
Plantar warts: Options for treating this common foot condition

Nutritional yeast: Does this savory, vegan seasoning pack a nutritional punch?

Salmonella is sneaky: Watch out

Two jobs may lower the odds of dying from Alzheimer's disease — but why?

Mastitis: What to do when your breasts are painfully inflamed

How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals

UTI in older women: Why postmenopausal women are susceptible to urinary tract infection, and what to do about it

Can a routine vaccine prevent dementia?

Some adults may need a measles booster shot. Who should get one and why?

Less butter, more plant oils, longer life?
Staying Healthy Archive
Articles
Do collagen supplements fulfill their promises?
The protein collagen supports skin, hair, nail, bone, joint, and muscle health. As people age, natural collagen production drops. Some early research suggests collagen supplements offer benefits, but people should ask their doctor about the pros and cons.
Heat wave hazards
Certain medications can leave people more vulnerable to heat-related effects or the sun's rays. The medications can raise the risk of dehydration, make people sweat too much or too little, impair the body's ability to regulate temperature, or raise the risk of getting a bad sunburn. In addition, higher temperatures may damage some medicines, including diuretics, blood pressure drugs, some antidepressants, thyroid replacement hormones, and some over-the-counter antihistamines.
Substituting plant oils for butter can lead to better health
People who consume plant-based oil instead of butter may have a lower risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to a 2025 study. These oils have more heart-healthy unsaturated fats, which help lower cholesterol levels and chronic inflammation.
Morning blue light therapy may offer many benefits for older adults
Daily morning exposure to blue-enriched light can improve sleep quality and increase activity levels in older adults, according to a 2025 study. Researchers believe morning blue light "wakes up" the brain, which increases alertness and synchronizes the sleep-wake cycle.
High temperatures may make natural mosquito repellents less effective
Mosquito repellents that rely on certain natural substances may not be as effective when temperatures reach 90° or higher. For very hot weather, people may get better protection by using the synthetic repellent DEET.
Feeling the heat
Older adults are especially vulnerable to heat-related ailments like heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The primary reason is biological, as aging bodies can't maintain a steady internal body temperature when external conditions change. Heart conditions and heart medications can add to the problem. Older adults can protect themselves from heat ailments by taking standard precautions during hot weather and recognizing the early symptoms of ailments so they can seek immediate treatment.
Wake-up to managing poor sleep
Guidelines recommend at least seven hours of sleep nightly for most healthy adults. But instead of fixating on a specific number of hours, experts suggest people focus on how well they sleep, also known as sleep quality. Improving sleep quality starts with recognizing the factors contributing to poor sleep. One way is for people to keep a sleep diary for one to two weeks to record details of their sleep experience. Afterward, they can review the information to identify any patterns that may be affecting their sleep and make adjustments.
Should I take a multivitamin or other nutrition supplement?
Taking a daily multivitamin helps fill in nutritional gaps and some studies have found a link to better cognitive fitness. Adding a vitamin D supplement may help maintain bone health and a B12 supplement is suitable for people who might have difficulty getting this vitamin from food.
Unlocking the secrets of super-agers
Super-agers are people who reach their 80s, 90s, or beyond with the memory capacity of someone at least three decades younger. As people get older, certain brain regions shrink, slowing brain functions. But super-agers retain more brain volume in areas linked to memory and movement, and their brains shrink more slowly over time. Women are more likely to be super-agers because they live, on average, longer than men. Genetics also appear to play a significant role in achieving super-ager status.
Twist, turn, tone
Dancing is a popular leisure activity. Evidence suggests dance boasts all the same benefits as other forms of consistent aerobic exercise: lowering blood pressure, building muscle and bone, increasing aerobic capacity, reducing anxiety, and improving depression symptoms. Dance can also counter loneliness and isolation and be easier to stick with than exercise that's more repetitive. People who want to try dance can frame it as a hobby instead of exercise, take a group class, and modify dance movements to accommodate pain or limited mobility.

Plantar warts: Options for treating this common foot condition

Nutritional yeast: Does this savory, vegan seasoning pack a nutritional punch?

Salmonella is sneaky: Watch out

Two jobs may lower the odds of dying from Alzheimer's disease — but why?

Mastitis: What to do when your breasts are painfully inflamed

How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals

UTI in older women: Why postmenopausal women are susceptible to urinary tract infection, and what to do about it

Can a routine vaccine prevent dementia?

Some adults may need a measles booster shot. Who should get one and why?

Less butter, more plant oils, longer life?
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