December 8-14, 2014 - Original Health Articles

You already know that berries are considered nutritional superstars, offering lots of bang for the (low) calorie buck. But if you've been sticking to old standbys like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, you may be wondering if you're missing out.

What triggers anaphylaxis, or life-threatening allergic reactions? You may think of peanuts, shellfish, and bee stings. But one particular substance causes more allergy-related deaths than any other allergen (allergy-causing substance), including foods and insect venom: Medications.

So, you overdid it at the gym…again. This time, though, you may want to rethink your choice of pain reliever. Treating soreness, aches, and pains with over-the-counter NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) drugs is common. But a new study, published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, found a link between regular use of one NSAID, naproxen, and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke in women.

Christmas trees sparkle, festive carols fill the air, and cups overflow with rum-spiked eggnog. With the abundant good cheer and the prevalence of loving families on TV, it seems like it should be the happiest time of year. Yet for many, the holiday season is a trigger for depression.

Does the thought of trying to find the perfect holiday gift fill you with dread? If so, you’re certainly not alone: "One in eight Americans would rather watch paint dry than go shopping for all their holiday gifts," says Gwen Paja, editorial curator at Gifts.

If you're like many people, you have a love-hate relationship with the holidays—especially when it comes to traditional holiday food and drink. As the weather cools and the leaves drop, you start looking forward to Aunt Sandy's buttery Christmas cookies and Uncle Tony's famous lasagna.

Walk into any drugstore or natural foods emporium and you'll see jars of fish oil capsules on the shelves. The thought of swallowing fish oil may be unappetizing, but these supplements may offer some big health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease.

If you’ve suffered from depression, you know that it’s a serious and often debilitating illness. Treating it often involves psychotherapy or medication, or both. It’s difficult to pinpoint the causes of depression, but it’s probably due to a combination of factors, including genes, environment, and psychology, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health.

Robert Ginyard, a husband, father, and businessman who lives in the Baltimore area, clearly remembers the day when he learned he had prostate cancer. It was a Monday morning in 2010, and he was at work when he got the telephone call that would change his life forever.

Brighten your holiday dishes with warm, fragrant spices for festive and delicious dishes. Unlike summer’s delicate flavoring agents, like dill and basil, cold weather spices are hearty and even pungent. They bring out the flavor in nogs, crisps, cobblers, and puddings, not to mention savory dishes likes roasts and casseroles.