Preventing Allergies

I’m Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV with this week’s discoveries and breakthroughs
How allergy shots may protect expectant Moms and their babies.
The dangers of combining one common painkiller with alcohol.
And why the Mediterranean diet matters in middle age.

First this week…good news for expectant Moms who manage their allergies with shots. Early indications suggest the allergy protection may pass from mother to child in the womb.

Since allergies tend to run in families, researchers looked at records from 143 allergic moms and their kids. They evaluated the child’s chances of having asthma, allergies or eczema if Mom got allergy shots before or during pregnancy.

When the numbers were crunched, the researchers found a strong association between immunotherapy and a child’s allergy risk. Enough to call for more research.

There is no cure for allergies, but allergy shots may be a cost effective way to fight back.

Up next…a warning about alcohol and acetaminophen.

New research shows even small doses of the two taken in combination can damage the kidneys.

Using data from more than 10-thousand people who took part in a National health survey…the researchers analyzed information about alcohol consumption, use of acetaminophen, and other health conditions.

Neither taking a therapeutic amount of acetaminophen…nor light to moderate drinking was a problem for the kidneys….when done separately.

But when taken at the same time…the risk of kidney dysfunction went up 123-percent!

Finally this week, more praise for the Mediterranean diet

Researchers reviewed dietary data from more than 10-thousand women who were in their late 50s and early 60s at the time of the survey. They checked back on them 15 years later.

Those who followed a Mediterranean- or similar-type diet were healthier as they got older…with greater odds of surviving past the age of 70 with no chronic illnesses, mental or physical impairment.

The key to the diet is eating more Omega-rich fish, plant foods, and whole grains. Limiting alcohol and eating less red and processed meats also may have contributed to this healthy aging.

I’m Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV with news from today that can lead to healthy tomorrows.