Ask the Doctor

A 2025 study found that people who had received a shingles vaccination had lower risks for stroke and various types of heart disease, including heart failure and heart attacks, compared with people who didn't receive a shingles vaccine.

In a 2025 study of nearly a million people with diabetes, those who took GLP-1 drugs had a reduction of 10% to 20% in heart failure, cardiac arrest, lung failure and pneumonia, and dementia, compared with people who took other diabetes medications.

Colon cleanses are marketed to help detoxify the body, boost weight loss and immune function, and increase energy. But the colon removes toxins on its own. Colon cleanses also pose multiple health risks.

Research suggests that exercise is beneficial in managing insomnia, but current guidelines don't specify which types may be most effective. A 2025 study found that yoga, tai chi, walking, and running were associated with reduced symptoms of insomnia.

There are many normal reasons people's joints make clicking, popping, cracking, or other noises. Joints are also more likely to make noise when people stay still for long periods. Pain or swelling with joint noise should prompt people to see a doctor.

Flashes and floaters are eye problems that become common with age. Over time, they may become less noticeable, but people should seek medical care if symptoms worsen, as this could be a sign of a retinal detachment.

As people get older, they may get clumsier because of multiple factors such as declining hearing and vision, loss of muscle, balance issues, and chronic health conditions. Addressing these issues can help people avoid injury from falls and other accidents.

The body's pH level supports a variety of crucial functions. Certain health conditions can create a pH disturbance. People can support a healthy pH by eating a balanced diet featuring fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and fish.

Evidence suggests that chewing gum can help people feel more focused and less stressed. Chewing sugar-free versions can hinder cavities. But constant gum-chewing can tire jaw muscles, and xylitol-containing gum can trigger abdominal distress.

In a 2025 randomized trial of about 1,000 people (ages 50 or older), followed for four years, those who took 2,000 international units of vitamin D₃ per day showed cellular signs that suggested they were aging more slowly compared with people who did not take the supplement. It's unclear if this benefit would continue from taking daily pills longer than four years. Scientists do know that taking vitamin D₃ supplements is important for people with osteoporosis or with vitamin D deficiency (as determined by a blood test).