Health

By Laurel Kelly, Mayo Clinic News Network Troy Warren for CNT #Health Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression related to changes in seasons. Millions of adults in the U.S. may suffer from seasonal affective disorder, although many may not know they have the condition, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Seasonal affective disorder is diagnosed more often in women than men, and it occurs more frequently in younger adults than in older adults. Seasonal affective disorder is more common among people who live far north or south of the equator, perhaps due to decreased sunlight during the…

By Kiersten Willis, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #Health In what’s being touted as a landmark study, University of Alberta researchers have discovered that a certain type of white blood cells play a role in impaired T cell functions and counts. They also play a part in rapid aging and the chronic inflammation that is common with HIV. The elusive cells are called neutrophils. These white blood cells are the biggest number of all types of white blood cells. They kill and digest bacteria and fungi. Doing so aids the body in healing wounds and fighting infections. According to the study’s…

By Anna Edney, Bloomberg News (TNS) Troy Warren for CNT #Health WASHINGTON — Antiperspirant and deodorant body sprays have been found to contain elevated levels of the carcinogen benzene and should be recalled, an independent testing lab said in a petition filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration late Wednesday. The sprays are the latest in a string of aerosol products found to contain the cancer-causing chemical, including sunscreens and antifungals. Earlier this year, Johnson & Johnson recalled certain aerosol sunscreen sprays under the brands Neutrogena and Aveeno. Beiersdorf AG recalled some Coppertone sunscreen sprays in September. The next month,…

By Kiersten Willis, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #Health A recent study shows babies’ brains may not be the only ones that benefit from breastfeeding. Researchers at UCLA Health have found that women who breastfed their babies performed better on cognitive tests than women who did not. The results indicate that breastfeeding could positively affect postmenopausal women’s cognitive performance. It also indicates possible long-term benefits for their brain. The findings were published in the journal Evolution, Medicine, & Public Health. “While many studies have found that breastfeeding improves a child’s long-term health and well-being, our study is one of very few…