Should you worry about lead exposure?
Through much of the 20th century, lead was a common part of American life. It was used in paint, plumbing fixtures, water pipes and many consumer goods. Automobiles guzzled leaded gasoline to improve engine performance. Meanwhile, the medical community increasingly recognized the toxic effects of lead on the body, particularly in children. Since the 1970s, sweeping regulations have... READ MORE
How long to escape a fire? Two minutes
Two minutes is the amount of time that fire experts say you may have to safely escape a home fire before it’s too late. Home fire responses are 30% higher during cold months than warmer times of year. On average, the Red Cross responds to around 1,300 home fire-related emergencies each year across the greater Washington area. “Practice your two-minute home fire escape drill and... READ MORE
Foods that do best when not refrigerated
One of the best ways to eat a healthier diet is to eat more fruits and vegetables. And one of the worst things about buying fresh fruits and vegetables is watching them go bad in your produce drawer and throwing them away. No one wants to throw their food and money in the garbage. One way to help ensure you’re eating your produce is to make a plan. Having a few meals and snacks planned ... READ MORE
Meditation can be as good as medication
Mindfulness meditation worked as well as a standard drug for treating anxiety in the first head-to-head comparison. The study tested a widely used mindfulness program that includes 2½ hours of classes weekly and 45 minutes of daily practice at home. Participants were randomly assigned to either the program or daily use of a generic drug sold under the brand name Lexapro for depression... READ MORE
Olive oil lowers one’s risk of early death
For many years we have heard that olive oil helps lower the risk of heart disease, but its connection to decreasing risk of death has been less clear. A recent study of approximately 92,000 Americans examined whether olive oil is associated with total and cause-specific mortality (death from a particular illness). During 28 years of follow-up, the research showed that participants who ... READ MORE
At holiday time: less stress, more bliss
There is a lot to love about the holidays, but when you’re in the 50-and-over club, you may be cooking, cleaning, decorating, shopping, traveling, volunteering or playing family psychologist and referee. By embracing patience and kindness, you can remove a lot of stress from the season. If you want to make the holidays a bit merrier, try rethinking how you view stress, suggested... READ MORE
Rice noodle bowls: simple, kid-friendly
Rice noodles are, of course, noodles made out of rice. They come in all shapes and sizes and are made to float in soup or soak up sauce. Some of the most common types are rice vermicelli (super thin and delicate), rice sticks (straight and flat, used in this noodle bowl recipe), and chow fun (wide, flat and chewy). Rice noodles are especially popular in Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese... READ MORE
Free online hearing tests to take at home
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any good online hearing tests? My husband has hearing loss, but I can’t get him to go in and get his hearing checked, so I thought a simple online test could help him recognize he has a problem. —Loud-Talking Linda Dear Linda, There’s actually a growing number of very good online and app-based hearing tests available that will let your... READ MORE
Is a genetic test for metabolism worth it?
Dear Mayo Clinic: I’ve been hearing a lot about lab tests that can look at my genetics to see how I metabolize medications. How does this work and why is it important for me to know how my body metabolizes medicine? A: Testing for how a person metabolizes medications is called pharmacogenomics testing, or PGx testing for short. This is a prime component of individualized medicine —... READ MORE
Is tracking your heart rate worthwhile?
Q: How does tracking your heart rate provide information about your heart health? A: Checking your heart rate at rest and with exercise can provide information about your fitness level, and may suggest a heart problem if your pulse is too slow, too fast or irregular. Three good times to check your heart rate are soon after you wake up in the morning, during exercise, and in the... READ MORE
