News about genetics, Alzheimer's, Hepatitis C and the usual variety of practical health advice

Summary: About 0.1% of our DNA varies from person to person and underlies many diseases; Most of the genetic diversity in a human is in the bacteria that inhabit us and are crucial to our health; Nutritional advice for a woman with autoimmune disease; A woman starting menopause early is worried about her bone density scores and osteoporosis risks; A complex mathematical model for obesity helps predict weight loss by considering the dynamic aspects of metabolism; Progress in detecting early Alzheimer's disease — a new drug and inhaled insulin are being researched; A systems approach to interpreting levels of LDL, HDL, etc. and the emergence of diabetes, obesity and heart disease; How to avoid edema in legs and feet in hot weather; The value of physician assistants and a case of avoiding Flomax if there's no real problem; Circumcision lowers the risk of getting prostate cancer, especially aggressive cancer; Fresh healthy food is NOT more expensive than processed foods if measured by cost per weight or portion size; Using visualization or distraction to reduce pain is supported by new research; Baby boomers should get Hepatitis C test because early detection can be cured completely; Changes in health insurance policies in New York dramatically shifts the cost from insurance company to the patient for out of network doctors