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Many Americans believe they are likely to develop dementia — and they often turn to unproven ways to try to better their odds, a new study suggests. In a survey, researchers found that almost half of Americans in their 50s and 60s believed they were at least “somewhat likely” to develop dementia. Yet few — 5% — said they had talked to their doctor about ways to lower their risk. Instead, one-third or more were taking fish oil, vitamin E or other supplements to help ward off memory decline — even though none have been proven to have such benefits. “It certainly seems like people believe that supplements or fish oil help preserve their memory,” said lead researcher Dr. Donovan Maust, a geriatric psychiatrist at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Maust said that might reflect “excitement” over initial research suggesting that certain supplements might ward off memory decline — excitement that wasn’t tempered when later studies failed to show benefits. The findings, published online Nov. 15 in JAMA Neurology, are based on 1,019 adults aged 50 to 64 who were surveyed in 2018. They were asked whether they thought they were “somewhat likely,” “very likely” or “unlikely” to develop dementia in their lifetime. Overall, 44% believed they were somewhat likely, while 4% chose the “very likely” option. How accurate were they? It’s hard… read on >

Bad eating habits begin at a young age in American children, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data from more than 1,200 babies (aged 6 to 11 months) and toddlers (12 to 23 months) between 2011 and 2016. They found that 61% of babies and 98% of toddlers consumed added sugars in their typical daily diet, mainly in flavored yogurt and fruit drinks. Infants consumed about 1 teaspoon of added sugars daily (about 2% of their daily calorie intake); toddlers consumed about 6 teaspoons (about 8% of their daily calories). The main sources of added sugar for infants were yogurt, snacks and sweet bakery products. For toddlers, the top sources were fruit drinks, sweet baked products and candy. Asian toddlers consumed the fewest added sugars (3.7 teaspoons); blacks, the most (8.2 teaspoons). The study was published online Nov. 14 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “This has important public health implications since previous research has shown that eating patterns established early in life shape later eating patterns,” lead investigator Kirsten Herrick said in a journal news release. She’s a researcher with the Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings did bring some good news: The percentage of babies and toddlers whose daily diets include added sugars declined, as did the… read on >

(HealthDay News) — More than three-quarters of Americans say money is a significant cause of stress for them, says the American Psychological Association. To help manage financial stress, the association encourages people to: Remain calm and stay focused. Identify financial stressors and make a plan. Recognize how you currently deal with stress related to money. Turn challenging times into opportunities for growth and change. Ask for professional support from financial planners and psychologists.

More Americans are having trouble falling and staying asleep, and smartphones and technology are probably to blame, researchers report. Their analysis of data from nearly 165,000 adults nationwide showed that the number who reported difficulty falling asleep at least once a week was up 1.4% between 2013 and 2017, and those who had trouble staying asleep rose 2.7%. Those percentages may appear small, but it means that as many as 5 million more adults have sleep problems, according to study leader Zlatan Krizan, a professor of psychology at Iowa State University (ISU), in Ames, Iowa. “How long we sleep is important, but how well we sleep and how we feel about our sleep is important in its own right,” Krizan said in a university news release. “Sleep health is a multidimensional phenomenon, so examining all the aspects of sleep is crucial for future research.” The study was published online recently in the journal Sleep Health. Krizan and his team could not say what’s contributing to the increase in sleep problems, but technology is likely a factor, according to lead author Garrett Hisler. He’s a former ISU graduate student who is now a postdoctoral associate at the University of Pittsburgh. “We know from our previous research there is a correlation between smartphone use and insufficient sleep among teens,” Hisler said in the news release. “If we’re… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Measuring weight is key to calculating your body mass index (BMI), says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To measure weight accurately at home, the CDC recommends: Use a digital scale. Avoid scales that are spring-loaded. Place the scale on a firm floor, rather than on carpet. Remove shoes and heavy clothing. Stand with both feet in the center of the scale. Record the weight to the nearest decimal fraction.

Children will face more food shortages and infections if climate change continues unchecked, researchers from the World Health Organization and 34 other institutions warn. Climate change is already harming children’s health. And they’re at risk for lifelong health threats unless the world meets Paris Agreement targets to limit warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, the scientists reported in the Nov. 14 issue of The Lancet. “This year, the accelerating impacts of climate change have become clearer than ever,” said Hugh Montgomery, co-chair of The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. “The highest recorded temperatures in Western Europe and wildfires in Siberia, Queensland and California triggered asthma, respiratory infections and heat stroke. Sea levels are now rising at an ever-concerning rate. Our children recognize this climate emergency and demand action to protect them. We must listen, and respond,” Montgomery said in a journal news release. Montgomery is director of University College London’s Institute for Human Health and Performance, in the United Kingdom. The health impact of climate change needs to be at the top of the agenda at the UN Climate Conference (COP25) next month in Madrid, the scientists urged. Without action, children born today will live in a world that’s an average of more than 4 degrees Celsius warmer by age 71, posing a risk to their health at every stage of their… read on >

People with peanut allergy must be constantly vigilant to avoid a life-threatening allergic reaction. But researchers report that a new drug injection might offer at least temporary protection against the most severe reactions. Just one shot of an experimental antibody treatment allowed people with severe peanut allergy to eat about one peanut’s worth of peanut protein two weeks later, the study found. The drug is like “a protective blanket” shielding people from accidental peanut exposure, said study senior author Dr. Kari Nadeau, director of the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University in California. Peanut allergy affects an estimated 2.5% of American children, and that number has risen sharply over the past decade, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). Children and adults with a peanut allergy are at risk of having a sudden and severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) that can be life-threatening if they consume even small amounts of peanuts. The problem is that peanuts are in many foods, such as candy, cereal, baked goods, sauces, marinades and even in ice cream, according to the ACAAI. That means people with peanut allergies have to be extra-careful about what they eat at home, and often have to limit the places they’ll eat at away from home. For example, many Asian foods are made with peanuts or… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Pre-workout supplements are the buzz around many gyms and athletic facilities. But before you chug these products and start exercising, it’s important that you know more about the supplements. Cleveland Clinic offers this advice about these products: The supplements typically come in powder or pill form. The main ingredient is usually caffeine. Most brands range from 150 milligrams (mg) to 300 mg of caffeine per dose. These products are generally safe if the maker is credible. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, take these products with caution.

(HealthDay News) — That persistent tickle in the back of your throat may be diagnosed as post-nasal drip, says Harvard Medical School. It mentions these common treatment options for the condition: Use a humidifier, or take a hot shower. Keep well-hydrated to help keep mucus thin. Sleep on propped-up pillows. Moisten the inside of your nose with an over-the-counter product. Use an oral decongestant or antihistamine. If these approaches aren’t effective, speak with your doctor about prescription treatments.

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Almost Half of Older Americans Fear Dementia, Try Untested Ways to Fight It

America’s Sweet Tooth Starts From Infancy

Health Tip: Managing Financial Stress

Not Getting Enough Shut-Eye? You Have Plenty of Company

Health Tip: Managing Financial Stress

Health Tip: Measuring Weight Accurately at Home

Climate Change Will Hurt Kids Most, Report Warns

Experimental Injection May Protect Against Peanut Allergy

Health Tip: Understanding Pre-Workout Supplements

Health Tip: Treating Post-Nasal Drip