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Type 2 diabetes— long known to have an adverse effect on the brain— has now been linked with the loss of brain matter. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), researchers studied the brain structures of 614 patients with a mean age of 62, who had all been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for an average of 10 years. They found that long-term diabetes was associated with the greatest loss of brain tissue – suggesting brain atrophy. “It’d been thought that most, if not all, of the effect of diabetes on the brain was due to vascular disease that diabetics get and, therefore, stroke,” lead study author Dr. R. Nick Bryan, chair and professor emeritus of the department of radiology at the Perleman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, told FoxNews.com. “We found that in addition to that, there’s sort of diffuse loss of brain tissue, atrophy… we think may have a direct effect of the diabetes on the brain.” Researchers noted that the greatest reduction of vol...

While we’d all like to believe that losing weight is just a matter of eating fewer calories, sometimes it’s not that simple. When it comes to weight loss, eating the right kinds of foods can be just as important as simply eating smaller portions. Some foods can help keep your blood sugar stable, preventing you from crashing and craving a sugar fix, and others can help you feel fuller longer or even encourage fat loss. Coconut oil Coconut oil has been making headlines as a new superfood – and some believe it can help you lose weight, too. Coconut oil is made up of medium-chain fatty acids, which are metabolized differently than the long-chain fatty acids found in most fats. These medium chain fatty acids are used first and foremost for energy in the body, instead of being stored as fat. Apple cider vinegar Produced by fermenting apple cider, apple cider vinegar is known to be a rich source of minerals, enzymes, vitamins and amino acids. A study cited by the Americ...

From artists to office workers, people in all walks of life claim that going for a stroll helps them work out ideas or overcome creative blocks, and now new research finds that stretching one's legs really does give a mental boost. "Many people anecdotally claim they do their best thinking when walking," study researcher Marily Oppezzo, of Santa Clara University, said in a statement. "With this study, we finally may be taking a step or two toward discovering why." Creative types have extolled the virtues of walking for centuries. In fact, several musicians were almost superstitious in their devotion to daily walks, according to the new book "Daily Rituals" (Knopf, 2014) compiled by editor Mason Currey. Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky took a two-hour walk each day regardless of the weather, and Ludwig van Beethoven regularly went for a brisk stroll after lunch. [ 10 Fun Ways to Keep Your Mind Sharp ] The habit was hardly restricted to compos...

Women with mutations in the BRCA1 gene are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer, and there are currently no drugs proven to reduce their cancer risk. Now, early research suggests that existing drugs, already approved to treat other conditions, may help prevent breast cancer in these women, although more research is needed to prove this. One drug, called benserazide, is currently used for Parkinson's disease, and in studies it reduced the formation of breast tumors in mice that had been implanted with cancer cells containing the BRCA1 gene mutation. All of the mice that did not receive the drug developed breast tumors, but 40 percent of mice given the drug were tumor-free, said study researcher Elizabeth Alli, of Stanford University School of Medicine. Some studies show that women with mutations in the BRCA1 gene have a 50 to 70 percent chance of getting breast cancer by age 70, compared with a 12 percent lifetime risk for the average American woman. Last ye...

  Women who eat a lot of fat, particularly saturated fat, may be at higher risk of certain types of breast cancer, research suggests. Past studies have come to differing conclusions on a association between dietary fat and breast cancer. Whether the two are even linked at all remains controversial. The a second analysis of a large, long-term study, suggests that fat may a role in the development of certain forms of the disease but not others, the authors said. Still, it cannot prove that a high-fat diet is the reason any of the women got cancer. "In our study we confirm that saturated fat intake was associated with breast cancer risk," lead author Sabina Sieri, from the Fondazione IRCCS National Cancer Institute in Milan, Italy, told Reuters Health in an email. "Saturated fatty acids intake should be as low as within the context of a nutritionally diet." Saturated fat in the diet most often comes from meat and other animal products like butter an...

Children with simple cases of appendicitis may be safely treated with antibiotics instead of surgery, suggests a new study. Forgoing surgery to remove the appendix may not be an option for all kids, researchers say, but just three of 30 children who tried the antibiotics-only route ended up needing surgery. "In this group of patients with uncomplicated appendicitis - in the people we studied, non-operative management with antibiotics alone appears to be a reasonable alternative," Dr. Peter Minneci told Reuters Health. He is the study's lead author, from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Appendicitis is when the appendix, a small tube-shaped extension of the colon, becomes inflamed and filled with puss. The appendix may burst without treatment and cause a widespread infection. Although the cause of appendicitis is not known, Minneci said it may often occur when a piece of feces blocks the appendix and allows bacteria to prolifer...

Talk about dirty money: Scientists are discovering a surprising number of microbes living on cash. In the first comprehensive study of the DNA on dollar bills, researchers at New York University's Dirty Money Project found that currency is a medium of exchange for hundreds of different kinds of bacteria as bank notes pass from hand to hand. By analyzing genetic material on $1 bills, the NYU researchers identified 3,000 types of bacteria in all—many times more than in previous studies that examined samples under a microscope. Even so, they could identify only about 20 percent of the non-human DNA they found because so many microorganisms haven't yet been cataloged in genetic data banks. Easily the most abundant species they found is one that causes acne. Others were linked to gastric ulcers, pneumonia, food poisoning and staph infections, the scientists said. Some carried genes responsible for antibiotic resistance. "It was quite amazing to us,"...

It’s a common saying: “Laughter is the best medicine.” And now, science may prove it to be true. A new small study from Loma Linda University in Southern California found a relationship between humor and memory in older individuals.  For their research, the scientists analyzed 20 generally healthy seniors as they watched a comedic video for 20 minutes. For comparison, a control group of 20 seniors didn’t watch anything for the same period of time. The participants in each group were then given memory tests and provided saliva samples in order for the researchers to test their hormone levels.  Those who watched the funny video scored much higher on the memory tests than the control group, and the laughter group had lower levels of the hormone cortisol, which is typically associated with stress. Study author Dr. Gurinder Bains explained that laughter causes the body to release endorphins and send dopamine to the brain – improving overall activity and functio...

I was asked to speak about what I go through as a survivor and how the heck I have been able to live with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer for 11 years – when the prognosis was three to five years.   Dr. Tousimis also wanted me, as a patient, to address the future of cancer research, patient care, and my foundation for women's cancer research. It's always difficult to answer: "How have you managed to live this long?"  I respond with several possibilities: 1) Anger. This propels me to the "mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore" attitude. 2) Stubbornness. I absolutely refused to leave my children who were 8 and 10 at the time of my first diagnosis 3) Denial. Even running a cancer foundation, I don't think of myself as a person with cancer.  I just keep this Type A personality moving forward 4) Humor. I believe humor heals. Does it cure cancer?  No, but it can sure change your disposition, and we all know that bei...

A jury has awarded $14 million to a suburban Chicago woman who said in a lawsuit that she suffered a debilitating stroke after taking the birth control drug Yasmin. Lawyers for Mariola Zapalski say the stroke occurred 13 days after she began taking the drug, paralyzing her left side and causing permanent brain injury. Friday's verdict came after a two-week trial in Cook County Circuit Court. Defendant Dr. Zbigniew Aniol declined to comment Saturday. A $2.5 million settlement in the same matter was reached a month ago with the hospital, Resurrection Medical Center. Drug maker Bayer has also faced lawsuits from women claiming the contraceptive caused blood clots that led to serious health consequences. The company stands by the drug and says it is safe if used as directed.

It's like dark chocolate: How can something so good be good for you? Well, it’s time you started believing in the power of your java. Coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet, according to a study from the University of Scranton. Plus, a growing body of research suggests that quaffing a few cups a day can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, and even prostate cancer. The catch? While any coffee will provide some payoff, you need to pick the right roast, storage strategy, and brew method if you want joe with mojo. Here’s your step-by-step guide to making your coffee its healthiest. 1. THE ROAST In the universe of coffee beans, lighter roasts are the dark horses. "The antioxidant effects of coffee are related to compounds called chlorogenic acids," says Dr. Peter Martin, director of the Vanderbilt University Institute for Coffee Studies. "Roasting green coffee beans transforms these acids into better an...

Cadbury Creme Eggs, Peeps, Robin's Eggs: We love you. But you pack quite the caloric punch. Figure out what it'll take to burn off those Easter season indulgences before you hit the candy aisle. *Calories burned based on a 135-pound woman. Cadbury Creme Egg: 150 calories (1 egg)  This classic Easter treat packs 6 grams of fat and 20 grams of sugar into one little egg. (Thanks, irresistible cream filling!). Indulge, then grab a partner and burn off those cals with a 30-minute game of doubles tennis. Original Peeps: 140 calories (5 yellow chicks) The good news here is that Peeps have no fat content —but five of the little guys (a serving size) have 34 grams of sugar (ouch). If you're headed to the gym, hop on the rower — 20 minutes of moderate rowing will burn those cals off. Milk Chocolate-Covered Peeps: 110 calories (1 chick) These individually wrapped candies get a plus for built-in serving size. And 3 grams of fat and 14 grams of sugar isn't SO ...