Can ice cream be healthy — or healthier?
When it comes to frosty treats, ice cream reigns supreme. These days, you may have noticed that low-calorie options ranging in flavors from Birthday S’mores to Cookie Dough are one of the coolest food trends in the supermarket freezer aisle. Their growth owes largely to a desire for wellness, even in the dessert world. But isn’t healthy ice cream an oxymoron? Well, certain ice... READ MORE
Two area COVID studies offering plasma
As the pandemic continues, scientists are working hard to find effective treatments to prevent COVID-19 or decrease the severity of symptoms — without hospitalization. One of those possible treatments is from blood; specifically, human coronavirus immune plasma. Patients receive a plasma transfusion from someone who has defeated and recovered from COVID-19, and antibodies in that... READ MORE
When anxiety disorders magnify COVID-19
These days, we all have to accept the anxiety inherent in living in the time of the coronavirus pandemic. If there was a way to dispel all anxious feelings, I’d tell you, but there isn’t. The one exception might be someone who could summon such a degree of denial that they carry on as if everything was normal. And that would be very unwise. Anxiety helps us prepare to respond to... READ MORE
Squash buyer’s guide
All varieties of delicious winter squash are packed with the antioxidants alpha and beta carotene. Here you’ll find some tips on what varieties to look for and how to choose them. Shopping tips Choose squash that is very hard: press firmly all over to make sure the rind isn’t soft (a sign of immaturity or improper storage). Look for vivid colors — the skin color should not look... READ MORE
Get your flu shot now — it’s not too late
A record number of flu vaccine doses are on the way — between 194 million and 198 million for the U.S. alone — seemingly plenty considering last year just under half of adults got vaccinated and there usually are leftovers. Still, there’s no way to know how many will seek shots this year and some people occasionally are finding drugstores or clinics temporarily out of stock. Be... READ MORE
Mobile app may help caregivers manage
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, there’s a new mobile app in development that could help. Research has found that routine and structure help patients with dementia. One way to stay organized is through your smartphone. Once downloaded on an iPhone, the app, called Mantrah, can help manage your condition and improve quality of... READ MORE
Some tips to counteract the winter blues
Q: With the start of fall and daylight savings time approaching, is it true that some people feel “blue” during the cooler months just because there isn’t as much daylight? A: While October brings fall leaves, pumpkins and welcome cooler temperatures, it also represents a shift to shorter daylight hours, with the sun setting earlier each day. For many, these cooler, darker days... READ MORE
Third virus vaccine in final U.S. testing
A handful of the dozens of experimental COVID-19 vaccines in human testing have reached the last and biggest hurdle — looking for the needed proof that they really work. Once a vaccine wins approval, the first limited doses will need to be rationed. Last month, a U.S. advisory panel suggested some ways that can happen. Three vaccine candidates began final testing this summer in tens ... READ MORE
Good news for pre- and Type 2 diabetics
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disorder of insulin resistance — a reduced sensitivity to the action of insulin — which leads to high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia. Approximately 12% of American adults have T2D, and more than one-third of Americans have prediabetes, a precursor to T2D. This is a major public health concern, as T2D dramatically increases risk for heart disease... READ MORE
What causes hands, feet to fall asleep?
We’ve all been there. You awaken in the morning, and one of your hands is completely numb. It feels dead, heavy and simply won’t work. Perhaps there’s some tingling as well. Or, you arise from a long dinner or movie and one of your legs feels that way. Then over a few minutes — maybe you shook your hands, stamped your foot — everything goes back to normal. But did you ever... READ MORE
