Eyes track our aging at the molecular level
People often say that the eyes are windows to the soul. Now it appears they may also be windows to human aging. All people age, but individuals do so at different rates — some faster, others slower. While this observation is common knowledge, there is no universally accepted measure of biological aging. Numerous aging-related metrics have been proposed and tested, but no marker has... READ MORE
The many health benefits of chamomile
About a million cups of chamomile tea are served every single day. The antioxidant compounds in chamomile, including apigenin, have been proven useful for a variety of issues that might concern you. Here are some of the unexpected benefits of chamomile that you may not know of: Arthritis relief You might have heard about benefits from essential oil of frankincense for knee pain or... READ MORE
Avoiding kidney stones, digestive issues
Q: I recently passed a kidney stone. I never want to go through that pain again! What’s the best diet to avoid another kidney stone? A: First and foremost, be sure you drink plenty of fluids every day and avoid dehydration. Kidney stones form when certain minerals concentrate in the urine and form hard crystals. By drinking plenty of fluid, you can decrease the concentration of these... READ MORE
Best foods to eat for better night sleep
Having trouble sleeping? These snooze-inducing snacks can help you escape a slumber slump: Popcorn Eating a heavy meal within two hours of bedtime can keep you awake, but light-and-airy popcorn makes a great late-night snack. Popcorn contains carbohydrates that help send the amino acid tryptophan to your brain, where it is used to make serotonin — a sleep-inducing... READ MORE
Mexican zucchini soup is great for summer
Years ago, my idea of home cooking was purchasing mainly processed foods and serving them along with salads and fruits, thinking I was cooking healthy for my family. Now I know that wasn’t the case. With some detective work, I discovered that I had many food allergies and sensitivities, which led me to master allergy-friendly cooking. I’m happy to say that a year after taking my... READ MORE
Food banks face spike in demand
Longtime volunteers for the Capital Area Food Bank were accustomed to working long hours packing boxes with fresh fruit and vegetables in a Northeast D.C. warehouse. What kept them coming back was the camaraderie and satisfaction of helping others. But in March, when the pandemic hit, some volunteers suddenly found themselves in need of food themselves. “I’m so sorry to have to... READ MORE
Groups are open to discussing mortality
Panic attacks, trouble breathing, relapses that have sent her to bed for 14 hours at a time: At 35, Marissa Oliver has been forced to deal with the specter of death on COVID-19’s terms. Yet conversations about her illness, fear and anxiety haven’t been easy. That’s why she headed onto Zoom to attend a “Death Café” — a gathering of strangers willing to explore mortality and... READ MORE
Seeking those testing positive for COVID-19
So far in Maryland, more than 70,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. If you have tested positive and are 40 or over — whether you are currently ill or have recovered but still test positive — researchers need your help for a study. This summer, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine are studying whether a... READ MORE
Strawberry-rhubarb crisp for any season
Around this time every year, as fresh rhubarb’s season is coming to an end, we start to anticipate going months without half of our favorite fruit-dessert filling. But with this crisp — which works with both fresh and frozen rhubarb — we can get that bright, tart, floral combination any time of the year. Even better, the recipe is literally easier than pie. Making a crisp... READ MORE
Better, gentler cancer drugs are helping
Doctors are reporting success with newer drugs that control certain types of cancer better, reduce the risk it will come back, and make treatment simpler and easier to bear. Gentler drugs would be a relief to patients like Jenn Carroll, a 57-year-old human resources director from New Hartford, Connecticut, who had traditional IV chemotherapy after lung cancer surgery in 2018. “It... READ MORE