Staying Healthy Archive

Articles

Pandemic weight gain: Not your imagination

A study described in a research letter published March 22, 2021, by JAMA Network Open found that participants steadily gained weight during the first part of the pandemic, from February to June 2020.

Are you taking too many supplements?

Taking too many dietary supplements can lead to potential problems. Examples include medication interference, difficulty managing a complicated regimen, missed prescription medication doses, and overdoing it on nutrient intake. It’s not that all supplements are without benefits. For some people, specific supplements may offer some chance of benefit, and little risk. But going overboard can be risky. It’s important to speak with a doctor before starting a supplement to make sure it won’t interfere with one’s health or current medications.

Do-it-yourself assisted living

It may be possible to set up a version of assisted living in one’s current home by hiring various services and adapting the environment to health needs. Services that might be needed include help with basic care (eating, bathing, brushing teeth, and using the bathroom), meals, medication management, housekeeping, transportation, and yard maintenance. To create a safer environment, it’s best to have a single-floor living space with a sleeping area, bathroom, and kitchen or kitchenette; well-lighted rooms and hallways; smooth, even floors; grab bars and a shower bench or chair in the bathroom; and railings anywhere support is needed while walking.

High-tech socialization: Is a robotic companion in your future?

Social robots are assistive devices designed to engage humans and enhance their well-being. Some social robots look like pets and purr when stroked. Other social robots act more like companions; they can notice when people walk into a room, ask how they’re doing, chat about hobbies, play favorite music, or connect to family and friends. They can also remind people to take medications, connect someone to a doctor, or walk someone through physical or mental exercises. Expect to see an increase in social robots starting in 2022.

Expand your healthy cooking oil choices

The healthiest fats for cooking and using on food come from plants. Plant oils consist mostly of unsaturated fat, which in limited amounts is good for the heart. One can enjoy a wide variety of plant oils, such as avocado, canola, corn, flaxseed, grapeseed, olive, peanut, rice bran, safflower, soybean, sunflower, and walnut oils. But high heat can break down plant oil molecules and reduce health benefits. The most fragile plant oils include extra-virgin olive oil and nut oils, such as walnut oil.

Can I see my grandkids?

People who are vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely visit with family members who aren't vaccinated, provided they are not at high risk for severe illness and don't live with someone who is.

Why do I bruise so easily?

Noticeable bruises as a person ages are related to the tiny blood vessels in the outer layer of skin becoming more fragile. There is not much people can do about this, but they should see their doctors if bruises resemble red or purple spots, appear only on the lower legs, or become painful.

Period equity: What it is and why it matters

Menstruation is a basic fact of human existence, yet millions of people in the US struggle to afford –– or can't afford –– products like tampons and pads, a problem known as period poverty. Menstrual hygiene products are necessities, not luxuries, and period equity addresses this.

Plant-based diet quality linked to lower stroke risk

People who ate healthy plant-based foods had a 10% reduction in stroke risk, compared with people who ate unhealthy plant-based foods, according to a Harvard study published online March 10, 2021, by the journal Neurology.

Common questions about medical cannabis

While cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, more than two-thirds of US states have made it partly or fully legal for medical purposes. People who decide to use marijuana for a medical condition often have questions about its safety and proper use — the same considerations doctors weigh when determining whether it should be prescribed for a particular patient.

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