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  • 10 energy-boosting breakfast and lunch ideas to avoid the afternoon crash

    10 energy-boosting breakfast and lunch ideas to avoid the afternoon crash

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    Whether it’s mental burnout, lack of sleep, or just the early-setting sun, no one is safe from the mid-afternoon brain fog that sets in like clockwork. But, you don’t have to let it win—and kill your vibes and productivity to boot. While lots of factors are at play—from hormones to mental health—there is one piece to this energy-draining equation you do have some control over. And that’s what you eat. 

    You’ve heard the saying that food is fuel. That quite literally is true in that food has calories and calories are energy, but it’s the makeup of the micro and macro nutrients in those foods that make the difference between you crushing it or crashing. Here, registered dietitian Amanda Holtzer reveals how to hack your breakfast and lunch eats to have the best chance at maintaining your energy until dinner. The best part? Holtzer is all about an anti-diet, unrestrictive way of eating that isn’t about following rules, but rather about sustainable, nutritious choices that work for you. Incorporating these tricks and meal ideas is both easy and delicious. 

    Nutrition and energy basics

    Understanding why and how food impacts your energy-levels can help you create sustainable habits. 

    Aim for stable blood sugar 

    Your energy level and your blood sugar go hand in hand, says Holtzer, who is also a staff dietitian for PB2 Foods. “Blood sugar very much determines where your energy is throughout the day,” she says. “In order to have consistent energy, you want to have consistent blood sugar. You want your blood sugar to follow this nice pattern of gentle, rolling hills, not high spikes and low dips.” The balance of macronutrients, particularly emphasizing slow-digesting foods that are low on the Glycemic Index, keeps those highs and lows to a minimum. 

    Balance your macros

    You want to ensure you have a proper balance of all three major macronutrients—protein, carbs, and fat—at every meal and snack, says Holtzer. The recommended amounts of each vary and depend on multiple factors including your sex, activity level, height, weight, age, and more, and a dietitian or certified nutritionist along with your doctor can help fine-tune those ratios for your body. Still, aiming to simply get all three on your plate is a great place to start. 

    “Protein is very satiating; it keeps you full,” says Holtzer. “Protein is the building block of every single cell and process in the body,” which is why you want to make sure you have a good source of protein, such as Greek yogurt, eggs, turkey, or even protein powder, at every meal.

    If protein is the log on the energy fire, carbs are the gasoline. “The body’s preferred source of energy is glucose, which you get from carbs,” explains Holtzer. Ideally, “those carbs would be filled with fiber, which helps slow down digestion,” which maintains fullness and reduces sharp blood sugar shifts. Fruits, veggies, and whole grains are all good sources of fiber. 

    Finally, fats (particularly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) are helpful for slow digestion and satiation,” says Holtzer. Try olive oil, avocados, flaxseed, or chia seeds. 

    Timing matters, too

    You’ll want to pay attention to how long you’re going between meals if energy maintenance is the goal. Again, that’s because it all comes down to blood sugar, says Holtzer. Blood sugar naturally declines between meals, but going five to seven hours or more without eating will deplete those reserves so much that you’re more likely to overeat at your next meal, causing a sugar spike. 

    “To combat that, it’s better to eat every three to four hours so that you’re giving your body this constant stream of energy, and more importantly, this constant stream of carbs and protein to keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day,” she says. 

    5 energy-sustaining breakfasts

    Set your day up for success with these satisfying breakfasts recommended by Holtzer.

    • Loaded yogurt bowl: Mix full-fat Greek yogurt with powdered peanut butter, such as PB2 or similar, for some added protein, then top with whole-grain cereal and berries for high-fiber carbs.
    • Smoothie: Blend frozen banana, frozen berries, and fresh spinach (all high-fiber options) with protein powder and almond milk for a well-balanced on-the-move choice. 
    • Veggie omelet and avocado toast: Whisk two eggs and two egg whites together and mix with a handful of chopped veggies of your choosing. Serve the cooked eggs with a slice of toast with half an avocado to balance out the protein and carbs with a healthy fat. 
    • Overnight oats: Mix old-fashioned oats with some chia seeds for an extra dose of fiber, a scoop or two of powdered peanut butter and a dollop of Greek yogurt for some protein. Add almond milk, let this sit overnight, then add fresh berries on top when you’re ready to eat in the morning.
    • Quick waffles: Spread peanut butter over a freezer waffle to add protein and fat to a quick and classic, carby breakfast. Add two hard-boiled eggs to your plate for even more protein. 

    5 energy-sustaining lunches

    No sad salads around here. Keep your energy high with these macro-packed lunches from Holtzer. 

    • Turkey sandwich: Stack turkey, cheese, and the condiment of your choice between two slices of whole-grain bread. That’s complex carbs from the bread, protein from the deli meat, and a little fat from the cheese. Baby carrots and cucumbers on the side add fiber.
    • Chicken Caesar salad wrap: Toss grilled chicken, crunchy Romaine lettuce, and croutons with a dollop of Caesar dressing before securing the salad in a wrap. Protein, fats, and fiber—check, check, and check. 
    • Chicken and vegetable soup: Whether homemade or store-bought this bowl is a balanced, warming lunch that will satisfy your tastebuds and a grumbling stomach. A slice of whole-grain garlic toast is the perfect complement. 
    • Mediterranean salad: Toss fiber-filled veggies including cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions with feta cheese, then top with a lean protein such as chicken, shrimp, salmon or tofu. Bring a carb into the mix with a side of pita bread or hummus and crackers. 
    • Cottage cheese toast: This viral recipe idea is a delicious, easy, high-protein, high-fiber lunch. Smear store-bought pesto on two slices of whole-grain toast, top with cottage cheese, sliced tomato, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. 

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    Alyssa Sparacino

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  • I'm a Beauty Editor Who Moved to the Midwest—30 Winter-Proof Items I Love

    I'm a Beauty Editor Who Moved to the Midwest—30 Winter-Proof Items I Love

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    Most Wanted is a weekly series in which one editor, staffer, or influencer shares their top 30 must-haves or current wish-list items.

    I’m from a small town in Northern Michigan, but up until this year, I spent four years living in LA and two years living in Austin, Texas. Not to state the obvious, but the climates of those three locations are drastically different. In LA, I had balmy 70-degree days. In Austin, I had high heat and high humidity to contend with. Now, I’m dealing with below-freezing temperatures and lots of snow, wind, and ice. Like I said, it’s different. 

    Even though I grew up here, it wasn’t exactly easy to readjust to the climate. In fact, I dreaded it. Dark, cold days do a number on my mental and physical health—not to mention my skin and hair. For the former, I had to rework my daily routine, get fresh air, and engage in lots of self-care activities. For the latter, I had to rework my beauty routine, collect new products, and use them strategically. It took me a while, but I’m happy to announce that I have my cold-weather essentials on lock. Ahead, check out the 30 products that will see me through to spring. 

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    Kaitlyn McLintock

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  • 6 ways your brain and body benefit when you stop drinking alcohol

    6 ways your brain and body benefit when you stop drinking alcohol

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    After a holiday season spent indulging and imbibing many social drinkers welcome the tradition of Dry or Damp January, where you abstain from or cut back on alcohol for a full month as a way of resetting your relationship with it in the new year. 

    Many who try the 31-day challenge find it becomes easier with time to adopt a low or no-alcohol lifestyle as a result. Whether you’re looking to cut back on the booze to avoid hangovers, save money, or improve your health overall, there are likely some added benefits you haven’t considered that might just make you consider giving it up for good. 

    Here are some of the major benefits of cutting out alcohol, according to experts. 

    1. Your sleep may improve

    It might come as a shock to those who look forward to a night cap as a way to drift to sleep, but alcohol acts more like a tranquilizer, knocking you out but not giving you true sleep. 

    In fact, studies show that even a low amount of alcohol—less than one drink for women and less than two for men—can negatively impact sleep quality. 

    “There are four stages of sleep and stages 3 and 4 are most important,” says Louisa Nicola, a neurophysiologist and advisor with Momentous where she uses science-backed strategies to help athletes and investors reach peak performance. 

    Nicola says it’s during the third stage of sleep, known as deep sleep, that you release growth hormones and testosterone and activate the glymphatic system which is the brain’s waste clearance system. 

    “When you drink alcohol, you are sedating yourself. So you are blocking these stages of sleep,” Nicola says. 

    2. You’ll perform better mentally

    With improved sleep, comes improved mood, focus and energy. When you block REM sleep, stage four sleep, your emotions can be disrupted. 

    “You’re going to have a short fuse, you’re going to be more angry, you’re going to be more sad and the way you respond to people is going to be less emotionally intelligent,” Nicola adds. 

    Long term, excessive drinking also raises the odds of developing dementia. 

    “(Alcohol) is going in and obliterating the brain cells,” Nicola says. 

    This kind of deterioration is responsible for disease like Alzheimer’s, which we can lower the risk for when we cut down on heavy drinking. 

    3. You’ll reduce your risk of cancer and other diseases

    Heavy drinking not only increases your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, it also raises your risk of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But even one drink a day, considered moderate drinking, increases your risk for certain types of cancer. 

    What’s more, alcohol contributes to more than 200 diseases, including in the liver, pancreas, and heart.  

    4. You may improve your fertility 

    Regular heavy drinking can affect both male and female fertility: In men, excessive alcohol can lower testosterone levels, cause impotence, and affect sperm production. In women, it can affect the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and hormone levels.

    Some studies indicate that fertility can recover in men and women by abstaining from alcohol for three months.

    5. You might lose extra weight

    Many report a drop in weight after removing the empty calories consumed when drinking. Alcohol, like other foods and drinks that are high in sugar, can not only add unwanted pounds, but may also contribute to the accumulation of belly fat, which is associated with heart disease and diabetes.

    “Forty percent of our users see weight loss; they lose 5 to 10 pounds just because of cutting back the first three months,” says Vedant Pradeep, cofounder and CEO of Reframe, an alcohol reduction app, created in partnership with Emory and Harvard University.

    6. Your mental health could improve

    Many who consume alcohol do so to cope with stress, anxiety and depression, but experts say this is counterintuitive and that drinking can increase these symptoms. 

    “Alcohol is used to help or try to regulate the nervous system when it’s used to soothe anxiety and depression, but we’re learning there are other ways to soothe our nervous system,” says Stacy Thiry, a licensed therapist with Grow Therapy who specializes in addiction/substance abuse.

    When we stop drinking, we remove the substance responsible for many of our mood cycles. As a result, Thiry says many report improved relationships with family members, less risk taking behavior, better energy and health, and the ability to work out.

    You might not think consuming alcohol is affecting your personal relationships or daily life until you take a harder look, Thiry says. 

    Subscribe to Well Adjusted, our newsletter full of simple strategies to work smarter and live better, from the Fortune Well team. Sign up for free today.

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    Kristine Gill

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  • 26 Designer Buys That Are So 2024

    26 Designer Buys That Are So 2024

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    Hello and happy New Year! Now that we’re officially in 2024, I figured it’s time to start shopping like it. That means we’re only buying clothes and accessories that feel forward and cool but also like they’ll stick with us for the long haul. In other words, we want to wear them into 2025 and beyond. And, while this ethos can easily be attained via more affordable pieces (more to come on that at a later date), today I was in more of a treat yourself kind of mood, so I decided to round up the best luxury finds on the market right now that fit the bill.

    From bags—so many bags—to boots, dresses, jewelry, and more, below you’ll find twenty-find designer duds that just feel fresh. And trust me, whether you’re in the market to splurge or not, I think you’ll enjoy seeing them at the very least. Ready to get started? Just keep scrolling.  

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    Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour

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  • These Are the Best Legging Brands, Period

    These Are the Best Legging Brands, Period

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    Regardless of what you’re buying, it never hurts to get a second opinion—or sixth. Whether it’s a big investment, an update of an essential, or a little gift to yourself, the more info you have the better. If those opinions happen to come from fashion editors who literally shop all day for a living, well, you’re really in luck.

    As we’ve done in the past with our favorite brands for coats, shoes, lingerie, and more, we’re sharing the labels we love for leggings today. After all, there’s no time like the present to revamp your selection of activewear (or, of course, loungewear), right? To read about and shop the six best brands according to our editors, simply continue on below.

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    Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour

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  • Even 30-second exercise ‘snacks’ can boost your energy and help you get fit in the new year. How to add them to your day

    Even 30-second exercise ‘snacks’ can boost your energy and help you get fit in the new year. How to add them to your day

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    Maybe you’ve set a New Year’s resolution to get fitter and healthier this year. If so, you’re in good company: statistics show that improving fitness is the number one resolution. Unfortunately, the majority of people find sticking to that resolution difficult. A year on, only about 9% report they’ve stayed with a new exercise regimen for the entire 12 months.

    Making exercise a consistent, regular habit is hard, especially when you’re juggling a career, family obligations, and other demands on your time. A good starting point—or simply a good way to add on to an existing exercise habit—is to integrate movement “snacks” into your routine. These short bursts of activity scattered throughout your day can make a difference in how you feel, as well as your overall health.

    “Movement is good for us, even if it’s not a dedicated exercise session,” says Meghan Wieser, a doctor of physical therapy at Maryland-based Recharge Health & Fitness. “Movement snacks can be a low-barrier way to get your body moving throughout the day, and it correlates with better health markers.”

    Research backs this up. A team at McMasters University in Hamilton, Ontario, tested the theory. The study looked into whether simple 20-second bursts of vigorous stair climbing, three times each day, performed three days a week, could improve cardiorespiratory fitness. After six weeks, it had, by about 5%. “The changes are modest, but not insignificant,” says co-author Martin Gibala, a professor of kinesiology. “By studying epidemiological data, we’ve learned that small changes can go a long way.”

    While repeated exercise snacks shouldn’t replace a more regular workout routine that includes both cardiovascular and strength training, it can improve your health. It can also serve as an easy entry point to getting fitter in the new year.

    How to get started

    One of the best ways to incorporate movement snacks into your day is to “habit stack,” says Wieser. “In a given day, you already have habits built in, like a mid-morning coffee break,” she says. “So while you’re waiting for the coffee to brew, fit in some movement.”

    Maybe you have a daily 2 p.m. zoom call with your team, for instance. Five minutes before it begins, take the chance to do a micro-session of exercise. The same with getting up from your desk to walk to the bathroom. You can also choose to Pomodoro Method your way to better health by setting a timer to remind you to move after a specific interval of time. Or if you wear a fitness tracker, set it to buzz every couple of hours as a friendly nudge to move. The point is getting intentional about movement, and stacking it on top of existing routines and habits makes it easier to remember and incorporate.

    How you move and for how long can run a wide spectrum, and is dependent on your existing baseline of fitness. Someone who is fully sedentary, for instance, probably won’t start with sprinting up the stairs for 20 seconds at a time. Aim for a variety of movement that benefits both your heart and lungs, as well as your muscles.

    Easy entry points can include movements like air squats, lunges, push-ups, jogging in place, doing a few sets of jumping jacks, or setting out for a vigorous walk down the hall. If you prefer more static movement, hold a wall sit for 30 seconds at a time, repeating three times,. Or get on the floor and hold a plank for a similar period of time. Try to mix it up to give your body a variety of stimuluses, and aim to move at least every two hours or so.

    “No one type of exercise is better than any other, but you should aim to engage your large muscle groups to get your heart rate elevated at the same time,” says Gibala. “Complex, multi-joint functional movements, with or without equipment are good. You need to huff and puff a bit to get the benefit.”

    And that’s one of the keys with shorter bursts of activity—some should be intense enough to raise your heart rate. “But it should be something you like so that you’ll stick with it,” says Gibala. “Burpees are fantastic, for example, but not everyone likes them.”

    You don’t have to limit your movement snacks to the workday, or strictly with a plan in mind, either. Research shows that incorporating vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) into everyday life can be impactful as well. Even at a frequency of three times per day, lasting one or two minutes each is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality. “Think about getting off a three-hour flight, where you’ve been sitting the whole time, and walking up the stairs in the airport with your suitcase in hand,” says Gibala. “Play hard with your kids for a few minutes. Parallel this with movement snacks and it can go a long way.”

    All that says, your goal should still be longer, intentional exercise sessions. But as an add on—or if time for an exercise snack is all you’ve got—you can improve your health. “Consider snacks a supplement,” says Wieser. “It’s a little nibble throughout your day that feeds your body.”

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    Amanda Loudin

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  • The Best 2024 Jeans Recommendations, Straight From Our Editors

    The Best 2024 Jeans Recommendations, Straight From Our Editors

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    Take this from somebody who has owned and currently owns far too many pairs of jeans—the best ones are obtained through word of mouth. There’s really no other way. So when new styles drop that aren’t already beloved by everyone in the fashion community and beyond (including but not limited to Levi’s 501s and Agolde’s Pinch Waist silhouette), they really need to be tested, worn, washed, worn again, and finally, talked about—a lot.

    With 2024 wardrobes being conceptualized and built as we speak, I thought I’d get the ball rolling on next year’s must-buy denim by skipping a step in the process. By that, I mean that rather than waiting for the best jeans recommendations to make their way to me, I sought them out. But I didn’t ask just anyone. Instead, I called on the shoppers I trust most, my fellow Who What Wear editors, who, between them all, have probably tested out every pair of jeans on the market at any given time. And as always, they came through. Scroll down to shop the 2024 Zagat guide to denim.

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    Eliza Huber

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  • We Tried Hundreds of Fashion Items This Year—We'd Rebuy These 17 in a Heartbeat

    We Tried Hundreds of Fashion Items This Year—We'd Rebuy These 17 in a Heartbeat

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    When it’s your job to shop for, test out, and review fashion pieces, new items are always hitting your doorstep. Dozens of new pieces come across our desks in the span of a month, so you can imagine that collectively, our entire fashion team has tried hundreds of pieces this year alone. Since it can be downright intimidating to peruse what’s out there in the hopes of making a little wardrobe update, we figured we’d do the hard work for you and dish on our fashion obsessions of the past year.

    Seeing as we’re basically experts when it comes to shopping, we don’t take our favorites lightly. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that the tops, bags, shoes, and outerwear on our short lists are “it,” and once you see how our editors are styling each, I think you’ll agree. From the most-worn ankle boots in Kristen’s closet to Eliza’s It earrings and the dress everyone needs according to Ana, here are the very best fashion items we bought in 2023 and would rebuy in a heartbeat if we had to do it all over again.

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    Anna LaPlaca

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  • A disproportionate number of Black women are 'kinless' as they age. Advocates say they deserve a social safety net, too

    A disproportionate number of Black women are 'kinless' as they age. Advocates say they deserve a social safety net, too

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    Carlene Davis, 57, started thinking about aging when she was still in her 30s, having spent eight years as her parents’ primary caretaker. Davis, a Black woman from Los Angeles, does not have a spouse, siblings, or children, and it dawned on her that there was no other family member to care for her needs as she got older. Davis is one of the nearly 1 million Americans who are “kinless.”

    Family members provide more than 95% of the informal care for older adults who don’t live in nursing homes, according to the Population Reference Bureau. But with rising rates of single adults (through divorce and never marrying), at the same time births are declining, there’s a growing concern over who will look after this large cohort of kinless seniors who don’t have a partner or family member to provide care. The concern is particularly acute for Black women, who, according to a 2017 study, have lower levels of wealth and the highest rates of kinlessness.

    University of Maryland sociologist Kris Marsh, Ph.D., tells Fortune this conclusion is “short-sighted” because it overlooks the support systems single Black women build. A 2013 study found Black Americans and Black Caribbeans have more extensive fictive kin networks, or family you choose, than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Black Americans were also more likely to have support from—and daily interactions with—extended family members. 

    “We do have kin,” Marsh says. In her book The Loves Jones Cohort, she notes that single, middle-class Black Americans have tapped into a long cultural tradition of creating “kin” with people not related by blood, expanding their “families” beyond the traditional nuclear model. 

    The cost of being single

    Like other experts who study singlehood, Marsh, says standards and policies, like those determining Social Security benefits and health insurance coverage, don’t align with U.S. single adults’ unique bonds and networks. As a result, being single is costly due to the lack of equitable coverage, reduced Social Security benefits, and limited ability to preserve money by there being only one person to generate income and benefits for a given household. 

    Furthermore, experts say U.S. policy around single status is damaging to people’s economic well-being, and that the treatment of this growing number of unmarried adults could have political ramifications. “Single status is the most important policy issue that we’re not discussing as a nation full stop, period,” says Jessica Moorman, Ph.D., professor at Wayne State University who studies Black women’s single socialization. She says the various benefits designated for married people are “policy fixes” that could easily apply to single adults. 

    “Marital policies exacerbated [an] already grim economic reality, “ she says, “I would argue that because more than half of this country is unmarried, that is one of the largest political causes of voters we could possibly have, right? All you need is half of all singles to get on the same page politically about something.” 

    The state of singlehood

    Nearly half of U.S. adults are single, including people who are divorced, widowed, and never married, according to September 2023 data from the American Community Survey. In 2020, over a quarter of U.S. households were one-person households, according to the survey. In addition, most U.S. women are single, with significant labor force participation that has been particularly beneficial to the post-pandemic economy. Despite these significant shifts, policies that provide social and legal benefits tend to rely on Western nuclear family models.

    “The women in my interviews were cognizant of the fact that they did not have a marital partner,” particularly for additional social security benefits or caretaking, which led them to build “intentional communities of found family,” says Moorman. Davis embodies this pursuit of intentional communities as she has made arrangements for support and caregiving with long-time friends. “My healthcare power of attorney is a friend who I’ve known since kindergarten,” says Davis, “I have a list in my trust of people to whom I have given HIPAA authorization,” she says.

    Planning for the future as a ‘kinless’ adult

    Carol Tucker, 63, is a lab manager at a medical school in Atlanta, Georgia, and has been divorced for about five years after a 27-year marriage. She says being single can be challenging regarding insurance and thinking about the future, “Who will care for me if I’m unable to care for myself?”

    Carol did her research and turned to friends to learn their strategies for dealing with the fallout from divorce. She says being single has made her agile in preparing for aging and the future. She’s “ready to pivot,” as she calls it. As a result, she’s modified her will and invested more of her income in her long-term disability insurance, and each year, she reassesses her plans and financials. When seeking mental and financial support as a single woman, Carol says she turns to her trusted circle that she calls her “Senior Cabinet.” 

    “I’m quite fortunate to have a wonderful network from extended family, friends, and church community.”

    Bella DePaulo, Ph.D., a psychologist who has written extensively on the single experience, says, “research shows that single people are more likely than married people to stay in touch with their friends, parents, siblings, and neighbors and exchange help with them,” contrary to married couples who tend to “become more insular,” she says. DePaulo, who is the author of the forthcoming book Single at Heart: The Power, Freedom, and Heart-Filling Joy of Single Life, summarizes the unique social networks that often thrive in the lives of single people this way: “Single people…have ‘The Ones’ rather than ‘The One.’” They are “tending to their bonds with the people who matter to them,” she says. 

    Delores Bushong, 76, is a retired school teacher of over 40 years who resides in Washington, D.C. She is never married and has no children, and relies on her long-time friends who have remained in the city. 

    She says single adults have to, or should, engage in “a lot of forward-thinking,” that is planning and anticipating scenarios for aging and death. “My personal representative is a friend right now,” she says, “One of the things he does is [say] ‘let’s pretend you’ve died. I knock on the door…I come in. Can I locate all the documents? Do I have access to all the account numbers and passwords?’”

    Delores’s core community consists of “really long-term” friends and acquaintances from “being involved in different civic things,” including working to improve street lighting and protect forest areas within the city, as well as volunteering in her yoga and water aquatics classes and participating in her local Village, a membership organization consists of older people living in their own homes. “So through that. I’ve met lots of people.”

    Inequity in aging

    To consider children, siblings, partners, spouses, and parents as a person’s only options for caretaking ignores cultural norms for families that are not white, experts say. Black Americans have always considered relations beyond the biological. However, these supportive networks do not receive the benefits often reserved for marital and familial bonds. “We have to think about marital status as a line of inequity, both in terms of policy and how it functions to exacerbate other inequities,” says Moorman.

    In the last decade, marriage has become increasingly linked to socioeconomic status and race, with more marriages among white people and those with higher income and education. Additionally, couples receive more economic benefits after marriage. “Marriage is a result of inequality and then perpetuates that inequality going forward,” says Geoffrey Sanzebacher, an economics professor at Boston University. 

    Married people have “two shots” at health insurance and Social Security benefits—having a spouse provides a second chance at any set of benefits, says Sanzebache. This disadvantages single people, he says. “Right off the bat, you have this systemic choice to reward marriage because we allow two people, instead of one, to take advantage of this employer-sponsored benefit.” 

    He points out that the Social Security policy was implemented in 1935 when most U.S. adults were married and most white women did not work. That policy gave spouses access to their partner’s Social Security benefits. “Single people aren’t getting the same bang for their buck out of their social security contributions that a married person would,” he says. “When married people are showered with a whole array of benefits and protections, just because they are married when single people are denied those benefits, that is fundamentally unjust,” says DePaulo.

    The number of single U.S. adults is growing. Those who marry do so at later ages; divorce remains high, and remarriage rates are decreasing, DePaulo points out. This means people spend more of their time unmarried than married, Scholars say it’s time policy recognizes the intentional communities and supportive networks single people create. 

    “It’s very easy to give single adults the tax rate of married adults. It’s very easy to say insurers, any legal adult attached to this person in whatever way they want to be attached to them, whether they’re a sibling, a friend, or a non-marital partner, you can have access to these benefits,” says Moorman.

    Some developed nations have figured it out. In the U.K., people who live alone get a 25% discount on council tax, the U.S. equivalent to property tax. Single senior adults in New Zealand get a “living-alone allowance,” in which adults over 65 who live solo get a higher government pension payment to offset the “extra costs of running a household on your own.” Low-income residents who live alone in Quebec, Canada, can claim a tax credit. In Dublin, Ireland, people who live alone and already receive social welfare benefits may qualify for extra payments.

    In the meantime, these inequities inspired Davis to cofound Sistahs Aging with Grace and Elegance in 2019, a research and policy project centering Black women within  California’s Master Plan for Aging, which is a framework for supporting California’s population of residents who are 60 years and older. The initiative stems from Governor Gavin Newsome’s executive order to develop a strategy to promote the health and well-being of older Californians, whose population is projected to reach 10.8 million by 2030. “I wanted to think about what would equity in aging look like for Black women in California,” says Davis. 

    The perspectives of Davis and insight from scholars like DePaulo show that achieving equity in aging requires policy shifts and political will to support older adults, as well as redefining norms around relationship status and worth. “Everyone deserves the basics of human dignity. A person’s value is not defined by their marital or romantic relationship status, and their rights, benefits, and protections should not be linked to those statuses,” says DePaulo. 

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    Akilah Wise

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  • We Tried Quince’s Bestsellers — Here’s What We’d Buy Again

    We Tried Quince’s Bestsellers — Here’s What We’d Buy Again

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    “I struggle with picking out curtains. My walls are a muted yellow hue, my couch is green, and my budget is focused on so many other things — aka, I never know what color to buy and what’s truly worth it. However, I finally found the solution to my curtain-buying woes: Quince. Yes, I was gifted these curtains by the retailer, BUT — and it’s a big but — I will be buying them again for my bedroom. This linen set hangs beautifully, thanks to the thick fabric and inner lining. Each blocks out daylight without completely coating my living room in darkness (although, Quince does offer a selection of blackout curtains), and both glide seamlessly across my $10 curtain rods because of the ample room provided by their top sleeves. In short, the construction of these curtains is excellent, and there are so many colors and sizes to choose from. So, if buying fabric for your windows stresses you out like me, run to Quince.”—Alexandra Polk, Affiliate Lifestyle Writer

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    Alexandra Polk

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  • I Started a Strict Hair Routine With 16 Products—Now My Hair Is 4 Inches Longer

    I Started a Strict Hair Routine With 16 Products—Now My Hair Is 4 Inches Longer

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    I love having long hair. I love braiding it, fiddling with it when I’m bored, and tossing it into messy buns and claw clip hairstyles. Beyond the simple joy it brings me, the look also suits me best. That’s not just a personal opinion; I’ve had multiple friends and hairstylists tell me to keep my hair long and, I quote, “embrace a late-60s, early-70s vibe.” So, that’s what I do. 

    The only problem is that my hair is naturally dry, and I add insult to injury when I get it highlighted on a semi-regular basis. I know bleach isn’t good for anyone’s hair, but it’s particularly devastating to my fine, fragile strands. After leaving the salon, it’s only a matter of time before I experience intense damage and split ends.

    Last year, it got so bad, I could visibly see my long hair getting shorter and shorter. For every inch it grew, it lost two to breakage. It got to the point where my hair was inches shorter than it had been before without any scissors going near it. As a beauty editor, I knew it was time to get serious and set myself up on a strict haircare routine. I’m happy to say that after six months, my hair is back to its former glory (even better if I do say so myself). Ahead, see 16 strengthening products I swear by for longer, healthier hair. 

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    Kaitlyn McLintock

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  • Chia seeds aren't just a superfood—researchers say they could help combat world hunger and climate change

    Chia seeds aren't just a superfood—researchers say they could help combat world hunger and climate change

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    It’s long been known that chia seeds are a “superfood”—and new research provides even more reasons to back the assertion.

    Scientists at Oregon State University recently sequenced the chia genome, as detailed in a paper published Wednesday in Frontiers in Plant Science. The team wasn’t the first to do so. But it was the first to take a deep dive into the genetics behind the crop’s nutritional properties—and make a case for why chia seeds may be one solution to the world’s hunger and nutrition crisis, in addition to climate change.

    What are the health benefits of chia seeds?

    Chia seeds are tiny and round, and come in colors like black, brown, and white. They’re a member of the mint family, and related to rosemary and scarlet sage, among other herbs.

    Like its genetic relatives, chia seeds known to offer a wealth of nutritional benefits. They’re high in fiber and contain healthy fats and protein. What’s more, their flavor is mild, making them an easy add to many well-loved dishes like smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, and granola bars.

    But the tiny speckled seeds offer more than a simple nutrient boost. Among their near-medicinal properties—thanks to their polyunsaturated fatty acids, protein, and fiber, in particular—according to researchers at Oregon State:

    • Improved heart health and cholesterol
    • Anti-cancer properties
    • Anti-inflammatory properties
    • Antimicrobial properties
    • Antioxidant properties

    And there’s more. Additional health benefits of chia seeds, thanks to the generous helping of fiber they contain, include:

    • Improved intestinal health
    • Weight loss
    • Decreased risk of developing diabetes

    The vast potential of chia 

    So far, researchers looking to genetically optimize crops have mainly focused on cereals like rice, wheat, maize, and millets; small grains; legumes; oilseed; and tuber crops. While systemic breeding has mitigated global starvation and saved millions of lives, “the hidden issue of hunger or malnutrition remains,” the paper’s authors wrote.

    That means researchers must next turn to the improvement of “minor” or “orphan” crops like chia, cassava, yam, small grains, and pulses, they contend. During the study, scientists were able to locate genetic markers associated with the grain’s nutritional properties. Those wanting to create nutritionally improved chia seeds can use the list as a starting point for their research.

    “We are at the point where long-term food and nutrition security requires diversifying the human diet by breeding and making genetic improvement to nutrient-rich, so-called ‘minor crops’ like chia,” Sushma Naithani, an associate professor in the university’s Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, said in a news release about the study.

    More good news: The ability of chia to grow in marginal lands helps mitigate the threat posed by global climate change, researchers wrote. They hope to bring chia farming to Oregon, where climate conditions are similar to those in South America, where chia is primarily grown. Already, researchers at the University of Kentucky are leading the charge for chia development in the state.

    “This research opens up possibilities for scientists to study chia seed through the lens of improving human health, while at the same time continuing to further our knowledge of all the nutritional benefits of chia,” Pankaj Jaiswal, a professor at Oregon State University’s Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, said in the release.

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    Erin Prater

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  • 2024 Is Around the Corner—I'm Eyeing These Pieces for a Major Wardrobe Upgrade

    2024 Is Around the Corner—I'm Eyeing These Pieces for a Major Wardrobe Upgrade

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    The year may not be over yet, but I’m already thinking about 2024 fashion. I’ve been plotting a major wardrobe upgrade, and I’m looking for luxe pieces that will make chic outfits not only this year but also for many years to come. I’m talking high-quality neutrals for a quiet luxury vibe, perfect basics that I can throw on at any time, leather boots that won’t fall apart after a few wears, and so much more. Keep scrolling for some of my favorite finds from the wide-leg jeans my co-workers can’t stop raving about to an oversize, under-$250 cashmere sweater that just screams “rich.” Happy shopping.

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    Anneliese Dominguez

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  • Are electrolyte powders good for you? What nutrition experts want you to know before taking any hydration supplement

    Are electrolyte powders good for you? What nutrition experts want you to know before taking any hydration supplement

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    In modern times, staying hydrated can feel like a big ask. Maybe you don’t have time to fill up your reusable water bottle as you dash from meeting to meeting, or you forget to take a few gulps after a sweaty workout. Hydration supplements, like electrolyte powders and tablets, have entered the market to fill in when you fall short of your daily water requirement or when you’re feeling depleted—but are they really necessary? 

    Before you start spending your money on yet another supplement, it’s important to understand how hydration works. “Water, which constitutes approximately 60%  of our body weight, is involved in numerous vital functions,” says dietitian Lauren Manaker, RDN. “It aids in regulating body temperature, lubricates joints, assists in nutrient absorption, and facilitates various chemical reactions within the body.” Maintaining proper hydration levels can also help us think, regulate our emotions, and react to the world around us. 

    Most of us know drinking enough H2O is important, but how do electrolyte powders fit into the picture? Experts explain.

    How electrolyte powders work 

    “Hydration powders and tablets contain electrolytes, which are important minerals that help regulate and maintain fluid balance in the body,” says Melissa Boufounos, a certified holistic nutritionist specializing in performance nutrition. The human body depends on three major electrolytes to function: sodium (which helps cells absorb nutrients), magnesium (tasked with converting nutrients into energy), and potassium (which works closely with sodium and plays a critical role in heart health). 

    While regular old tap water contains trace amounts of electrolytes, hydration supplements, like electrolyte powders, deliver higher doses of these minerals. “As long as the hydration option contains the right mix of electrolytes in adequate quantities, it can help support hydration status,” explains Manaker. The sodium in these products may also stimulate thirst and prompt you to grab your water bottle more often, adds Boufounos. 

    Minimal studies have been conducted on the effects of these dietary supplements, but past research on sports drinks may be used to understand their efficacy. Research suggests that “functional beverages” containing glucose, sodium, and fructose may improve athletic performance by optimizing water absorption. And another small study found that people who drank sports beverages before and after jumping on the treadmill managed to retain more water compared to those who drank unsupplemented water. 

    Who benefits the most from electrolyte powders and tablets?

    Unsurprisingly, hydration products most benefit those who deplete their electrolytes on a daily basis. “Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and individuals engaged in strenuous physical activities often reap significant benefits from hydration powders,” says Manaker. “These powders offer a quick and efficient means of replenishing lost electrolytes, providing the rapid rehydration needed to maintain performance and recovery.” 

    Those who are suffering from a stomach bug, food poisoning, or the flu may also benefit from electrolyte powders, given that these illnesses dehydrate the body. “Lastly, people living in or visiting regions with extreme heat can utilize hydration powders to maintain optimal hydration levels and prevent heat-related illnesses,” says Manaker. So, if you have a trip to Tuscany in July or Sedona in August, taking a few electrolyte tablets along may help you adjust and stay hydrated on your journey. 

    There are also some folks who may want to steer clear of these products. “Hydration powders and tablets may offer some benefits for certain people, but they may not necessarily be for everyone,” says Manaker. For example, while the added sugar and sodium in many of these supplements may help some fuel their runs, those with diabetes or high blood pressure need to be cautious about adding these supplements to their water. 

    Can electrolyte supplements replace plain old water?

    Short answer: Nope. “Hydration powders and tablets should not replace drinking plain water or other hydrating fluids,” says Boufounos. “Despite the popularity of electrolyte supplements and the importance of staying hydrated, it is possible to overconsume electrolytes.” Electrolyte imbalance can affect blood pressure, kidney function, and heart rate, so make sure that you don’t start to over-rely on these tablets. 

    That said, in moderation, hydration supplements can be helpful. “In some cases, added electrolytes can help people maintain hydration better than drinking plain water,” says Manaker. “But for generally healthy people who are not heavily exercising, sweating, in an extraordinarily hot environment, or in another situation that makes maintaining hydration challenging, water may be just fine.” 

    Remember, electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, and potassium) also appear in food sources such as yogurt, apricots, and pumpkin seeds. So, if you’re eating a nutrient-dense diet, drinking plenty of water, and participating in moderate exercise, you can probably rely on your grocery haul for your electrolytes. 

    What to know about added sugar in electrolyte powders and tablets

    If you check the label of many electrolyte powders, you may notice added sugar. Boufounos says there’s a valid reason for that. “Sugar is added to hydration powders and tablets to promote water absorption and provide an energy source during exercise,” she says. Athletes participating in endurance workouts of an hour or more should choose products with added sugar because glucose can boost energy levels and aid in performance. 

    “If you’re using electrolyte products outside of a workout scenario, it’s okay to choose a product that is sugar-free,” says Boufounos. 

    The verdict on electrolyte powders and tablets

    In most cases, electrolyte powders are a bonus—not a necessity—to your diet. Once your doctor gives the okay, ichoose your supplement wisely. Boufounos recommends choosing a product that is third-party tested. “When a supplement is third-party tested, it meets minimum safety standards and doesn’t contain hazardous or banned substances, which is especially important for athletes,” she explains. 

    And, of course, you should always talk to your primary care physician before adding anything brand-new to your routine. “Your best bet is to ask your healthcare provider whether adding this solution to your diet is something you should be exploring,” says Manaker. 

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    Kells McPhillips

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  • If You Like Waking Up to Plump, Glowing Skin, Don't Sleep on This Overnight Mask

    If You Like Waking Up to Plump, Glowing Skin, Don't Sleep on This Overnight Mask

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    Whatever you call them—overnight masks or sleeping masks—I’ve never really liked them. I realize this might be a surprising statement, considering I’m a beauty editor and I’m here to gush about one, so let me explain. I have dehydrated, redness-prone skin. Even though I sound like someone who could use an overnight mask, I never found one that worked for me. In the past, most of the overnight masks I tried were too heavy or fragranced for my sensitive skin. After using them, I would only see more redness, more irritation, and (surprise!) clogged pores in my T-zone. It’s like they were doing the opposite of what an overnight mask should do. 

    I had all but given up on them completely until I saw one that was trending on TikTok. The reviews were so convincing that I decided to give it a shot. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but I’m going to anyway: I love it. After one use, I woke up with calm, glowing skin. Keep scrolling to see the overnight mask that has become a staple in my skincare routine. 

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    Kaitlyn McLintock

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  • After 3 Weeks, I Swear This Matcha-Spiked Body Lotion Gave Me Firmer Skin

    After 3 Weeks, I Swear This Matcha-Spiked Body Lotion Gave Me Firmer Skin

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    I think bodycare is consistently overlooked. I’ve talked to friends, family members, and other beauty editors, and so many of them have said the same thing: “I’m way better about caring for the skin on my face than I am about caring for the skin on my body.”

    I’m not saying I’m any better. Although I’ve improved upon my bodycare routine in recent years, it’s nowhere near perfect. Still, I’m constantly testing new bodycare products to see what can give me smooth, plump, bright, and glowing skin from the neck down. I want to know I’m using products that are actively and holistically treating my skin—not just moisturizing it. Well, recently, a new product came across my desk, and after using it for a mere three weeks, I think I found my latest bodycare obsession. Instead of simply moisturizing my skin like so many other formulas, this body lotion also firms, smooths, strengthens, and protects it from environmental aggressors. It’s a one-and-done formula that does so much it almost feels unfair to call it a body lotion at all. Keep scrolling to see which one it is and why I can’t shut up about it. 

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    Kaitlyn McLintock

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  • Holiday Fashion Is Upon Us — The Style Picks Our Team Loved This Month

    Holiday Fashion Is Upon Us — The Style Picks Our Team Loved This Month

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    The weeks before the holidays are always an exciting time for fashion lovers. Upcoming celebrations mean festive outfits must be planned, and, for the style-loving set, that is just as joyous as finding that one gift you want under the tree on Christmas morning.

    But any fashion-minded person knows it takes trial and error to achieve those looks. And that’s why the Refinery29 team has been busy testing some of the best winter fashion that would make the holiday season an effortless and stylish one. 

    From velvet bows that’ll revive your Christmas spirit and chunky boots you can pair with your ugly sweater to winter basics that will make the cold-weather season a joy, the Refinery29 team has tried it all. Ahead, take a look at some of the best picks we laid our eyes on this month. 

    At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

    Jenni Kayne Oversized Crew Neck

    “Is there anything more chic than a thick chunky sweater in the fall and winter months? I think not. This creamy slouchy crew from LA-based lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne has been a staple in my wardrobe since I got it a month ago. It’s made from recycled cashmere and cotton and is high-quality, super warm, and durable all at the same time.” — Kate Spencer, Sr. Affiliate Partnerships Manager

    Jenni Kayne Oversized Crewneck, $, available at Jenni Kayne

    Charles & Keith Lula Boots

    “These aren’t just boots, these are boots! So much so that the first time I wore them a woman (excitedly) screamed it at my face in a bar bathroom. Perfect for wet weather and sticky dance floors alike, these patent stretch heels demand the spotlight and they’re even comfortable to walk in — joy!” — Alicia Lansom, Associate Editor

    Charles and Keith Lula Patent Block Heel Boots, $, available at Charles and Keith

    Jennifer Behr Wide Velvet Bow

    “This year, the bow trend is helping me channel my inner child. This one by Jennifer Behr is the perfect mix of childish and chic, making it easy to pair with just about anything for the holiday season. So far, I’ve styled it with a leather jacket and turtleneck for a holiday party, as well as a T-shirt, jeans, and blazer to sightsee during a recent trip to Portugal. You can count it’ll be on my hair all winter long.” — Frances Solá-Santiago, Fashion Writer

    Jennifer Behr Wide Velvet Bow Barrette, $, available at Jennifer Behr

    Hey Harper Triple Hoops Set

    “Although I’ve had my third lobe piercing for over a year now, I haven’t found the right combination of earrings versatile enough to work with any outfit. When this waterproof set of hoops from Hey Harper went on sale for Black Friday, I knew it would be the perfect everyday stack for me. I’m all about simplicity these days, so this set was a 10/10 buy.” — Ebony-Renee Barker, UK Fashion Editor

    Hey Harper Triple Hoops Set, $, available at Hey Harper

    Sézane Milo Classic Bag

    “I am not a big bag person so, in my book, the perfect bag is a hands-free crossbody that is just big enough to fit… a book to read on the subway. This sleek Sézane handbag is versatile enough to go with everything in my wardrobe and doesn’t look bulky even with my paperback inside. I’ve worn it nonstop this fall.” — Irina Grechko, Fashion Director

    Sézane Milo Classic Bag, $, available at Sézane

    YPB Studio and Go Jogger

    “Athleisure has never been my thing, but since I’ve recently been working out more (due to taking up tennis), it’s become necessary to have items that are made to go from sweating to styled in no time. This pair of joggers from Abercrombie’s YPB line is exactly that — a pair I can play tennis in and later wear to brunch with a nice jacket.” — Frances Solá-Santiago, Fashion Writer

    Abercrombie and Fitch YPB Studio and Go Jogger, $, available at Abercrombie and Fitch

    Topshop Raw Denim Column Skirt

    “Admittedly, while I’ve been banging on about denim midi skirts as a must-have wardrobe staple, I didn’t have my own until now. This Topshop column skirt is made from thick denim, has a back slit for easy strides, and is the perfect length for me (I’m 5’7 for reference). I am looking forward to wearing this skirt for years to come.” — Ebony-Renee Barker, UK Fashion Editor

    Topshop Topshop raw denim column skirt in indigo, $, available at ASOS

    Rixo Georgina Shirtdress

    I’ve long been a fan of Rixo’s dresses thanks to the brand’s eye-catching prints. This midi — which can also double as a shirt dress and be styled more casually with a tank top and jeans — is just retro-looking enough without coming off as kitschy. — Irina Grechko, Fashion Director

    Rixo London Georgina Midi Shirtdress, $, available at Rixo London

    Maya Brenner Healing Retreat Necklace

    “This necklace was thoughtfully gifted to me after I’ve had a difficult year, and it is one of those pieces you know you’ll have for a lifetime. Amethyst is meant to provide protection, balance, and healing, but whether or not you’re a crystal person, you can’t deny that this beautifully crafted necklace simply looks stunning on.” — Ebony-Renee Barker, UK Fashion Editor

    Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

    12 Must-Have Winter Wardrobe Staples For 2022

    These Are Fall's Biggest Fashion Trends

    The Fashion Items R29 Editors Loved This Month

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    Frances Solá-Santiago

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  • Long travel distances, excessive wait times, doctor shortages—Medicare beneficiaries face hurdles to see neurologists

    Long travel distances, excessive wait times, doctor shortages—Medicare beneficiaries face hurdles to see neurologists

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    According to a study published recently in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), almost one in five people on Medicare travel 50 or more miles one way to see a neurologist. Patients who require specialized neurologic care for diseases including brain cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS), travel long distances the most often.

    Neurologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain and the central nervous system. Since our brains and nervous system are part of the normal aging process, neurological issues are more common as we get older. In fact, according to a review of studies, aging is the main risk factor for most neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). The findings also showed that 10% of people aged 65 years or older have AD, and it becomes more common with increasing age.

    The prevalence of neurological and nervous system issues in people 65 and older makes the need for better neurological options for Medicare patients even more important.

    “Our study found a substantial travel burden exists for some people with neurologic conditions, including people living in areas with fewer neurologists and rural areas,” said study author and chair of the American Academy of Neurology’s Health Services Research Subcommittee Dr. Brian C. Callaghan, of the University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor, said in a news release. “We also found that people who traveled long distances were less likely to return for a follow‐up visit with a neurologist.”

    The wide-ranging study included over 563,000 participants on Medicare, at an average age of 70, who saw a neurologist at least once during the one-year study. For the study, 14,439 neurologists provided care to participants in over 1.2 million office visits.

    The findings showed that more than 96,000 people, or 17%, traveled long distances (defined as 50 or more miles each way), with an average of 81 miles each way and an average travel time of 90 minutes. Those who traveled long distances had a 26% decreased chance of a follow-up visit compared to those without long-distance travel.

    “Our results suggest that policymakers should investigate feasible and affordable ways to improve necessary access to neurologic care, especially in areas with low availability of neurologists and in rural communities,” said study author Chun Chieh Lin, Ph.D., MBA, of Ohio State University in Columbus and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. “Interventions such as telemedicine can improve access to care. Future research should examine the differences in health outcomes between people who must travel long distances for care and those who do not.”

    An increase in telehealth for neurological services

    This study was conducted in 2018, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Lin suggested that future studies examine how telemedicine during the pandemic impacted travel times.

    The pandemic did lead to an increased use of telemedicine services for neurologists. In fact, without any other options than virtual care, neurologists determined that 21 of the 23 elements of the single-element neurological examination could be done through telehealth, according to the American Medical Association.

    One was the cardiovascular part of the exam since there is not a remote stethoscope of fingers to feel pulses. The second was the ophthalmoscopic examination, as there is not a remote ophthalmoscope, according to Dr. Neil Busis, associate chair of technology and innovation in the neurology department at New York University Langone Health.

    The most recent telehealth survey conducted by the American Medical Association showed that the pandemic had indeed led to increased use of telemedicine by neurologists. The survey showed that, per week, on average, neurologists saw 36% of their patients via telehealth. However, at least 75% of telemedicine visits were with established patients, suggesting that most patients still see neurologists in person for the initial visit.

    The national shortage of neurologists

    The critical neurologist shortage affects the travel times for Medicare patients, as well as the standard of care.

    While the nationwide physician shortage is affecting all specialties, the demand for neurologists is growing even faster due to several factors. One is the medical advances in treating neurological disorders including migraines, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. Another is the growing population of Americans over the age of 65. Estimates show that over the next 7 to 27 years, cases of Parkinson’s and dementia will double, and strokes are expected to increase by 20%.

    An April 2023 study suggested that the current estimated 11% shortfall of neurologists will increase to 19% by 2025, resulting in longer wait times.

    According to a news release from the American Academy of Neurology, undervalued in-person neurologist visits by the Medicare system are one of the reasons there is a shortage of neurologists. “Without fair and stable reimbursement, medical students and residents who have substantial education debt often are forced to seek more financially rewarding specialties than neurology.”

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    Margie Zable Fisher

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  • Another round of free COVID tests is being made available to U.S. households ahead of a potential holiday surge in cases

    Another round of free COVID tests is being made available to U.S. households ahead of a potential holiday surge in cases

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    WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans can order more free COVID-19 tests online for home delivery.

    The U.S. government is offering to send another round of four at-home virus tests ahead of the typical surge in cases during the winter holiday season.

    Anyone who did not order a batch of four COVID-19 tests in September can secure up to eight of them this time around starting Monday at COVIDtests.gov. The U.S. Postal Service will deliver them for free.

    The government is mailing out the coronavirus tests as the the flu season kicks off and a spike in RSV cases has been reported in some spots around the country. Hospitalizations for COVID-19, which has killed more than 1 million people in the United States, were on the rise this fall but have stayed steady in recent weeks. Immunity from previous vaccinations and infections has kept case counts lower compared with other years.

    The new release of free COVID-19 nasal swab tests also comes ahead of the first winter since the pandemic started that insurers are no longer required to cover the cost of them. On average, at-home tests now cost $11 out of pocket, according to an analysis by the nonprofit health research firm KFF.

    The Food and Drug Administration also approved updated COVID-19 vaccines in September in the hopes of revving up protection for Americans this winter. The shots target an omicron descendant named XBB.1.5, replacing older vaccines that targeted the original coronavirus strain and a much earlier omicron version. Shots are recommended for everyone age 6 months or older, but uptake has been slow.

    U.S. taxpayers have spent tens of billions of dollars to develop COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments in the three years since the pandemic started.

    Subscribe to Well Adjusted, our newsletter full of simple strategies to work smarter and live better, from the Fortune Well team. Sign up for free today.

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    Amanda Seitz, The Associated Press

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  • What ‘SuperAgers’ can teach us about fighting off age-related diseases

    What ‘SuperAgers’ can teach us about fighting off age-related diseases

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    One hundred year-old Maureen Paldo still lives in the same Chicago home that she and her husband purchased when they married after World War II. Paldo, who’s been widowed for about 30 years, says she still manages the stairs, takes walks as often as possible, and loves to have people come to visit.

    Her one regret is that she can no longer drive due to poor eyesight, so every Sunday, her son takes her to a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts—only for the coffee, she insists—where she meets up with a group of friends to socialize.

    Paldo is a superager—those 80 or older who are mentally and physically more akin to people decades younger. Former President Jimmy Carter, model and actress Iris Apfel, and producer Norman Lear are also superagers. You may know some yourself. But why them, and not others? While, superagers can run in families, it can also be pretty random. One sibling may live a long, healthy life while another may die prematurely from disease. We only inherit 50% of our genes from each parent, so even in families with older, healthy relatives, superager genes are not a sure thing. 

    Paldo is participating in a a large, genetic study of elders, called the SuperAgers Study, to help researchers answer some key questions about life span and health span. It may even lead to a longevity pill that could help more of us live healthier, longer lives.

    We still don’t really know why some people live well into their ninth or tenth decades of life with few physical or cognitive problems, while others show decline much sooner. While genetics plays a role, we are still learning about all of protective inherited and natural factors, according to Dr. Sofiya Milman, the study’s chief investigator and Director of Human Longevity Studies at the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. SuperAgers all seem to have the APoE2 gene variant in common, which protects against Alzheimer’s or dementia, but that’s only a partial explanation.

    In one analysis, Milman’s team compared the lifestyle of centenarians to the lifestyle of a general population group from the same birth years. Those in the general population group didn’t live as long, despite similar rates of tobacco and alcohol use, diet, and exercise.

    “What is it that makes the difference?” she asks. “We know enough to know that this is a very valuable group to study because looking at smaller groups of superagers and centenarians have indicated that there’s definitely heritability for healthy aging and healthy longevity.”

    Health span, not life span

    But, It’s not just about life span, it’s also about health span—living out the later years with few, if any medical conditions like heart disease or diabetes. “If people are healthy and independent and cognitively intact at 90, I think that’s a pretty major success,” Milman says. “We hope to use this information to actually create therapies based on this biological knowledge.”

    For those who did not win the genetic lottery, it may be possible some day to benefit from therapeutics that will be based on these genetic studies. The ultimate goal, says Milman, is to create therapies that will mimic the beneficial function of these longevity genes and benefit everyone, not just a selected few.

    Milman likens these therapies to those which modulate the biology of people predisposed to high blood pressure or diabetes.

    “Some people age slower because their pathways are more fine-tuned, and there are those who age faster because they’ve inherited pathways that are not as beneficial for aging,” she says. Manipulating those biological pathways through drugs, as we do for other age-related diseases, is plausible and biologically and scientifically sound.

    The data from this study will be used to create a large biorepository for future researchers who want to study healthy aging. Researchers are not looking to help people live forever, or manipulate peoples’ genes, but to lower their risk for developing age-related diseases.

    Paldo hopes that her participation in the SuperAger study will help scientists achieve this goal. She attributes her own longevity to both “good genes” and a healthy lifestyle. Growing up during the Depression, she and her siblings subsisted on mostly home-grown vegetables and fruit.

    “I think my secret is hard work. And healthy diet,” she says. However, longevity didn’t benefit all of her siblings. One sister lived until age 103, but two others died in their 40s from cancer. Paldo has lost touch with several brothers, and is unaware of their fates.

    “I hope they find out something that contributes a long life, Paldo says. “I mean, I didn’t do anything different. I just went along with the program and just tried to be happy.“

    We’ve long known that Paldo’s approach—eating right, exercising, and socializing—are key factors in staying healthy. Life span isn’t just about longevity, but about healthy longevity. “It’s not about living until 120 and having dementia for 40 years. Ultimately, we’re looking for ways to prevent these diseases from onsetting all together,” Milman says.

    To really relieve the burden on our society and on our healthcare system, we need to get at the root of these age-related problems. Many have a common cause, which is aging itself, so it’s really important for us to fight the misinformation that’s out there, according to Milman.

    She cites ads for supplements that claim to help people live longer or prevent memory loss. Many have never been tested in the kind of clinical trial which proves that this drug or this supplement will actually work. “We really need to look for scientifically based evidence. And for most of these things, it just doesn’t exist yet,” she says.

    The research team hopes to enroll 10,000 individuals in the study within the two years. Data will be protected and only qualified researchers will have access to it. If you’d like to learn more about the study, you can get screened through the website, whether or not you have a family history of longevity.

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    Liz Seegert

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