Author: healthtost

Large-scale human data reveal that even a single course of antibiotics can leave a measurable microbial footprint years later, raising important questions about long-term health effects and prescribing practices. Study: Antibiotic use and gut microbiome composition linked from individual-level prescription data of 14,979 subjects. Image credit: marevgenna / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Nature Medicinethe researchers found that antibiotic effects on the gut microbiome may persist much longer than expected. Linking data from the Swedish prescription register with stool metagenomic profiles from nearly 15,000 adults in multiple population groups, the study showed that even a single…

Across the country, policymakers are revisiting the idea of ​​expanding catastrophic health plans as a lower-cost alternative to the insurance market. These plans are marketed as affordable because they come with lower monthly premiums. But what often gets lost in the conversation is what they don’t cover until thousands of dollars are covered out of pocket. For black women, this gap is not theoretical. It’s personal. Catastrophic plans are designed to protect against worst-case scenarios such as major accidents or life-threatening emergencies. They generally require very high deductibles before most benefits kick in. Regular specialist visits, diagnostic imaging, ongoing medication…

She was not to become one of the most successful women in direct sales. She had just lost her income, had no savings and needed to find a “proper job”. Instead, Sarah backed a young founder with five skincare products – and helped shape one of the UK’s fastest-growing beauty brands, turning guts, conviction and a well-strained cup of tea into a £125m business. Every business has a moment before it becomes what it is known for. A time when it’s still just a handful of people, a great idea, and an awful lot of faith doing the heavy lifting.Tropic…

Your life doesn’t end with retirement. If anything, that’s when you can enjoy it the most, with the right lifestyle. Retirement is a great opportunity to try things you didn’t have time for before. It is the time in life when you consciously build a healthy routine for yourself. For decades, work provided structure and social interaction. These things don’t have to end with retirement. You can make them yourself as a form of therapy. Free time always sounds exciting. But too much unstructured time can start to feel overwhelming or even boring. Many people feel anxious or isolated during…

Listeria is the third leading cause of death among bacterial foodborne pathogens in the US, and pregnant women bear a disproportionate share of this burden. However, the scientific models used to set food safety policy are rarely designed specifically with pregnant women in mind. A new study to be published in Risk Analysis aims to change that. Each year, about 1,250 Americans contract listeriosis, the disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes. The disease carries a staggering 86% hospitalization rate and is fatal in about 14% of cases. For pregnant women, the stakes are even higher: pregnancy-related cases account for 14% of…

Dr. Michelle Quist Ryder, PhD (she/her), is a social psychologist and chief researcher who serves as the CEO of the American Psychological Foundation (APF). At APF, he helps guide philanthropic investments that fund psychological research, support scholars and practitioners, and extend evidence-based solutions to real-world problems. Her professional background includes human-centered organizational design, effective DEI practice, and translating social science into practical tools for institutions and communities. He regularly speaks and writes about belonging, identity, workplace culture, and the public value of psychological science—so more people can live healthier, more dignified lives and accelerate impact through rigorous, ethical research…

Let’s take a walk down Memory Lane… October 30, 1977 Light n’ Lovely is opening in Salem, MA January 1984 Light n’ Lovely in Salem is rebranding as Healthworks Fitness for Women July 1984 Healthworks Cambridge is opening in its original Porter Square location “Healthworks only had two locations: the mothership in Salem and our ‘under Tag’s Hardware’ location in Porter Square. We were two small locations in strip malls, both with a neighborhood feel.” — Jenny Briggs, Personal Trainer at Healthworks Cambridge since early 1992 “The ceiling was so low that when we brought in an assisted traction machine,…

If you’re exploring wrinkle treatments, you’ve probably heard of one of the newest neuromodulators, Jeuveau. As you weigh your options, you probably want something that looks natural and lasts. If you’re considering Jeuveau, you’re probably wondering: how long does Jeuveau last? And how does it compare to Botox? Both Jeuveau and Botox are FDA-approved treatments used to smooth wrinkles that come from expressions like frown lines between the eyebrows or crow’s feet around the eyes. But when it comes to longevity, effectiveness and overall value, the differences may surprise you. Here’s a clear, science-backed guide to how long Jeuveau lasts…

You may have noticed BHT on a cereal ingredient list and wondered what it actually is. It sounds like one of those synthetic ingredients that people often worry about. But what is it really and is it something to worry about? In short: Is BHT in grains bad for you? BHT in cereals is not considered dangerous in the small amounts allowed by law, but it has not been proven completely safe for long-term human use either. This is one reason some people prefer to avoid it, especially when there are cereals without it. What exactly is BHT? BHT stands…

A large real-world study shows that patients who stop popular GLP-1-based weight loss drugs often return to treatment or try alternative treatments, explaining why average weight regain after stopping may be less than expected. Study: Obesity treatments and weight changes in clinical practice after discontinuation of semaglutide or tirzepatide. Image credit: KaterynaBorodina/Shutterstock.com Obesity treatment has been revolutionized by the introduction of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) such as semaglutide and the dual GLP-1 RA/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide [GIP] receptor agonists such as tirzepatide. However, a study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism found that many patients who stop these drugs…