Supplement Safety Myths & Facts  Healthnotes Newswire (March 18, 2010)—How do you make sense of supplements? With so much conflicting information in the news, it’s hard to know what vitmins, minerals, and herbs are safe to use and whether they even help at all. Adding to the confusion: some popular assumptions about supplements and the implications of new research aren’t always on the mark. So keep the following in mind when taking supplements or considering whether to add them to your self-care routine.

The Secret Sauce to Weight Loss  Healthnotes Newswire (March 18, 2010)—Everyone knows that losing extra weight may lead to important health benefits, such as improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But what’s the best way to do it? A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine looked at the effects of two weight loss approaches and found that people who attend regular dietary counseling sessions and follow a low-carbohydrate diet or a low-fat diet with the weight-loss medication orlistat (Alli®) can experience both weight loss and health benefits.

For Healthier Kids, Start with Healthier Food  Healthnotes Newswire (March 18, 2010)—By now, nearly everyone has heard of the “obesity epidemic.” And sadly, obese kids become obese adults: About 80% of kids who are overweight at 10-to-15 years of age will be obese at age 25. And many of these obese children already show increased risk for “adult” diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.  Fortunately, there is an answer to this problem. Providing healthy food in school meals and educating kids, parents, and staff about the importance of good nutrition and exercise improves the health of kids in grades kindergarten through sixth grade.