"Brushing teeth thoroughly to remove plaque could help prevent heart attacks … by reducing inflammation," The Daily Telegraph reports. A study found that "Plaque HD" toothpaste was related to a drop in inflammation levels (but this could have been coincidental), but it did not investigate if this had any long-term effects on cardiovascular outcomes such
"Arthritis pills could help beat depression," The Sun reports. A review of studies suggests anti-cytokine drugs, currently used to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, could have a role in treating depression. Cytokines are proteins released by cells when the immune system is activated and are linked to inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
"Research shows [migraine] sufferers have higher levels of bacteria involved in processing nitrates, and could explain why some foods appear to act as migraine triggers," The Guardian reports. Nitrates are found in processed meats, like bacon, as well as some wines and chocolate. The story is based on a study that used data from the American
"Short stroll after meals better for blood sugar than walks at other times," says The Daily Telegraph. The story is based on a study which aimed to see whether taking a 10-minute walk after a main meal resulted in lower blood glucose levels than a single 30-minute walk each day for people with type 2
"Women aged 40 or over are less likely to have babies with birth defects if they conceive by IVF," the Daily Mail reports, while The Daily Telegraph says: "Older mothers have healthier babies if they conceive using IVF". Both headlines misinterpret the results of a study that looked at births in South Australia between 14 and
"Women aged 40 or over are less likely to have babies with birth defects if they conceive by IVF," the Daily Mail reports, while The Daily Telegraph says: "Older mothers have healthier babies if they conceive using IVF". Both headlines misinterpret the results of a study that looked at births in South Australia between 14 and
"Is your child a fussy eater? It could be down to genetics not parenting," the Daily Mirror reports. A study involving twins suggests food fussiness as well as food neophobia – unwillingness to try new foods – may partially be the result of genetics. The researchers looked at differences in parent-reported behaviour between identical twins
"Antidepressants could double the risk of feelings that could lead to suicide, according to a new study which has triggered furious rows," The Daily Telegraph reports. Critics have attacked the study as "fatally flawed" because researchers extrapolated certain side effects, such as anxiety, as being a risk factor for suicide. Researchers carried out an analysis of
"Have you ever felt dizzy when you stand up?" asks the Mail Online. "You could be more at risk of dementia," the website warns. Researchers in Holland found a weak link between blood pressure drops on standing and the chances of getting dementia. But whether or not people felt dizzy made no difference to the
"Receptionists may ‘put people off’ seeing their GP by asking questions about symptoms," ITV News reports on a widely covered study carried out by Cancer Research UK. The study is part of an ongoing project looking at reasons why some people don’t seek advice for potential "early warning signs" for certain cancers, such as: a
Most Commented