Turmeric might be beneficial for some
Dear Mayo Clinic: I am a breast cancer survivor who still suffers from various aches and pains, including arthritis. A friend told me that her arthritis pain improved after she started taking turmeric. Can you tell me more about this supplement? Is it something I can add into my diet to feel better? [Ed. Note: Studies have shown that use of turmeric/curcumin decreases the... READ MORE
A screening former smokers should get
Dear Mayo Clinic: My 70-year-old father-in-law smoked for more than 30 years. I read that men who used to smoke should be screened for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. What does this screening involve? What would be done if he is found to have an aneurysm? A: Several factors can raise the risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm. One of the most significant is tobacco use. In... READ MORE
A simple, more velvety sauce for pasta
The egg yolks in this dish create a velvety sauce that coats each and every piece of pasta. Heat from the pasta cooks the yolks so that they’re safe to eat, but you need to warm them up slowly or else they’ll curdle and turn into scrambled eggs. How to do it? Add hot pasta cooking water to the egg yolks, a little bit at a time. This slowly raises the yolks’ temperature, gently... READ MORE
Studying sleep and memory problems
Sleep and memory loss have a chicken-and-egg relationship. People with early Alzheimer’s disease tend to have trouble sleeping, and lack of sleep may contribute to memory loss. If you have memory lapses and also have a hard time sleeping, there’s a study at Johns Hopkins that could help. Known as the REST study, it involves a common, FDA-approved sleep aid called... READ MORE
Qs & As on blood pressure and leaky gut
Q: I already take two different blood pressure medicines, but my top number is still too high. I would like to bring it down without taking an additional drug. What can I do? A: You may need to ramp up healthy habits to maximize their blood pressure lowering effects. Start by eating a plant-based diet that’s low in salt; aim for less than 2,400 milligrams of salt per day. You should ... READ MORE
Some healthier alternatives to cook with
Eating healthier may seem overwhelming, but it shouldn’t be! It can be as simple as making a few simple changes to your diet. Rather than taking an “all or nothing” approach to tame a sweet tooth, cut back on salt, lose a few pounds, or eat more nutrient rich foods, try the “ol switcheroo” instead. Swapping out less healthy ingredients with those that pack a more nutritious... READ MORE
The best tools for reaching and grabbing
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good reacher-grabber tools for seniors with back or hip problems who need help picking things up off the ground? I bought a cheap one a few months ago that doesn’t work very well. I would like to find one that does. —Bad Back Betty Dear Betty, A good “reacher-grabber” is a very practical and popular tool for anyone who struggles with ... READ MORE
Always clearing your throat? What to do
Ahem! Ahem! Ever feel the need to move the mucus that annoyingly sits all the way at the back of your mouth? Most of us do at one time or another. The sensation usually lasts for just a few days when dealing with symptoms of a common cold. But what happens if throat clearing lingers for weeks or months? That nagging feeling may be uncomfortable for the person who has the problem, and... READ MORE
FDA warnings about stem cell therapies
Stem cell therapies may offer the potential to treat diseases or conditions for which few treatments exist. Sometimes called the body’s “master cells,” stem cells are the cells that develop into blood, brain, bones and all of the body’s organs. They have the potential to repair, restore, replace and regenerate cells, and could possibly be used to treat many medical conditions and ... READ MORE
Vets with low back pain wanted for study
Most of us have had at least one bout of lower back pain in our lives. But about half of all veterans have chronic low back pain. Now a study is under way to determine the best way to treat that pain without medication. The nationwide study, known as Sequential and Comparative Evaluation of Pain Treatment Effectiveness Response (SCEPTER), will enroll more than 2,500 U.S. veterans.... READ MORE
