August 2014 – Dr. Walt Larimore

31Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Bible Study: Humility

General Health

Last week I published a presentation I gave, The High Calling of Servanthood, as a visiting professor at the In His Image Family Medicine Residency in Tulsa, Oklahoma. You responded so positively, I thought I'd post another study I did on the topic of humility. Let me know what you think. (more…)

30Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Concerns raised over use of food additives

General Health

In a front-page piece running into more than 2,550 words, the Washington Post reports that in the wake of a wave of new food additives, along with “an easing” of regulatory oversight, many companies are able “to avoid the scrutiny” of the FDA. (more…)

30Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Consumers unaware “natural” label is meaningless

General Health

The Los Angeles Times “Health & Medicine” columnist Mary Macvean wrote on the effect of the word “natural” on consumer choices. (more…)

29Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Study: Prices for 10 common blood tests vary widely

General Health

The Washington Post “To Your Health” blog reports that according to research appearing in BMJ Open, prices for 10 common blood tests may vary widely. (more…)

29Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Physical fitness helps stave off depression in girls

General Health

The Dallas Morning News “Health Blog” reported that according to research at a psychological conference, “physically fit sixth graders – especially girls – are less likely to report feeling depressed when they reach seventh grade.” (more…)

28Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Insomnia medication suvorexant gets FDA nod

General Health

The Los Angeles Times reports the FDA approved Merck & Co.’s new type of sleeping pill, called Belsomra (suvorexant), aimed at helping people with insomnia. (more…)

28Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Tick bites causing red meat allergy

General Health

The AP reports that US physicians “are seeing a surge of sudden meat allergies in people bitten by a certain kind of tick” known as the Lone Star Tick. (more…)

27Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

PSA screening: Questions remain whether benefits outweigh harms

General Health

The New York Times “Well” blog reports that research published in The Lancet suggests that “blood test screening for prostate cancer saves lives, but doubts remain about whether the benefit is large enough to offset the harms caused by unnecessary biopsies and treatments.” (more…)

27Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Study evaluates cost effectiveness of weight loss strategies

General Health

Reuters reports that a study published in the journal Obesity suggests that Weight Watchers and Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) are the most cost-effective approaches to achieving weight loss goals, but that Jenny Craig is the most effective. (more…)

26Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Daily aspirin use linked to lower risk of bowel, stomach cancers

General Health

Reuters reports that research published in the Annals of Oncology suggests that daily aspirin use may be linked to a lower risk of cancers of the bowel, stomach, and esophagus. The medication was also linked to a lower risk of dying from these conditions. (more…)

26Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Popular cocoa powders contaminated

General Health

Following up on its discovery in May of high levels of the toxic metal cadmium in several cocoa-based products, ConsumerLab.com recently tested additional, popular cocoa products sold in the U.S. to assess the extent of the problem. (more…)

25Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Some birth control pills linked to breast cancer

General Health

TIME reports that “oral contraceptives and an increased risk for breast cancer have been linked in the past, but” a study published in Cancer Research makes that “link again, showing women who recently used birth control pills with high-dose estrogen have an increased risk for breast cancer compared to women using other versions.” (more…)

25Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Use of powdered caffeine may result in death

General Health

NBC Nightly News reported on the “troubling trend involving caffeine, including the growing use a pure powdered form” which is marketed as a dietary supplement to increase “alertness and athletic performance.” (more…)

23Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Public health officials say sports and energy drinks “not actually healthier” than soda

General Health

Vox reports that despite research suggesting that Americans are “quitting sugar-loaded soda,” added-sugar remains the “culprit” catalyst in “America’s obesity and diabetes epidemics.” (more…)

23Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Poll: 63% of Americans avoiding soda in their diet

General Health

TIME reports that according to the results of a recent Gallup poll, 63% of “Americans actively avoid soda in their diet.” (more…)

22Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Eating five servings of produce daily increases longevity

General Health

The Los Angeles Times “Science Now” blog reports, “Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables every day can help us live longer,” according to a review of “16 studies covering 833,234 people” published in the BMJ. (more…)

22Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

MEDIA ALERT: Helping Teen Girls Understand Their Bodies – Part 2

General Health

On today's edition of Dr. James Dobson's "Family Talk" radio program, Dr. Meg Meeker and I continue our discussion about how parents can help teen girls navigate puberty. (more…)

22Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Surgeon General: Stop tanning! It will save your skin and may save your life!

General Health

USA Today reports, “Those of you tanning or burning your skin this summer should stop – seek the shade, wear a hat and some sunscreen and, whatever you do, stay out of indoor tanning salons.” (more…)

21Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Healthy eating, exercising, and sleeping reduces cellular signs of aging

General Health

TIME reports that a study published in Molecular Psychiatry suggests that “stress makes our bodies age faster, but thankfully we can combat that with healthy eating,” exercising, and sleeping well. (more…)

21Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

MEDIA ALERT: Helping Teen Girls Understand Their Bodies – Part 1

General Health

Hormones. Hormones. Hormones. How can moms and dads help their teen girls understand the changes happening in their bodies? On today's edition of Dr. James Dobson's "Family Talk" radio program, Dr. Meg Meeker interviews me on how parents can help teen girls navigate puberty. (more…)

21Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Running 5-10 minutes reduces risk of heart-related death

General Health

ABC World News reported that a study suggests that running for “even as little as five or ten minutes a day, even at slow speeds, can cut the risk of heart-related death.” (more…)

20Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Morning sickness tied to healthier, bigger infants

General Health

The Wall Street Journal reports that according to a meta-analysis appearing in the journal Reproductive Technology, morning sickness in expectant moms is tied to the birth of larger babies with better health, less of a chance of miscarriage and a reduced risk of birth defects. (more…)

20Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Fist-bumps spread fewer germs than handshakes

General Health

USA Today reports that a new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control has found that a firm handshake is a “much worse” greeting germ-wise than several more casual alternatives. (more…)

19Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Many kids may be unaware they are overweight, obese

General Health

USA Today reports that although “nearly one-third of U.S. children and adolescents are obese or overweight,” many are unaware “that they fall into that category.” (more…)

19Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Regular consumption of probiotics may help reduce blood pressure

General Health

Reuters reports that research published in Hypertension suggests that regular consumption of probiotics may help to reduce blood pressure. (more…)

18Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Study: Acetaminophen no better than placebo for lower back pain

General Health

The New York Times “Well” blog reports that “a large, rigorous study has found that acetaminophen works no better than a placebo” for lower back pain. (more…)

18Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

FDA approves first noninvasive colon cancer test

General Health

Bloomberg News reports the FDA gave approval to Exact Sciences Corp. to sell “the first noninvasive DNA screening test for colorectal cancer that patients can use at home.” (more…)

17Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Larimore Bi-Monthly Prayer Letter (August 15 – October 14, 2014)

Family Newsletter

In this prayer letter: PRAYER REQUESTS 1) Writing Projects PRAISES AND ANSWERS TO PRAYERS 1) Girls’ Book Featured by Sam’s Club 2) Scott’s New Assignment 3) The Land In-Between EVENTS OF THE LAST TWO MONTHS EVENTS OF THE NEXT TWO MONTHS RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND INTERVIEWS 1) Girl’s Book Featured on Focus on the Family Canada 2) “Finding True Health” and “Health and Happiness in the Bible” 3) New “Larimore” tour of Bryson City 4) Vaccine News (more…)

16Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Insufficient sleep affects fat cells, as well as appetite and satiety hormones

General Health

Most people know they should cut calories and exercise more to trim down, but there's now significant scientific evidence that another critical component to weight control is avoiding sleep deprivation. (more…)

15Aug 2014 by Walt Larimore

Which supplements that lower cholesterol are the best?

General Health

Certain dietary supplements can help reduce elevated cholesterol levels. A new report from ConsumerLab.com (requiring a payment to obtain) reviews the evidence behind each of the popular cholesterol-lowering ingredients and provides test results for twelve supplements. (more…)