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Doctors may be as confused about what dietary advice to pass on to their patients as the patients themselves — even when it comes to protecting against heart disease through diet, according to U.S., British and Italian reports. Part of the problem is the continuing lack of nutrition education offered in medical schools. Another is the lack of time doctors have to spend with patients. But one piece of information that is getting through is to eat less saturated fat and more unsaturated fat — a better replacement strategy than eating “low-fat” packaged foods that are actually very high in refined carbohydrates, such as sugar. But which unsaturated fats should you choose from? First, know that there are two main types: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Most foods high in unsaturated fats contain both, though some have more of one than the other. For instance, avocados, nuts and olive and canola oils are higher in monounsaturated fats. You may be familiar with polyunsaturated fats containing the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). You may have also heard about research disproving the heart-health effects of omega-3 supplements. However, the body still needs omega-3s for good health, and getting them directly from food, not capsules, is important. EPA and DHA are found primarily in fatty fish, so aim to eat 8 ounces of seafood a… read on >

(HealthDay News) — A stomach ulcer is an open sore that develops on the lining of the stomach, says the National Health Service. The ulcer occurs when the layer protecting the stomach lining from stomach acid breaks down, damaging the lining. Signs of a stomach ulcer include: Pain. Indigestion. Heartburn. Loss of appetite. Feeling sick. Weight loss. The agency urges you to seek immediate medical attention if you are vomiting blood, passing sticky, tar-like stools or have worsening, sharp stomach pain.

(HealthDay News) — The teen years can be an exciting time as teens become new drivers, and become passengers in their friends’ cars. But every day, six teens are killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States, says Safe Kids. Often, these accidents can be prevented. Safe Kids encourages parents of new drivers to: Be a good role model when driving. Buckle up for every ride, in every seat. Set clear expectations about your family’s driving rules. Define zero-tolerance rules for speeding, alcohol and texting. Limit the number of passengers allowed in the car with your teen. Make sure your teen gets enough practice in a variety of road conditions.

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) can affect anyone who uses his or her hands a lot and repeats the same movements over and over again. It can develop whether you’re working at a computer all day or spending hours of leisure time immersed in handicrafts. At first, symptoms — like pain and tingling — may go away once you stop the motions or the activity. But without treatment, including lifestyle changes, symptoms are likely to become so severe that you could become unable to continue with your work or hobby. Recognizing RSI Symptoms Pain or burning Tingling Numbness Weakness Swelling Soreness Don’t hesitate to see your doctor if you experience one or more of these symptoms — don’t assume that a few days off is enough to stop RSI. If the source of pain isn’t addressed, symptoms can become irreversible. Part of the solution is to take regular breaks from problematic but necessary activities throughout the day. Get up and move around for at least five minutes every half-hour, and stretch your arms, wrists and fingers. Practice good posture. When sitting, your head and back should form a straight line from ears to hips. When at the computer, don’t let your wrists bend to one side. Keep them in line with your forearms, fingers slightly curved over your keyboard. Don’t self-treat by wearing a splint or… read on >

After vitamins and minerals, fish oil with its omega-3 fatty acids is the most widely used supplement, taken by an estimated 10% of Americans. So, when research reviews show that it doesn’t provide the health benefits for people with heart conditions that researchers thought it did, it’s hard to know what to do. One thing researchers do know is that omega-3s are essential fats — your body can’t make them. So for general good health, you need to get them from diet. The Main Types of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are found in fatty fish and some shellfish. Alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, is found in vegetable oils, nuts (especially walnuts), flax and some leafy vegetables. Omega-3s can help reduce inflammation, a factor in both artery-clogging plaque and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. There is some evidence that omega-3s offer modest rheumatoid arthritis symptom relief. Omega-3s can thin blood and may reduce the likelihood of dangerous clots, but that could also mean it will take your blood longer to clot after a simple cut, for instance. This can be dangerous if you’re also on a prescription blood thinner or take NSAIDs, which can cause bleeding ulcers. So talk to your doctor about potential drug interactions if you’re considering omega-3 supplements. One important point about the research that found little or… read on >

Falls from beds, uneven floors and playing football are leading causes of nonfatal brain injuries in American kids, new research shows. For the study, researchers analyzed data on traumatic brain injuries among kids and teens treated at emergency departments of 66 U.S. hospitals between 2010 and 2013. Of those cases, 72% were attributable to products regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, according to the report published July 29 in the journal Brain Injury. “Structural designs, such as uneven flooring, often contribute to falls, which is the leading cause of traumatic brain injury in children,” said lead author Bina Ali. She is a research scientist at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Calverton, Md. “In most cases, infants and children are safe in bed and when playing sports outside, but our study highlights some of the risks and the priorities in different age groups for preventing serious head injuries,” Ali explained in a journal news release. Young people account for about 1 million nonfatal traumatic brain injury cases treated in emergency departments each year, the researchers noted. In infants under a year old, one-quarter of such injuries were caused by falling from beds. Uneven floors were the second-leading cause at 14%. Among 1- to 4-year-olds, 10% of injuries involved beds; 10% involved stairs; and 10% were related to floors. Bunk beds are… read on >

Be careful about what medications you take before you get behind the wheel. Most drugs won’t affect your ability to drive, but some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can cause side effects that make it unsafe to drive, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. Those side effects can include: sleepiness/drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, slowed movement, fainting, inability to focus or pay attention, nausea and excitability. Some medicines can affect your driving ability for just a short time after you take them, but the effects of others can last for several hours, or even into the next day. Some medicine labels warn to not operate heavy machinery when taking them, and this includes driving a car, the FDA said in a news release. There are a number of types of medications — or any combination of them — that can make it dangerous to drive or operate any type of vehicle whether a car, bus, train, plane or boat. These drugs include: opioid pain relievers; prescription drugs for anxiety (for example, benzodiazepines); antiseizure drugs (antiepileptic drugs); antipsychotic drugs; some antidepressants; products that contain codeine; some cold remedies and allergy products such as antihistamines (both prescription and OTC); sleeping pills; muscle relaxants; medicines to treat or control symptoms of diarrhea or motion sickness; diet pills; “stay awake” drugs, and other medications with stimulants (such as caffeine,… read on >

While there will always be a place for sit-ups for ab definition, many trainers now suggest standing exercises that not only train abs but back muscles, too. They’re more practical than getting down on the floor, and they may also be more effective because the moves strengthen the body’s core muscles, making everyday movements — forward, backward and side-to-side — easier. Training them may also help you avoid the low-back pain that typically comes with age. Start with side bends. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and hold a light dumbbell in each hand, hands at your sides. Slowly bend to the right as far as you can without twisting your upper body. Your right hand will dip slightly toward your right knee. Hold, slowly return to start position and then bend to the left. Repeat 10 times to each side. Next, move to hip hinges. Stand facing a wall, feet shoulder-width apart. Press your hands into the wall and contract your abs. Bend and lift your right knee in front of you until your thigh is parallel to the ground. Moving like a hinge from the hip, open your knee as far to the right as you can, then move back to center and across to the left. Repeat the entire sequence 10 times with each leg. For the standing twist, knees are slightly bent… read on >

Research continues to unlock the benefits of eating whole grains, already thought to promote better digestive health, along with being very filling. A review of 12 studies involving nearly 800,000 participants published in the journal Circulation found that eating three to four servings of whole grains every day can lower the death rate from many illnesses, including heart disease and some cancers, compared to people who eat no or few grains. When trying to add to the whole grains in your diet, keep in mind that you have choices beyond whole-wheat bread and brown rice. Many ancient grains are being reintroduced and are available in a variety of products. Like the already super-popular quinoa, amaranth is a grain variation with a high protein content. Because it doesn’t have gluten, it’s a good choice for anyone with celiac disease or a sensitivity. Bulgur is a wheat product similar in appearance to couscous. You may already know it as a key ingredient in the Middle Eastern dish tabbouleh. Farro is a type of wheat that’s sometimes used to make semolina flour for pasta. In whole grain form, it looks and cooks like rice. Spelt is another type of whole wheat grain coming back in favor. Use spelt pasta to replace the refined type in favorite recipes. Because it’s also sold in a refined state, be sure to… read on >

Parents of budding teens can breathe a little easier: A new study says adolescent “sexting” is not an epidemic. On the other hand, it’s not disappearing, either, despite campaigns to curb it. “Sexting is perceived as an epidemic because the news highlights extreme cases that involve tragic outcomes, and because it goes against standards of morality and decency that are historically entrenched,” said study author Sameer Hinduja, a professor of criminology at Florida Atlantic University. But most teens have never sent or received a sex text, the new study found. It focused on about 5,600 students in American middle and high schools, ages 12 to 17. Of those, about 14% had ever sent a sexually or explicit image or had received one. For this study, researchers defined sexting as the exchange of nude or semi-nude photos or videos via text or private messaging on social media. Other researchers have included sexually suggestive or explicit texts. Hinduja said his team didn’t include those, because they can’t lead to sextortion, child pornography charges or related fallout. About 11% of the students said they had sent a sext to a boyfriend or girlfriend — and about 64% did so when asked to, the study found. But only 43% complied with a request from someone who was not a current romantic partner. Boys were much more likely to have… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

The 411 on Unsaturated Fats

Health Tip: Signs of a Stomach Ulcer

Health Tip: Keep Your Teen Driver Safe

Living With Repetitive Strain Injury

Why You Still Need Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Family Home, Football Field Most Dangerous Spots for Kids’ Head Injuries

Some Meds and Driving a Dangerous Duo

Stand Up Straight to Strengthen Abs

Getting in Step With Whole Grains

Sexting May Be Less Common Among Teens Than You Think