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Every college student misplaces keys or forgets an appointment from time to time. Usually it’s no big deal. But a new study warns that when young people with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease have memory lapses, it could be an early sign of something serious. That’s the concern raised by a new memory test taken by nearly 60,000 men and women between the ages of 18 and 85. The results revealed that participants between 18 and 65 who had family members with Alzheimer’s scored lower than those who did not. That included even young adults in their 20s. But, “no one should feel doomed to experience Alzheimer’s, certainly not simply because your parents or grandparents were diagnosed with the disease,” stressed study author Matt Huentelman. He is a professor of neurogenomics with TGen, a genetics research institute based in Phoenix. Lots of non-inherited factors play a role in Alzheimer’s risk, he explained. And, “there are many cases of people with family history and/or high genetic risk for Alzheimer’s who live long lives without memory problems.” But there’s no getting around the fact that roughly 75% of Alzheimer’s risk is thought to be driven by genetics, said Huentelman. And the test does suggest that a young person’s memory may be impacted by genetic risk “as many as four decades before the typical onset of Alzheimer’s… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Stress fractures are overuse injuries and usually occur in the lower leg. Typically, they are triggered by increasing the amount or intensity of an activity too quickly, says the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. To prevent stress fractures, the AAOS suggests: Set incremental goals for sports and activities. Cross-train, rather than repeat the same exercise daily. Maintain a healthy diet, including vitamin D and calcium. Stop and rest if pain or swelling occurs.

(HealthDay News) — Sun protection should not be limited to those with fair skin, says the Skin of Color Society. People with darker skin are still at risk of skin cancer triggered by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The Skin of Color Society recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Before starting outdoor activities, people with darker skin are encouraged to check the area’s UV index and plan accordingly.

Carrot sticks are fine for a snack, but that’s far from the only way to get these tasty veggies into your diet. Carrots are naturally high in beta carotene, and they’re great for liver and skin health. These sweet root vegetables come in a wide range of colors, all of which are nutritious. When buying carrots, choose those that are firm and without cracks. Store them in the fridge for up to two weeks. Note: Baby carrots are no different than regular carrots except that they’ve been cut down to a small size, at a cost to consumers. Because carrots add great crunch to dishes, you can use them raw in many types of vegetable-based salads. They’re also a great addition to salad dressings, like this one reminiscent of the kind served in Asian restaurants. Try it over a simple salad as suggested or over steamed green beans or almost any vegetable to give it more zing. Best of all, it requires zero cooking. Baby Greens With Carrot Ginger Dressing 1 pound mixed baby greens 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced 1 large carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons sesame oil 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons ginger, peeled and chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1/4 cup water, more as needed Arrange the greens, tomatoes… read on >

The biceps, the very visible muscles in the front of the upper arms, are a target in every comprehensive strength-training regimen, but what exercise is the most effective? To answer that question, the American Council on Exercise asked scientists from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to evaluate eight popular biceps exercises. Popular Biceps Strength-Training Exercises Barbell curl Cable curl Chin-up Concentration curl EZ curl with wide grip EZ curl with narrow grip Incline curl Preacher curl At the very top of the list for effectiveness is the concentration curl, because it best isolates the biceps. Most of the other popular exercises also target other muscles, such as those in the shoulder called deltoids. But because the upper arm is pressed against the leg in concentration curls, the biceps is engaged the most. To do this curl, sit on a flat bench with a dumbbell in front of you. Legs are apart, knees bent and feet flat on the floor. For the starting position, hold the weight in your right arm, arm extended toward the floor, palm up. Press the back of the upper arm against the top of your inner right thigh. Now, with control, use only your forearm to curl the weight toward your biceps as you contract that muscle. Bring the weight up to shoulder level, leading with the outside of your hand… read on >

Next time you’re ready to hit the sofa for an evening of TV, think twice — it just might kill you. Though too much sitting has long been linked to health risks, a new study suggests all sitting isn’t the same — and sitting in front of the TV after dinner for long hours at a stretch is especially unhealthy. In fact, those who did just that increased their risk for heart attack, stroke and early death by 50% compared to those who didn’t, researchers report. “It’s the combination of dinner and sitting on the couch watching TV for hours afterward that we think can be very toxic,” said lead researcher Keith Diaz, an assistant professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Sitting in front of the TV is different from sitting at work, he said. “At work, we get up and move often — we go to a coworker’s desk, we go to the bathroom, to the copy machine, etcetera,” Diaz said. “But when we sit and watch TV, we tend not to move for hours at a time. That type of sitting is the most hazardous type of sitting.” Hours spent in front of the TV after dinner increase blood sugar and cholesterol. And because muscles are inactive, they don’t help clear away… read on >

Many parents think it couldn’t happen to their kids, but the number of children and teens admitted to children’s hospitals for thoughts of self-harm or suicide is alarming. Each year 4,600 young people between the ages of 10 and 24 take their own lives, and 157,000 are treated in emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A recent survey of high school students revealed that 16% have seriously considered suicide; 13% had developed a plan; and 8% had attempted suicide in the previous year. Childhood depression is real and devastating. Parents can take steps to try to prevent depression in their children and keep them emotionally healthy as they grow. Help them create a social network early on through new friendships; involvement in sports, afterschool activities or hobbies; and memberships in organizations with programs for young people. And, just as important, parents need to be alert to the early signs of depression. There are many warning signs parents should be aware of, according to the nonprofit Mental Health America, such as excessive fears, anxiety and irritability. Signs of Childhood Depression Doing poorly in school Loss of interest in friends and favorite activities Not eating or sleeping well Feeling sad, hopeless and/or angry Lack of self-esteem Lack of enthusiasm, energy or motivation Overreacting to criticism and having trouble… read on >

If you struggle to eat a healthy lunch during your workday, a new survey suggests you’re far from alone. “The good news is most people said they are interested in doing better” when it comes to healthy eating, said Dr. Anne Thorndike, vice chair of the nutrition committee at the American Heart Association (AHA). The survey included more than 900 U.S. adults who typically eat lunch during work hours. Of those, 56% said they struggled to have a healthy lunch at work, while 77% said they’re more likely to make healthier decisions at other times of the day if they have a healthy lunch. “The finding that healthier food choices at work may impact food choices throughout the rest of the day presents a unique opportunity for the workplace to have a positive influence on not only the employee’s health but also the health of the employee’s family,” Thorndike said in an AHA news release. She is an associate professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Overall, 91% of respondents said they were interested in having a more healthy workday lunch, with those younger than 40 more likely to be extremely/very interested than those aged 40 and older (65% vs. 55%). The survey also found that 82% of respondents said that having healthy food options at work is important to them, and 68% value help… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Dried fruit is a healthier source of nutrition and calories. In some cases, it can be even healthier than fresh fruit, says Harvard Medical School. Dried fruit typically contains more fiber and antioxidants than fresh fruit. Fiber and antioxidants have been shown to fight heart disease, obesity and cancer, the school says. But it’s important to read nutrition labels on dried fruit, and avoid those with added sugar, says Harvard.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods including fatty fish and flaxseed, may be best known for their link to heart health, but they’re also vital for pregnant women and their babies. These important nutrients have been linked to a reduced risk for depression for mom and a better birth weight for baby along with improved development and brain function, and possibly asthma prevention. What’s unclear is exactly how much you need every day. For a study in Spain, researchers followed nearly 2,000 moms and their babies from the first trimester of pregnancy through the child’s 5th birthday. The investigators found that eating large amounts of fatty fish during pregnancy may offer moderate benefits, including improvements in cognitive functioning and some protection from autism-spectrum traits. The benefits were seen when mom ate about three ounces of fish every day. This amount is just within the limits set by the European Food Safety Authority to avoid excess mercury, and there was no sign that mercury or other pollutants associated with fish had a negative effect that offset the apparent benefits. The amount of fish recommended in the Spanish study is more than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration weekly guidelines for pregnant women of a maximum of 8 to 12 ounces (about two to three servings) of a variety of seafood low in mercury. But many American… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Alzheimer’s Genes Might Show Effects in Your 20s

Health Tip: Preventing Stress Fractures

Health Tip: Sun Protection for Skin of Color

A Tasty Way to Enjoy More Carrots

What’s The Most Effective Way to Tone Your Biceps?

TV Watching May Be Most Unhealthy Type of Sitting: Study

Is Your Child Depressed or Suicidal? Here Are the Warning Signs

Healthy Work Lunches Are Hard to Come By

Health Tip: Eating Dried Fruit

Seafood Offers Vital Nutrient for Expectant Moms and Babies