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About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has high blood pressure, but many don’t realize it. High blood pressure is sometimes called a “silent killer,” because it usually has no warning signs, yet it can lead to life-threatening conditions like heart attack or stroke. The good news is that high blood pressure, or hypertension, can often be prevented or treated. Early diagnosis and simple, healthy changes…

Your eyes let you picture the world. But, for many people, that image is blurry. If the shape of your eye makes it hard to see clearly, glasses and contact lenses can help bring the world into focus. For some, surgery may also be an option. But it’s not for everyone. Researchers are looking for new ways to predict who will benefit from corrective eye surgeries. Your eyes work like a camera,…

COVID-19 vaccines have saved many lives. The original vaccines were released in late 2020. They targeted the initial strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Since then, different versions of the virus have evolved. So scientists created an updated booster shot. It’s called a bivalent booster because it targets two versions of the virus: the original strain and a newer one called…

“Genome” is a fancy word for all your DNA. From potatoes to puppies, all living things have their own genomes. The more you know about the genome and how it works, the more you’ll understand your own health and make informed health decisions.

Getting enough vitamins and minerals is important for your health, and there’s a long list of essential ones. Vitamin D is one you may hear a lot about. It helps your body absorb calcium, a mineral your body needs to build strong bones. Your heart, muscles, and nerves also need vitamin D. Even your [qtip:immune system| The system that protects your body from invading viruses, bacteria, and other…, Where to Get It, You can get vitamin D from the sun and from your diet. Your body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun, which gives off UVB light. But many people don’t go outside enough to get all the vitamin D they need this way. Other factors, such as clothing and sunscreen, can block how much vitamin D your skin makes when you’re in the sun. How much melanin you have also plays a role. Melanin…, Is More Better?, Although most people get enough vitamin D to avoid deficiencies, researchers have long wondered if adding extra vitamin D could be good for overall health. Many studies have linked higher levels of vitamin D in the blood with healthier outcomes. Manson and her team conducted a large clinical trial, called VITAL, to see whether vitamin D supplements could lower risk for some health problems. They…, Finding New Uses, Scientists continue to study how vitamin D can help people, since it plays a role in many of the body’s functions. Manson’s team is following up on their findings in VITAL that suggest taking vitamin D supplements may lower the risk for developing an [qtip:autoimmune disease| A condition in which the body’s disease defense system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells and tissues.] or advanced…

The difference between a little fish and a human may seem enormous. But in some ways, fish and people are surprisingly similar. That’s why scientists around the world have been studying a striped fish called the zebrafish. These little fish—about an inch or two long when fully grown—have a lot to teach us about human health. Like us, fish have a spine, brain, heart, gut, ears, eyes, and other…

To repair burns and other skin injuries, surgeons can grow new patches of skin in the lab. But these patches are usually small, and their shapes are limited. Using such patches on complex structures like the hands or face requires lots of cutting and stitching. This can cause damage and scarring. Researchers are working to find ways to grow 3D skin in the shape of complex body parts. In a new…

Menopause is the time when a woman’s menstrual periods stop for good, and she can no longer get pregnant. You’ve reached menopause when you haven’t had a period for one year. It’s a normal part of aging. But the transition to menopause affects every woman differently. The menopausal transition often begins between ages 45 and 55. It can last for many years. During this time, women may notice…

It’s always a good time to resolve to eat better, be more active, and lose weight. For the more than 2 out of 3 Americans who are either overweight or obese, there’s now a free, research-based tool to help you reach your goals: the NIH Body Weight Planner .   “A lot of people want to change their lifestyle to lose weight and improve their overall health but really don’t know what it takes,” says…

Some people who’ve had COVID develop lasting health problems. NIH created the RECOVER Initiative to learn more about this condition, called Long COVID. Thousands of children and adults have joined the RECOVER studies. You may be able to participate, too. Learn more and sign up for email updates about research findings.