Health Report

By Lawrence Mondi

THE GOOD NEWS

DEEP CUT In the largest study of its kind, researchers have shown that the benefits of a low-fat diet aren't limited to certain groups. Whether you're young or old, male or female, white or black, cutting fat can lower cholesterol--and the risk of heart disease.

LESS CAN BE MORE A new lower-dose estrogen pill--half as potent as what is commonly prescribed--is an effective alternative for many postmenopausal women.

DOWNWARD TREND For the first time in decades, the number of new cancer cases is dropping. Mortality rates are falling too. Behind the decline: less tobacco use, improved treatments.

Sources: American Heart Association; FDA, Solvay Pharmaceuticals; National Cancer Institute

THE BAD NEWS

NO REST If you use a dietary supplement called Sleeping Buddha, you should stop right away, says the FDA. Marketed as an herbal sleep aid, it actually contains estazolam, a prescription-strength drug that can cause fetal damage if used by pregnant women.

PASS THE SALT--MAYBE Defying conventional wisdom, a new study concludes that a low-salt diet might not be as beneficial as was previously thought, and researchers suspect it might even lead to increased health risks.

BELLYACHES Rates of digestive illnesses are rising, largely because of poor food-handling practices.

Sources: FDA; The Lancet; International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases

--By Lawrence Mondi