The Latest on Calcium and Vitamin D for Bone Health

An expert panel recommends against most healthy older adults taking calcium and vitamin D supplements to prevent fractures.

A federal advisory panel, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), has released updated recommendations on calcium and vitamin D supplementation for bone health.

Is Extra Protein Enough to Preserve Muscle With Aging?

A new clinical trial finds that RDA for protein may be sufficient.

Protein is essential to good health. You need it to make hair, blood, enzymes and antibodies—and, of course, muscle. The problem: With aging we tend to gradually lose muscle size, strength and function—a relatively common condition called sarcopenia.

Fatigue in Older Adults? It’s Probably Not Low Iron

Decades ago, TV commercials for Geritol cautioned viewers about “iron-poor, tired blood,” helping to create a misconception that if you feel worn-out and fatigued, you could reverse it by taking an iron supplement.

MIND Diet for Better Brain Aging

Does a healthy eating pattern preserve brain function with aging? An important new study hopes to provide clues.

Currently available medical treatments for age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease have had limited success. Adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle has been among the most consistent recommendations to maintain brain health over the long term. Some studies have linked an overall healthy dietary pattern to less chance of experiencing age-related decline in memory and other cognitive skills.

Diet-Related Inflammation and Colorectal Cancer

Study connects the inflammatory potential of dietary patterns to higher risk for a common cancer.

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the US, with 140,000 new cases forecast for 2018. Research has linked dietary factors to colorectal cancer risk. Processed meats are associated with higher risk, whereas high-fiber diets are associated with lower risk, although it is unclear how this happens.

The Food-Vision Connection

A diet with higher-quality carbs may stave off age-related vision loss.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in Americans over age 65. As AMD progresses, it permanently damages the portion of the eye’s light-sensing retina (the macula) that provides sharp central vision.

Salmon with Peas and Garlic