. Half of the participants played a computer card game while eating; the other half had a distraction-free lunch. After the meal, people who played the game reported feeling less full compared with the nongamers, and they ate twice as many cookies during a taste test 30 minutes later. The card players also had more trouble listing in order the food items they had eaten for lunch.    Multitasking Mayhem A number of studies have shown that people tend to eat more while watching TV. But this study associates the effects of distracted eating with other activities. Basically, anyt...

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...