Estrogen Has Protective 'Brain Effect'

U.S. researchers and Chinese researchers say rat studies show losing estrogen can lead to diminished brain function.

The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, found areas of the brain -- such as CA3 -- that tend to be stroke resistant and important in learning and memory, became vulnerable to stroke in rats that went without estrogen for long periods. It appears estrogen helps suppress free radical production that can become deadly to cells at higher levels.

"Estrogen must be doing something that is very critical for the protection of CA3 and we think it's suppressing NADPH oxidase production," Dr. Darrell W. Brann, chief of Medical College of Georgia who was the study's corresponding author, said in a statement.

Embarrassing Question: Have You Ever Forgotten to Take a Tampon Out?

Don't ask how a conversation with friends veered into the territory of tampons (cringe), but out of the group of women I was chatting with recently, several admitted to a tampon oops, which, as you know, can result in a frightening health issue that we all know as Toxic Shock Syndrome. Have you ever had a tampon oops?

I was curious, after reading a post over on MomLogic about the facts about Toxic Shock Syndrome (or TSS), which, as you know, has been linked to incidents of tampons being left in place too long. Let's have a little refresher, shall we?

"TSS is essentially an infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus--or staph--bacteria," the MomLogic bloggers write. "Symptoms include high fever and confusion, which then can rapidly progress to coma and eventually organ shutdown and even death. It also shows up as a rash, similar to a sunburn, and can be anywhere on the body, including the feet, lips, mouth, eyes, and hands."

Educators Tout the Benefits of Eating More Seafood

Just like the old joke, everyone's tried the "See-food Diet": you see food, and you eat it. But is there enough actual seafood on your family's plates?

Experts at the University of Idaho took a look at the data, in Idaho and across the nation, and they say no. On average, Americans eat just one serving of seafood a week, while nutritionists recommend at least two.

"It's culture; we're just not a seafood-eating nation," said Gary Fornshell, multi-county aquaculture educator for the university.

With Extension Educator Rhea Lanting, Fornshell has put together a four-part class to address misconceptions, fear of cooking seafood, health benefits and risks, and fundamentally what seafood is. The class is now available as a curriculum for nutrition educators, as well as being offered to the public.

Do You Need a Vacay From Your Diet?

Think of a world without sleep, without lunch breaks, without vacation days. Scary, huh? The fact is--we need to rest and recharge. Life depends on it. And, some say that if you're not giving yourself an occasional rest from your diet and fitness goals, you might be doing yourself a disservice. More after the jump ...

According to the writers over at the Diet Blog, taking a day off from dieting once per week can have many positive benefits, including this one: "If you let yourself eat whatever you like once a week, you won't end up feeling deprived," they write. "It's much easier to resist that slab of cake when you know you can have one in a couple of days' time."

Do You Live In One Of The Fast-Foodiest Cities In America?

As a general rule, I'm not much for fast food (except for on a road trip, where the occasional bag o' fries can feel like it has its own tiny place. You know, kind of like car sickness and Dramamine--would it be a road trip without either?). Forget the fat-sugar-salt-calorie overload of fast food--I'm an energy black hole afterward. But, should I ever need a fix, my city is apparently the 31st "fast food capital" in the country, according to a new report. So what's first on the list?

According to a study compiled by The Daily Beast, the number-one American city with the most fast-food eateries is: Orlando, FL.

Does This Relationship Make My Butt Look Big?

Think back to when you were in the best shape of your life (and maybe it's now!). Were you in a relationship at the time? Lots of people have their own theories about how a relationship affects health. But now, a new survey conducted by British researchers throws out some interesting findings about what love does to your thighs ...

The research, sponsored by a UK diet pill maker, which polled 3,000 women, found that our weight takes a rollercoaster ride when it comes to love. The findings:

In the early days: At the beginning of a relationship, women are more likely to be 5 pounds lighter.

When we start feeling comfortable: As the relationship progresses, women, on average, gain about 10 pounds.

Dinner Tonight: Roasted Tomatoes and Garlic Baked Chicken

Looking for something loaded with flavor (with a huge comfort factor) without the guilt? The easy, yummy--low-cal!--recipe to throw together tonight...

The bloggers over at Hangry Pants share their method for making a chicken dish that sounds so perfect for a cold late-fall night like tonight! This dish calls for the flavor holy trinity, tomatoes, garlic and basil, and you won't even miss the fat--promise. Here's the recipe, though you can throw it together in three easy steps:

*Roast up some tomatoes and garlic in the oven.

*Smother on top of two chicken breasts (or one, if you're just cooking for you!).

Did You Love Or Hate The Last Movie You Saw? You May Be Able to Thank (or Blame) This Person

What was the last movie you really hated? Which did you absolutely love? Now think back to who was sitting next to you. According to new research, that person could have had a leading role in how well you liked the film...

Research that appears in Applied Cognitive Psychology suggests that we don't like movies for two reasons: 1) we think the actual movie is a stinker, and/or 2) we're concerned with what the person next to you thinks about the movie.

Researchers asked 400 participants what kinds of movie content they didn't enjoy and if the negative reactions of co-viewers increases the unpleasantness. Then they presented participants with movie scenarios (a violent movie, a sexually explicit movie, "Brokeback Mountain," "The Notebook" and "American History X"), and five types of co-viewers (parents, significant other, a group of same-sex friends, a gay friend and a first date).

Crazy or Cool: Diane von Furstenberg's New High Fashion Hospital Gowns

I told you about the new trend (most popular internationally) for hospitals to rival 5-star hotels with spa-like amenities. And now, it seems that one Ohio hospital is getting in on the trend, but from a fashion standpoint. Top designer Diane von Furstenberg (famous for her wrap dresses) is designing a new line of hospital gowns for the hospital. Would this make you feel better about having surgery?

To address patient complaints about hospital gowns, the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio tapped designer Diane von Furstenberg to create a more stylish gown. The new garb features a bold print, the clinic's logo, and side ties (similar to her wrap dresses) which eliminates the sometimes-embarrassing peek-a-boo back ties.

Crazy But True: She Got Pregnant From ... Oral Sex

It's crazy, unbelievable, shocking--but the amazing story of a woman who got pregnant from (gasp) oral sex is true, say health experts. Details ...

ABC News is reporting a story of a teen in Africa, who in 1988 was 15 years old and gave birth to a baby boy. Here's the thing: She didn't know she was pregnant, and she didn't have a vagina, due to a rare birth defect called Mullerian agenesis.

The article goes on to explain that her medical records show that she had been in the hospital 278 days earlier (the average pregnancy lasts 280 days) to be treated for stab wounds to the stomach (an ex-boyfriend had spotted her in the act, performing oral sex on a new boyfriend, and he stabbed her).

Crazy But True: Doctors Estimate That Many Women May Be Allergic to Sperm

You've heard about the so-called "sperm allergy," right? It sounds like one of those really rare things, but health experts say that it actually might be more common than you think...

According to a report by The New York Daily News, between 20,000 and 40,000 women in the United States suffer allergic reactions to their spouse's seminal fluid.

Dr. Andrew Goldstein of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center says that women with a sperm allergy may develop hives, swollen eyes, diarrhea and even breathing problems. The condition is called seminal plasma hypersensitivity.

"The body recognizes semen as a foreign protein just as it would recognize a peanut allergy or pollen," said Goldstein. "So you have swelling, you have itching, you have inflammation of the nerve endings."

Common Hair Loss Culprits for Women

Q: "I am a 55-year-old female suffering from hair loss. Are there foods I should include and exclude in my diet to reduce hair loss and to stimulate hair growth?"

A: Hair loss can be caused by a number of factors. Here are some things to consider:

Are you taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs, or both? Read the package inserts and talk with your pharmacist to see if side effects could include hair loss.

At perimenopause and menopause, a reduction in your body's estrogen level may result in hair loss. Do you have other symptoms of menopause such as trouble sleeping, hot flashes and/or mood swings? Discuss with your gynecologist if you suspect you may be going through “the change.

Common Drugs Can Cause Cognitive Impairment

Do you ever take sleeping pills? How about medications to treat bladder leakage? If so, then you may be at risk for cognitive impairment. Yes, you heard right. Seemingly-harmless drugs from Benadryl to Sominex have been linked to losses in cognition, U.S. researchers say. Especially at risk are African-Americans.

Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine, the Regenstrief Institute and Wishard Health Services say the medications -- known as anti-cholinergics, which block acetylcholine, a nervous system neurotransmitter -- are sold under various brand names such as Benadryl, Dramamine, Excedrin PM, Nytol, Sominex, Tylenol PM, Unisom, Paxil, Detrol and Demerol. The drugs are commonly used by older adults to aid sleep and to relieve bladder leakage.

Coming to a Market Near You: Genetically Engineered Salmon?

Long-touted in magazines and journals for its health benefits (Omega-3 Fatty Acids, anyone?), salmon is garnering a whole type of press.

Today has started 2 days of hearings for the Food and Drug Administration on whether genetically engineered salmon will get the okay to be sold by your local grocer.  If the outcome is yes, the fish could be the first genetically engineered animal approved for human consumption.

The FDA released a preliminary report earlier this month saying that the salmon, which grows twice as fast as “normal” salmon and consumes 25 percent less feed, “is as safe as food from conventional Atlantic salmon” and not likely to cause environmental harm.

Colonoscopy Alert: A Less Stressful Test Is on the Way

Anyone who’s ever had a colonoscopy knows that the tough part isn’t the test itself, but the lengthy, unpleasant preparation for it. Now, though, researchers have developed a $300 test that may put an end to all that—at least for people who aren’t at high risk.

The discovery is significant because of the number of deaths from colorectal cancer, and the enormous cost of treating it. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women, according to the American Cancer Society. The New York Times reported that there are 50,000 deaths annually from the illness and that it costs about $14 billion to treat.

Cold Weather, Stiff Joints

Falling snow and Christmas lights aren't a welcome sight for everyone.

Cold weather, holiday stress and seasonal changes aggravate inflammation for arthritis patients. And although there is no changing the weather, arthritis-specific exercises and therapies can help relieve the pain.

Some senior centers and fitness clubs offer arthritis-specific classes for sufferers, like the one held Nov. 20 at Twin Falls, Idaho's city pool. Participant Fran Kittridge of Twin Falls said the water aerobics helps her with arthritis as well as peripheral neuropathy and balance issues related to diabetes.

Cold Hands? Ask the Doctor!

We asked emergency room physician Barbara Lock why we always need our mittens.

Q. As soon as the weather changes I have to start wearing gloves because my hands get so cold.  Is this a sign of poor circulation?

A. Many people notice that their hands and feet get colder in cool weather. When the cool hands and feet become troubling, requiring wearing gloves and warm socks when everyone else is still wearing sandals, if your cold hands are also painful or pale, if you are tired all the time, or if you are losing weight unintentionally, it's high time that you consider medical causes of your symptoms with your doctor.

Coffee Talk: Cup o' Joe May Fight Heart Disease

Coffee is not usually thought of as health food, but a number of recent studies suggest that it can be a highly beneficial drink.

Researchers have found strong evidence that coffee reduces the risk of several serious ailments, including diabetes, heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver.

Among them is a systematic review of studies published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, which concluded that habitual coffee consumption was consistently associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Exactly why is not known, but the authors offered several explanations.

Coffee contains antioxidants that help control the cell damage that can contribute to the development of the disease. It is also a source of chlorogenic acid, which has been shown in animal experiments to reduce glucose concentrations.