How our brain and innards communicate
It’s interesting how some hormones like serotonin affect mood, and yet they’re made in the GI tract — our gut! The gut-brain axis is a complex network in the body that allows our gut and brain to communicate through both direct and indirect pathways. This connection explains how gut health impacts brain functions and vice versa. Understanding how this works can help with ... READ MORE
The key to a better burger is in the crust
Smashed burgers share the same thin, verging-on-well-done profile and all-American array of condiments as typical fast-food burgers, but their big selling point is an ultra-brown, crispy crust. We make these using commercial ground beef instead of grinding our own, because the former is ground finer and thus exposes more myosin, a sticky meat protein that helps the patties hold... READ MORE
Over-the-counter hearing device choices
[Ed. note: Next month, this column will discuss regular hearing aids and how to choose one.] Dear Mayo Clinic: I’ve heard about the new over-the-counter hearing devices, but I’m not sure if they’ll work for me. What do I need to know? And what should I consider as I make my decision? A: Hearing loss can be a significant quality-of-life issue for people. There are certainly... READ MORE
Don’t toss food scraps; repurpose them
It’s a pretty safe bet that at some point, we’ve all thrown away a leftover scrap of food. The average American household tosses up to $2,000 worth of food every year. While making good use of leftovers or preserving and canning foods are excellent ways to prevent food waste, you may be throwing out food scraps that you didn’t even know were edible or could be easily... READ MORE
Eating seasonal is healthy, saves money
As peak summer approaches in Sicily, Anna Fiannaca prefers the peppers, eggplants and zucchini her brothers grow over the packaged food in the supermarket. The 89-year-old cooks everything from scratch and eats mostly vegetarian. But she attributes much of her continued good health to adjusting her diet to what is most available throughout the year. “It was just the way of life... READ MORE
How to find local volunteer opportunities
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good organizations or websites for locating interesting volunteer opportunities? I’ve been doing some volunteer work since I retired last year, but most of the jobs I’ve tried haven’t been very fun or satisfying. —Retired Volunteer Dear Retired, Volunteering is a great way for retirees to make a positive contribution to... READ MORE
Understanding heart failure, pacemakers
Q: I was recently diagnosed with mild heart failure. But my echocardiogram showed a normal ejection fraction. Why would I still have heart failure? A: Heart failure conjures up the image of your heart suddenly stopping. But it actually means the heart is not pumping as it should. Impairments in pumping action can develop in the entire heart or just the left or right side. Most... READ MORE
Implanted device may reduce back pain
Dear Mayo Clinic: For the last 20 years, I’ve worked a physically demanding job. As a result, chronic back pain has been an issue. I’m ready to retire and want to enjoy activities, such as traveling, golf and playing with my grandkids, pain-free. What options are available to help alleviate and manage my pain? I’ve been told I’m not a candidate for back... READ MORE
Two ways to practice mindful meditation
Many years ago, I worked at the magazine Yoga Journal. Our small editorial team created thousands of stories highlighting the many uplifting qualities of the physical, mental and spiritual practice of yoga. Ironically, it also was one of the most stressful work environments I’d seen. Even though the magazine’s topics were about calmness, attentiveness and inner growth, we dealt... READ MORE
E-cigarettes reduce harm from smoking
In June, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the first menthol-flavored electronic cigarettes for adult smokers, acknowledging that vaping flavors can reduce the harms of traditional tobacco smoking. The FDA said it authorized four menthol e-cigarettes from Njoy, the vaping brand recently acquired by tobacco giant Altria, which also sells Marlboro cigarettes. The decision... READ MORE
Health 2024
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