Senior Health Update & Blog - Page 7 of 43

Heart disease: CT scans may be best for predicting risk during middle age

Assessing an individual’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease is essential for prevention. Traditional risk markers, such as blood pressure and cholesterol, are not always accurate measures for predicting heart disease at the individual level. Researchers...

BCG vaccine treatment could protect against Alzheimer’s and other dementias

The Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine has been in use for more than 80 years to combat tuberculosis. In the 1970s, it was found to be an effective immunotherapy treatment for early-stage bladder cancers. Since then,...

Hormone therapy may benefit bone health, help prevent osteoporosis

Researchers investigated the link between hormone therapy and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. They found that multiple modes of hormone therapy increase bone mineral density, and effects remain even after treatment withdrawal. Further studies are...

Watermelons may improve diet quality and cardiometabolic health

Two studies investigated the effects of watermelon on diet quality and cardiometabolic function. They found that watermelon consumption is linked to higher nutrient intake and better heart health. Further research is needed to understand how...

Bacterial infections: Why antibiotics don’t always work against C. diff

Experts say most Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections occur while taking antibiotics. Researchers say antibiotics aren’t always effective in these cases because the medications can reduce the amount of “good” bacteria in the gut and can sometimes...

Early signs of Parkinson’s found in gut microbiome of patients with sleep disorder

Parkinson’s disease affects the nervous system and causes uncontrollable movements, and can become debilitating over time. Parkinson’s disease is incurable and often goes undiagnosed for years after symptoms begin, so researchers are looking for ways to...

Are nitrates good or bad for health? Why?

Many studies suggest that nitrates benefit cardiovascular health. Other studies suggest they may increase cancer risk. Researchers conducted an analysis of studies investigating the benefits and risks of dietary nitrates. Further research is needed to...

Can a Mediterranean diet help keep heart disease, dementia, and cancer at bay?

For some time researchers have suggested that a Mediterranean diet — high in fresh fruit and vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains, and ﬁsh — may help lower heart disease risk and increase life expectancy. An...

Consuming over 6 teaspoons of added sugar a day linked to stroke, depression, asthma

Sugar occurs naturally in foods but can also be added during manufacturing or cooking. Researchers are still working to understand the dangers of consuming too much sugar. A recent umbrella review found that sugar consumption...

Parkinson’s: Could a common cleaning chemical cause the disease?

More than 8.5 million people globally have Parkinson’s disease. Researchers have linked Parkinson’s disease to exposure to toxins, such as pesticides and air pollution. Now, scientists from the University of Rochester believe a commonly-used chemical...