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Deadly lung attacks may be averted in some COPD patients with a daily dose of vitamin D, new research suggests. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, includes a number of lung conditions, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Nearly all COPD deaths are due to a sudden worsening of symptoms (lung attacks), often triggered by viral upper respiratory infections, the researchers explained. “New treatments are urgently needed to prevent COPD attacks. Our study shows that giving supplements to vitamin D-deficient COPD patients nearly halves their rate of potentially fatal attacks,” said lead researcher Adrian Martineau, a professor at Queen Mary University of London. In the study, Martineau and his colleagues analyzed data from 469 COPD patients from three clinical trials, which took place in the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands. Taking vitamin D supplements was associated with a 45 percent reduction in lung attacks among patients who were deficient in vitamin D, but there was no reduction among patients with higher vitamin D levels, the investigators found. The study was published Jan. 10 in the journal Thorax. Vitamin D supplementation is safe and inexpensive, Martineau noted. “So this is a potentially highly cost-effective treatment that could be targeted at those who have low vitamin D levels following routine testing,” he said in a university news release. “Around a fifth of COPD patients in the U.K.… read on >

A large, new analysis helps confirm that eating lots of grains, vegetables and fruit lowers your risk of dying early from cancer or heart disease. When compared with those who consume very little fiber, people at the high end of the fiber-eating spectrum saw their risk for dying from heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and/or colon cancer plummet by 16 to 24 percent, investigators reported. The team also concluded that more is definitely more: For every additional 8 grams of dietary fiber a person consumes, the risk for each of those illnesses was found to fall by another 5 to 27 percent. “The health benefits of fiber are supported by over 100 years of research into its chemistry, physical properties, physiology and effects on metabolism,” said study author Andrew Reynolds, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Otago in New Zealand. “What really surprised us was the range of conditions that higher intakes of dietary fiber seemed to improve,” Reynolds added. “Heart disease, type 2 diabetes and [colon] cancers are some of the most detrimental diseases of our time.” The conclusions follow a deep-dive into the results of 185 observational studies conducted over the last four decades, alongside the findings of another 58 clinical trials involving more than 4,600 participants. Reynolds and his colleagues reported their work, which was commissioned by the World… read on >

Tainted food, trash-filled parklands and even hungry kids: Public health could be increasingly at risk as the U.S. government shutdown drags into its 21st day, experts say. Crucial inspections intended to protect Americans have either been curtailed or are not being performed because the responsible federal workers have been furloughed, said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. “We have a very refined regulatory process which protects people from known and unknown hazards,” Benjamin said. These inspections are designed to protect people against threats like tainted drugs, foodborne illnesses and water contamination, he explained. “Even though we have a system that’s pretty good, things fall through,” Benjamin said, noting the frequency of drug recalls, foodborne disease outbreaks and polluted drinking water. “And that’s when we’re running on all cylinders, everyone’s funded, everyone’s at work,” he added. Large sections of the government have been shut down since late last month. President Donald Trump is insisting on government funding of more than $5 billion to start building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border; Democrats have refused to fork over the money. Congress already has passed five of its major appropriations bills, which fund about three-quarters of the government. The shutdown hasn’t affected the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Veterans… read on >

Research confirms that a good sex life is a key to strong feelings of intimacy and satisfaction for both partners in a relationship. Yet for many, sex goes by the wayside, often because of life’s demands, from the boss at the office to the kids at home. Responsibilities can leave you feeling drained and longing for nothing more than a solitary soak in a warm tub at day’s end. But experts warn that physical intimacy shouldn’t be sacrificed, because it not only helps you stay connected to your significant other, it also leaves you feeling more alive and youthful. Start by taking care of yourself — your health has a direct relationship on your sex life. If you work outside the home, leave work stress at the office. Don’t sabotage sexual desire by worrying about work all night. Resist the old-fashioned thinking that once you’re a parent, you’re no longer a sexual being. Set bedtimes for your kids and make sure they’re adhered to so that you and your partner can have “alone time.” Disconnect from your computers, cellphones and other gadgets early in the evening so that you can focus on time with your partner, even if it doesn’t always lead to sex. Resist the temptation to check your work email before bed — most problems can wait until morning. If your sex life… read on >

You know how important fiber is for overall health, making meals more filling and staying “regular.” But did you know that children need their fair share of fiber, too? And for the same reasons. How much is enough? In general, the U.S. Institute of Medicine states that monitoring fiber intake should start early in life, and by their teen years, kids need nearly as much fiber as adults. Grams of Fiber by Age: Ages 1-3: 19 g. Ages 4-8: 25 g. Ages 9-13: 26 g for girls, 31 g for boys. Ages 14-18: 26 g for girls, 38 g for boys. The American Academy of Pediatrics says to remember the number 5 — make sure kids eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day plus other good sources of fiber, like whole grains. The nutrition facts panel on packaged foods can help you make fiber-rich choices. If a food claims to be a good source of fiber, the fiber grams will be listed under carbohydrates. “Excellent” sources have 5 or more grams of fiber per serving. “Good” sources have at least 3 grams. While whole grains make healthier choices than refined ones, some have more fiber than others. For instance, whole-grain wheat has more than whole-grain brown rice or oats. Also, the amount of fiber in the same grain can vary by… read on >

Medical marijuana may help the thousands of Americans who use it, but far too many of these folks are getting behind the wheel while high, new research shows. In a poll of medical marijuana patients in Michigan, more than half acknowledged having driven within two hours of consuming a cannabis treatment at least once during the prior six months. About 20 percent they had done so while “very high,” while about half described being “a little high” while driving. “Perhaps more surprising is that many said that they drove under the influence pretty frequently, at least 10 times in the past six months,” noted study author Erin Bonar. She said that 7 percent of these frequent users said they had driven while very high and 19 percent had done so while a little high. “We didn’t know of other any studies that had asked medical marijuana patients about driving while high, so we were not sure what to expect,” added Bonar. She is an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry’s addiction center at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. “[But] we know that both alcohol and marijuana have risks and can be dangerous, and we would advise not driving after using either one,” Bonar stressed. So how exactly does marijuana undermine driving safety? “Research studies show that things like your coordination and reaction… read on >

Every day they help feed, bathe and care for the frailest Americans. But female health care workers in the United States often get shortchanged on wages and health insurance, a new study finds. In fact, about one-third of female health care workers made less than $15 an hour, and that number rose to half when these workers were black or Hispanic. The study authors estimated that about 5 percent of all female health care workers live in poverty, including nearly 11 percent of black women and 9 percent of Hispanic women. “Our findings were really quite striking. Overall, 1.7 million women health care workers and their families are living in poverty,” said study author Dr. Kathryn Himmelstein. She is a resident at Massachusetts General Hospital and a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Himmelstein began this research as a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. The report also showed that about 7 percent of female health care workers didn’t have health insurance. Additionally, many had to rely on government programs, such as Medicaid, food stamps and public housing. About 20 percent of women in the United States are employed in the health care industry, according to background information in the study. Women hold more than 85 percent of health care positions, such as nursing, home health, and personal… read on >

(HealthDay News) — An ingrown hair occurs when a strand of hair grows back into the skin, usually after shaving, waxing or tweezing. Symptoms of ingrown hair, according to the Cleveland Clinic, include: Skin irritation Small bumps with hairs in the middle on the face and neck Pain Itching In a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps), hair that has re-entered the skin triggers small bumps to appear on the face and neck.

Is your budget at odds with your desire to eat healthy? Seafood, lean cuts of meat and fresh produce can be pricey, but there are many foods that let you stretch your shopping dollars. At about 15 cents each, protein-rich eggs are a great buy. Scrambled for breakfast, baked into a frittata for dinner and hard boiled as a snack on the run, eggs can fit into any meal. If watching calories, eat twice the number of whites as yolks. For pennies a serving, plain oatmeal, especially the steel-cut variety, offers a wealth of benefits. It’s high in the type of soluble fiber that helps remove cholesterol from your bloodstream, lowers your risk for heart disease and keeps you regular. When it comes to canned veggies, whole tomatoes top the list. Because they’re cooked, they have more of the antioxidant lycopene. They can be quickly heated with herbs for a side dish or pureed into a sauce. Look for whole peeled tomatoes, often less processed during canning, and chop them yourself. Just avoid brands with a lot of added salt. Compared to beef, chicken is a great protein value, especially if you buy on sale, whether whole or parts. While skinless and boneless breasts are convenient, they’re more expensive. You can easily pull the skin off whole chicken breasts before cooking. And using bone-in pieces… read on >

We know that the amount of sitting Americans do is now considered a health threat. Researchers estimate that the average adult spends more than 8 hours a day being sedentary, and it’s not just all that time spent in front of the TV. If you have a desk job and get home too exhausted to do more than plop on the sofa, that number can double. The combination of too much sitting and too little exercise can set the stage for obesity and chronic conditions. It may also lead to premature death, according to research published in The Lancet, and other journals. The problem is that even if you meet the recommendation of a 30-minute workout every day, that may not be enough to counteract all the sitting. The study suggests that it’s better to get in 60 or more minutes of activity daily. But that doesn’t mean you have to double the length of your workouts. In fact, it’s better to reach the additional goal with small chunks of movement throughout the workday, as well as during evening hours. As the American College of Sports Medicine puts it, “interrupt” your sitting time with movement. Of course, you can’t run to the gym every couple of hours when you’re at an office, but here are four ideas you can do at work: Use a standing… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Daily Vitamin D Could Be a Lifesaver for Some COPD Patients

More Proof High-Fiber Diets Help Prevent Cancers, Heart Disease

Here’s How the Government Shutdown Could Affect Your Health

Are You Sabotaging Your Sex Life?

Fiber: It’s Not Just for Adults

Many Medical Marijuana Patients Drive While High

Many Female Health Care Workers Make Poverty-Level Wages: Study

Health Tip: Understanding Ingrown Hairs

Ways to Eat Well Without Breaking the Bank

Take a Stand Against Too Much Sitting at Work