Harvard Health Publishing

Harvard Health Publishing is the publishing branch of Harvard Medical School, part of Harvard University. It is led by Dr. Gregory Curfman, who serves as the Editor in Chief. Our mission is to provide people worldwide with up-to-date health information that is reliable, credible, and easy to understand. We leverage the knowledge of over 10,000 faculty physicians from Harvard Medical School to achieve this goal.

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A faster, more accurate way to diagnose heart disease?

1 week ago | health.harvard.edu | Julie Corliss

Coronary CT angiography is the fastest-growing imaging test used in cardiology. Who might benefit from this test? If you experience a short-lived squeezing sensation or discomfort in your chest when you exercise or feel stress, one possible cause is insufficient blood flow to your heart. Known as stable angina, this condition indicates you may be at risk for a heart attack. To diagnose (or rule out) potential heart problems, doctors used to start with a stress test.
Can saw palmetto treat an enlarged prostate?

1 week ago | health.harvard.edu | Charlie Schmidt |Marc B. Garnick

Marketed as a natural remedy for an enlarged prostate, saw palmetto is a top-selling dietary supplement. It's extracted from berries that grow on saw palmetto palm trees, which are native to the southeastern United States. By one estimate, more than a third of all US adults who take supplements use saw palmetto specifically. Some evidence suggests that saw palmetto has anti-inflammatory properties, and its use as folk medicine dates back over a century.
Zinc: What it does for the body, and the best food sources

2 weeks ago | health.harvard.edu | Rachael Moeller Gorman

April 7, 2025 By Rachael Moeller Gorman, Health Writer Reviewed by Teresa Fung, MS, RD, ScD, Contributor; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing The word zinc may conjure images of cold remedies and sunblock. But dietary zinc, found in a variety of foods including seafood, meat, and fortified breakfast cereal, is an important nutrient that plays a vital role in many of the body's functions. What is zinc?
What is prostatitis and how is it treated?

1 month ago | health.harvard.edu | Charlie Schmidt |Marc B. Garnick

Prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate, is more common than you might think — it accounts for roughly two million doctor visits every year. The troubling symptoms include burning or painful urination, an urgent need to go (especially at night), painful ejaculations, and also pain in the lower back and perineum (the space between the scrotum and anus).
Exercises to relieve joint pain

1 month ago | health.harvard.edu | Sarah Klein |Robert Shmerling

As many as one in four American adults has arthritis, a leading cause of joint pain. And those aching ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows, and shoulders can get in the way of everyday activities, family responsibilities, and work. But joint pain isn't something you have to resign yourself to living with. There are steps you can take today — like exercising more — that can help ease your discomfort. Causes of joint pain There are a number of different reasons your joints might hurt.
Foam roller: Could you benefit from this massage tool?

1 month ago | health.harvard.edu | Sarah Klein |Lauren Elson

March 21, 2025 By Sarah Klein, Health Writer Reviewed by Lauren Elson, MD, Contributor; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing You've probably noticed people at the gym rolling their calves, glutes, and other body parts on small cylinders. These popular tools are called foam rollers. They can help you stay flexible and limber and reduce muscle tension and soreness. What is a foam roller? A foam roller is a cylinder made of foam.
Common causes of cloudy urine

1 month ago | health.harvard.edu | Hallie Levine |Robert Shmerling

Cloudy urine is often nothing to be overly concerned about. But you should let your doctor know about it if it persists, especially if you have other symptoms. Here's a closer look at what it could mean, and what to do about it. What should urine look like, and what do we mean by "cloudy" urine? Cloudy urine looks, well, cloudy. "Normal urine should be transparent and light yellow," explains Dr. Robert Shmerling, Senior Faculty Editor at Harvard Health Publishing. Cloudy urine looks milky or hazy.
Dragon fruit: How to enjoy this antioxidant-rich fruit

1 month ago | health.harvard.edu | Joyce Hendley |Teresa T Fung

March 17, 2025 By Joyce Hendley, Health Writer Reviewed by Teresa Fung, MS, RD, ScD, Contributor; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing Beloved by smoothie shops and influencers alike, pitaya — a.k.a. dragon fruit — is increasingly popular. And there's no denying this dramatic-looking fruit has an alluring Game-of-Thrones-esque name and appearance. But is it also the nutritional powerhouse some are claiming? What is dragon fruit?
Mold in the home: Identifying and treating the issue to prevent health problems

1 month ago | health.harvard.edu | Hallie Levine |Megan A. Koster

March 12, 2025 By Hallie Levine, Health Writer Reviewed by Megan A. Koster, MD, PharmD, Contributor; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing Mold is a type of fungus, a group of organisms that also includes yeasts and mushrooms. Mold thrives in wet places. Outdoors, it forms on damp surfaces like rotting logs or wet leaves. Inside, it can grow in damp areas like bathrooms, basements, or kitchens.
Savoring the benefits of bone broth: Worth a taste?

1 month ago | health.harvard.edu | Joyce Hendley |Teresa T Fung

If you've been to the soup section of the supermarket lately, you've probably noticed that bone broths are crowding the shelves. These savory broths are having a moment, especially among those following paleo, keto, or other trendy low-carb diets. What is bone broth? At its simplest, bone broth is made by simmering animal bones (usually chicken or beef) in water for a long period of time, extracting their nutrients and flavors to produce a savory broth.