National Geographic | Mind, Body, Wonder

This week: Why it's so hard to get enough vitamin D; what to know about collagen and magnesium supplements; why a proven cold medicine isn't on store shelves; the latest guidance on what to do if you get COVID; how to read an egg label; the 5-minute exercise plan.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MATTHIEU PALEY, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

You probably aren't getting enough vitamin D. Here's why it's so hard—and what to do.

It’s the most popular supplement on the market, but there's a lot of contradictory information out there about this key nutrient. How much do we need for optimal health? What levels constitute a deficiency? What benefits—if any—do supplements provide, particularly for young and otherwise healthy people? Here's what you need to know.

HOW MUCH YOU NEED—AND HOW TO GET IT

GIANLUCA COLLA, NG IMAGE COLLECTION

Do collagen supplements really work?

Collagen production is vital for the health of hair, nails, bones, joints, and more. But those popular supplements may not be worth the money.

DO YOU REALLY NEED SUPPLEMENTS?

SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

How magnesium affects your sleep and anxiety

The essential mineral is important for the body—but it doesn’t work miracles. Here’s what the experts say about magnesium’s powers.

WHAT IT CAN AND CAN'T DO

More on supplements:

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What's in melatonin—and is it giving you nightmares?

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Can you really 'boost' your immunity with zinc and vitamin C?

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Probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics. What's the difference?

PHOTOGRAPH BY GIPHOTOSTOCK, CULTURA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

This cold medicine works. Why isn't it on store shelves?

An FDA committee has ruled that a key ingredient in popular medicines like Dayquil and Sudafed PE doesn't work. But an alternative—pseudoephedrine—has always existed. Here's how it works—and the risks associated with it.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN TULLY, BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

Did you forget what to do if you get COVID? Here are the latest guidelines.

Deaths and hospitalizations from a highly infectious crop of variants are on the upswing. Ahead of the expected fall and winter surge, here are some reminders and recommendations about how to protect yourself and what to do if you think you have the virus.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

HAD COVID MORE THAN ONCE? How repeated COVID infections can lead to chronic health issues +

CAGE-FREE OR FREE-RANGE?

PHOTOGRAPH BY REBECCA HALE, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

What do those egg labels really mean—and are you getting what you think you're paying for? We explain what the terms on an egg carton mean—from cage-free to pasture-raised to organic to vegetarian-fed—and how to tell if you're getting the highest quality for the money.

WHAT EGG LABELS REALLY MEAN

More on nutrition:

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Is organic food healthier? Here's what really matters.

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How much protein do you actually need? Consider these factors.

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Carbs, fat, protein: What's the right balance?

THE TRUTH ABOUT GENERIC DRUGS

PHOTOGRAPH BY FRANK RUMPENHORST, PICTURE ALLIANCE/GETTY IMAGES

Do generic drugs work as well as brand name? They have the same active ingredients—but experts say there are some key factors that set these medications apart at the pharmacy counter.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

THE WRONG MEDS? As you age, the medicines that have always worked may start to do more harm than good +

5 MINUTES OF EXERCISE IS ENOUGH—REALLY

PHOTOGRAPH BY SOLSKIN, GETTY IMAGES

A recent study suggests that short bursts of vigorous activity every day—climbing stairs, carrying a heavy load of groceries, or stepping up the pace of housework—can provide substantial health benefits, including lowering your risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

NOT MOTIVATED TO EXERCISE? Your microbiome could be to blame +

READ MORE TOP STORIES FROM NAT GEO

PHOTOGRAPH BY SEVENTYFOUR IMAGES / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Are your hormones unbalanced—and what does that even mean? Experts say the beauty of hormones is that they exist to keep the body in balance. Here's what you can do instead if you’re feeling off-kilter.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HORMONES

CAN YOU DETOX YOUR UTERUS? Debunking popular myths about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) +

Who were the Tarim Basin mummies? Even scientists were surprised.

Are you drinking water all wrong? Here's what you need to know about hydrating.

It's the most common complication of childbirth. It went untreated for millennia.

Which cities will still be livable in a world altered by climate change?

These orcas control the waves to hunt. It's spine-tingling to watch.

Omega-3 fatty acids are more critical for your health than we thought

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