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Vaccines are helping older people more than we knew
Let’s be clear: The primary reason to be vaccinated against shingles is that two shots provide at least 90% protection against a painful, blistering disease that a third of Americans will suffer in their lifetimes, one that can cause lingering nerve pain and other nasty long-term consequences.
The most important reason for older adults to be ...Read more
Millions of Americans are expected to drop their Affordable Care Act plans. They're looking for a plan B.
It’s feeding time for the animals on this property outside Nashville, Tennessee. An albino raccoon named Cricket reaches through the wires of its cage to grab an animal cracker, an appetizer treat right before the evening meal.
“Cricket is blind,” said Robert Sory, who is trying to open a nonprofit animal sanctuary along with his wife, ...Read more
Thrift store. Clinic. Roller rink. Center becomes 'radical' lifeline amid homelessness, drug crises
NEW ORLEANS — From the outside, the abandoned Family Dollar store in the Lower 9th Ward looks intimidating. It’s covered in graffiti, with aluminum cans and trash dotting the parking lot. It sits on a street with other empty lots and decayed buildings — symbols of the lasting devastation this neighborhood, one of the city’s poorest, has ...Read more
RFK Jr.'s MAHA movement has picked up steam in statehouses. Here's what to expect in 2026
When one of Adam Burkhammer’s foster children struggled with hyperactivity, the West Virginia legislator and his wife decided to alter their diet and remove any foods that contained synthetic dyes.
“We saw a turnaround in his behavior, and our other children,” said Burkhammer, who has adopted or fostered 10 kids with his wife. “There ...Read more
Predicting prostate cancer recurrence through power of AI
ROCHESTER, Minn. — To help meet the potentially complex needs of patients after prostate cancer treatment and offer the precision and care necessary in the follow-up journey, Mayo Clinic’s Department of Radiation Oncology developed the PSA Control Tower. This is an intelligent monitoring tool designed to support clinicians in keeping a close...Read more
Diuretics Do Not Provide Much Help For Venous Insufficiency
DEAR DR. ROACH: Your recent column regarding edema from venous insufficiency caught my interest since I was diagnosed with venous insufficiency over 25 years ago. Your recommendation was to raise your legs several times a day for 20 minutes a day, if I recall. Also, you mentioned that sometimes furosemide (Lasix) is prescribed but that you ...Read more
Help your liver live long and prosper
Your liver isn't really chill -- in fact, it is very sensitive to stress. But what exactly stresses a liver? A high-fat diet is one major cause. Research out of MIT shows that when liver cells feel imperiled by excess fat careening into your liver, they revert to an immature state that helps them survive the fat bomb -- but also makes them more ...Read more
US reports 168 new measles cases with outbreak in South Carolina
The U.S. measles outbreak that drove cases to a 34-year high in 2025 shows no signs of slowing, as 168 more people have become infected since the start of the new year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday that a total of 171 cases have been confirmed this year in nine states. On Tuesday, South Carolina reported ...Read more
Flu deaths have doubled in NC since week of Christmas. Has the season peaked?
The number of people who have died from complications of the flu in North Carolina more than doubled in the last two weeks to 134, according to state health officials.
Another 26 people died in the state last week, according to the latest data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency also revised figures it released for...Read more
Toxic mushrooms sicken 35, kill 3 in California outbreak. 'This hasn't stopped'
A total of 35 children and adults have fallen ill in California in the largest outbreak of mushroom poisonings in years, according to the California Poison Control Service.
The sickened Californians apparently ate foraged poisonous death cap mushrooms — scientific name Amanita phalloides — after mistaking them for “familiar edible ...Read more
Thousands to lose AIDS drugs under Florida cuts
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — At least 10,000 Floridians could lose access to life-saving HIV medication because Congress didn’t extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits last fall, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration.
The Florida Department of Health is justifying deep cuts to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which provides medication...Read more
5 habits that supercharge your metabolism
Metabolism can be a tricky concept to understand: Some people are born with a fast-acting system, while others struggle with a slower one. “Metabolism is the sum of all biochemical reactions taking place in our body,” explains clinical research scientist Momo Vuyisich, Ph.D.
“These include muscle contraction, food digestion, nutrient ...Read more
Caution: Sprinkle this savory seasoning with care
Health-conscious folks have long sprinkled nutritional yeast flakes — a vegan version of parmesan cheese — on popcorn, pasta, salad, and more to provide an umami-rich (savory) flair. But you should know that this condiment sometimes functions like a supplement.
What is nutritional yeast?
Nutritional yeast is an inactivated strain of the ...Read more
More Evidence Bald Men Are Useless
New research shows that hair can capture a chemical record of human exposure across days, week and even months. Writing in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology, scientists at the University of Texas analyzed snippets of hair and found that for at least one chemical -- a class of common endocrine-disrupting plasticizer called phthalates ...Read more
Mayo Clinic Q&A: What does it mean to be in a cancer clinical trial?
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Our daughter was recently diagnosed with cancer. She's interested in participating in a clinical trial but doesn't really know what that means or how to get involved. Can you help?
ANSWER: A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming and often comes with a long list of decisions to make.
Many people are surprised to learn that ...Read more
Editorial: Take precautions, including the vaccine, to guard against flu
This season’s flu is lurking right around the corner. Even if you’ve done the right thing and had the flu shot. Even if you haven’t had the flu for years.
Don’t make the mistake of taking this virus lightly. The main strain making the rounds is virulent and hard to shake.
By the end of December, the Centers for Disease Control ...Read more
Eating Well: 7 anti-inflammatory foods to stock up on in January
After a few weeks of holiday eating and social gatherings, you may be ready to get back to your normal routine. Cookies, processed foods, and extra cocktails are a delicious way to enjoy the season. Unfortunately, they are also foods that can increase inflammation when consumed regularly. While a few extra Christmas cookies aren’t going to ...Read more
Using Bright Light Therapy For Seasonal Affective Disorder
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 78 and dislike the short gray days of winter. I know that light therapy is used for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and I would like to try it. How do I know which light box or lamp is a good choice? (Does it block ultraviolet rays, provide the right amount of light, etc.?) -- K.J.
ANSWER: SAD is a subcategory of major...Read more
Brain gain, again
For decades, I've been sharing all available information about achieving a younger ActualAge -- especially when it comes to your brain power. The full range of self-care that protects your cognition includes high-quality nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, having a posse and sense of purpose and enjoying speed-of-processing ...Read more
Environmental Nutrition: Make your diet less inflammatory
Q: How can I make my diet less inflammatory?
A: While there isn’t one specific anti-inflammatory diet, experts say overall healthy eating patterns may reduce inflammation. To make your diet less inflammatory, focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods and reduce pro-inflammatory foods. Here are a few steps to try.
More anti-inflammatory foods
1. ...Read more
Inside Health Advice
Popular Stories
- Thrift store. Clinic. Roller rink. Center becomes 'radical' lifeline amid homelessness, drug crises
- Predicting prostate cancer recurrence through power of AI
- Toxic mushrooms sicken 35, kill 3 in California outbreak. 'This hasn't stopped'
- Mayo Clinic Q&A: What heart-healthy habits should I consider starting in the new year?
- Thousands to lose AIDS drugs under Florida cuts






















