Ultra-processed foods may damage brain
Americans love their ultra-processed foods, whether they come as cereal (like Cap’n Crunch, a favorite of mine as a kid), snack foods (like Cheetos), entrees (like hot dogs), or desserts (like Twinkies). Sure, loading your plate with vegetables, fruits, fish, healthful oils, and grains in a Mediterranean-style diet boosts heart and brain health. But if you also eat some... READ MORE
Why our risk of heart attack doubles in winter
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve heard that people with heart problems need to be extra careful during the winter months because heart attacks are much more common. What can you tell me about this? —AFib Alan Dear Alan, Everyone knows winter is cold and flu season, but many don’t know that it’s also the prime season for heart attacks too, especially if you already have a... READ MORE
When life is challenging, have a resilience plan
Nantucket, a beautiful, 14-mile-long island off the coast of Massachusetts, has a 40-point resiliency plan to help withstand the buffeting seas surrounding it as climate change takes a toll. Perhaps we can all benefit from creating individual resilience plans to help handle the big and small issues that erode our sense of well-being. But what is resilience, and how do you cultivate... READ MORE
Find comfort in a one-pot shepherd’s pie
That first day of chilly weather always feels the coldest before you’re accustomed to it, and an easy, warm, filling meal can help hit the spot. Better yet, this rendition of shepherd’s pie is made with just one pot, so cleanup can be a snap. The term shepherd’s pie refers to a dish with minced lamb, while one made with beef is a cottage pie. Shepherd’s pie, topped with... READ MORE
Probiotics have a lot to offer
Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. Found in fermented foods and supplements, these beneficial bacteria are particularly renowned for their role in promoting gut health, enhancing immune function and supporting overall well-being. Gut health and digestion Probiotics are most commonly associated with improved gut health.... READ MORE
Natural physical changes make daily activities more challenging
Q: Why do everyday activities become more of a struggle later in life? A: As we age, our bodies go through changes that can affect strength, flexibility and overall mobility, often starting earlier than expected. Here are some age-related changes to be aware of: Muscles shrink. Muscle loss begins in your mid-30s at a rate of 1% to 2% a year. While that may not sound like much,... READ MORE
You may be paid to monitor your mobility
Last year a local man had a stroke and had to re-learn to walk. His doctors wanted to monitor his recovery, so they outfitted his home with three sensors and gave him a fourth sensor to wear on his belt. “He had been treated for foot drop, so we wanted to see how active he was, how much walking he did in his apartment, and also how he interacted with his wife, who was quite... READ MORE
Help UMD with a two-hour hearing study
As we get older, loud restaurants, stadium games and other background noises can interfere with our hearing. It may become harder to understand certain accents. Or perhaps you’re just not catching every word in a sentence. If we get a standard hearing test, though, the audiogram may appear normal. What then? The Hearing Brain Lab at the University of Maryland in College Park... READ MORE
The best leafy green vegetables to eat
Leafy green vegetables are a diverse group of vegetables known for their vibrant green color and abundance of nutrients. On a calorie-for-calorie basis, leafy greens surpass other vegetables in their abundance of vitamins (A, E, K, folate), minerals (calcium, potassium), fiber and phytonutrients, registered dietitian nutritionist Jenn Schmidt told Health. As part of a healthy... READ MORE
How to reduce your risk of dementia after age 55
About a million Americans a year are expected to develop dementia by 2060, roughly double today’s toll, researchers reported in January. That estimate is based on a new study that found a higher lifetime risk than previously thought: After age 55, people have up to a 4 in 10 chance of eventually developing dementia — if they live long enough. It’s a sobering number, but... READ MORE
Health 2025
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