Sneak green vegetables into rice dish
This is a standby recipe in my culinary rotation. Celery leaves, spinach, parsley and mild green chiles lend a fresh and slightly spicy touch to white rice. Long-grain rice stays fluffy after it is cooked and doesn’t clump together. You can use this as a template and add cilantro and a touch of tomatillo sauce for additional punch to this recipe. Or increase the spiciness of this... READ MORE
Yes, men also can develop osteoporosis
Dear Savvy Senior, Can men get osteoporosis or is it mostly a problem for women? When I fell and broke my wrist last winter, the ER doctor told me I might have osteoporosis, but I never followed up. What can you tell me? —Almost 70 Dear Almost, A lot of people think osteoporosis is only a women’s issue, but men can get it too — especially as they get older. And like... READ MORE
Why water workouts work wonders
Dear Mayo Clinic: We have a new fitness facility nearby. The pool schedule shows a number of water fitness classes. I’d like to try one to add variety to my regular fitness routine, but can I really get a good workout in water? A: Regular exercise provides a wide range of benefits, including weight management, improved cardiovascular health and sleep quality. But for many people,... READ MORE
Low levels of B12 can mimic dementia
Have you ever been told your blood work is “normal,” yet you still feel exhausted, foggy or just not like yourself? I see this all the time. As a pharmacist, one of the most overlooked nutrient issues I encounter is vitamin B12 deficiency, especially in people whose lab results technically fall within the “normal” range. The problem is that laboratory reference ranges are... READ MORE
Unsteady? UMD study may improve balance
For people over 65, falls can be devastating. One in four Americans in that age group have a fall every year. “Falls among adults aged 65 and older are common, costly and preventable,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults.” As we age and lose muscle mass, we can lose our... READ MORE
Let’s reconsider what ‘aging well’ means
Warren Mullisen, 81, of Culver City, Calif., was a runner all his life and competed in numerous marathons. But a few years ago, he slipped on loose gravel while running up a trail and fell backward, hitting his head. He suffered a brain injury that impaired his balance. “The legs don’t seem to move when I’m trying to run,” he said. Despite physical therapy, his neurologist... READ MORE
ALS cases may rise in next four years
The fatal nervous system disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is rare but devastating. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, there were nearly 33,000 estimated cases, say researchers, who project that cases will rise to more than 36,000 by 2030. The disease is slightly more common in men than in women and... READ MORE
Food affects mood, and probiotics may help
Anyone who’s ever been anxious or stressed out and developed diarrhea, stomach pain or nausea is instinctively aware of the connection between the brain and the gut. But while that connection was suggested as early as the 1800s and has its roots in ancient medicine, it has only recently been dubbed the “gut-brain axis.” Recent research is focusing on the link between gut health and ... READ MORE
These foods are as bad for teeth as sugar
When we snack on delicious foods like candy and popcorn, they begin negatively affecting our health, specifically, our teeth. “Food plays a major role in oral health, often more than most people realize,” said dentist Sandip Sachar, DDS. “While genetics can influence tooth enamel strength, salivary flow and gum susceptibility to periodontitis, diet is a controllable factor that... READ MORE
Parkinson’s-linked protein speeds Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s-related brain changes progressed up to 20 times faster in women who also had abnormal levels of a Parkinson’s-related protein, according to a Mayo Clinic study published in JAMA Network Open in March. The same pattern was not observed in men. The findings suggest that when alpha-synuclein — a protein linked to Parkinson’s disease — accumulates alongside... READ MORE
