Could gene-editing fix high cholesterol?
Scientists are testing an entirely new way to fight heart disease: a gene-editing treatment that might offer a one-time fix for high cholesterol. It’s very early stage research, tried in only a few dozen people so far. But gene-editing approaches being developed by two companies show hints that switching off certain genes could dramatically lower artery-clogging cholesterol, raising... READ MORE
Colorectal cancer is on the rise in people under 50
Colorectal cancer is a threat not just to older adults but increasingly to young men and women, too. It’s now the top cancer killer of Americans younger than 50. The deaths of “Dawson’s Creek” actor James Van Der Beek at 48 in February, and a few years ago “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman at 43, highlight the risk for younger adults. “We’re now starting to see ... READ MORE
How to make the most of a doctor’s appointment
You finally got a doctor’s appointment. Getting the most out of that visit requires some advance preparation. Even the professionals plan ahead. “It is really hard — even for me, as a doctor, going to see my own family doctor — to remember the things that I wanted to bring up,” said Dr. Sarah Nosal, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. “The worst is... READ MORE
Know the warning signs of sepsis
Dear Mayo Clinic: My 86-year-old father was recently hospitalized with a severe infection. We were told he’s at an increased risk for sepsis because of his age and medical history. What are the signs of sepsis to watch for now that he’s returned home? A: Nearly 270,000 people in the U.S. die annually because of sepsis — more than the number of people who die from prostate cancer,... READ MORE
Strength training is crucial as women age
When Sarah Baldassaro turned 50, she took stock of her health and began working with a fitness coach on strength training, a type of exercise that’s crucial for women in midlife. “Now I would say I’m stronger overall than I ever have been at any age,” said Baldassaro, 52, of Alexandria, Virginia. “My fitness level is much more like when I was in my early 30s.” Medical experts... READ MORE
Why some retirees age so well overseas
For his new book, Healthy to 100, longevity researcher Ken Stern wanted to answer a question that nagged him: Why do so many people in some European and Asian countries live long, healthy lives? How can Americans be like them? For six months in 2024, he traveled to five of the most successful aging nations — Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Spain — to find out why their... READ MORE
When a leg cramp is more than that
I live in Denver Broncos territory here in Colorado, and recently, I was watching a documentary about John Elway when something he shared stopped me cold. Elway talked about the loss of his twin sister to lung cancer at the age of 42. She had never smoked, and, according to public interviews, she dealt with unexplained leg cramps early on. That detail didn’t sound like a typical... READ MORE
What are the risks and signs of stroke?
Dear Mayo Clinic: A friend from my book club recently had a stroke. I learned that women have a higher risk of strokes. What are the risk factors, and are there signs to watch for that indicate someone is having a stroke? A: A stroke can happen at any time and to anyone. You might be talking to your loved one and notice they’re suddenly slurring their words. Or, while grocery shopping, ... READ MORE
Try these winter vegetables this season
Colorful, nutritious winter vegetables — crops that thrive in the cooler months or are harvested in the fall and maintain their flavor and health benefits throughout the winter — play an important role in the eating-seasonally movement. This lifestyle trend, which promotes packing your plate with food grown naturally at that time of year in your region, is enjoying a resurgence of... READ MORE
Vanity fare: The right foods can brighten skin
The old axiom “you are what you eat” holds true. What we eat can play a huge role in the health of our bodies, including the brain, heart and skin. Certain foods can turn around tired-looking skin and even offer some natural protection from the sun. “Skin health starts from the inside and is dependent on how well we nourish it through our dietary choices,” said Cindi Lockhart, a... READ MORE
