Seniors whose cholesterol levels spike and plummet year-to-year could be at increased risk of dementia and failing brain health, a new study suggests. Those whose cholesterol fluctuated the most had a 60% increased risk of dementia, researchers report in findings published Jan. 29 in the journal Neurology. They also had a 23% increased risk of…  read on >  read on >

“Hidden hunger” — low levels of essential vitamins or minerals — is common among people with type 2 diabetes, a new evidence review says Overall, as many as 45% of type 2 diabetics are suffering multiple deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, researchers reported Jan. 28 in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. The…  read on >  read on >

Four in every 10 cancer patients treated with chemotherapy develop severe peripheral nerve pain, a new evidence review suggests. These patients might experience loss of balance and coordination, weakness or sensations of numbness, tingling, “pins and needles,” or burning, researchers said in a study published Jan. 28 in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.…  read on >  read on >

Daily low-dose aspirin can help prevent cancers from returning in about a third of colon cancer patients, a new study says. Taking 160 milligrams of aspirin a day cuts the risk of cancer recurrence in half among colon cancer patients with a mutation in their PI3K genes, researchers reported at the 2025 American Society of…  read on >  read on >

COVID-19 continues to be a threat to America’s health, causing more illness and death than either influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a new study suggests. COVID accounted for 3 of 5 (60%) respiratory illnesses among military veterans treated by the U.S. Veterans Health Administration during the 2023-2024 cold and flu season, researchers reported Jan.…  read on >  read on >

Staff at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been told to stop communication with the World Health Organization (WHO), in the wake of President Donald Trump’s order withdrawing from the health agency. The memo was sent late Sunday from the CDC’s deputy director of global health, Dr. John Nkengasong. “Effective immediately…  read on >  read on >

Delays in dreaming might be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease. People who take significantly longer to enter the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep could be experiencing an early symptom of Alzheimer’s, researchers reported Jan. 27 in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia. “The delay in REM sleep disrupts the brain’s ability to…  read on >  read on >

An experimental blood test can effectively and accurately detect colon cancer in middle-aged folks and seniors, a new study says. The blood test was 81% accurate in detecting colon cancer among people who have the disease, researchers reported at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium held last week in San Francisco.…  read on >  read on >

People with low back pain might want to look into the ancient Chinese mind-body movement exercise known as qigong, a new study published recently suggests. Qigong is similar to tai chi, in that it uses slow-flowing exercises and still, meditative postures to ease tension and increase flexibility. The practice brought pain relief and better sleep…  read on >  read on >

Helping kids with obesity drop pounds can have a huge impact on their future health. When these children and teens lose weight, they are less likely to have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol as young adults, researchers reported in a new study published Jan. 21 in JAMA Pediatrics. They also had…  read on >  read on >