Breast-Feeding May Have Dental Benefits, Study Suggests

By Tara Haelle
HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, June 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The more babies breast-feed, the less likely it is that they will develop any kind of misalignment in their teeth later on, a new study shows.

But pacifiers can negate some of that potential benefit, even if the children are breast-feeding, the Australian researchers said.

“While most benefits of breast-feeding can be attributed to the breast-milk, this study highlights one of the ways that the actual act of breast-feeding imparts its own benefits,” said Dr. Joanna Pierro, a pediatric chief resident at Staten Island University Hospital in New York City.

“While it is well established that exclusively breast-fed babies are at a decreased risk of dental malocclusion [misalignment], this study revealed the differences between those exclusively breast-fed versus those who are predominantly breast-fed,” said Pierro, who was not involved in the study.

“Since many breast-fed babies today are partially fed breast-milk from a bottle, this research reveals how this difference affects the oral cavity,” she added.

The researchers, led by Karen Peres at the University of Adelaide in Australia, tracked just over 1,300 children for five years, including how much they breast-fed at 3 months, 1 year and 2 years old. The study authors also asked how often the children used a pacifier, if at all, when the kids were 3 months, 1 year, 2 and 4. About 40 percent of the children used a pacifier daily for four years.

When the children were 5, the researchers determined which of them had various types of misaligned teeth or jaw conditions, including open bite, crossbite, overbite or a moderate to severe misalignment.

The risk of overbite was one-third lower for those who exclusively breast-fed for three to six months compared to those who didn’t, the findings showed. If they breast-fed at least six months or more, the risk of overbite dropped by 44 percent.

Similarly, children who exclusively breast-fed for three months to six months were 41 percent less likely to have moderate to severe misalignment of the teeth. Breast-feeding six months or longer reduced their risk by 72 percent.

The findings were published online June 15 in the journal Pediatrics.

While the study found an association between breast-feeding and dental health, it did not prove a cause-and-effect link.

But Peres offered some possible explanations for the association.

“The plausible mechanisms which may explain the association between exclusive breast-feeding and lower risk of having [misaligned teeth or jaws] . . . include the adequate development of the orofacial structures in children who are breast-fed, such as proper muscular tone and nasal breathing,” Peres said. “In addition, children who are breast-fed are less likely to use a pacifier, which is considered a risk factor for malocclusion.”

Pierro explained it this way.

“Unlike feeding with a bottle, breast-feeding requires the baby to move her jaw and tongue in ways that help develop the oral cavity,” she said. “So long before baby breaks her first tooth, she is creating the foundation for proper alignment of the teeth.”

The findings may also reflect the effects of a baby getting regular jaw exercise through the act of breast-feeding, suggested Dr. Danelle Fisher, vice chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif.

“Breast-feeding requires the use of jaw muscles more so than bottle-feeding, so the mechanics of breast-feeding stimulate muscle tone in the jaw,” Fisher said.

Open bite, overbite and moderate to severe misalignment were generally less common overall among the children who mostly or exclusively breast-fed. Children who mostly breast-fed but also used pacifiers, however, were slightly more likely to have one of these misalignment issues, the study found.

“Pacifiers are used for non-nutritive sucking but when overused, they can put pressure on the developing jaw and lead to more problems in older children with malocclusion [teeth/jaw misalignment],” Fisher said.

That does not mean parents need to toss the pacifiers, however. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents consider using a pacifier for an infant’s first six months because pacifiers are associated with a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

“Most infants need to suck for comfort or non-nutritive sucking,” Fisher said. “Pacifiers can be helpful in the newborn period and even help reduce incidents of SIDS in infants who sleep with them.”

Instead, parents should simply limit pacifier use, she said. In addition, pacifiers are not needed past the first six to 12 months, Fisher said, so parents can begin weaning after that time.

More information

For more about breast-feeding and its benefits, visit the U.S. Office on Women’s Health.

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U.S. Hospitals Seeing More Kids With Self-Inflicted Injuries

By Amy Norton
HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, June 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A growing number of U.S. kids are landing in the ER because of self-inflicted injuries, a new study finds.

Between 2009 and 2012, self-injuries accounted for a rising percentage of children’s emergency room trips — increasing from 1.1 percent to 1.6 percent of all visits.

Most of the time, researchers found, the injuries were not life-threatening, and included acts such as cutting, piercing and burning.

But, while the total numbers remained relatively low, experts said the increase in self-injuries is concerning.

“I do think this is worrisome,” said Aleta Angelosante, a child psychologist at NYU Langone Medical Center, in New York City.

In part, that’s because ER visits account only for kids who are injured seriously enough to need quick medical attention, according to Angelosante, who was not involved in the study.

Gretchen Cutler, the study’s lead researcher from Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, agreed.

Because acts like cutting or burning can be easily hidden, ER records would capture only a small percentage of all kids who harm themselves, Cutler said.

Plus, she said, kids who self-harm are at higher-than-average risk of eventually attempting suicide.

The study, published online June 15 and in the July print issue of Pediatrics, pulled information from a national database on trauma patients. It included almost 287,000 10- to 18-year-olds who were treated in an ER between 2009 and 2012.

Overall, 1.3 percent of those kids — nearly 3,700 — were diagnosed with a self-inflicted injury. The most common cause was cutting, followed by firearm injuries. Burns, intentional falls, suffocation and poisoning were among the other ways kids hurt themselves.

Just over 4 percent died from their injuries — making kids who self-harm 13 times more likely to die in the ER than kids treated for other reasons.

There was, however, one bright spot in the findings, Cutler said: Firearm injuries actually declined over time, from 27 percent of all self-inflicted injuries, to 22 percent.

“It is good to see that decrease,” Angelosante agreed, “especially given the higher fatality rate with firearm injuries.”

Cutler said it’s not clear why those injuries declined, while self-injuries overall rose. It’s possible that adults are doing a better job of keeping firearms away from kids, she speculated.

“Or,” Cutler said, “there may have been a shift in the mechanisms kids are using to self-injure.”

Cutting injuries increased over time, and it was particularly common among girls — accounting for almost half of their self-inflicted injuries.

Why do some kids hurt themselves, without any suicidal intent? “Most often, they’re looking for a way to manage emotional turmoil,” Angelosante said. “They might be sad, or anxious, or angry. And something about the physical pain helps with the (emotional) stress.”

There can be other reasons, too. Some kids do it because they have a sense of being “numb,” and want to feel something, Angelosante said. For others, self-harm is their way of revealing how emotionally overwhelmed they are.

“I think we need more programs in place to help prevent these kinds of behaviors, and to help kids deal with stress,” Cutler said.

Often, when kids are treated for self-injuries in the ER, a social worker or psychologist will be brought in to do an evaluation. Then they’ll work with families to set up some kind of post-discharge plan, Angelosante said.

But, Cutler pointed out, hospitals vary in the types of resources they have, so not all kids will get the same level of help.

For parents, Angelosante said, it’s important to be aware that kids sometimes try self-harm as a way to deal with stress. She pointed to some red flags: Is your child suddenly covering up his skin more than usual? Is she quickly going through bandages or razors?

If a child has a self-inflicted injury, the first step is to have a doctor check it out, to be sure it’s not serious, Angelosante said.

“Then you have to talk to them about how they’re feeling,” she said. “What caused them to do this? Focus on that, rather than the self-harming behavior, itself.”

Some kids, Angelosante said, try self-harm once and feel nothing positive from it. They might not need mental-health counseling, she said.

On the other hand, she added, kids who habitually self-harm probably need professional help to deal with the underlying issues.

More information

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has more on self-inflicted injuries.

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5 Delicious Banana-Free Smoothie Recipes

Bananas are ubiquitous in smoothie recipes, but don’t go bananas if you’re allergic to the tropical fruits, don’t like them, or just don’t have any on hand: You don’t have miss out on good-for-you shakes. Just blend up one of these ‘nana-free treats and sip away.

A few notes:

• For all of these recipes, combine the ingredients in a blender—preferably high-speed, like the Vitamix ($382, amazon.com)—and blend until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add water a bit at a time until it’s the consistency you like.
• We gave suggested serving sizes, but remember that smoothie calories add up. Have a larger serving if the smoothie is a meal. If it’s a snack, pour it into a smaller cup and sip slowly.
• Don’t leave out the pinch of salt. Your smoothie won’t be salty, but it will have a brighter flavor.
• If you’re going to use almond milk, beware of packaged brands with fillers and sweeteners. One way to avoid all that is to make your own; it’s super-easy to DIY.

RELATED: 8 Smoothie Bowl Recipes You’ll Love

Strawberry Basil Smoothie

Photo: Beth Lipton

Serves: 1

1 cup milk (dairy, almond, rice, coconut) or plain yogurt

1 cup frozen strawberries

1/2 cup frozen spinach

¼ cup fresh basil leaves

2 Tbsp. hemp seeds or almond butter

1 Tbsp. honey

½ tsp. vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

RELATED: Trying To Eat Right? Go Natural!

Peachy-Green Smoothie

Photo: Beth Lipton

Serves: 1

1 cup milk (dairy, almond, rice, coconut) or plain yogurt

1 1/2 cups frozen peach slices

1/2 cup frozen spinach

2 Tbsp. flax-chia or flax-hemp blend (such as Carrington Farms, $6.50 for 12 oz., amazon.com)

1 tsp. greens powder, optional (I like Sunfood Sun Is Shining, $40 for 8 oz., amazon.com)

1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup or honey

¼ tsp. ground ginger, optional

Pinch of salt

RELATED: 26 Quick, Healthy Juice and Smoothie Recipes

Mighty Mango-Coconut Smoothie

Photo: Beth Lipton

Serves: 1

1 1/4 cups frozen mango chunks

1/2 cup frozen spinach

1 cup full-fat coconut milk

2 Tbsp. hemp or chia seeds, or flax-chia or flax-hemp blend

1 Tbsp. maple syrup or honey

Pinch of salt

RELATED: Eating Smart for Your Whole Body

Fudgesicle Smoothie

Photo: Beth Lipton

Serves: 2

1 cup milk (preferably coconut, but dairy or almond will work. Rice is too thin)

1/3 cup raw cacao powder (such as JoyFuel, $18 for 1 lb., amazon.com)

½ cup frozen spinach

½ avocado, peeled and pitted

3 Tbsp. maple syrup or honey

pinch of salt

1 cup ice cubes

RELATED: Eat By Color

AB&J Smoothie

Photo: Beth Lipton

Serves: 2

1 cup milk (dairy, almond, rice, coconut) or plain yogurt

1/2 cup frozen spinach

1 cup frozen mixed berries

¼ cup almond butter

¼ cup oats

1 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup

Pinch of salt

RELATED: The Health Must-Eat List: Nut Butters

 

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How to Shape Your Waist With Yoga

You don’t have a love-hate relationship with side flab—you want it gone. Here, the moves that help you nix it for good.

I have to admit that ever since I gave birth to my son, Timothy, my midsection has changed—my sides are a little softer than I’d like. I think some of that has to do with not being able to perform certain yoga moves on my belly while I was pregnant.

Our first instinct when working on our abs and waist is to concentrate on our front, but to truly firm up our entire midsection, we need to focus on our back, too. Have you ever noticed how chiseled swimmers’ abs are? It’s because they are mostly prone in a pool, using their core in a 360-degree way.

RELATED: 24 Fat-Burning Ab Exercises (No Crunches!)

These aquatic-inspired poses strengthen your oblique muscles and transverse abdominis, improving the whole package. When my son is playing on the floor, I make it a point to lie down next to him and do these moves. He sometimes even jumps on my back, which adds extra resistance. (Thanks, Timothy!)

Swimming

Photo: Alex Beauchesne; Styling by Karen Shapiro; Hair and Makeup by Angela Huff for Mark Edwards Inc

Start by lying on your belly with arms extended overhead and legs long behind you. On an inhale, lift your right arm and left leg at the same time. Exhale and lower limbs down, then inhale while lifting opposite leg and arm. Continue switching arms and legs for 8 slow reps per side, then hold both arms and legs in the air and alternate lifting them quickly, 8 times per side, as if you were really swimming. Lower down and rest for a few seconds. Repeat the entire sequence.

RELATED: 10 Minutes to a Sculpted Stomach

Locust

Photo: Alex Beauchesne; Styling by Karen Shapiro; Hair and Makeup by Angela Huff for Mark Edwards Inc

Next, lengthen your arms back by your waist, palms facing in. On an inhale, lift your upper body and legs. Hold for a count of 5 deep, full breaths, then lower back down. Rest for 1 breath before lifting up again. Repeat 3 times.

Kristin McGee is a leading yoga and Pilates instructor in New York City. Find her favorite moves and latest inspiration at health.com/kristin.

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Pot ‘Dabbing’ Poses Risk of Serious Burns, Study Warns

By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, June 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A potentially hazardous form of marijuana use called “dabbing” is growing in popularity across the United States, researchers warn.

In dabbing, users inhale through a water pipe the vapor from “dabs” of waxy or solid marijuana concentrate. A piece of superheated metal or glass instantly vaporizes the dab, creating an intense high from a single inhalation.

But the dabs are created using highly volatile butane gas, and a number of fires, explosions and severe burns have been linked to the production of this marijuana concentrate, said study lead author John Stogner, an assistant professor of criminology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

“Given the amount of butane that can build up during this process, these individuals should be worried about any spark from any source,” Stogner said.

Experts also are concerned about the high potency of the dabs, said Heather Senior, parent support network manager for the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.

The crystallized resins created by the process can have a THC concentration approaching 80 percent, the study authors said. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical compound in marijuana that causes intoxication.

“We know that it is more potent than smoking marijuana,” Senior said. “You don’t know what concentrate you’re going to be getting. It’s going to be a much higher dose, and kids might not be used to that.”

The study findings were released online June 15 in Pediatrics.

Dabs, also known as butane hash oil, are created by stuffing marijuana trimmings into a glass, metal or plastic pipe, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Butane is forced into the pipe, and the flammable liquid extracts THC from the plant material.

“There’s a big danger of fire even if they aren’t using some sort of heating device,” Stogner said, noting that butane gas can build up in an enclosed space during the process. The smallest spark can prompt an explosion.

The number of butane explosions linked to dabs and hash oil has nearly tripled in Colorado, jumping from 12 in 2013 to 32 in 2014, according to USA Today.

Last week, David Schultz, 33, of Bellevue, Wash., received a nine-year prison sentence for causing an explosion in an apartment complex while using butane to create marijuana concentrate.

Seven apartment dwellers, including Schultz, were hospitalized following the November 2013 explosion, and an 87-year-old woman died from injuries sustained when she fell while trying to escape from the building, according to the Seattle Times.

Producers of butane hash oil are at high risk, but so too are the people who get high from these substances, Stogner said.

Users of dabs risk severe burns from the piece of very hot metal or glass used to vaporize the dab, particularly if they are handling the device while already impaired, the study authors noted.

Experts also are worried about the other materials that might be contained in the vapor that users inhale. Some benzene likely remains in the dab, and the vapor might also contain gases released by superheated metal, rust and solder, the study authors said.

Dabbing is not a new process, and in previous decades also has been called “hot knifing,” Stogner said.

Senior said dabbing is part of a growing trend in which teenagers are exploring different ways of using marijuana, beyond smoking or eating it.

“The landscape is drastically changing, and parents need to start learning how to have conversations around this with their children,” she said.

More information

For more information on the different ways marijuana is used, visit the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.

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FDA Ban on Harmful Trans Fats Expected Soon

By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter

SUNDAY, June 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Harmful trans fats may soon be banished from America’s food supply, following a U.S. Food and Drug Administration announcement expected any day now.

The move could prevent as many as 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths from heart disease a year, the FDA says.

Most trans fats in food come from partially hydrogenated oils. Up to now, the FDA has designated these oils with “generally recognized as safe” status. That allows manufacturers to use the oils in food without prior FDA approval.

But under the proposed rule on the verge of finalization, the FDA would reclassify partially hydrogenated oils as food additives. This means companies would need federal approval before including them in food products.

“This is going to be a huge public health victory,” said Jim O’Hara, director of health promotion for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which petitioned the FDA to ban trans fats nine years ago. “It’s time to get trans fats out of the food supply.”

Food manufacturers use partially hydrogenated oils to improve the texture, shelf life and long-term flavor of foods, according to the FDA. They are created by pumping hydrogen into vegetable oil to make it more solid.

These oils most often are found in processed foods such as:

• baked goods like cakes, cookies and pies,
• nondairy creamers,
• microwave popcorn,
• frozen pizza,
• margarine and other spreads,
• vegetable shortening,
• refrigerated dough products such as biscuits and cinnamon rolls.

Trans fats are considered even worse than saturated fats such as butter because they simultaneously increase “bad” LDL cholesterol and reduce “good” HDL cholesterol in the body, said Sonya Angelone, a registered dietitian nutritionist in San Francisco.

“Trans fats don’t do anything good for us, and they are in a lot of foods that people like eating,” said Angelone, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “If we get rid of them, it’s going to help people reduce their risks for heart attacks and strokes.”

Companies began cutting back on their use of partially hydrogenated oils in 2006, when the FDA added trans fats to the Nutrition Facts label contained on products, O’Hara said.

Food manufacturers have voluntarily lowered the amounts of partially hydrogenated oils in food products by 86 percent since 2003, and continue to remove them from products, according to a statement released last week by the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

“I think they’ve seen the handwriting on the wall,” Angelone said. “A lot of large companies have already moved to get rid of trans fats.”

In November 2013, the FDA released a tentative determination that partially hydrogenated oils are not generally recognized as safe. It opened the matter up for public comment and has since weighed input from consumers, industry, advocacy groups and academic researchers.

The FDA’s latest statement, issued last week, said the agency “expects to make a final decision whether artificial trans fats, known as partially hydrogenated oils, are generally recognized as safe for use in food in the next several weeks.”

Companies still would be able to petition the FDA to use partially hydrogenated oils as food additives, to help preserve flavor or colors in some foods. The Grocery Manufacturers Association is leading an industry working group that is developing a food additive petition for partially hydrogenated oils, the group said in its statement.

“We hope that the FDA will take a very rigorous and skeptical eye to these petitions,” O’Hara said.

More information

For more on trans fats, visit the American Heart Association.

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Chamomile Tea Tied to Longer Lives for Mexican-American Women

By Randy Dotinga
HealthDay Reporter

SATURDAY, June 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Consumption of chamomile may be linked to a longer lifespan for older Mexican-American women, new research suggests.

The study, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, found that among Mexican-American women who consumed chamomile, the risk of death during the study period was reduced by about 28 percent.

“Drinking chamomile tea is beneficial to the health of Mexican-American women,” said the study’s lead author, Bret Howrey, assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

However, the study only showed evidence of a possible link between chamomile and longer lifespan. It didn’t prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

And at least one nutritionist questioned the validity of the study’s findings.

The herb chamomile is a mainstay of alternative medicine, and practitioners often recommend it to treat conditions like stomach problems and cramps, according to the study. But “few well-designed and controlled human studies have been conducted on the effects of herbal teas or herbal preparations,” said Diane McKay, an assistant professor with the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, who’s familiar with the study findings.

Researchers examined the findings from almost 1,700 Mexican-American people from the southwest United States. They were all 65 and older, and were tracked from 2000 to 2007. About 14 percent of the participants reported using chamomile, according to the study.

Using chamomile didn’t seem to affect lifespan in men, the study found.

When researchers adjusted the statistics to account for factors such as age, smoking and chronic health conditions, they found the odds of dying during the study period were reduced by just over one-quarter in women who used chamomile.

Why might chamomile affect lifespan and health in general? It’s unclear. “Our understanding of chamomile is still really in its infancy,” Howrey said.

He added that the study itself has limitations: It’s based entirely on research into a Mexican-American community. Only 26 percent of those in the study had a normal weight. Also, there’s no information on the overall diet of the participants. Those who consumed chamomile could have healthier diets overall, although the researchers did try to take factors such as fitness and weight into account.

The study also says nothing about people who aren’t Mexican-American, Howrey said. And he noted that the study doesn’t eliminate the possibility that men could benefit from chamomile. The study may not have picked up a benefit for them due to lower rates of chamomile consumption (just 8 percent of men reported using it) or worse health overall, he said.

McKay called the study “deeply flawed.” She said the findings don’t support the idea that chamomile affects lifespan.

Among other weaknesses, she said, the study doesn’t explain how participants consumed chamomile: “We can’t say for sure whether these folks actually drank the same chamomile tea we find on our store shelves, or even how much they drank and how often. No information was collected on the actual form of chamomile used, i.e., whether it was tea, pill or other type of preparation, or whether it was actually consumed rather than used as a lotion or inhaled oil, for example.”

Howrey acknowledged that the study says nothing about how much chamomile to take. Still, he recommends consuming chamomile, especially since it’s “generally non-toxic, relatively inexpensive, and widely available.”

He mentioned one caveat — some people may be allergic to chamomile, especially if they’re allergic to related plants such ragweed.

Howrey said the researchers are continuing to track the older Mexican-Americans. However, “if the effects of brewed chamomile are very subtle and benefits slow to manifest,” a more extensive study would be needed, he said.

The study was published recently in the journal The Gerontologist.

More information

For more about chamomile, try the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

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FDA Approves Brain Stimulation Device for Parkinson’s Disease

FRIDAY, June 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a device that can be implanted into the brain to help people battling Parkinson’s disease.

The Brio Neurostimulation System is “an implantable deep brain stimulation device to help reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor, a movement disorder that is one of the most common causes of tremors,” the FDA said in a news release.

The agency estimates that about 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s annually, while essential tremor affects “several million” people, most over the age of 40.

“There are no cures for Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor, but finding better ways to manage symptoms is essential for patients,” Dr. William Maisel, acting director of the Office of Device Evaluation at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in the news release.

“This new device adds to the array of treatment options to help people living with Parkinson’s and essential tremor enjoy better, more productive lives,” he said.

The device is consists of a small, rechargeable battery-powered “pulse generator” implanted under the skin. Wire leads from the generator lead to specific brain locations, depending on the illness under treatment. People trained in using the devices can adjust the pulse generator’s effects as needed, the FDA said.

The Brio Neurostimulation System was approved based on the results of two clinical trials, one involving 136 patients with Parkinson’s disease who used the device for three months, and another involving 127 patients with essential tremor who used it for six months. In both studies, medications had already failed to control patients’ symptoms, the FDA said.

“Both groups showed statistically significant improvement on their primary effectiveness endpoint when the device was turned on, compared to when it was turned off,” the agency said.

The device does not come without risk, including intracranial bleeding which can lead to stroke, paralysis or death, the FDA said. Infection and device dislocation are also potential risks.

“Brio Neurostimulation System is the second device approved by the FDA for Parkinson’s and essential tremor,” the agency said. “The first device, Medtronic’s Activa Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy System, was approved in 1997 for tremor associated with essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. In 2002, the indications were expanded to include the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.”

More information

There’s more on Parkinson’s disease at the National Parkinson’s Foundation.

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3 News Stories That Will Restore Your Faith in The World

Photo: Getty Images

From prisoner escapes to MERS outbreaks, the news this week got down right depressing. To remember that good things are still happening, we rounded up our favorite feel-good (and do-good) stories of the week.

2 Million Babies Were Saved From This Man’s Blood

Every week for the last 60 years, an Australian man named James Harrison has donated blood plasma from his right arm. His reasoning? “The Man with the Golden Arm,” as he’s nicknamed, received 13 liters of blood from donors during a lung removal operation when he was a child. His life was saved as a result of the donations, Harrison told CNN.

“When I came out of the operation, or a couple days after, my father was explaining what had happened,” Harrison told CNN. “He said I had (received) 13 units (liters) of blood and my life had been saved by unknown people. He was a donor himself, so I said when I’m old enough, I’ll become a blood donor.”

RELATED: 10 Foods Pregnant Women Shouldn’t Eat

Not long after becoming a donor for the first time, he found out that he was the carrier of a rare antibody in his blood that can be used to treat a deadly problem—a condition called rhesus disease, which affects pregnant women and babies. Rhesus disease occurs when a pregnant mom lacks the rhesus antigen in her blood, making her Rhesus-negative, while the baby has Rhesus-positive blood. If this type of mismatch occurs, the woman can develop antibodies that attack the baby’s blood cells, causing anemia and jaundice. (Testing for the disease is part of routine prenatal care.)

Treatment for the disease is an injection called Anti-D,  which can only be created with the help of certain blood donors—like Harrison.

According to the Australian Red Cross, Harrison’s donations have saved the lives of more than 2 million babies.RELATED: Pregnancy and Childbirth Condition Center

The Internet Helped This Paralympic Hopeful Run Again

Fans from around the world rallied together after thieves broke into athlete Paul Peterson’s home in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 3 and stole almost everything. This included competition medals and three of his custom-fit running blades, which halted Peterson’s training for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

After a friend set up a GoFundMe page the next day, the donations began poring in. NBC reports that more than 600 people donated $30,000 over the course of just four days.

Peterson took to his Facebook page to thank his supports and express his excitement to begin training again. “I am truly blessed to be put in the position to see that people do care,” he wrote. “Even more motivated to get back on the track seeing all the comments on the fund me site.”

Peterson, who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident at 15, is now one of the highest-ranked runners in the world.

RELATED: 15 Running Tips You Need to Know

This Service Dog Saved His Blind Owner’s Life

There is nothing more heartwarming than the love of a dog, and this one is one of the best we’ve ever heard.

A service dog from Putnam County, New York, jumped in front of a bus to save his blind owner’s life, CBS New York reported this week.

Figo, a Golden Retriever, was crossing the street with his owner Audrey Stone when he noticed a bus coming their way. Figo moved swiftly from Stone’s right to left side putting himself in the way of the oncoming bus. Even after getting hit, which resulted in a severe leg injury, Figo refused to leave Stone, who had suffered a fractured elbow, ankle and broken ribs.

“I thank him. I thank God that I have him and that he survived too. I love him,”  Stone told CBS New York about her beloved service dog.

RELATED: 12 Ways Pets Improve Your Health

 

 

 

 

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9 Genius Last-Minute Father’s Day Gifts

Father’s Day is June 21, and if you haven’t gotten dear old Dad a gift yet, it’s not too late (and you’re definitely not alone). We surveyed health-conscious dads to find out what’s on their must-have lists:

A VIP-worthy tracker

No question: Trackers are top of mind for a fit father. Everyone seems to be wearing them these days, and Dad ought to be as well. We like the Fitbit Surge ($250, fitbit.com) for all its bells and whistles (GPS, heart rate monitor, activity and sleep tracking, call and text notifications) plus its sleek look. Sporting one also puts you in rarefied company: the First Dad himself has even rocked one.

Photo: courtesy of fitbit.com

DIY massage

The older Dad gets, the more post-workout recovery becomes a must. If you can’t spring for a massage after every run, rolling out your muscles is the next best thing. The benefits of rolling are legion, from boosting mobility to decreasing soreness. Trigger Point’s GRID 2.0 Foam Roller ($65, tptherapy.com) combines the benefits of conventional rollers with the targeted pressure of massage. Ridges on the surface simulate the feeling of a masseuse’s hands, boosting blood flow and enhancing muscle repair.

Photo: courtesy of tptherapy.com

A party on two wheels

Dad knows that cycling while wearing earphones is a bad idea (right?!), but having some tunes on a ride can up motivation and effort. Bone conduction headphones, are an option, but the sometimes tinny sound and rattling feeling is not for everyone. Instead, more and more cyclists are slapping speakers right on their rides. We like Outdoor Technology’s Buckshot Pro ($80, outdoortechnology.com), which plays songs off your phone via Bluetooth. It’s compact (about the size of a Red Bull can), powerful (10 hours of play time), and versatile (it comes with a flashlight attachment and enough battery juice to charge your phone).

Photo: courtesy of outdoortechnology.com

Pants that work for every activity

Lululemon’s Commission Pant ($128, lululemon.com) has a style that’s fully functional, whether Dad’s working in the office or working out at the gym. They’re equipped with stretch fabric  and roll-up cuffs with hidden reflective stripes, so he can even run or bike in them.

Photo: courtesy of lululemon.com

RELATED: Lululemon’s ‘Anti-Ball Crushing’ Pants Are Actually Amazing

Some added spice

An active dad needs healthy grab-and-go snacks, and Kind’s bars fit the bill. Kind’s Nuts & Spice Variety Cube ($40, kindsnacks.com) offers 20 bars with clean ingredients and kick-in-the-pants seasoning. Flavors in the sampler include Maple Glazed Pecan & Sea Salt, Dark Chocolate Chili Almond, and Cashew Ginger Spice, all jammed with protein and each with 5 grams of sugar or less.

Photo: courtesy of kindsnacks.com

A foodie bible

Gourmets will love the simple, innovative, and yes, genius recipes in the Genius Recipes cookbook ($35, amazon.com) from the chefs and writers behind foodie website Food52. Imagine luscious caramel sauce made from just one ingredient (sweet potatoes?!), or the simplest seared fish you’ve ever made (from Le Bernardin, which is only the top seafood restaurant in New York City, if not the entire country). Vegetarians will love superstar chef Dan Barber’s acclaimed cauliflower steaks, and there are sophisticated drinks, too, like a whiskey old fashioned made with an easy DIY coriander syrup.

Photo: courtesy of amazon.com

Jacked-up morning joe

By now, even Dad’s heard about Bulletproof Coffee, which combines brewed coffee made from high-end beans with grass-fed butter and a special form of coconut oil. Though there’s hardly consensus on its purported benefits, some devotees swear the trendy drink is worth a try. If Pop’s game, he might enjoy the Bulletproof Coffee Starter Kit with Brain Octane Oil ($42, upgradedself.com).

Photo: courtesy of upgradedself.com

A better blender

Smoothie lovers need a machine powerful enough to pulverize fruits and veggies in their entirety (stems, seeds, skin and all) in order to get the full benefit of the pulp and fiber. The NutriBullet 600 ($90, nutriliving.com) fits the bill (and also has the firepower to make a mean blended coffee, too).

Photo: courtesy of nutriliving.com

Always-fresh beer

For beer drinkers, there’s nothing better than that first, crisp, hoppy, ice-cold swig from a new bottle. But for those who savor their brews slowly (or have to set them down to man the grill or change a diaper), there’s nothing worse than drinking the warmed-over dregs. The solution: the Hermetus Bottle Opener & Resealer ($9, kaufmann-mercantile.com), a pocket-sized gadget that not only pops your top but can reseal a cap in one easy motion, saving your brew from spills or tasting stale.

Photo: courtesy of kaufmann-mercantile.com

 

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