Health/Fitness « Weekly Gravy

How highly you rate your health could predict how likely you are to catch a cold — and, even more important, how healthy you’ll be in later years. Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh asked 360 healthy adults to rate their health as excellent, very good, good, fair or poor — and then exposed them to a virus that causes the common cold. Overall, about one-third developed colds. While none said “poor” and only a few said “fair,” those who rated their health as “fair,” “good” or even “very good” were more than twice as likely to develop a cold as those who described it as “excellent.” What makes people give themselves a high health rating independent of indicators like their medical records or a doctor evaluation? Such factors include following positive lifestyle habits like regular exercise, having a strong social network and feeling a high level of emotional well-being. People who fit the bill are less likely to get sick and more likely to live longer, the researchers found. Conversely, people who think of their health as poor tend to have a poor health trajectory as they age. On the subject of warding off the common cold, a separate study done at Carnegie Mellon along with researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that just one extra hour of sleep can… read on >

Dry, itchy eyes are a common problem in the winter and low humidity is a major reason, one ophthalmologist says. “On average, the humidity drops in the winter with the colder weather,” said Marissa Locy, an instructor in the department of ophthalmology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “In addition, most people turn on the heat in their homes or offices to combat the cold. So, what you end up having is lower humidity outside, and even lower humidity inside, making for warm, dry conditions where moisture can evaporate from the eye faster than normal,” she explained in a university news release. If you spend time in heated locations, use a humidifier to add some moisture back into the air. Drink lots of fluids. Keeping your body hydrated will help maintain moisture in your eyes. Don’t blow heat directly onto your face, because this can dry up moisture in your eyes. In your car, direct heat vents towards your lower body. When outdoors, wear eye protection or a hat with a visor to keep particles and wind from getting into your eyes. If you wear contact lenses, be sure to keep them clean. In cold weather, your eyes could dry even more with contacts. Always wearing clean contacts reduces the risk of infection and itching, Locy said. And talk to your doctor. Occasional bouts… read on >

It’s not just a sign of the holiday season. Food servings have been getting supersized everywhere, from restaurants to grocery shelves. So it can be hard to know what a recommended portion size actually looks like anymore. Whether it’s a scoop of ice cream or a serving of vegetables, it’s probably a lot more than you think. However, everyday items as well as your own hand can serve as visual guides. For a one-cup measure of foods like cereal, fruit chunks or vegetables, picture a baseball, tennis ball or your own clenched fist. For a half-cup, picture that baseball cut in half or the front part of your fist. Other common portion sizes may be even smaller than you realize. For instance, one tablespoon is about the size of your thumb tip. One teaspoon is the size of the tip of your index finger. And a teaspoon of a liquid, like olive oil, is the surface of a postage stamp. Here’s some holiday help for measuring other small amounts: One-and-a-half ounces of cheese is about the size of a 9-volt battery. A one-ounce piece of bread is the size of a 3″ by 5″ index card. One ounce of nuts should fit snuggly within the cup of your hand. Three ounces of meat should fit into the flat square of your palm — it’s about… read on >

Many people rely on chicken noodle soup to soothe a cold, but few know exactly why the warm broth brings relief. But one dietitian can explain its magic. “Studies have shown that a hearty bowl of chicken noodle soup may help clear nasal congestion and ease cold symptoms,” said Sandy Allonen, a clinical dietitian at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “It’s all about the ingredients.” When you have a cold, it’s also important to stay hydrated, she added. “A clear broth is warm and soothing, making it a great source of hydration while you’re sick, especially if you have a sore throat,” Allonen said in a hospital news release. “You may think added salt and other seasonings aren’t great for you, but in moderation, these spices can help combat the feeling of dull taste buds,” she noted. “A loss of taste is common in a cold, but as with any flavor enhancer, salt is great for getting you to eat more.” The chicken in your soup offers a number of benefits. It’s high in protein that helps the immune system, and is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, which boost immunity and help with digestion. “Chicken is also high in tryptophan, which helps your body produce serotonin that can enhance your mood and give you the feeling… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Chapped lips often occur throughout winter, but there are things you can do to prevent them, the Mayo Clinic says. Here are the clinic’s suggestions: Before you go outside in cold weather, apply a lubricating lip cream or balm. Then cover your lips with a scarf. Reapply the balm as needed. Do not lick your lips. Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving lips drier than before you licked them. Drink plenty of fluids, and moisten the indoor air with a humidifier. Avoid contact with irritants or allergens, such as fragrances or dyes, in cosmetics and skin care products. Breathe through your nose. Breathing through your mouth can cause your lips to dry out.

(HealthDay News) — A change in your nails may be no cause for concern, but certain changes should be taken seriously, the American Academy of Dermatology says. The academy suggests visiting a dermatologist at the first sign of: A dark streak. This could be a sign of melanoma skin cancer. A nail lifting up. This could be a sign of a fungal infection, psoriasis, injury from an aggressive manicure or injury from cleaning under your nails. Redness and swelling around a nail. You probably have an infection. Greenish black color. You probably have an infection. Pitting nails. These may be triggered by psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or alopecia. Yellow nails. These could be a sign of lung disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Deep grooves or gaps. These could be triggered by chemotherapy, an injury or major stress. Curved nails. These can be hereditary or a sign of lung, heart, liver or stomach disease.

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 >

Does your typical afternoon snack leave you feeling unsatisfied and reaching for more? If your pick-me-up is a bag of salty chips or a chocolate bar, a better (and healthier) way to go is with a high-protein choice, according to research published in The Journal of Nutrition. Snacks can make or break your diet. They can be a bridge from one meal to the next, keeping hunger in check and keeping you from overeating at meals. But if you’re not careful, they can add unwanted and even excessive calories to your daily total. Studies show that people of normal-weight tend to choose healthy snacks, like protein, fruit or whole grains, while overweight people tend to choose snacks high in fat and sugar, often compounding their weight woes. The study, which involved teens, found that surprisingly good snacks are soy-based, high-protein choices — a perfect way to get more plant foods in your diet. When comparing the effects of a high-protein soy snack to a high-fat snack, the researchers found that eating soy protein improves appetite control and diet quality, and helps you feel more satisfied. It can also boost your mood and brain function. Soybeans are nutritionally unique — the only vegetable that offers complete protein, all nine essential amino acids needed for health. They’re rich in B vitamins, iron, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids.… read on >

In a finding that shows the obesity epidemic is far from over, new research reveals that most Americans have grown wider but not taller in the past two decades. Height measurements remained relatively stable during the past 20 years, even dropping slightly between 2015 and 2016 for some groups. But the weight, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) of many kept increasing, new federal government data indicate. Only Asian-Americans and black men appeared to buck this trend. “The current report provides updated data on trends in weight, height, waist circumference, and BMI from 1999-2000 through 2015-2016, showing an increase of over 8 pounds in men and 7 pounds in women over this time period and overall, no increase in height,” said researchers from the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of 2016, the U.S. average weight for men was 198 pounds, while it was 170 pounds for women. Which groups fared the worst? White men and women, along with Mexican-Americans and black women, put on the most pounds, according to the report. Which groups did the best? Black men, whose weights leveled off between 2005 and 2016, and Asian-Americans, who saw no significant differences in the four body measures over the two decades. At the same time, there was little change in height among… read on >

(HealthDay News) — A pulled hamstring is a common injury for athletes who play sports such as track, soccer and basketball. Symptoms of the injury include swelling, bruising or discoloration and weakness in the hamstring. Most hamstring injuries will heal with rest and won’t require surgery, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says. The academy suggests: RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Immobilization. Your doctor may recommend wearing a knee splint to help your leg heal. Physical therapy. Once the initial pain and swelling go away, physical therapy can help restore range of motion and strength.