Health & Longevity

Spoiler Alert: Maybe. But It’s Too Soon to Know Could a treatment for hot flashes also help protect against Alzheimer’s disease? A new study raises that possibility. But the potential benefit remains unconfirmed: Researchers have not proved that estrogen prevents Alzheimer’s, and women should not start or change hormone therapy for that purpose based on these findings. The Stanford-led researchers found that women who reported taking estrogen-only menopause hormone therapy h

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

Don't put away the bug spray just yet. Even as the weather cools, mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been detected in several parts of metro Atlanta. Most infections cause no illness, but the risk of complications does rise with age. *Updated October 26, 2026 The modern world seems determined to provide us with an endless stream of things to worry about. One ongoing example: West Nile virus. Fortunately, this one calls for more practical precautions than fretfulness. Bu

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