Immune System

With so much focus on the new and valuable Covid bivalent booster shot, you might forget about your need to get the usual “Fall” shot, i.e., your flu vaccination. But that would be a mistake, given everything experts know and warn us about this Fall. While the scope and severity…

Now that it’s officially Fall and there’s a chill in the air, our thoughts may drift toward warmer beverages (pumpkin latte anyone?). So it’s a good time to catch up on the latest reports and guidance regarding the health effects of coffee and caffeine. It’s a topic we’ve covered frequently…

Apparently, the flu shot for the previous 2021-2022 flu season turned out to be a poor match for combating the actual flu virus. While generally, the yearly flu vaccine can reduce the risk of serious illness (leading to hospitalization) by 40-60%, this past year experts declared the vaccine was “essentially…

The news was already not so good when it comes to your aging immune system. We’ve seen from the Covid pandemic that older adults have been more vulnerable to the ravages of the coronavirus than younger people, and we know that, in fact, your aging immune system is less effective…

There’s long been evidence of a connection between limiting the number of calories consumed and promoting a healthier and longer life span. While there’s been skepticism that specific diets can be “anti-aging,” there is a body of research involving animals that suggests that cutting calories can improve metabolism, extend the…

While many found resilience and a sense of optimism during the pandemic, a sizable number of older adults experienced a serious level of stress- which may continue to linger – either from fear of infection, loss of income, social isolation, or even declining physical or mental health. In fact, in…