" Tuttle says the approaches are low in cholesterol and saturated fats, even though a Mediterranean diet has more "healthful" fats from olive oil, fish, nuts and other foods. For the study, patients were put on one of the eating plans and tracked for four years. A control group of patients followed neither diet."

" In the end, 83 percent of patients on the Mediterranean or low-fat plans avoided second heart attacks, strokes and other heart problems, compared with 53 percent of those in the control group."

" Research in rats suggests that a berry compound helps prevent the formation of precancerous growths in the colon. The compound is called pterostilbene -- an antioxidant that is believed to reduce the cell damage that can lead to cancer."

" "This study underscores the need to include more berries in the diet, especially blueberries," said Bandaru Reddy, a professor who led the research at Rutgers University in New Jersey."

" For the study, the rats were given a chemical that causes colon cancer. All the animals were fed a balanced diet thereafter, but some rats also received pterostilbene."

" After eight weeks, the rats that got the compound had 57 percent fewer precancerous growths than the other animals. More study is needed, but Reddy said blueberries could be a helpful tool in preventing colon cancer naturally."

" Abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs led to nearly 600,000 emergency-room visits in 2005 -- a 21 percent increase from the previous year."

" A new government report found that most drug-related visits involved multiple substances, often combinations of illicit and legal drugs. Experts say the findings underscore the rampant misuse of prescription medicines."

" "We are in danger of becoming a nation of pill poppers," says John Walters, director of National Drug Control Policy. "Prescription drugs can be lifesaving medicines when used properly, but their misuse can lead to addiction, suffering and even death.""

" About 1.4 million emergency-room visits in
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