It's long been known that vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and thus good for bone and teeth health. But research now also suggests a role for vitamin D in fending off such chronic diseases as diabetes, immune disorders and cancer.

But federal scientists are cautious about suddenly touting the vitamin as a cure-all that should be taken in mega-doses by people of all ages and ethnicities. (Read more about Allure and Doubt Regarding Vitamin D)

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You just might discover the best cosmetic medicine not at your local plastic surgeon or spa but at your local grocery store.

Experts have identified an increasing number of "beauty foods" that act to add youthful qualities to skin, hair and teeth. For example, salmon and other omega-3-fatty-acid-rich foods help smooth wrinkles. Cranberries help whiten teeth. And spinach, broccoli and Swiss chard help produce glossy, well-conditioned hair. (Read more about A Beauty Spa in Your Refrigerator)

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Your life can be changed - and extended - by just a little regular exercise, according to a report by a blue-ribbon U.S. panel.

A commission empaneled by the federal Department of Health and Human Services says your most important exercise paraphernalia are your legs. The panel declares that a moderately paced half-hour walk five days a week will lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and many other disorders. And the benefit will be conferred even if you're overweight or obese - and regardless of your age, race or gender. (Read more about Even a Little Exercise Confers Benefits)

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Want to know whether you're at risk for heart disease? Pull out a tape measure. A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that body mass index (BMI) alone may not be reliably linked to cardiovascular disease risk. Researchers say the best indicator for health and heart disease risk is the waist to hip ratio, which means if you're a apple shaped person and tend to carry weight around the middle you may need to cut back inches, even if your BMI is in the healthy range. (Read more about Know if you are at Risk for Heart Disease)

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Scientists have been aware that that animals with a reduced calorie intake had lengthened lifespans, but they were never able to understand the reasons why. A recent study by scientists from Harvard Medical School suggests that restricting calories to lose weight may also be the secret to extending life expectancy. Restriction of high calorie foods is believed to produce a molecular response that triggers a reaction within the energy core of cells, known as the mitochondria. Responsible for keeping cells alive and healthy, mitochondria can weaken and lead to cell deterioration and increased susceptibility to DNA stress, which eventually causes the cell to die. (Read more about Reducing Calories May Increase Life Longevity)

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A study from the National Institute of Mental Health has found that women who suffer from depression are more likely to enter menopause with an increased risk of bone fractures. Researchers report that 17% of women with depression had decreased bone mass in the femoral neck, compared to 2% of women who did not have depression. Additionally, low bone mass in the lumbar spine was found in 20% of depressed women, compared to 9% who were not depressed. The researchers theorized that women with depression have overactive immune systems that produce a chemical known as IL-6. This chemical is associated with bone loss as well as promoting inflammation. During adolescence, bone mass reaches its peak and begins to decline through the rest of life, thinning at a faster rate after a woman undergoes menopause. (Read more about Women With Depression At Risk For Osteoporosis)

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Exercise, drinking alcohol moderately, eating enough fruits and vegetables, and not smoking can add as many as 14 years to your lifespan, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Cambridge on 20,000 people between the ages of 45 and 79 years over the course of a decade. All participants were socially mixed though overwhelmingly white, and none had any known cancer or heart problems. (Read more about A Healthy Lifestyle Can Add 14 Years to Your Life)

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A type of antioxidant found in pomegranates may contribute to prostate health, according to a study by researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles. Antioxidants known as ellagitannins and their metabolites accumulated in the prostates of mice in this laboratory study. The researchers then grafted prostate cancer cells onto mice whose immune systems had been deliberately hampered. One group of mice was then treated with ellagatannins and their metabolites. The treated mice were found to have significantly less tumor growth than mice in the control group. (Read more about Pomegranates Reduce Prostate Cancer)

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Energy drinks in the U.S. have been on the rise for more than 10 years, promising consumers a boost to their day. It's estimated that the energy drink market will be $10 billion by 2010. This is good news for beverage companies, but it could have oral health implications for consumers who rely on these drinks, sometimes daily, for that boost. Previous research findings have warned consumers that the pH levels in beverages such as soda could lead to tooth erosion. The studies revealed that, whether diet or regular, iced tea or root beer, the acidity level in popular beverages that consumers drink every day contributes to the erosion of tooth enamel. (Read more about Energy Drink Consumption Can Lead to Tooth Erosion)

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently held its first public hearing on regulating the amount of salt found in processed food. According to the American Medical Association, halving the amount of salt added to the American diet could reduce deaths in the U.S. by 150,000 a year. The AMA and other advocates of public health are urging the FDA to take action to reduce the high levels of salt in food. These groups claim that Americans don't consume large amounts of salts because they choose to, but rather do so unknowingly because manufacturers and restaurants add it to food. The AMA estimates that most Americans consume two to three times the amount of sodium that is considered healthy, with an estimated 75 to 80 percent of it coming from restaurant and processed foods. (Read more about FDA Considers Limiting Salt in Processed Food)

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