Seniors, Remember Ledger: Don't Mix Meds

Threat heightened even after men quit supplement, says study

(NEWSER) - Supplements we take for better health may actually be hurting us. Yesterday we learned that vitamins may carry an increased risk of death for women ; today's culprit is vitamin E, which may heighten the risk of prostate cancer. A study found that men who took the popular supplements faced a higher cancer risk even after ditching them, USA Today reports. Researchers studied a group of 35,000 men 50 and older. More»

It's time to end the prescription-only rule

(NEWSER) - After 50 years, it's time to start selling birth control pills over the counter, writes Kelly Blanchard. "The pill" has proven to be a safe, simple, and essential tool for women's contraception, but the prescription-only barrier limits its usefulness, she writes in the New York Times . It's not just a matter of convenience—doing so will make the pill available to those who don't have access to a doctor. More»

Not getting enough rest takes a toll on work, social, sex lives

(NEWSER) - Americans are getting by on less and less rest, a survey by the National Sleep Foundation reveals. Fewer than half of Americans say they get a good night's sleep, and average sleep times are about 2 hours shorter than those reported 40 years ago. Sleeplessness is taking a toll not just on Americans' health but also on their love lives—a quarter of married or cohabiting couples say they're often too tired to have sex, HealthDay News reports. More»

Well-heeled kids take them, poor need them

(NEWSER) - Vitamin supplements can combat kids' dietary deficiencies, but tend to be taken by those who least need them, reports Time. A five-year study found that a third of US children take supplements—but those kids are much more likely to be white, with higher incomes, healthier diets, and better health insurance than children who don't take them. More»

If trained professionals won't use them, why would you?

(NEWSER) - Some drugs have such serious drawbacks that even doctors won’t take them, Men’s Health reports. The big eight:

• Advair: Can actually increase the severity of asthma attacks
• Avandia: Diabetes drug carries risk of heart attack