Older folks who eat fish a couple of times a week may be doing their brains a favor. New research suggests that fish, even in moderate amounts, helps stave off vascular disease that may ultimately lead to dementia. “Previous studies, including work from our team in France and others in the U.S., reported protective associations…  read on >  read on >

A measure designed to lower prescription drug costs for seniors has been added to President Joe Biden’s social safety net and climate change bill that Democratic leaders hope to bring to a House vote this week. For the first time, the measure would enable the federal government to negotiate prices for medications covered by Medicare,…  read on >  read on >

Wine lovers, beer drinkers and those who enjoy a martini now and then have long been told that moderate drinking beats total abstinence. Unfortunately, new German research is throwing some cold water on that advice, finding that premature death among non-drinkers is likely the result of unrelated health problems that have little to do with…  read on >  read on >

Many people pop a zinc supplement at the first sign of a cold, and there’s new evidence supporting the habit. Australian researchers found that the supplements appear to help shorten respiratory tract infections, such as colds, flu, sinusitis and pneumonia. Many over-the-counter cold and cough remedies offer only “marginal benefits,” the researchers noted, making “zinc…  read on >  read on >

Nearly one-third of older U.S. adults visit at least five different doctors each year — reflecting the growing role of specialists in Americans’ health care, a new study finds. Over the past 20 years, Americans on Medicare have been increasingly seeing specialists, researchers found, with almost no change in visits with their primary care doctor.…  read on >  read on >

Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. said Monday it has recalled bags of garden salad sold in 10 states after a bag tested positive for listeria contamination. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled salad sold in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia, the company said in…  read on >  read on >

Contaminated water is the leading cause of large-scale outbreaks of infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people, researchers say. These health threats are called zoonotic infectious diseases, and recent outbreaks include COVID-19 and Ebola. “In the age of COVID-19, it is understandable that many people may not realize how many outbreaks of…  read on >  read on >

Most people who’ve had a root canal say they don’t regret it, even though many still have pain and discomfort in the affected tooth, a new Swedish study finds. Root canals are commonly done when the soft tissue (pulp) inside the tooth is inflamed or infected. The soft parts are removed and replaced with a…  read on >  read on >