Cancer has always been considered a disease of older adults. As you age, you’re exposed to more and more carcinogens such as chemical toxins, ultraviolet radiation and cigarette smoke, which damage cells. Damaged cells are supposed to self-destruct, but some don’t; instead, they begin accumulating in the body around age 50. This raises the risk for cancer, which is why historically, the median age for cancer diagnoses has been 66, according to the National Cancer Institute.    

As a child, you probably learned that animals like bears, squirrels and chipmunks hibernate for the winter. And while humans don’t hibernate, we do need more sleep during the winter. This is often referred to as our “winter hibernation”.

“We need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, regardless of the season. But it’s common to see people sleeping more starting in late fall and through the winter, while needing less sleep during late spring and summer,” says Bernard Kaminetsky, MD, medical director, MDVIP.

Many people spend hours of their day sitting at a workstation – for work, to manage personal finances or engage in a hobby like gaming. That sewing desk, painter’s easel and work bench are also workstations.

It’s hard to believe America’s most recent weight-loss craze started with an endangered lizard. That’s right — Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro all owe their success to something secreted by the Gila monster.

Diet crazes come and go, especially when new medications reach the market. In the 1950s and 1960s amphetamine derivatives were all the rage until concerns about drug abuse and cardiovascular risks led to a decline in their use.

For dieters – and people who just want to lose a little weight – new drugs on the market are giving consumers a choice. While the drugs, which go under the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic, Trulicity and Mounjaro, seem safe and effective, they are not for everyone.

How the Drugs Work

The drugs are evolutions of earlier injectable type 2 diabetes drugs. At a high level, they work by targeting the areas of our body that regulate our appetite, controlling blood glucose levels and reducing cravings while helping keep energy levels normal.

Herbs and spices are generally considered a healthier alternative to America’s most popular flavoring agent salt, and many, in fact, have health benefits of their owns. They may be rich in healthy compounds called phytonutrients including carotenoids, flavonoids and isoflavones.

Unfortunately, some herbs and spices may also be rich in heavy metals, which can be harmful to our health.

Have you switched to plant-based dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk? Whether this switch was for health or because you can’t tolerate traditional dairy, there’s something you should know about your beverage of choice: Not all alternative milks are created equal – and this is especially true of almond milk.

Do you swing by Dunkin’ drive-thru for coffee on your way into work? Or frequent Starbucks for an afternoon caffeine boost? If your answer was yes, you’re not alone. About 73 percent of Americans drink coffee daily and more than 50 percent buy coffee (or another beverage) from a coffee shop at least once a week, spending an average of $21.32 each week. Coffee shops are very enticing, rolling out festive, seasonal flavors, particularly during the holidays. But these drinks may be taking a toll on your wallet, and more importantly, your health.

It’s not news that processed red meats such as bacon, sausage, hotdogs, jerky and cold cuts have a bad health rap. Studies have tied them to the risk for obesity, heart disease, stomach cancer and colorectal cancer. Some researchers suspect that processed red meats can affect cognitive health, even though study results have been inconsistent.

It used to be that turning 50 wasn’t just an age milestone – it was a sign that you needed to schedule a colonoscopy.

Colon cancer affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Until recently, the only effective screening tool was colonoscopy, which many people avoid or put off because of discomfort, embarrassment or fear.

Times change. Now, medical guidelines call for earlier screening (age 45) for colon cancer, or colorectal cancer, due to a rise in diagnoses among people younger than 50. Fortunately, there are new, less invasive ways to screen for the disease.