HEALTH

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Nipro Diagnostics on Thursday announced it is initiating a voluntary recall and replacement of a limited number of TRUEbalance and TRUEtrack Blood Glucose Meters distributed both in the United States and outside the United States.

SAN ANTONIO — H-E-B is opening its annual Slim Down Showdown challenge to all Texans this year, according to published reports. 

Registration for the at-home challenge is open through Jan. 17. Those who participate and log in eight weeks of continuous activity will be eligible to win up to $1,000 in H-E-B gift cards.

H-E-B is opening the contest with a two-week, in-store Start Fresh Fest with demonstrations of quick-to-make healthy meals.

CHICAGO — Among patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease, a daily dosage of 2,000 IUs of vitamin E, compared to placebo, was effective in slowing functional decline and in reducing caregiver time in assisting patients, according to a study that appeared in the Jan. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is cracking down on companies claiming their products can speed recovery from concussions, according to a consumer update posted Wednesday. 

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. — In 2013, NBTY supported more than 30 organizations, including Feed The Children and International Aid, with nearly $7 million in products and money to provide sustenance, nutrition and support to those who need it most, the supplement manufacturer announced Thursday. 

NBTY's donations to Feed The Children are estimated to have reached almost 450,000 beneficiaries, the company stated.  

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2012 Tips From Former Smokers campaign helped more than 100,000 Americans likely quit smoking for good, exceeding the original goal of 50,000, the agency announced Wednesday. 

The 2013 Tips campaign generated 150,000 additional calls to quitlines and 2.8 million additional website visits.

SAN DIEGO — According to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, 120 million Americans will make New Year’s resolutions, with such health-related goals as quitting smoking topping the list. 

Unfortunately, most of those quitters will be puffing away by Groundhog Day.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — U.S. retail sales reportedly rose 3.5% between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. According to data from MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, sales of holiday-related categories, such as clothing, electronics and luxury goods, rose 2.3%, after rising 0.7% in 2012.