There are many cholesterol-lowering medications on the market today, but just because a drug lowers cholesterol doesn’t necessarily mean that it will improve health or save lives. So, Do cholesterol medications improve health and save lives? Several recent studies seek to answer this question by looking at Vytorin and Zetia–two of the most popular (and expensive) cholesterol medications.
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.
How Cigarettes Have Changed and What We Know Now
See what we’ve learned about cigarettes and smoking since 1964 when the U.S. Surgeon General first released an annual report on the subject.
Read More »Getting the Right Amount of Folic Acid
Making sure pregnant women get the appropriate amount of folic acid or folates is an easy way to protect their unborn child’s health. Men and older women also benefit from folic acid. Most people consume too little folic acid rather than too much, but getting too much can also be harmful.
Read More »Do Chemicals in Our Environment Cause Weight Gain?
Some chemicals that we are exposed to through our food, water, and the products that we use can interfere with our natural hormones, including our sex hormones. Chemicals can cause the body to “think” that it has to store more fat than it actually does, or they can interfere with the processes our bodies use to make fat cells.
Read More »Choosing Wisely: Medical Recommendations for Patients Over 65
Consumer Reports and the ABIM Foundation are working with medical specialty societies to create lists of “5 Things Physicians and Patients Should Question” as part of a national campaign called Choosing Wisely (www.choosingwisely.org). Here is the list of their recommendations on medical treatment and testing for people over 65.
Read More »