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TUESDAY, Sept. 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Childhood risk for developing the allergic/autoimmune disorder known as celiac disease might be eliminated if infants were exposed to gluten as early as 4 months of age, new British research suggests. The observation is based on work with 1,300 infants. Half were exposed to solid foods -- including wheat protein -- at an age that conflicts with current breastfeeding guidelines. Among those who were, none developed celiac disease. "It was a surprise," said study author Dr. Gideon Lack. "But if this study is correct, it would indicate that in order to prevent the development of celiac disease, we would need to introduce significant quantities of wheat into a baby's diet as of 4 months of life." But the finding is not the final word on the...

TUESDAY, Sept. 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Is the coronavirus pandemic driving people to drink? Yes, a new U.S. survey shows, and the greatest spike in alcohol use is being seen in women. Overall, there was a 14% jump in drinking frequency this past spring among U.S. adults over 30 when compared to last year at the same time, researchers found. Among women, drinking frequency went up 17%. But excessive alcohol use among women really stood out. During the early months of the pandemic, there was a 41% rise in how often women indulged in binge drinking, meaning having four or more drinks in under two hours. That translated into one in five women drinking heavily one more day each month than they had a year earlier. "Our study shows that people drank more frequently, and for women in...

TUESDAY, Sept. 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- More and more people are turning to "intermittent fasting" to lose weight, but the jury is still out on whether the tactic works. In a new clinical trial, researchers found that one type of intermittent fasting did help overweight and obese adults drop a couple of pounds over 12 weeks. But they fared no better than a comparison group who ate whenever they wanted. The findings conflict with some recent studies suggesting the diets are effective. And researchers said this is not the final word on intermittent fasting. For one, many people find the tactic easy to follow, according to Krista Varady, a professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago. And that's a plus, she said, since lasting weight loss requires sustainable...

TUESDAY, Sept. 29, 2020 (American Heart Association News) -- Teacher Zach Nelson spent most of his Sunday preparing for the week ahead, working deep into the evening. He put his 5-year-old son to bed, then returned to his laptop to continue with his lesson plans. Zach felt tired, even dozing off a few times. But it was late, so each time he awoke, it made sense. Then he awoke in the intensive care unit. Four days later. That made no sense. On Jan. 22, 2017, Zach's wife, Leah, had gone to bed but was restless waiting for him to join her. Then she heard what sounded like a choking sound. Thinking it was the couple's dog Ike, Leah called for Zach to check on him. When Zach didn't answer, Leah – who was nearly 6 months pregnant – went out to investigate. She found her husband in his...