Blogs

Recent advances in skin cancer treatments have been making headlines just as I’m coping with an outbreak of troublesome tumors. It’s a coincidence that offers some helpful insight — and some needed perspective.

Is reading better for our aging brains than watching TV?

Lowering levels of “bad” cholesterol has long been viewed as key to treating coronary artery disease, but recent research suggests it may be only a first step.

At a time when the oldest baby boomers are turning 80, nursing homes and other long-term care options are struggling. One emerging model, however, is showing promise.

Anxiety and depression are not uncommon among seniors awaiting surgery, but a recent study suggests that a coordinated-care model involving mental health counseling could ease the path to the operating room — and boost the chances of a healthy recovery.

Recent research suggests the inability to recapture details, which often plagues the aging brain, may be less a sign of looming dementia than the product of a healthy neuroadaptation process.

We often point to a lack of strength training to explain the loss of muscle mass as we age, but recent research suggests that’s only part of the story.

As the antiaging gospel has moved beyond the super-rich to the affluent mainstream, mental health experts are concerned about the rise of “longevity fixation syndrome.”

Chronic health conditions can prevent some seniors from reaping the muscle-building benefits of physical activity. Recent research suggests a particular supplement may help them get moving.

Caloric restriction and intermittent fasting have become popular longevity strategies in recent years, though recent research suggests a simpler dietary approach may be less risky.

Negative views about aging — even among the aged — may be socially acceptable, but recent research suggests that developing a more upbeat attitude as we grow older may yield surprising cognitive and physical benefits.

Can heat waves accelerate the aging process? Recent research suggests another reason for seniors to be wary when the temperature rises.

Expanded eligibility guidelines and the introduction of a powerful new drug may signal a new era for patients struggling to control their cholesterol. But cost, coverage, and, yes, side effects loom large.

A government pilot project will now allow a wide swath of Medicare beneficiaries to access popular weight-loss drugs at a bargain rate. But the risks, some experts argue, far outweigh the potential benefits.

If there’s a solution to age-related frailty, the latest research suggests it may lie in building — and maintaining — a healthy microbial mix in our aging guts. Or maybe not.

Chronic pain is a fact of life for many seniors, but recent research suggests a shift in mindset can mitigate its effects.

Strength training is a well-documented key to healthy aging, but government guidelines provide little direction. A batch of recent studies, however, offer a range of effective options