Health watchdog says 40,000 Britons die each year due to junk food

LONDON – Public health watchdog National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has warned that more than 40,000 Britons are dying each year because of the high levels of salt and fat in their diets.

It called for changes to be made to food production and government policy to encourage lifestyle changes, and to significantly …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Pigeon bacteria may cause diarrhoea in humans

WASHINGTON – A study of pigeons captured on the streets of Madrid has revealed that they carry bacterial pathogens, which can cause diarrhoea in humans.

Chlamydophila psittaci and Campylobacter jejuni – the two pathogens found in pigeons, cause more diarrhoea than Salmonella.

“The present study demonstrates the extremely high prevalence of two zoonotic pathogens in feral pigeons … Read more >>.

Early menopause ‘doubles risk of heart attack, stroke’

WASHINGTON – Women who experience an early menopause run twice the risk of a heart attack or stroke in later life, researchers have warned.

Early menopause was defined as going through menopause before age 46, either naturally or surgically through removal of both ovaries.

“It is important for women to know that early menopause is …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Early menopause ‘doubles risk of heart attack, stroke’.

Scripps Health to open proton therapy center; second in the West

Scripps Health to open proton therapy center
SAN DIEGO – Scripps Health is opening a $185 million cancer treatment center in San Diego that will use proton beams to target tumors.
It’ll be the second hospital-based proton therapy center in the West. Loma Linda University Medical Center opened the nation’s first in 1990, in San [..] Read the original article: here.

Britain may see 24-hour medicine vending machines

LONDON – Britain is mulling the introduction of day and night medicine vending machines initially in hospitals and on the high streets thereafter, worrying pharmacists who feel they could be out of business.

The department of health wants to try out the dispenser, developed by a Canadian firm, PharmaTrust. Costing 50,000 pounds each, it is …. Original source  : Britain may see 24-hour medicine vending machines.

Being aroused ‘can lead to unhealthy choices’

WASHINGTON – Being aroused in any way may make you feel positive and happy, but that can come at the cost of your health, says a new study.

“While happy people make better and healthier choices, this is dependent on the intensity of the positive feelings experienced. In other words, the level of arousal accompanying …. Source article  : Being aroused ‘can lead to unhealthy choices’.

Acidic sugar-free treats harmful for kids’ dental health

SYDNEY – A consumer group has warned that while sugar-free treats may seem healthy, their acidic nature can damage children’s teeth severely.

“People look at products that have ’sugar-free’ on the label and think they are good for your teeth. What they don’t realise is these products in some cases are just as bad,” the Sydney … Original source on Gaea Times at : Acidic sugar-free treats harmful for kids’ dental health.

Coffee ‘cuts risk of oral cancer’

MELBOURNE – Drinking four cups of coffee on a daily basis protects against mouth cancer, a new study has shown.

The reason is down to more 1000 chemicals in coffee, including anti-oxidants, reports the Courier Mail.

For the study, scientists in the US used data gleaned from nine studies comparing the coffee habits of about 5000 cancer … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Coffee ‘cuts risk of oral cancer’.

Minnesota nurses authorize open-ended strike on 14 Minneapolis-area hospitals

Minn. nurses approve second strike at 14 hospitals

MINNEAPOLIS – Thousands of Minnesota nurses have voted to authorize another strike on 14 hospitals in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
The Minnesota Nurses Association says 84 percent of nurses voted yes to authorize an open-ended strike. The nurses must give the hospitals a minimum of 10 days’ notice but …. Source article  : Minnesota nurses authorize open-ended strike on 14 Minneapolis-area hospitals.

Spare tires pop up beside bikinis in Brazil as bad diets and no exercise feed obesity

New study shows Brazil losing battle of the bulge
RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilians are battling the bulge.
A government study says the South American country known for its bikinis is expanding at the waistline.
The Health Ministry notes that in 2009, 46.6 percent of Brazil’s 190 million people were overweight. That’s up from 42.7 percent …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Spare tires pop up beside bikinis in Brazil as bad diets and no exercise feed obesity.