Red meat, TMAO, and your heart

Saturated fat isn’t the only reason red meat is bad for your health, according to researchers. A substance called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is produced when meat is digested, has been ... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 1 year ago

Foods That Fight Inflammation

Pro-inflammatory foods include fried foods, sodas, refined carbohydrates, and red meat. Foods that fight inflammation include green vegetables, berries, whole grains, and fatty fish.... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 1 year ago

In Defense of French Fries

Researchers found that frequent consumers of French fries don’t live as long as those who eat them less often, but as is often the case, the conclusion only tells part of the story. Are French fr... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 1 year ago

Cognitive effects of long-term cannabis use in midlife

As more US states have legalized recreational cannabis or passed medical cannabis laws, public perception that cannabis is a harmless substance is growing. But its long-term benefits and ris... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 1 year ago

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (broken-heart syndrome)

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also called broken-heart syndrome, is a weakening of the left ventricle that is usually the result of severe stress. Its symptoms resemble those of a heart attack, and tre... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 1 year ago

The Dangers of Protein Powders

Protein powder supplements can harbor health risks. They’re recommended only for certain conditions, such as impaired appetite or wounds that are resistant to healing.... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 2 years ago

No need to avoid healthy omega-6 fats (2019)

Omega-6 fats were once criticized as unhealthy, but researchers for the American Heart Association have concluded that they are in fact beneficial to the heart.... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 2 years ago

Dopamine Fasting: A Maladaptive Fad

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in the body’s system for reward and pleasure. A recent trend has people avoiding stimulating activities in the belief that doing so allows the body to rese... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 2 years ago

Covid-19 vaccines: Safety, side effects –– and coincidence

As the pandemic rages on, rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines is welcome news since widespread vaccination is essential to help contain it. But while many are scrambling to get a vaccine, others hesitate due to concerns about effectiveness and safety. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 3 years ago

The placebo effect: Amazing and real

A placebo may genuinely improve symptoms and even affect physiology. The power of the placebo effect is significant enough that it can actually skew study results. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 3 years ago

The sweet danger of sugar (2017)

Americans consume way too much added sugar—estimates suggest an average of 24 teaspoons per day—which can have a serious impact on heart health. Consuming natural sugar is better, as plant foods also have high amounts of fiber, essential ... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 3 years ago

Cracking your knuckles is harmless

Some people do it regularly, while others can’t stand the idea or sound of it, but either way, there is no evidence that knuckle cracking is harmful to your joints, or increases your chances of arthritis. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 3 years ago

Hormonal treatments for prostate cancer may prevent or limit Covid-19 symptoms

Men have roughly twice the risk of developing severe disease and dying from COVID-19 than women. Scientists say this is in part because women mount stronger immune reactions to the disease’s microbial cause: the infamous coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Now research with prostate c … | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 3 years ago

Tinted sunscreens: Benefits beyond an attractive glow

Tinted sunscreens offer all the benefits of traditional sun protection products, plus they have added pigments that give them the ability to block visible light, which can also be harmful to the skin. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 3 years ago

Regular meditation more beneficial than vacation Blog Publishing

A study found that the benefits of meditation and yoga are as significant as the relaxation benefit of taking a vacation, and are more persistent. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 3 years ago

Daily decisions about risk: What to do when there's no right answer

With COVID-19 cases still rising in many places, all of us must make daily decisions involving personal risk. But often, there's no single right answer that applies to everyone. Here's how to make sensible decisions around many different activities. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 3 years ago

Are statins enough? When to consider PCSK9 inhibitors

Statins have been used to treat high cholesterol for decades, but some people who take statins still have LDL cholesterol levels that are too high. A different type of medication, PCSK9 inhibitors, were approved several years ago and are showing effectiveness in lowering LDL in s … | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 3 years ago

Do adults need tetanus booster shots?

Can childhood tetanus vaccinations offer sufficient protection during adulthood without regular booster shots? Although a new study posits this, the CDC continues to recommend booster shots every 10 years. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 4 years ago

Platelet-rich plasma: Does the cure for hair loss lie within our blood?

Platelet-rich plasma, derived from a person's own blood and then injected back into their scalp, has shown some promise as a treatment for certain types of hair loss. However, the treatments are expensive, and there is no guarantee that they will work. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 4 years ago

How to not practice emotional distancing during social distancing

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@health.harvard.edu | 4 years ago

Can short bouts of running lengthen lives?

An analysis of research suggests those who run regularly –– regardless of pace, distance, or amount of time –– are more likely to live longer and have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 4 years ago

The new coronavirus: What we do and don’t know

A novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, has grown quickly since late December. This primer on what we do –– and don't –– know can help if you're concerned about this rapidly evolving public health issue. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 4 years ago

Think hard before shaming children

Parents may offer what they think is constructive criticism to a child, but there is a fine line between criticism and shaming, and shaming can have lasting effects on a child’s self-esteem. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 4 years ago

LDL cholesterol: How low can you (safely) go?

Lowering LDL cholesterol has been shown to lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have suggested that more aggressive goals for LDL levels in people who already have CVD can decrease risk even further. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 4 years ago

The Thinking on Brain Games

Engaging in brain games, such as crosswords, chess, and bridge, as well as creative outlets like painting, playing an instrument, or learning a language, have not been proven to protect against memory loss. Yet, these pursuits can help with everyday ... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 4 years ago

Healthy lifestyle: 5 keys to a longer life

You’ve probably heard it over and over, but research continues to show that following five simple healthy lifestyle habits makes a significant difference in life expectancy for both women and men, and the more of them you have, the longer you are likely to live. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 4 years ago

Foods Linked to Better Brainpower

Just as there is no magic pill to prevent cognitive decline, no single almighty brain food can ensure a sharp brain as you age. Nutritionists emphasize that the most important strategy is to follow a healthy dietary pattern that includes a lot of fru... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 4 years ago

Want to live longer and better? Do strength training – Harvard Health

Regular physical activity promotes general good health, reduces the risk of developing many diseases, and helps you live a longer and healthier life. For many of us, exercise means walking, jogging, treadmill work, or other activities that get the he... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 4 years ago

CGRP: A new era for migraine treatment

A new type of medication for migraine headaches is currently being reviewed by the FDA, and if approved may provide safe, long-lasting relief for many by blocking the activation of a molecule involved in the pain process. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 5 years ago

In Praise of Gratitude – Harvard Health

The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness (depending on the context). In some ways gratitude encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an ind... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 5 years ago

A soaring maternal mortality rate: What does it mean for you?

The maternal mortality rate in the United States has risen by 50% and pregnancy-related conditions and lack of support compromise the health of new mothers. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 5 years ago

A healthy lifestyle can prevent diabetes (and even reverse it)

Research confirms that a healthy diet and lifestyle changes can prevent diabetes and even reverse the progress of the disease. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 5 years ago

Why stress causes people to overeat

There is much truth behind the phrase "stress eating." Stress, the hormones it unleashes, and the effects of high-fat, sugary "comfort foods" push people toward overeating. Researchers have linked weight gain to stress, and accord... | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 5 years ago

Lifestyle change as precision medicine

Finding a way to incorporate healthy habits into your unique lifestyle may be a form of precision medicine with known benefits that is available today. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 5 years ago

Probiotics for bipolar disorder

There is growing evidence that mood disorders may be linked to inflammation and the bacteria in our digestive tracts, so researchers wanted to see if a probiotic compound could help patients with bipolar disorder who had been hospitalized for mania avoid relapse and rehospitaliza … | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 5 years ago

Mind over matter? How fit you think you are versus actual fitness

A recent study suggests that people’s perceptions about their level of activity have a more significant effect on their longevity than their actual fitness. | Continue reading


@health.harvard.edu | 5 years ago