The common cold and COVID-19 are viral illnesses with similar symptoms. Colds are upper respiratory infections that may cause mild symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throat, and a low fever, with most people recovering in about a week. COVID is a viral infection that may cause cold-like symptoms but also affects other parts of…
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries (vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of your body). Blood pressure is measured in two numbers. Systolic pressure (the top number), which reflects the force when your heart beats, and diastolic pressure (the bottom number), which shows…
The majority of Americans may be ineligible for a COVID booster shot this year, according to new guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration. In an article published Tuesday in The New England Journal of Medicine, Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s vaccine division chief, and Martin Makery, the agency’s commissioner, said the FDA is changing its…
Prunes have long been a go-to remedy for constipation—and now, new research offers even more support for relying on them, along with other dried fruit, to relieve symptoms. People with chronic constipation who ate about 3 ounces of prunes, raisins, and dried apricots daily for a month had heavier and more frequent bowel movements than…
You may only need to lift weights for an hour each week to build muscle, a new study suggests. You don’t have to strength train until your muscles feel totally zapped—just challenging them can do the trick, researchers reported recently in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. “The study builds upon previous…
Calcium carbonate is a type of calcium supplement used to treat low blood calcium levels and calcium-related conditions such as osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones). As an antacid, it can lower stomach acidity and relieve heartburn. Calcium carbonate is a common food additive. It can be found in cereals, dairy products, packaged broths, and other…
Protein helps you build, strengthen, and repair your tissues. But it also has surprising gut health benefits. It promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, supports your gut cells, and helps defend against harmful microorganisms. If you’re looking for simple snacks that will help you meet your daily protein needs, look no further. From fiber-rich chia…
Experts typically recommend refraining from eating within three hours of bedtime to get a good night’s sleep and prevent digestive issues like acid reflux. But for some people, eating before bed is a necessity. “Eating close to bedtime can add unnecessary calories, leading to weight gain, spike blood sugar, and decrease sleep quality,” Lauren Twigge,…
Heads up, salad lovers: A major cucumber recall is underway in the U.S. due to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak. The gist: Check your fridge ASAP for fresh, whole cucumbers—and toss them if you don’t know where they’re from. The recall affects whole cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Inc….
Energy drinks are hugely popular, but you may have seen some alarming headlines in recent days about how they might be harming your health. “Study: Common energy drink ingredient linked to increased cancer risk,” one reads. Another claims: “Urgent warning issued about cancer-causing energy drinks.” The headlines trace back to a study recently published in…