ArcaMax

This is nothing to sniff at: Climate change has extended pollen seasons by three weeks and is stimulating plants to produce 20% more pollen. That means around 25% of U.S. adults (including me) are headed into spring with an increased load of sniffles, red, itchy eyes, and sneezes and wheezes (not to mention associated sleep problems and mood ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a sister who is in her mid 60s and has a very low weight. She cooks a lot but doesn't eat much. Is there something to suggest to make her gain some weight? She weighs 80 pounds and is 5 feet, 2 inches tall. By contrast, I'm 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weigh 150 pounds. I am worried that if she gets sick, she will not have ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My heart rate variability (HRV) on my heart rate tracker has ranged from 12-14 ms for years now. I read that this means something is going on inside me. Do you have any insight into HRV? I'm a 64-year-old male who is in decent health. My Lipoprotein(a) level is 224 mg/dL, but my other heart tests are OK.

I play pickleball ...Read more

Your gut microbiome contains roughly 100 trillion microbes from 5,000 species and weighs around four-and-a-half pounds. These teeming masses can protect -- or damage -- your health.

When they're doing their job, they extract energy from food and help your body make neurotransmitters, enzymes and even vitamin K, all of which are important for a ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with a large fatty tumor on my left thigh. It's very ugly. What can I do to get rid of it? -- V.O.P.

ANSWER: Lipomas are common fatty tumors that may occur on the trunk or the limbs. The vast majority are benign, but very large tumors can possibly be liposarcomas. So, an ultrasound or MRI prior to treatment ...Read more

Around 40% of Americans develop cancer. But there's a lot you can do to reduce your risk. Some smart moves seem obvious: Wear sunscreen daily. Don't smoke or hang around folks who do. Don't drink too much alcohol (or any). Avoid red meats and foods laced with toxins, preservatives and sugars.

But here are some equally powerful, lesser-known ...Read more

Generally speaking, chronic pain lasts longer for women than it does for men. New research suggests differences in hormone-regulated immune cells called monocytes may explain why.

Some monocytes release a molecule that switches off pain. These cells are more active in males due to higher levels of sex hormones such as testosterone; they are ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: What are D-dimers? Are they something I should be concerned about? I am an 83-year-old male with the usual problems that men my age have, such as an enlarged prostate, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. With medication and monitoring by my doctors, all of these conditions are under control. I also exercise and play golf...Read more

Almost 40% of folks ages 60 and older take a multivitamin/multimineral, and, as I have always said, they are doing themselves a world of good, especially if they take half in the morning and half in the evening (that keeps nutrient levels steadier throughout the day).

And a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reaffirms one of ...Read more

What do most packaged breads (even ones claiming to be whole wheat or multi-grain), and many pastas, baby foods and frozen French fries have in common? They're highly or ultra-processed foods. Foods don't have to be prepackaged snacks, desserts or gloppy sauces to qualify as highly processed.

If you're wondering about the processing level of ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Why didn't you recommend one of the at-home kits for the person with Lynch syndrome who had a bad reaction during her colonoscopy? I don't ever intend to have another colonoscopy. It is invasive, the prep is too much (yes, I understand why), and it takes up 24 hours of your time. -- A.T.

ANSWER: Lynch syndrome, also called ...Read more

Around 67% of Americans who are younger than 65 say that they're worried about what their life may be like when they are older -- especially concerning their physical and mental health. Well, according to a new study, that's a good way to make your worst fears come true.

Researchers from New York University looked at data on women enrolled in ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column about migraines and strokes. About 40 years ago, I began having occasional visual-interference episodes with zigzags, blurry central vision, and more that lasted for about 30 minutes. My doctor described them as ocular migraines.

When I read about migraines, the first possible cause that was listed ...Read more

In a new survey of more than 5,300 people by the Pew Charitable Trusts, more than 70% of adults said they were at least somewhat concerned about harmful chemicals in food and drinking water. Almost 85% said the government needs to do more "to identify and regulate harmful chemicals found in everyday products," a sentiment reflected across the ...Read more

Cochrane Reviews are high-standard, independent systematic reviews of health care research. The latest to be published looks at whether intermittent fasting -- a practice of limiting eating to only a few hours each day -- is an effective way to lose weight.

According to the reviewers, current existing evidence says no.

The review found that ...Read more

Researchers at the University of Michigan, Harvard and Duke argue in a new study that ultraprocessed foods, from packaged snacks to sugary beverages to ready-to-eat meals, aren't simply junk food or bad nutritional choices. They're industrially engineered products designed to keep you coming back using strategies once designed to sell ...Read more

Once, when automobile dashboards were festooned with knobs and dials, it was relatively easy and safe to "feel" your way to the right control without taking your eyes off the road. Dashboard touch screens have changed that -- and it's not a pretty picture.

In a study using vehicle simulators, participant "drivers" were tasked with navigating ...Read more