Should You Consider Taking Iron Supplements for Anemia?

Anemia comes up whenever there are not enough healthy red blood cells in the body. All iron supplements treat anemia, but their absorption rates and side effects vary. As a result, some supplement products may not contain the ingredients listed on the label. Carol Yepes / Getty Images Whenchoosing a supplement, look for products independently tested or certified by organizations such asNSF,U.S. How Do Iron Supplements Help Anemia? This helps treat and resolve thesymptoms of iron deficiency anemia....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 595 words · Ryan Jackson

Should You Drink Milk for a Sore Throat or Cold?

Is Milk Bad For a Sore Throat? Studies investigating the link between milk and mucus are limited. But early evidence has not supported these claims. rez-art / Getty Images Not all participants experienced this, but many did. you’re free to also add cinnamon to almond milk for symptom relief. Cinnamon has been used for years for treating sore throat and cough. But further research is needed. Mucus can increase significantly during an upper respiratory tract infection (URT))....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 265 words · Samantha Long

Should You Eat Before or After a Workout?

But did you know that nutrition is just as important? Research shows that nutrition significantly affects exercise performance, muscle recovery, and overall health. It’s also clear that there is more than one way to optimize your pre-workout and post-workout nutrition. vgajic / Getty Images No matter your fueling plan, all threemacronutrients(carbohydrates, fat, and protein) must be included. Along with water and certainmicronutrients, all macronutrients are necessary for performance and recovery....

April 18, 2025 · 7 min · 1355 words · Deborah White

Should You Eat Carbs or Protein for Breakfast? What Nutritionists Say

Protein and carbohydrates are bothmacronutrientsthat provide energy and support various bodily functions. How much protein you need at breakfast depends on your individual health status and personal health goals. Ideal protein intake depends on various factors, including weight, age, sex, and activity level. miniseries / Getty Images Essentially, it’s the minimum amount you need for your body to function properly. According to these recommendations, a 150-pound person should consume 82 to 109 grams of protein per day....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 284 words · Christine Ayala

Should You Eat Yellow Dragon Fruit to Help You Poop?

Why Does Dragon Fruit Make You Poop? Eating enoughdietary fiberis key to maintaining overall gut health. Should You Try the Dragon Fruit Cleanse? Luis Echeverri Urrea / Getty Your body does not need a cleanse if you consume enough fiber, water, and exercise. Our body removes toxins from urine, stool, sweat, and tears, she added. Everyone responds to foods differently, Zumpanos said. Some people may find that apples or prunes relieve their constipation better than dragon fruit....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 124 words · Melanie Cooper

Should You Freeze Your Eggs If You Have PCOS?

There are three different types of medications used in an egg freezing cycle. You will typically start this medication on the first or second day of your egg freezing cycle. GnRH is usually injected once a day, beginning mid-cycle. Science Photo Library / Getty Images You will also have at least one ultrasound to detect ovulation and to monitor egg development. Be sure to follow the instructions exactly. When your eggs are ready, your healthcare provider will begin theegg retrieval process....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 286 words · Garrett Torres

Should You Get a Blood Test for PFAS? The CDC Says It's Worth a Chat With Your Doctor

One weve heard in a lot of different contexts is the need for PFAS blood testing. Community-level blood testing can also help researchers to understand how a populations PFAS exposure has changed over time. Paying out of pocket can be a non-starter for many people: tests can cost up to $500. Photo Illustration by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Getty Images In New Hampshire, insurers are required to cover the cost of PFAS blood testing....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 188 words · Riley Rosales

Should You Get a Full-Body MRI Scan to Check for Cancer?

What Is a Full-Body MRI Used For? Providers dont usually recommend full-body MRIs as part of routine care. Some people choose full-body MRIs for peace of mind or to monitor ongoing health concerns. Willie B. Thomas / Getty Images Full-body MRIs are generally safe. Providers follow careful guidelines to ensure your safety before the scan. Because MRIs use strong magnets, metal in or on your body can pose risks. The magnets can attract or heat metal objects, which may cause you harm....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 231 words · Curtis George

Should You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine if You’re Currently Infected?

Experts say a COVID-19 vaccine appointment is no reason to break isolation and put others at risk of infection. This ability is referred to as immunological memory. With a larger vaccinated population and new variants, research is ongoing to better understand the immune system response. Courtney Hale / Getty Images Some COVID-19 symptomssuch as fever, chills, and body achesare also possible side effects of the vaccine. This can make it challenging to differentiate between illness and a normal immune response to the vaccine....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 129 words · Dawn Mcdaniel

Should You Grind Your Chia Seeds for Better Absorption?

But a new study suggests that you might need to grind the seeds first for the most nutritional benefits. If you do want to grind the seeds, Cowley added, only grind them right before eating them. Both ground and whole chia seeds offer nutritional benefits. Photo Illustration by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Getty Images. What Are the Health Benefits of Chia Seeds? Do Chia Seeds Help With Weight Loss? The study only included 20 women and lasted 90 days so the evidence may not be conclusive....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 148 words · Nancy Davis

Should You Have Disc Replacement Surgery or a Spinal Fusion?

Each jot down of surgery has its risks and benefits and involves recovery time and rehabilitation. With time, discs degenerate. Over time, the space of the absent disc gradually fills with bone, fusing the vertebrae. BSIP / Universal Images Group / Getty Images Pros and Cons There are pros and cons to both surgical methods. However, this does not suggest that lumbar disc replacement surgery is not without its own limitations....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 237 words · Dr. James Torres MD

Should You Have Surgery for Cervical Radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy can cause neck and arm pain, arm weakness,numbness, and/or electrical sensationsdown one arm. While surgery is sometimes an option, conservative treatments are often effective. Cervical radiculopathy is a condition in which one or morespinal nerve rootsin the neck become irritated or compressed. Science Picture Co / Getty Images It may be sparked by a herniated disc, spinal arthritis or stenosis, or other conditions. Medication, physical therapy, and injections are often effective enough for people to avoid invasive procedures....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 250 words · Shannon Rhodes

Should You Pause Medications Like Ozempic or Wegovy Before Surgery?

Some expert groups say patients should pause their medication for a full three weeks before the scheduled procedure. Others say theres not enough data yet to suggest a break is necessary at all. But because aspiration can be fatal, he said its worth probing. andresr / Getty Images No one knows the extent of this issue or even whether it is an issue, Jones told Verywell. All I can say is that, between case reports and small observational studies, theres a concerning signal....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 191 words · Rachel Richardson