Here’s something to chew on. Brains require nutrients from a variety of foods like fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, whole grains, nuts and seeds to function properly. Even if you’re consuming these foods regularly, occasionally enjoying a cheat-day treat can still take a toll on the brain. Even if you’re eating a balanced diet, studies show … Read more
Brooke Hinderhan thought she had turned a corner with her health. After metformin failed to control her diabetes, doctors prescribed Ozempic. For a time, the popular GLP-1 drug worked, bringing her blood sugar under control. Even the side effects were manageable — until she developed severe fatigue, followed by diarrhea and stomach cramps that left … Read more
Life in plastic isn’t so fantastic. While there’s debate over how much is actually in our systems, microplastics are all the rage right now — and not in a good way for our health. A new study may have found the culprit behind the accumulation in our brains, and it’s much more common than we … Read more
The US longevity gap is becoming a chasm. For decades, life expectancy in the States has lagged behind wealthy nations like Japan, Switzerland and Australia, with Americans consistently dying younger than their peers abroad. Now, a landmark “population autopsy” analyzing more than 63 million deaths has identified two key factors fueling shorter lifespans nationwide, as … Read more
Could this be the golden ticket for diabetes patients? Over 40.1 million Americans — roughly 12% of the US population — have diabetes, a chronic condition characterized by consistently elevated blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes, often diagnosed in childhood, is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to use sugar for energy. … Read more
You know your Social Security number, your ATM pin code, your mom’s phone number, but do you know your HbA1c? Five numerical biomarkers can reveal how well you’re aging and warn of trouble long before symptoms of disease appear, according to Dr. Florence Comite, founder of the Comite Center for Precision Medicine & Healthy Longevity. Comite — … Read more
Not all pounds you gain carry the same weight. Being overweight can lead to a host of health problems, like chronic diseases and even premature death, especially in older age. But not all excess weight yields the same risk, according to new research, as pounds packed on earlier in our lives may be the most … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’m an ophthalmologist, a physician who specializes in medical and surgical eye care, and I’m hoping you can help me debunk a common myth about eye health. Many assume eye disease happens only to older adults. While age does increase the risk of developing certain vision-threatening diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma … Read more
Just think, we may have never gotten the “Oh, oh, oh, Ozempic!” jingle stuck in our heads if it wasn’t for a creepy, bottom-dwelling fish. Dr. Joel Habener of Massachusetts General Hospital unexpectedly discovered GLP-1 in the 1980s while analyzing the pancreatic genes in anglerfish. Habener’s team identified the precursor to GLP-1, a hormone that regulates … Read more
G whiz! The latest experimental GLP-1 from Eli Lilly isn’t just a diabetes drug — it also facilitates weight loss. Known as “triple-G,” injectable retatrutide levies a triple whammy on the GLP-1, GIP and glucagon hormones, whereas most other drugs on the market only mimic one or two of those hormones. Eli Lilly’s new retatrutide drug … Read more
It’s known as a “mini” stroke — but a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is no small thing. Though it typically lasts only a few minutes, this temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain can be an early sign that a full-blown, potentially disabling stroke is on the horizon. “A TIA can be a blessing … Read more
The weight-loss world is on the brink of a major shake-up. Pharmaceutical companies in India will get the green light this weekend to start selling generic versions of Ozempic and Wegovy, with several other countries set to follow in the months ahead. The move is expected to unleash a wave of cheaper alternatives, dramatically widening … Read more
It’s not just beauty rest — sleep duration and quality are some of the most powerful indicators of metabolic health. And a new study may have pinpointed exactly how much sleep it takes to keep Type 2 diabetes at bay. Research has long linked sleep duration and insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes. Now, experts … Read more
A paw-sible path to a longer life? About 43% of US households — especially those run by millennials — own a pooch. Research has long suggested that there are numerous physical and mental benefits to having a furry friend around. A canine pal could even mean living longer, thanks to its effects on heart health, … Read more
Don’t call it ChatEMT. OpenAI last month introduced ChatGPT Health, a dedicated space in ChatGPT that allows users to ask health questions, analyze their medical records and connect to wellness apps. Now, weeks after its launch, researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai are raising concerns that the AI tool often fails to … Read more
That “fridge cigarette” might be accelerating your cognitive decline. A new study out of Brazil determined that popular sweetening agents in items like Diet Coke could cause the brain to age 62% faster than brains with less exposure. And the numbers are even more startling for younger people and those with diabetes. Over eight years, … Read more
Living at high altitudes may lower the risk of diabetes, and scientists believe they have finally figured out why. A new study from the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco examined how red blood cells behave in low-oxygen environments. The findings, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, reveal that at high elevations, red blood cells begin absorbing … Read more
Menopause symptoms can be a lot to shoulder — hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats and weight gain are just a few. There’s also a lesser-known side effect of menopause. Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the shoulder capsule thickens and tightens, causing significant pain and difficulties moving the arm or even … Read more
Red meat has long been blamed for raising blood sugar and diabetes risk, while chicken is widely seen as the healthier option — but a new study challenges that age-old advice. Researchers at the Indiana University School of Public Health–Bloomington and the Illinois Institute of Technology put a common dietary recommendation for people with prediabetes to the … Read more
Heart disease and stroke deaths are falling in the US — but there’s a quiet health threat that’s spreading fast and putting millions at risk. In fact, the problem has grown so widespread that the condition landed its own chapter in the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, released Wednesday. The … Read more