Good things happen if you reduce sugar
Kicking a sugar habit is challenging — even for the most strong-willed among us. Research has found that sugar tricks your brain into wanting more and more of it. But there’s good news: A little sweetness is OK. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar a day for women. Also OK: the sugar found in whole foods like fruits and veggies. So,... READ MORE
Many mushrooms offer unique benefits
Mushrooms have been consumed and used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks believed mushrooms provided strength for warriors in battle, and the Romans perceived them as “food of the gods.” For centuries, Chinese culture has treasured mushrooms as a health food, labeling them an “elixir of life.” Traditional Chinese medicine continues to highly... READ MORE
How to time your meals for best health
There’s more to weight loss than simply watching calories. In fact, several studies have suggested that the time when you eat meals has a big impact on weight-loss success. So, what are those optimal times? That would likely differ by individual, but there are some general recommendations you can follow. Dinner: The overall consensus among health professionals and researchers is... READ MORE
Five easy ways to make yourself happier
Q: Is it possible to make yourself a happier person? A: Yes, the burgeoning field of positive psychology has identified ways to help us find happiness — by learning to appreciate the goodness in everyday life and to find joy through expressing gratitude and helping others. Here are five ways to add more happiness to your life: Smile at the first 10 people of the day. Why?... READ MORE
Can stress be a predictor of Alzheimer’s?
What if you could protect future generations from Alzheimer’s disease by simply visiting Johns Hopkins’ Bayview campus three times over two years? A new study at Hopkins, funded by the National Institute on Aging, is recruiting adults 60 and up with mild cognitive impairment. Hopkins researchers are focused on the role stress plays in the onset of Alzheimer’s... READ MORE
Using dating apps safely to meet others
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good online dating apps or sites for retirees? I’m a 66-year-old widow and would like to find a new friend to spend time with, but don’t know where to turn. —Cautious Carol Dear Carol, Whether you’re interested in dating again or just looking for a friend to spend time with, online dating sites and apps have become an easy and... READ MORE
FDA approves pills for C. diff treatment
[Ed. Note: Clostridium difficile (C. diff), is a bacterium that can cause life-threatening diarrhea, most often in patients 65 and over who have taken antibiotics. The infection is typically acquired in a hospital or nursing home setting, where the easily-spread infection is common, or from someone else who has the condition.] U.S. health officials in April approved the first pill made... READ MORE
Should dementia patients stop driving?
You’ve just seen your doctor, and you’ve been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. Does that mean you shouldn’t be driving? Driving is a complicated skill and a dangerous activity. Almost 43,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. in 2021. In addition to good physical health, driving requires many brain systems to function... READ MORE
Q & As: Wellness visits & swollen ankles
Q: I consider myself a healthy man. Do I really need a yearly physical exam? A: While men often call it the yearly physical, the annual ritual is better named a wellness visit or preventive health appointment. Whatever you call it, men should still have one every year as it remains an important part of primary care. For many men, this is one of the few extended opportunities for an... READ MORE
Radiation may reduce heartbeat danger
Doctors are zapping the heart with radiation normally reserved for cancer in a highly experimental bid to better treat people with life-threatening irregular heartbeats who’ve exhausted other options. Surprising early research suggests the method may reprogram misfiring heart cells to control heartbeats more like younger, healthier cells do. “It may actually rejuvenate sick... READ MORE
