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Pharma Spends 40 Million On Lobbying Anyone wondering why medication costs are so high might be interested in knowing that drug companies spent forty million dollars in the last three months lobbying Congress about health care. The analysis comes from NPR's Dollar Politics team, Andrea Seabrook and Peter Overby. Meanwhile, our President is trying to tighten the reins on healthcare spending. Read more Specific Blood Pressure Meds Protect From Dementia New research shows that some popular blood pressure medications can protect from inflammation, reducing the risk of dementia and memory loss associated with aging. The study from Wake Forest researchers appears in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The results show that a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors that cross the blood brain barrier, offer protection from dementia. Read more Understanding Heat Related Illness The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has updated warnings about heat related illness. Hot summers, lack

Swine Flu Vaccine Makers Granted Legal Immunity Swine flu manufacturers have now been granted legal immunity in case something goes wrong that causes side effects associated with the vaccine. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services signed a document making federal officials and vaccine makers immune from lawsuits related to any ill effects from the swine flu vaccine. Read more Baking Soda Could Save Kidneys Researchers from Royal London Hospital say baking soda could be an inexpensive treatment that could slow kidney function decline in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The treatment was also found to improve appetite, in a small study. Baking soda to treat kidney disease, “when used appropriately, can be very effective”, say the researchers. Read more How Heart Disease Develops From Smoking Researchers have discovered that smoking may lead to insulin resistance -a pre-diabetic state – that in turn contributes to the development of heart disease.

Hormone replacement therapy ups ovarian cancer risk A new study from Denmark shows that women who use hormone replacement therapy are at increased risk for ovarian cancer. That risk declines once hormone therapy is discontinued. The results revealed that one in 8300 women are at risk for ovarian cancer associated with hormone replacement therapy. Read more Moderate alcohol wards off dementia in older adults New research shows that moderate alcohol intake might keep older minds sharp, warding off dementia. Past studies show that moderate alcohol intake in midlife can reduce risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The current study is the first to examine the effects of alcohol intake on cognition in older adults, with and without dementia. The study was presented today at the Alzheimer's Association 2009 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD), in Vienna. Read more Safflower Oil Promotes Weight Loss In Diabetic Women Results of a new study reveal that

Breast Cancer Linked to Higher Insulin Levels A new analysis of 5450 women shows that higher circulating insulin levels lead to twice the likelihood of breast cancer. Past studies have shown that obesity and diabetes contribute to breast cancer. The newest study more clearly defines the role of high insulin levels and breast cancer risk. Read more Mouth Bacteria Linked to Obesity Women who are overweight have different mouth bacteria compared to women whose weight is normal. Scientists at the Forsyth Institute say something very complex seems to link mouth bacteria to obesity. The research team was able to identify ninety eight percent of overweight women, based on one mouth bacteria alone. Read more Neurologists Voice Concern Over Healthcare Reimbursement Specialty physicians from the American Academy of Neurology have voiced their opinion on healthcare reimbursement from Medicare in a letter to Congress. The group is concerned that decreased healthcare spending will have a

Rapamycin Could be Anti-Aging Treatment Researchers have found that rapamycin, a compound that has antifungal and antibiotic properties, found in the soil at Easter Island, extended the lifespan of mice who were fed the potential anti-aging chemical. Rapamycin could become a genuine anti-aging treatment that could promote quality of life with aging. Read more Stem Cell Sperm May Target Infertility Scientists have a found a way to make human sperm from embryonic stem cells. The discovery will lead to a better understanding of infertility in men. Researchers at Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute(NESCI) developed the technique that allows manufacture of human sperm in the laboratory. Professor Karim Nayernia led the study. He says the findings could lead to new ways to allow infertile couples to have children that are genetically their own. Read More Diabetes and other disease linked to nitrates in environment A study from researchers at Rhode Is

Acetaminophen May Carry Strong Warning One of the most commonly used painkillers in the US, acetaminophen, can and has caused harm. Liver damage can occur in individuals thought to be genetically susceptible to the harmful effect of acetaminophen, present in many over the counter cold, sinus, and pain medications, and even narcotic pain medications, the most popular of which is Tylenol. Keep reading Vitamin D deficiency a growing global problem As populations throughout the world age, vitamin D deficiency is now seen as a global problem that requires focus. According to a new report from the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), large groups of populations lack adequate vitamin D, increasing risk of fracture and poor overall health. Keep reading Keep your brain young with aerobics A new study shows that aerobic exercise may keep elderly brains young. The findings provide the groundwork for further studies. Engaging in regular aerobic exercise might reverse changes that