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

Most men have their first tryst with backache between the ages of 30 and 45, about the same time they start getting grey hair. According to medical studies, at least 70 percent of men will have back aches at some point in their lives. Of those, 14 percent will have severe pain that lasts for at least two weeks, and up to 7 per cent will have chronic pain that can last for more than six months. Muscle strain has been identified as the most common cause of back pain in several medical studies. As men get older, they get less and less exercise. The amount of physical activity reduces to a good extent. Consequently, the muscles in the abdomen and back that support the spine deteriorate and get out of shape. What happens after this is that you discover that you are unable to perform tasks with ease (as you used to do previously) and experience pain in the abdomen area. Improper posture is also one of the major reasons for back ache. Oft

You could drop your risk of colon cancer by as much as 65 percent with this simple and delicious diet switch. Trade that meat-and-potato kabob for a fish-and-vegetable one. That's right. As you wait breathlessly for spring to turn to summer, start planning your barbecues now. And plan on making fish and vegetables -- and, what the heck, a little fruit, too -- the mainstays of your hot-coal-fired meals. Cancer-Countering Diet A diet that's bursting with fruit, vegetables, whole-grains, and healthy protein choices like fish rather than meat is smart for a variety of health reasons. But it appears that the good things in this diet -- like fiber, antioxidants , vitamins , and minerals -- may work synergistically to keep the colon healthy and free of cancer. For good measure, add beans and low-fat dairy -- two more diet choices that appear to be an important part of a healthy-colon diet. (You can make meats safer for your body by using this slow-grill method.) Dep

Firing up the grill this weekend? Keep your choice meats on the healthy side with this cooking philosophy: low and slow. Cooking meat at a lower temperature is better for your health. It may take a little longer, but the reward is fewer body-aging by-products. Douse the Flames When cooked at high heat, meat proteins can form cell-damaging, inflammation-promoting oxidants. And getting too much of these oxidants, called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), may actually shorten life span, according to early-stage animal studies. Researchers think certain aging genes may be turned off or on in the absence or presence of these AGEs.    Better Barbecue Regardless of how you cook, make sure you practice food-safety habits, and heat meat to the right internal temperature. Check out this article for safe grilling tips and target temperatures .

Two minutes in the morning and two minutes in the evening and your lungs may be breathing fine for a very long time. We're talking about brushing your teeth. As you've no doubt heard, good dental hygiene helps prevent gum disease. But what you might not know? A recent study suggests that gum disease may open the door to some pretty serious lung diseases. The Mouth-Lung Connection Smoking remains the leading cause of serious respiratory diseases, such as lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The recent study did not conclusively prove that gum disease is another direct cause of COPD. But people in the study who were hospitalized with COPD and other types of lung disease had significantly higher rates of gingivitis and periodontal disease than the folks in a control group who had healthy lungs. It's not clear what the connection is. But we know that the bacteria from dental plaque, when inhaled into the lungs, not only can cause COPD

The keys to a young and healthy smile may be brushing and flossing -- and eating plenty of fish. In a study, people consuming the highest amounts of omega-3 fats -- particularly two kinds found in fish -- were significantly less likely to have periodontitis, a form of gum disease. The Healthy-Fat Effect The greatest gum-health benefits came from a type of omega-3 fat called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), although eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) showed subtle benefits as well. Both fatty acids are found in abundance in cold-water fish, such as salmon and sardines. People who got the most DHA from their diets or supplements had as much as a 20 percent lower risk of gum disease. Researchers think omega-3 fats may help calm oral inflammation caused by infections. The end result? Less tissue breakdown.    Simple Servings You need to eat only a moderate amount of fish to glean the sort of benefits enjoyed in the study. A good target, researchers say, is two servings a week of sal

It's versatile, it's low in fat, and it's high in protein. And it just might help your lungs stay lusty and young. We're talking about soy. Don't blanch just yet. Prepared correctly, soy can taste sublime. Certain kinds, like tofu, easily take on the flavor of whatever you cook with. And research suggests that some extra tofu or edamame in your diet may slash your risk of pulmonary diseases to boot. Tasty Airway Protection Specifically, early research shows that eating soy foods is associated with a reduced risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). That's a category of lung ailments that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In one recent Japanese study, those with the highest intakes of soy foods not only had lower risk of COPD but also had better overall lung function. Here's another food that lungs love. A Controversial Food? There's a ton of conflicting evidence about the health benefits of soy. But as a whole food

It's Fruit and Vegetable Month, and there's one fruit in particular that your lungs love. It's round, it's red, and it's really delicious. Give up? It's apples. This Superman of fruits is packed full of vitamins and phytochemicals that may reduce the risk of asthma and improve your overall lung capacity. How many should you eat? The Flavonoid Fruit In a study, people who ate at least five apples a week had better lung function than the people who noshed less frequently on this crunchy fruit. However many you decide to munch, get the most out of them by eating the peel, too. That's where most of the health-helping flavonoids -- like quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidins -- reside. There's another way apples may help you breathe easier: by loosening your waistband.

You know flossing is a great way to fend off gum disease. But cancer? Turns out that there might be a connection. A recent study of lifestyle habits showed that people with healthy gums also enjoyed a lower risk of developing any type of cancer. Telling Teeth In the study, researchers used questionnaires to track the health histories and lifestyle habits of close to 50,000 men for nearly 18 years. Compared with men who had no track record of gum problems, men with a history of gum disease were 14 percent more likely to develop cancer -- any kind, although the link was especially strong for lung and pancreatic cancer. The Gateway to Good Health How gum problems might lead to cancer isn't totally clear, but other research indicates that people with gum disease usually have higher blood levels of certain inflammatory markers that are also associated with cancer and other health problems. Yep, healthy teeth may mean more than just a pretty smile.

You could turn fuzzy thinking into a killer memory with this brilliant little habit: power napping. In a study, people who took a power nap after learning a new task performed 50 percent better than the non-nappers when they were later given a test on the task. Total Recall The process of making memories is complicated. And new memories are the most fragile. But in the recent study, researchers discovered that nappers who got quality deep sleep (slow-wave sleep) during their naps learned new material much better compared with the sleep-deprived participants. Scientists think something about deep sleep helps new memories encode into higher brain regions where memories become more permanent.    Something About Sleep Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night is a good health goal. It boosts your immune system, helps control stress levels, and may even be essential in keeping your heart and other body parts healthy. And a power nap now and then can be a good way to catc

Generally, what's harmful to your heart also is also harmful to your brain. Make no mistake about it: While fried potato skins are busting your buttons, there's also a portion that gets shuttled up through your arteries to your gray matter. Saturated fats, for example, clog arteries that lead to your brain, putting you at risk of stroke, while omega-3 fatty acids -- the good fats found in fish -- are helpful for your brain because they help keep your arteries clear. They also alter your neurotransmitters and reduce depression. These are the best foods to keep your brain and your RealAge young: Food Why Recommended Amount RealAge Difference Nuts Nuts contain monounsaturated fats to keep your arteries clear, as well as levels of precursors of serotonin to boost mood. 1 ounce of nuts a day is just right. (More is fine, but be careful of calorie overload.) An ounce is about 12 walnuts or 24 almonds. Men: 3.3 years younger. Women: 4.4 years younger.