Pneumonia vaccines at a younger age; insights on pistachios and sight; antidepressants recalled – Morning Medical Update

Pneumonia vaccines recommended earlier

Patients should get vaccinated against invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal pneumonia starting at age 50 instead of waiting to age 65. The recommendation stems from a vote by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The CDC’s decision to lower the age-based vaccination recommendations to begin at age 50 has the potential to be a practice-changing milestone,” said a leader at Merck Research Laboratories, which along with Pfizer makes the inoculations.

Nut news to keep an eye on

Xanthophyill lutein and zeaxanthin are plant pigments that are major components of macular pigment in the human retina. It turns out pistachios are loaded with those compounds, and eating the nuts daily could be a way to protect vision as people get older. "By simply incorporating a handful of pistachios into your diet, you can improve your intake of lutein, which is crucial for protecting your eyes," a lead researcher said, with measurable results in as little as six weeks. Here is an abstract, the study and an accompanying news release.

Antidepressants recalled

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recalled thousands of bottles of the antidepressant Duloxetine, the generic version of Cymbalta. The delayed-release capsules in more than 7,100 bottles exceed the limit for a chemical that in higher concentrations could increase risk of developing cancer. People magazine has this report.