Doctor's Orders: Dec. 26, 2005

TWO CUPS A DAY KEEP CANCER AWAY

A Swedish study of 61,057 women, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, finds that two or more cups of tea a day--most women in the study favored black tea--can lower the risk of ovarian cancer 46%.

BUT FIBER MAY NOT DO THE SAME

A high-fiber diet is a good thing all around--it cuts the risk of heart disease and diabetes and promotes weight loss (see above)--but a study in J.A.M.A. found that it doesn't reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

TOO POOR TO GET A HEART

A study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reveals that about 23% of the hearts donated for transplant in the U.S. come from people with no health insurance--who probably couldn't have afforded a transplant (cost: nearly $400,000) had they needed one.

FISHING FOR BRAIN FOOD

Eating fish can shave years off your mental age, say Rush University researchers, who studied mental function in 3,718 adults 65 and older. Those who ate fish--rich in omega-3 fatty acids--once a week slowed their rate of cognitive decline 10%. That's equivalent to being three years younger and sharper.