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Supplements and medications you should never combine

21. July, 2026

Many dietary supplements can interact with prescription medications, either reducing their effectiveness or increasing the risk of serious side effects.

For that reason, it is always recommended to consult a doctor or pharmacist before starting a new dietary supplement, according to Verywell Health.

Vitamin B6 and levodopa

Vitamin B6 can reduce the effectiveness of levodopa, which is used to treat Parkinson’s disease.

However, people taking certain forms of levodopa may also develop a vitamin B6 deficiency. Therefore, supplements should only be taken after consulting a doctor.

Vitamin K and warfarin

Vitamin K can make blood-thinning medications such as warfarin less effective.

This applies both to vitamin K supplements and to significantly increasing the consumption of foods that are high in vitamin K.

Iron or calcium and thyroid medication

Iron and calcium can make it more difficult for the body to absorb thyroid medication such as levothyroxine.

These products should therefore be taken at least four hours apart.

Vitamin C and antacids

Vitamin C can increase the absorption of aluminum from certain antacids used to treat heartburn and acid reflux.

To reduce the risk, the two should be taken at least two hours apart.

Vitamin E and blood thinners

Vitamin E can increase the risk of bleeding in people taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin.

For this reason, the supplement should only be used after consulting a healthcare professional.

St. John’s wort and various medications

St. John’s wort can interact with a wide range of medications, including antidepressants, birth control pills, and blood thinners.

The combination can make these medications less effective or lead to harmful effects.

Goldenseal and blood thinners

Goldenseal can interact with medications used to prevent blood clots.

It may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising, which is why this combination is often discouraged.

Ginkgo biloba and blood thinners

Like goldenseal, ginkgo biloba can increase the risk of bleeding when taken together with blood-thinning medications such as warfarin or aspirin.

Licorice root and diuretics

Licorice root supplements can worsen the side effects of diuretics and medications used to treat high blood pressure.

Among other effects, this may lead to potassium imbalances or changes in blood pressure.

The right timing can reduce problems

The timing of medications and dietary supplements can make a significant difference.

As a general rule, it is recommended to leave at least two hours between taking dietary supplements and medications, although some medications require even longer intervals.

Talk to your doctor

Healthcare professionals can provide guidance on which combinations should be avoided and how dietary supplements can be used as safely as possible.

It is recommended to inform your doctor about any new products you are considering taking.

Your pharmacist can help

Pharmacists have access to databases that can identify potential interactions between medications and dietary supplements.

They can also provide advice on dosage, timing, and possible alternatives.

Common contact lens mistake left woman facing vision loss

Mie Hermansen

21. July, 2026

Common contact lens mistake left woman facing vision loss

Many people wear contact lenses every day without giving much thought to the small habits that come with them. Washing your face or stepping into the shower while wearing lenses may seem harmless, but eye specialists have long warned that exposing contact lenses to tap water can, in rare cases, lead to serious infections.

According to guidance from the NHS and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contact lenses should always be removed before they come into contact with water, reports LADbible.

That advice has gained renewed attention following a case reported by Kennedy News & Media, in which a British woman suffered a rare eye infection that dramatically changed her life.

From irritation to emergency

Emma Marsden, 47, was cleaning horse stables when she slipped and fell face-first into a wheelbarrow filled with mud. After washing the dirt from her face, she kept her contact lenses in for several more hours before removing them later that evening.

Several days passed before she noticed intense pain, redness and extreme sensitivity to light in her right eye. Doctors initially believed she was suffering from a corneal ulcer, but further examinations revealed a far more serious condition.

She was diagnosed with acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare infection caused by a microscopic parasite that attacks the cornea. Doctors also identified fusarium keratitis, a fungal infection that was believed to be linked to the mud involved in the accident.

A long road to recovery

According to her medical team, the fungal infection likely originated from the dirt, while the parasite was believed to have entered her eye after tap water came into contact with her contact lenses during her face wash.

The infection progressed so aggressively that surgeons temporarily stitched her eyelids closed to help protect the damaged eye.

Emma now faces an extended recovery and is expected to require a corneal transplant in the future. She continues to undergo regular hospital treatment while living with significant vision loss in her right eye.

Health experts recommend that contact lens wearers:

Remove lenses before showering, swimming or washing their face.
Never clean lenses or lens cases with tap water.
Follow the recommended cleaning and replacement schedule.

Experts repeat the warning

Although acanthamoeba keratitis is considered rare, eye specialists say the consequences can be severe and, in some cases, permanent. Medical professionals continue to stress that proper contact lens hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent these infections.

Emma’s experience serves as a reminder that even routine daily habits can carry unexpected risks when contact lenses are exposed to water.

How to get fewer mosquito bites at night – without using chemicals

Body

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

21. July, 2026

How to get fewer mosquito bites at night – without using chemicals

Many people believe mosquitoes are attracted to light, but according to Nieuws 365, as cited by Dagens.dk, this is a misconception.

Instead, mosquitoes locate people by detecting the carbon dioxide we exhale, as well as our body heat and natural body odor.

If mosquitoes remain a problem, an insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin can provide additional protection.

The product should always be used according to the instructions and be appropriate for the user’s age.

Not all advice works

Many products claim to keep mosquitoes away, including citronella candles and ultrasonic devices.

According to Nieuws 365, there is little or no scientific evidence that these products are effective.

Electric mosquito repellents may have some effect, but they contain chemical substances and are less environmentally friendly.

For that reason, authorities recommend trying the simpler solutions first.

Simple solutions work best

A fan can make it more difficult for mosquitoes to fly while also dispersing the carbon dioxide that they use to locate people.

This can reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

It is also important to remove standing water around the home, as mosquitoes lay their eggs in water.

Buckets, rain barrels, and clogged gutters can therefore contribute to larger mosquito populations.

According to Nieuws 365, the best protection is achieved by combining several simple measures.

Installing insect screens on windows and doors, using a fan in the bedroom, and eliminating standing water together provide more effective protection than most products marketed as quick fixes.

New blood test could spot heart disease risk up to 15 years early

Mie Hermansen

21. July, 2026

New blood test could spot heart disease risk up to 15 years early

Cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading cause of death, despite decades of advances in treatment. One of the biggest challenges is that many people show few, if any, warning signs until the condition has already progressed.

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong believe artificial intelligence could help change that. In a study published in Nature Communications, they describe a blood test that estimates a person’s future risk of several major cardiovascular diseases by analysing thousands of biological markers rather than relying mainly on inherited genetics, reports Science Daily.

A broader picture

The research suggests the approach can detect patterns linked to coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease and venous thromboembolism. Among people who later developed cardiovascular disease, the model identified elevated risk as much as 15 years before clinical diagnosis.

The system, called CardiOmicScore, was trained using data from the UK Biobank. Instead of focusing only on DNA, it examines proteins and metabolites circulating in the blood, which can change over time in response to factors such as ageing, lifestyle, diet and overall health.

According to the researchers, this creates a more dynamic assessment of cardiovascular risk than genetic scores alone, which remain largely unchanged throughout a person’s life.

From prediction to prevention

Current cardiovascular risk assessments are typically based on factors including age, blood pressure, smoking history and cholesterol levels. While these remain valuable, the researchers argue they may not always capture the earliest biological changes associated with future disease.

The study found that combining the AI-generated score with routine clinical information improved the model’s ability to predict long-term cardiovascular risk.

Although the findings are promising, the technology is still at the research stage and is not yet available as part of routine medical care. Further studies will be needed to confirm its performance across different populations before it can be introduced into clinical practice.

New drug shows promise for millions with kidney disease

Mie Hermansen

21. July, 2026

New drug shows promise for millions with kidney disease

Most people rarely think about their kidneys until they stop working as they should. Yet these organs play a vital role every day, filtering waste from the blood and helping keep the body in balance. That is why new research on chronic kidney disease is attracting significant attention.

Researchers from the University Medical Center Groningen have published findings in the New England Journal of Medicine suggesting that the drug finerenone could become an important treatment option for people with chronic kidney disease who do not have diabetes.

Slowing the disease

The international FIND-CKD trial included 1,584 adults with chronic kidney disease but no diabetes. Every participant had reduced kidney function and elevated levels of protein in the urine, an early sign that kidney damage may continue to progress, reports Science Daily.

Participants received either finerenone or a placebo while continuing their standard treatment. They were followed for just over three years to assess how their kidney function changed over time.

Encouraging results

According to the researchers, patients treated with finerenone experienced a slower decline in kidney function than those given a placebo. The study also found a lower risk of serious kidney complications, heart failure and cardiovascular-related death among those receiving the drug.

Researchers additionally reported a substantial reduction in urinary protein levels, an important indicator that the disease may progress more slowly.

A wider impact

Previous clinical trials mainly focused on people with type 2 diabetes. However, the new findings indicate that finerenone may also benefit the much larger group of patients with chronic kidney disease who do not have diabetes.

With an estimated 800 million people worldwide living with chronic kidney disease, and more than half of them being non-diabetic, the results could help expand future treatment options if confirmed by further research.

New study identifies the painkillers linked to the highest overdose risk

Mie Hermansen

21. July, 2026

New study identifies the painkillers linked to the highest overdose risk

A new British study has identified which opioid painkillers are most closely linked to life threatening breathing problems. The findings show that the risk varies significantly between different types of opioid medication, reports Unilad.

Researchers examined the risks of opioids

Researchers from the University of Manchester investigated how different opioids affect the risk of respiratory depression, a condition that can lead to a fatal overdose.

One painkiller stood out

Among the opioids included in the study, fentanyl was the medication most strongly associated with serious breathing problems.

The risk was three times higher

Patients who received fentanyl were three times more likely to develop breathing problems than those treated with morphine.

Significantly higher risk of respiratory depression

The study also found that fentanyl was associated with an 85 percent higher risk of respiratory depression compared with morphine.

More than 32,000 patients were included

The findings were based on electronic health records from 32,909 adults treated at hospitals in north west England.

Dangerously slow breathing was the focus

Researchers identified cases in which patients’ breathing slowed to a dangerously low level after receiving opioid treatment.

The condition can have serious consequences

According to the study, respiratory depression occurs when breathing becomes too slow or too shallow and can lead to respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.

Several opioid medications were compared

The analysis included fentanyl, morphine, codeine, tramadol and oxycodone.

Using multiple opioids increased the risk

Patients who received more than one opioid had a 50 percent higher risk of breathing problems than those treated with morphine alone.

Codeine was linked to the lowest risk

The researchers found that both morphine and oxycodone were associated with a greater risk of breathing problems than codeine.

Opioids are used to treat severe pain

According to the article, opioids are commonly prescribed following surgery, serious injuries and during cancer treatment.

Researchers hope to improve treatment decisions

Dr. Meghna Jani, the study’s senior author from the University of Manchester, said the findings could help doctors and patients make more informed treatment decisions while identifying when closer monitoring may be needed.

High temperatures during pregnancy may affect children’s brain development, study finds

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

21. July, 2026

High temperatures during pregnancy may affect children’s brain development, study finds

Researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health analyzed data from 3,251 children in the Netherlands.

The children were followed from pregnancy through childhood.

The researchers compared temperatures during pregnancy and the first years of life with MRI scans of the children’s brains taken when they were 10 and 14 years old, HealthDay reports.

Possible explanations

According to the study, published in the journal Environment International, high temperatures may affect blood flow to the placenta and the developing fetus.

The researchers also suggest that heat may influence the body’s stress hormones and the neurotransmitter serotonin, both of which play a role in brain development.

However, the researchers emphasize that these are only possible explanations. More research is needed before any causal relationship can be established.

A specific brain region

The study did not find changes in all of the brain regions examined by the researchers.

An association was identified only in the thalamus, a brain structure that helps process sensory information and regulate functions such as sleep and consciousness.

Children who had been exposed to higher temperatures during pregnancy or infancy showed slower development of the thalamus later in childhood.

However, the researchers found no association between these changes and the children’s cognitive abilities.

They therefore conclude that the findings should primarily serve as a basis for future research into how rising temperatures may influence children’s brain development.

Your meal schedule could be affecting your waistline

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

21. July, 2026

Your meal schedule could be affecting your waistline

Some people wake up early, while others do not feel tired until late at night. This is known as the body’s circadian rhythm, according to HealthDay.

A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition suggests that this rhythm may also influence when we eat.

Researchers examined 287 women between the ages of 18 and 45. They assessed the participants’ sleep patterns, eating habits, and overall health.

Eating earlier or later

The researchers found that the participants consumed roughly the same amount of food throughout the day. The difference lay in when they ate.

Women who went to bed late ate less in the morning and more later in the evening and during the night.

According to the study, the body is less efficient at burning energy-dense foods at those times because it is naturally programmed to rest.

More body fat

Women with a late circadian rhythm were more likely to have higher levels of body fat, more abdominal fat, and higher cholesterol than women who woke up early.

They also showed poorer blood sugar regulation.

The findings suggest that the timing of meals may be just as important as the amount of food consumed.

According to the researchers, reducing the number of late-night meals may help improve the health of people who are naturally most active in the evening.

Health expert claims donald Trump may not have much time left

Mie Hermansen

21. July, 2026

Health expert claims donald Trump may not have much time left

Public appearances by political leaders often fuel speculation about their health, particularly when social media users begin dissecting every detail.

According to reporting by the Irish Star, renewed discussion surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s condition has emerged following claims made by a physical therapist. However, none of the allegations have been confirmed by official medical sources or the White House.

Unverified allegations

The latest speculation stems from comments by physical therapist Adam James, who claimed to have received information from an anonymous source about Trump’s health.

Based on those claims, James suggested the president could be living with congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease while receiving ongoing treatment to manage the conditions.

Despite the attention the comments have received online, no medical records or official statements have been released to support the allegations.

Spotlight returns

The discussion follows Trump’s appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where he presented medals and the championship trophy after Spain’s victory over Argentina.

While the ceremony itself attracted widespread media coverage, online conversation soon shifted toward renewed speculation about the president’s health.

The Irish Star also noted that previous photographs showing bruising on Trump’s hands have prompted questions in recent months. However, no official explanation has linked those images to any underlying medical condition.

No medical confirmation

Health professionals generally caution against drawing medical conclusions based solely on public appearances, photographs or anonymous sources. Diagnosing conditions such as heart failure or kidney disease requires comprehensive medical examinations and testing.

At the time of publication, there is no official confirmation that Donald Trump has any of the medical conditions discussed in the online claims. The reports therefore remain unverified and should be viewed as speculation rather than established fact.

These common over-the-counter medicines can cause serious liver damage

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

21. July, 2026

Over-the-counter painkillers are often considered completely harmless, but liver disease specialists are warning people, according to Parade, not to use them without caution.

Paracetamol is the biggest concern

Liver specialists say paracetamol is the over-the-counter medication they most want people to use more carefully.

The active ingredient is found in products such as Tylenol.

The liver processes the medication

The liver is responsible for metabolizing most medications.

If it is exposed to excessive amounts or medications are used improperly, liver damage can occur.

Over-the-counter does not mean risk-free

According to doctors, many people mistakenly believe that medicines sold without a prescription are automatically safe.

They stress that this is not always the case.

Accidental overdoses can happen

Many cases of liver failure are caused by unintentional overdoses, with people believing they are following the instructions correctly.

Multiple products may contain paracetamol

Problems often arise when people take several different products at the same time without realizing that they all contain paracetamol.

They contribute to the total daily dose

Some cold and flu medicines, sleep aids, and certain prescription painkillers also contain paracetamol and count toward the total daily intake.

The number of days also matters

Doctors emphasize that it is not enough to monitor the daily dose alone.

It is also important to follow the recommended limit on how many consecutive days the medication should be used.

Some people are at greater risk

People with liver disease, poor nutrition, or other risk factors may develop liver damage at lower doses than others.

Alcohol increases the risk

Regular alcohol consumption can make the liver more vulnerable to the effects of paracetamol.

For this reason, doctors advise against drinking alcohol while taking the medication.

There is a maximum daily dose

According to Parade, a healthy adult should not take more than 4,000 milligrams of paracetamol within a 24-hour period.

People with liver problems are advised to limit their intake to no more than 2,000 milligrams per day.

Other pain relievers also carry risks

Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are mentioned as alternatives, but they can irritate the stomach and increase the risk of stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Some people with liver disease should avoid certain alternatives

NSAIDs should be used with caution in people with chronic liver disease and should be avoided in cases of cirrhosis, particularly if it is accompanied by fluid buildup in the abdomen, kidney problems, or a low platelet count.

Not all pain requires medication

According to Parade, heat therapy, cold therapy, physical therapy, and rest may be suitable alternatives to pain medication in some cases.

Always follow the instructions

Specialists recommend reading the dosage instructions carefully, informing your doctor about all medications and dietary supplements you are taking, and contacting a healthcare professional if the recommended dose does not provide sufficient relief rather than increasing the dose on your own.

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Vitamin B6 and levodopa

Vitamin K and warfarin

Iron or calcium and thyroid medication

Vitamin C and antacids

Vitamin E and blood thinners

St. John’s wort and various medications

Goldenseal and blood thinners

Ginkgo biloba and blood thinners

Licorice root and diuretics

The right timing can reduce problems

Talk to your doctor

Your pharmacist can help

From irritation to emergency

A long road to recovery

Experts repeat the warning

Not all advice works

Simple solutions work best

A broader picture

From prediction to prevention

Slowing the disease

Encouraging results

A wider impact

Researchers examined the risks of opioids

One painkiller stood out

The risk was three times higher

Significantly higher risk of respiratory depression

More than 32,000 patients were included

Dangerously slow breathing was the focus

The condition can have serious consequences

Several opioid medications were compared

Using multiple opioids increased the risk

Codeine was linked to the lowest risk

Opioids are used to treat severe pain

Researchers hope to improve treatment decisions

Possible explanations

A specific brain region

Eating earlier or later

More body fat

Unverified allegations

Spotlight returns

No medical confirmation

Paracetamol is the biggest concern

The liver processes the medication

Over-the-counter does not mean risk-free

Accidental overdoses can happen

Multiple products may contain paracetamol

They contribute to the total daily dose

The number of days also matters

Some people are at greater risk

Alcohol increases the risk

There is a maximum daily dose

Other pain relievers also carry risks

Some people with liver disease should avoid certain alternatives

Not all pain requires medication

Always follow the instructions

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