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7:00am Segment Info:
It's never too late to quit smoking. A new study finds smokers who quit today...can live longer.

New research suggests the risk of dying from smoking drops significantly within just a few years after kicking the habit. This is even true for long-term smokers.

Within just five years of quitting, study participants lowered their overall risk of dying by 13%.

VIDEO & MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
A new study finds older people who have low levels of Vitamin D may be at a higher risk of depression.

That's because low Vitamin D is tied to high levels of parathyroid hormone, which is linked to depression. The Dutch study of people over 65 found those who were depressed had Vitamin D levels that were 14% lower compared to people who were not depressed. The good news is those levels can improve if you get more vitamin d from the sun or supplements.

And there's more proof this morning that breast is best.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
For many people with type-one diabetes, insulin pumps save them the pain of daily injections. But now a new study finds the pumps are linked to injuries and even death in teenagers. A 10-year review by the FDA found 13 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries connected with the pumps. Sometimes the device malfunctioned, but other times the teens were either careless or took risks. Two used the device to attempt suicide.

Are the pumps safe?

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
It's never too late to practice healthy habits, even if you have cancer.

A new study from the American Cancer Society finds cancer survivors who practice healthy habits like staying away from tobacco, eating more fruits and vegetables, and getting some exercise have a higher health-related quality of life than those who don't. The study also finds that while many cancer survivors cut back on smoking... Few are eating properly or exercising enough.

Which healthy habit had the strongest impact on quality of life?

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
It's official. Fast food restaurants and chains with more than 15 stores nationwide must publish the calorie counts of their meals in plain view where customers can see them.

Yesterday a court rejected the restaurant association's bid to suspend the measure. The new regulation is backed by city health officials and Mayor Bloomberg and has been in the pipeline for nearly two years. The court gave the green light after the city agreed to hold off issuing fines until July 18th. That gives the court time to rule on a lawsuit filed by restaurant owners.

VIDEO & MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
Do you remember that study that found people can be fat and fit at the same time?

Well now researchers are challenging that idea saying that being active and overweight can lower heart disease risk, but it doesn't eliminate it completely. A new study of nearly 39,000 women with an average age of 54 found that compared with normal-weight active women, the risk for developing heart disease was 54% higher if they were overweight and active, and 87% higher if they were obese and active.

But those numbers had to be better than women who didn't exercise at all.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
A troubling trend is putting mothers and their newborn babies at risk.

The number of pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes has more than doubled in seven years and the number of diabetic teenagers giving birth has increased fivefold.

Being pregnant and having diabetes increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth especially if women don't have their blood sugar under control. Their babies also have a higher chance of being born with birth defects.

Can they explain this trend?

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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1. FACT OR QUACK: Put vapor rub on feet to stop coughing

QUACK. And this should serve as a warning for people who get all their medical information from the internet. This rumor started when an email circulated that said the national research council of Canada did a study which found that applying Vicks vapor rub to your child's feet when they have a cough relieves the cough 100 percent of the time. The NRC claims they never conducted such research and claim the entire story is bogus.

2. FACT OR QUACK: Put onions in socks to lower a fever

VIDEO & MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
If you're like most people you probably know someone who's had laser eye surgery and swears about how great it is, but you may not know about some of the unlucky few whom have had life changing side effects. Now the FDA is looking into lasik complaints 10 years after the procedure was approved. The government is pairing with eye surgeons for a major study expected to enroll hundreds of lasik patients to try to better understand who has bad outcomes and exactly what their complaints are. More than 7,500,000 people have had the procedure so far.

How big are those risks? And what are some of the side effects?

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
Nasal surgery may be a key treatment for people with obstructive sleep apnea. Which makes sense.

According to researchers in Taiwan, removing nasal obstructions like polyps significantly reduces the symptoms of nasal obstruction, snoring and daytime sleepiness. There was also an improvement in overall health and quality of life.

Do all people who snore suffer from sleep apnea?

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
Last week I told you about how the government is concerned about a chemical called bisphenol-A or BPA in plastics.

Now TOYS "R" US says it will phase out baby bottles containing BPA. They plan to have all baby products with BPA off the shelves by the end of next year. The national toxicology program says there is some concern about bisphenol-A because studies in rats show it can cause problems with behavior, puberty and possibly precancerous changes in the prostate and breast.

How common is BPA?

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
The New York City regulation requiring restaurants to post the calories of foods on their menus is now in effect.

All chains with 15 restaurants or more across the country have six weeks to comply. Offenders will be subject to fines of up to $2000. Food is considered to be high in calories when one serving has more than 400 calories.

400 calories a serving doesn't sound like a lot.

VIDEO & MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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1. FACT OR QUACK: Vinegar and baking soda stop the itch of a mosquito bite

FACT! But for the baking soda part - not the vinegar, you don't really need vinegar. If you combine some baking soda with a little water and form it into a paste it can help relieve the itching of a mosquito bite. It also smoothes the skin, and if you don’t have any baking soda, no problem, just rub an aspirin on your moistened skin. It will also help.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
You don't need me to tell you this is the worst flu season we've had in four years partly because the strains of flu that were predicted this year didn't match with the flu we got. Health officials say this is the worst match since 1997. Because of that mismatch, even if you got the shot, you weren't well protected against this year's flu. While the season is coming to an end, new cases are still being reported.

How can they get it so wrong?

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
For premature babies. Often survival is based on the number of weeks that baby was in the womb. But now doctors say other factors like the sex of the baby and an important treatment given shortly before birth can also make a difference. They say baby girls do better than boys.. And if the child gets lung maturing steroids before birth it can be the equivalent of an extra week in the womb.

Is the baby's weight also important?

LINK: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2008/pr025-08.shtml

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7:00am Segment Info:
There's more concern this morning about the dangers of a chemical found in plastic called Bisphenol A.

It's one of the most widely used plastics today. It's used to make baby bottles and other plastic containers that don't shatter. It also lines cans. Now the government is raising safety questions. They say Bisphenol A may be linked to a range of hormonal problems, precancerous tumors, urinary tract problems and early puberty in mice.

VIDEO & MORE INFO AFTER THE JUMP...

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are an American tradition. But if you're allergic to peanuts or just want to tempt your palate with something different, then you're in luck. Today, we're putting a new twist to that old PBJ with some other nutty alternatives.

And here with the tasty and nutritious nutty butters is Self Magazine Nutrition and Diet Editor Erin Hob-Day.

LIST OF NUTTY BUTTERS AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
A new study finds drinking too much alcohol can increase a woman's risk of breast cancer.

According to the report even moderate alcohol consumption, defined as one or two drinks per day, increases the risk... And the more a woman drank, the higher her risk. Compared to women who did not drink at all, those who drank just one or two drinks a day had a 32 percent increased risk of estrogen and progesterone receptor positive breast cancer... And women who had three or more glasses of alcohol daily had a 51% increased risk.

What's the alcohol breast cancer connection?

VIDEO & MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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1. FACT OR QUACK: Put Lavender oil on sheets for a better night's sleep

This one is FACT - with a caveat. Lavender oil is commonly known to help people relax. Reduce stress and improve anxiety. It's often used as aromatherapy. Having said that it will not help you sleep better. But it does really smell nice and can help relax you as you're getting ready for bed. So if you're trying to relax and are looking for a calming routine before bed, then a little lavender in the sheets won't kill you.

VIDEO & MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
You've heard all about the stories of athletes using performance-enhancing drugs.

But now experts say everyday people are turning to prescription drugs to boost brainpower and enhance cognitive performance. From students to stockbrokers and those who work the night shift more and more people are turning to drugs like Ritalin which can help improve concentration and Modanifil, a narcolepsy drug to help stay awake. It's a problem that's growing here in the u-s and abroad.

How widespread is this?

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
More evidence that green tea is good for your health.... A new study finds an antioxidant in green tea may be a powerful weapon against breast cancer... It's called EGCG. In the report it significantly slowed breast cancer growth in female mice. Earlier studies showed similar results.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
A new study finds dyslexia affects different parts of children's brains depending on whether they're taught English or Chinese. That means the treatment may be different. Treating Chinese speakers with dyslexia may require more memory tasks. Treating English dyslexics should focus on letter-sound conversions and sound awareness. While you may not think this is a big deal, millions of children worldwide suffer from dyslexia, which is a language-based learning disability that can cause problems in reading, spelling, writing and pronunciation.

What is it about the differences between the languages that causes this?

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

Dr. Steve's Drinking Water Link: http://nyc.gov/html/dep/html/drinking_water/index.shtml

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1. FACT OR QUACK: Placing a 1/2 dollar on an "outty" bellybutton turns it into an "inny?"
This is quack. Many outty bellybuttons are actually umbilical hernias. That's where the intestine pops through a weakness in the abdominal wall. Most resolve by age one, 10% last longer than a year. If it lasts up to four years, it may need to be repaired. So you can see with those odds, it's no wonder people think putting a half dollar over an outty will make it go away.

2. FACT OR QUACK: Eat hot peppers to prevent a cold?

ANSWER & MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

It may sound a bit unconventional...but, the 1970's hit disco song, "Stayin' Alive" could actually help save the life of someone you love! Here with some big news from the American Heart Association is Sarah Gillen.

The American Heart Association stopped by with a Hands-Only CPR demonstration. For a step by step guide to Hands-Only CPR, log onto http://handsonlycpr.eisenberginc.com/. For a video demonstration, log onto http://handsonlycpr.eisenberginc.com/resources.html.

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Segment Info:
The government is issuing new rules to protect kids from exposure to lead-based paint during repairs and renovations.

Starting in 2010, construction workers will have to post warning signs in affected work areas to prevent occupants from entering. Contractors will also have to prevent dust and debris from spreading and provide a thorough clean-up. The program will cover rental and non-rental housing where children under six and pregnant women are living.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
A persistent rise of tuberculosis cases in Harlem is baffling health experts. Researchers say reports of the bacterial infection have been increasing there over the past two years... Despite falling elsewhere in the city, the increase includes a particularly virulent strain of TB that is resistant to drugs. Last year there were 40 new cases of the potentially deadly disease in Harlem alone.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
Long Island health officials are warning about a recent case of typhoid fever.

They say anyone who ate at mama Sbarro's restaurant in Hicksville between March 14 and 16 may have been exposed to the potentially deadly bacterial infection. A food handler for the eatery was diagnosed with typhoid fever and is being treated. The infection is usually passed by eating food or drinking water containing infected feces or urine.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

Scientists now say male fertility problems may be determined in the womb.

These problems could include ailments like low sperm count and testicular cancer. Researchers say these issues may be linked to hormone levels early in pregnancy. This includes testosterone, in a critical "window" at eight-to-twelve weeks. Scientists with the University of Edinburgh say they've drawn their conclusions from studies in rats.

And, new research shows escalators are posing an increasing risk for the elderly. Scientists say escalator injuries among the elderly doubled from 1991 to 2005. Nearly 40,000 older people were injured during that period - most of them women. The average age of those injured was 80.

MORE INFO AFTER THE JUMP...

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They're said to cure everything from headaches to hiccups. They're home remedies and every family has them! While they're often quirky... The question remains... Do they really work? Dr. Steve Salvatore is here now with Home Remedy: Fact or Quack...

So, let's see what we have in our medicine chest today...

1. Fact or Quack: Place onions at baby's feet to reduce fever.

John that one is definitely quack. You can put a bottle of Tylenol at a baby's feet and it won't reduce fever. Fever is the body's natural way of fighting disease so it's not a bad thing. Of course you don't want it to get too high, but putting onions at your baby's feet won't do anything.

2. Fact or Quack: Chew parsley to cure bad breath.

VIDEO & MORE REMEDIES AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
You've heard about the dangers of second hand smoke. Most people think it affects their lungs.

But a new study presented at the American Heart Association conference finds passive smoking may affect an infant heart as well. The study involved 128 children and found that toddlers in the homes of smokers had six times more nicotine in their systems than older children and also had higher levels of markers for heart disease in their bloodstream. This is the first study that looks at the response of a young child's cardiovascular system to second-hand smoke

MORE INFO AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
There's even more research to back up the claim that eating fish is good for the heart.

A new study finds men who regularly eat fish high in omega three fatty acids like salmon or mackerel cut their risk of sudden cardiac death by more than 50%. In this study the men ate an average of 6 grams of fatty fish a day. That's two servings. But experts say you don't need to eat that much. The biggest gap is between people who eat fish and those who don't eat any fish at all.

MORE INFO AFTER THE JUMP...

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7:00am Segment Info:
It could be the next marijuana, and web sites all over the internet talk about the mind blowing effects of a hallucinogenic herb called salvia di-vinorum. Salvia is a plant that's inexpensive and easy to buy. When it's smoked, chewed or made into a tea it gives users an out of body experience that feels like they're traveling through space and time or merging with inanimate objects. The effects last about an hour.

MORE INFO AFTER THE JUMP

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7:00am Segment Info:
The short answer is probably not, but there's a slight catch. First of all, we're talking extremely small amounts of medication - parts per million/parts per billion. According to city water officials, New York City's drinking water is safe and meets all federal and state regulations. But here's the catch. The regulations do not address pharmaceuticals in our water supply in trace amounts. So the truth is we don't even know how much of this actually makes it to our taps and we don't really know if there are any long term health implications.

How did all of these medications get into the water supply in the first place?

VIDEO & MORE INFO AFTER THE JUMP

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1. Fact or quack: Drink warm milk before bed to prevent insomnia.

That's a fact. Your mother was right, a little warm milk not only makes you feel good because the warm liquid relaxes you, but it also contains an amino acid called tryptophan which helps increase the levels of melatonin and serotonin in the brain, which helps you relax as well. Don't like warm milk? You can try oats, bananas, or yogurt. A nice bowl of cheerios with milk and a banana will also do the trick.

2. Fact or quack: Eat an apple to treat heartburn.

ANSWERS AFTER THE JUMP

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7:00am Segment Info:
The one thing about smoking is you can't really see the damage it's doing to your body, if you did, you would quit on the spot.

Now researchers in Britain say when you tell smokers how "old" their lungs are they're more likely to quit. It's kind of like those ads you see on TV these days showing the actual physical effects of cancer, but in this case researchers showed people their "lung age" and compared it to healthy people of the same age and after one year. 13% of the smokers told their lung age quit compared to only 6% in a control group.

In other news, there's going to be tougher checks on toys from overseas.

MORE INFO AFTER THE JUMP

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7:00am Segment Info:
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer mainly because it spreads rapidly and is often not detected until it's too late.

Most times the cancer has spread beyond the pancreas into other organs in the abdomen but the symptoms which include things like upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back. Nausea, vomiting, weight loss and decreased appetite are vague. And often don't even start happening until the cancer has spread.

What are the treatments?

MORE INFO AFTER THE JUMP

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7:00am Segment Info:
There's nothing like the feeling of being full to help you walk away from the table and stop eating.

Now researchers in London are trying to mimick that feeling by developing new drugs that prevent your stomach from expanding as you eat. The idea is if the stomach doesn't expand, you'll feel full soon after eating a small amount of food limiting the amount of calories you eat. So far, the drug has only been tested in guinea pigs. But it could have the same effect on people.

Could this potentially replace some of those surgical procedures for weight loss?

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7:00am Segment Info:

Olive oil is one of the oldest natural ingredients in the world. And whether you're drizzling or dipping, it's health benefits are undeniable. But it’s time to add some variety to your meals with other cooking oils that are also nutritious.

Here with more on these "specialty oils that sizzle" is Shape Magazine's Senior Associate Editor, Sharon Liao.

1) Let's start things off with avocados.

2) Next, we're going a little nutty with almonds.

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7:00am Segment Info:
Great news for tea drinkers! It may help prevent diabetes.

According to a new study black tea contains certain chemicals that mimick the action of insulin, which can help regulate blood sugar levels. Of course, drinking tea should not be considered a "treatment" for diabetes, but it certainly can't hurt. Researchers say more research is needed. The challenge is to see if this can lead to new treatments for diabetes.

In other news, there's a new report about snoring.

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So, let's see what we have in our medicine chest today... Fact or quack

1. Honey soothes a burn

That's a fact. But only for minor burns - it turns out that honey has some anti inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help promote healing. In one study honey was compared head to head against antibiotic cream and it actually did better. I prefer to use a sterile bandage and antibiotic cream or ointment, but if you want to go natural honey can soothe a minor burn.

MORE REMEDY BUSTING AFTER THE JUMP

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7:00am Segment Info:
Measles Link: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/measles/default.htm#vacc

Two cases of measles in a Brooklyn family has New York City's Health Department on alert. They want doctors to be on the lookout for the illness and report it promptly if they see it.

Measles is a viral infection and is spread by coughing and direct contact with the mucus or saliva of an infected person or sharing food or drinks. The virus can travel through the air... It's highly contagious so that means that you can it if you’re near someone who has the virus. They don't have to cough or sneeze directly on you.

How do you know if you have it and how long is someone contagious for?

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7:00am Segment Info:
Unless you're a doctor you probably don't think much about tuberculosis. But a new report says drug resistant TB is at an all time high.

According the world health organization a survey of over 90,000 TB patients in 81 countries found that levels of multi-drug resistant TB were far higher then expected. The survey also found cases of extensively drug resistant TB, which is basically untreatable.

With this form of TB patients don't respond to the standard 6-month treatment and have to take more expensive and more toxic drugs for up to two years.

How widespread is this problem?

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7:00am Segment Info:
Many experts, including the Alzheimer’s association, consider Alzheimer’s and other dementias to be fatal brain disease.

Now a new study suggests that antibiotics are overused in people with end stage dementia, and contribute to the growing problem of superbugs. Nursing homes often harbor drug-resistant bacteria, and there are studies that show residents can spread dangerous infections when they are admitted to hospitals. The question is can we ethically hold this treatment from people with end stage dementia. It's a very difficult question.

What is the quality of life like for people with advanced dementia?

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7:00am Segment Info:
There's a lot of concern these days about terrorism, but at a recent international meeting experts agreed that obesity and other lifestyle changes are actually more of a problem... Killing millions of people each year. They want issues like poor diet, smoking and lack of exercise to take top priority in the fight against chronic diseases. An estimated 388 million people will die from chronic disease worldwide over the next 10 years, according to world health organization.

Why don't these issues get the attention and the funding they need?

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7:00am Segment Info:
Crank up the tunes. A new study finds listening to music can help people recover more quickly from strokes. In the report stroke patients who listened to a few hours of music each day for three months soon after their stroke had a 60% better improvement in verbal memory compared to 18% for those who did not listen to music. Researchers say it may be that listening to music actually activates the brain areas that are recovering after a stroke.

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7:00am Segment Info:
In light of yesterdays huge meat recall, many are concerned about the safety of our food supply - specifically the meat supply.

Now US officials say there's only a remote chance of adverse health problems related to this massive recall. The meat packing company was cited for the mistreatment and slaughtering of downer cows - those are cows that can't stand up because of an illness or injury. The biggest fear is mad cow disease. In this case the cows were evaluated and determined to be healthy before they were downed, so health officials say there's little risk.

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7:00am Segment Info:
French researchers say women who drink it may be protecting themselves from heart disease and stroke. According to a recent study, drinking tea was attributed to helping reduce the risk of artery-clogging plaque...

And older women who reported drinking at least three cups a day were less likely to have plaque in the carotid arteries in their neck than those who drank *less* tea.

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They're said to cure everything from headaches to hiccups. They're home remedies and every family has them! And while they're often reassuring, and usually wacky,the question remains do they really work?

So, let's see what we've got in our medicine cabinet today...

1. Our first home remedy: fact or quack?
Toothpaste fights acne.

This one is quack and here's why: even though toothpaste applied to the skin can have a drying effect, which is probably why this remedy has been used, it can also irritate the skin and cause a contact dermatitis. Gels and today's whitening toothpastes with hydrogen peroxide can be especially irritating and should be avoided. So keep your toothpaste where it belongs in your mouth.

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7:00am Segment Info:
Being overweight isn't just bad for your hearts. Researchers now say it can increase your risk of up to a dozen different cancers. The report published in the journal lancet finds being obese or even overweight may increase a person's risk of developing cancer of the esophagus, thyroid, kidney, uterus and gall bladder, as well as colon cancer and breast cancer. To give you an idea of how significant the risk is in men, an average weight gain of 33 pounds increased the risk of esophageal cancer by 52 percent and in women, a weight gain of 29 pounds increased the risk of cancer in the uterus and gall bladder by nearly 60 percent.

How does being overweight trigger cancer?

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7:00am Segment Info:
As a parent it's always best to lead by example.. But when it comes to teaching your kids about alcohol abuse. You'll need to do a bit more than that.

According to a study of more than 4 thousand Finnish teenagers. The kids did generally mirror their parents behavior when it came to drinking, but the parents who were lax about drinking tended to have kids that drank more compared to parents who monitored their kids' drinking.

When should you start to talk to your kids about alcohol and drugs?

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7:00am Segment Info:
A new report this morning finds high blood pressure is on the rise...especially among women.

Also called hypertension, it's a known risk factor for heart disease and stroke. According to the report about one in five American adults has uncontrolled high blood pressure. Blood pressure rates have been going down since the 90's among men, but it's up among women from 17% to 22%.

What should your blood pressure be?

MORE INFO AFTER THE JUMP

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7:00am Segment Info:
Researchers say they've identified more genes that raise the risk of prostate cancer.

Individually, the genetic variants play a minor role in the disease, but together they become more dangerous. This discovery could lead to a new test allowing doctors to identify several genetic variants at one time. That would make it easier to determine which men are susceptible to aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Until now, only a few genes had been associated with prostate cancer and that accounted for a small percentage of cases.

In other news, we've all heard that chain restaurants are going to have to post the amount of calories in every meal, but it's not just the food.

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7:00am Segment Info:
Want to help you kids lose weight? Make sure they're getting enough sleep. A new study finds encouraging kids to sleep more can help them lose weight. In fact, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins each additional hour of sleep lowers a child's risk of being overweight by 9 percent. So the more sleep the kids got, the less likely they were to be overweight. Children under the age of 5 should get 11 hours or more of sleep a day. Children between 5 and 10 should get ten hours, and those over 10 should get at least 9 hours.

In other news, guys better watch their cell phone usage.

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BRAIN CANCER VACCINE TRIALS INFO:
Doctors at New York University are looking for candidates to begin clinical trials on a new cutting edge personalized brain cancer vaccine. This vaccine uses the original cancer cells to destroy itself preventing it from returning. Earlier studies show it may increase survival rates by more than 50%. Candidates must be newly-diagnosed, and have not had any other treatment, including chemotherapy and/or radiation. If you know someone who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer and think they may be interested in the study, interested candidates should contact Dr. Kelly at Patrick.kelly@med.nyu.edu or Dr. Gruber at Michael.gruber@nyumc.org.

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7:00am Segment Info:
Besides making sure drugs are safe. The FDA is also supposed to stay on top of manufacturing to make sure there's good quality control.

Now a report from the associated press finds dozens of examples over four years of lapses in quality control in the Puerto Rican pharmaceutical industry where 13 of the top 20 drugs sold in the US are made. And the problem is not just in Puerto Rico. Another report finds even modern drug plants here in the US have problems. The FDA inspects facilities in Puerto Rico about once every two years.

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7:00 Segment Info:
Studies show a healthy sex life is very important for overall health, but did you know that wearing high heels can help? This is for women only...

Researchers say wearing high heels can tone your legs and strengthen pelvic muscles. Just don't go too high. More than four and a half inches is too much. High-heeled shoes have been blamed for stress fractures and joint pain over the long term.

And, got a migraine?

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7:00am Segment Info:
A concerning report for parents... A new study finds that some baby shampoos, lotions and powders may expose infants to chemicals that have been linked with possible reproductive problems. The chemicals are called phthalates, and they’re used to stabilize fragrances. Researchers found phthalates in the urine of babies who recently used these products. Health officials are not sure if phthalates cause problems. Animal studies have suggested they can cause reproductive birth defects. Human studies are lacking on this issue, and the FDA does not limit their use.

What can parents do?

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7:00am Segment Info:
Ever get your back scratched? It feels so good doesn't it?

Researchers say there's a very good reason for that. It appears that when we're scratched areas of the brain that are associated with pleasure turn on and areas associated with unpleasant emotions or memories turn off. Scratching is not recommended because too much scratching can damage your skin, but a little light scratching on the back or on the scalp can really feel good.

This is all very interesting, but is there a "medical" application to all of this?

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7:00am Segment Info:
Another study shoots down the theory that vaccines cause autism.

Researchers say the mercury that's found in a vaccine preservative is pumped out of a baby's body too quickly for it to do any damage. Vaccines used to contain a preservative called thimerosol, which contained ethyl mercury. Researchers say that form of mercury is handled differently in the body than the mercury you get from pollution or contaminated fish. The study reinforces what researchers have been saying for years and should help calm parents fears about vaccinating their children.

Do vaccines still have that preservative in them?

Dr. Steve took a moment this morning to snap a pic with UFC icon Chuck The Iceman Liddell.

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7:00am Segment Info:
You see them all over hospitals these days. Those alcohol based hand gels mounted on the wall.

Now researchers say hand gels alone may not be enough to curb infection in hospitals where germs lurk just about everywhere. In a Nebraska hospital, medical workers nearly doubled their use of the alcohol-based gels, but those cleaner hands did not affect the rate of infection among patients. This study contradicts guidelines from the centers for disease control and prevention that say better hand hygiene - through frequent washing or use of hand gels - has been shown to cut the spread of hospital infections.

Is there an explanation for all of this? The alcohol gels work, don't they?

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