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Frozen Berries: Just as Flavorful at a Better Price

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For nutrient-dense foods that are low in calories, it’s hard to beat berries. But it’s also hard to pay what they cost out of season. Frozen berries are a healthy freezer staple that taste as good as fresh, and are a lot more budget-friendly. Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and cranberries (they’re not just for cranberry sauce) are all superfoods — low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins and powerful antioxidants, which give them their brilliant colors. Berries defrost in minutes and make a great topping for yogurt and oatmeal, and the perfect base for smoothies (toss them into the blender without defrosting). They’re also excellent for making sweet treats, like these fast raspberry chocolate fudge pops, a lower-sugar version of the frosty indulgence. If you don’t have a set of ice-pop molds, almost any shape of silicone mold with a half-cup capacity will work. Or simply use small paper cups. Raspberry Fudge Pops 2 cups water 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup Stevia or other sugar-free sweetener 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup frozen raspberries, divided 1 tablespoon slivered almonds, optional In a large saucepan, combine water, cocoa powder and both sweeteners. Stir with a large whisk to dissolve the cocoa as you bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer two to three minutes until smooth…  read on >

Health Tip: Exfoliate at Home

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(HealthDay News) — Exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells from the outer layer of the skin. People typically exfoliate because it may improve the skin’s appearance. But according to the American Academy of Dermatology, if it is not done properly, exfoliation can do more harm than good. The academy suggests how to prevent skin damage while exfoliating: Chose an exfoliation method that suits your skin. People with dry, oily and darker skin may all need to use different methods. Be gentle when you exfoliate. Follow with a good moisturizer. Exfoliate according to a schedule that works best for your skin.

Patients With Primary Care Docs May Get Better Health Care

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One way to get better medical care and more value for your health care dollars is to find yourself a primary care provider, researchers say. For the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 70,000 U.S. adults who took part in a Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Of those, more than 49,000 had a primary care doctor and about 21,000 did not. Adults with primary care were more likely to receive high-value cancer screenings, such as colonoscopy or mammography (78 percent with primary care versus 67 percent without). They also received more diagnostic and preventive tests, such as flu vaccination and blood pressure checks. Patients with primary care were also more likely to receive counseling, especially to help them quit smoking, the investigators found. “If you have a primary care relationship, you have a better experience with care, better access to care, and a 10 percent increase in things like high-value cancer screening, diabetes care and counseling,” said the study’s corresponding author, Dr. David Levine. He’s a physician investigator in the division of general internal medicine and primary care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston. The study findings suggest that a primary care-first approach could improve U.S. health care, Levine said in a hospital news release. However, the researchers also found that both groups of patients had similar rates of low-value care. For example, inappropriate…  read on >

Obesity-Linked Cancers On the Rise Among Young Americans

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As more young American adults struggle with extra weight, they are paying an even steeper price as the rates of obesity-related cancers rise in this age group. Obesity has already been linked to rising rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and knee replacements. Now, new research suggests cancer can be added to that list, and the rate of obesity-related cancers is certain to keep climbing among those aged 25 to 49, researchers report. “The fact that increases were mostly in obesity-related cancers is due to the obesity epidemic, and we would expect that the incidence would increase as this younger population ages,” said lead researcher Dr. Ahmedin Jemal. He is scientific vice president for surveillance and health services research at the American Cancer Society. In fact, these cancers are rising faster among younger adults than older folks, and that could stall or reverse years of progress in reducing cancer deaths, the study authors said. To try to curb the trend of rising cancers among the obese, Jemal thinks that primary care doctors need to screen all their patients for obesity. Family doctors also need to counsel patients to lose weight. Although screening for most of these cancers isn’t available or useful for younger patients, colon cancer is an exception, Jemal said. Last year, the American Cancer Society lowered the age to start colon cancer…  read on >

Health Screenings Every Woman Needs

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Mammogram? Check. Pap test? Check. Blood pressure? Check. Hearing and vision? Check. Screenings are an important part of maintaining women’s health. They can detect disease when it’s most treatable and prevent serious problems, according to Dr. Lili Lustig. She is a family medicine specialist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Ohio. To get the right screenings, talk to your doctor, who will take into consideration your age, overall health, family history and current health concerns. “Each test has its own time and place,” Lustig said in a medical center news release. “Generally, the sooner your doctor can identify and treat a medical condition, the better the outcome.” In their 20s, women should have Pap and HPV screenings to check for pre- or early cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer. (The American Cancer Society recommends women get a Pap test every three years starting at age 21.) “Women ages 30 to 65 who have a normal Pap test and a negative HPV only need to be re-screened every five years,” Lustig added. It’s also important to get screened for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). They may not cause symptoms, meaning you can pass them to your partner or, if pregnant, to an unborn child. “All women who are sexually active from age 13 to 65 should be regularly screened for STDs,”…  read on >

Health Tip: Signs of Vision Problems in Infants

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(HealthDay News) — A newborn’s vision isn’t as developed as an older child’s, although significant progress is made during the initial months of life, the American Optometric Association says. Although rare at this early age, signs of vision problems among newborns and young infants include: Excessive tearing – this may indicate blocked tear ducts Red or encrusted eye lids – this could signal an eye infection Constant eye turning – this may signal a problem with eye muscle control. Extreme sensitivity to light – this may indicate elevated pressure in the eye. Appearance of a white pupil – this may indicate an eye tumor that could be cancerous.

Make a Healthy Game Plan for Super Bowl Partying

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Chips, dips, wings and other fatty and salty things — Super Bowl parties can be a challenge for people with diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, an expert warns. “For people with diabetes, the goal is to keep the carbohydrates down — and encourage more of the protein-rich foods — to enhance satiety,” said Jo Ann Carson, dietician-nutritionist at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. If you have diabetes and are going to a Super Bowl party, find out if it’s going to be a high-carb affair. If so, take your own dishes or coordinate with others to make sure there are healthier food choices, Carson suggested in a medical center news release. People with diabetes should eat slowly in order to limit how much they consume, and should get up and walk around during each commercial break, she advised. People with high blood pressure, meanwhile, should focus on fruits and vegetables and avoid salty snacks, dips and sauces. If you’re hosting or attending a party, your healthiest bets are: Salad fixings, such as greens, sprouts, mushrooms, onions, peppers, radishes and tomatoes, with sugar-free and low-calorie dressings. Crunchy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and cucumbers. Drinks such as water, unsweetened tea, coffee and calorie-free diet sodas. Proteins such as grilled fish, skinless chicken or turkey, and/or soy-based “veggie” burgers. And low/nonfat dairy products, including…  read on >

Statins Help the Heart, No Matter What Your Age

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Cholesterol-lowering statins are already known to help cut heart risks for seniors and the middle-aged. Now, research confirms the meds can also help people aged 75 and older. “Statin therapy has been shown to prevent cardiovascular disease in a wide range of people, but there has been uncertainty about its efficacy and safety among older people,” said lead investigator Anthony Keech. He’s a professor of medicine, cardiology and epidemiology at the University of Sydney in Australia. He and colleagues at the University of Oxford in England analyzed the findings of 28 large clinical trials of statins. The trials involved nearly 187,000 people in six age groups: younger than 55; 55 to 60; 60 to 65; 65 to 70; 70 to 75; and older than 75. “Our study summarized all the available evidence from major trials to help clarify this issue. We found that there were significant reductions in major vascular events in each of the six age groups considered, including patients [who were] aged over 75 at the start of treatment,” Keech said in an Oxford news release. Major vascular events included heart attack, stroke and procedures to clear clogged arteries. “Statin therapy appears to be just as effective in people aged over 75 years as it is in younger people,” study co-investigator Jordan Fulcher said in the news release. Fulcher is a cardiovascular research…  read on >

Health Tip: Understanding Dry Eye

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(HealthDay News) — Dry eye occurs when the amount of tears you produce fails to keep the surface of the eye adequately lubricated, the National Eye Institute says. The risk of developing dry eye increases with age, and more women than men have the condition. Dry eye can create scratchy or stinging feelings, dryness, discharge, pain and redness. The institute mentions these common causes of dry eye: Medications including antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, and medications for anxiety, Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure. Advancing age. Rosacea (an inflammatory skin disease) and blepharitis (an inflammatory eyelid disease). Windy, smoky or dry environments. Seasonal allergies. Prolonged periods of screen time.

Health Tip: Avoid Winter Skin Rashes

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(HealthDay News) — Cold, dry winter weather can wreak havoc on your hands, triggering rashes, dry patches and irritation. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests how to prevent a rash on your hands: Wear task-appropriate gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemicals, such as dyes and detergents. Wear insulated gloves or mittens in cold weather. Wash your hands without irritating them by using warm water and a mild cleanser, such as a beauty bar or moisturizing liquid. Apply moisturizer to your hands often and generously.