(Prostock-Studio/iStock via Getty Images) The good news is that fear can persuade us to avoid dangerous situations or help us flee from an angry bear. The bad news is that fear can lead to chronic stress, with serious health consequences. So should that affect your Halloween plans? Probably not, said Zachary Sikora, medical director of…
(Urupong/iStock via Getty Images) When it comes to posting health information on social media, beware before you share. Experts say that’s an essential step in battling medical misinformation, an escalating problem as more people turn to social media for news, knowledge and advice about all things health-related. In the wake of rampant false information about…
(Malte Mueller/fStop via Getty Images) Lea en español Too many times, the realization comes too late. “When people have a major medical event like a heart attack or stroke, they retrospectively go back and say, ‘Oh, I was really stressed, maybe that’s why this happened to me,’” said Dr. Ian Kronish, associate director of the…
(bhofack2/iStock via Getty Images) Let’s talk tofu. It seemed like such a simple, honest food when it caught your eye in the grocery store. But later, after you checked it out online, you began to worry that a long-term relationship might get complicated. It’s true that health experts’ passion for tofu can be seen as…
(fcafotodigital/E+ via Getty Images) The ancient Greeks were on to something when they referred to olive oil as an “elixir of youth and health.” Centuries later, research offers evidence about the benefits of olive oil in our daily diets. Consuming more than half a tablespoon of olive oil a day may lower heart disease risk,…
(Ponomariova_Maria/iStock via Getty Images) “Slow down, you move too fast,” Simon and Garfunkel once cautioned. Today, that musical advice could be the anthem for self-care – the act of making our own health and well-being a priority. While it could include kickin’ down the cobblestones, as suggested in the duo’s “59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’…
(Adene Sanchez/E+ via Getty Images) Black adults who frequently attend church or have a deep sense of spirituality are more likely to meet key measures for good cardiovascular health, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet and maintaining blood pressure in the normal range, new research finds. The study, published Wednesday in the Journal of…
(Moyo Studio/E+ via Getty Images) Maintaining excellent cardiovascular health may lower the risk for abnormalities in the small vessels of the brain, a new study suggests. Scientists aren’t sure what causes the condition, known as cerebral small vessel disease, or CSVD. Previous research shows CSVD contributes to about half of dementia cases, a quarter of…
(Tijana Simic/iStock via Getty Images) A visit to the dentist’s office could provide a glimpse into your heart and brain health. More than an estimated 100 diseases can show symptoms in the mouth. For instance, periodontal disease, which results from infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that support and surround the teeth, is…
(Svetlana Monyakova/iStock via Getty Images) Lea en español Caffeine jump-starts your day and puts a bounce in your step. It can help you focus, improve your mood and maybe even help you live longer. But how much is too much? Caffeine, a natural stimulant, can be found in a variety of foods, such as coffee…