Could CBD Treat Opioid Addiction?

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 -- Cannabidiol (CBD) has been receiving a lot of attention lately as a potential treatment for everything from epilepsy to anxiety. Now, researchers report it might also help curb the cravings that come with opioid addiction.

Like marijuana, CBD comes from the cannabis plant. Unlike pot, it does not produce a high.

Earlier Bedtimes Help Kids Fight Obesity

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 -- With childhood obesity rates high, many studies have investigated lifestyle factors that can make a difference -- which ones increase the risk and which ones reduce it.

Beyond diet, a lack of sleep has been linked to weight gain both in adults and children, so it's important that kids get enough shuteye, even with their -- and your -- busy schedules.

Melons Are Powerhouses in Taste, Nutrition

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 -- If you're looking for a tasty way to hydrate in warm weather, a juicy melon is the ticket. Melons are low-calorie, high-water content foods that also provide high doses of certain vitamins, minerals and important phyto-nutrients.

Nutrients in Powerhouse Melons

Cholesterol Levels Improving Among U.S. Kids

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 -- Despite an epidemic of childhood obesity, the cholesterol levels of American kids have been improving over the past 20 years, a new study shows.

Researchers found that since 1999, levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol among U.S. children and teens have declined, while levels of "good" HDL cholesterol have risen.

Are DIY Sunscreens Dangerous?

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 -- Interest in homemade sunscreens is hot, but many of these do-it-yourself brews lack effective sun protection, a new study warns.

Researchers found that only about one-third of homemade sunscreens on the popular information-sharing website Pinterest specified how much sun protection factor (SPF) each "natural" sunblock contained. In some cases, SPF content dipped as low as 2 -- far below recommended guidelines for preventing premature aging and skin cancer.

Your DNA Might Determine Whether You're a Dog Lover

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 -- Could a love for canines be contained in your genes?

New research from Europe suggests that's so after comparing the genetic makeup of more than 35,000 twin pairs with dog ownership. The researchers concluded that genetic variations explained more than half of the likelihood of having a dog.

Cleaner Air Linked to Lower Asthma Rates in Kids

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 -- Air pollution levels have been declining for years, and researchers can now show that cleaner air is linked to fewer kids developing asthma.

The new study looked at nine California communities. The researchers found that reductions in certain pollutants were tied to about a 20% reduction in the odds of children developing asthma, a chronic airway disease.

Diet for Blood Pressure May Also Reduce Heart Failure Risk

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 -- The DASH diet's mission is to fight high blood pressure. But a new study suggests that the eating plan may also significantly lower the risk of heart failure in people younger than 75.

DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The diet is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy products. It's low in salt, red meat, sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages.

For Many With Mild Asthma, Popular Rx May Not Work: Study

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 -- A widely used type of asthma medication may not work in more than half of patients who are prescribed it, new research shows.

Inhaled corticosteroids, which are designed to reduce airway inflammation, are recommended for all patients with persistent asthma.

AHA News: Potentially Fatal Buildup of Proteins in the Heart Often Goes Undiagnosed

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- A potentially fatal buildup of abnormal proteins in the heart and other organs is being delayed in its diagnosis and undertreated -- despite new drugs that can combat it, a new study suggests.

Although the condition, known as transthyretin amyloidosis, is still perceived as rare, advances in imaging techniques have led to greater awareness. Increasingly, it's being recognized as a cause of heart failure in older adults, with autopsy studies showing these proteins in the hearts of 25% of the elderly.