Standing in front of the large Alli display, Mary Chase read aloud from the box of the over-the-counter weight-loss drug. "It says it can help you lose 50 percent more weight than dieting alone," said Chase, 66, of Oceanside, Calif. Other shoppers in earshot drew closer to Chase and the display. "It says it can block 25 percent of the fat you eat," she continued, glancing with raised eyebrows at her sister, Leanna Willis, 68. ... [full story]

The following news may freak you out, but try not to forget it: People who are often stressed or depressed are much more likely to develop memory problems than those with sunnier dispositions. Following a 12-year study of 1,256 people, researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago said that the chronically anxious or morose were 40 times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment - a form of memory loss that is often a ... [full story]

Gabrielle Ladage soaps up her hands, rubs her slick palms together, looks at them and smiles while a steady trickle of warm water flows from a faucet into her tub.   HANDLE WITH CARE - Heather Ladage, 24, hugs her daughter, Gabrielle, after finishing a two-hour bathing and bandaging process to protect the girl's skin. Gabbie has a rare skin disorder called epidermolysis bullosa, which makes her skin susceptible to blisters and bruises. CNS Photo by ... [full story]

Table settings account for more than style and taste. Using the right bowls and plates could help curb the nation's diabetes and obesity epidemics, a Canadian study indicates. A plate and a cereal bowl with markers for proper portion sizes appear to help obese patients with diabetes lose weight and decrease their use of glucose-controlling medications, says a report published June 25 in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Between 1960 and 2000, the proportion of ... [full story]

A new study shows that nonsmokers can absorb a major cancer-causing chemical from secondhand smoke, underscoring the important protection Oregon's new Smokefree Workplace law will bring to bar and restaurant workers. The research, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, was conducted by Oregon public health researchers and appears in the August edition of the American Journal of Public Health published today. It found that nonsmoking employees who were exposed to tobacco smoke in the ... [full story]

  Sunscreen contains active ingredients that absorb and scatter the sun’s UV rays. The length of the rays are altered enough to prevent serious damage.  [full story]

THE MOVES: An oblique forward raise with shoulder internal rotation. WORKS ON: This exercise isolates the supraspinatus muscle, which is a crucial component of the rotator cuff (a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint). ROTATOR CUFF EXERCISE - Firefighter Phil Valoff rotates his outstretched arms as if dumping out a soda. CNS Photo by Nadia Borowski Scott. SETUP: This exercise is performed on the plane of motion halfway between a ... [full story]

July is Ultraviolet Safety Month, and the Academy of Ophthalmology wants to remind Americans to wear sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat whenever they head out into the sun. Academy scientists warn that one of the greatest threats to eyesight are the invisible ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun. More and more scientific evidence shows that long-term exposure to UV rays can damage eyes and lead to vision loss. Everyone is at risk, even children. Studies ... [full story]

Lots of people swear by herbal supplements. Last year, Americans spent $22.3 billion on herbs like echinacea, ginkgo biloba, Saint-John's-wort and goldenseal. But a new study, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, indicates many people also have no idea whether these touted remedies are effective. Worse, they're largely ignorant of the potential health risks.   HERBALONEY - A new study shows that many people have no idea whether herbal remedies are effective. Worse, people are largely ... [full story]

Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in the United States. Ironically, it is also one of the easiest to prevent. There are so many ways to avoid the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun, but often, precautionary steps are not taken seriously until it is too late. July is UV awareness month and experts want you to be aware of the dangerous affects of UV light, and what you can do to ... [full story]

THE MOVES: Standing, single-leg dip. WORKS ON: Balance and lower extremity strength. STRENGTH AND BALANCE - Firefighter Rich Marcello performs single leg dips off a step to improve balance and lower extremity strength. CNS Photo by Nadia Borowski Scott. SETUP: Position a Reebok step or similar platform lengthwise to a wall. Stand on top of the step with the body perpendicular to the wall. Position the feet so one is close to the edge ... [full story]

  Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve the general functions. Research suggests that the needling process, and other techniques used in acupuncture, may produce a variety of effects on the body and the brain.  [full story]

Some women worry about the safety of traveling while pregnant, but just because you’re expecting doesn’t mean that you can’t go on vacation.  Although the middle of your pregnancy—weeks 14 through 28—is the best time to travel, women can travel safely until a few weeks before their due date in many cases.  Air travel is almost always safe for women with low-risk pregnancies.  Pregnant women should observe the same general precautions for air travel as ... [full story]