Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Margaret Cantwell

The vitamin D gap that summer didn’t fix

Think summer sunshine is enough to rebuild your vitamin D stores? New research suggests that for many people the “sunshine vitamin” may stay low all year long. And that could matter more with every passing birthday.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The vitamin Johns Hopkins researchers say slows artery calcium buildup

Cholesterol gets most of the attention when it comes to heart risk. But calcium buildup inside the arteries is a dangerous warning sign, and Johns Hopkins researchers found a vitamin few have heard of may help slow it down.

Carolyn Gretton

The blood sugar reset that cuts heart attack risk nearly in half

Prediabetes may sound like “not diabetes yet,” but your heart may not see it that way. There’s one blood sugar milestone that could change the story, cutting the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious cardiovascular trouble nearly in half…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Forget carbs: The purple potato’s cancer-fighting potential

Potatoes have been treated like dietary villains. But one colorful variety may be hiding surprising benefits for blood pressure, gut health and the body’s cancer defenses — thanks to a powerhouse antioxidant compound.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

A cardiologist explains why women’s hearts need strength training

Think walking is enough for heart protection? A cardiologist explains why women who skip strength training may be missing out on an opportunity to lower heart attack risk by almost 45 percent…

Joyce Hollman

Just 4 minutes a day can keep you out of a nursing home

You don’t need a gym, a trainer or a long workout to make sure your strength is there when you need it most. A simple four minute resistance routine helped older adults make gains in the everyday skills that matter for staying fit and independent.

Carolyn Gretton

The one health hack you should do every morning

Deciding to make healthy changes can be daunting, what with so many to choose from and all. If you want to avoid setting yourself up for failure but want to be healthier and happier, get started with this one simple thing…

Carolyn Gretton

The hidden heart risk in processed foods may not be what you think

Ultra-processed foods have long been linked to high blood pressure and heart trouble. New research points to eight stealthy additives that may explain why. And they’re hiding in packaged, shelf-stable and ready-to-eat foods on grocery shelves…

Carolyn Gretton

10 minutes to colon cancer prevention starting now

Can 10 minutes of exercise help your body fight cancer? It may not sound like much. But when it comes to teaching your body to become a tougher place for cancer to grow, it’s a very good place to start.

Joyce Hollman

The hidden way your core can help your brain clear waste

Your brain’s nightly “dishwasher” relies on cerebrospinal fluid to help clear waste. Power it up with a simple body movement that supports the process in a surprising way: a hydraulic-like connection between the abdomen, spine and brain.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The vitamin deficiency that could make surgery hurt more

Most people expect pain after surgery. But one common vitamin deficiency could make that pain worse — leaving patients in need of more opioid medication to get through recovery. That’s not surprising once you know this vitamin’s pain-relieving links…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The amino acid that could help aging cells make more energy

Protein after 50 isn’t just about preserving muscle. Leucine, a key amino acid found in protein-rich foods, may also help support the mitochondria that power your cells, making it part of a bigger strategy for cellular energy and healthy aging.

Margaret Cantwell

The sunshine vitamin’s impact on depression finally stacks up

After years of mixed findings, a new meta-analysis may explain why vitamin D helps depression symptoms in some studies but not others: Like with medicine, dosage matters…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Smart snacking: What to look for, what to skip, and why it matters

Most of us snack. That’s not inherently a problem, it’s actually an opportunity. Done right, you’re giving your body extra chances to take in the nutrients it genuinely needs more of. Here’s how to make the most of it…

Joyce Hollman

This minty oil lowered blood pressure in just 20 days

Most people think of peppermint as a remedy for digestion. But a new study found the minty herb may also help lower blood pressure, especially when numbers are just starting to creep up. The catch? How you use it matters…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Cholesterol, hearing loss and the plant compound that could help you hear again

Not all cholesterol is bad. In fact, cholesterol could be all that’s standing between you and age-related hearing loss. Luckily, researchers may have found the secret to maintaining youthful cholesterol levels in your ears to reduce the threat of hearing loss…

Joyce Hollman

The ‘feel-good’ brain chemical that may make tinnitus worse

Serotonin may be best known as the brain’s “feel-good” chemical. But new research suggests it may also activate a hearing-related brain circuit that can turn up the volume on tinnitus — especially for some people taking medications that boost it…

Joyce Hollman

This occasional drinking habit may triple the odds of liver scarring

You may not drink every day, or even every week. Or maybe you do. But there’s the occasional special weekend when you have a few. Is that a problem? If you have certain metabolic risk factors, it could be — especially for your liver.

Carolyn Gretton

This summer fruit could help your skin fight sun damage

Summer sun can do a number on your skin. But new research suggests one juicy fruit may help support your skin’s natural defenses from the inside out — by influencing genes tied to the skin barrier and oxidative stress.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The common cleaning habit harder on your lungs than you think

Most people don’t think twice about using disinfectant sprays, but new research suggests what you breathe in while cleaning could be more harmful than if you swallowed it…

Carolyn Gretton

Perimenopause may be the heart warning women are missing

Most women don’t think about heart disease until after menopause. But new research suggests the warning signs may start earlier, providing a window of opportunity to catch rising heart risks before they take hold. Here’s what to watch for…

Carolyn Gretton

The step count that may keep weight from creeping back

Congratulations! You worked hard, pushed through the struggle and reached your goal weight. Now comes the challenge of keeping it off. Good news: Research suggests fewer daily steps than previously thought may help prevent those pounds from creeping back.

Joyce Hollman

Two supplements provide hope for a deadly brain cancer

A mix of two supplements, already notable for health benefits, may help make glioblastoma less aggressive. Research points to a hopeful possibility: treating cancer by nudging tumors toward healing, rather than simply trying to destroy them.

Margaret Cantwell

What your enlarged prostate may be saying about your blood sugar

An enlarged prostate and urinary symptoms are usually blamed on age. But high insulin may act like a growth-and-stress signal in the body — and the prostate appears to be one of the organs listening. That signals problems beyond plumbing…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

PCOS has a new name: What it reveals for women

PCOS is now PMOS. But it’s more than just a name change. Experts say it could help doctors and women better recognize the hormone and metabolic roots of this often-misunderstood condition — and support more targeted care…

Margaret Cantwell

The stress-soothing sound your body may already recognize

Wellness routines meant to ease stress can feel like just one more thing to do. They take time. They ask you to slow down, breathe deeply and quiet a mind that doesn’t always cooperate. But what if feeling calmer could be as simple as listening for just one minute?

Joyce Hollman

The breakfast staple linked to lower Alzheimer’s risk

The humble egg has had a complicated reputation. But this breakfast staple may offer a brain benefit worth cracking into: It could serve up a recipe for lowering risk for Alzheimer’s…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Klotho deficiency: The missing link between salt and hypertension

Have you ever wondered why salt can worsen high blood pressure? Or why young people are less sensitive to salt’s effect on blood pressure? It comes down to slowed production of an anti-aging factor known as the Klotho protein…

Carolyn Gretton

Can a simple vitamin help breast cancer chemo work better?

Chemotherapy is a standard tool used against breast cancer, but researchers are always looking for ways to help it work better. A small clinical trial points to an inexpensive vitamin that may help more women see a more “complete” response…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The simple home upgrade for a sharper brain in just one month

Air pollution particles may do more than irritate your lungs, they may affect your brain. If you’re 40+, a simple home appliance that cleans your air may also rev up your brain. Here’s what the study found and how to put cleaner air to work for a healthier brain as you age.

Carolyn Gretton

The kind of fat that may push you toward insulin resistance

New research suggests the kind of fat you eat may matter more than the amount when it comes to insulin resistance. Here’s why one common fatty acid may worsen blood sugar control — and another may help protect it.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Fiber maxxing is trending — but it’s not for everyone

Fiber maxxing is a popular TikTok trend, encouraging people to load up on beans, chia seeds, oats, berries and other fiber-rich foods. While most of us could benefit from more fiber, the trend isn’t for everyone. Let’s take it with a spoonful of context…

Joyce Hollman

The warning your gums send about your kidneys

Your gums may say more about your health than you realize. That’s because chronic kidney disease and gum disease may fuel each other through inflammation, immune changes and harmful oral bacteria. That makes these things a top priority…

Carolyn Gretton

Pomegranates may help tired immune cells act young again

Your immune system can get tired with age, but what if aging immune cells could act young again? Researchers are studying a compound that may help T cells renew their power source. And your gut may be able to make it from foods you already know.

Carolyn Gretton

The surprising reason healthy eating may be linked to lung cancer

What if some of the healthiest foods on your plate were carrying something your body doesn’t need? Researchers studying nonsmokers, under 50, with lung cancer found a pattern that surprised even them. And the explanation is hiding in plain sight.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

A tale of two olive oils: One promotes brain health, the other faster decline

One food at the forefront of brain health is olive oil. But a recent discovery found that not all olive oils are equal. In fact, choosing the wrong kind could put your brain on the fast track to cognitive decline…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

The surprising strategy that could reverse AFib

For decades, doctors have treated AFib using three main pillars: medications for heart rate, procedures to fix the heart’s rhythm, and blood thinners to prevent stroke. But an overlooked 4th pillar could reverse it…

Carolyn Gretton

12 conditions signaled by the way you walk

Walking comes naturally easy to us as adults. But the way we walk tends to vary from person to person. That’s no big deal unless it’s a difference that signals one of these 12 hidden health problems tipped off by how you walk…

Joyce Hollman

Get breathless a few minutes daily to lower your risk of 8 major diseases

You don’t need long workouts to protect your health. Dialing it down to brief bursts of daily vigorous activity — just enough to leave you breathless — can lower your risk of these eight chronic diseases…

Joyce Hollman

This common vitamin may influence Alzheimer’s risk years before symptoms appear

What if something you’re doing, or not doing, in midlife could shape your brain years from now? Researchers have uncovered a surprising link to a major Alzheimer’s marker. The findings may change how you think about long-term brain health.

Carolyn Gretton

The inflammation double whammy making respiratory infections more dangerous with age

Aging doesn’t just weaken the immune system. It may take inflammation to a level that makes respiratory infections significantly more dangerous. How this cycle unfolds in the lungs and what reduces your risk is need-to-know information before you get sick…

Joyce Hollman

5 conditions outside the brain that may increase dementia risk

Some forms of dementia may not begin in the brain. In fact, researchers say up to one in three cases are linked to conditions elsewhere in the body, pointing to modifiable factors that may help reduce your risk of losing precious memories.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

An ancient snack that reduces cholesterol and weight gain

When high cholesterol and weight gain come together, risks for heart trouble ramp up. Doctors will offer a pair of prescriptions, but an ancient snack turned functional food has plenty of clout to help get the job done…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The ‘healthy fat’ imbalance that weakens your immune system after 45

Monounsaturated fats (MUFAs), found in olive oil, avocados and nuts, may help strengthen immune cells and improve their ability to survive stress. But balancing MUFAs with polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) appears key to optimal immune function…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The hidden hormone making blood pressure difficult to control

There’s a reason some blood pressure stays stubbornly high, and it may not be what you think. A little-known hormone could be part of the picture, and your doctor likely isn’t even testing for it…

Carolyn Gretton

The pennies a day cure for cholesterol and inflammation

I’m a penny pincher who will cut costs almost anywhere I can, but not when it comes to food and my health. So, imagine my delight when I found two foods that reduce serious health risks and the drain on my bank account at the same time!

Joyce Hollman

Processed meat and colon cancer risk: What most Americans still don’t know

A common food found in many American kitchens is linked to colon cancer, but nearly half of Americans don’t know the risk. A new report highlights this surprising gap in awareness and what it could mean for your long-term health.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The after-50 digestion problem that could be draining your energy

If you’ve started feeling bloated, overly full or tired after meals, it may not be your diet that’s changed. In middle age, your body produces fewer digestive enzymes, making it harder to break down and absorb nutrients. The result? Less energy, more discomfort, and a hidden problem many people overlook.

Margaret Cantwell

The spice secret for a 100x boost against inflammation

Chronic inflammation can simmer under the surface for years. There are anti-inflammatory medications, and then there are spice compounds that may work together to deliver an anti-inflammatory effect up to 100x stronger, without the side effects…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

These foods raise stroke and heart attack risk 67%

We reach for them because they’re fast and convenient. But beneath that convenience is a level of processing that fundamentally changes how your body responds to what you eat, raising cardiovascular risks significantly.

Joyce Hollman

The natural way to a better brain and mood…Phosphatidylserine

Chances are you’ve never heard of phosphatidylserine. It’s a fatty substance especially important for brain neurons — for good reason: It’s the key to better brain function, including memory, stress management and healthy mood…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

43 years of data reveal what coffee does to your brain

Is coffee quietly helping your health… or hurting it? And what about tea, our other favorite caffeinated beverage? Thanks to one of the largest and longest studies on the topic, which has tracked people for more than four decades, we may have the answer.

Carolyn Gretton

The hidden link between IBD and colorectal cancer

One of the most worrisome aspects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the spike it causes in colorectal cancer risk. A team of researchers sought to better understand this link, and what they discovered could revolutionize IBD treatment…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Kiss diabetes and high blood pressure goodbye in one step

If you live with type 2 diabetes, your doctor has probably recommended weight loss. That’s because dropping the extra pounds is one of the most effective ways to improve your blood sugar. Now according to a new study, there’s one more big benefit that could get you your best health — naturally…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 at-home tests to reveal the health of your arteries

Doctors use tools to assess the risk of heart attack and stroke based on our arteries. But they’ve just been deemed “not optimal” at preventing half of heart attacks. While the medical community grapples with how to enhance early detection, there are a few things you can do at home to help…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The berry that reboots glucose regulation and fat metabolism

Type 2 diabetes keeps trending up. That’s why we write about it. Not enough people know they can do something about it, starting with diet. But work smarter, not harder, with a functional food that goes straight to the core of the problem…

Joyce Hollman

Don’t let contaminants cancel out your green tea benefits

Green tea’s healthy reputation spans centuries, and over the last several decades, its laundry list of health benefits has been well researched. But if you’re not careful about how you drink it, contaminants can ruin them.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Move over high blood pressure: There’s a new ‘silent killer’

Hypertension has long been the silent killer, damaging blood vessels without obvious symptoms until heart disease develops. However, experts are warning about a new silent killer, just as pervasive and sneaky, making up 60 percent of the average American adult’s diet…

Carolyn Gretton

Help your gut head off this silent heart disease trigger

Your hard-working gut is involved in a lot more than digestion. It also plays a role in heart health. In fact, researchers have found a connection between the gut and an imbalance that could be silently raising your heart disease risk right now…

Joyce Hollman

‘Forever chemicals’ are aging men faster — Here’s what to do

PFAS are “forever chemicals” that most of us already carry in our bodies. But the newest generation of these chemicals is accelerating biological aging in middle-aged men by disrupting genes at the heart of how and why we age…

«SPONSORED»