Health & Longevity

New research suggests that weight, waist circumference, strength and physical function should be considered together when evaluating your health For decades, body mass index has been the standard shorthand for determining whether someone’s weight falls into a “healthy” range. But after age 65, BMI alone may conceal as much as it reveals. A new longitudinal study led by University of Rhode Island researchers found that BMI and waist circumference provide different — and comple

New research raises questions about vitamin D, fish oil and glucosamine — but scientists caution that the findings are preliminary and should not prompt people to abandon medically necessary supplements For years, vitamin D, fish oil and glucosamine have occupied the "good guys" side of the medicine cabinet. They are widely available, often described as “natural” and commonly taken by older adults hoping to protect their bones, brains, hearts or joints. But several studies no

Prostate testing usually starts with a blood test For generations of men, the words “prostate exam” have conjured up one uncomfortable image: a doctor snapping on a glove and performing a digital rectal exam. That expectation may be keeping some men from discussing prostate-cancer screening after age 50. But here is the part many do not know: Today, the conversation usually begins with a simple blood test — not a rectal exam. The prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test measur

For decades, health-conscious adults over 50 have tracked their sleep like a strictly monitored bank account. The golden goal has always been simple: Secure seven to nine hours of shut-eye a night to preserve sharp minds, high energy and physical vitality. However, a groundbreaking study published by MindBodyGreen reveals that focus has been shifted away from a crucial component. It turns out that tracking the clock is only half the battle; ensuring a consistent sleep schedul

Researchers are finding important connections between oral health, inflammation, sleep and chronic disease. But the science comes with an important caution: A connection is not always proof of cause We tend to think of the dentist as the person who fills a cavity, repairs a chipped tooth or reminds us — again — to floss more often. But your mouth may deserve a more prominent place in your long-term health plan. A growing body of research links poor oral health, particularly g

Roseto’s residents once suffered remarkably few fatal heart attacks. Researchers eventually concluded that the town’s close families and strong community life may have helped protect their health For years, Americans hoping to live longer have been urged to search for the right diet, workout, supplement or medical treatment. But the experience of one small Pennsylvania town suggests that another influence may belong on the list: the strength of our relationships. As recently

'Intrinsic capacity' assesses how well we move, think, see, hear and respond to life — and may offer a more useful picture of healthy aging than the number of candles on a birthday cake Two 75-year-olds can have similar medical histories yet experience aging very differently. One may travel, volunteer and manage a busy household. The other may struggle with stairs, forget appointments or withdraw from friends. The difference cannot always be explained by their health conditio

New research challenges one of our most persistent assumptions about aging: that physical and cognitive decline is inevitably a one-way street We tend to talk about healthy aging as a defensive exercise. Keep exercising so you don't lose strength. Keep your mind active so your memory doesn't deteriorate. Eat well to ward off disease. Stay socially connected to avoid isolation. The underlying assumption is almost always the same: Aging means decline, and the best we can do is

Undernutrition in older adults is common. Family caregivers should know the signs and how to address the problem For much of adulthood, losing a few pounds without trying might seem like a welcome surprise. Later in life, unexplained weight loss can mean something very different. A recent article published by Stansberry Research highlighted undernutrition in older adults and made an important point: Decades of messages about cutting calories and losing weight can obscure the

For many Atlantans, the years that were supposed to be their peak earning years have become a collision of caregiving, family expenses, health changes, workplace age bias and retirement anxiety An Atlanta-area professional can arrive at work Monday morning carrying responsibilities that would have seemed unimaginable 20 years ago: an 82-year-old mother who can no longer drive, a 26-year-old child still receiving financial help, a spouse with health problems, their own changin