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Antioxidants are a type of compound found in vegetables and fruits. They help protect your cells from a certain type of damage. Eating lots of produce can help lower your risk of heart disease and other health problems. A new study found that certain antioxidants in these foods may also reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, harms…

Hepatitis has been in the news a lot lately. New cases have been showing up in children around the world. Doctors aren’t sure why. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is the body’s protective response to injury or infection. What causes hepatitis isn’t always known. Viruses are the most common culprit. There are five known viruses that cause the condition: hepatitis A, B, C, D,…

The internet makes finding health information easy and fast. But, it can also lead you to a lot of false and misleading information. Learn how to decide whether the health information you find on the internet is reliable.

Shampoo. Shaving cream. Deodorant. Makeup. Hair dye. Perfume and cologne. These and dozens of other products may be in your shower, gym bag, or medicine cabinet. But do you know what’s in them? Could any of their ingredients be risky for your health? Personal care products, including cosmetics, are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But they’re not treated like drugs. They…, What’s in That Bottle?, Most ingredients in personal care products are in a category known as “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS, explains Dr. Nicole Kleinstreuer, a computational toxicologist at NIH. But certain chemicals that may cause health problems can be found in many of these products. How much you’re exposed to is often what makes a chemical harmful. The amount that’s “safe” varies for each. “The general…, Which Chemicals Are Risky?, Most personal care products are mixtures of many different chemicals. This can make it hard to link specific products to health problems. But researchers have found some worrying trends. “We’ve seen [a link] between frequent hair straightener use and cancer risk,” says White. So far, this has included breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Her team has also found a link between the use of permanent…, Buyer Be Aware, Trying to keep potentially risky chemicals out of your daily life can help you and your family stay healthier. But there are times that you may want to be even more cautious. People can be more vulnerable to chemical exposures during certain times in their lives. One of these is pregnancy, says White. “It’s a time when the breast tissue is going through rapid changes and might be more susceptible…

You may have heard that breast milk is best. But what makes it so good for babies? Breast milk fills your baby’s health needs. Researchers are now learning more about what’s in it and how it changes as babies grow. “Breastfeeding is the gold standard for feeding infants,” says Dr. Dan Raiten, an NIH expert on childhood nutrition. Human milk provides nutrients and other compounds that babies need…

Bacteria that can’t be killed with antibiotics are a growing problem around the world. These cause serious infections in hospitals and other health care settings. Scientists have been looking for new ways to kill drug-resistant bacteria. One idea has been to use bacteriophages, also called phages. Phages are viruses that infect bacteria but are harmless to people. In a new study, researchers…

Kratom is a tree in the coffee family. It’s found in Thailand and neighboring countries. For centuries, people in Southeast Asia have used its leaves for both increased energy and relaxation. More recently, people around the world are using it to treat pain or manage opioid withdrawal symptoms. But kratom’s safety and effectiveness haven’t been well studied. In the U.S., kratom products are sold…

Clear and honest communication with your physician or health care team can help you make informed choices about your health. Find tips that can help you get the most out of your health care appointments. Available in English or in Spanish.

Technology has changed the way we interact with each other. Social media puts other people just keystrokes away. This helps some feel like they have more social support. But for others, it can increase isolation and depression. Researchers are investigating how social media affects mental health. They’re learning that who you meet and what you find online can mean the difference between helpful…, Use Your Time Wisely, Logging into social media can lead you in many directions. Actively engaging and connecting with others online can help build your social supports—both online and offline. But spending many hours passively scrolling through upsetting content can send you spiraling into negative thoughts and feelings. Increased social media use has been linked to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. But it…, Connect Carefully, You can find countless different people and communities online. “Many meaningful and beneficial connections can be made online,” says Keyes. “This is especially true for teens who have more marginalized identities. Sometimes they can find community and connectivity online that they can’t get in their day-to-day lives.” But the digital world can also expose you to harmful health behaviors.…, Seek Out Help, Social media can be a tool to improve your mental health. You can search for health information, hear about others’ experiences, or find treatment options. “We have found that social media can be very helpful for people who are feeling stigmatized about in-person recovery,” Cavazos-Rehg says. “Plus, social media can help those who are curious or ready to engage in treatment but want advice from…

Your eyes are your windows to the world. If something clouds them, you may have trouble seeing well enough to read, drive, or do other daily activities. One common cause of cloudy vision is cataracts. These form in the lens of your eye. Cataracts are a normal part of aging. They occur when proteins in the lens break down over time and clump together. The risk of getting cataracts rises as you get…