Urinary tract infections (UTIs) have been in the news lately because of the hospitalization of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin due to a UTI that developed after prostate cancer surgery. This hospitalization has spotlighted a common condition that can escalate quickly, especially among older individuals.

A study published December 26th in JAMA Network Open (1) suggests that individuals over 50 living alone may mitigate verbal cognition decline by owning a pet. The research, conducted by Dr. Ciyong Lu, Professor of Epidemiology and Medical Science, indicates that pet ownership could counteract the cognitive effects of living alone, particularly in terms of word recall and understanding.

A new study published last week in JAMA Open Network (1) suggests that adopting a vegan diet for just eight weeks can lead to significant health improvements, particularly in cardiovascular health. The research, led by Dr. Christopher Gardner, a research professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, involved 22 pairs of genetically identical twins.

As the days get shorter and temperatures colder here in the US, it’s normal to be a little grumpy. After all, who likes getting up in the dark or seeing daylight fade by 5 pm? However, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more than having the winter blues—it is a form of depression linked to seasonal changes.

A key trait of SuperAgers is engagement in new learning, especially related to something novel and challenging over a sustained period of time.

If you do a Google search on “boost the immune system,” you’ll find nearly 200 pages of entries. So what role do booster shots, specifically the COVID-19 booster, play in protecting our immune health?

In the realm of dementia care, where memories can slip through the cracks of time, a unique initiative called The Dinner Party has emerged. It sheds light on the remarkable power of food to ignite recollections and enrich the lives of individuals with cognitive impairments.

Did you ever wonder how and why the RDAs — or Recommended Dietary Allowances — were established?

In a recent Wellness Wednesday, I teamed up with certified personal trainer, Karen Brownlee, to share the important role that balance plays in healthy aging. Balance has a powerful, positive effect on brain health and mitigates risks associated with many diseases, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and even heart disease.

As many of you know, I LOVE to read! I can always be happy with a book. Here are a few suggestions for this summer.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news this summer as everyone is firing up the grill, but I want to share a few facts about AGEs (advanced glycation products in foods).

Paul Simon wrote in the song, Old Friends: "How terribly strange to be 70." Having just turned 70 years old, I beg to differ with Paul Simon.

In recognition of June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, I wanted to share these resources.

This Mother’s Day, I want to acknowledge the very special relationship between mothers with Alzheimer’s disease, and the daughters who care for them. This relationship has been a focus of my graduate research at Indiana University.

There is no shortage of advice about foods to avoid in the fight against inflammation. A Google Search on the term “foods that fight inflammation” yields 485 million results! Note that many of these are blogs and are not supported by scientific evidence.

Supplements have been in the news lately, but not in a good way. A recent study published in a JAMA research letter  found that 22 of 25 melatonin gummy products—a whopping 88%—inaccurately represented the content of their products (1).

There is nothing new about the advice to “eat your greens.” Most likely we heard it from our moms. Most recently, we have heard it from nutrition experts, especially with the emphasis on plant-based eating. To me, the most compelling reason is this: high consumption of leafy green vegetables is linked to a lower risk of dementia.

Erythritol has been in the news a lot these past few weeks because of its possible link to heart attack and stroke. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is used to add bulk to sugar substitutes like stevia and monkfruit sweetener. It is also used to reduce sugar in Keto products. Is all the media attention cause for alarm? Let’s look at the facts.

This week's Smart Bite was inspired by a webinar I attended with Annie Fenn, MD, and Lisa Genova, PhD. Annie is the founder of The Brain Health Kitchen and author of a fabulous new cookbook. Lisa is a neuroscientist, author, and one of the Top 50 Influencers in Aging. Here is what Annie and Lisa had to say about the Four F’s of brain health.

A new study is underway at my alma mater, the University of Southern California (USC), to learn more about the secrets of SuperAgers. These are individuals who have not simply lived longer, but have lived to an old age with the mental, physical, and social state of a much younger individual.