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A 2022 study suggests that following certain healthy habits throughout life can create a “cognitive reserve” that may protect the brain from dementia. People in their 60s and 70s can still build up their reserve by pursuing a combination of brain-stimulating activities.
Genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors contribute to reaching age 100. More than 100,000 people were 100 or older in 2019, triple the number in 1980. People reaching extreme old age tend to be nonsmokers, are not obese, and cope with stress effectively. Studies show that diets incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may lower the odds of frailty and increase life span. Siblings and children of long-living people also are likelier to live longer than peers. Optimism is associated with higher odds of living beyond 90.
People may relieve anxiety by cracking knuckles or other joints. Usually it’s a harmless habit, but people with joint problems like arthritis should refrain, since doing so might worsen symptoms.
Standard guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. But many older adults have trouble reaching this mark, as they either don’t enjoy aerobic workouts or have physical or medical issues that make traditional cardio exercise a challenge. Breaking down the weekly requirements into smaller daily segments and trying a variety of activities that can qualify as moderate intensity can help people meet their exercise needs.
After age 50, the number of taste buds begins to decline, so it’s natural for people to notice some changes in their sense of taste. But other conditions also can affect taste, such as nasal issues, certain medications, and conditions like dry mouth and acid reflux.
People who ate large amounts of ultra-processed foods had a greater risk of later developing dementia compared with people who ate little of these foods, according to a 2022 study. Researchers estimated that switching out even 10% of ultra-processed foods for healthier options might lower one’s risk.
A 2022 study found that physical therapy works as well as surgery for degenerative meniscal tears in the knee, an injury related to tissue aging that can lead to osteoarthritis. This approach offers an alternative for people concerned about surgery’s costs and possible complications.
Digestive enzyme supplements are promoted to fix problems like bloating, gas, and bowel irregularity. However, for most people, there’s little evidence that they help. Doctors may prescribe enzyme pills for people who can’t make enough digestive enzymes because of a health condition.
Groundbreaking cancer treatments continuously emerge from labs and research trials. Three Harvard oncologists share what stands out in their respective fields of prostate, lung, and colon cancer, the most common cancers among men. Examples include greater roles for immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and intensive hormonal treatments.
Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure; however, only one-third of those who have the problem are aware of it. This is mostly because people only have blood pressure checked at doctor visits, so they don’t know when it increases and requires medical attention. A simple solution is to take regular measurements with a home blood pressure monitor and keep track of their numbers to note changes.