How to prevent unhealthy inflammation

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D.
Posted on February 06, 2023

Although inflammation serves a vital role in the body’s defense and repair systems, chronic inflammation can cause more harm than good. What can we do about it? In fact, there’s a lot you can do. And you may already be doing it. That’s because some of the most important ways to fight inflammation are measures you should be taking routinely. Let’s take a look at key elements of ... READ MORE

New health study seeks older volunteers

By Margaret Foster
Posted on February 02, 2023

Most of us have never heard of a condition called clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (also known as CHIP). But 10% of people over age 60 have the condition — and may not know it. “It’s really common in older people,” said Emma Groarke, principal investigator of a study on the condition at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She describes CHIP as “genetic... READ MORE

Health Shorts — February 2023

By John Schieszer and Harvard Heart Letter
Posted on January 31, 2023

Your wish is its command Researchers have demonstrated that individuals who cannot voluntarily move the upper and lower parts of their body can, after extensive training, operate wheelchairs with their minds, even in a natural, cluttered environment. In the small study, three persons who were unable to use their arms and legs due to spinal injuries were able to move their wheelchair... READ MORE

Memory issues? This study may help you

By Margaret Foster
Posted on January 30, 2023

Are you or is someone you love having trouble with remembering things and keeping up with daily activities? A little help around the house can make a big difference for older adults. Johns Hopkins is currently recruiting dozens of Baltimore-area residents and their caregivers for a study to determine how best to help older adults with mild cognitive impairment maintain... READ MORE

Oven-baked fish a simple, colorful meal

By America’s Test Kitchen
Posted on January 27, 2023

Cooking en cocotte is a variation on braising: It uses a covered pot, a low oven temperature, no added liquid, and an extended cooking time to yield tender results. The cover seals in moisture so the protein cooks in its own juices. For this recipe, we create a bold sauce with olive oil, garlic, thyme, capers, red pepper flakes and cherry tomatoes that serves as a bright, briny... READ MORE

Our brains can expand, rewire as we age

By Howard LeWine, M.D.
Posted on January 25, 2023

Q: Do we really lose thousands of brain cells every day in older age? A: For years, experts believed that, unlike many other cells in the body, neurons did not regenerate. They thought that the brain produced new brain cells only early in life and that once you reached adulthood, the growth of new neurons ceased and existing neurons began to die off. You may have heard the... READ MORE

Never store these in the refrigerator door

By Alex Loh
Posted on January 20, 2023

After a trip to the grocery store, unloading food into the refrigerator might seem like a simple process, but it’s not as straightforward as you may think. From the shelves to the drawers and the refrigerator door, where things go in the fridge matters for proper food safety and storage. Before you store anything, make sure that your fridge is the proper temperature. According to the... READ MORE

Ways to avoid back injuries this winter

By Arjun Sebastian, M.D.
Posted on January 11, 2023

Dear Mayo Clinic: I threw out my back doing yard work. While I was laid up for a few weeks, I’m okay now. I’m concerned I will reinjure my back shoveling snow this winter. How can I protect my back while shoveling? A: Winters can be long and snowy. While seemingly an innocuous task, snow shoveling can be a rigorous aerobic activity and one that significantly stresses the back. You... READ MORE

Foods may lower anxiety, depression risk

By Brierley Horton
Posted on January 10, 2023

Looking beyond the enjoyment of a fantastic meal, there is a (science-backed) connection between what you eat and your mental wellness. Turns out, certain foods and nutrients have the potential to improve your mental health — and even serve as a complement to therapy for depression and anxiety if those are conditions you experience. Here are five foods to add to your diet: ... READ MORE

New drug slows Alzheimer’s progress — a bit

By Lauran Neergaard
Posted on January 05, 2023

An experimental Alzheimer’s drug modestly slowed the brain disease’s inevitable worsening, researchers reported last month. But it remains unclear how much difference that might make in people’s lives. Japanese drugmaker Eisai and its U.S. partner Biogen had announced earlier this fall that the drug lecanemab appeared to work — a badly needed bright spot after repeated... READ MORE