4:
Ranking in leading cause of death in San Diego County (No. 1 is heart disease, 2 is cancer, 3 cerebrovascular disease)
– SOURCE: May 2006 Community Epidemiology report, County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency
SCREENS OFF
Say “good night” to your computer and TV a few hours before bedtime and you may have a more satisfying night's sleep, says a study in Sleep and Biological Rhythms. Volunteers who spent more pre-bedtime hours in front of a screen were more likely to report they didn't get enough sleep. TV and computer screens emit blue light which suppresses melatonin production that begins at about 10 p.m. When you block melatonin, your sleep is disrupted.
XX HOT FLASH HELP? XX
Don't count on black cohosh to ease your menopausal symptoms. Some women turned to the herbal remedy for hot flashes and night sweats after hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was linked to breast cancer and heart problems. However, a study that compared the herbal supplements, HRT and a placebo found that only HRT was more effective than the placebo in reducing symptoms, says Consumer Reports on Health.
– COMPILED BY R.J. IGNELZI
