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Have you rolled out a yoga mat lately? If so, you’re among many who have taken up yoga to relax and stay fit. One in seven adults in the U.S. has practiced yoga in the past year. Yoga may help bring several health and wellness benefits. Based in Indian philosophy, yoga involves both the body and mind. It began as a spiritual practice. Modern yoga focuses more on physical poses, breathing…

Peanut is one of the most common food allergies. Some studies show oral immunotherapy (OIT) can prevent life-threatening allergic reactions. But a new study shows that OIT’s protection doesn’t always last if it is stopped or reduced. Peanut allergy is caused by your immune system (the body’s defense system) mistakenly treating peanut proteins as harmful. OIT involves eating small amounts of…

Healthy eating is one of the best ways to prevent or delay health problems. What you eat helps shape how you feel and how your body performs. But how do you eat best for your health? Learn about how to reach your healthy eating goals in, NIH News in Health’s, special issue on healthy eating. Eating well, along with getting enough physical activity, can help you lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other health problems. But our scientific understanding of what’s healthy to eat and drink is continuously evolving. These changes can be confusing. Still, the basic ideas have been consistent over time. Healthy eating means getting a…

Mental health is as important as physical health. Learn how to start the conversation about your mental well-being with your health care provider. Be honest and ask questions. You can find more tips for geting the most out of your visit on the website.

What you eat matters. Many studies have shown that the types of food you eat affect your health. But what about the timing? Scientists are just beginning to understand that when you eat may also make a difference. Throughout history, people have experienced periods when food was either scarce or completely lacking, says Dr. Valter Longo, an NIH-funded longevity researcher at the University of…, Going Without Food, Fasting diets mainly focus on the timing of when you can eat. There are many different fasting diets, sometimes called “intermittent fasting.” In time-restricted feeding, you eat every day but only during a limited number of hours. So, you may only eat between a six- to eight-hour window each day. For example, you might eat breakfast and lunch, but skip dinner. In alternate-day fasting, you eat…, Body Changes, For many people, the main reason to try fasting is to lose weight. Currently, most people try to lose weight by restricting how many calories they eat each day. “That doesn’t work for everyone,” Catenacci explains. “It takes a lot of focus. It takes a lot of math, and a lot of willpower.” One of Catenacci’s studies showed that, over a two-month period, adults who were overweight or obese were…, Should You Fast?, Fasting may bring health benefits, but Longo cautions that there’s still a lot we don’t know. For some, fasting may cause problems. For example, studies have found that people who regularly fast more than 16 or 18 hours a day have a higher risk of gallstones. They’re also more likely to need surgery to remove the gallbladder. Eating for 12 hours and then fasting for 12 hours is likely safe for…

Having a health problem can be scary. Add in a visit to the hospital, and it can become overwhelming. But there are things you can do to make your stay safer and more comfortable. Hospitals are busy places. Different people may come in and out of your room. You might have many tests. And while you wait for answers, there can be harmful germs lurking around. These things can raise the chance for…

Everyone knows they should eat more vegetables. But only about 10% of Americans eat the recommended number of veggies per day. A recent study found that tasty descriptions can encourage people to make healthier choices. Researchers tested whether food labels on vegetables served in dining halls affected college students’ food choices. They tested three types of labels at five universities across…

Staying active is key for good health. No matter your age or fitness level, getting more physical activity will help support your body and mind. That’s why experts recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week. Staying safe while being active is equally important. You want to avoid getting hurt, which can throw you and your fitness goals off-track. NIH has a series…

If you or a loved one needs treatment for a drug use problem, it can be challenging to know where to start. NIH has step-by-step guides to finding treatment for teens and adults, as well as guides for friends and family. Find more information on treatment options and available resources.

You’ve broken out in a red, itchy rash. You’re likely wondering where it came from—and, most importantly, how to make it go away. Unfortunately, your mystery rash could have many causes. Maybe you switched to a new detergent or accidentally brushed against poison ivy. Maybe it came from a virus or fungus. It can be hard to pinpoint the cause. Red, uncomfortable skin rashes are called dermatitis…, Eczema, Many people are familiar with atopic dermatitis—the red, itchy rash commonly called eczema. “It affects up to 30% of people, particularly in childhood, and it tends to run in families,” explains Dr. Heidi Kong, a dermatologist at NIH. While some children may outgrow eczema, others will have the disease for life. The cause of eczema is unknown. But skin microbes—bacteria, fungi, and viruses—may…, Other Rashes, Not all rashes are mysterious. Some have a very clear cause. If your skin touches something you’re allergic to, it’s bound to get red and itchy. Common triggers include fragrances in soaps, lotions, and cosmetics. Some people are sensitive to nickel, which is often found in jewelry. Your doctor may recommend a “patch test.” Small amounts of different substances are applied to your skin to see if…, Itch Relief, For a long time, people questioned whether itch was even its own unique sensation. They thought it might be a mild form of pain. But scientists have discovered that itch has its own pathway in the brain. That was the starting point for developing new treatments for chronic itch. Now researchers are focusing on finding drugs to help fight itch. If you’re a little itchy, it’s okay to start with…