Thinking of giving your tween a smartphone for Christmas? You might want to think again — giving a tween a smartphone might endanger their mental and physical health, a new study says. Kids who have a smartphone at age 12 are more likely to have depression and obesity compared to those that don’t, researchers reported…

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For many young adults, social media is where life happens: Friendships, news, stress, all rolled into a single screen. But a new study suggests that stepping away, even for just one week, may help ease anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Researchers tracked 295 young adults ages 18 to 24 who agreed to limit their social…

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What if something as simple as a daily walk could help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease? A new study finds taking just over 5,000 steps a day may slow the buildup of tau protein in the brain… one of the key hallmarks of Alzheimer’s, along with amyloid plaques. These proteins spread as the disease…

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Can just a few minutes of movement really boost your heart health? A new study says yes — thanks to something called “exercise snacking.” Exercise snacking involves short bursts of physical activity that fit into your day — like taking the stairs or doing a few squats. An analysis in the British Journal of Sports…

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Coca-Cola is saying so long to high-fructose corn syrup and hello to cane sugar for a new soda launch this fall. “As part of its ongoing innovation agenda, this fall in the United States, the company plans to launch an offering made with U.S. cane sugar to expand its Trademark Coca-Cola product range,” the company said in a…

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Why does sugar taste so good — and why do we want it so badly? Scientists may finally have the answer.  For the first time, researchers have figured out the structure of the sweet receptor — the tiny part of your tongue that tells your brain when something tastes sweet. The study, published May 7…

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Spring has sprung, and the battle with seasonal allergies is underway in earnest. But there’s a lot folks can do to manage their pollen-produced misery, according to Dr. Zachary Rubin, a Chicago-area pediatrician and allergy expert. “There’s a lot of different issues at play when it comes to seasonal allergies, especially as tree pollen counts…

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Many seniors suffer long-term health issues after a hip fracture, even after hip replacement surgeries.  Now, research shows that a patient’s mental health could be crucial to how well they bounce back in the years after these injuries. “Addressing overall mental health during the recovery process from hip fractures is crucial,” concludes study senior author…

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People whose genes put them at high risk for dementia may be able to fight Mother Nature and win, new research out of Sweden suggests. The weapon: Working out on a regular basis to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, also known as CRF.  CRF is the capacity of the body’s circulatory and respiratory systems to supply oxygen…

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