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Stricter U.S. government standards for drinking water have reduced arsenic violations by public water systems, proving such safety regulations work, researchers say. Public water systems provide more than 80% of the nation’s drinking water. The new standard was introduced in 2001. Since then, the percentage of public water systems in violation fell from 1.3% in 2008 to 0.55% in 2017, researchers found. A few counties in California and Texas accounted for most of the violations. With fewer violations, the number of people drinking water with higher-than-allowed levels of arsenic fell by more than 1 million, to about 450,000, according to the study published Sept. 10 in the journal Environmental Science and Technology. “This reinforces the point that safety regulations do work, especially when they come with a carrot-and-stick approach, like increasing resources for systems to comply and giving them flexibility to choose what works best for their community,” said corresponding author Molly Kile. She is an associate professor at the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Arsenic is categorized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a Group 1 human carcinogen. That’s the most dangerous category and also includes asbestos, formaldehyde and mustard gas. In water, arsenic is tasteless, odorless and colorless. Long-term ingestion increases the risk of lung, bladder, liver, kidney and skin cancer. Arsenic… read on >

Most people expect some risk in activities like mountain biking or rollerblading, but few would expect to end up in the emergency room with a broken thigh bone from doing a squat. That’s exactly what happened to Rachel Jones, 39, who was just trying to stay in shape, despite having a lifelong genetic illness. The broken femur wasn’t her first broken bone — and it may not be her last. Jones has a disease called XLH, short for X-linked hypophosphatemia. It causes rickets (a low vitamin D condition) and low phosphorus levels in the body, which affects bone strength and causes a number of other problems, too. Jones, who lives in Colorado Springs, Colo., was diagnosed with XLH when she was 6 months old. Her mother and brother also have the disease, as do her daughter, Brooke and son, Benjamin. “On a day-to-day basis, I deal with chronic pain in some parts of my body — sometimes the pain lasts from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed,” Jones said, adding that it’s not something she thinks about all the time because she’s used to it. “I also have limited mobility and muscle weakness, and there’s always the fear of breaking a bone. It seems like every time I try to get back into shape, something happens. My knees need… read on >

U.S. health officials have revised downward the number of cases of a severe lung injury linked to vaping, from more than 450 cases cited last week to the total of 380 cases announced late Thursday. The decrease is due to the exclusion of “possible” cases, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained. The new case total — which includes cases either confirmed or “probable” — have occurred across 36 states and the Virgin Islands, the CDC said in a statement. Some cases have proven fatal. “Six total deaths have been confirmed in six states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, and Oregon,” the CDC noted. The reason behind these illnesses and deaths remains uncertain, but a leading culprit at this point is an oily chemical called vitamin E acetate, according to the CDC. The oil is derived from vitamin E, which is found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, and leafy green veggies. Vitamin E acetate is available as a dietary supplement and skin treatment. When vaped and inhaled, this oil can harm lung cells, experts say. Illnesses and investigations “The focus of our investigation is narrowing and that’s great news, but we’re still faced with complex questions in this outbreak that will take time to answer,” Ileana Arias, acting deputy director of non-infectious diseases at the CDC, said during a Sept. 6 media… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Cholera causes 95,000 deaths around the world each year, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All travelers and residents in areas where cholera is occurring should take precautions to protect themselves and family members. To avoid contracting cholera, the CDC recommends: Drink and use safe water. Wash your hands often with soap and safe water. Use latrines or bury your feces. Never defecate in a body of water. Cook food well, keep it covered and eat it hot. Peel fruits and vegetables. Clean the kitchen and areas where the family bathes or washes clothes.

Move over button mushrooms. Exotic varieties are becoming more and more popular, and are available at farmers markets and even local grocery stores. In ancient healing traditions, mushrooms have always been one of the top medicinal foods, and now science is discovering why. Mushrooms contain potent antibacterial and antifungal compounds that are being studied for their benefits for liver, brain, heart and much more. Dried mushrooms contain many of the same anti-inflammatory compounds as fresh, but the fresh ones typically contain them in greater abundance and they often taste better. Two delicious exotics to try are oyster mushrooms and Maitake mushrooms, also called Hen of the Woods. The Maitake in particular is a very dense mushroom, so it’s great for grilling or searing like a steak. To prep either mushroom, start by trimming off the tough bottom. Then use a damp paper towel to brush off any dirt. Don’t submerge them since they soak up water like a sponge and then won’t cook properly. Here’s a recipe that brings out the mushrooms’ flavor and creates a rich sauce. Creamy Mushroom Pasta 12 ounces of whole grain pasta 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound Maitake and/or oyster mushrooms, trimmed and sliced 4 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 1/4 cup… read on >

Could your genes be keeping you from losing weight? While you shouldn’t use a family tendency toward wide hips or an apple shape as an excuse to stray from a healthy diet, acceptance can help you reassess your personal ideal and make you happier with your body. Hundreds of genes have been linked to weight. Some affect where fat is distributed on your body while others impact metabolism, cravings and even whether you reach for food to cope with stress. Their influence on overweight can be as little as 25% or as much as 80%. Signs that genes could be connected to your innate weight include having one or both parents who are overweight, and having a hard time losing weight even with strict dieting and exercise. But the answer isn’t to starve yourself. That can backfire, putting your body into starvation mode and slowing metabolism and weight loss even more. It can also leave you feeling fatigued and cranky from a lack of food — on top of frustration about your physical appearance. You can’t change your genes but you can improve variables, like getting enough sleep and easing stress. Also, focus on achieving better health rather than a perfect shape. That means taking steps to increase the amount of exercise you do and boosting the nutrition quality of the foods you eat. Rather… read on >

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men, so it’s important to know the risk factors and warning signs, an expert says. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be nearly 175,000 new prostate cancer cases in the United States this year and over 31,000 deaths. One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. “The disease can be successfully treated when detected early, typically when it is still within the prostate gland,” said Dr. Alexander Kutikov, chief of urologic oncology at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. “However, some types are aggressive and can spread quickly. In these cases, there may be a lesser chance of successful treatment.” September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness month. Men between 55 and 69 years of age should consider prostate cancer screening, according to the American Urological Association. “Because screening has its advantages and disadvantages, not every man should be screened for prostate cancer,” Kutikov said. “Men should discuss their risk factors, screening options and preferences with their health care provider before deciding whether to be screened.” Symptoms of prostate cancer may include trouble urinating, including a slow or weak stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night; blood in the urine; and pain or burning during urination. The risk for prostate cancer rises quickly after age… read on >

If you’re looking for incentives to hit the gym, new research suggests that staying in good shape may help preserve brain structure, boost memory, and improve the ability to think clearly and quickly. The finding follows an analysis of fitness and brain health among more than 1,200 young adults, average age 30. All underwent brain scans; tests to measure memory, sharpness, judgment and reasoning; and a speed-walking trial to assess cardiovascular fitness. (Muscle strength was not assessed.) The investigators found that study participants who moved faster and farther over the two-minute walking test performed better on thinking tests than their less-fit peers. Fitter men and women were also found to have healthier nerve fibers across the white matter portion of the brain. White matter is critical for high-quality neural communication, the researchers noted. Study lead author Dr. Jonathan Repple offered several theories as to what might explain a strong body/strong brain connection. For one, “exercise decreases inflammation, which then, in turn, is beneficial for brain cells,” said Repple, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist with the University of Muenster, in Germany. Being fit may also promote better nerve-fiber insulation, and greater growth across nerve cells and nerve connections, he explained. It may also be that fitter men and women simply have a “better blood supply to the brain,” Repple added. Dr. David Knopman, a professor of neurology… read on >

It’s a pricy mainstay on restaurant menus, but avocado toast is an easy and healthy breakfast or lunch that you can make at home. Avocados are full of healthy fats and vitamins C, E and B6. They’re fiber all-stars, too, with 10 grams per cup. Best known as the base for guacamole, because of its creaminess, avocado is now being turned into desserts like puddings and ice cream. Put mashed avocado, a great mayo substitute, on toast and it makes a meal. Avocados are rarely ripe when you buy them, so plan accordingly, allowing for two days of ripening on your windowsill. They should be just soft to the touch, but not mushy. Dark-skinned Hass avocados have a silky, rich taste, and you can get them virtually year-round. Avocado toast couldn’t be simpler to prepare and, despite its pricy cost at restaurants, it’s inexpensive when you make it yourself. Avocado Toast 1 ripe Hass avocado 1/2 lemon 1/4 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes (optional) 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 slices whole grain bread 1 large tomato, sliced 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 basil leaves, torn Cut the avocado open, remove the pit and scoop the flesh into a medium bowl. Squeeze on the juice from the lemon and add the chili flakes and salt. Mash with a fork until smooth. Toast the bread and spread… read on >

Doing the right amount of exercise every day is a top health goal. To make sure you’re getting all the right types of exercise, you want to get familiar with these key exercise terms. Then you can be sure these activities are all part of your weekly plan. Aerobic Exercise, AKA Cardio Aerobic exercise means activity that requires a continuous amount of oxygen to the muscles being used. For heart health, the exercise must raise your heart rate to within the ideal range for your age, usually 70% to 80% of 220 minus your age. Cardio activities include running, brisk walking, swimming and cycling. High-intensity interval training is a popular approach. Within a cardio workout, you alternate a few minutes of slow or no movement with shorter bursts of the activity at an all-out pace. Cross training is simply varying your choice of cardio activity within the same exercise session or on different days of the week. This lets you use different muscle groups, helps prevent overuse injuries and keeps things interesting. Anaerobic Exercise, AKA Strength Training You need strength training for healthy muscles, essential for everyday activities like just getting up from the sofa. Also called weight training or resistance training, these exercises work various sets of muscles. Strength training is anaerobic, because it doesn’t require extra oxygen. It should be done every second… read on >

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Stricter Arsenic Standard Made Public Drinking Water Safer: Study

For This Mom, Rare Bone Disease Is a Family Affair

CDC Revises Number of Vaping-Linked Lung Illnesses to 380 in 36 States

Health Tip: Avoiding Cholera

Cooking With Exotic Mushrooms

How Your Genes Affect the Number on Your Scale

What Is Your Risk for Prostate Cancer?

Fitter Bodies Make for Healthier Brains, Study Finds

Avocado Toast With a Twist

Talking Health: The Vocabulary of Fitness