High cholesterol has no visible symptoms, but it can have a profound impact on your heart health . While cholesterol-lowering medication is vital for some people, almost everyone could benefit from incorporating more of the best foods to eat for cholesterol into their meals. Making smart choices in the kitchen can go far towards reducing levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and maintaining healthy levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. Cholesterol is a substance that is naturally prod

Both green and black tea are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. One difference is that black tea leaves are first rolled and then oxidized (exposed to air), whereas green tea is unoxidized. This reaction causes black tea leaves to turn dark brown while green tea leaves remain green. Black and green tea may have subtle differences in caffeine and antioxidant content but offer similar health benefits. Shared benefits of green and black tea While green and bla

Find a New Purpose When you retire, you don’t just leave a job. You enter a new stage in your life. If you do something you find meaningful, you’ll be happier and healthier. Volunteer at a hospital or library. Take part in projects at your house of worship. Tutor kids who need help in school. Care for animals in a shelter. Help assemble gift boxes for soldiers overseas. Long-term, this can help both your mind and body. The Right Surroundings Where you live can help set you up

Supplements offer health benefits, but they may also interact with common cold medications in ways that increase side effects or reduce effectiveness. 1. Decongestants Decongestants are one of the most common ingredients in cold and flu products because nasal congestion is a frequent and uncomfortable symptom of these conditions. Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are decongestants commonly found in cold and flu medications. They work by constricting blood vessels in the nose

Oct. 12, 2012, was the day I almost died — and also the first step on a path that led to how I manage my type 2 diabetes and how it affected my heart. I’m an emergency medical technician and a retired Army medic, but that day I didn’t recognize I was the one having the emergency. A few months earlier, my wife, Sheila, and I had decided to get healthier by losing weight and exercising more. I was pushing 330 pounds, and though I felt fine and had annual checkups, I knew I nee

Some foods are better than others at boosting memory and cognition. While it probably isn’t surprising that a not-so-healthy diet isn’t good for brain health, there’s new research exploring which foods can help protect the brain from dementia. Think you’re too young to worry about dementia? Think again. “Brain healthy habits are best started early,” says Jessica Caldwell, PhD, director of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic. “Th

How To Eat With Your Mental Health in Mind While food certainly isn’t the be-all and end-all of health and wellness, what you eat has a big impact on both your physical and mental health. There’s so much talk about how different foods can impact your heart health, digestive health, energy levels and disease risk. What we don’t talk about quite as much is the role that food can play in your mental health and mood. Getting adequate nutrition helps brain function by supporting t

Eating chicken noodle soup when you're sick with a cold or flu won't cure your ailments, but it can help support your body with hydration, nutrients, and mild, potentially anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting effects. These effects may help your body's healing process and reduce how long you're sick. 1. Sustained Hydration You may have a reduced appetite when you're ill, making it difficult to take in the nutrients and fluids you need to recover. A serving of chicken noodl

As cold and flu season ramps up and holiday travel begins, many people reach for vitamin C supplements to help prevent getting sick on the road. It’s a common belief that a mega-dose of vitamin C will shield you from the germs circulating at airports, train stations and packed holiday gatherings. But here’s the truth that might surprise frequent fliers: Vitamin C supplements won’t actually give your immune system a major boost, research shows . As a registered dietitian, I

If you want to live a long, healthy life, take a good look at what's on your plate. While you don't need to be strict about healthy eating, the food choices you make regularly can affect your long-term health — especially when it comes to one nutrient in particular. While many people just want to live as long as possible, Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, the author of the new book out this month “ Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life, ” tells TODAY.com tha

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a study on whether radiation from cellphones could harm Americans' health. "The FDA removed web pages with old conclusions about cellphone radiation while HHS undertakes a study on electromagnetic radiation and health research to identify gaps in knowledge, including on new technologies, to ensure safety and efficacy," HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in a statement to Fox News Digital. The study is part of a s

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed the details of his extreme, highly restrictive diet centered on meat and fermented foods. "I’m on a carnivore diet," Kennedy said during a recent interview on USA TODAY's "The Excerpt" podcast. Kennedy said he follows the diet the "whole day," every day. "That may not be right for other people, but I lost 40% of my visceral fat within a month," he said on the podcast, referring to the fat that surrounds inter

Getting older. A sedentary lifestyle. Low levels of calcium. All of these are well-known risk factors for osteoporosis , a condition that causes bones to weaken and becomes more common with age. But there’s another lesser-known one that belongs on the list: certain medications. Research shows that some of the most common medications among people 50 and over can lead to what’s known as medication-induced osteoporosis, and even an increased risk of fractures . “Most patients an

A healthier alternative to table sugar that looks, tastes and cooks like the real thing has been cooked up by scientists—with the help of slime mold. Using engineered bacteria, engineers at Tufts University produced tagatose, which is about 92 percent as sweet as sucrose but contains roughly 60 percent fewer calories. It occurs naturally only in trace amounts—less than 0.2 percent of the sugars found in foods like dairy products and certain fruits such as apples, oranges

Hot drink lovers might want to think again before grabbing a cup of coffee or tea on-the-go, as disposable plastic cups have been found to release thousands of microplastics into drinks, a new study has warned. Microplastics can be formed from the breakdown of larger plastic items or be released directly from products during their use. “These particles end up in our environment, our food, and eventually, our bodies,” said paper author and environmental scientist Xiangyu

Potatoes can have benefits for a balanced weight-loss plan. They are naturally low in calories and provide fiber and resistant starch, which can help you feel fuller for longer. What Benefits Do Potatoes Have for Weight Loss? There are several ways in which potatoes may support your weight-loss goals. 1. Low in Calories A medium-sized Russet potato with the skin has about 168 calories , which makes it a satisfying side dish that can fit into a low-calorie diet. 2. Good Source

Lima beans ( Phaseolus lunatus L.) are legumes that provide plant-based protein, fiber, and several vitamins and minerals. They may have benefits for weight management and heart health. 1. Supports Your Gut Health Lima beans have 13.2 grams of fiber per cup , which covers 47% of the Daily Value (DV). Fiber is especially important for gut health. Bacteria in the large intestine ferment and break down fiber from foods like lima beans. This process creates short-chain fatty aci

Nearly everyone has had sore eyes at some point. Sometimes they get better on their own, but they can also be a sign of something more serious. Your eye doctor can figure out what's going on and find the right treatment for you. Where Does It Hurt? Sometimes discomfort or pain results from a problem in your eye or the parts around it, such as: Cornea: The clear window in the front of your eye that focuses light Sclera: The whites of your eyes Conjunctiva: The ultra-thin cover

Snack on a Salad Leafy veggies like spinach and kale give you a vitamin B boost. Vitamin B is a part of your cells’ energy-making process. Guzzle Water If you’re feeling droopy, you might need to drink more water. One sign of dehydration is fatigue. Step Outside Not only will a change of scenery and some fresh air wake up your senses, the sun will help regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Try to get at least 30 minutes a day of natural sunlight -- an hour if you have insomnia. Exe

Sick Day Solutions When you're sick with the flu, stomach bug, or even a common cold, what you eat can make all the difference between spending another day in bed and waking up refreshed. The key is eating meals that are comforting physically and emotionally — plus getting a little nourishment. That’s why we asked 10 registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) which foods they turn to when they’re under the weather. Shockingly, chicken noodle soup isn’t on the list! Smoothies

Short-term memory loss involves forgetting recent events, conversations, or information soon after they occur, usually within 30 seconds. It may stem from causes like sleep deprivation, stress, or even be an early sign of conditions like Alzheimer's, but it doesn't automatically point to serious health issues. What's Considered Short-Term Memory Loss? Short-term memory involves recalling things from the last 30 seconds. For example, you might decide to write a letter to a fr

Over the years, extensive research has been conducted on the impact of various foods on physical health and their effects on the body. However, some researchers have been investigating how food may affect mood and mental health. There is a recently developed field of psychiatry known as “.” This specialized branch focuses on examining the relationship between eating habits, dietary factors, and mental health disorders. This is to help form methods of prevention and treatment

Why is a cold so hard to treat? “The common cold is not just one illness — it’s a whole mess of different infections that cause the same symptoms. Even if we cure or prevent one, it’s not going to stop the rest,” says Jack O’Horo, M.D., M.P.H., a Mayo Clinic infectious disease specialist. Unfortunately, nothing can cure the common cold. That includes antibiotics, which treat illnesses caused by bacteria. But some nonprescription drugs can temporarily ease your symptoms. Here’

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition that blocks the airways and makes it hard to breathe. More than 12 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with COPD. Millions more people may have it and just don’t know it yet. It’s common to think that the symptoms of COPD, like shortness of breath and fatigue, are normal signs of aging. Because of this, the disease may have grown serious by the time someone goes to a doctor to discuss their s