Vitamins, minerals & supplements Archive

People who follow a combination of healthy diet plans that share similar traits may have a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Taking regular afternoon naps for less than 60 minutes can improve mental alertness and increase productivity.

Napping for  more than 30 minutes each day may be associated with increased risks for health problems. Causes of excessive napping include boredom, poor sleep at night, underlying conditions such as anemia or depression, medication side effects, dehydration, or malnutrition. Treating underlying conditions, staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, becoming more active, and practicing good sleep hygiene may help reduce prolonged nap times.

Some medications, such as eye drops or inhalers, can be used with gadgets that make taking them easier. The devices might be especially helpful for someone with shaky or weak hands. Examples of gadgets that might help include eye drop guides, injection aids, inhaler spacers, and tube squeezers. The guides can help improve one’s grip, aim, or ability to squeeze out medication. Having better control may help a person take the correct amount of the drug.

In the last 10 years, an average of four drug recalls a day have occurred in the US. Drug recalls happen for a number of different reasons, and while they are common, most are not for dangerous or life-threatening issues.

In about half of all cases of heart failure, the heart’s muscles are thin and weak, so the heart can’t pump very well. In the other cases, the muscles are thick and stiff, which prevents the heart from relaxing normally to fill with blood.

There’s no evidence that maintaining a healthy lifestyle will suddenly boost the immune system. However, it’s clear that healthy lifestyle habits contribute to overall health, supporting the body’s ability to fight infections instead of creating new problems. Healthy habits that help maintain a robust immune system include getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night, exercising, reducing stress, eating a healthy diet, not smoking, drinking alcohol only in moderation, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting underlying conditions under control.

After a drug is approved by the FDA, unexpected safety problems may be discovered. Depending on the level of concern, different safety warnings may be issued –– including a black box warning designed to call attention to serious or life-threatening side effects.

Healthier eating starts with food shopping, and supermarkets are full of choices that are both nutritious and less so. But trips to a grocery store don't have to feel overwhelming or be budget-blowing; it just takes a little planning, strategy, and thinking ahead.