The rate of smoking among Australian adolescents, statistically defined as those aged between 12 and 17 years, has hit a record low, fueling hopes of a smoke-free generation. Twenty years ago, 23.5% of 12- to 17-year-olds smoked cigarettes, and the average age of “initiation” of smoking was 14. Now only 6.7% of youth in this age bracket smoke, with smokers beginning at age 16 on average.
Although it may sound like a bad infomercial, a study financed by the National Institutes of Health has shown that cutting added sugar in children’s diets can improve their overall health incredibly quickly.
People with developmental disabilities are often mishandled by law enforcement simply because police officers don’t know how to communicate with them and deal with their erratic behavior. But one Virginia police department is taking steps to make sure this stops happening.
It’s not all rippling muscles and green smoothies in California. A new analysis by University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) researchers shows a shocking number of Californians either have diabetes or are on the verge of developing it.
The saying, “There’s plenty of fish in the sea” will be utter nonsense by 2050, scientists say, because plastic will dominate the oceans.
Use of plastic has increased 20-fold in the past half-century, and plastic production is expected to double over the next 2 decades and nearly quadruple over the next 50 years. Nearly 1/3 of all plastic packaging “escapes collection systems,” CNN Money reports.
Clinical psychologist Julie Rucklidge explores how important nutrition is for mental health in an important TedX talk. She says ‘nutrition matters,’ and that poor nutrition is a ‘significant and modifiable risk factor for the development of mental illness.’
Following the results of 2 clinical trials, the Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings for diabetes medications containing saxagliptin and alogliptin. These medications have been shown to increase the risk of heart failure, especially for those who already suffer from heart or kidney disease.
An FDA statement notes:
Also known as cumin or caraway seed, black seed (Nigella sativa) has been used for over 2000 years and is viewed as a healing wonder, with research suggesting that it could be helpful in fighting illnesses of all kinds. Over 600 peer-reviewed studies prove that this amazing little seed has more than 20 ‘pharmacological actions‘ on the body when taken in food or as a supplement. Yes, black seed oil benefits are plentiful, and you will learn about them here.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said this week that the Zika virus is “scarier than we initially thought.” The agency made a connection between Zika and microcephaly, a horrible birth defect that causes babies to be born with small heads and brains, in pregnant women. It also suspected that Zika causes Guillain-Barré, a nervous system disorder that can temporarily paralyze people and cause permanent brain damage.
An increasing number of doctors believe marijuana should be legalized.
