There is something comforting about the quiet of an early morning. Before the phone starts buzzing, before the world gets busy, and before the demands of the day begin, there is a peaceful moment to think, pray, reflect, and prepare. As a woman over 50, I’ve learned that taking care of myself is not about chasing every new trend or trying to look like I did decades ago. It’s about respecting the body I’ve been given, making wise choices, and building habits that support a hea

Strong bones are about much more than avoiding fractures—they're essential for staying active, maintaining your independence, and enjoying the activities you love. While many of us grew up hearing that milk builds strong bones, the truth is that healthy bones require a variety of nutrients working together. Calcium remains the foundation of bone health, but it isn't the whole story. According to experts, nearly all of the calcium in your body is stored in your bones and teeth

Whether you enjoy sipping a steaming mug on a quiet morning or reaching for a tall glass of iced tea on a warm afternoon, there's good news: both hot and iced tea can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Many adults over 50 are looking for simple ways to support heart health, stay hydrated, and add more antioxidants to their diets. Tea checks all those boxes—as long as it's brewed from real tea leaves and isn't loaded with sugar. Is Hot Tea Healthier Than Iced Tea? The short answe

High blood pressure becomes more common with age, but taking medication isn't the only way to manage it. For many adults over 50, healthy lifestyle changes can make a meaningful difference—especially when high blood pressure is caught early. The key is understanding when lifestyle improvements may be enough and when medication remains an important part of treatment. Lifestyle Changes Can Have a Big Impact According to cardiologists, people with mildly elevated blood pressure

For many people, the day doesn't truly begin until that first cup of coffee. But if you're over 50 and taking one or more prescription medications—as many Americans are—that daily brew may affect how well some medicines work. The good news? In most cases, you don't have to give up coffee. Knowing which medications can interact with caffeine and when to enjoy your favorite cup can help you get the most benefit from your treatment while avoiding unwanted side effects. Pain Reli

Getting older isn't about chasing youth—it's about maintaining the energy, health, and independence that allow you to enjoy life on your own terms. For adults over 50, small daily habits can have a significant impact on physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. Here are some of the most effective ways to support healthy aging and continue thriving in the years ahead. 1. Protect and Care for Your Skin Your skin changes with age, becoming thinner and more

As we get older, health advice seems to come from every direction—friends, family, social media, television, and even well-meaning neighbors. The challenge is that some of the most common health "facts" we've heard for decades aren't entirely true. Here are 10 widespread health myths that science has helped clear up, so you can focus on what really matters for healthy aging. 1. You Must Drink Eight Glasses of Water Every Day Many of us grew up hearing that eight glasses of wa

If you've noticed your energy isn't what it used to be, you're not alone. While it's common to experience changes as you get older, feeling tired all the time shouldn't be dismissed as a normal part of aging. In many cases, low energy may be linked to nutrition. As we age, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing certain vitamins and minerals that play a key role in keeping us active and alert. The good news is that a few simple dietary changes may help you feel more ene

An occasional itch is usually nothing to worry about. But if your skin seems to be itching more often as you get older, it may be worth paying attention. While dry skin is a common culprit, persistent itching can sometimes signal an underlying health issue that deserves a closer look. Here are some of the most common reasons adults over 50 experience itchy skin and when it may be time to speak with a healthcare professional. 1. Aging Skin and Dryness As we age, our skin natur

If you're over 50, you've probably noticed that sleep doesn't always come as easily as it once did. You may wake up earlier, have trouble staying asleep, or find yourself needing a nap during the day. But new research suggests that getting the right amount of sleep may do more than help you feel rested—it could also help your body age more slowly. A large study involving nearly 500,000 adults found that both too little sleep and too much sleep were linked to faster biological

As we grow older, managing stress, anxiety, and physical discomfort often becomes a larger part of daily life. While medications and medical treatments remain important, researchers are continuing to explore simple, low-cost ways to support overall well-being. A recent study suggests that just five minutes of prayer may offer meaningful benefits for some adults struggling with pain and anxiety. Researchers followed 180 adults who reported moderate to severe pain, anxiety, or

Feeling fine doesn’t always mean that everything is fine. Some of the most common conditions that show up with age can build quietly for years. As scary as that sounds, there’s good news: Many of these “silent” conditions can be found early and treated—if you keep up with recommended screenings. “A lot of what we do as cardiologists is treating people who are asymptomatic so we can prevent things down the line,” says Dr. John Dodson, director of the Geriatric Cardiology Progr

Your favorite breakfast food may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. That’s according to a recent study, which found that eating at least one egg five days a week was associated with a 27% lower risk of developing the disease in older adults. Previous research has also linked egg consumption to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s, but Jisoo Oh, DrPH, MPH, an associate professor of epidemiology at Loma Linda University and author of the new paper, said the recent study was among

Starting around age 60, your nutritional needs change. This happens for a number of reasons, and it’s important to make sure you’re tweaking your diet appropriately so that you get the nutrients you need. Why Nutrition Needs Change as You Age As people age, the body’s metabolic rate—how much energy the body uses—gradually changes. “A key contributor to the decrease in metabolic rate is a loss of muscle mass. Peak muscle mass is usually reached around the early to mid-thirties

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

People who have razor-sharp minds in their 80s and 90s — known as “SuperAgers” — produce twice the number of young neurons as cognitively healthy adults and 2.5 times as many as people with Alzheimer’s disease, a new study found. “This shows the aging brain has the capacity to regenerate — that’s huge,” said study coauthor Dr. Tamar Gefen, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Mesulam Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease at N

All the Shades of Gray It’s said a woman’s hair is their crowning glory. Sooner or later, that crown will start to gray. You now face a decision. Banish gray hair with dye, or rock a silver mane? Whichever you pick, know the facts about your gray strands to keep your hair looking and feeling its best. Science of Grays Your hair follicles have pigment cells that make melanin, a chemical that gives your hair its color. As you age, these cells start to die. Without pigment, new

If your knees creak or your hips feel stiff when you get out of bed in the morning, you might blame it on the normal wear and tear that comes with age. But the stiffness could also be something else: a problem with joint lubrication. A natural lubricant called synovial fluid helps your bones glide together without grinding, says Dr. Kenneth Mautner, a sports medicine physician at Emory Healthcare’s Orthopaedics and Spine Center in Atlanta. As we age, our bodies can produce le

Sleep is vitally important at all ages, but a myth persists: older adults simply need less sleep. But in fact, people who are 65 and older are still recommended to get the same amount of sleep as younger adults. “As we age, we still need around 7–9 hours of sleep, but the way we sleep shifts. Sleep tends to become lighter and more fragmented, meaning older adults wake up more during the night. This can be due to natural changes in our internal body clock, certain medications,

It’s normal to feel a bit nervous about visiting the dentist. Things like needles, drills, and sharp tools are enough to unnerve anyone, regardless of their age. But if you’re 65 or older, it can be especially hard to smile when thinking about your teeth. That’s because older adults are at higher risk for certain dental issues. Maybe your mouth feels dryer than it used to. Perhaps your dentist has recommended some procedures you’ve never heard of. And you might find out you h

The “forever chemicals” known as PFAS appear to be aging men faster in their 50s and early 60s, a new study found. Called forever chemicals due to the years it takes for them to break down, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are present in the blood of an estimated 98% of Americans, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Epigenetic aging — a measurement of one’s biological age instead of chronological age — was most advanced in

Scientists have just identified four broad types of medical condition that could help doctors identify the risk of Alzheimer’s disease a decade before symptoms develop—with the potential to help slash incidence rates in half. Alzheimer’s disease develops over decades, and some health conditions in midlife such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and stroke have been linked to an increased risk later in life. However, more medical conditions could predict the development of thi

Glyphosate is an ingredient found in several herbicide products, including those from a major brand that has been in the news for settling a lawsuit around glyphosate’s potential link to cancer. Recent research links glyphosate to Hodgkin’s lymphoma and raises questions about the ingredient’s carcinogenic properties, however, more research is still needed. What is glyphosate? Glyphosate is an herbicide that’s widespread in the environment. “It was initially registered as an

We get it: Absolutely no one wants cancer or even wants to think about getting cancer. The good news is that we’ve come a long way in treatment and prognoses for many types of cancer, especially when doctors catch them early , thanks to research and modern medicine. Yet, despite all we’ve learned about the disease, there are still a bunch of things we don’t know. “We are still trying to figure out risk factors for many types of cancer,” states Dr. David Yashar, MD , a hemato

After a trip, a long day with family or the occasional late night, it’s common to feel tired or a bit sluggish. But fatigue — constant exhaustion, tiredness, and a lack of physical and mental energy — often needs more than just a good night’s sleep to resolve. Often, fatigue is seen as an inevitable part of aging — but this shouldn’t be the case, according to Chris Aakre, M.D., a fatigue specialist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “Fatigue at any age is not normal. The

You don’t have to cut the morning caffeine drip to protect your brain against dementia in the future. New research shows that daily coffee or tea –– and yes, the caffeinated kind –– is associated with better cognitive health in the long term. Those who enjoyed two to three cups of coffee or one to two cups of tea a day saw the biggest impact, according to the study published Monday in JAMA. Coffee drinkers in midlife had about an 18% lower chance of developing dementia later

A person’s genes play a far greater role in likely lifespan than previously thought, according to a major new study published Thursday in the journal Science . Using data from human twin studies, an international team of researchers arrived at the conclusion that the genetic contribution to how long we’re likely to live is as high as 55%. This new finding is strikingly higher than previous estimates, which have calculated the role of genetics in lifespan could range from 6% t

There are more than 2 million new cancer cases diagnosed each year in the United States, and cancer is the country’s second leading cause of death. Most cancers are caused by factors outside your control, but at least 42% of new cases are potentially avoidable. Strategies that can lower your risk often improve your overall health. ‘I’ve Been Intentional About Having Fresher Foods’ Research has repeatedly linked ultra-processed foods—generally those with a long shelf life that

It’s likely that you might have taken your health for granted in early adulthood. Maybe you could run a quick mile or stand on your feet all day long at a theme park. However, as you age, you may notice that your body doesn’t usually work as well as it used to. For example, after the age of 50, bone breakdown happens quicker than formation, which results in bone loss. That said, there are daily habits and practices that older adults can engage in to help ease some of the ache

Can you help your brain stay healthy as you age by doing things that challenge your mind? Could that also help you avoid memory loss, or even prevent or delay dementia such as Alzheimer's? Scientists need to do more research to find out for sure. But a number of studies show there are benefits to staying mentally active. Here’s what we know about the impact of exercising your brain. Can brain exercises help delay memory loss or dementia? When people keep their minds active, t

Step into any suburban garage and you’ll see the relics of January resolutions that have fallen by the wayside. Whether it’s a piece of cardio equipment, a label maker, or a spiderweb-covered juicer, these items often stick around far longer than our motivation. Each New Year can feel like the perfect time for dramatic and sweeping changes, but those big shifts don’t always stick, especially when we attempt several at once. In fact, research shows that small goals are far eas

When you think of volunteering, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s serving Thanksgiving dinner at a shelter or joining your community for spring clean-up day at your local park. Helping others during high-need seasons is admirable. Still, there are plenty of reasons to give back all year long. And many of them benefit you just as much as the people (or furry friends) you’re serving. “Volunteering is one of the most important things you can do for your mental health,” says Julian

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 57% of U.S. adults use dietary supplements, with multivitamins being the most commonly used. Yet, despite their popularity, there’s still plenty of debate over whether multivitamins actually work. As with most things related to nutrition and health, the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. At their core, multivitamins are “designed to supplement your diet, providing essential vitamins and

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

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

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

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

Oftentimes, vitamin C (for your immune system) and vitamin B (for nerve health and energy) get the attention. But a dietitian says vitamin K , specifically vitamin K2, may be worth adding to your routine. Before incorporating any supplement to your stack, be sure to connect with your healthcare provider, so you don’t start to exhibit signs you’re taking too many vitamins . What is vitamin K2? As a whole, vitamin K primarily supports blood clotting and bone health. It’s fou

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. As you age, your body’s natural production of collagen declines, which may lead to sagging skin and wrinkles. The integrity of the collagen network found in bones also decreases, leading to a reduction in bone and joint strength. Supplementing with collagen peptides, which are broken down collagen that’s easier for your body

Falls are a leading cause of injury and death in older adults, and research suggests that prescription drugs such as opioids and antidepressants may be fueling the trend. A research review published in JAMA warns that the rising use of medications that impair balance or cause drowsiness may be contributing to a surge in fall-related deaths. Studies show that 65%-93% of the older adults who had a fall-related injury took at least one "fall risk-increasing drug" (FRID) at the

Why Is It Important to Identify Respiratory Problems? Breathing problems can indicate a medical emergency. If ignored, you could possibly suffer from serious medical complications of the respiratory system like pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, problems with the bronchi, trachea, or other parts of your airway system, or any other conditions that could potentially damage the nerves or muscles of breathing control. The following are signs that should never be ignored when it co

What Is Frailty? Frailty isn't just normal aging. It's when your body becomes less able to handle stress and recover from illness or injury. You might feel weaker, move slower, or get tired more easily. The good news? Catching early signs can help you take steps to stay stronger longer. You're Feeling Weaker Than Before Having trouble opening jars, carrying groceries, or getting up from chairs? Muscle weakness is often the first sign of frailty. You might notice tasks that u

If you’ve ever stepped into a sauna, you know the feeling: warmth wrapping around you, muscles relaxing, and stress melting away. But did you know that saunas may offer real health benefits — especially for older adults? From heart health to joint comfort, that short session in the heat can support your wellness in more ways than one. Let’s take a closer look at how (and when) to make the most of sauna time. What happens to your body in a sauna A traditional sauna raises the

The “Shaking Palsy.” Those are the words Dr. James Parkinson used in an essay more than 200 years ago to group together symptoms and describe a mysterious infirmity afflicting six individuals in London. The British physician was the first to identify and document the condition now known as Parkinson’s disease, a progressive movement disorder. Its hallmark is damage to the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain that can lead to muscle stiffness, slowness, balance issues and a