Rigorous clinical trials have found that neither vitamin E nor folic acid supplements do anything to protect the heart. And though it is hailed as a skin moisturizer, claims that it can eliminate scarring have not been proven. As for the notion it revs up libido, scientists point to the possibility of increased sperm motility — which may or may not affect sex drive.

Sixty-five percent of people with a postgraduate education take at least one type of vitamin supplement, compared with 43 percent of those who attained only a high school education. Read more here.

Although the Western diet has a lot of problems — too much sodium, sugar, saturated fat and calories, in general — it’s not short on vitamins, says Alice Lichtenstein, a professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

Roughly half of men age 75 and older experience some sort of hearing impairment, compared with about 40 percent of women, according to a 2016 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vaccines to prevent influenza and pneumonia are covered without a copayment under Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient care. Other vaccines, including the new shingles vaccine approved by the FDA last fall, are typically covered under Part D drug plans, which may leave some beneficiaries on the hook for all or part of the cost of the two-shot series. The hep B shot might be covered at no cost for those at medium to high risk for the disease.

Job search strategist Toby Haberkorn advises older job seekers to update their appearance and “show flexibility and adaptability rather than regurgitating the past. … Familiarize yourself with what young employees have an interest in — the music, whatever current events, the apps — and be able to have a reasonable discussion.”

To truly grow with age, Agronin recommends that older adults develop a concrete plan to stay involved and engaged and that they “create new rituals that make them feel good about themselves.”

Nationwide, immigrants account for 1 in 4 direct care workers — certified nursing assistants, personal care attendants or home health aides. Turnover is high because the work is difficult and wages are low. The country already faces a severe shortage in home health aides, and ending Temporary Protected Status for some foreign workers could only make it worse.

After one insurer in Washington state introduced “decision aids” relating to joint replacement, the number of patients choosing to have hip replacement surgery fell 26 percent, while knee replacements declined 38 percent. Learn more here.

All therapy covered by Medicare must be deemed “reasonable and necessary to treat the individual’s illness or injury,” require the services of skilled professionals and be subject to medical oversight. And, for the most part, Medicare does not set a cap on the amount of medically necessary therapy covered.