Facing up to Rosacea
An estimated 16 million Americans have rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by recurrent flushing and redness of the face. It may be accompanied by “broken” blood vessels on the nose and cheeks; bumps and pimples (different from adult acne); and red, itchy, dry eyes and swollen eyelids (ocular rosacea). In severe cases, men in particular may develop a red, bumpy, bulbous nose (rhinophyma). There’s no cure for rosacea, but it can be controlled. Here’s how.

Diet Supplements: Slim Pickings
Google “diet supplements” and you’ll get about 13 million search results, most from companies selling products that promise to cure your weight problem—in as little as a week. Their proprietary formulas, which can cost $40 a bottle and up, are often touted as “all natural,” “healthy” and “proven to work” with “no side effects.” But nothing “melts fat away,” and certain pills can have serious side effects. Dietary supplements do not have to be tested for safety or effectiveness, nor do they have to list warnings or contraindications. More cause for alarm: Some weight loss products have been found to contain undeclared pharmaceuticals, which can be harmful if not used properly. We discusses here some common ingredients in diet aids. At best, there’s slim evidence for a couple of them.

Wound Care Essentials
The average small wound—a scrape, nick, cut finger or skinned knee—can safely and easily be cared for at home. But you need less in your first aid kit than you might have imagined. Here are the basics—some old ideas, some relatively new ones.

Yoga: It’s Got Your Back
The ancient practice of yoga is good for the mind and spirit. It’s also good for the body—and, for the back in particular, according to two recent studies, among the largest randomized controlled trials on yoga ever done.

Muscle in a Bottle?
Ads for Ensure Muscle Health claim that this new nutrition beverage helps counter the natural muscle loss that occurs with aging. Its trademark Revigor ingredient is hydroxymethyl-butyrate (HMB), derived from the amino acid leucine. An 8-ounce bottle also contains 13 grams of protein, along with 24 vitamins and minerals. For best results, you’re supposed to drink two bottles a day, in combination with exercise. A few studies have shown that HMB increases lean muscle mass in healthy adults. But there’s much conflicting evidence, and a number of studies show little or no benefit from

ASK THE EXPERTS
Our readers ask: Are there any good prescription or over-the-counter diet drugs? Does freezing kill bacteria in food—does it destroy nutrients? How much protection do disposable gloves provide at the deli counter and elsewhere? Full Story

WELLNESS TIPS

• Even if your blood pressure is only mildly elevated, you’re still at high risk for a stroke and should take steps to lower it. A new analysis and found that people in the upper half of “prehypertension”—systolic blood pressure between 130 and 139 and/or diastolic pressure between 85 and 89 (hypertension starts at 140/90)—have an 80 percent higher risk of having a stroke than those with normal blood pressure.

• If you have arthritis, make a special effort to stay physically active, especially in winter. Many people think that cold, damp weather worsens arthritis symptoms, but studies have been unable to prove this. One thing is certain, though: If cold, inclement weather and shorter days keep you inside and prevent you from staying active, that can worsen arthritis symptoms.

• If you’re a man with erectile dysfunction (ED), taking steps to protect your heart may also improve your sexual functioning. Men with ED tend to have multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease and an elevated incidence of it. Many of these risk factors—notably diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and being sedentary—can also cause or worsen ED.

• Ever get printed results of lab tests from your doctor that you can’t figure out? What is that test (HDL is “good” cholesterol, but what is ALT, creatinine or albumin?) and what do those numbers mean? You’re better off asking your doctor, but an excellent website called labtestsonline.org can answer many of your questions.

• If you consume vitamin-D-fortified foods, be aware that the Daily Value listed on nutrition labels is out-of-date and too low. The Daily Value for vitamin D is still 400 IU, but the Institute of Medicine (IOM) now recommends 600 IU a day for adults through age 70, and 800 IU a day for those over 70.

• Forget about whole-body vibration machines as a way to reduce bone loss. These devices, which involve standing on an oscillating platform, have been touted as a therapy for osteoporosis, based on positive findings in animals. But a Canadian study found that a year of vibration therapy had no effect on bone density or structure.