The Checkup: January 25, 2009 - January 31, 2009
Oral MS Drug on Horizon
Merck has announced promising results for a new drug treatment for multiple sclerosis. That's good news for the 400,000 or so people (including me) in the U.S. who have MS, as treatment options are limited to five injectable drugs plus one delivered via monthly IV infusion. Merck's drug cladribine (which,...
By
Jennifer LaRue Huget
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January 30, 2009; 7:00 AM ET |
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Categories:
Chronic Conditions
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New Risk Factor for Infertility?
Could a woman become infertile because of her blouse? Or her couch? Or her carpet? That's what a provocative new study suggests. The study of 1,240 Danish women published today in the journal Human Reproduction found that those with elevated blood levels of chemicals widely used in common products such...
By
Rob Stein
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January 29, 2009; 11:30 AM ET |
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Categories:
Women's Health
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Can Cutting Calories Boost Memory?
Here's another reason to cut back on your calories--it may help you remember where you left your keys. A new study has found that elderly people who significantly reduced their caloric intake appeared to significantly improve their memory. Previous research has found the severe caloric restriction might extend longevity, though...
By
Rob Stein
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January 29, 2009; 7:00 AM ET |
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Comments (2)
Categories:
Alzheimers/Dementia
,
Neurological disorders
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Perspective: Mercury in High-Fructose Corn Syrup
I don't want mercury in any food I feed my family. But the news that two studies have found mercury in high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a good headline-grabber -- but perhaps more alarmist than need be. In one study, published in the journal Environmental Health, a hunch-following team...
By
Jennifer LaRue Huget
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January 28, 2009; 9:29 AM ET |
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Comments (3)
Categories:
Environmental Toxins
,
Nutrition and Fitness
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Keeping the Big Boss Healthy -- at a Cost
Maybe it's because I've never been an "executive" myself, but there's something rankling about these executive health centers that have been popping up in the D.C. area and across the country in the past 20 years or so. The rationale for these centers is that busy executives purportedly need access...
By
Jennifer LaRue Huget
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January 28, 2009; 7:00 AM ET |
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Comments (9)
Categories:
General Health
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Still Buying Organic, Despite the Price?
This week at Giant Food, a half gallon of nature's Promise 1% Low Fat Organic Milk is on sale for $3.49. Meanwhile, you can get a whole gallon of Giant brand 1% Low Fat milk for $3.75. Which one would you choose? The ongoing debate as to whether organically grown...
By
Jennifer LaRue Huget
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January 27, 2009; 7:00 AM ET |
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Comments (28)
Categories:
Nutrition and Fitness
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Testing Children's Books for Lead
A federal law requiring all products for kids 12 and under to be tested for lead content has publishers of children's books on high alert, Publisher's Weekly reports. The law was enacted last August, and the first deadline for demonstrating conformity to new standards comes on February 10 -- even...
By
Jennifer LaRue Huget
|
January 26, 2009; 7:00 AM ET |
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Comments (7)
Categories:
Environmental Toxins
,
Family Health
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