General Health

For most people, a multivitamin is probably not necessary to improve health. TL/DR: If you eat a varied diet that contains many fruits and vegetables, you probably do not need to supplement with a multivitamin. There is no evidence that vitamins reduce the development of chronic illnesses such as heart disease or significantly reduce risk Read more…

Mammograms are a useful screening tool for breast cancer, but they aren’t perfect tests. Figuring out how best to use them is tricky and changes over time. In early May, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a draft of their updated guidelines for breast cancer screening. They now propose changing the starting Read more…

A: Ozempic is a drug used to treat diabetes and has lately been touted as a helpful option to stimulate weight loss. Ozempic (semaglutide) was approved in 2017 for the treatment of diabetes. Sometime in 2022, the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, announced that the drug was in short supply in part due to “incredible” demand. Read more…

A: Most everyone aged 45-75 should be screened regularly for colon cancer. 💥 March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month! 💥 ➡️ Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Recently rates of colorectal cancer in younger people have been increasing. For that reason, guidelines were updated in 2021 Read more…

➡️ The quick answer: Yes, just don’t eat too much. For most people, that is not more than an ounce a day. If you are at risk, pregnant, or a child (if you even eat dark chocolate), less than an ounce or so a day, no more than a few times a week. 🙋What is Read more…

A: TL; DR. Permanent Standard Time is best for our sleep and circadian biology, which is fundamental to overall health and well-being. Sleep and circadian scientists advocate for ending the twice annual shifting of the clock. However, rather than switching to permanent Daylight Saving Time (which has more light at the end of the day), Read more…

Together, let’s help reduce the stigma of opioid use disorder by recognizing it as the chronic disease it is. Any one of us can develop a chronic disease, regardless of our background, income level, education level, or other intersecting identities. As with other chronic diseases, this is not about willpower or character. It is about Read more…

Screening for cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes checking for risk factors including high blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose. Screenings such as an EKG, stress test, coronary calcium score CT scan or cardiac catheterization may also be used depending on risks and symptoms. Those Nerdy Girls want to help people identify symptoms and reduce their risk of Read more…