Frequent Male Pot Use Linked to Early Miscarriages

MONDAY, Oct. 14, 2019 -- Men who use marijuana at least once a week are twice as likely to see their partner's pregnancy end in miscarriage, compared to those who use no pot, new research suggests.

Miscarriages related to frequent male pot use tended to occur within eight weeks of conception, which bolsters suspicions that marijuana use damages sperm in some essential way, said lead researcher Alyssa Harlow, a doctoral student at the Boston University School of Public Health.

Suicide Attempts Rising Among Black Teens

MONDAY, Oct. 14, 2019 -- Historically, black teenagers in the United States have had lower suicide rates than whites. But a new study finds that more black teens have been attempting suicide in recent years -- and experts are not sure why.

Researchers at New York University found that between 1991 and 2017, there was an increase in the number of black teenagers who said they'd attempted suicide in the past year. That was in contrast to other racial and ethnic groups, whose reported rates either decreased or held steady.

How to Spice Up Everyday Oatmeal

MONDAY, Oct. 14, 2019 -- Want to add pizzazz to your morning bowl of oats? Here's how to spice things up and boost the nutrition.

Oats are rich in important minerals like manganese, which plays a role in controlling blood sugar. They also happen to be very high in fiber, important for gut and heart health. Nuts and seeds are great toppings for oats that you might be enjoying already. But adding fruit and spices boosts the antioxidant level of your breakfast with very few extra calories.

Put Safety First When Planning to Pack Food-to-Go

MONDAY, Oct. 14, 2019 -- Whether you're tailgating, cooking for a potluck or bringing in a treat for co-workers, keep safety in mind to avoid food-borne illnesses.

Safe handling is always important, but it's an even bigger priority when you're away from your kitchen, without the benefit of your fridge and oven to control food temperatures. The key is to plan ahead to keep food safe until eaten. The golden rule is to keep cold foods cold -- below 40 degrees, and keep hot foods hot -- above 140 degrees.

Don't Let SAD Get the Better of You

SUNDAY, Oct. 13, 2019 -- If you suffer from the winter blues, there are things you can do to make the season less depressing.

Clinically known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), it happens when there is less sunlight during the day, according to Jeannie Larson, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality and Healing.

A Parent's Guide to Managing Kids' Asthma During the Fall

SATURDAY, Oct. 12, 2019 -- Fall can be a challenging time of the year for kids with asthma, an expert says.

"Although asthma can flare up for a number of reasons, a lot of people with allergies also have asthma, and asthma can be triggered by allergies. So the fall is a tough time for asthmatic sufferers," said Dr. Gaurav Kumar, a pediatrician at LifeBridge Health in Baltimore.

Farm-to-Table Movement Goes to School

FRIDAY, Oct. 11, 2019 -- There's a healthy new twist in the farm-to-table movement: Getting farm-fresh food to school lunchrooms and even having students grow their own crops as part of learning.

Colorado was a pioneer in passing the "Farm-to-School Healthy Kids Act" in 2010. The move was designed to increase the use of local farm and ranch products in school food service programs to both improve childhood nutrition and strengthen the state's agricultural economy. Today, a handful of other states have similar programs.

The Surprising Benefits of Weight Training

FRIDAY, Oct. 11, 2019 -- The most common misconception about weight training is that it adds bulky muscle mass, a fear of some women. While elite male lifters can -- and want to -- get very developed, for most people the result is simply well-toned muscles.

Other benefits are increased mobility, more support for your joints and the ability to stay self-sufficient into your late years.

Hurricanes Raise Death Risk for Older Diabetics, Even Years Later

FRIDAY, Oct. 11, 2019 -- Hurricanes can harm anyone in their path, but new research suggests that seniors with diabetes face a 40% increased risk of dying within the first month after a storm hits.

It's not just the first month they have to worry about: The study also found seniors with diabetes still had a 6% higher risk of dying even up to 10 years later.

Exercise Might Guard Against Heart Damage of Chemo

FRIDAY, Oct. 11, 2019 -- Chemotherapy can be hard on the heart, but an individualized exercise program may mitigate some of that damage, new research suggests.

Heart problems are a common side effect in patients with cancer because cancer treatments can impair heart function and structure or accelerate development of heart disease, especially when patients have risk factors such as high blood pressure, according to the authors.