Danish researchers, from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, published a study in the latest edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition stating that cheese lowered LDL cholesterol according to a Monday November 14th report by Reuters. The Danish study found that those who ate cheese every day for six weeks had lower LDL than those who didn’t.
According to the American Heart Association, cholesterol is a fat (lipid) that is mostly produced by your body and the food you eat. Cholesterol can be categorized into “good” or “bad” cholesterol. Good cholesterol is known as HDL and healthy levels of HDL has been known to prevent heart disease. Unfortunately, low levels of HDL can increase your risk for heart disease.
Bad cholesterol is known as LDL and high levels is a direct contributor to heart disease and can cause heart attacks or strokes. Reducing you intake of trans fat can lower your LDL levels. Additionally, exercise can also assist in managing your cholesterol levels. There are certain foods that can also assist in lower your LDL levels and the Danish study proved that cheese is now one of them.
The Danish researchers gave 50 people cheese or butter made directly from cow milk. The amount given was roughly 13 percent of the individual’s total fat intake. The individuals would eat the cheese for six weeks and then take 14 days off before consuming the butter for six weeks.
After the cheese cycle, the individuals showed no increase in total cholesterol or LDL. Unfortunately, …

On Monday November 14th, Canada approved Botox as an official treatment option for those suffering from migraines. However there are certain criteria that patients have to meet before receiving this treatment. Individuals must suffer from migraines for at least 15 days per month and at least 4 hours per day according to an announcement made by leading manufacturer Allergan Inc. on Monday.
The leading drug maker recently conducted a clinical trial on the effects of Botox as a treatment for migraines. Nearly 1400 people were took part in the study. The data was passed onto Health Canada where they accepted the findings. However, there was a small percentage of adverse reactions to the Botox. About 2 percent of those in the study suffered several of the following adverse reactions: sinus problems, bronchitis, neck stiffness and pain, muscular stiffness and pain, muscular weakness, pain at the injection site, droopy eyelids and increased length of migraines.
Canada has already approved Botox to treat muscle stiffness and spasticity. It’s also used for cosmetic purposes like reducing wrinkles, frown lines, and in the lips. The results of Allergan’s clinical trial showed that those treated with Botox for migraines suffered fewer days per month and fewer hours per day than those who took a placebo.
According to The Mayo Clinic, migraines can cause intense throbbing or pulsing in the head. Some side effects of migraines are nausea, vomiting, tingling in arms and legs, sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines can last from a few hours to a few …

Since the late 1980s, more mothers in the US have been having their children outside of hospitals. Usually taking place either in the home or in a state regulated birthing centers, medical professionals are becoming increasing concerned about the safety of unborn babies. Despite their concerns, there are a number of medically licensed midwives, doulas and nurses attending home births in the US. Since most expectant mothers live a reasonable distance away from hospitals, if any complications arise, they can quickly get the treatments that they need.
And the reason for the increase in home births in the US? Some cite rising health insurance costs. A number of insurance companies are adding in rules and clauses that make it veritably impossible for pregnant women to get the level of care that they expect when delivering. Others feel that child birth is becoming more of a medical procedure rather than the natural journey that they expect. Another phenomenon is the huge number of cesarean births occurring each year. First reserved as a last resort, mothers that have previously given birth via cesarean section can now elect to deliver surgical intervention even if there is no medical need.
Many doctors still feel that all babies should be born in a hospital because it is safer, however, mothers are finding that they have less control over the process. After birth, many medical centers elect to inject newborn babies with vitamin K injections and separate the newborns from their mothers for an extended period …

There has long been fraud in the health care industry, but federal prosecutors are reviewing several cases involving Medicare and Medicaid. In the past, executives that were caught offering physicians and hospitals kickbacks in exchange for falsified medical reports risked little more than fines and verbal warnings. Because the US is in massive debt, and billions of dollars continue to pump into the failing US health care system, federal regulators are pressure to find and identify corporate entities that have cost the government money.
If it is found that a health care company with connections to the government has marketed non-FDA approved medicines or suggested unnecessary medical services to patients, said company could be banned from conducting further business with the US government forever. This new policy combined with plans by federal prosecutors to charge health care corporation executives with crimes in the future will completely change the types of risks that companies will be willing to take.
In recent months, several doctors have been arrested and stripped of their medical licenses for providing narcotics and other medications to patients who showed no signs of illness. During future investigations, federal prosecutors will attempt to find out if these doctors had connections with any major pharmaceutical companies or medical device manufacturers.
Health care fraud doesn’t just involve doctors and medical companies, it also includes patients. Modest estimates calculate the total cost to US taxpayers to be around $60 billion a year. Government officials are pushing for all medical records to be …

Nearly every state in the US has some type of bicycle safety law that permits minor children under the age of 18 from operating bikes without a helmet. Major bicycle safety retailer Bell Sports has recalled approximately 33,000 helmets designed for children. As of yet, only one serious injury has been reported, but the company is recalling youth helmets that were manufactured from 2009 through 2011. The full face youth sized helmets designed by Bell Sports are geared towards off-roading enthusiasts and motorized bike riders. Unlike traditional pedal bicycles, these motorized vehicles can top speeds of 35 miles per hour. More serious injuries are associated with bicycles that can achieve and maintain high rates of speed.
It is not yet clear how Bell Sports was unable to catch this potentially fatal design flaw earlier. According to the company, the helmets are being recalled because of an error related to the chin strap. Users have reported that the helmets would come off without human intervention, exposing children to serious injury. The helmets, which were sold by retail giants Walmart and Amazon, retailed for around $50 each. Bell Sports is asking consumers to check the inside of all youth sized helmets purchased from 2009 on for parts numbers that correspond with the recalled models. Bell Sports has agreed to replace or reimburse all customers who have purchased the recalled helmets. The helmets were sold throughout the US and Canada.
Although only one injury has been reported by the company, it is possible …

Although the UK has been lauded for having one of the best functioning nationalized health care plans in the world, the small business sector is reeling from staggering legal costs associated with workplace injury claims. Industries such as construction, manufacturing and even retail are seeing an increase in the amount of lawsuits filed against employers, according to the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. In addition, more employers have been cited for failing to address job safety issues in a timely manner.
An increased amount of workers in the UK are missing work due to illness as well as injury. This has also negatively impacted productivity levels. In total, small business owners in the UK have already lost approximately £22 billion in lawyers fees and potential revenues. IOSH wants employers to implement new programs that will educate employees on safe work practices as well as appropriate preventative measures. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health believes that businesses are increasing their own burden by pressuring employees to report to the job site even when they are not well. In turn, entire departments can become sick, causing massive labor shortages and lower revenues.
More and more employees are beginning to understand their legal rights when it comes to workplace injury compensation claims. In the past, it was common for workers to perform job related injuries even when they knew that they were not fit for work. This new generation is fully aware of the long-term medical repercussions that can arise as …

Before President Obama signed the new health care law meant to reform the health care industry as we know it, low income citizens were forced to go without health insurance or apply for Medicare and Medicaid. These income based federal programs have already saved millions of lives, but as jobs continue to sent overseas the idea of affordable health care for all is becoming more unattainable.
Republicans say that health care reform will negatively impact major corporations, but small business owners are already reaping the rewards. Because insurance companies are now required to offer lower premiums to uninsured Americans as well as small business owners, mid-sized companies can now attract more skilled employees. Surprisingly, even in the health care sector, benefits packages for entry level employees are lacking. Many new workers aren’t eligible for benefits until they get through their probationary periods, and many others will never get health care benefits because they are not full-time employees.
Just a year ago, most small sized companies could only offer their employees health care discount plans. If they were able to offer health care benefits packages, workers were required to pay high deductibles or open savings accounts and deposit money out of every paycheck until the yearly tax deductible threshold was yet. For employees with families, health benefits were way too expensive. In the Capital, Republicans are working hard to repeal Obama’s health care reform plan. More jobs have been created in recent months and the job outlook is improving.
The …

Pennsylvania has some of the highest malpractice lawsuit insurance claims in the country, but for the first time in decades it appears that medical malpractice related lawsuits are on the decline. For the sixth year in a row, Pennsylvania hospitals and physicians have been subject to fewer insurance claims as well as less lawsuits. Medical professionals in the state believe that this is due to the passing of new laws that prevent plaintiffs from filing what have been deemed frivolous claims.
Gross medical negligence is clear in the eyes of the law, say Pennsylvania lawmakers. Lawsuits filed by patients who are unhappy with the services that they received are legally permitted to file at any time. However, judges must scrutinize their cases more heavily before allowing plaintiffs to go after doctors or hospitals that have not been proven to be grossly negligent in their actions. In 2002, Pennsylvania doctors and medical centers were hit with more than 2,900 cases. Most of these lawsuits were dismissed, however, the majority of doctors would rather settle out of court rather than risk public scrutiny.
Now, patients are required to get a second opinion from a physician that is willing to sign off on his or her findings before a medical negligence lawsuit can proceed. Insurance companies have been slow to reduce insurance premiums for doctors, but if the trend continues the Pennsylvania medical industry will eventually find relief. Some physicians are still not satisfied with the progress that has made. Year to date …