Not just diseases; injuries a big threat
Accidents and violent crimes are among the top health threats Americans face, according to a report from aol.com. Injury is the No. 1 killer of people under 40 years old, said a representative from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. One in 10 people receive emergency room treatment for car crashes, falls or violent acts.
“We have to respond to this and need to treat it with the same urgency and the same crisis mentality that we treat other emerging public health threats,” said Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the CDC.
Nearly $260 billion is lost on expenses such as health care and lost productivity, the report said. Health costs of violence against women are at least $5.8 billion.
Mice show fasting might be new fad
Fasting could be just as helpful for healthy living as dieting, according to a report from cbsnews.com.
Research showed mice who were fed every other day, with unrestricted eating on feeding days, had the same or better benefits as those who were put on diets.
Scientists say both groups of mice experienced lengthened life spans, increased insulin sensitivity and stress resistance. The fasting mice had better results in experiments involving diabetes and brain damage similar to Alzheimer’s disease.
The lack of food imposes mild stress on cells, heightening their ability to cope with high levels of stress, said researcher Mark P. Mattson of the National Institute on Aging.
“It’s sort of analogous to physical effects of exercise on muscle cells,” he said.
Link to fertility found in vitamin
A new vitamin has been found that holds a significant role in fertility of mice and also possibly humans, according to cnn.com.
In tests, mice with low levels of pyrroloquinoline quinone experienced low fertility levels and rough fur, researchers said.
PQQ, first discovered in 1979, belongs to the vitamin B group. Parsley, green tea, green peppers, kiwi fruit and papaya are all high in PQQ.
Vitamins are organic chemicals needed for health and growth.
AIDS drug producer set reduced prices
One of the world’s largest drug manufacturers reduced its prices for AIDS drug treatments on Monday, according to a report from CBS news.
GlaxoSmithKline said the discount results from more efficient manufacturing and increased economies of scale.
The price cuts are available to 63 countries, including all of sub-Saharan Africa and other underdeveloped countries.
The average cost for AIDS treatment in the United States is $15,000 per year. Because of pressure from activists, drug companies have cut prices of AIDS medication in developing countries, so it is sold with no profits.
– compiled by Susanne Cervenka
