For Nutritional Punch, You Can't Beat Plant-Based Foods

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Those in the know consider fruits and vegetables among the healthiest foods around.

Not Everyone Shuns Fruits and Veggies

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- The difficulty June Stewart had working vegetables into her day-to-day meals didn't stem from any aversion to them.

Health Tip: Treat Yourself Well During the Holidays

(HealthDay News) -- The holidays can be physically, emotionally and financially overwhelming. So take care to avoid letting the stress of the season get you down.

Health Tip: Eating Healthy for Vegetarians

(HealthDay News) -- Vegetarians are no less susceptible than others to malnutrition. The key, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to eat a variety of foods that ensure enough calories and proper nutrition.

Words Recognized by Looks, Not Sounds

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Skilled readers do not have to sound out words every time they see them, a new study indicates.

Hispanics With Diabetes Urged to Get Yearly Foot Care

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Hispanics are the focus of a campaign to promote foot care among people with diabetes, says the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

Painkiller Dependence Before Knee Surgery May Slow Recovery

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Recovery after knee replacement surgery can be much more difficult if patients are dependent on powerful opioid painkillers before the procedure, a new study shows.

Easy-to-Treat Condition Can Disrupt Breast-Feeding

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- A "tongue-tie" condition in infants that hinders breast-feeding can be quickly diagnosed and treated in many cases, an expert says.

Ill-Fitting Children's Seat Belts Common in U.S., Study Finds

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- A new study finds that many American children aged 4 to 9 use an improperly fitting seat belt when they ride in cars -- a practice that could prove deadly.

U.S. Voters May Prefer Low-Pitched Male Voice

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Voters prefer male political candidates with a lower-pitched voice because it's seen as a sign of dominance and leadership, according to Canadian researchers.

Young Chimps Play Much Like Children Do

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Young chimpanzees play and develop in much the same way as human children do, and researchers say that might help shed light on the role of human play behavior.

C-Section Rate Drops for First Time in a Decade in U.S.

THURSDAY, Nov. 17 (HealthDay News) -- For the first time in more than a decade, the rate of cesarean deliveries has dropped, a new U.S. government report shows.

Does Psoriasis Thwart the Benefits of 'Good' Cholesterol?

THURSDAY, Nov. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Inflammation caused by psoriasis may trigger changes in a person's cholesterol, including weakening the function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol, new research suggests.

Colon Surgery Linked to High Readmission Rates

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Although one in four patients ends up back in the hospital within three months of colon surgery, new research reveals these readmissions -- which cost $300 million every year -- are often preventable.

Tender Breasts From Combo HRT Linked to Higher Cancer Risk

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Women who develop breast tenderness after starting combination estrogen and progestin menopause therapy have a 33 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who don't experience breast tenderness, a new study says.

People May Lie More Often in Emails, Instant Messages

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that people are more likely to lie to strangers when they're communicating via email or instant messages rather than when they are talking face-to-face.

Health Highlights: Nov. 18, 2011

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Erwinaze Approved for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Erwinaze (asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) among people who have developed an allergy to more standard treatments.

FDA Revokes Approval of Avastin for Breast Cancer

FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Saying the risks outweigh the benefits in patients with advanced breast cancer, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said on Friday that the agency has rescinded its approval of the cancer drug Avastin for that use.