TIPS ON MAKING CHOICES

ASPIRIN VS WARFARIN:  Neither of these offers an overall advantage over the other for preventing strokes or death among people with heart failure but a more normal heart rhythm according to the May 17, 2012, New England Journal of Medicine.  Researchers followed 2,305 patients in 11 countries for up to six years who took either WARFARIN (Coumadin and generic) or a 325-milligram aspirin each day.  Those who took WARFARIN   appeared to have a slightly lower risk of serious bleeding.  The researchers wrote there was “no compelling reason” to use it over its less-expensive cousin. 

CAN SKIM MILK CUT STROKE RISK?   A study of 75,000 Swedish adults age 45 and older, was published in the July 2012 of the Journal Stroke.  Researchers examined eating and drinking habits and found that those who ate the most low-fat dairy (about four servings per day) were 12 percent less likely to suffer a stroke over a 10 year period than those who ate no low fat dairy products

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION ARE COMMON WITH ARTHRITIS:  A survey of l793 adults with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions was published in Arthritis Care & Research.  Thirty one percent reported anxiety 18 percent reported depression, and 15 percent said they had both conditions.  Only half of those affected sought help in the past year. 

TRY A HEALTHIER CONDIMENT:  Ketchup made from organically grown tomatoes had more antioxidants than ketchup from conventionally grown tomatoes in a study of 15 versions.  Researchers said that growing naturally under stressful conditions might lead organic plants to develop more of their own beneficial compounds.