We may not know all the ways in which the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) affects our health, but we can be sure that we’re exposed to it frequently — BPA is used in plastic products and lines nearly all food and beverage cans.
Heart Disease
Cutting Back on Salt: How Low Is Too Low?
Cutting back on salt is a key recommendation in the government’s latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and has been a part of good health advice for decades. But, increasingly, the evidence suggests that that guidance may …
New Advice: Kids Should Be Screened for High Cholesterol
All tweens aged 9 to 11 should have their cholesterol checked to help head off cardiovascular disease early, according to new medical guidelines announced Friday.
To Salt or Not to Salt? Study Questions the Benefits of Reducing Dietary Sodium
For decades, experts have been recommending that Americans cut down on their salt consumption to reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke. According to a new study, however, while reducing dietary salt does lower blood …
Trying To Quit Smoking? Don’t Start With Chantix, Say Some Experts
The psychiatric side effects of a popular quit-smoking drug make it too dangerous to use as a first attempt to kick the habit, according to a new study. The authors suggest the drug should eventually be taken off the market altogether.
Just a Few Drinks a Week Boosts Breast Cancer Risk
A new study should give women pause before filling their wine glass. Researchers found that women who regularly drink a small amount of alcohol — less than a drink a day — may increase their lifetime risk of breast cancer.
How a Compound in Red Wine Does the Body Good
You may be less interested to learn why red wine is good for you than to simply know that it is. But if you’re curious, researchers have now completed the most comprehensive study to date on the health effects of an ingredient in …
Can Eating Fruits and Veggies Outwit Bad Heart Genes?
We know that eating lots of fruits and vegetables is good for the heart, but can a healthy diet really overcome the effect of genes that boost your risk for heart problems?
Vitamins and Supplements Linked to Higher Risk of Death
If you think you’re doing your body good by popping a daily multivitamin or supplementing with extra vitamin C or E, think again. A new study finds that taking supplements is linked to higher odds of early death, at least in older women.
Why Fathers Are Less Likely to Die of Heart Disease
Having children may drain a man’s testosterone, but a large family may also be an indicator of heart health, a new study finds.
Depression May Boost Risk of Stroke
Depression may go hand in hand with a number of other physical health problems, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Now the latest evidence suggests that depression may also increase the risk of stroke.
Rethinking the Framingham Score: Is There a Better Way to Predict Heart Disease?
Doctors are constantly telling us that prevention is the best medicine, especially when it comes to chronic problems like heart disease. The key to a good prevention strategy is, of course, controlling the risk factors that …