Harvard Health Content API

The mineral selenium may halp reduce a man’s risk of prostate cancer, but it may also slightly increase his risk for diabetes.

You published an article saying that ginkgo biloba might slow down dementia. I was 59, and I started taking it. I think it has helped me and know others who think likewise. But I read that a recent study says it doesn’t help. Your thoughts?

Some studies have found that peppermint oil may help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and could help with other conditions as well.

My father caught a bad case of pneumonia. He’s recovered, but it seems to have left him confused, and he uses a walker now. Before the pneumonia he was taking Coumadin for atrial fibrillation. Now that he’s feeling better, should he start taking it again?

Household pets can carry bacteria on their fur or in their waste that can transfer to humans, but the overall risk of infection is small, and can be further mitigated by getting in the habit of washing your hands after touching your pet or its waste.

Many people have difficulty understanding the instructions for taking their medications. Some retailers have redesigned their pill bottles to make the directions clearer.

I’m 65, and I don’t think my memory is as good as it once was. I read about a study that says you can improve your memory by eating less. Is there any truth to it? It sounds too good to be true.

It was previously believed that heavier people were less likely to develop dementia than thinner people, but recent evidence has shown that people with more abdominal fat in middle age are more likely to develop dementia later in life.