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Brittle bones are often seen as a woman’s health issue, but low bone mass may be more common among middle-aged men than generally thought, a small study suggests. The research, of 173 adults aged 35 to 50, found that men and women were equally likely to have low bone mass in the hip. It was found in 28% of men and 26% of women. Those study participants, the researchers said, had osteopenia, or lower-than-normal bone density. In some cases, it progresses to osteoporosis — the brittle-bone disease that makes people vulnerable to fractures. The fact that osteopenia was just as common in men came as a surprise, said researcher Allison Ford, a professor of health and exercise science at the University of Mississippi. Full-blown osteoporosis is clearly more common in women. About one-quarter of U.S. women aged 65 and up have the condition in the hip or lower spine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That compares with about 5% of men the same age. But, Ford said, the new findings suggest low bone density might be more common in middle-aged men than appreciated. “Low bone mineral density and osteoporosis affect men,” she said. “They should not be overlooked.” Ford suggested men take steps to help ensure their bones stay healthy — including eating a well-balanced diet with enough calcium, getting… read on >

If you’ve ever wondered why emotional distress causes stomach cramps or a mad dash to the bathroom, know that there’s a direct line of communication that runs from your brain to your digestive tract. It’s called the enteric nervous system, and it can have a powerful effect. For instance, when you feel nervous or threatened, digestion can slow or stop so that your body can focus on functions with higher priority — and that might result in cramps or diarrhea. This is a hallmark of the condition called irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. The brain-gut connection works in both directions. For example, having a digestive condition can make you anxious or cause emotional distress. Plus, that anxiety can then worsen your digestive symptoms. Researchers recently found a connection between depression and the absence of certain good gut bacteria — they can’t yet say which comes first, but it’s clear that there’s some type of relationship. If your gut reacts negatively to emotions and it’s affecting your life, talk to your doctor. Find out if you have a digestive issue that’s causing physical as well as emotional stress, such as IBS, and take steps to treat it. These may involve changes to your diet and other lifestyle habits. Know that the answer doesn’t always have to include drug therapy. To master anxiety regardless of its source,… read on >

Compound strength-training exercises get fast results, because they work many muscle groups at once. Many of these exercises use just your own bodyweight, such as pull-ups, which engage not only the shoulders and all the muscles of your arms, but also those in your back and core. Other exercises can be enhanced by holding a weight or weights. Hand-Held Weight Options Kettlebells Dumbbells or a barbell with or without weight plates Jugs of water Heavy food cans Here are three exercises to try: For the loaded carry, engage your core muscles and hold a weight in each hand. Now simply walk for 30 to 60 seconds, then stop and release the weights. Rest for 60 seconds and then repeat the sequence up to five times. For the classic squat, stand with feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out. Hold a barbell behind your head, press your shoulders back and engage your core. Keep your back straight as you press your hips behind you and lower your chest toward your thighs. Your thighs move parallel to the floor, but your knees don’t go beyond your feet as they bend. Feet stay flat on floor throughout. Press heels into the floor to push up and return to standing. Note: It will take time to master a full squat. Beginners can start by holding an unweighted barbell. If… read on >

Exercise apps and fitness trackers are all the rage, and now a new study shows they might actually work. A combination of an exercise app, an activity tracker and personal counseling increased women’s physical activity levels, researchers found. The study of 210 inactive women found that three months of this combined approach increased the number of steps they took each day and their amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Even if the women stopped using the mobile phone app after three months, they continued to get more exercise, the findings showed. After the women had gained the skills and knowledge during the initial part of the study, they only needed the fitness tracker, not the app, to continue being more active, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) researchers explained. The study was published online May 24 in JAMA Network Open. “Studies show that engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer,” said lead author Yoshimi Fukuoka, a professor at the UCSF School of Nursing. “Digital technologies are moving faster than research in transforming the way we promote physical activity and in reducing risks of chronic illness. But, in addition to an activity tracker and mobile app, having activity goals, self-monitoring and accountability are important,”… read on >

Here’s another reason to keep your cholesterol under control: New research suggests that LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol may play a role in the development of early-onset Alzheimer’s. A rare form of the disease that occurs before the age of 65, early-onset Alzheimer’s has previously been linked to a gene mutation involved in how the body processes fats and cholesterol. But that mutation only accounts for a small percentage of cases, the scientists noted. Their new research suggests that “LDL cholesterol levels [also] play a causal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease,” said lead researcher Dr. Thomas Wingo. He’s an assistant professor of neurology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. “The big question is whether there is a causal link between cholesterol levels in the blood and Alzheimer’s disease risk,” Wingo said. “The existing data is murky on this point. Our current work is focused on testing whether there is a causal link.” Most early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is not explained by known gene mutations, Wingo added. The APOE genetic mutation, called APOE E4, raises levels of LDL cholesterol. High levels of this type of cholesterol can clog arteries, increasing the risk for heart attack and stroke. Other gene mutations associated with early-onset Alzheimer’s are called APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2. But all of these genetic variants are only linked to about 10% of all… read on >

You know how important it is to eat seafood twice a week, but buying fresh fish and shellfish can seem daunting. You’ll find that it’s a lot easier if you remember a few simple rules. When buying whole fish, look for bright, clear eyes. The eyes are the window to a truly fresh fish, because they quickly turn to a dull gray with age. The rest of a fish will also fade as it sits around, so look for vibrant flesh. If you’re considering a fillet that still has the skin on, that skin should look shiny, metallic and clean. Any dullness or discoloration is another sign of age. Finally, a fresh fish should smell like clean water or just slightly briny, never fishy. Under no circumstances should you ever buy a nasty smelling fish — cooking can’t improve a fish past its prime. As for shellfish, buy only at stores with rapid turnover so you can be assured of fresh mussels, clams, oysters and more. Their shells should be tightly closed. If slightly open, they should close quickly if you tap on them — if not, don’t buy them. Also, any mussels or clams that haven’t opened after being cooked are spoiled and must be thrown away. Whether you shop at a dedicated fish store or the fish counter of your local grocery, your… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Capable of turning in a variety of directions, the shoulder is among the body’s most mobile joints. That makes it easy to dislocate, says the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. To treat a partially or completely dislocated shoulder, a doctor will place the upper arm bone back into the joint socket. Severe pain should stop once the shoulder is back in place. The next step often is immobilization of the shoulder by a sling for several weeks. The sore area can then be iced up to four times a day. After pain and swelling go down, the doctor typically prescribes rehabilitation exercises.

When it comes to your home, safety first is a good rule to follow. And there are many steps you can take to limit home accidents. Making sure you have proper smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is at the top of the list. On a daily basis, your hands can face many hazards around the house. In the kitchen, keep knives sharp — the extra effort needed to use a dull knife can lead to cuts if your hand slips. When you need to open something that is enclosed in clamshell plastic packaging, it might be tempting to use a sharp kitchen knife. But this practice causes thousands of hand injuries every year. The AARP instead recommends using a can opener or blunt-tipped scissors to open such packaging. To avoid being scalded by hot tap water, lower the setting on your water heater to 120 degrees. This is especially important if you have young children in the home. In your backyard, keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your home and any plants surrounding it or on a deck. Never add lighter fluid after you’ve started a grill fire. When using a power lawn mower, wear goggles, long pants and close-toed shoes with soles that grip, experts at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore recommend. Clear any brush or tree… read on >

There’s been a steep uptick in aggressive uterine cancers among American women, especially black women, since 2000, a new study shows. It also found that black women with these aggressive cancers have lower survival rates than other women. Researchers at the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) analyzed data on uterine cancer among 30- to 79-year-olds. They found that cases rose roughly 1% a year from 2003 to 2015. Rates among black women surpassed those for white women in 2007 and were consistently higher from 2011 through 2015. The researchers also took a closer look at endometrioid and non-endometrioid subtypes of uterine cancer. Endometrioid cancers start in the uterine lining (endometrium). They are more common, usually have better outcomes and survival rates, and are more strongly linked with hormonal risk factors and obesity. Non-endometrioid subtypes can begin in the other supporting tissues of the uterus, and are rarer. Rates of endometrioid subtypes were stable in white women over the study period, but they increased among other racial/ethnic groups. Rates of aggressive non-endometrioid subtypes rose 2.9% a year from 2000 to 2015 in all racial/ethnic groups. But black women had much higher rates of aggressive non-endometrioid uterine cancers (25.9 per 100,000) over the period than white women (11.4), Hispanic women (10.1), and Asian/Pacific Islander women (7.5). The five-year relative survival rate was lower for all women with… read on >

(HealthDay News) — All-terrain vehicles (ATVS) are involved in an estimated 650 deaths and 100,000 accidents each year, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). To reduce your risk of injury, the CPSC suggests: Do not drive ATVs on paved roads. Do not drive ATVs with a passenger or ride as one. Always wear a helmet and other protective gear. Take a hands-on safety training course. The CPSC also warns that children under 16 should never drive or ride an adult ATV.

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Many Middle-Aged Men May Have Signs of Thinning Bones

Could You Have a Sensitive Gut?

3 Exercises With a Speedy Payoff

Have Apps, Get in Shape?

High LDL Cholesterol Tied to Early-Onset Alzheimer’s

Secrets to Picking the Freshest Seafood

Health Tip: Treating a Dislocated Shoulder

7 Tips to Prevent Accidents at Your Home

Aggressive Uterine Cancer on the Rise, Especially in Blacks: Study

Health Tip: ATV Safety