By now, we’ve all heard that high-fat diets are bad for our health in the long run. But what about the short-term?

A new study on rats finds that 10 days of eating a high-fat diet caused short-term memory loss and made exercise difficult. While the finding may not seem a big surprise, researchers say it might suggest that high-fat diets make humans lazy and stupid.

“Western diets are typically high in fat and are associated with long-term complications, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart failure, yet the short-term consequences of such diets have been given relatively little attention,” said Andrew Murray, co-author of the study and currently at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. “We hope that the findings of our study will help people to think seriously about reducing the fat content of their daily food intake to the immediate benefit of their general health, well-being, and alertness.”

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There may come a time when it becomes clear that your doctor is not providing you with the best possible care. Leaving your doctor can be difficult, especially if you have built a relationship with him or her over a long period of time. But for your own health and well being, the break up is something you must do.

Dr. Samantha Collier’s five tips will help you know when it’s time to move on.

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New FTC rule requires physicians, hospitals to help deter identity theft

Ms. “Castro was finishing the paperwork to buy her first home when the bank called to warn her of a problem – nearly $10,000 in unpaid hospital bills on her credit report. The charges were for several ear, nose and throat procedures done at hospitals in her region. But they weren’t for her.”

She was an insured medical student, and the charges had been there for several years. A thief had used her personal data to get medical care.

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ATLANTA (September 15, 2009) – MedsFile.com is pleased to announce that a team of MedsFile.com representatives, led by president M. Alester Spears, will be attending the MGMA 2009 Annual Conference.

The MGMA 2009 Annual Conference is an educational program for administrators, executives, managers, physicians, nurses, health administration students and faculty, and other business professionals involved in managing a medical group practice focused on the challenges of today’s health care organizations.

This year, the MGMA 2009 Annual Conference will be held on October 11-14 in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. The MGMA Annual Conference is the largest professional development and networking conference for medical practice administrators.

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Medicare beneficiaries use the internet according to Kaiser Permanente. The California-based healthcare organization surveyed 4,560 seniors. These patients used computers, and researched chronic conditions and prescriptions. 87 percent of those surveyed were satisfied with the technology.

“The extraordinarily high satisfaction rate of the survey respondents – all 65 and older – reinforces what we are learning among the general population: When a PHR like My Health Manager is thoughtfully designed for an easy and convenient user experience, individuals will engage more fully in managing their own health, said Jan Oldenburg, senior practice leader of the Internet services group health portfolio at Kaiser Permanente.”

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Do you ask for the cost of a repair or an item prior to buying it? Then why don’t many of us ask about the cost of our health care?

“According to a recent survey by Consumer Reports National Research Center, only 31 percent of Americans have tried to negotiate the price of their medical bills” but, research shows that your effort to do so can be successful. Here are 5 ways to lower your medical bills:

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No. 1 – Acai – Nature’s Energy Fruit

“Harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, acai tastes like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate. Hidden within its royal purple pigment is the magic that make it nature’s perfect energy fruit. Acai is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids.”

No. 2 – The Alliom Family – Onions, Garlic, Leeks Shallots and Scallions

This family of foods contains flavonoids that “stimulate the production glutathione (the tripeptide that is the liver’s most potent antioxidant)”. This substance enhances the elimination of carcinogens and toxins, and this this family of foods at the top of the list to help prevent cancer.

No. 3 – Barley

This is an ancient grain which tends to be overlooked today. It has great health benefits, a delightful flavor, and can be used in just so many ways. Try it in soups, stews, and as a rice substitute. Barley is a low-glycemic grain which is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. This promotes a health digestive tract.

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ATLANTA (September 1, 2009) – MedsFile.com is pleased to announce the addition of Jeffrey. J. Albert, MD, to its growing staff. As the company’s medical director, Dr. Albert will bring a unique, physician-oriented perspective to the Personal Health Record (PHR) system.

“We are so happy to have Dr. Albert as a member of our team,” said MedsFile.com’s President M. Alester Spears. “His knowledge and professional expertise will be invaluable to us as we build out our consumer PHR and create our Provider Portal.”

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