People living in rural parts of the country live shorter lives, on average, than their urban counterparts, largely due to heart disease. That disparity grew during the pandemic.

• Recent research found that a higher-quality diet, rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods, might be linked to reduced pain levels, particularly among women.
• Participants’ body fat levels did not significantly influence this outcome, indicating that a healthy diet may directly and independently aid in managing chronic pain.
• Experts recommend adding antioxidant-rich foods to your diet and adopting a healthy lifestyle as part of a long-term approach to managing pain effectively.

• Lp(a) screening should be done once for all adults and high-risk children.
• Lp(a) level can help guide CVD risk assessment and management strategies.
• Multiple Lp(a)-lowering therapies expected soon.

In a recent analysis of data from more than a dozen studies, coffee and tea consumption was linked with lower risks of developing head and neck cancer, including cancers of the mouth and throat. The findings are published by Wiley online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

Head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide, and rates are rising in low- and middle-income countries. Many studies have assessed whether drinking coffee or tea is associated with head and neck cancer, with inconsistent results.

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are being prescribed in record numbers, and they may soon be covered by Medicare and Medicaid. While these medications have helped many patients lose weight, they come with some widely reported downsides—unpleasant side effects during treatment and trouble keeping the weight off once the medication is discontinued. Fortunately, obesity medicine specialists say that diet and lifestyle measures can help in both these areas. If you or a loved one is on a GLP-1 drug or considering taking one, read on for tips to support long-term success.

With these shortages resolved, copycat versions of these medicines from compounding pharmacies will no longer be legal.

Okra is the fruit the studies point to. A 2023 clinical trial in Acta diabetologica noted that the cholesterol levels in patients who consumed okra were significantly reduced, and a 2014 study in Phytotherapy Research found similar results in rats.