Harvard Health Content API

Taking supplements that contain high levels of biotin (vitamin B₇) can lead to falsely low or falsely high results on a troponin test, a blood test used to diagnose heart attacks.

For some people, drinking coffee has a laxative effect. Coffee triggers colon contractions and stool movement, a process heightened by its caffeine content. Women prone to constipation might find a morning cup of coffee helpful, but drinking excessive amounts may worsen the symptoms of certain health conditions.

Skin tags are fleshy, soft growths that tend to develop on the neck, under the arms, or around the groin. People who develop many skin tags should see their doctor, since they may be associated with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Skin tags can be removed using various methods.

Some minor medical procedures require patients to bring a medical escort because they involve anesthesia or sedation, which can leave patients groggy or feeling ill afterward. Finding a medical escort can be problematic for older adults who live alone or have no family members or friends who can fill in. Public transportation also won’t suffice, since drivers can’t accompany customers into their homes. People in need of a medical escort can seek help from community organizations or check with their area’s Office on Aging or home health agencies for such services.

According to a 2023 study, a person’s waist-to-hip ratio—the circumference of the waist divided by the circumference of the hip—is a better predictor of future health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes than body mass index.

A 2023 study suggests eating more prebiotics—compounds found in plant fiber that nourish healthy bacteria in the gut—may affect the brain’s reward network in a way that helps people make healthier food choices.

In a 2023 study, people who did bouts of daily activities, such as taking stairs, mopping the floor, and gardening, that lasted from one to 10 minutes had a lower risk for heart attacks and strokes compared with those who were active for less than a minute.

People can’t control the outside world, but they can control their reactions to it. A technique called cognitive restructuring can help a person change negative thinking and calm stressful reactions. It involves a four-step process, known as “stop, breathe, reflect, choose.”

An estimated 3% of adults ages 65 and older currently have dementia, and that proportion rises substantially as people age. The most convincing evidence for reducing one’s risk relates to the basic foundations for an overall healthy lifestyle: aerobic exercise, a plant-based diet, and quality sleep. Aerobic exercise helps reduce the buildup of toxic proteins in the brain and improves blood flow, a plant-based diet can manage inflammation, and quality sleep helps the brain clear out harmful proteins.

More than one in four adults ages 65 and older fall each year, and about 20% of those tumbles result in a broken bone or head injury. The best way to prevent falls is to stay in good shape by improving core strength, balance, and flexibility. People can further protect themselves by learning to fall in a way that reduces their risk of serious injury. Practicing falling can help develop muscle memory, so the body can automatically react to the situation, and help those who have previously suffered a fall overcome the fear of taking another tumble.