Health Beat
The latest health news and what it means to you

The findings: Taking iron supplements may aid fertility. Harvard University researchers examined data from 18,500 women who either tried to become pregnant or became pregnant during an eight-year period. They found that women who took high-dose iron supplements (41 milligrams or more) had a 62 percent lower risk of infertility from an ovulation disorder than women not taking supplements. Similarly, women with high intakes of iron from non-animal sources also had reduced risk for fertility problems.
What you should do: If a baby is in your plans, talk to your doctor about taking an iron supplement and include in your diet plenty of non-animal sources of iron such as fortified cereals, soybeans, tofu, lentils, spinach, raisins and beans (kidney, lima, navy, black, pinto). 

The findings: Breast cancer in the family increases your risk for ovarian cancer. National Cancer Institute researchers looked at the family breast cancer histories of nearly 50,000 women. During follow-up, they found 362 cases of ovarian cancer. Having a first- or second-degree relative with breast cancer was associated with a 40 percent increased risk for ovarian cancer. The risk was higher among women who had a personal history of breast cancer and two first-degree relatives who had breast cancer, with at least one having had the disease before age 50.
What you should do: Because ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage, ask your doctor how your family history factors into your decisions about genetic testing, screening frequency or preventive measures.

The findings: Women over-indulge at restaurants. Although women usually skipped dessert, they still ate more fat and calories when they dined away from home, according to a study in the Western Journal of Nursing Research. Women who were binge-eaters especially tended to overeat when they ate out, suggesting that binge-eating isn’t limited to the privacy of one’s home. These overindulgences amount to an extra 200 to 300 calories and 10 to 16 grams of additional fat—which can add up to an extra 12 pounds over the course of a year.
What you should do: Eat a few more meals at home, split entrees with a friend, choose low-fat menu items and avoid unlimited buffets.

The findings: Drinking cola may weaken your bones. Tufts University researchers evaluated the bone mineral density and cola drinking habits of more than 2,500 people in the Framingham Osteoporosis Study. In women, just four cola drinks a week was associated with lower bone mineral density. Cola’s effect on bones was seen regardless of age, calcium and vitamin D intake and whether the women smoked, drank alcohol or had reached menopause. Experts say caffeine, already known to lower bone mineral density, likely plays a role. But because the effect was also seen with decaffeinated colas, they suggest the colas’ phosphoric acid, which can leech calcium from bone, is also at work.
What you should do: Save cola for an occasional treat. Got milk instead?