Is There a Place for Coconut Oil in a Healthy Diet?
Coconut oil has seen a surge in popularity in recent years due to many touted health benefits, ranging from reducing belly fat to strengthening the immune system, preventing heart disease and staving off dementia. These claims are often backed by celebrity endorsements and bolstered by proponents of popular diets such as ketogenic and Paleo, with […]
The Medicine Cabinet: Keeping an Eye on Thyroid Condition
Q: I have been taking the same dose of thyroid medication for more than 30 years to treat an underactive thyroid gland. My last blood test was abnormal. Does that mean I need a higher dose of thyroid? A: I suspect you had blood test to measure TSH, which stands for thyroid stimulating hormone, and […]
What to Know About Metabolic Syndrome
Obesity, elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol or triglyceride levels — any one of these conditions on its own is cause for concern. But a whopping 34% of U.S. adults have at least three of them (up from 25% two decades ago), a perfect storm of health problems, called metabolic syndrome, that doubles […]
Celebrate Celery!
Celery has hit celeb status in the veggie world. No longer the passed-over crudite, or mere Bloody Mary stirring stick, celery is a social media phenom, so wildly popular, it’s selling out in stores. Credit celery juice for the trending promises of everything from weight loss and mental clarity to disease cure. The folklore Historically, […]
9 Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season
Holiday busyness got you down? These simple tips for healthy holiday alternatives will help you keep the season merry and bright. Wrap happily. Wrapping gifts can be a real pain in the back and neck, especially if you’re sitting on the floor. The most comfortable way to wrap is to stand on a mat in […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: For Some, Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements Can Reduce Risk of Heart Attack
Q: In general, I eat a well-balanced diet and consider myself to be healthy. Should I be taking a daily omega-3 supplement? A: Recent studies do suggest that some people can reduce their risk of heart attack and heart-related death by taking a marine omega-3 fatty acid supplement. However, the study results do not provide […]
Healthy Sports Parenting Starts with These Tips
Coach and author Sharkie Zartman remembers coaching at a youth volleyball tournament and observing a match between two very good teams of 10-year-olds when the parents started behaving badly. “It was just a battle, going back and forth,” she says. “After it was over, the parents were still yelling at the coaches, officials and other […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Evaluation Can Guide Treatment for Knee Pain
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: One year ago, I fell and broke my arm. While my arm has healed, my knees also have been bothering me since I fell. I have arthritis in both knees and a slight tear in the meniscus on one knee, but both knees are extremely painful when I walk. Is it possible […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Patients with Advanced Emphysema may Benefit from Lung Volume Reduction
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: How do doctors determine who is a good candidate for minimally invasive lung volume reduction to treat emphysema? Is it possible to have it done if I have only mild emphysema to slow the disease’s progression? ANSWER: The procedure you mention is intended for people who have advanced emphysema that no longer […]
Protein, You Complete Me
You don’t need be a bodybuilder to pay close attention to your protein intake. This macronutrient is required for the structure, function and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs, including muscle and bone. And these days, there’s been increased interest in how dietary protein affects things like satiety and weight loss. Increasingly, a lot […]
Which Health Trends Are Worth the Hype?
When the new Big Thing in health is, you know, healthy, we celebrate. (All hail, avocado toast on whole-wheat bread!) All too often, however, these fads are more style than substance. Here, a few health trends we’re loving — and ones we were done with yesterday. Love It: Fermented Foods Kimchi, kefir, kombucha, yogurt, miso, […]
Sleeping with Artificial Light at Night Associated with Weight Gain in Women
Sleeping with a television or light on in the room may be a risk factor for gaining weight or developing obesity, according to scientists at the National Institutes of Health. The research, which was published online in JAMA Internal Medicine, is the first to find an association between any exposure to artificial light at night […]
Hot Flashes Can Be Fast and Furious
Disrupted sleep, irritability, sweats, rapid heart rate — 67-year-old Nora Barler has battled extreme hot flashes for three decades, ever since having a total hysterectomy in her late 30s to remove her uterus and ovaries. When her hot flashes began, she was working in human resources as a labor and employee relations manager and felt […]
Surgery for Appendicitis? Antibiotics Alone May Be Enough
I remember when my best friend in fifth grade couldn’t make our much-anticipated end-of-the-school-year camping trip because he had just undergone surgery for appendicitis. Now I prevent kids from participating in their school activities for four to six weeks after I remove their appendix. But what is the appendix, why do we have an organ […]
5 Things to Know About Esophageal Cancer
What is esophageal cancer? The esophagus is a tube that takes food from the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal cancer is a disease where cancerous cells form in the esophagus. There are several types of esophageal cancer, with the most common types being squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. How common is esophageal cancer? More than […]
Eating to Prevent Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime risk of cancer in the United States is 1 in 3. But many people may not realize that more than half of all cancer deaths could be prevented by making healthier food choices, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping active. What can you do to help prevent […]
More Research Needed to Determine Effectiveness of CBD as Anxiety Treatment
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Is there any harm in trying CBD for anxiety? It seems to have helped my co-worker, but I am hesitant to try it without knowing more about it. ANSWER: Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat anxiety. Although some research appears […]
Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis
Q: I saw an advertisement on TV for Coolief to treat arthritis. It looked encouraging. What is it and does it work? A: Coolief is a procedure used to reduce pain for people with knee osteoarthritis. A doctor inserts electrodes through the skin, placing them near nerves in several locations around the knee. Electric current […]
NSAIDs: How Dangerous Are They for Your Heart?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly referred to as NSAIDs, are one of the most common medications used to treat pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin and other NSAIDs are effective across a variety of common conditions, from acute musculoskeletal pain to chronic arthritis. They work by blocking specific proteins, called COX enzymes. This results in the […]
Choose Chia!
Widely known for its role as the quirky sprout of Chia Pet fame, the chia seed’s rich history and current celebrity all but eclipse the seasonal kitsch. Chia, native to Mexico and Guatemala, has been an important food in South America for 5,500 years and has been used historically by the Mayan and Aztec civilizations […]
Hack Your Metabolism by Timing Your Meals
Around 5 p.m., when the day begins to wind down, your body does the opposite — cranking up to be at its calorie-burning peak, according to a recent study. “We discovered that you naturally burn about 10% more calories in the late afternoon than you do later at night,” says Kirsi-Marja Zitting, PhD, an associate […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Some Colonoscopy Preparations Require Less Fluid
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Among the discomforts of having a colonoscopy, the worst for me is drinking the large amount of laxative solution in preparation. Are there ways to avoid this? ANSWER: Colonoscopy can be a lifesaving screening test for colon cancer. However, one often uncomfortable aspect is that the large intestine needs to be empty […]
Sources of Vitamin E (and How to Make Sure Your Body Can Use It)
Vitamin E is an antioxidant essential for the nervous, cardiovascular, reproductive, musculoskeletal and other systems to work properly. It may help prevent diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cognitive decline. However, nearly 90% of American adults don’t get enough vitamin E to meet recommended daily requirements. Vitamin E sources to boost your intake To […]
Smart Eating Habits to Boost Your Well-Being
If you find yourself feeling irritable or sluggish, your diet may need a tune-up. How you eat — and when — can have a huge impact on how you feel. To keep your energy levels up and your mood on an even keel, follow these savvy nutrition tips. Start your day with a healthy breakfast. […]
How the Brain Helps Us Make Good Decisions
A prevailing theory in neuroscience holds that people make decisions based on integrated global calculations that occur within the frontal cortex of the brain. However, Yale researchers have found that three distinct circuits connecting to different brain regions are involved in making good decisions, bad ones, and determining which of those past choices to store […]
To Prevent Colorectal Cancer, Start Screening at Age 45 or 50
Although recommendations on when to begin screening for colorectal cancer vary, one thing is clear: Regular screening is the key to preventing colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. With more young people being diagnosed with the disease, consistent screening is important, experts say. Researchers suspect that lifestyle choices are […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Kidney Donors Do Not Need to Be Relatives
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve heard of people being a living kidney donor for someone they don’t know who’s in need of a transplant. How does that work? Don’t you have to be a relative, or at least a friend, to donate a kidney? ANSWER: If you’re interested in being a living kidney donor, it’s not […]
The Medicine Cabinet: A Lingering Cough Should Be Checked by Doctor
Q: I have been coughing for almost six weeks for no obvious reason. I have never smoked and haven’t been sick with a cold or the flu. What makes you cough and why would it linger? A: The cough is a vital player in the body’s defense against disease. Coughing expels mucus, microbes and foreign […]
Acne: What You Need to Know
When the teenage years arrive, they often come with those annoying, distinctive pimples on the face, and often on the chest and back too. These little skin imperfections tend to go away as we get older, but for some of us, the painful, red and sometimes yellow “zits” may last a lot longer into adulthood. […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: How to Ease Muscle Pain Possibly Caused by Statin
Q: I take a statin to lower my cholesterol. I have been having muscle aches, but I don’t want to stop the statin. What causes the muscle pain? What can I do to minimize this side effect? A: The true incidence of statin-induced muscle pain is hard to pin down. In clinical studies of people […]
6 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds
Maybe you love the process of scooping seeds out of a pumpkin and roasting them. But these days it’s easy to find raw, sprouted and roasted pumpkin seeds year-round (the shelled seeds, which are green, are often called pepitas). So you don’t have to carve a pumpkin to enjoy their health benefits! A 1-ounce portion […]
New Treatment for Pediatric Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes have a new treatment option this year. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Victoza (liraglutide) injection for treatment of pediatric patients 10 years or older with type 2 diabetes. Victoza is the first non-insulin drug approved to treat type 2 diabetes in pediatric patients since metformin was […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: How to Stop Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm from Getting Bigger
Q: My doctor ordered an abdominal ultrasound as part of my routine checkup. I was surprised to learn I have a 3.7 centimeter abdominal aneurysm. What can I do to help prevent it from getting larger? A: An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the lower part of the aorta due to a weakening […]
How to Control Stress Eating When the Pressure Is on
Do you find yourself dipping into the potato chip bag or pint of ice cream more often when you’re stressed out? If so, you’re not alone — researchers confirm that stress can influence eating behaviors. Three-quarters of adults (74%) say they have experienced at least one symptom of stress in the past month and about one-third […]
The Puzzle of Weight Loss Plateaus
You’ve started a new plan to get to a healthier weight but at some point you find you’ve hit a plateau and just can’t seem to lose any more weight. Weight loss plateaus are very common but they can be so frustrating you may feel like giving up. Before you do that, here are some […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: ADHD
High energy, lack of focus don’t necessarily mean child has ADHD DEAR MAYO CLINIC: As the mom of an elementary schoolboy, I hear a lot of talk about ADHD. But what is it exactly? How do you tell the difference between a kid who just has a ton of energy and one who has a […]
Healthcare Price Info is No Cure for Sticker Shock
Chances are you’ve weighed a trip to the doctor based on how poorly you feel as well as how much you will pay the provider. But good luck comparison-shopping. The amounts paid by health insurers for identical services are shrouded in secrecy and can vary widely, even within the same state, metropolitan area or neighborhood. […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: Can Tai Chi Ease Knee Pain?
Question: I have pain in both knees due to osteoarthritis. It’s not too bad, but I want to avoid surgery in the future. What are your thoughts about tai chi? Answer by Howard LeWine, MD Osteoarthritis develops when cartilage — the tissue that covers bones and acts as a cushion — deteriorates over time, eventually […]
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
Your Child Should Visit the Dentist by Age 1 or Within Six Months After the First Appearance of a Tooth At what age should a child visit a dentist for the first time? It is generally recommended that an infant have a first dental visit by the age of 1 or within six months after […]
Hormone Therapy for Depression: Are the Risks Worth the Benefits?
When you think of menopause, you might think of hot flashes and night sweats. But many women also experience symptoms of depression. The risk of depression doubles or even quadruples during the menopausal transition, which has researchers looking for ways to address — or even prevent — the problem. One study published in JAMA Psychiatry […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: Details of Your Family Medical History Influence Heart Disease Risk
Q: I am filling out a form that asks for my family medical history. My father died of what we think was a heart attack at age 84. But no one else in my family had heart disease that I know of. Does that mean I check “yes” on that question? A: That’s the problem […]
Alcohol Use Disorder: When Is Drinking a Problem?
Conversations about alcohol use have been center stage in the national news. Stories about underage drinking, blacking out and harmful behavior associated with alcohol use are quite common in many families around the world. The rise of the opioid epidemic in the U.S. has rightly caught our attention but overshadowed a much more common problem. […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Screening Is an Important Step in Preventing Colon Cancer
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Are there ways to prevent colon cancer? What about early symptoms to watch for? I just turned 50, and I’ve heard colon cancer is more common as you get older. I’d like to lower my risk of getting this disease as much as possible. ANSWER: There are some lifestyle changes that may […]
Be Vigilant When Trying to Determine Food Allergies
As a parent, it can be overwhelming to see your child’s face become red and botchy within minutes of eating a meal. Trying to diagnose and determine exactly what foods or ingredients are causing food allergies can feel like a medical treasure hunt. The process is full of twists, but the reward is keeping a […]
Six Viruses that Cause Cancer
The truth is doctors and scientists don’t know what causes most types of cancer. Yes, some lifestyle behaviors, such as smoking, can increase your risk. Hereditary factors sometimes play a role, like if breast cancer runs in your family. And sometimes — in rare circumstances — cancer can be triggered by a virus. It doesn’t […]
Surgeons Are Doing Fewer Knee Surgeries
When knee arthroscopy became widely available in the 1980s, it represented a major advance. Today orthopedists evaluating and treating common knee problems often recommend arthroscopy, during which they insert an instrument into the joint and, with a light and camera on its tip, directly inspect the knee from the inside. While there, he or she […]
Spotlight on Supplements: St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort is a widely known, non-prescription dietary supplement with use dating back to ancient Greece Overview St. John’s wort (SJW) is the common name for a flowering shrub native to Europe, Hypercium perforatum, also known as Klamath weed or goat weed. The name originates from when its yellow flowers bloom in late June, […]
Is Dairy-Free Ice Cream Actually Better for You?
If you follow a dairy-free lifestyle, you no longer need to suffer from fear of missing out when it comes to enjoying a scoop of ice cream. Whether you’re a part-time flexitarian, lactose intolerant or a strict vegan, grab your spoon because it’s now easy to find oodles of nondairy plant-based options that lack animal […]
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia Can Affect Quality of Life
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I thought I had an ulcer, but my doctor ruled that out and wants to run tests. He said it could be functional dyspepsia. What causes this, and is it treatable? ANSWER: Functional dyspepsia (also called nonulcer dyspepsia) and peptic ulcers can feel much the same. But, unlike a peptic ulcer, which […]
Make Walking Part of Your Routine
There are days when just the thought of leaving the house seems like a huge effort. Days when you don’t feel like getting off the couch, never mind going to the gym. But guess what — if you got out of bed this morning, you jump-started your fitness routine just by walking down the hall […]