Health Highlights: Sept. 6, 2008

• Salmonella Cases Prompt Alfalfa Sprout Recall in Northwest
• Good Protein Breakfast May Aid Weight Loss
• Nicotine May Enhance Other Experiences: Study
• Fablyn Increases Risk of Blood Clots: FDA Document
• U.S. Army Suicides Could Hit Highest Levels Since 2003
• Intellectual Tasks May Boost Calorie Intake

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

Salmonella Cases Prompt Alfalfa Sprout Recall in Northwest

On the heels of the huge nationwide salmonella outbreak that caused more than 1,400 illnesses from Mexican peppers, a regional Oregon alfalfa sprout distributor has recalled its product in Oregon and Washington state after the sprouts were linked to 13 cases of salmonellosis .

According to the Seattle Times, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and health officials in Oregon announced a recall of Sprouter's Northwest brand alfalfa sprouts after 13 people in the two states showed signs of salmonellosis after consuming the sprouts. No deaths have been reported.

Sprouters Northwest, headquartered in Kent, Ore., voluntarily recalled its alfalfa sprout products, the newspaper reports. They are distributed in grocery stores, supermarkets and used in restaurants. The first incidents of salmonella poisoning -- which can cause diarrhea, fever and vomiting -- were reported in early August, the newspaper reports.

This is the second suspected salmonella outbreak involving Sprouter's Northwest, the Times reports. The company recalled alfalfa sprouts in Washington and Oregon in 2004 after 12 people became ill, according to the USDA Web site.

Any Sprouter's Northwest products should be thrown away or returned, the newspaper reports.

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Good Protein Breakfast May Aid Weight Loss

Eating good-quality protein at breakfast may help people lose weight, suggests a Purdue University study.

The researchers found that overweight or obese men in the study who ate eggs and lean Canadian bacon in the morning had a greater sense of sustained fullness throughout the day, compared to when they ate more protein at lunch or dinner, United Press International reported.

"There is a growing body of research which supports eating high-quality protein foods when dieting to maintain a sense of fullness," study author Wayne Campbell said in a news release. "This study is particularly unique in that it looked at the timing of protein intake and reveals that when you consume more protein may be a critical piece of the equation."

The men in the study ate a calorie-reduce diet with two variations of protein intake -- 11 to 14 percent or 18 to 25 percent of daily calories. Both were within U.S. nutrition recommendations for normal protein intake, UPI reported.

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Nicotine May Enhance Other Experiences: Study

The way nicotine enhances other experiences may have something to do with its addictive quality, according to a Kansas State University study in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

Most research on nicotine focuses on the drug itself, rather than other aspects such as social factors, noted lead author Matthew Palmatier, United Press International reported.

"People have very regimented things they do when they smoke," Palmatier said in a news release. "People smoke in very specific places, often with a specific group of people. Maybe it's a reason why nicotine is so addictive -- if you get used to having that extra satisfaction from things you normally enjoy, not having nicotine could reduce the enjoyment in a given activity."

He said it's necessary to look at the big picture in order to better understand why people smoke, even though most of them are fully aware of the health risks

"(Smokers) want to quit but can't. It's not because nicotine is a potent drug; it doesn't induce significant amounts of pleasure or euphoria. Yet, it's just as difficult, if not more difficult, to quit than other drugs," said Palmatier, UPI reported.

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Fablyn Increases Risk of Blood Clots: FDA Document

While the new osteoporosis drug Fablyn has been shown to be effective in postmenopausal women with a higher risk of bone fractures, the drug also increased the risk of blood clots and invasive gynecological visits, says a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory board briefing document released Thursday.