As I get older I seem to be developing more skin tags. Is this something to be concerned about? They aren’t misshapen or colored funny, just skin colored tags. Can I just clip them off?

I recently read that most people have acceptable vitamin D levels and don’t need to supplement. Is that true?

Why is it important to reduce fat intake? Eating a high fat diet may contribute to heart disease. Eating too much fat also contributes to excess body weight, since a gram of fat has about twice as many calories per gram as carbohydrates and proteins. Being overweight may increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (diseases of the heart and blood vessels) and certain forms of cancer. Whether you are trying to lose weight, lower blood cholesterol…

(Also Called ’Advil’, ’Motrin’, ’Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs’, ’NSAID’) Common brand names: Advil, Nuprin, Motrin Why is this drug prescribed? Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s protective response to irritation or injury and is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. How and when should it be used? Ibuprofen is available in capsules, suspension, and tablets. Your…

Question: What is the difference between table salt, sea salt, and kosher salt? Is one type of salt better than the others for my heart and blood pressure? Answer: The differences among salts are related to how they are processed, resulting in different tastes and textures. But, regardless of the type of salt, it contains 40% sodium. Any differences in sodium content are because of the volume and shape of the crystals. Kosher and sea salt have larger crystals, which means they take up more…

Calcium Three important risk factors you can control to prevent osteoporosis are: DietLifestyleReplacing lost estrogen through hormone therapy can provide a strong defense against osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. To maintain strong, healthy bones, a diet rich in calcium is needed throughout your life. Your need for calcium becomes even greater as you age. The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (USRDA) for calcium is 1,000 milligrams per day. Postmenopausal women who are not taking…

Researchers do not know the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease, but it likely is due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. The most studied of the environmental factors are aluminum, zinc, food-borne poisons, and viruses. Aluminum One of the most publicized and controversial theories concerns aluminum, which became a suspect in Alzheimer’s disease when researchers found traces of this metal in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Many studies since then have either…

Harnessing the power of the mind-body connection The mind-body connection means that you can learn to use your thoughts to positively influence some of your body’s physical responses, thereby decreasing stress. If you recall a time when you were happy, grateful or calm, your body and mind tend to relax. Research has shown that when you imagine an experience, you often have similar mental and physical responses to those you have when the event actually happens. For example, if you recall an…

I get so depressed during winter, but my husband doesn’t believe in seasonal mood changes. Is there really a connection between winter and depression?

What Causes Wrinkles? There are many factors that contribute to the onset of wrinkles. Over time, skin begins to wrinkle and things in the environment, like ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, make the skin even less elastic. Gravity can cause skin to sag and wrinkle. The following four factors are the most significant that contribute to aging skin. 1. Aging Wrinkles are a by-product of the aging process. With age, skin cells divide more slowly, and the inner layer, called the dermis,…

Online Health Chat with Dr. Margery GassJuly 23, 2010IntroductionCleveland_Clinic_Host: Female sexual dysfunction is more common than you might think. Several population-based surveys show that approximately 43 percent of American women have some form of sexual dysfunction, from low desire to painful intercourse. In postmenopausal women, several factors can contribute to a less-than-fulfilling sex life. Declining estrogen levels associated with menopause can lead to decreased arousal. The…

Why exercise? Exercising is the single most important thing that you can do to keep yourself healthy and to delay the aging process. Keeping physically fit may add up to two to three years to an individual’s life span. The benefits of exercise go far beyond improving cardiovascular fitness and pulmonary function. Exercise helps to: Control blood pressure Protect against diabetes Ward off depression, anxiety, and insomnia Enhance balance and strength (minimizing accidental…

Your cosmetic surgery is over. You’ve been healing for a week or so and by now, you might even have your stitches out. Now it’s time to get back to normal. But what about your appearance? Although the cosmetic surgery or procedure will improve your look in the long term, you still have to get past the initial trauma to your body – things like incision scars, bruising, discoloration, or swelling. It takes time, but that doesn’t mean you have to hide in your house while it all goes away. It could…

The citrus and ginger-soy sauce dressing turn cucumbers, tomatoes and avocados into a splendid salad. Serve this on a warm summer’s day to add the perfect flavor to your next gathering.

What is facial aging and what causes it? Facial aging refers to how the appearance of your face changes with age. Facial aging occurs mainly as the result of skin changes and changes in the deeper soft tissues of the face. Factors that influence external skin changes include natural aging, skin type, sun exposure, facial movement, and routine skin care. Facial fat deeper within the face thins with normal aging and, as gravity pulls on the face, the underlying soft tissues droop. These two…

What is a colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure in which the inside of the large intestine (colon and rectum) is examined. A colonoscopy is commonly used to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms, such as rectal and intestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, or changes in bowel habits. Colonoscopies are also performed in individuals without symptoms to check for colorectal polyps or cancer. A screening colonoscopy is recommended for anyone 45 years of age and older, and for anyone with…

Enjoy these snacks under 200 calories between meals. Snacking is encouraged and will help you avoid excessive hunger and overeating at meal times. Please keep in mind that these snacks should be included in your daily caloric allotment. Therefore, make sure you account for snacks by adjusting mealtime calories, if necessary. Dairy or Dairy Alternative 8 oz nonfat fruited* or plain yogurt* 8 oz nonfat yogurt* with ½ cup mixed berries 8 oz nonfat yogurt* with 1 Tbsp slivered almonds,…

Leftover cooked chicken turns magically into another easy Southern favorite. This spicy dish can put a kick in your step. Serve over rice. Make your jambalaya spicier with pre-cooked chicken breasts straight from the freezer.

This recipe is featured in Holly Clegg's Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age.

The most common cause of hair loss in both men and women is genetic. In fact, heredity accounts for 95 percent of all the cases of alopecia (baldness) in this country. The remaining five percent of the cases can be due to a number of things including diet, stress, illness, and/or medications. Specific factors that can cause hair loss: Medications, vitamins, or minerals: medications used to treat high blood pressure, heart problems, depression or gout; chemotherapy or radiation treatment…

Cardiac Risk Factors Cardiac risk factors are certain conditions that increase a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease. It is important to know: Some risk factors, called " nonmodifiable risk factors," cannot be changed. Some cardiac risk factors, called " modifiable risk factors," can be modified, controlled or treated. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing cardiovascular disease. Higher levels of each cardiac risk factor correlate with a higher…