Here's a look at some of the top health news being talked about around the nation and the world today:

• New consumer genetic tests will "hit the shelves of Walgreens drugstores" this week and, with a price of about $20, could bring a big boost in demand for the self tests, the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting. The tests are marketed as ways to test for genes that could indicate risks for certain diseases or conditions or potential adverse drug reactions, among other things. Some scientists question the usefulness of the testing, which can cost up to $399 for analysis, the Union-Tribune reported.

• Eating nuts can have a good impact on cholesterol levels, but certain people get more benefits that others, new research indicates. "Thinner people, those eating less healthy diets and those with higher levels of the 'bad' LDL cholesterol and triglycerides" appear to reap the most cholesterol benefits, according to an analysis of previous studies.

• Many Americans with mild to moderate stomach problems may want to lay off certain heartburn medications which can raise a person's risk for a number of other serious health problems, according to new studies published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Proton pump inhibitors, like Nexium and Prevacid, which suppress stomach acid, could raise a person's risk of bacterial infection and bone fracture. Such risks could outweigh the benefits of the medication for less serious cases of stomach problems.

Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.