Preventive care Archive

Inflammation serves a vital role in the body’s defense and repair systems, but chronic inflammation can be harmful. Learn six of the most effective ways to ward off unhealthy inflammation.

Some people might benefit from having an additional expert on their health care team. Examples include an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a certified personal trainer, a dietitian, a personal chef, or a certified driving rehabilitation specialist. A person's doctor can advise on which types of experts would help round out the health care team. Before seeking additional experts, it's important to consider how much their services will cost. They might or might not be covered by insurance.

A study of more than 121,000 people without dementia (ages 40 to 70) found that those who ate the most flavonoid-rich foods-six servings per day-had a 28% lower risk of developing dementia over the following nine years, compared to those who ate the least.

A 2024 study found that the accuracy of a blood pressure reading is compromised if a person's arm isn't in a certain position. For the most effective measurement, the person should be seated, feet flat on the floor, with the arm supported so the elbow is at heart level.

Beyond plain fruit, it's hard to find extremely healthy holiday desserts. Dietitians recommend opting for desserts that are at least a little healthier than others. Examples of better options include fruit crisps, fruit or vegetable breads, dark chocolate bark, meringue cookies, or fruit dipped in dark chocolate. Yet even those can have high amounts of saturated fat, sugar, carbohydrates, and calories. Dietitians say it will help to have a smaller portion and savor it slowly.

Scientists have discovered new ways to measure how rapidly the body is aging. For example, it's possible to determine body age by measuring the length of telomeres-the ends of the chromosomes inside of every cell. And a 2024 study found that levels of certain proteins in the blood correspond to body age. It's hoped that this information can help lead to anti-aging treatments and also help motivate people to make lifestyle changes (if necessary) to slow the process.

Snow shoveling can be risky for people with heart disease because (1) the activity requires a lot of physical effort, and (2) cold temperatures constrict arteries. Both factors can raise the risk of a heart attack in people with narrowed heart arteries.