Not Reading Directions Some wipes, like the kind made with benzalkonium chloride, are only approved to kill bacteria. They might not work as well on viruses. Wipes with “disinfectant” on the label should kill bacteria, viruses, and mold. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) keeps a list of approved disinfectants on its website. Check the product’s label for the EPA registration number. Drying Surfaces Too Fast They should stay visibly wet for a little while. The amount o

Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your body and brain as you age. Whether you’re going for daily walks, taking SilverSneakers® classes, or chasing grandkids around the yard, movement helps maintain strength, mobility, heart health, and mental sharpness. But what about supplements? Can certain vitamins or nutrients give your body the extra support it needs to stay in motion? Here’s what the research says and what to keep in mind before adding anything new

Looking to mix up your movement practice and find new ways to work stiff joints and achy muscles? Try Tai Chi, a gentle martial art rooted in Chinese tradition. Not only does it improve balance, strength and flexibility, but research shows Tai Chi may also relieve chronic pain. In particular, research suggests that Tai Chi may help ease the symptoms of fibromyalgia and offer relief from chronic lower back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, tension headaches and more. This mind-body

Long-term use of melatonin supplements may be linked with a higher risk of heart failure, according to new research — but does that mean people taking it as a sleep aid should stop using it now? In a review of electronic medical records, thousands of adults who had chronic insomnia and took melatonin for a year or longer had a 90% higher chance of heart failure over the next five years, compared with participants who had the same health factors but didn’t take melatonin. Mela

People in the United States are obsessed with dieting and body size. That may be due to the fact that 40.3% of adults have obesity today, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The weight loss industry likely contributes to these twin obsessions, as the global weight loss and diet management market size was worth about $143 billion in 2022, and is projected to soar to roughly $299 billion by 2030. And with more than 15 million Americans now losing wei

Signs of vision loss and blindness can be subtle and increase over time or can appear suddenly. Contact an eye doctor right away if you notice any of the following symptoms: seeing flashes of light seeing floaters or specks seeing halos around light sources decreased vision watery eyes or eye draining eye redness double vision lines look wavy or distorted blind spots in the center of your field of vision often seeing changes in your vision quality losing peripheral visio

If you’ve ever felt an involuntary tightness, hardness, or bulging in a muscle, you may have experienced what’s called a muscle spasm . Spasms are common in the abdomen, arms, hands, and feet. You can also feel them in your calves, hamstrings, and quadriceps, and along the rib cage. This type of cramping can occur in anyone for various reasons. Many cases of simple muscle spasms are caused by excessive exercise and vigorous physical activity. Patience, rest, gentle stretchin

Obstructive sleep apnea may exhibit some surprising signs and symptoms. While it’s often associated with older adult males carrying extra weight, it can actually affect anyone, depending on the shape of their jaw and airway. Consider some of these alternative signs and whether the underlying cause might be due to untreated sleep apnea. 1. Depression Sleep apnea can impact mood, often contributing to depression. Common signs include persistent sadness, low energy, poor concent

Cold cuts are convenient for making high-protein sandwiches, but choosing the healthiest lunch meat requires reading labels and avoiding too much salt, saturated fat, and preservatives like nitrates. 1. Turkey Breast Turkey breast is one of the leanest options, providing high protein and very little fat per serving. Choose oven-roasted or lightly seasoned versions and check the label carefully to avoid added sodium, sugars, or fillers. 2. Chicken Breast Like turkey, chicken b

Increasing your steps by even a little bit may help slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease among people at heightened risk, according to a new study. In a paper published in Nature Medicine , Mass General Brigham researchers found that physical activity was associated with slower rates of cognitive decline in older adults with elevated levels of amyloid-beta, a protein associated with Alzheimer's. Cognitive decline was delayed by three years on average for people wh

Originally used for radar and other technologies, the power of microwaves was first harnessed specifically for heating food in 1947. By the late 1960s, commercial microwave ovens were small and inexpensive enough to become fixtures of the modern kitchen. And by the 1970s, scientists were starting to wonder just how this form of electromagnetic radiation might be affecting the food that it heated. Microwaving food produces different textures and flavors than other cooking meth

The Plank Challenge may be all over social media. But there’s another reason to burn off belly fat that has nothing to do with sculpting killer abs. Belly fat, technically known as visceral fat, can spell bad news for your health.  If you’ve never heard of visceral fat before, this type of fat burrows deep into your abdomen, where it surrounds organs like the liver and intestines. That doesn’t just make your belly rounder. Visceral fat also cranks out inflammatory proteins th

If you regularly find yourself dashing to the market for last-minute meal ingredients, it might be time to start stocking your freezer. The reasons are plentiful, and with pro tips from chefs on what frozen foods to always keep on hand and why, getting started is easier than you might think. Maintaining a well-stocked freezer won’t just save you the headache of trying to figure out a feasible meal plan on a busy weeknight or when guests pop by unexpectedly; it will also save

Statistically speaking, every six seconds, someone in the world is told that they have Alzheimer’s disease — a brain condition that causes mental decline and erodes your ability to remember, think and learn. Age, genetics and family history — risk factors we can’t change — are considered driving forces behind this form of dementia. But that doesn’t make you powerless when it comes to limiting the possibility of cognitive decline. There are ways to help reduce your risk of Alz

Your prostate is only about the size of a walnut. But this small gland can cause big problems if left unchecked. Warning signs of prostate cancer “Most men with prostate cancer don’t have symptoms at first,” says urologist Christopher Weight, MD. But if you notice certain warning signs, like changes in your pee routine or pain, it’s a good idea to visit a urologist. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. But when it’s found early, it’s also one of the most

You're back in school and suddenly have to take a test, despite not having been present to learn any of the material. Your teeth are suddenly falling out. You run into an acquaintance you haven't seen in 20 years. You're suddenly falling from a high distance, or maybe even flying. Dreams are a concept that humans have been fascinated with deciphering for thousands of years. Experts are still working on determining exactly what causes them, but they have posited a number of th

Neurologists often describe puzzles, such as crosswords, as “brain food.” They certainly keep the brain active and can lower your risk of cognitive decline. However, in order to ace your New York Times puzzle of choice—and stay healthy, more generally—the brain needs actual , nutrient-dense food. Dr. Ella Akkerman, MD , a neurologist at VSI, says that our body needs nutrients to ensure that biochemical reactions throughout the body, including those in the brain, function nor

These days, we’re more aware of how sugary beverages can affect our health, and for good reason. Millions of Americans have Type 2 diabetes, and reducing sugar intake can help people manage or prevent the condition. However, some popular drinks have kept their “health halos” because they can (rightfully) slap “no sugar” on their labels. But experts emphasize that these “no sugar” labels don’t mean nothing problematic is going on there. “Many drinks marketed as healthy or low-

Avocados These pear-shaped fruits (yep, they’re fruits!) are packed with potassium. Your body needs potassium to manage its sodium levels, which in turn controls the amount of water you hang onto. The better that system works, the less bloat you’ll have. Bananas Bananas deliver a potassium punch. One study showed that women who ate a banana before each meal bloated less than those who didn’t. Experts think that’s because they deliver certain gut bacteria that help calm gas pr

Fiber Foods that are high in fiber -- like fruits and veggies, oatmeal, nuts, and legumes -- can help with constipation that becomes more common as you age. They're also able to help lower your cholesterol levels, manage your blood sugar, and keep you at a healthy weight. If you're a man who's 51 or older, aim to eat 30 grams of fiber each day. If you're a woman, try for about 21 grams. Whole Grains They're a great source of fiber and rich in B-vitamins, which you'll need mor

Bananas are a convenient, versatile, and nutritional fruit rich in fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals. Research suggests that bananas have many health benefits, including improving digestion, weight management, energy levels, heart health, athletic performance, and more. 1. Increases Energy Carbohydrates are the body's primary fuel source for energy. Because bananas are a solid source of carbohydrates and B vitamins, you may experience increased energy after eating this

You may have heard the saying that raw oysters are safer to eat in months with an “R” in them—from September to April, when it’s cooler in the Northern Hemisphere. But this old rule isn't true. Eating raw oysters is risky year-round, and the danger has little to do with temperature or storage. Although modern farming and supply chains have improved food safety, the risk of eating raw oysters goes beyond how they’re harvested or stored. Oysters are filter feeders, meaning the

While outdoor air pollution certainly poses a concern, it might be easy to forget that the quality of the air you breathe at home may be just as important. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that indoor pollutant levels be 100 times higher than outdoor air pollutants. Higher levels could lead to health effects, including allergic reactions, asthma, heart disease, and possibly cancer. Unexplained respiratory symptoms could offer a clue that it may be time to

For seniors, lower back pain is a common and sometimes debilitating problem. It can get worse over time, too. Since your back plays a key role in pretty much everything you do, this type of pain can prevent you from fully enjoying your life. The good news: Lower back pain does not have to be a normal part of aging. Addressing the problem can make you feel much better. Here’s a look at what causes back pain and the many ways it can be treated. What’s the difference between acu

Feeling breathless — a tightness in the chest or having trouble getting enough air — is called dyspnea. Although it’s common as you age, having trouble breathing shouldn’t be dismissed as just part of getting older. Shortness of breath isn’t a disease itself, but a symptom of other health conditions. How your heart and lungs function contribute to shortness of breath. Both organs work together to move oxygen and remove carbon dioxide all throughout your body. If either one ca

A slight tickle in your throat, body aches, and a sudden fever could be some of the first signs that you’re coming down with the flu. The influenza virus (or flu for short) affects between 5 and 20 percent of the U.S. population each year. It’s crucial that you recognize the symptoms early so you can start taking care of yourself. It’s especially critical for young children, older adults, pregnant people, or people with conditions that affect their respiratory or immune sys

Breast changes in men are common. Sometimes it’s fat. Sometimes it’s breast tissue growth. Rarely, it’s cancer. A concern male patients bring up in my office — sometimes joking, sometimes with embarrassment — is “man boobs.” For some men, chest enlargement is simply fat. For others, it’s gynecomastia, the medical term for breast tissue growth. In many cases, it’s both fat and tissue growth at the same time. Gynecomastia is more common than many people realize. Research sugges

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , metabolic syndrome is having at least three of these five conditions: abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low “good cholesterol.” People who have metabolic syndrome can then be at an increased risk for several health problems, like heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and organ damage. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Nutrients found that not eating breakf

Nuts have long been linked to heart health, and new research continues to explore how they might help protect against heart disease. Researchers wanted to know how regular nut consumption affects heart health over time. Their new study offers a clearer look than earlier research thanks to a larger, more diverse group of participants and a longer follow-up period. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Ischemic heart disease—a type caused by nar

A pit stop at the drive-thru may not be an everyday part of a nutritious diet, but believe it or not, dietitians say fast food doesn’t have to be completely off-limits for health. Sometimes, getting a quick meal is the highest priority for your family. “I know how much convenience matters when it comes to feeding yourself and your kiddos,” says Vanessa Imus, M.S., RDN. “While I wouldn’t recommend fast food for dinner every night, in moderation, it can absolutely fit into a he

Is it a stomachache or something more worrisome? While discomfort in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract — the path that runs through your entire digestive system — can often be temporary and relatively harmless, in some cases it can signal a more serious medical problem.  Bloating, diarrhea, constipation , abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, gas and other common GI symptoms can result from a number of health issues, ranging from stress to GI diseases like ulcerative co

Feeling off but not spiking a fever? That doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have the flu, COVID or other common illnesses that circulate this time of year. Many of the early warning signs of common infections appear differently in older adults — and some of the symptoms can be surprising.   Much of it has to do with the weakening of the immune system with age, a process known as immunosenescence. This decline blunts the typical response to fighting off infection and the sy

Weightlifting is one of the most important types of exercise as you get older—even if you’re just getting started in your sixth decade. Sure, ideally you’d have started strength training years (maybe decades) ago. But “there's no age limit on the muscle's ability to gain strength or even muscle mass,” says Debra Atkinson, C.S.C.S., founder at Flipping 50 . “With older adults who’ve been previously sedentary it’s just about place and pace. We start at the right place and pro

It’s easy to be tempted by a bag of potato chips at any time of the day. This kind of impulsive snacking often happens even when you’re not really hungry. But excessive snacking can lead to weight gain and obesity. Obesity, in turn, is linked to many health problems¹ such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and even cancer. Snacking itself is not unhealthy. Healthy snacking can even good for you. All you need to do is make smart choices about what you snack on. Th

Changes in daylight hours and cooler temperatures contribute to various body changes in autumn. If you notice mood changes, energy dips, or generally feeling "off" in the transition from summer to fall, you're not alone. 1. Your Mood Changes Many people experience mood changes as the weather cools and the days become shorter. Less physical activity could be to blame, but other factors may also be at play: Low vitamin D levels: Vitamin D comes primarily from sun exposure. Vit

Cancer is not a single disease, but many related diseases that occur within the body. There is no single cause of cancer. Cancer occurs due to a variety of factors, including some you cannot control, like genetics, and others you can control, like diet and lifestyle. Research shows some foods are associated with a higher risk of certain types of cancers. At least 18% of all cancers and about 16% of cancer deaths in the United States are related to excess body weight, physical

The Truth About Back Pain It might be a sharp stab. It might be a dull ache. Sooner or later, 8 out of 10 of us will have back pain. And b ack pain myths are almost as common. Let's set the record straight about what you may have heard. Myth: Always Sit Up Straight Slouching is bad. But sitting up too straight and still for long periods can also be a strain on your back. Take breaks a few times a day: Lean back in your chair wit h your feet on the floor and let your back cur

Slow Walking If your walking pace slows while you're in your 40s, it may be a sign you're aging faster than is typical. Walking is one of the easiest and best exercises you can do. To start a walking program, begin with 5 minutes a day and build up to 30 minutes. Try to work up to 100 steps a minute. (To track this, count your steps for 10 seconds and multiply by six.) To make it easier, wear supportive walking shoes and walk with a buddy. Sun Spots Brown sun spots most often

Calories are a unit of energy that your body needs in order to do anything – move, digest food and even breathe. But is a calorie you eat equal to a calorie you burn? Unfortunately, it’s not as straightforward as you may have been led to believe. Below you’ll find six common calorie myths dispelled by registered dietitians. Myth: All calories are always completely absorbed. When you eat food, your body digests – or breaks down the food — with your teeth and enzymes. Once the

Winter can bring chilly temperatures and harsh weather conditions, making it essential to find effective ways to stay warm. You’ll also want to consider energy and cost-saving methods. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, here are some practical tips and strategies for staying cozy and comfortable during the colder months. How to dress for warmth Wearing the right clothing can help you retain the heat from your body more effectively and help you keep heating bills low. You’ll

Spring brings warmer weather, blooming flowers, and greener lawns. But for more than 81 million Americans with seasonal allergies, it can also mean itchy throats, watery eyes, and nonstop sneezing. And allergy season is getting longer. Due to shifts in the climate, experts say it now starts 20 days earlier and lasts 10 days longer than it did 30 years ago—with pollen levels rising more than 20%. If you or a loved one are affected, knowing what’s behind those symptoms—and how

As the air turns crisp and the leaves change colors, it’s the perfect time to enjoy fall activities for exercise. The best part? You don’t always need a gym or structured workout to stay active. Everyday seasonal activities can double as fitness, helping you strengthen muscles, boost endurance, and burn calories — all while soaking in the beauty of autumn and getting some fresh air. Here are some of the best fall activities for exercise that combine fun and fitness: 1.Raking

How much do daily habits like diet and exercise affect your risk for cancer? More than you might think. Research has shown that poor diet and not being active are key factors that can increase a person’s cancer risk. The good news is that you can do something about this. Besides quitting smoking, some of the most important things you can do to help reduce your cancer risk are: Get to and stay at a healthy weight throughout life. Be physically active on a regular basis. Follow

With the cost of groceries continuing to creep up , social media posts with the hashtag #strugglemeals are mushrooming. Some accumulate long lists of derisive comments, disavowing a recipe’s qualifications as a struggle meal. The discord lies in the fact that struggle is in the eye of the beholder. For some, it’s time or physical and emotional energy, and the emphasis there is on extremely pared-down recipes that require no planning and little cleanup. Things that come in a

The average time it takes a person to walk one mile typically ranges from 15 to 22 minutes. This estimate is assuming that someone is walking at a moderate pace and on a relatively flat surface. For example, an experienced walker or hiker on a flat trail might complete a mile in under 15 minutes, while someone new to exercise or walking on an incline might take closer to, or even longer than, 22 minutes. Learn the factors at play that affect how fast you can walk a mile — pl

Infection rates from drug-resistant “nightmare bacteria” are on the rise in the U.S.—meaning that it is important to be aware of the risks, causes and how to slow the spread. The surge comes as part of what the World Health Organization (WHO) has dubbed “one of the top global public health and development threats”: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. Antimicrobials include antibio

A growing number of Americans are sustaining serious eye injuries linked to pickleball, prompting ophthalmologists and researchers to call for safety guidelines as the sport’s popularity continues to surge. A new study published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology analyzed nearly two decades of national emergency department data and found a sharp uptick in pickleball-related eye injuries—many of them severe—largely concentrated among older adults. Experts warn that without man

A new study suggests that quitting smoking – even in middle age or beyond – can slow cognitive decline. While cognitive decline naturally occurs with aging, research suggests that smoking exacerbates it and may increase the risk of dementia. Previous research found that quitting smoking early in life may reduce these effects. Mikaela Bloomberg, an epidemiologist at the University College London and the lead author on the paper published this week, says those who break the hab

There is strong evidence that there is “no safe amount” of processed meat to eat, nutrition experts say in response to a new study on the connection between diet and the risk of major diseases, including cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The researchers also found elevated risks from the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and trans fatty acids. Researchers analyzed data from more than 60 previous studies on the relationship between processed meats, sugar-sweete

If you needed another reason to get your daily steps in, science just handed you one. A new study shows that walking daily can reduce the risk of cognitive decline — especially among those with a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease. Almost 3,000 participants between the ages of 70 and 79 reported their daily walking habits over the course of 10 years, according to research that will be presented Tuesday at the annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference