Acai berries: Superfood or hype?
The acai (ah-sigh-EE) berry is a grapelike fruit harvested from acai palm trees, which are native to the rainforests of South America. Like other berries, acai berries contain antioxidants and fiber. Some proponents call them a superfood, claiming they help various health concerns, including arthritis, weight loss, high cholesterol and erectile dysfunction. Does research support these health claims? Learn more from Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian nutritionist.
medical
VA bans smoking, vaping at its hospitals
“Smoking and vaping will no longer be allowed at Veterans Affairs (VA) health care centers across the country starting in October, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Tuesday.
Historically, permitted designated smoking areas were available at VA facilities. The new policy will limit smoking of all kinds, including cigarettes and electronic vape pens.
In announcing the policy change, the VA cited growing evidence that smoke exposure causes significant medical risks. “
EurekaAlert!: Undetected diabetes linked to heart attack and gum disease
KAROLINSKA INSTITUTE
Undetected diabetes linked to heart attack and gum disease
“People with undetected glucose disorders run a higher risk of both myocardial infarction and periodontitis, according to a study published in the journal Diabetes Care by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The results demonstrate the need of greater collaboration between dentistry and healthcare, say the researchers, and possibly of screening for diabetes at dental clinics.”
The Washington Times: California to pay full health benefits for illegal immigrants
Rising demand for long-term home care signals looming crisis
Steven Ross Johnson
“Experts say the rising costs and demand for home healthcare services will make it less affordable for many older adults to pay for the services long term.
Richard Johnson, a senior fellow in the Income and Benefits Policy Center at the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C., said there are strong indicators the current methods for financing long-term care are leading to a crisis in the coming years that will make such services unaffordable for those most in need.”
Irritable Bowel Symptoms Tied to Intestinal, Brain Abnormalities / DRUGS.COM
FRIDAY, June 7, 2019 — A greater number of intestinal and brain function abnormalities increases the burden of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a study recently published in Gastroenterology.
D2d: Vitamin D Doesn’t Stop Diabetes in Those With Prediabetes / MEDSCAPE MEDICAL NEWS
Becky McCall
“Vitamin D3 supplementation in people at high risk of developing diabetes but who did not have vitamin D insufficiency does not reduce the chances of developing the disease compared with placebo, the new results of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial show.
The findings from the Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes (D2d) trial were presented here at the American Diabetes Association 2019 Scientific Sessions by Anastassios Pittas, MD, from Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.”
Poll: Majority Want To Keep Abortion Legal, But They Also Want Restrictions
“An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist survey found that three-quarters of Americans want the Supreme Court to uphold Roe v. Wade. But there is also complexity — and contradiction — in respondents’ views”
A Dutch Teenager’s Death Was Wrongly Reported As “Legal Euthanasia” Across International Media. Here’s How They All Got It Wrong. / BUZZFEED NEWS
“On Wednesday, thanks to the diligence of Politico Europe reporter Naomi O’Leary, the truth finally started to emerge outside of the Netherlands: Noa Pothoven had not been “legally euthanised” at all.
She had requested euthansia under Dutch law but had been refused. She died at home after refusing to eat and her parents and doctors agreed not to force feed her, offering her palliative care instead.”
Business Insider: The FDA found ‘forever chemicals’ in meat, seafood, and chocolate cake sold in grocery stores. Here’s how worried you should be.
Aria Bendix
The FDA found ‘forever chemicals’ in meat, seafood, and chocolate cake sold in grocery stores. Here’s how worried you should be.
THN 