Don’t Rely on Stool Softeners for Constipation Relief
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: I have been taking daily stool softeners to help my constipation. Is this safe? Is there some other over-the-counter product I can use safely? A: Stool softeners such as docusate (Colace, Surfak, generic versions) are safe. However, when put to scientific testing in controlled clinical trials, they […]
What is Keto Flu?
Harvard Health Blog Many people have decided to try the ketogenic diet for weight loss. The most recent evidence shows that reducing your carbohydrate intake to a minimum may help you shed a few pounds, at least in the first few weeks to months. However, we don’t really know whether, over the long term, achieving […]
Some Obesity-Related Cancers on the Rise in Americans Under 50
We’ve been told for decades that carrying around extra pounds can make us more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes later in life. But there’s a growing understanding that being overweight can also increase our risk of another chronic disease: cancer. And obesity-related cancers are not necessarily a “later in life” thing. Studies have […]