From the mailbox: - We always learn from your letters, and this time it's food scientist Bob Hutkins from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who helped out. Writing about the finer points of kefir … more

CHICAGO — There's an extra bonus to marriage for melanoma patients: They tend to be diagnosed in earlier more treatable stages than patients who are unmarried, widowed or divorced, a new study … more

Federal officials have recommended a new vaccine that is more effective than an earlier version at protecting older adults against the painful rash called shingles. But persuading many adults to get … more

When people talk about harmful stress — the kind that can affect health — they usually point to big, life-changing events, such as the death of a loved one. A growing body of research … more

SEATTLE — Take two tablets and a selfie? Your doctor's orders may one day include a smartphone video to make sure you took your medicine.Smartphone apps that monitor pill-taking are now … more

Q: I take medication daily for hypothyroidism and borderline high blood pressure. My question is: Do I benefit from iodide in table salt or should I buy plain salt for cooking? A: Your question … more

WASHINGTON — It's pretty extraordinary for people in their 80s and 90s to keep the same sharp memory as someone several decades younger, and now scientists are peeking into the brains of these … more

Q: I'm a 75-year-old man who's done hard physical farm labor since I was a young boy. Now I have painful tingling, burning and numbness in my right palm and fingers. It disrupts my sleep and makes it … more

The greatest enemy of a healthy diet is our vulnerability to temptation and the all-too-familiar descent into mindless eating. Scoffing that bag of chips because it's there. Finishing that stale … more

Not everyone can exercise. People with muscle-wasting diseases and movement disorders, the frail, the very obese and post-surgical patients are among those who face a significant challenge when it … more