HEALTH & FITNESS NEWS

National and Oregon health and wellness information and medical news

What you don't know might make you smarter.

New research suggests that searching for information on the Internet may stimulate your mind and cause new spouts on your neurons (brain cells) -- even more than plain old reading does.

In fact, the brains of older people who were familiar with the Internet were twice as active during online searches as they were when reading from a book, according to a study to be published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

. There's no word yet on whether you can stave off mental decline by Googling all day, but there's nothing harmful about getting your neurons going, whether you're searching for Nobel prize winners or Britney Spears trivia.

Not plugged in? Reading on good, old-fashioned paper does still build your brain, possibly by helping you develop a "cognitive reserve" -- extra brainpower that keeps the mind rolling even when brain cells are under attack.

Give your brain even more of an edge with these steps:

-Ditch the tobacco. Smoke kills brain cells.

-Give your mind a workout with games and puzzles.

--Get more B vitamins. People who are short on vitamins B-12 and folate have a harder time recalling certain words.

--Add DHA-omega 3 (600 mg of DHA is equivalent to 2 grams of fish oil without the fishy smell or taste).

--Take a walk! Exercise boosts blood flow to the brain and helps new gray matter grow. Better yet, search for a walking group in your area and sign up with someone: You'll get the triple rewards of walking, Googling and having a buddy.

The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz (left) and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions, go to www.RealAge.com

WASHINGTON -- Many of the thousands of troops who suffered traumatic brain injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan are at risk of long-term health problems including depression and Alzheimer's-like symptoms, but it's impossible to predict how high those risks are, researchers say.

About 22 percent of wounded troops have a brain injury, concluded the Institute of Medicine -- and it urged precise steps for studying how these patients fare years later so that chances to help aren't missed.

Continue reading "Long-term health problems tied to brain injuries" »

Here's the forecast on Oregon's sometimes hazy vistas: They should be clearer at the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood and Hells Canyon over the next decade. But the view won't noticeably improve at Crater Lake and scenic parts of the Coast Range.

The state's blueprint for improving visibility in wilderness areas banks on dramatically cutting pollution from Oregon's only coal plant, Portland General Electric's Boardman plant in the gorge. But the plan, released this week, stops short of curbing other manmade sources of haze, including dairies, ships using dirty fuel and field and timber-related burns.

Continue reading "Oregon's hazy vistas will be slow to clear up" »

NEW YORK -- Consumers should be wary of Web sites from clinics that offer stem cell treatments, says a study that found a lack of firm medical evidence to back up their claims.

The Web sites in the study generally portrayed their therapies as safe, effective and ready for routine use, but published research doesn't support that "overoptimistic" picture, the study authors said.

Continue reading "Buyer beware: Avoid sites with stem cell therapy" »

WASHINGTON -- A cigarette maker and a smoker's widow squared off for the third time at the Supreme Court today over a $79.5 million punitive damages award, but the real battle was between the justices and their counterparts on Oregon's high court.

Twice before, the Supreme Court has struck down the judgment against Altria Group Inc.'s Philip Morris USA and ordered the Oregon court to take another look at the case. Each time, the Oregon high court has upheld the award to Mayola Williams, the widow of a longtime smoker of Philip Morris' Marlboro brand.

Continue reading "Oregon smoker's widow again seeks settlement from Supreme Court" »

Fitting into your New Year's Eve outfit doesn't mean passing up appetizers altogether.

In fact, choosing the right noshes before your meal or at the season's parties may actually help you eat less overall.

Eating a small amount of healthy unsaturated fat -- think walnuts, avocado spread on whole-grain bread and apples dipped in a little peanut butter -- 25 minutes before a meal triggers a chain reaction in your digestive system that slows the rate at which your stomach empties, which means you feel fuller faster.

It also helps keep your blood sugar levels from spiking after your meal and makes it easier for your body to absorb fat-soluble nutrients, such as vitamins A, D, E and K, as well as lycopene and lutein.

But here's the catch: It only takes about 70 calories of this fat to get the effect. That's about six walnuts, 10 almonds, 1/4 of a medium avocado, or half a tablespoon of real peanut butter (from peanuts alone). More than that, and you're just working against yourself.

So say yes to the whole-grain bread and 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil the next time a waiter brings it to your table (but if the bread is white, order the ceviche instead). And chase it with a full glass of water.

At parties, reach past the chips and hit the spicy almonds, walnuts or olive tapenade. It's a great way to enjoy evenings out -- and what you see in the mirror.

The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz (left) and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions, go to www.RealAge.com

It's a parent's nightmare: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration detects an industrial chemical in the American-made formula that you feed your baby.

The chemical is melamine, as in the substance that's sickened nearly 300,000 Chinese children with kidney stones and other problems and has led to six confirmed deaths.

Got questions? Click here for answers.

Last week, we discussed the importance of developing your muscular strength, endurance and speed.

When developing muscular strength, you'll use a heavier resistance and keep your repetitions lower - between six and 12.

For developing muscular endurance, you'll use a lighter resistance and keep your repetitions righter - between 13 and 20.

Continue reading "Working on strength, speed of upper body" »

Q: Smoking for years left me with fine lines and deep wrinkles around my mouth. What moisturizer should I use to decrease them?

A: Don't expect too much from a moisturizer. It may help soften the appearance of your wrinkles, but nobody's going to wonder secretly whether you've had work done. Even moisturizers packed with the antioxidant vitamins C and E can't undo the damage that years of oxygen deprivation and inflammation from smoke exposure have done. Nor can they reverse the wrinkles created by continually pursing your lips around those burning sticks. If you really want to minimize those grooves, here's what to do:

Continue reading "Best way to get rid of smoking lines: Don't smoke" »

A stuffy nose that just won't go away? Don't blame a lingering cold. Think allergies instead.

Nearly a third of Americans and hefty numbers of people in other countries as well, are allergic to dust mites (really, it's their droppings, but we're not going to go there), which live inside your pillow and mattress, and other stuffing-filled places you've spent time.

And when your home is all sealed up in the winter to keep heating costs down, your Kleenex costs are likely to rise -- along with your chance of a bad night's sleep and your risk of asthma, eczema or chronic sinusitis.

The first step in treating allergies is limiting your exposure to them:

--Avoid clutter and dust and mite poop catchers: knickknacks, drapes, stacks of books, papers or toys, especially in the bedroom.

--Bare your floors (and damp mop them frequently). If you do have carpet, vacuum often and clean under the furniture and in the closet.

--Use only polyester pillows and wash them -- and all bedding -- frequently, in very hot water (130 degrees F). For extra protection, zip mattresses, box springs, and pillows in allergen-proof coverings that block particles of one micron or larger.

--If you have a forced-air heating system, change the filters monthly. Cold and warm air ducts should be professionally cleaned at least every four to five years.

--Use an air cleaner with a HEPA or electrostatic filter. If you get symptoms during housecleaning, wear a mask over your nose and mouth during these chores. Better yet, have your spouse do the cleaning!

The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz (left) and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions, go to www.RealAge.com

Drivers circle the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center like a creeping conga line as veterans, many elderly or disabled, wait to squeeze into compact-only parking slots before hurrying into crowded hallways to wait again.

On Monday, no waiting.

The VA unveiled a new outpatient clinic in Hillsboro's Streets of Tanasbourne neighborhood -- a giant step toward moving almost all primary care patients off the Portland "mother ship." By June, new VA outpatient clinics are scheduled to open in the Oregon City area and in The Dalles, with a part-time clinic in Lincoln City. A clinic opened in east Portland in 2007.

Continue reading "New VA clinics are easing the congestion on Portland's Marquam Hill" »

CHICAGO -- Almost one in five young American adults has a personality disorder that interferes with everyday life, and even more abuse alcohol or drugs, researchers reported Monday in the most extensive study of its kind.

The disorders include problems such as obsessive or compulsive tendencies and anti-social behavior that can sometimes lead to violence. The study also found that fewer than 25 percent of college-aged Americans with mental problems get treatment.

Continue reading "Study looks at young Americans' personality disorders, drug abuse" »