low-carb diet can help losers keep weight off
More turkey, less white bread and mashed potatoes. Just in time for holiday feasting, a large study found that diets higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates can help overweight adults who drop some weight keep it off. Diets rich in lean meats, poultry and beans, and low in starchy carbs, appear "to be the ideal for the prevention of weight regain," European researchers led by Denmark's University of Copenhagen wrote in a study in today's New England Journal of Medicine. The study involved 773 overweight and obese adults from eight European countries who had lost on average 24 pounds. They were put on one of five diets, and after six months there was a trend toward a little more weight loss for those in the high-protein, low-carb group. More study is needed to see if the weight loss is maintained over a longer duration.
Prostate cancer drug promising
An experimental drug is showing what some experts say is intriguing effectiveness in treating a major cause of death and disability for men with prostate cancer: tumors that have spread to the bone. The results of early testing of the drug, presented at a cancer conference in Berlin last week, would be more good news this month for men with the disease. Last week a federal advisory committee said there was evidence that the already marketed prostate cancer drug Provenge prolongs the lives of certain patients. That makes it more likely that Medicare will pay for the drug, which costs $93,000 a patient and has long been the focus of debate about whether it is effective enough to merit its price.
Skiers need to mind the sun, too
Looking forward to a holiday ski vacation? Consider the sun. Scientists took multiple readings of ultraviolet radiation at 32 high-altitude ski areas in western North America and interviewed thousands of skiers to find out whether they wore hats, sunscreen and goggles when needed. Their conclusion: "People do not know when UV is high and do not take precautions," said Peter A. Andersen, a professor of health communications at San Diego State University. "There is absolutely no correlation between temperature and UV radiation." Cloudy days aren't safe either, he said. Skiers in the northern hemisphere get the highest exposure at midday, and during late winter and early spring, as they get closer to the summer solstice, Andersen said. Exposure also increases with elevation.
Keep leftovers safe
Whether you're anticipating today's big meal or recovering from it, chances are you'll be dealing with leftovers. Here are food safety tips from the Partnership for Food Safety Education:
• Perishable food shouldn't be left out for more than two hours.
• Put warm food in the fridge rather than leave it out to grow bacteria.
• Take the fridge's temperature. You want it at 40 degrees or below, and a dial that just says 1 through 8 won't tell you that.
• Don't thaw frozen leftovers at room temperature. Use cold water or the microwave and cook immediately.
• Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a boil when reheating. Heat other leftovers thoroughly (to 165 degrees for turkey).