- Aggressive Blood Sugar Reduction in Diabetics Shows No Benefit, Study Confirms
- Many Americans Stressed About Money: Survey
- Cereal Recalled Due to Undeclared Tree Nuts
- Regranex Diabetic Foot Gel Carries Cancer Death Warning
- High-Protein, Low-Fat Dairy Diet Prevents Bone Loss
- College Teens Less Likely to Have Risky Sex
Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:
Aggressive Blood Sugar Reduction in Diabetics Shows No Benefit, Study Confirms
Mirroring an American study done earlier this year, Australian researchers have found that aggressive treatment of patients with diabetes doesn't reduce the number of heart problems or deaths any more than standard diabetes treatment.
The Associated Press reports the study, coupled with the previous American research, was presented over the weekend at an American Diabetes Association meeting in San Francisco. Partial results of the American research were published in February 2008 in the New England Journal of Medicine, the A.P. said. That study was halted when the number of deaths increased after aggressive diabetes treatment was administered.
Aggressive treatment in these studies was defined as drastically lowering blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, the wire service said. Nearly 21 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, according to estimates from the U.S. government's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
The Australian study found that, after pushing blood sugar levels in diabetics down to near normal levels, there was no difference in the number of heart-related deaths -- including heart attacks and strokes -- between those who got the aggressive treatment or the standard treatment, the A.P. reported.
The only positive benefit, the wire service said, was that there was a 20 percent reduction in kidney problems among those who received aggressive treatment.
-----
Many Americans Stressed About Money: Survey
Three-quarters of American adults are stressed about money and worried about their financial future, according to a new survey released by the American Psychological Association.
The survey of 2,529 adults, conducted between April 7 and 15, found that more than 50 percent reported that they're experiencing stress over housing costs and 48 percent said job stability is a source of stress, United Press International reported.
In addition, 61 percent said family responsibilities are causing them stress, and 57 percent said they have health-related concerns.
"With higher prices, the rising cost of gas and constant media coverage of the state of the economy, many Americans are stressed about the state of their finances," psychologist Katherine Nordal of the APA said in a prepared statement, UPI reported.
She suggested people "analyze their priorities and figure out new ways to manage your stress, and take control of your finances. Pause but don't panic -- remain calm, stay focused and avoid getting caught up in the doom-and-gloom hype in the media."
-----
Cereal Recalled Due to Undeclared Tree Nuts
About 12,553 cases of Post LiveAction Mixed Berry Crunch Cereal are being recalled because some of the boxes may contain undeclared tree nuts (almonds, pecans and/or walnuts).
People with an allergy or severe sensitivity to these nuts may suffer a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they eat the cereal, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
The recall includes 13-ounce boxes with the UPC code 0043000023890, which were distributed across the United States. People who allergic to tree nuts should not eat this cereal and can call Kraft Foods at 1-866-771-1511 for a full refund.
Kraft confirmed the presence of tree nuts in the cereal after it received a consumer report of an allergic reaction. The company is investigating the situation and believes it was caused by a supplier error.
-----
Regranex Diabetic Foot Gel Carries Cancer Death Warning
A strong "black box" warning about the risk of cancer death has been added to Johnson & Johnson's Regranex Gel, a topical cream used to treat diabetes patients with leg and foot ulcers that aren't healing.
