Anyone who’s lost a loved one to Alzheimer's disease may be worried about noticing symptoms in themselves. Alzheimer's takes a terrible toll. It’s the most common cause of dementia — abnormal brain changes that lead to memory loss, impaired thinking skills and confusion. Patients become unable to learn, remember and recognize family. The biggest risk factor is age, followed by family history, says Mary Sano, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and director of the Alzheimer's Disea

As chocolate prices continue to rise, some companies are taking drastic measures to counteract sticker shock. And it's leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of some consumers. With the cost of cocoa steadily ticking up, some brands have begun swapping in different ingredients. But does the end result taste the same as the real deal? NBC News chief consumer investigative correspondent Vicky Nguyen went straight to the source to find out. In the latest segment of “TODAY’s Consum

When you combine milk and honey, you're getting two foods with important nutrients as well as other components that can affect your body in some well-known and some surprising ways. Both honey and milk can help your body know it's time to rest, but these functional foods can do more than that when it comes to having an impact on your health. 1. Promotes Sleep Honey plus milk is a well-known home remedy for sleeplessness. Both contain tryptophan , an amino acid (protein buildi

What Is Acetaminophen? In the U.S., acetaminophen is the common name for N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP). In other countries, it may be called paracetamol. It's a non-opioid analgesic, which means that it reduces pain signals in your nervous system. It's also an antipyretic agent, which means it reduces fever. Uses of acetaminophen Doctors recommend it for mild-to-moderate pain relief in conditions such as: Backaches Colds Headaches Period pain Minor arthritis pain Muscle ac

Sugar Too much sugar isn’t just bad for your teeth. It can harm your liver, too. The organ uses one type of sugar, called fructose, to make fat. Too much refined sugar and high-fructose corn syrup causes a fatty buildup that can lead to liver disease. Some studies show that sugar can be as damaging to the liver as alcohol, even if you’re not overweight. It’s one more reason to limit foods with added sugars, such as soda, pastries, and candy. Supplements Even if the label says

Having predictable days can feel grounding when life gets stressful. But some quiet, overlooked habits can work against your well-being, causing physical or mental strain over time. Breaking these patterns starts with noticing them. Recognizing that a familiar routine may be harmful is the first step toward building healthier habits that support you in the long run. 1. You Skip Strength Training Cardio often gets the spotlight, but strength training becomes increasingly impo

Peanut butter is as popular as ever — and it’s no wonder why. It’s versatile, delicious and, for many, nostalgic. However, when you peek at the nutrition facts label, you may notice that a serving of peanut butter, typically two tablespoons, contains close to 200 calories and more than 65-percent of those calories come from fat. So you may be wondering, is peanut butter actually good for you? What’s in a jar of peanut butter? Pick up any jar of the stuff and you’ll see the fi

On an island just off the coast of Panama lives an indigenous tribe called the Kuna, who outlive other people in Panama. Despite their relatively high-salt diet, the Kuna tend to have lower blood pressure than do other people in Panama. In addition, they experience fewer heart attacks and they’re less likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or cancer. After much study, researchers determined that what set the Kuna people apart wasn’t what they ate. Instead, it likely stem

Pasta is one of those universally comforting foods that transcends generations. Whether it’s spaghetti, penne, or fusilli, noodles are versatile and tasty pantry staples. But traditional pasta contains refined grains, carbohydrates, and gluten. All of those need to be restricted if you follow certain diets for weight loss, diabetes, or celiac disease. Despite all the bad press about pasta, people who eat it may be healthier eaters than those that don’t. A recent study in Fron

Every year, millions of people make ambitious New Year’s resolutions — only to abandon them weeks later. If you’ve ever struggled to stick with a resolution, you’re not alone. This is exactly why tiny habits are becoming a healthier, more sustainable alternative. Research shows that: Over 60% of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions by early February. Around 80–86% give up by the end of March. Some estimates suggest only 8–9% actually keep their resolutions long-term. I

Swapping your usual between-meal snacks for a handful of mixed tree nuts could help cut cravings for sweets and fast food and improve the overall quality of your diet. Researchers found that young adults at higher risk for metabolic syndrome who snacked on nuts daily for 16 weeks reported fewer urges for sugary and salty treats, ate more protein-rich foods, and scored better on a measure of diet quality. Here’s what you need to know about the metabolic health benefits of nut

A recent study builds on existing evidence that sleeping in less than complete darkness can be detrimental to health, specifically damaging the cardiovascular system. Sleeping while exposed to higher levels of light was associated with stress-related brain activity known to cause arterial inflammation throughout the body. Such inflammation raises the likelihood of a heart attack and stroke. After 10 years, 17% of the study participants had developed major cardiovascular issu

Common preservatives used to keep food safe and extend shelf life may be linked to a higher risk of several cancers and type 2 diabetes, according to two new studies from France. “These are very important findings for preservatives that are not only widely used in the French and European markets, but also in the United States,” said senior author Mathilde Touvier, principal investigator of the NutriNet-Santé study used to conduct the research. The NutriNet-Santé study, which

After pro-life leaders rejected President Donald Trump’s admonition to be “a little bit flexible” on the Hyde Amendment, some White House officials are looking to walk back that statement, three sources familiar with the administration’s thinking told The Daily Signal. Many pro-life leaders objected to the call to be flexible on Hyde, which bans taxpayer-funded abortion, and the administration has received their message, the sources said. The Hyde Amendment is longstanding po

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Monday a major overhaul of the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule , reducing the number of routine immunizations recommended for children. According to a CDC release, Deputy Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Jim O’Neill, serving as acting CDC director, signed a decision memorandum accepting the findings of a comprehensive scientific assessment ordered by President Donald Trump in December. The assessment exa

Health screenings help diagnose diseases and chronic (long-term) conditions. Early diagnosis can improve prognosis, increase treatment options, and reduce risks in later stages of a condition. A healthcare provider can determine which screenings you need. General Health Screenings All adults need general health screenings to determine their risk for chronic conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure (hypertension). These screenings are usually quick and covered

Fear vs. Phobia Fear protects you from danger. Phobias have little to do with danger. More than 19 million Americans have a phobia -- an intense, irrational fear when they face a certain situation, activity, or object. With a phobia, you may know your anxiety and fear are not warranted, but you can't help the feelings. And they can be so intense they virtually paralyze you. See what makes some people afraid in the slides ahead. The Three Kinds of Phobia Hundreds of different

If Toenails Could Talk Whether you’re washing your hands or admiring a manicure, you spend a lot more time looking at your fingernails than your toenails. Maybe it’s time to focus on your feet more often (and not just during sandal season). Toenail color changes -- from a big blue spot to a thin brown line -- could signal health problems. Here’s what you need to know.  Black Toenail: Common Causes If your toenail turns black, it’s most likely a bruise under the nail, technica

Don’t Wait: Lose Weight For every 10 pounds of extra body weight you carry, there’s an added 50 pounds of pressure on your hips and knees. If your joints are feeling the strain, find a weight that works best for you and talk to your doctor about the best ways to slim down. Depending on what's causing your hip pain, losing extra pounds may help and make it easier to move around. Take a Load Off Your weight isn’t only about body fat: Your hips also absorb the weight of everythi

Craving sugar may mean your body (and brain) is signaling that something deeper is off. From stress and sleep debt to diet imbalances, understanding why those cravings hit can help you take back control. 1. Conditioning By repeating everyday habits, you condition your brain and body to expect it and respond to it. If you regularly fuel yourself with foods high in added sugar, you might eat sugar on autopilot. Consider the types of foods that make up your diet. Have you become

Many people try to urinate "just in case" before heading out the door or sitting down to watch a movie. While that's fine occasionally, doing it too often can reduce your bladder capacity, making you pee more often. How Often Should You Pee? It's normal to pee five or six times a day. After we eat, the body removes nutrients from food and leaves behind waste in our bloodstreams. “The kidneys filter the blood to remove impurities, maintain homeostasis, and make sure electroly

Olive oil has long been a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, but its appeal extends far beyond flavor. It has many health benefits that are backed by decades of research. Studies link regular olive oil consumption to a wide range of benefits, from a lower risk of heart attack and stroke to improved erectile function. Why olive oil is healthy Though olive oil’s benefits are often attributed to its heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, Mayo Clinic cardiologist Stephen L. Kopecky, M

Think back to last January. Did you resolve to eat healthier, exercise more, or spend less? If so, you’re in good company. According to a YouGov poll, those three goals are among the top five most common New Year’s resolutions, along with focusing on self-care (sleep more or stress less) and reading more. Another quality those resolutions share is they’re all vague. This could be the reason 92% of people who set New Year’s goals never actually achieve them, according to resea

If you’ve ever wondered how your favorite beer fits into a healthy lifestyle , a good place to start is with the nutrition label. The best-selling beers in America are generally light, straightforward brews, far lower in calories and carbs than many craft or specialty varieties. To make things simple, we crunched the numbers for some of the biggest beer brands. To make it simple, we’ve ranked some of the biggest beer brands from lowest to highest calories, with key nutrition