Harvard Health Content API

Many Americans eat too much sugar, which contributes to obesity, heart disease, and an increased risk for death.

Sunless tanners are generally safer than tanning. Women who use sunless tanners should apply a sunscreen whenever they go out in sunlight.

People with the apolipoprotein E4 gene variant who also have high blood pressure tend to have a greater number of beta-amyloid plaques in their brain. Lowering blood pressure might help slow the development of Alzheimer’s, researchers say.

Angina-chest pain caused by a reduction in blood flow to part of the heart-is often diagnosed differently in men and women. This difference stems, in part, from the words women use to describe their chest symptoms.

Generic drugs are designed to have the same quality and effectiveness as their brand-name counterparts. Yet many patients believe there is a difference.

Visceral (abdominal) fat can increase the risk for diabetes and heart disease. Exercise and diet are effective ways to reduce visceral fat.

Increasing total dietary fiber by 7 grams a day-the amount contained in a bowl of whole-grain pasta, an apple, and a serving of tomatoes-can lower stroke risk by 7%, researchers have found.

Two alternative techniques-yoga and acupressure (a technique of using the fingers to apply pressure to specific points on the body)-can help lower blood pressure and heart rate in people with atrial fibrillation.

Statin drugs can help bring down cholesterol levels, but they also can cause side effects. A study finds that many people who stop taking statin drugs because of side effects often can tolerate these drugs when they try taking them again.

Many people experience memory slips from time to time as they get older. Looking at the pattern of memory blips can help distinguish normal age-related memory loss from more serious dementia.