Baby aspirin no longer generally advised
Older adults without heart disease shouldn’t take daily low-dose aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke, an influential health guidelines group said in preliminary updated advice released last month. Bleeding risks for adults in their 60s and up who haven’t had a heart attack or stroke outweigh any potential benefits from aspirin, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force... READ MORE
Risks outweigh growth hormone benefits
Q: Can taking human growth hormone slow down the aging process? A: The answer so far is no. Human growth hormone injections have not been shown to be an effective anti-aging product. The pituitary gland in the brain makes and secretes natural growth hormone. In combination with other hormones, such as IGF-1 (insulin growth factor 1), it is responsible for body development early in... READ MORE
What to do about diabetes and gallstones
Q: On my last routine blood work, my blood sugar was just above the normal range. Am I destined to have diabetes? A: Making small changes to your habits and daily lifestyle now can help prevent or at least delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes. A large study published almost 20 years ago showed the strength of the connection between lifestyle habits and Type 2 diabetes risk.... READ MORE
U.S. regulators propose OTC hearing aids
Health regulators last month unveiled their proposal to allow Americans to buy hearing aids without a prescription, a long-awaited move intended to make the devices more accessible to millions of people with hearing problems. The Food and Drug Administration said the proposed rule would cut red tape that currently requires hearing exams and a prescription for people with... READ MORE
Easy sources of protein for a healthy diet
Have you seen the recent headlines about canned tuna losing its popularity? This high-quality, convenient form of protein has seen sales drop by 40% in recent years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Apparently, this is largely due to millennials not buying it because they favor fresher fare. If you also pass on canned tuna, you may be looking for alternative high-protein... READ MORE
Skip post-meal heartburn this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving, a holiday when many people spend time with their families and friends, usually is accompanied by a large meal. Some traditional Thanksgiving foods may add a little heartburn as a side to the holiday. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, more than 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month. Despite its name, heartburn does not... READ MORE
Exercises to help maintain your balance
Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about balance exercises? I’ve fallen a few times over the past year and have read that balance exercises can help me regain my steadiness, but I’m not exactly sure what to do. — Unsteady at 70 Dear Unsteady, Most people don’t think much about practicing their balance, but they need to. As we age, our balance declines if it isn’t... READ MORE
Follow a Mediterranean diet on a budget
The Mediterranean diet continuously ranks as one of the best diets for overall health among health professionals and experts. The (mostly) plant-based diet follows simple guideline of eating whole, fresh foods without any severe restrictions. But when you’re trying to feed yourself (or your family) on a budget, it might seem difficult to maintain a healthy eating plan of fish, veggies, ... READ MORE
Many ways to go ‘green’ in the kitchen
We all want to do our part to protect our precious Mother Earth. But with such overwhelming issues — climate change, pollution, sustainability — it might seem like there’s no way one person could make an impact. Something as simple and routine as getting food on the table can have a big impact in lightening your environmental footprint. The foods you eat, the way you prepare them,... READ MORE
Time for another jab: flu vaccine season
Amid all the focus on COVID-19 vaccinations, U.S. health experts have another plea: Don’t skip your flu shot. Flu cases have dropped to historically low levels during the pandemic. The U.S. and Europe experienced hardly any flu last winter, and the Southern Hemisphere just ended its second flu season of the coronavirus pandemic with little to report. But with U.S. schools and... READ MORE
