Glucosamine and chondroitin are dietary supplements advertised to ease osteoarthritis pain and maintain cartilage. Large trials show that they offer little benefit for treating osteoarthritis, except perhaps in people with moderate to severe pain.
Older adults who feel lonely face more than double the risk of developing dementia, according to a study of more than 2,000 people in Amsterdam.
People who have a positive attitude about the aging process have an easier time recovering from disability than those with a negative attitude.
Probiotics may help ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. But they shouldn’t be used by individuals with compromised immune systems.
Walking at least 6,000 steps a day can help reduce a woman’s risk for heart disease and diabetes, even if she’s already gone through menopause.
Hormone therapy is no longer recommended for chronic disease prevention, although experts say many women can still use it early in menopause to relieve symptoms.
Researchers have been studying the use of stem cells to repair damage caused by a heart attack. Some studies show that stem cell therapy can reduce scar tissue and improve the heart’s function.
A nasal saline wash may help prevent sinusitis flare-ups. A steroid nasal spray may also help.
Acupuncture may be helpful for reducing pain in many chronic conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, and headache.
Pertussis rates are rising in all age groups. An Australian study found that older adults with pertussis are more likely to need hospitalization, which underscores the need for older adults to get vaccinated.