One of the most powerful influences on how well you age may be how you feel about it. A recent study that tracked thousands of older adults for over a decade suggests that physical and cognitive improvement is indeed possible with age—and one factor stood out in predicting who might boost functioning over time: mindset. Participants with more positive views of aging were more likely to improve as they got older, researchers reported in the journal Geriatrics. A Deeper Look at

Take Care No matter what you've heard or how badly you want relief, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before trying any home remedy. This is even more important if you take prescription or over-the-counter medications, because some can affect how drugs work. And keep in mind that many don’t have any research to back them up. Peppermint Mint has been used for hundreds of years as a health remedy. Peppermint oil might help with irritable bowel syndrome -- a long-term conditio

If you’ve ever wondered how often you should pee on a daily basis, you’re not alone. How often you urinate is actually an important sign of your overall health, beginning in infancy and continuing throughout your life. Keep reading to learn more about urination and when peeing frequently may signal that you need to visit your doctor. Urinary frequency and your health Urinating as much as seven times in 24 hours is considered typical, with most people urinating about six to se

You might want to drop the bacon, because it could be the reason behind your bad knees, recent research suggests. Ultraprocessed foods have been studied extensively for their negative health effects, and now a new study has linked them to an increased risk of arthritis in the knees. Foods in this category are designed for longer shelf life, strong flavor appeal and convenience. Common examples include breakfast cereals, bacon, hot dogs, pre-packaged snacks and sweets. "Over t

Swap your vitamin C supplements for nutrient-rich foods such as kiwi, tomatoes, and strawberries. These foods easily cover your daily vitamin C requirement while providing fiber and other essential nutrients. 1. Acerola Cherry Serving: 1/2 cup Vitamin C: 825 milligrams (mg) Daily value: 1,100% for women, 917% for men Acerola cherries, grown in some tropical regions, have the highest vitamin C content of any food, making them a natural vitamin C supplement. If you live in the

Over 62 million Americans — roughly 1 in 5 people — may be exposed to potentially dangerous levels of nitrates in their tap water, a new report has shown. A compound of nitrogen and oxygen found naturally in air, water, soil and plants, nitrates become a health risk when rainfall causes nitrogen-rich fertilizers used in agriculture to leach into groundwater, streams and rivers and end up in public water systems miles downstream. Invisible, tasteless and odorless, nitrates at

Democrats like to say, for a lack of a better term, that Republicans hate sick people. I have cystic fibrosis: a chronic, life-threatening genetic disease, and I’m sick and tired of Democrats lying and fear mongering to people who are already sick and tired. The Affordable Care Act was fundamentally flawed from the start, and was never designed to function without massive, unsustainable subsidies. It ultimately was doomed to fail. The ACA drove up costs, narrowed provider net

An eighth grader was left with a tough diagnosis after a football accident. While Jack Alston was practicing in August 2024, he was hit and encountered a mild headache, but showed no other symptoms. However, the headache "didn't really go away," "We just assumed he was OK. We didn't follow up," Jack's mother, Caroline Alston, told CBS News. "I think that's where we made a mistake." Just two weeks after Jack's first accident, he was hit again during football. He had no standa

Curling up on the couch for movie night? Before you pop your next bag of microwave popcorn, find out if this classic snack is healthy or not. How Did Microwave Popcorn Come To Be? This microwaveable treat burst on to the food scene in the early 1980s. According to an article published in The New York Times, by the late 1980s all the major food manufacturers were fighting to corner the market on popped corn made with the push of a button. Fast forward forty years and market re

From marinara sauce to peanut butter, added sugar can be found in even the most unexpected products. Many people rely on quick, processed foods for meals and snacks. Since these products often contain added sugar, it makes up a large proportion of their daily calorie intake. In the United States, the average adult consumes an estimated 17 teaspoons of added sugar each day. That accounts for 14% of total calorie intake in adults following a 2,000-calorie diet. Experts believe

Loaded With Lycopene The cheery red color comes from lycopene, an antioxidant. Studies show it may help curb your risk of cancer and diabetes as part of a healthy lifestyle. Watermelon has more of this nutrient than any other fruit or veggie -- even tomatoes. To load up on lycopene, choose a melon with bright red flesh rather than yellow or orange. And the riper, the better. Also, seedless melon tends to have more lycopene than those with seeds. Sun Benefit? Some pigments hel

Getting enough quality protein in your diet doesn't always have to put a dent in your wallet. Some of the top, least expensive healthy protein sources to consider incorporating into your routine include canned tuna, beans, eggs, and more. 1. Greek Yogurt Greek yogurt is a relatively inexpensive dairy product that's packed with protein. With a 7-ounce (oz) container of low-fat plain Greek yogurt, you'll get 20 grams (g) of protein, which equals about 40% of the recommended Dai

Between the quick service and oftentimes lower price points, eating at a fast-food restaurant is a convenient choice for many people on the go. While fast-food menus are often loaded with meals that are high in calories and saturated fat, most restaurants offer salads as a healthier alternative. While it may seem like any salad is a nutritious choice, especially when compared to burgers or fried chicken, not all salads are created equal. Depending on your order, a salad from

Drip, drip, drip. Three years after the COVID-19 pandemic, more details are being revealed concerning the failure of federal public health officials to come clean about lingering safety issues with the COVID-19 vaccine. Senate investigators have conclusively proved, for example, that Biden administration officials downplayedopens in a new tab the risk of vaccine-induced myocarditis (heart inflammation) and failed to warn the public. Widespread and dangerous loss of trust in p

If you have ever tossed and turned under heavy blankets, you’ve felt firsthand how being too warm can wreck your sleep. “Temperature is one of the most underappreciated factors in sleep,” said Joseph Dzierzewski, senior vice president of research and scientific affairs at the National Sleep Foundation. “We often hear about light, screens and stress, but even modest changes in temperature and airflow can influence how quickly you fall asleep and how deeply you stay asleep.” Yo

Breakfast cereals can be a quick and easy choice for busy mornings, but for people with diabetes, it can be confusing to choose the right fit since many cereals are known for their added sugar. When shopping for the best breakfast options, it’s important to prioritize cereals that are high in fiber, low in added sugars and made from whole grains. Fiber helps slow digestion, promoting more stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, while whole grains offer complex carbohydr

Type 2 diabetes is a common condition where your body loses its ability to use up glucose in the blood, also known as blood sugar. There are a number of symptoms that can accompany type 2 diabetes, and many of them start to show up early. The most common early signs of type 2 diabetes are frequent urination, extreme thirst, and persistent hunger. However, there are other symptoms that may alert you to this disease. A diagnosis can feel life changing, but type 2 diabetes is ve

Fact: Refrigerate Leftovers Within 2 Hours The bacteria that cause food poisoning grow quickly at room temperature. To make sure it’s safe, put food in the fridge or freezer in the 2 hours after it’s cooked or taken off a heat source, such as a warming tray. If it’s hot outside (above 90 F), do this within 1 hour. One in 3 people admit to eating pizza left out overnight. If those slices have been sitting out for hours, throw them away. Myth: Cool Hot Foods Before Refrigeratin

Sometimes life happens, your stomach is growling, and the best option you have is to grab something quick from the drive-thru. Fast food on occasion doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker for a nutritious diet. Sandwiches, wraps and burgers are standard fare, since they can be handheld for eating on the go. But beyond their convenience, choosing the highest-protein sandwich on the menu can also keep you feeling full longer while maintaining your energy levels for whatever you have

Cherry Pits The hard stone in the center of cherries is full of prussic acid, also known as cyanide, which is poisonous. But there’s no need to freak out if you accidentally swallow one -- intact pits just pass through your system and out the other end. Avoid crunching or crushing pits as you nosh on your cherries. Apple Seeds Apple seeds also have cyanide, so throwing back a handful as a snack isn’t smart. Luckily, apple seeds have a protective coating that keeps the cyanide

Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin are declaring a war on microplastics. These tiny bits of plastic, which are less than 5 mm in size, can persist in our environment for hundreds or thousands of years. They may also build up in our bodies, our hearts and our brains, causing untold damage. For the first time, the EPA is adding microplastics and pharmaceuticals to its Contaminant Candidate List for drinking

Think about the last time you felt embarrassed over a simple mistake—maybe you tripped over a crack in the sidewalk or forgot the name of somebody you’d met before. Did you skulk off in humiliation, kicking yourself over the faux pas? According to a recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , you’re better off shirking that sense of shame. What the Study Found Over the course of six online experiments, a total of 3,000 participants were asked

The whole narrative around dietary fat can be confusing, especially for those of us alive in the ‘90s (or earlier), when low-fat everything was the holy grail of healthy eating. But more recent science has confirmed that consuming fat is key to good health and urged eaters to focus on enjoying “healthy fats.” But what are healthy fats anyway? And what foods contain them? The poster child for healthy fats is an avocado, but it's a big culinary world out there! For variety's sa

Passing gas, also known as flatulence, is a natural part of digestion that happens when swallowed air or gases produced by gut bacteria move through your intestines and out of your body. Most people fart between 5 and 15 times a day, so if you've ever wondered why you're more flatulent than usual, the answer often comes down to diet, eating habits, or changes in your gut. 1. Swallowing Air Air you swallow while eating and drinking is a common cause of farts. This happens when

About Personality It's all the ways you think, feel, and act -- it's what makes you, well, you. It's your habits, quirks, and how you react to the world around you. Even though your moods change and you learn and grow over the years, there's still a certain you-ness to it all. But some health conditions can affect your personality and make you act in ways that are out of character for you. Alzheimer's Disease This illness affects your thinking, judgment, memory, and decision-

What Over-the-Counter Drugs Affect the Liver? Many people rely on OTC medications for relief from pain, cold symptoms, and other ailments, but some of these drugs can harm your liver. Painkillers like acetaminophen, and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can cause liver damage if taken in high doses or over long periods. Even supplements like kava and green tea extract can be risky. The liver processes these substances, and excessive use can lead to liver toxicity, inflam

Not surprisingly, an annual eye exam is helpful for detecting and treating a range of age-related vision problems. But that’s not all your eye doctor might see. “Eye exams can help diagnose many medical conditions,” says Peter Nixon, M.D., a retina specialist with Austin Retina Associates in Texas. “That’s because your physician will look at the small blood vessels and retina in the back of your eyes. The health of the eye gives a good snapshot of what’s happening througho

Recommendations about the best materials for kitchen tools seem to change constantly. It can be hard to keep track of whether products like silicone utensils are safe, or if you should toss and replace them. For expert advice on how to stock your kitchen, we consulted an environmental toxicologist. What Are Silicone Kitchen Tools? Silicone kitchen tools like spatulas, whisks, baking mats, cupcake pans and tongs are made from food-grade silicone, a rubbery material derived fro

Fridge Smarts The fridge is the true workhorse of the kitchen — and many of us neglect it. Improper use and lack of care can lead to messes, wasted energy and even foodborne illnesses. While each fridge is a little different, here are some universal do's and don'ts to keep your fridge (and the food inside it!) in tip-top shape. Do Take Your Fridge's Temperature Keep the fridge set at a chilly 40 degrees F or below to slow harmful bacteria growth and keep your dinner leftovers

Definition A low-carb diet limits carbohydrates, often called carbs, such as those found in grains, starchy vegetables and fruit. A low-carb diet focuses on foods high in protein and fat. Many types of low-carb diets exist. Each diet varies in the type and amount of carbs you can eat. Purpose You or your healthcare team may choose a low-carb diet to help you lose weight. Some low-carb diets may have benefits beyond weight loss, such as lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes or

Exercise has various health benefits, from maintaining a moderate weight to improving heart health. While all exercise is beneficial, a recent study found that exercising in the morning may yield greater cardiometabolic benefits than later in the day. It’s unclear whether the relationship between exercise and cardiometabolic health is mediated by other factors or causal. However, the researchers noted that the findings could inform counseling approaches for physical activity

If you’ve noticed your grocery bill steadily creeping up, you’re in good company. From bread to eggs to meat, food prices have been on the rise in the U.S. In fact, grocery store and supermarket prices increased 1.1 percent in just one month this year (from September to October) and are 5.4 percent higher than they were in October 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It’s a concerning trend, but it doesn’t mean you have to choose between eating heal

Knee replacement is one of the most common orthopaedic surgeries. Nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. have the procedure each year, most often to treat knee arthritis. Surgeons can replace the entire joint or just the damaged parts. The goal is to reduce knee pain and improve movement. “Knee replacement surgery has been refined over the years so that we now have a more accurate recreation of the soft tissue tension and balance, part sizes and alignment of the knee joint,” says

Sometimes, you look at a mole and think, “ That doesn’t look quite right .” Don’t ignore those suspicions. There’s a chance that what you’re seeing may be a sign of melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer. So, how can you tell if you might have a cancerous mole? There are definite hints visible to the naked eye. Dermatologist Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD, explains how to spot potential trouble. How can you tell if a mole might be cancerous? Moles aren’t unusual. In fact, mos

The Religious Liberty Commission held a hearing at the Museum of the Bible on March 16 to examine religious liberty issues in health care and social services. Across multiple panels, witnesses described professional and legal consequences they said followed decisions to practice their faith. Testimony came from parents, physicians, counselors, and faith leaders who addressed topics including gender ideology, abortion, vaccines, and assisted suicide. Several witnesses said go

Taxpayers’ money once spent on funding abortions could now be permanently safeguarded for pregnancy centers to support women and families. The federal government grants more than $16 billion every year to support families, and soon that could include protecting life. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., has reintroduced the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act to protect funding for pregnancy centers and provide critical support for families. “Supporting women means en

Vitamin B12 can do all sorts of good things for older folks. It can support everything from brain health to how your nerves function. Some studies suggest it may even help prevent cognitive decline. But Kristin Zimmerman, associate professor in the department of pharmacotherapy and outcomes science at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Pharmacy in Richmond, grew suspicious several years ago when her mom, who was in her late 60s and living on Florida’s Gold Coast, qu

Also known as emotional eating, stress-eating involves using food as a coping mechanism to help you feel better. Typically, it has nothing to do with physical hunger and everything to do with soothing or suppressing uncomfortable feelings and situations. If you’re using food as a way to manage stress, you might be wondering why you want to eat when you’re stressed, how you can stop stress eating, and what you can do to reduce stress instead. Read on to learn why you eat when

A new study reports that excess belly fat is more strongly associated with an increased risk of heart failure than a person’s overall body weight or their body mass index (BMI) measurement. The researchers say that systemic inflammation is a key factor in the link between abdominal fat and heart disease risk. They estimate that one-quarter to one-third of the association is explained by inflammation. These findings suggest that reducing inflammation is a potential treatment

High: Makes You Pee More Your kidneys have to work hard to process all that extra sugar in your blood. When they can’t keep up, your body gets rid of it, along with water that your body needs. High: Makes You Thirsty To get rid of that extra sugar, your body draws water from its own tissues. Because you need that fluid to make energy, transfer nutrients, and get rid of waste, a switch flips in your brain to tell you that you’re thirsty so you’ll drink more. High: Dry Mout

Tongue Lashing Few muscles are as hard-working as the tongue. By day, it twists to form the sounds you speak and pushes around the food you eat. While you sleep, your tongue moves saliva down your throat. Go With Your Gut On average, your intestines are 25 feet long from end to end. Your small intestine is long -- over 20 feet. And while your large intestine is wider around, it stretches out only to 5 feet in length. Dirty Mouth You might think twice before kissing. In one m

Sleep is key for overall health and wellbeing—and research suggests that sleeping in cooler temperatures around 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit may support your health even more. From getting better quality sleep to improving your mood, here are some of the potential benefits of sleeping in a cold room. 1. Your Sleep Quality May Improve Because research suggests that many people get less sleep as the temperatures rise, sleeping in a cold room may help you get more, better quality

There are numerous reasons you might feel pain in your foot. Injury, poor alignment of the foot bones, or deterioration of the protective cushioning around the bones are a few of the issues that can contribute to foot pain when you walk. Sometimes, the pain worsens with each step. Depending on the cause, rest, specific foot exercises, or at-home remedies, such as ice or over-the-counter pain relievers, can help manage the pain. 1. Overuse Overuse injuries develop from repetit

During the middle of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are cold, dark and short. It’s not an inspiring time to accomplish much of anything, much less those New Year’s resolutions that so motivated you back on December 31. Early backsliders may have already called it quits. Twenty-eight percent of people who make resolutions have dropped at least some of them by the end of January, and 13% report they have dropped them all, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center sur

You’ve probably heard the good news about frequent walking: less stress, lower blood pressure, and better blood sugar. But there are additional health benefits that don’t get as many headlines. “Walking is a highly underrated exercise,” says Layne Nordquist, C.P.T., an area director and master trainer at VASA Fitness in Denver. In fact, any amount of walking — even five minutes—can give you a health boost, according to the latest fitness guidelines. That’s especially good new

If you’ve noticed your grocery bill steadily creeping up, you’re in good company. From bread to eggs to meat, food prices have been on the rise in the U.S. In fact, grocery store and supermarket prices increased 1.1 percent in just one month this year (from September to October) and are 5.4 percent higher than they were in October 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It’s a concerning trend, but it doesn’t mean you have to choose between eating heal

Some 25 percent of older adults fall at least once every year. In 2023, more than 41,000 people in the U.S. over age 65 died from one, according to a June 2025 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report also found that the death rate for falls in people ages 85 and older in the U.S. doubled between 2003 and 2023. A growing aging population increases the numbers. But there are other factors. For instance, people in this age range may have become mo

Spring has a way of making people want to hit reset. But if weight loss is one of your goals, that does not mean you need a cleanse, a juice fast or a list of foods to swear off. In practice, healthy weight loss is usually less about cutting out entire categories of food and more about building meals that actually keep you full and satisfied. The foods most likely to support weight loss are often the ones that make meals more filling with nutrients like protein and fiber. Spr

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and factors like high blood pressure, elevated LDL cholesterol and chronic inflammation all increase your risk. While habits like regular movement and eating a balanced diet matter most for long-term heart health, the small choices you make in the kitchen—like the herbs you reach for—can support those efforts. Among the many herbs used in everyday cooking, cilantro stands out for its mix of phytosterols, carot

Two Republican senators introduced draft legislation to reform child care for low-income families after fraud was uncovered in Minnesota and other blue states. Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., are asking stakeholders for feedback on the draft of a bill to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, a program to help low-income families afford child care. The program has not been reauthorized since 2014. “Every dollar stolen is a dolla