Health Notes:
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A look at the latest medical studies and trends
Let Backus staff answer your health questions
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Monkeys on restricted diet may offer hope for health
A study on aging rhesus monkeys suggests that peoplemay be able to combat the usual diseases of old age and extend their life span by restricting calories. Results from one of two ongoing studies were reported recently in Science. The study was conducted by a teamat the University of Wisconsin, where one group of monkeys were given a healthy diet, with 30% fewer calories than usual. Now, 20 years after the study began, the monkeys are showing beneficial signs of caloric resistance, including less diabetes, cancer and brain and heart disease. Some critics say it is still too early to see the full results.
Pandemic flu vaccine to be offered
The federal government plans to be proactive about fighting the flu this fall by offering vaccine against the H1N1 influenza virus. Children, pregnant women, adults with chronic illnesses, and healthcare workers would probably be first in line for the vaccine. School children may be offered the vaccine at schools, depending on the decision of local health officials. The federal government should get about 100 million doses of vaccine by mid-October, if the current production by five companies goes as planned. But enough vaccine for wide use by the 120 million people especially vulnerable to the newly emerged strain of H1N1 influenza virus will not be available until later in the fall.