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New research shows that marijuana causes genetic changes in sperm, though it’s not clear what effect those changes have, or if they’re passed on to a man’s children. But the scientists said their findings suggest that men trying to have children should consider avoiding marijuana. In experiments with rats and a study involving 24 men, the Duke University team found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana — affects genes in two major cellular pathways and alters DNA methylation, a process essential to normal development. “What we have found is that the effects of cannabis use on males and their reproductive health are not completely null, in that there’s something about cannabis use that affects the genetic profile in sperm,” said senior study author Scott Kollins. He is a professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke. “We don’t yet know what that means, but the fact that more and more young males of child-bearing age have legal access to cannabis is something we should be thinking about,” Kollins said in a university news release. For the study, the researchers compared men who were regular marijuana users (at least weekly for the previous six months) with men who had not used marijuana in the past six months and not more than 10 times in their life. The higher the concentration of THC in… read on >

Jen Godfrey couldn’t shake the “deep cloud” that lingered even after she found an antidepressant she could tolerate. Then a string of stressors hit — five years of fertility treatment and an 80-pound weight gain during pregnancy that left her with persistent pain; a close relative’s suicide; another who went missing; and her own divorce. It was all too much for Godfrey, a recovering alcoholic with a family history of depression. “The life stuff just had a gravitational pull,” said the 44-year-old stay-at-home mom from Reno, Nev. “I just thought: I don’t drink, I’m a good friend, a good mother, a good spouse — I should be a lot happier.” Godfrey’s search for relief pointed her to an unapproved and costly treatment for depression — ketamine. An animal anesthetic best known as the addictive party drug “Special K,” ketamine was approved for use as a human anesthetic in 1970 and it’s often used in emergency care to sedate kids and patients with breathing problems. Low, intravenous doses have been found to boost mood and curb suicidal thoughts, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved it as a treatment for depression. And the American Psychiatric Association (APA) warns patients about the potential for abuse and the lack of large, long-term studies of its effectiveness. Even so, ketamine clinics like the one now treating… read on >

If you have high blood pressure, hitting the gym may be as helpful as taking drugs to lower your numbers, researchers say. There’s “compelling evidence that combining endurance and dynamic resistance training was effective in reducing [blood pressure],” according to the authors of a new report. The British researchers stressed that it’s still too early to recommend that people toss their antihypertensive meds, and exercise instead — there’s not yet been a head-to-head trial of drugs versus exercise for blood pressure. But comparing the numbers from hundreds of blood pressure trials involving either exercise or medication suggests they have the same benefit, said the team led by Huseyin Naci. He’s a health policy researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science. For now, one U.S. expert said, exercise should be considered an “and” rather than an “or” when it comes to treating high blood pressure. “Exercise is a pillar in the foundation of treatment for hypertension, but for those patients that require drug therapy, exercise is not a replacement for medication,” said Dr. Guy Mintz. He directs cardiovascular health at the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y. The new research was published online Dec. 18 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. In the study, Naci’s team analyzed data from 197 clinical trials that assessed the effects of structured workouts on… read on >

(HealthDay News) — A panic attack is the sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America says. The association says since symptoms of a panic attack are so intense, they may mimic those of heart disease, thyroid problems, breathing disorders and other illnesses. The ADAA says having four of more of these symptoms indicates a panic attack: Palpitations, pounding heart or accelerated heart rate. Sweating. Trembling or shaking. Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering. Feelings of choking. Chest pain or discomfort. Nausea or abdominal distress. Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed or faint. Chills or heat sensations. Numbness or tingling sensations. Fear of losing control or “going crazy.” Fear of dying.

Eating protein every day is important for good health. While it can come from animal and/or plant sources, the amount of protein we need is rather small — just 5 to 7 “ounce equivalents,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. An ounce equivalent can be one ounce of meat, poultry or seafood; one large egg; a quarter-cup of cooked legumes like beans or lentils; a half ounce of nuts or seeds; or one tablespoon of nut butter. In terms of volume, 5 to 7 ounces isn’t much and could leave you feeling unsatisfied. So, when you’re restricting calories, it’s important to maximize your protein choices. For instance, as tasty as peanut butter is, one tablespoon is barely more than one good-sized bite. For the same 100 calories, you can have a large egg plus two large egg whites — that’s a lot of filling protein. Ounce for ounce, lean fish fillets, like cod and flounder, and shellfish, like shrimp, have about half the calories of even lean cuts of beef and one-third fewer than skinless chicken. And don’t overlook thick and rich Greek yogurt. A full cup of the fat-free plain variety has about 130 calories, 17 grams of protein and a boost of calcium. When dieting, you may want to trade some fat calories for protein, again because of the added volume. In… read on >

If you’ve ever come home from a brisk walk feeling reinvigorated, you’re not alone. Research shows that this is just one of many benefits of exercising outdoors. Working out in a natural environment can also be more physically challenging, making your body work harder and bringing greater fitness results. This happens when, for instance, you’re walking, hiking or running on natural terrain, which can vary in evenness and require more exertion than on a flat surface, such as a treadmill. According to the American Council on Exercise, other outdoor factors, like wind resistance, actually enable you to burn more calories. If, on the other hand, the wind is at your back, pushing you along a bit, you engage certain muscle fibers needed to develop strength and definition. One study found that people get a variety of psychological boosts from building up a sweat outdoors. Participants were in a better mood and had more energy and less stress afterwards. They simply liked doing the same form of exercise more when they did it outdoors, in nature. There are also benefits from the social interaction of exercising outside with a friend or in a group — the enjoyment you feel makes it more likely that you’ll plan more outdoor workouts. If you have children, exercise with them to show them that fitness activities are fun. Family hikes… read on >

Major heart surgery does not cause significant memory decline in older patients, a new study finds. Researchers found no greater risk for loss of brain function among patients who had heart surgery compared to those who had a much less invasive procedure called cardiac catheterization. “We expected to find a bigger difference in the surgery group, since there are many anecdotes about serious cognitive [mental] decline after heart surgery,” said Dr. Elizabeth Whitlock, of the University of California, San Francisco. “Our results are different for several reasons, one being that our follow-up is up to two years after surgery, to account for the fact that people may improve over time,” she said. The study included nearly 1,200 heart surgery patients. Another 1,900 had cardiac catheterization, which is used to diagnose and treat certain heart conditions, including blocked arteries. All were aged 65 or older. The results were published online Dec. 18 in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Whitlock described the study results as “comforting.” The findings “suggest that there isn’t a major long-term impact when these two methods of correcting serious heart problems are compared. We think this is because severe heart disease itself probably has a cognitive impact,” she said in a journal news release. About 92 million people in the United States have some form of heart disease. Nearly 8 million undergo heart… read on >

TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The California farm where romaine lettuce was implicated in the recent nationwide E. coli outbreak said it is expanding its recall to include other forms of produce. According to a company statement, Adam Bros. Farming Inc., in Santa Barbara County, said it is also recalling red and green leaf lettuce as well as cauliflower. The company said it did so, “after it was discovered that sediment from a reservoir near where the produce was grown tested positive for E. coli O157:H7,” the strain implicated in the outbreak. As well, “the Adam Bros. recall has prompted asub-recall by Spokane Produce Inc., of Spokane, Wash.,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in its own news release issued late Monday. Spokane Produce “recalled sandwiches and other products under the Northwest Cuisine Creations and Fresh&Local labels,” the FDA said. Federal health investigators announced on Dec. 13 that they had pinpointed Adam Bros. as at least one California farm implicated in the recent outbreak of E. coli illness tied to romaine lettuce. They said that more farms in the same area are probably connected to the outbreak. So far, 59 people across 15 states have come down with the often severe gastrointestinal illness. Health concerns were so high that just before Thanksgiving, the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and… read on >

(HealthDay News) — A medical device is used to diagnose, cure or treat a condition, or to prevent disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says a medical device can range in size from a hand-held glucometer to a large breathing ventilator. Here’s the FDA’s advice for safe use of a medical device: Understand how your device works, and keep instructions accessible. Understand and properly respond to device alarms. Keep a back-up plan and supplies in the event of an emergency. Keep emergency numbers available and updated. Educate your family and caregivers about your device. Have your doctor and health-care team review your condition and recommend any equipment changes. Report serious malfunctions to the device maker and to the FDA.

You’ve no doubt heard the expression “patience is a virtue.” Now researchers are learning that this virtue can be good for your health and well-being. Any given day can be filled with a series of frustrations that cause you to lose your patience, like waiting for your assistant to finish a report you need or for your kids to clean up their rooms. Or you might be impatient due to a serious life event, like needing to find a new job or managing a slow recovery after an illness. Experts say that by handling these situations with patience, you’ll replace frustration with tranquility and be happier for it. Baylor University psychologist Sarah Schnitker, who has been studying patience for more than a decade, found that people who are more patient also tend to be more hopeful and satisfied with their lives. And they’re less likely to be stressed or depressed or experience health issues, like headaches and ulcers. Studies on patience training show that patience is a skill you can learn, often by making changes to how you react to frustrating situations. Many people get impatient because they see waiting as time lost, so your first strategy is to redeploy that time. If you’re stuck on a line or standing idle because your kid’s soccer practice is running late, use your smartphone to read and… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Could Pot Harm Men’s Sperm?

Many Say Ketamine Eased Their Depression, But Is It Safe?

Take High Blood Pressure Meds? Exercise Might Work Just as Well

Health Tip: Recognizing a Panic Attack

Protein Portions: Feeling Satisfied on Fewer Calories

Take It Outside! The Benefits of Exercising Outdoors

Heart Surgery Won’t Cause Brain Decline, New Study Says

California Farm Tied to E. coli Outbreak Expands Recall Beyond Romaine Lettuce

Health Tip: Use Medical Devices Safely

Practice Patience for a Happier, Healthier You