Category Archives: Health

FDA Regulations for Gluten-Free Labels Take Effect

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Greg Asseff

Before today, foods labeled “gluten-free” were not subject to any regulations or standards ensuring that the claim was true. Now, FDA regulations state that gluten-free products must be packaged in a “truthful and not misleading manner.” This means that such foods can only use the label if they contain gluten in a ratio of less than 20 parts per million. The news is particularly good for those suffering from celiac disease, who can get very ill after eating food that contains even a small amount of gluten. The protein is most often found in wheat, rye and barley. Some people that do not have celiac disease claim to suffer from a sensitivity to gluten that can cause intestinal issues, headaches, and respiratory problems. The existence of a “gluten sensitivity” from a scientific standpoint is up for debate, however. Further, some claim that gluten is not the culprit at all, but rather other elements in wheat that make people sick.

Posted in Diet, Food, Health, Medical, News, Nutrition | 1,834 Comments

Dangers of Tanning Warrant Surgeon General Call to Action

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Greg Asseff

In 2011, we reported that many young women were using indoor tanning beds despite knowing the serious cancer risks. Now, the problem has gotten so bad that its warranted a call to action from the U.S. acting Surgeon General, Boris D. Lushniak. A call to action is a detailed, science-backed document intended to solve a public health problem by stimulating action throughout the country. The call to action addresses both indoor and outdoor tanning. According to Lushniak, skin cancer is a “major health problem” whose chief cause involves overexposure to ultraviolet light, regardless of where it comes from. The announcement comes only two months after the FDA revealed it would be putting black box warnings on tanning beds and sunlamps. In short, all people are encouraged to stop tanning, use sunscreen and stay out of the sun whenever possible to prevent cancer.

Posted in Health, Medical, News, Parenting, Skin and Beauty | 1,236 Comments

Study Says Tylenol Ineffective for Lower Back Pain

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Greg Asseff

Lower back pain is one of the most common ailments that people experience. In fact, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, back pain is second only to headaches when it comes to the most common neurological ailments in the U.S. It is the number one cause of job-related disabilities, and it’s estimated that people in the U.S. spend a total of around $50 billion on lower back pain treatment every year. The most common treatment recommended by doctors involves acetaminophen, usually in the form of Tylenol or paracetamol. Now, however, an Australian study suggests that acetaminophen may be no more effective in treating lower back pain than a placebo. Doctors typically recommend Tylenol or paracetamol because of their lack of side effects. The study is the first to address these medications’ effectiveness for treating back pain.

Posted in Exercise, Health, Medical, News, Studies | 7,556 Comments

Nationwide Fruit Recall Issued for Peaches, Necatarines, Plums

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Greg Asseff

Anybody that has purchased fruit recently from Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Trader Joe’s, BJ’s or Costco may want to review their purchase and possibly discard their produce. Wawona Packing, a packaging company headquartered in California, has issued a voluntary recall on both organic and conventional varieties of: white peaches and nectarines, yellow peaches and nectarines, black plums, pluots (a hybrid of plums and apricots). The fruit recall was issued due to possible Listeria contamination during packaging that occurred between June 1 and July 12. Regional supermarket chain Wegmans also recalled pies that may have been made with the contaminated fruit.

Posted in Food, Health, Medical, News | 103 Comments

Latest Research Touts Benefits of Organic Foods

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Greg Asseff

At the moment, there is perhaps no issue more confusing to the average food shopper than whether or not to buy organic. For the most part, people believe that organic foods are generally healthier and more nutritious. At the same time, several studies seen to indicate that foods labeled organic have not proven to be any more beneficial than their non-organic counterparts. To make matters worse, many consumers have incorrect notions about the term “organic,” often relating it to “local” or the ever-dubious “all natural.” In fact, one team of researchers recently conducted a study in which 23 percent of participants incorrectly assumed that produce labeled “local” indicated that it was also organic. Seventeen percent incorrectly thought that organic produce is always grown locally. Amid all this confusion, however, a new study shows that organic food may indeed be healthier.