Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

The Blue Zones are locations in the world where people are regarded as being among the healthiest and longest-lived. They include Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California. According to some research, most residents of Blue Zones live seven to 10 years longer than the average American and have lower rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia. These individuals follow certain healthy behaviors related to diet, exercise, and emotional well-being that people can adopt.

As people get older, they may get clumsier because of multiple factors such as declining hearing and vision, loss of muscle, balance issues, and chronic health conditions. Addressing these issues can help people avoid injury from falls and other accidents.

An inexpensive blood test that checks for a genetic variant of Lp(a)—a fatty particle similar to LDL cholesterol—may help clarify who might benefit from a daily low-dose aspirin, according to a 2025 review of study findings.

For people with diabetes, a modified version of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet can lower their blood pressure. Called DASH4D, it has fewer carbohydrates, more unsaturated fat, and slightly reduced amounts of potassium.

According to a 2025 study, people living near coastlines with high levels of marine microplastics had higher rates of heart disease than those living close to coastlines with less plastic pollution.

Growing numbers of people have microvascular disease, which is caused by problems in the network of tiny blood vessels in the heart rather than blockages in the heart’s major arteries. Evidence for this trend comes from large studies using diagnostic imaging tests coupled with heart disease registry data. Experts believe today’s higher rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic kidney disease is changing how cardiovascular disease is manifested.

A 2025 study suggests that sleeping nine or more hours nightly is associated with worse cognitive performance, an effect that’s stronger among people with symptoms of depression.

A 2025 research review found that adhering to the DASH diet—which emphasizes eating fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, nuts, and low-fat dairy products—is linked to a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Breast cancer risk assessment scores can enable clinicians to estimate a woman’s risk of developing invasive breast cancer over the next five years, as well as her lifetime risk. The tools ask users about myriad factors that influence breast cancer risk. But risk calculators don’t necessarily provide the kind of precision and insight some women seek. A risk score can’t tell a woman for certain whether she will or won’t develop breast cancer. Risk calculators typically also don’t determine when or how often most women should seek mammograms.

A 2025 study suggests that women who score highly on a brain health measurement incorporating physical, lifestyle, social, and emotional factors face lower stroke odds.