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Adults whose drinking water supplies contained low to moderate amounts of arsenic, or less than 100 micrograms per liter, have higher cardiovascular disease and mortality rates than those whose water is arsenic-free, finds a Johns Hopkins University study released today. Researchers collected urine samples from more than 3,500 Native American men and women ages 45-74 living in Arizona, Oklahoma, and North and South Dakota between 1989 and 1991, with follow-up through 2008....

What is all this glycemic science? A bit of background: The glycemic index ranks foods based on the impact they have on blood sugar. So the higher a food’s GI, the higher it elevates the amount of glucose coursing through your veins. The idea is that this overload of glucose leads to wild swings in blood sugar, which ultimately causes you to crave more carbs. As a result, you overeat or, at the very least, feel deprived from denying yourself, say promoters of the glycemic index....

[sidebar]Australian researchers analyzed the levels of cat allergen (sneeze-provoking proteins in animal dander) released from different types of clothing worn to work by 15 volunteers. Their findings? The quantity inhaled while wearing woolen sweaters was far higher than that inhaled while wearing cotton clothing. (Plus, allergen levels on wool sweaters were 10 times higher than in house dust swept off kitchen floors in the participants’ homes!) Even if you don’t have pets at home, wearing wool can boost your exposure to animal allergens, the researchers found....

Researchers tested zinc’s ability to protect test-tube human retina cells, which form the focusing screen at the back of the eyeball. At moderate levels, zinc protected retinal cells from antioxidant damage, which in humans might prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. But at too-high levels, zinc helped destroy healthy retinal cells. “Getting enough zinc is good for your eyes,” says Stuart Richer, OD, PhD, clinical associate professor of family medicine at Chicago Medical School....

2. Strawberry Huller Get 24% more cancer-fighting vitamin C per 10 berries. Slice the end off a strawberry and you probably remove a lot of edible flesh, too. With this huller, retain all the nutrient-rich fruit. Pierce the stem, twist, and pull. ($5; oxo.com) 3. GarlicCard Grater Get 25% more cholesterol-lowering allicin per clove. Rub garlic on the embossed lettering and you’ll use up every last bit. Grating garlic releases allicin, a compound that also reduces cancer risk....

The natural degeneration of the fat pads in your feet that began in your 40s may be more advanced now, so it’s more important than ever to wear well-cushioned shoes to compensate for the loss of shock absorption. Another common cause of foot pain now: arthritis, which affects nearly half of people over age 65, according to the CDC. The cartilage that cushions your joints wears away, shrinking the protective space between the bones and causing pain and inflammation....

Researchers at Florida State University and the University of South Florida assessed how concerned 905 American women were with three common aging concerns: declining attractiveness, fertility, and health. Overall, women with better health and strong, supportive relationships with their partner were less worried on all counts than their peers. Another trend? Women in their 50s and beyond were less likely to worry about losing their looks than younger and middle-aged women were....

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Aim to do 3 sets of 10 reps 3 times a week. 1. Modified Roll-UpMedia Platforms Design Team Photo by Jason Willis Lie on back with knees slightly bent and heels on mat, hands on backs of thighs. Inhale and lift shoulders off floor, slowly rolling up to seated position. Exhaling, curl torso forward to create C-curve in spine. Inhale. Exhaling, reverse back to starting position. Get the help you need to blast belly fat by joining Flat Belly Diet online TODAY!...

Do at least 12 minutes Any amount of cardio will burn calories, but to really fight off post-40 pounds, you need at least 12 minutes (beyond a warm-up) of continuously moderate to high-intensity activity (where you’re breathing somewhat hard) most days a week. That’s the amount necessary to “create a training effect, which improves your body’s ability to use oxygen and generate more fat-burning enzymes, such as lipase, so you can blast more flab during exercise and other activities all day,” says Harrison....

We do know that, during a migraine, a signal from the brain activates the trigeminal nerve, the main sensory nerve of the head and face and a major conduit for pain. Trigeminal nerve endings respond to the signal by releasing neuropeptides, inflammatory chemicals that dilate blood vessels and irritate nerves, starting a pain cycle that can last from several hours to several days, explains Dr. Biondi. “There are changes in the electrical activity of the brain that might contribute to some of the associated effects that some people have, such as dizziness, inability to concentrate, and fatigue so severe that they can feel as wiped out as if they have the flu,” he says....

1. From the naturopath Nettle: “Studies show that it limits the release of inflammation-causing compounds that your body pumps out when you’re exposed to an allergen,” says Sheila Kingsbury, ND, assistant professor of botanical medicine, Bastyr University. Butterbur:“German and Swiss researchers found this to be as effective at reducing allergy symptoms as a prescription antihistamine.” Natural Rx: 500 mg freeze-dried nettle capsules, three times a day. Or 50 mg Petadolex (butterbur extract supplement); follow label directions....

Ashley’s answer: Great question. This research study about the possible link between L-carnitine and heart disease is really interesting. It reveals that those who regularly eat meat may have more of a certain bacteria (this bacteria feeds on L-carnitine and gives off a metabolite called TMAO, which could increase risk of heart disease). Though we still need more research, there are many good reasons to only eat high-quality animal sources, like those that are organic and grass-fed....

Eating olestra can help rid the body of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a class of chemicals known to negatively affect the endocrine, reproductive, and nervous systems. In a small University of Cincinnati study, PCBs left participants’ bodies faster in those who snacked on Pringles that contained olestra compared to those who snacked on Pringles containing vegetable oils. How does it work? PCBs are crazy for fat, and when you consume olestra or other fats, the chemicals grab onto it with enthusiasm....

The syndrome may affect people with poor oral hygiene or those whose diet is made up primarily of soft foods. Black Hairy Tongue can also be caused by antibiotics, which disrupt the mouth’s healthy bacteria. Coffee, tea, and smoking can aggravate it. One home remedy involves sucking on fresh pineapple slices. The acid may help, but a healthy diet with foods such as cereal and raw veggies should clear up the problem in a few weeks....

Take Roberta Smith, 37, an executive assistant in New York City. She started walking to and from work only to find that the journey irritated the tendinitis she’d developed 10 months earlier from playing volleyball. “I thought I was safe with a low-impact activity like walking, but it was so painful I had to give it up.” MORE: 4 Moves To Slim Your Hips And Thighs As bothersome as the initial problem can be, the real damage is what happens next: You stop exercising, misplace your motivation, and soon gain weight and lose muscle tone....

BodyMedia, the makers of an armband that tracks calorie burn and sleep patterns, crunched numbers from roughly 100,000 of their anonymous users to find that the average amount of sleep on those midweek nights hovers just over six hours a night. By contrast, Sundays—the best sleep night of the week—average around 6.8 hours. That may not seem like a drastic difference, but a lost half-hour here and there can add up over time, especially considering no night of the week registered an average sleep time above seven hours, according to the data....

[sidebar]Do It Digitally A tag full of pertinent info and helpful tips, like “I like dry food,” will tell others how to bring your roaming cat or dog happily home. The digital Dog E-Tag ($40) stores up to 40 lines of type and comes in five colors. Weave a Web of Safety A PetiD Shortcut Home tag includes a web address, an 800 number, and your animal’s personal ID number so the person who finds Fido or Fluffy can access the necessary info....