Animals play an important role in many people’s lives. In addition to seeing-eye dogs and dogs that can be trained to detect seizures, animals can also be used in occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical rehabilitation to help patients recover. Aside from these designated therapeutic roles, animals are also valued as companions. Learn more about the possible benefits of that companionship.
Read More »Preventing Disease & Staying Healthy
We all know that it’s good to exercise, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and get a good night’s sleep. But it’s hard to change our habits, especially if we don’t have persuasive proof that it will improve our lives and health.
The National Center for Health Research is constantly reviewing new research to determine what we can do that will prevent diseases and keep us healthy.
Excellent research is being conducted to learn exactly what kinds of foods and exercise will help you prevent specific diseases, and what exposures to avoid in your daily life. The results are sometimes confusing because new products to prevent diseases are aggressively advertised, whether they work or not. Sometimes the best strategies are ones that don’t cost anything – but who is going to pay to advertise those?
We cut through the hype. We scrutinize new research, and call the researchers to learn even more. Then we translate it into plain language that you can understand.
To find the information you need, please use our search box to search for exactly what you are looking for or browse through our various topics on the right. →
If you’re looking for information about how to prevent cancer, go to our Cancer Prevention and Treatment web site at www.stopcancerfund.org . If you don’t see what you’re looking for on any health topic, contact us through our online health helpline at info@center4research.org. We’ll try to get the information you need within a few days.
Home Sweet Home? Flame Retardants in Your Home Can Harm You
Toxic flame retardants commonly found in upholstered furniture, drapery, carpets, plastic-cased electronics, and foam baby products have been known to cause cancer and affect children’s growth and brain development.
Read More »Risks of Splenda: Too Risky to Use?
If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, you probably have tried Splenda, the brand name for sucralose, a sugar-free, no-calorie synthetic sweetener. It’s in the yellow packets, and is one of the most popular no-calorie sweeteners in the US. But new research suggests it might not be as safe as everyone thought.
Read More »Tips to Make it Easier to Change Your Bad Habits for a Healthier Year
An article by Professor Wendy Wood at the University of Southern California, about myths regarding how to change habits, makes it clear that much of what we think we know on the subject isn’t true.
Read More »Are Bisphenol A (BPA) Plastic Products Safe?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used to make plastics. It is frequently used in sports equipment, water bottles, medical devices, as a coating or lining in food and beverage cans, and in credit card receipts. While early concerns about BPA’s health effects were based primarily on animal studies and research on cells, there is increasing evidence from studies in humans that BPA can cause serious harm, such as increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and sexual dysfunction.
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