Vitamin D supplements linked to lower risk of advanced cancer

A study published by JAMA Network Open found that people taking vitamin D supplements were less likely to have a cancer that spread from the original tumor site to another part of their body or one that proved fatal. However, this risk reduction was only seen in people who were at a normal weight, not those who were overweight or obese. The study did not find that people who took vitamin D were less likely to develop cancer over all compared with those who did not. More »

Did my diet cause my gout?

Diet alone is unlikely to cause a type of painful arthritis known as gout, but can trigger an attack in someone who already has the condition. (Locked) More »

Am I too young for a knee replacement?

Doctors often want to wait until a person is 60 or older to perform knee replacement surgery, because these artificial joints typically only last 15 to 20 years. But some people opt to have the procedure sooner if knee pain is causing significant disability. (Locked) More »

Sorting falsehoods from facts

Inaccurate health information is everywhere these days, from conspiracy theories about COVID-19 to unsubstantiated product claims. This includes both misinformation, which is spread by someone who essentially doesn’t know better, and disinformation, which is spread deliberately to promote an agenda. Both mass media and social media are allowing bad information to reach large swaths of people quickly, making it difficult for many people to tell the good from the bad. People can ensure what they’re seeing is accurate by relying on their doctors, public health officials, and other trusted resources. (Locked) More »

The not-so-sweet truth about sugar

Sweeteners come in many varieties, including table sugar, honey, and maple syrup, high-fructose corn syrup and agave syrup. But regardless of type, from a biochemical and metabolic standpoint they are all virtually the same. Unfortunately, too much of any type is bad for one’s health. (Locked) More »

Pain conditions are more common in women

Women are disproportionately affected by conditions that cause chronic pain, but they sometimes have difficulty getting a definitive diagnosis as to what is causing their pain and may be less likely to receive appropriate treatments even when they do. (Locked) More »