Health Report

By Janice M. Horowitz

THE GOOD NEWS

HOLD THE SALT Yes, cutting down on salt and losing weight really can lower blood pressure in the elderly. A major clinical trial shows that after shedding 10 lbs. and cutting salt intake to 2,800 mg a day, half the patients had their blood pressure under control--without drugs.

E DOES IT Men, it may be time to consider vitamin E. In a study, E supplements reduced the risk of prostate cancer 32% and death from the disease 41%. The dose? Just 50 IUs a day.

BIRD BATH The FDA has approved a spray for baby chicks that reduces disease-causing salmonella. Called Preempt, it contains natural, beneficial bacteria that help the birds resist the salmonella.

Sources: Journal of the American Medical Association; Journal of the Nat'l. Cancer Institute; Dept. of Agriculture

THE BAD NEWS

VITAMIN-D DEARTH Half the patients who check into a hospital these days are deficient in vitamin D, which suggests the problem also exists in the general population. Vitamin D is essential for maintaining strong bones. A good way to get it: spend time in the sun.

NO CIGAR Thought switching from cigarettes to cigars would save you from cancer? Close but, no...Stogie smokers are still twice as likely as nonsmokers to die of some form of cancer.

WHITE-GLOVE TREATMENT Fully 12% of health workers are allergic to protective latex gloves. You don't want your doctor to be allergic: symptoms can include going into shock.

--By Janice M. Horowitz

Sources: New England Journal of Medicine; Amer. Heart Assoc.; Amer. Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology