Staying Healthy Archive

Drinking sodas and other beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup may boost levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood, according to a study in the June 2015 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Researchers assigned 85 healthy adults to four different groups. One group drank beverages containing the artificial sweetener aspartame, while the others drank beverages sweetened with various percentages (10%, 17.5%, and 25%) of high-fructose corn syrup. After two weeks, LDL cholesterol levels held steady in people who drank aspartame-sweetened drinks. But among those who drank beverages with high-fructose corn syrup, LDL cholesterol rose in tandem with the percentage of sweetener.

A strong sunscreen and sun-protective clothing can help keep you safe this summer and every day of the year.

With summer here, it's time to reach for the sunscreen. But not everyone is convinced that skin protection is a necessity. "Older adults grew up at a time when unprotected skin exposure wasn't a cardinal sin, and many I talk to think a little sun is good for them. But older adults are actually at an increased risk for skin cancer, since their skin is no longer able to repair damage as efficiently as it once did," says Dr. Oon Tan, a dermatologist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Some commercial weight-loss plans may help you lose a few pounds, but long-term weight control depends on healthy eating habits and regular exercise.

A few inexpensive changes in the home can lead to fewer injuries from falls each year.

Falls are the leading cause of injuries among older adults, sending more than two million people to the emergency department each year. Falls often result in brain injuries, hip fractures, immobility, and even early death. And many of the fall hazards are right in our own homes. "Anything that might trip a person is going to increase the risk of a fall. People with a balance disorder are often unable to recover when they trip because they lack the agility and coordination to do so," says Dr. Steven Rauch, a hearing and balance expert at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

But most falls are preventable. In fact, a study published in 2014 in The Lancet showed that inexpensive fixes at home are associated with 26% fewer injuries from falls each year. The following modifications made a difference for study participants.

Here's how to get the most out of physical therapy and cardiac rehab.

A healthy person needs 30 to 50 ounces of fluid per day.

More evidence that plant-based diets can help you stay healthy.

In particular, nuts and peanuts are getting attention for their heart benefits. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine on March 2, 2015, found that among 72,000 Americans in the southern United States and 135,000 people in China, eating peanuts (a legume) and nuts (such as almonds and walnuts) was associated with a reduction of 17% to 21% in the risk of dying from any cause, especially heart disease. This study was not a randomized trial, and therefore it cannot prove that a regular diet of nuts has such positive health effects. However, two previous randomized trials did find that such a diet was heart-healthy. "Nuts and peanuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, known for reducing inflammation, improving blood vessel function, and lowering LDL cholesterol," says Debbie Krivitsky, director of clinical nutrition at the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Center at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. The American Heart Association recommends eating four servings of unsalted, unoiled nuts per week. A serving size is a small handful (1.5 ounces) of whole nuts or 2 tablespoons of nut butter.

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Q. I have pelvic organ prolapse and work out at the gym almost every day. Are there any forms of exercise that will make my situation worse?

A. Pelvic organ prolapse results from weakened muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor, which allow your bladder or uterus to drop and press against the walls of the vagina. You didn't say what type of exercise you do at the gym, but there are a few you should avoid—lifting heavy weights, especially over shoulder height; high-impact aerobic activities involving jumping or hopping; and sit-ups. You should check with a trainer at the gym to see how you can modify strength training, core exercises, and aerobics to reduce stress on your pelvic floor.

Q. The article in your December 2014 issue about women's waistlines expanding the past few years intrigued me, because I have experienced an increase, and I have not gained weight. My theory is that the styles of the past few years—pants riding low on the hips, no belts at the waist, and loose shirts—may have caused my waist to increase from 24 to 25½ inches. I am 59 years old, so it also could be aging in general, but I still think the belted styles kept women smaller. Am I right?

A. There is no evidence that the physical effect of wearing a belt influences waist circumference. At best, wearing a belt is one way to keep tabs on your waistline. While having to loosen their belt a notch may drive some women to re-examine their diet and exercise routines, it doesn't sound as if you need to do that. I think your alternative explanation that aging is responsible is more likely to be true.