Ultra-processed foods can sometimes be healthy
Whether they know it or not, most Americans don’t go a day — or often a single meal — without eating ultra-processed foods. From sugary cereals at breakfast to frozen pizzas at dinner, plus in-between snacks of potato chips, sodas and ice cream, ultra-processed foods make up about 60% of the U.S. diet. For kids and teens, it’s even higher (about two-thirds of what they... READ MORE
Shingles are not just a band of blisters
Dear Mayo Clinic: A friend recently went through a bout of shingles. I really don’t know much about this condition, but I know it was painful. How do you get it? Is there a treatment or vaccine for it? A: Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a common condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. Not everyone who has had chickenpox... READ MORE
Choosing next year’s Medicare drug plan
Dear Savvy Senior, What’s the easiest way to compare Medicare Part D prescription drug plans? My Part D premium is increasing again in 2025, so I would like to use the fall open enrollment to find and sign up for a cheaper plan. —Shopping Around Dear Shopping, I’m happy to hear you’re comparing your Medicare coverage options this fall! Research shows... READ MORE
Why older adults need the RSV vaccine
Even though cold days may seem far off, now is the best time to plan ahead for a healthy winter. One common respiratory illness, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. But it can be severe and even deadly for older people. “As we grow older, our immune systems do not work as well and we are more likely to have chronic conditions, which means we... READ MORE
Sheet pan panko honey mustard chicken
Plain ol’ boneless, skinless chicken breasts are given new life in this sheet-pan meal by Caroline Chambers. The chicken gets coated in a honey mustard sauce, then topped with buttery breadcrumbs that get crunchy and browned in the oven. Her kids love this dish — they call it giant chicken nuggets (feeding kids is all about the marketing, right?). The broccoli... READ MORE
Facts to counter five myths about protein
Your body needs protein — that’s a fact. “Protein does a lot of great things for us. It helps build and repair muscle and other tissues, moves oxygen and nutrients around our bodies, and is involved in many important bodily functions, including digestion,” said registered dietitian Caroline Susie, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. But when you... READ MORE
Surprising benefits from toothbrushing
Maybe we should add toothbrushes to the bouquet of flowers we bring to friends and family members in the hospital — and make sure to pack one if we wind up there ourselves. New Harvard-led research published online in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that seriously ill hospitalized patients are far less likely to develop hospital-acquired pneumonia if their teeth are brushed twice... READ MORE
Is it an allergy, intolerance or sensitivity?
Q: My gut seems to be more sensitive to a variety of foods. Does this mean I have developed food allergies? A: Many people confuse food sensitivity with a food allergy or food intolerance. While these conditions can have similar symptoms, they are quite different. Food allergy: A food allergy happens when the body mistakes a food ingredient as harmful and defends itself by turning ... READ MORE
Survey seeks those with Type 2 diabetes
If you’re a Marylander over 65 years old who is living with Type 2 diabetes, Johns Hopkins researchers would like to hear from you. The survey, called the Diabetes Care Network Study, hopes to determine how our family and friends interact with our healthcare network. “We’re interested in seeing if that connection between family and friends and healthcare providers may be ... READ MORE
Getting an audiologist-fitted hearing aid
Ed. Note: Last month, we published an article about selecting an over-the-counter hearing aid for mild hearing loss. This article is about getting a professionally-fitted one, for those with greater needs. Perhaps you’ve thought about getting a hearing aid, but you’re worried about how it will look or whether it will really help. It may help ease your concerns to know more... READ MORE
Health 2024
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