You’ve likely heard that “you are what you eat,” but a new study suggests what you eat also has something to do with who you are — genetically speaking. Researchers have identified nearly 500 genes that appear to directly influence what someone eats. These insights could help improve personalized nutrition to boost health or prevent… read on > read on >
Your body needs vitamin D, the “sunshine” vitamin, but too much time in the sun can increase your risk for skin cancer. An expert offers tips for boosting vitamin D intake while staying safe from the sun and this summer’s record-high temperatures. “Vitamin D is important for bone health, calcium absorption, reduction of inflammation, promoting… read on > read on >
Scientists have reported a link between air pollution and dementia risk, but they haven’t had a good understanding of the mechanisms behind this association. Now, a new study provides some answers. “In this study, we found that two types of vitamin B-related amino acids played a role in increasing or decreasing the risk of dementia… read on > read on >
If you just can’t stop biting your nails, picking at your skin or pulling out a hank of hair, especially when you’re stressed out, here’s something to try that just might work. Instead of nibbling, picking or pulling, simply touch your skin gently, such as by lightly rubbing the fingertips, palm or back of arm,… read on > read on >
Many retirees opt to volunteer as a way to help others, but new research suggests this act can also benefit volunteers’ brain health. Volunteering later in life may provide protection for the brain from both cognitive (mental) decline and dementia, according to researchers. Their findings were presented this week at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference,… read on > read on >
Most older adults think that screening for dementia is a good idea, according to a new poll on aging. But few actually take that step. Only about 20% of those aged 65 to 80 had a screening test in the past year to see if their memory and thinking abilities have started to decline, according… read on > read on >
A definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease now requires a series of complicated and expensive imaging scans that look for abnormal protein plaques and tangles in the brain. But in the near future, detecting signs of Alzheimer’s could be as simple as taking a finger prick blood test. Researchers detected key Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers in dried blood… read on > read on >
ChatGPT may have some of the reasoning skills doctors need to diagnose and treat health problems, a pair of studies suggests — though no one is predicting that chatbots will replace humans in lab coats. In one study, researchers found that — with the right prompting — ChatGPT was on par with medical residents in… read on > read on >
Dehydration brings lots of risks — including urinary tract infections (UTIs). An expert offers some tips for avoiding these painful infections without sacrificing summer fun. “Patients can experience more UTIs during the summer due to inadequate fluid intake, especially in the historic heat waves we’ve been experiencing,” said Dr. Maude Carmel, a urology specialist at… read on > read on >
Fluoride may have found its match in preventing cavities. New research shows that toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite, one of the main mineral components in teeth, can prevent cavities as effectively as fluoride, which has been used in toothpaste since 1956. The findings were published July 18 in Frontiers in Public Health. “If the article is correct… read on > read on >
