Doctor's orders: GPs can improve the quality of their patients' lives by prescribing exercise, according to a new study.
The researchers split almost 900 40- to 79-year-olds into two groups. One got advice and support from exercise specialists, the other did not. Patients started to lead more active lives after being prescribed exercise. Their blood pressure also seemed to drop, although they appeared to be at no less risk of coronary heart disease during the study's short follow-up period.
Breast cancer update
Women with a common thyroid-gland condition appear to be less likely to develop invasive breast cancer. A study of more than 2,000 women found that those newly diagnosed with breast cancer were 60 per cent less likely to have an under-active thyroid gland - hypothyroidism - than a control group of healthy women. Researchers also found that women with histories of hypothyroidism got less aggressive breast cancer. They are hopeful their results may be the basis of a treatment that targets thyroid-hormone receptors in a bid to prevent breast cancer.
Sunny babies
Breastfed babies need supplementary vitamin D to ward off rickets, according to a report in American Pediatrics. Rickets is a bone-softening disease that can retard growth, bow the legs and lead to respiratory and heart problems. Exposure to the sun normally generates vitamin D in the skin, but sunblock stops that process, according to the report.
Complementary tickets
An aromatherapist, an Alexander technique teacher and a psychotherapist who specialises in stress-related conditions will be among the experts on hand at a complementary healthcare day in Dublin on April 27th organised by Yoga Therapy Ireland. Tickets (€60) from 01-2352120.
Foster families
Two in five foster carers are related to the children they foster, according to the first comprehensive study of foster parents in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area. Relatives should be considered first if other factors are satisfactory, according to Counting on Foster Care.
• Lifelines is compiled by Dr Muiris Houston and Sylvia Thompson
lifelines@irish-times.ie