Altermedicine.org

Almost nine in 10 people are not aware of the risks of carrying extra fat around their waistline.

A survey of 12,000 Europeans found most had no idea that a thick waist was a sign of a build-up of a dangerous type of fat around the internal organs. This "visceral fat" is strongly linked with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

It is thought that the danger of visceral fat is related to the release of proteins and hormones that can cause inflammation, which in turn can damage arteries and enter your liver, and affect how your body breaks down sugars and fats.

Homeopathic philosophy emphasizes adjusting medications and dosages in precise ways according to how each individual happens to feel -- as opposed to mainstream medicine, which tends toward broad and sweeping approaches.

In homeopathy there is no single best remedy for any given ailment or even individual.  Remedies are selected based on your specific flu symptoms or clusters of them. Here is a list matching some homeopathic remedies with flu symptoms, so you can see which will relieve the particular aches and pains that are plaguing you.

• When you first begin to notice you aren’t feeling well in a "flu-ish" way, take Anas Barbaria (also known as Oscillococcinum), which studies show may shorten flu duration

• Coldlike symptoms, such as exhaustion, anxiety, chills, diarrhea and vomiting, and thirst for warm water. Remedy: Arsenicum album.

• Severely aching joints, discomfort when moving, hard, dry cough, and intense thirst for cold drinks. Remedy: Bryonia alba.

• Sensitivity to both hot and cold temperatures, thick coating on the tongue, bad breath, raw and sore throat, excessive saliva production, and possibly profuse sweating. Remedies: Mercurius solubilis or Mercurius vivus.

• Digestive distress, stomach cramps, nausea, chills, and irritability. Remedy: Nux vomica.

• Stiff muscles and joints that can be soothed by heat, restlessness, and discomfort in any position. Remedy: Rhus toxicodendron.

When pouring out doses of medicine, use an exact measuring device rather than a common kitchen spoon.  A new study suggests that depending on the spoon’s size, people tend to pour too little or too much.

The study involved nearly 200 university students who were asked to pour a teaspoon of liquid medicine into a medium-sized spoon and a large spoon. Participants poured an average of 4.58 mL, or about 8 percent less than prescribed, into the medium spoon, and 5.58 mL, or nearly 12 percent more for the larger spoon. Even so, the students indicated above-average confidence that their pouring was accurate.

Twelve percent once every few hours for multiple days can add up -- to the point of ineffectiveness or even danger.

If you think you need an antidepressant because "things just don't feel like they used to" -- as a TV ad for the antidepressant Zoloft describes it -- you might want to think again.

A new study finds that the medications work no better than a placebo in those with mild or even moderate depression.

People with milder depression symptoms can have noticeable sleep difficulties and feelings of dread. Their symptoms can be improved through techniques such as exercise, or making time to socialize with friends.