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...

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 measure

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 schedu

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 gum