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Close Friendships Boost Your Self-Esteem, and Vice Versa: Study

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People with strong self-esteem are more likely to develop deep, supportive friendships, and new research suggests that the connection works the other way, too. “For the first time, we have a systematic answer to a key question in the field of self-esteem research: Whether and to what extent a person’s social relationships influence his or her self-esteem development, and vice versa,” study author Michelle Harris said in an American Psychological Association news release. She’s a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Texas at Austin. It turns out, Harris said, that self-esteem and friendship are mutually reinforcing. That conclusion comes from a review of 52 studies that examined the impact of self-esteem and friendships among more than 47,000 men and women. The studies were conducted between 1992 and 2016, across a wide range of countries, including the United States. Six out of 10 participants were white, and ages ranged from early childhood to seniors. For both men and women of all ages, having strong social support and acceptance translated into having strong self-esteem. And vice versa. The reverse also appeared to hold: Poor self-esteem undermined one’s ability to develop strong social connections, the team found. And weak friendships appeared to undermine one’s sense of self-esteem. The cycle may have deep roots in the way kids are raised, the study authors said. Parents who instill a strong…  read on >

Seasonal Drinks With a Lighter Touch

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With pumpkin spice lattes already hitting coffee shops, it’s never too soon to rethink favorite seasonal sips and cut calories without sacrificing flavor. Here are four to try from now until the holidays really begin! Each recipe makes two drinks. Pear Bellini: Pears make the perfect puree to add to champagne, Prosecco or sparking rose. Peel and core a ripe pear. Cut it into slices, reserving two for the garnish. Place the remaining pear slices in a blender along with one ounce of a pear liqueur and two tablespoons of cold water. Blend until smooth and divide between two champagne glasses. Top off each glass with the bubbly of your choice and place a pear wedge on each rim. Peppermint Hot Chocolate: In a small saucepan, whisk two cups skim milk, two tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, two tablespoons sugar or the equivalent amount of substitute and a few drops of mint extract (it’s very strong, so taste as you go to keep it from overpowering the cocoa). Heat slowly until warm, about three minutes. Pour into two mugs. Mulled Wine: Heat one cup good quality red wine, a half teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 12 cloves and two quarters of an orange over medium heat for about two minutes until quite warm. Strain into heatproof glass mugs. Real Pumpkin Latte: In a saucepan, whisk together four…  read on >

Link Seen Between Infertility, Prostate Cancer

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Could male infertility contribute to a higher risk for prostate cancer? Yes, according to new Swedish research that suggests that men who become fathers through assisted reproduction treatments may be more likely to develop prostate cancer in midlife. The conclusion follows a review of data collected by a Swedish national registry between 1994 and 2014. In all, 1 million children had been born during that time frame, mostly to men in their 30s. Most (97%) were conceived through natural means. But 1.7% of the fathers (about 20,600 men) had undergone in vitro fertilization, while another 1.3% (nearly 15,000 men) conceived through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) techniques. Prostate cancer risk during the two decades following birth was less than 1% across the board. However, while just 0.28% of dads who had conceived naturally went on to develop the disease, that figure was 0.37% among those from the in vitro group. Prostate cancer affected an even greater percentage (0.42%) of men in the sperm injection group. The team pointed out that sperm injection is usually reserved for men struggling with the most serious types of infertility. The findings held up even after taking into account a range of factors, including age, educational background and history of prior cancer. The team was led by researchers Yahia Al-Jebari, now at Stanford University in California, and Yvonne Lundberg Giwercman, from…  read on >

Gum Disease Might Raise Your Blood Pressure

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Here’s a compelling reason to keep those dreaded appointments with your dentist: New research suggests that red, tender or bleeding gums could trigger high blood pressure. In a review of 81 studies that included more than 250,000 people, U.K. scientists found that those who had moderate to severe gum disease (periodontitis) had a 22% increased risk for high blood pressure, and those with severe gum disease had a 49% higher risk. “Oral health is closely linked to general health,” explained researcher Dr. Francesco D’Aiuto, head of the periodontology unit at University College London’s Eastman Dental Institute. “Looking after your teeth and gums is often neglected, but [it] should be as important as managing other general health risks,” he added. Among people with periodontitis, systolic pressure (top number) was 4.5 mm Hg higher and diastolic pressure (bottom number) was 2 mm Hg higher, on average, than people without gum disease, the researchers found. In five of the studies analyzed, researchers found that blood pressure dropped when periodontitis was treated. Blood pressure also dropped in patients treated for gum disease who didn’t have hypertension, they added. But whether treating periodontitis really is the cause of a drop in blood pressure isn’t certain, D’Aiuto said, since the study did not prove a cause-and-effect link. “Bad brushing and bacteria accumulation around teeth causes gum bleeding and disease, but also…  read on >

Radiation Right After Surgery Might Not Help Prostate Cancer Patients

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In the largest investigation of its kind, researchers conclude that subjecting prostate cancer patients to radiation therapy immediately after surgery doesn’t give them an advantage in staying cancer-free. The finding stems from a review of four studies that together tracked outcomes for more than 3,500 prostate cancer patients from multiple countries. If the findings help change standard practice, “the good news is that, in future, many men will avoid the side effects of radiotherapy,” said study first author Chris Parker, of the Institute of Cancer Research in London. His team was to present its findings Friday at the European Society for Medical Oncology annual meeting, in Barcelona. Parker stressed that radiation side effects can be troublesome. They “include urinary leakage and narrowing of the urethra, which can make urination difficult,” he said in a meeting news release. “Both are potential complications after surgery alone, but the risk is increased if radiotherapy is used as well.” Curbing cancer’s spread One prostate cancer specialist explained why doctors have often ordered radiation for patients who’ve undergone prostate removal (prostatectomy). “Many men that undergo radical surgery for prostate cancer may have a spread of the disease beyond the capsule of the prostate, or invasion [of the tumor] into the seminal vesicles or lymph nodes,” said Dr. Louis Potters, deputy physician-in-chief at Northwell Health Cancer Institute, in Lake Success, N.Y.…  read on >

Health Tip: Don’t Eat Too Much Meat

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(HealthDay News) — Eating too much meat can make you sick, says New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Too much red meat — especially processed meats like sausages, bacon, salami and hot dogs — contribute to chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Overeating animal products often means the underconsumption of fiber, which is only found in plant-based foods. Fiber helps the digestive system, help lowers cholesterol and helps you feel full. New York-Presbyterian says most of your calories should come from foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Health Tip: Using Fitness Trackers

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(HealthDay News) — Fitness trackers can be great tools for improving heart health, says the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Depending on what’s most comfortable for you, potential fitness trackers include pedometers, smartphone tracking apps or wearable devices. To use a fitness tracker properly, the school suggests: Use the tracker daily. Set healthy and realistic goals. Find activities that fit into your daily life. Recruit friends and family to use trackers, as well. Be accountable.

Walking Pace May Signal If Stroke Patients Can Return to Work

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Walking speed may indicate whether young stroke survivors are ready to return to work, a new study suggests. And 3 feet per second may be the threshold that predicts whether they can meet a workday’s challenges, the researchers found. One of every four people who has a stroke is younger than 65 years old. As many as 44% may be unable to return to work, largely because of difficulty walking, the study authors said. “Stroke affects motor control and motor function. To return to work, you must be able to walk to your car, bus, office and meeting rooms. If you can’t walk or you get tired easily, your ability to do your job is going to be seriously impacted,” said Hannah Jarvis, the study’s lead author. She’s a research associate at Manchester Metropolitan University in England. For the study, Jarvis and her colleagues compared mobility in 46 stroke survivors from Wales, aged 18 to 65, with 15 people who had not had a stroke. The investigators tested how far and how fast participants could walk in three minutes. The study found that stroke survivors who couldn’t walk more than 3-feet per second were unlikely to be able to return to work. The report was published Sept. 26 in the journal Stroke. Among the 23% of study participants who went back to work, nine out…  read on >

How to Give Wild Rice an Expert Touch

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Love the taste of wild rice, but aren’t sure how to make it yourself? It’s easier than you think once you know how to prep and cook it the correct way. Wild rice is not actually rice, but rather the seed of an aquatic grass. It’s a Native American food that has a delicious, chewy texture. Like other seeds and grains, it’s high in mineral content — zinc and manganese, in particular. Shop for wild rice in the grain aisle of your local grocery store, at specialty food stores or even online. With the right ingredients, wild rice can go from a side dish to this main course. Creamy Wild Rice With Mushrooms 1 cup wild rice 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 3 celery stalks, trimmed and sliced 5 ounces mushrooms, sliced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Rinse the rice in a fine mesh colander under cold, running water. Place 3 cups of water in a large stock pot along with the rice and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cover, simmering about 1 hour, until the rice is tender and bursts open. Drain off any excess liquid and set aside. Warm a large skillet over high heat. Add the butter and olive oil. When the butter…  read on >