Your health: Acetaminophen warning

A closer look

For people with cardiovascular disease who need relief from aches and pains, acetaminophen has long been touted as a safer alternative to aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, according to Harvard Medical School.

A small but important Swiss trial warns that it may not be. This work doesn't mean you should ditch acetaminophen if it helps you but does suggest you should give it the caution that it — and every medication — deserves.

The good ...

The latest nutrition guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Human Services have a new emphasis: weight control. According to Harvard Medical School, new dietary guidelines include these recommendations for foods to increase:

Ÿ Fruits and vegetables, especially dark green, red and orange vegetables, fruits, and beans and peas.

Ÿ Whole grains. Increase whole-grain intake by replacing refined grains with whole grains.

Ÿ Fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese or fortified soy beverages.

Ÿ Protein foods, which include seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans and peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.

Ÿ Seafood in place of some meat and poultry.

Ÿ Replace proteins that are high in solid fats with proteins that are low in solid fats and calories.

Ÿ Healthy vegetable oils to replace solid fats where possible.

Ÿ Potassium, dietary fiber, calcium and vitamin D.

And the bad ...

The dietary guidelines recommend cutting back on these foods:

Ÿ Sodium intake. Cut daily amount to less than 2,300 mg and further reduce intake to 1,500 mg among persons who are 51 and older and those of any age who are African-American or have hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

Ÿ Saturated fatty acids. Replace them with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Ÿ Cholesterol. Consume less than 300 mg a day.

Ÿ Trans fatty acids.

Ÿ Solid fats and added sugars.

Ÿ Refined grains, especially those with solid fats, added sugars and sodium.

Ÿ Moderate alcohol consumption, up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.