How to Thrive as You Age : NPR

Taking vitamin D supplements doesn't appear to prevent fractures among older adults, but the vitamin is necessary for overall health. Baac3nes/Moment RF/Getty Images hide caption

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Taking vitamin D is unlikely to prevent falls or fractures. Here's what it does

December 17, 2024 • Vitamin D is good for the immune system, but in older people it doesn't prevent falls or fractures, according to health experts at the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Here's why you need it.

Vit D doesn't prevent fractures but it's key to good health

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An illustration shows different regions of the human brain.

About 40% of dementia cases could be delayed or prevented by addressing 14 modifiable risk factors, according to a Lancet commission report. MirageC/Getty Images hide caption

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You can reduce your risk of dementia. Here's how to get started

November 25, 2024 • About 40% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by healthy lifestyle choices and preventive medicine. Here's a tool to gauge your brain care and track your progress.

Brain Care Score

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A generic drug that's used to treat transplant patients has been shown to extend the life span of some animals. Guido Mieth/Getty Images hide caption

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Rapamycin may slow aging. Here's one way the drug will be tested

July 1, 2024 • Longevity researchers are taking a generic drug they think may help extend people's lives. Now a dentist is testing if rapamycin stops gum disease — a canary in the coal mine for age-related diseases.

Anti-aging drug Rapamycin to prevent gum disease

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Sung Ihm Son fell into a depression when her husband died. Making new friends and taking classes like dance and art at GenSpace helped her feel happy again.

Sung Ihm Son fell into a depression when her husband died. Making new friends and taking classes like dance and art at GenSpace in Los Angeles helped her feel happy again. Allison Aubrey/NPR hide caption

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More Americans are living longer. Here’s a place that helps people thrive

June 24, 2024 • A center started by Wallis Annenberg in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles is creating a sense of community for older people who aim to keep learning and growing as they age.

GenSpace aims to re-set what it feels like to get old

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Step aside BMI, body composition tests are on the rise. Here's what to know

Maria Fabrizio

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Step aside BMI, body composition tests are on the rise. Here's what to know

June 3, 2024 • If you dread getting on a scale to calculate your body mass index, there’s a good reason to ignore the measure. Body composition tests are an increasingly popular way to gauge health. Here’s why they're better than BMI.

Body composition tests are more useful than BMI

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Like to bike? Your knees will thank you and you may live longer, too

A large new study shows people who bike have less knee pain and arthritis than those who do not. PamelaJoeMcFarlane/Getty Images hide caption

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Like to bike? Your knees will thank you and you may live longer, too

May 20, 2024 • New research shows lifelong bikers have healthier knees, less pain and a longer lifespan, compared to people who've never biked. This adds to the evidence that cycling promotes healthy aging.

Like to bike? Your knees will thank you and you may live longer, too

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Elevator or stairs? Your choice could boost longevity, study finds

Climbing stairs is a good way to get quick bursts of aerobic exercise, says cardiologist Dr. Carlin Long. lingqi xie/Getty Images hide caption

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Elevator or stairs? Your choice could boost longevity, study finds

April 29, 2024 • A new study shows people who are in the habit of climbing stairs are less likely to die from heart disease compared to those who don't. Stair climbers also had a slight boost in longevity.

Elevator or stairs? Your choice could boost longevity, study finds

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Got brothers or sisters? Warm sibling bonds help boost happiness as you age

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Got brothers or sisters? Warm sibling bonds help boost happiness as you age

April 27, 2024 • Researchers have found that a warm, close bond with a sibling in early adult life is predictive of good emotional health later in life, with less loneliness, anxiety and depression.

A cheap drug may slow down aging. A study will determine if it works

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A cheap drug may slow down aging. A study will determine if it works

April 22, 2024 • Studies suggest people who take metformin for diabetes may be at lower risk for cancer, heart disease and dementia. Now researchers aim to test if it prevents age-related diseases in healthy people.

A cheap drug may slow down aging. A study will determine if it works

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Got tinnitus? A device that tickles the tongue helps this musician find relief

After using the Lenire device for an hour each day for 12 weeks, Victoria Banks says her tinnitus is "barely noticeable." David Petrelli/Victoria Banks hide caption

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Got tinnitus? A device that tickles the tongue helps this musician find relief

April 15, 2024 • More than 25 million adults in the U.S. have tinnitus, a condition that causes ringing or buzzing in the ears. An FDA approved device that stimulates the tongue, helped 84% of people who tried it.

Got tinnitus? A device that tickles the tongue helps this musician find relief

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U.S. drops in new global happiness ranking. One age group bucks the trend

The U.S. ranks higher in the world happiness report when it comes to people aged 60 and older. Thomas Barwick/Getty Images hide caption

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U.S. drops in new global happiness ranking. One age group bucks the trend

March 20, 2024 • A new happiness report finds sharp declines in well-being among adolescents and young adults in the U.S. But the picture is better for people aged 60 and older, marking a striking generational divide.

U.S. drops in new global happiness ranking. One age group bucks the trend

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Women who do strength training live longer. How much is enough?

Strength training is good for everyone, but women who train regularly get a significantly higher boost in longevity than men. Gary Yeowell/Getty Images hide caption

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Women who do strength training live longer. How much is enough?

March 11, 2024 • Strength training is good for everyone. But women who train regularly, reduce their risk of death from heart disease significantly. And here are 5 other hidden benefits of building muscle.

Women who do strength training live longer. How much is enough?

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This diet swap can cut your carbon footprint and boost longevity

A plant-based diet is not just good for your health, it's good for the planet. Alexander Spatari/Getty Images hide caption

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This diet swap can cut your carbon footprint and boost longevity

March 3, 2024 • A new study finds swapping half of your typical red meat intake for plant protein, reduces your diet-related carbon footprint by 25% and may also your boost lifespan.

This diet swap can cut your carbon footprint and boost longevity

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Trying to eat more protein to help build strength? Share your diet tips and recipes

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Trying to eat more protein to help build strength? Share your diet tips and recipes

February 24, 2024 • What do you eat to support muscle strength? NPR is reporting on diet and strength-building and we'd love to hear your suggestions for protein-rich snacks and meals.

Millions of women are 'under-muscled.' These foods help build strength

This tuna, chickpea and parmesan salad bowl packs a protein punch, which is crucial for building muscle strength. Allison Aubrey/NPR hide caption

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Millions of women are 'under-muscled.' These foods help build strength

February 18, 2024 • We start to lose muscle in our 30s, and the loss accelerates with age, putting us at risk of frailty later in life. But what you eat — specifically how much protein — is a big part of the solution.

Millions of women are 'under-muscled.' These foods help build strength

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We asked. You answered. Here are your secrets to healthy aging

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You can order a test to find out your biological age. Is it worth it?

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Scientists can tell how fast you're aging. Now, the trick is to slow it down

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Scientists can tell how fast you're aging. Now, the trick is to slow it down

January 29, 2024 • Longevity research is booming. Scientists are looking for ways to target the basic biology of aging. And here's the exciting part: Our biological age appears to be malleable.

Scientists can tell how fast you're aging. Now, the trick is to slow it down

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What are your secrets to thriving as you age? We want to hear from you

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What are your secrets to thriving as you age? We want to hear from you

December 18, 2023 • Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s or beyond, we all notice the effects of getting older. What are you doing now to set yourself up for a long and healthy life? Share your story and advice.