Can a multivitamin keep your brain healthy?

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D.
Posted on July 13, 2023

Millions of people take a multivitamin each day. Some believe it’s a sort of insurance in case their diet is missing some essential nutrient. Others believe it will ward off disease by boosting immunity, improving brain health or regulating metabolism. It’s easy to see where these ideas come from: Ads tout wide-ranging health benefits, even though most offer little or no evidence to... READ MORE

Health Shorts — July 2023

By National Institute on Aging and The Associated Press
Posted on July 12, 2023

Low-dose aspirin may raise risk of anemia in older adults Recent follow-up analysis of data from an international, National Institutes of Health-funded clinical trial suggests daily low-dose aspirin increases the risk of anemia in people age 65 years and older by approximately 20%. Given these findings, older adults on low-dose aspirin and their care providers may want to consider... READ MORE

Mayo Q&A: Keeping your bones strong

By Taryn Smith, M.D.
Posted on June 30, 2023

Dear Mayo Clinic: My mother had osteoporosis and suffered a devastating fall in her early 60s that she never recovered from. I am 42, and I want to be proactive about my bone health. What screening do I need, and what, if any, supplements are necessary? A: Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to thin and lose their strength. When bones become weaker, sudden fractures can ... READ MORE

What to know about ticks, Lyme disease

By Patrick Whittle
Posted on June 29, 2023

After a mild winter in the U.S., will there be an uptick in ticks this year? Researchers say it is hard to predict how the tick season will play out. This year’s mild winter and early snow melt could mean more ticks earlier than usual, and a wider spread of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, scientists said. In Connecticut, ticks are showing up in greater numbers this year, ... READ MORE

Benefits of short- and long-term home care

By Lori Johnston, AgingCare.com
Posted on June 28, 2023

Whether Dad needs help around the house for a few weeks after he’s discharged from the hospital or Mom requires around-the-clock dementia care, in-home care can meet these needs and everything in between. Best of all, home care enables aging loved ones to live as safely and independently as possible in their own homes. In-home care services are flexible One of the biggest advantages... READ MORE

Good things happen if you reduce sugar

By Sarah DiGiulio, Health.com
Posted on June 28, 2023

Kicking a sugar habit is challenging — even for the most strong-willed among us. Research has found that sugar tricks your brain into wanting more and more of it. But there’s good news: A little sweetness is OK. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar a day for women. Also OK: the sugar found in whole foods like fruits and veggies. So,... READ MORE

Many mushrooms offer unique benefits

By University Health News
Posted on June 27, 2023

Mushrooms have been consumed and used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks believed mushrooms provided strength for warriors in battle, and the Romans perceived them as “food of the gods.” For centuries, Chinese culture has treasured mushrooms as a health food, labeling them an “elixir of life.” Traditional Chinese medicine continues to highly... READ MORE

How to time your meals for best health

By Carolyn Williams, Ph.D., RD
Posted on June 23, 2023

There’s more to weight loss than simply watching calories. In fact, several studies have suggested that the time when you eat meals has a big impact on weight-loss success. So, what are those optimal times? That would likely differ by individual, but there are some general recommendations you can follow. Dinner: The overall consensus among health professionals and researchers is... READ MORE

Five easy ways to make yourself happier

By Howard LeWine, M.D.
Posted on June 21, 2023

Q: Is it possible to make yourself a happier person? A: Yes, the burgeoning field of positive psychology has identified ways to help us find happiness — by learning to appreciate the goodness in everyday life and to find joy through expressing gratitude and helping others. Here are five ways to add more happiness to your life: Smile at the first 10 people of the day. Why?... READ MORE

Can stress be a predictor of Alzheimer’s?

By Margaret Foster
Posted on June 19, 2023

What if you could protect future generations from Alzheimer’s disease by simply visiting Johns Hopkins’ Bayview campus three times over two years? A new study at Hopkins, funded by the National Institute on Aging, is recruiting adults 60 and up with mild cognitive impairment. Hopkins researchers are focused on the role stress plays in the onset of Alzheimer’s... READ MORE