Try this: Bend your wrist as far back as you can toward your forearm. How long can you hold it there? Probably not long, maybe a matter of seconds, says Scott Bautch, D.C., a Wisconsin-based chiropractor and president of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Occupational Health. Bautch asks people to do this to prove a point. “You wouldn’t watch an entire football game with your wrist stretched as far as possible, your arm way above your head, or your pelvis twis

With 40% of adults resolving to drink less alcohol in 2026, according to a recent survey, some may be struggling to find a healthy balance. Health experts agree that each person's relationship with alcohol is unique, based on history, tolerance and lifestyle. Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, a Pennsylvania-based oncologist and author of the new book "Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life," has noted that indulging in certain activities – like eating ice cream o

The percentage of American adults who smoke cigarettes has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded, according to a new study. About 9.9% of U.S. adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2024, a drop from 10.8% in 2023, according to an analysis of National Health Interview Survey data published Tuesday in the journal NEJM Evidence. The findings mark the first time the adult smoking rate in the U.S. has fallen to the single digits, a milestone public health officials have pursu

Whether they’re hyping magnesium-based products like the “sleepy girl mocktail” or pink lemonade-like drink mixes, wellness influencers are adding to the longtime buzz around taking the mineral for sleep benefits. But do these supplements work? “Magnesium is actually an essential mineral that is needed for more than 300 processes in the body,” said Samantha Cassetty, a registered dietitian in New York City. “We need to get it from our diet, or supplements if we can’t get enou

Interested in boosting your longevity? All you may have to do is vary your exercise. Switching between activities such as walking, swimming, yoga, gardening and pickleball could result in a whopping 19% decrease in your chance of death from all causes, according to recent research. “A 19% decrease is a big deal,” said Dr. James Voos, chief of orthopedics at University Hospitals in Cleveland, who was not involved in the study. “When you look at the literature, anything that ha

Pretzels are a classic snack eaten widely in the United States. But as the protein craze continues, carb-forward foods like pretzels tend to get overshadowed. The truth is we need carbohydrates, and they're not the enemy. Yet, conventional packaged pretzels still fall into somewhat of a nutritional gray area. They're lower in fat than most chips and crackers, but still a processed snack with scant nutrients. Pretzels are a baked bread product made from a dough, typically with

Protein is at the top of everyone’s minds right now. And while you may be trying to load your plate with protein-rich foods, like chicken , cottage cheese, tofu or eggs, beverages can also supply a good dose of this muscle-building macro . When drinking your protein, you may be tempted to turn to protein powder. While protein shakes can be a healthy and helpful tool to meet your nutritional needs when you're short on time, most experts recommend eating whole foods as much a

One thing the pandemic made clear is that grocery store employees are essential—not just to the economy, but to daily life. They keep shelves stocked, organize fresh produce and, in many stores, prepare everything from butchered meats and fresh seafood to baked goods and ready-to-eat meals. It’s safe to say most of us rely on grocery store employees to help keep our kitchens running. For shoppers, a trip to the grocery store is a straightforward, weekly activity. Many of us a

Ever find yourself sitting on the toilet trying to poop but nothing comes out? You’re definitely not alone. Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints, accounting for millions of doctors visits each year. “Constipation is more common than most people realize, affecting about 35 million Americans, or roughly 1 in 10,” shares Yasi Ansari, M.S., RDN, CSSD. When you’re backed up, it can be tempting to try quick fixes. But experts agree one of the most effe

Age Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. About a third of people 85 and older show signs of the disease. The genes you get from your parents play a part at this age, but so do things like diet, exercise, your social life, and other illnesses. Dementia isn't a normal part of getting older. Heart Disease It could lead to a heart attack or stroke, which makes dementia more likely. Heart disease is usually caused by plaque buildup in arteries around your heart

The Department of Health and Human Services is protecting parents’ rights to keep their children under their care, according to Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brian Christine. “If you have a set of parents and their child has gender dysphoria and there are threats to remove that child from your care, that’s absolutely wrong,” Christine told The Daily Signal in an exclusive interview. The HHS Administration for Children and Families wrote a letter to state child welfare a

Planned Parenthood just can’t wait until July 4, 2026. That’s the day taxpayers will have to start subsidizing the abortion industry all over again. How did this happen? Answer: The defunding of abortion providers has an expiration date. The reason? Weak negotiating by Senate Republicans. The One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, includes several policies aimed at benefiting families through tax relief, credits, and new savings o

Spring is just around the corner, which means you should already be taking your usual seasonal allergy medicines, experts say. If you feel like your seasonal allergy symptoms are getting worse every year, you're not imaging it. Compared to 1970, pollen season starts 20 days earlier, concentration is 21% higher, and the pollen that's out there is even more potent, NBC News medical contributor Dr. Natalie Azar explained on a March 11, 2026, segment on TODAY. Those changes are

If you're looking for a quick, protein-filled snack, meat sticks may seem like a no-brainer. They're no longer just a gas station staple. In recent years, they’ve become a trendy high-protein, low-carb snack often with better-for-you branding, registered dietitian Samantha Cassetty tells TODAY.com. You can find sticks made from a variety of meats in fancy flavors. Meat sticks are the fastest-growing snack category in the United States, garnering $5.5 billion in sales last yea

That bold cup of morning coffee we can't live without or the mug of hot tea we rely on to aid an afternoon slump may provide us with a quick mood-boost, but exclusively relying on caffeinated beverages is not the solution for garnering sustained energy throughout the day. Drinking caffeine as a means of gaining energy is not only unrealistic, but it's also a lifestyle habit that can potentially have long- and short-term negative effects, both physically and mentally. Read on

I’ve spent my life bored by fiber, thinking it was only good for bowel regularity, or, at best, a grandparent conversation-starter. But when I scroll through recipes on social media these days, the videos showing up on my feed are a different and, dare I say, exciting side of this essential nutrient. One creator smashes magenta raspberries into a jammy layer for chia pudding. Another tosses sun-soaked orange sweet potatoes and vibrant green kale into a polychromatic salad. F

While long-term smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for COPD, your environment also plays a massive role. If you have COPD, living somewhere with low pollution levels can help you manage your symptoms. For people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) , everyday life can be difficult. COPD is a group of progressive lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis . About 30 million Americans have COPD, and more than half are unaware of it.

Getting a good night’s sleep is incredibly important for your health. In fact, it’s just as important as eating a balanced, nutritious diet and exercising. Most people need 7 to 9 hours. Here are five reasons why getting more sleep can help support your body and mind. 1. May help you maintain or lose weight The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends that adults get 7 or more hours of sleep per night. A 2020 analysis found that adults who slept

Inflammation is part of the body’s natural healing response, but when it becomes chronic, it can raise the risk of several long-term health conditions. 1. Water Drinking more water throughout the day is an effective way to stay hydrated and flush toxins from your system. Dehydration can increase systemic inflammation and lead to several health problems. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. If you’re bored with plain water, consider adding sliced fruit, such as

Many people turn to over-the-counter (OTC) aspirin for occasional relief from mild to moderate pain, including headaches, toothaches, and menstrual cramps. However, some people take aspirin more often than others—and not only may they not need to, but doing so may do more harm than good. According to a University of Michigan poll on healthy aging, many older adults between the ages of 50 and 80 years take aspirin more than three times per week. While some adults might be tol

What Is Mental Exhaustion? It’s kind of like physical tiredness, except it’s your mind instead of your muscles. It tends to show up when you focus on a mentally tough task for a while. You might also feel this kind of brain drain if you’re always on alert or stressed out. Your job, caring for children or aging parents, and other things can lead to mental exhaustion. You’re Angry or Impatient Mental fatigue can put you in a bad mood. You may be short-tempered or irritated, sna

Probiotics Probiotics are live microorganisms found in fermented foods and supplements. Probiotics may help with various digestive issues, including diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). They work by balancing gut bacteria, enhancing the immune system, and improving digestion. Common probiotic strains include lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. Probiotic-Rich Food Incorporating probiotic-rich foods into your diet is a natural way to su

When people think about building strength, they likely picture lifting weights or taking a high-intensity exercise class. Walking is often dismissed as “just cardio” or something you do to reach your step count or get some fresh air. But walking acts as far more than a calorie-burning activity. It’s one of your body’s most fundamental movement patterns. How you walk affects pelvic alignment, core stability, hip mobility, balance, breathing and even how your nervous system reg

One of the most bothersome things about being sick or having seasonal allergies is that it makes your nose stuffy and blocked. This makes breathing in through your nostrils frustrating – if not altogether impossible. But even when you aren’t sick, perhaps you’ve noticed that when you take a deep breath, only one of your nostrils seems to be allowing the air in. Before you panic and wonder if you’re coming down with something, what you’re experiencing is actually a normal bodi