Latest Stories

Aging is a natural process. But what if it’s more like an infection, moving at a rapid pace from one part of the body to another? It makes sense when you consider that some of us age faster than others. That’s aging’s dirty little secret…

Flu isn’t just inconvenient. Complications can arise, like pneumonia, that can land you in the hospital. If you’ve got 10 minutes a day, you can start doing something now that could keep it from turning fatal.

Nutrition guides can be helpful. But in the real world, most of us eat foods that have been processed at various levels, and not so much whole food. Luckily, all processing isn’t all bad. One option can help you lose twice the weight…

Hearing loss makes it difficult to communicate and engage with others, leading to isolation and loneliness. It’s something more than a third of seniors have reported experiencing, and a combo that can open the door to bigger trouble…

The Women’s Health Initiative was a series of clinical studies by the National Institutes of Health in 1991 to address health issues in postmenopausal women. It changed how we approach menopause, for all the wrong reasons…

Tossing and turning at night and dragging through the day half asleep? Research is revealing a natural way to boost your sleep that rivals pills in effectiveness — yet comes without the troublesome side effects…

Even the best of intentions around exercise can fall by the wayside. Don’t fret. Switching to a more active lifestyle at any point in adulthood may extend lifespan. It’s never too late to start, and you control the dial on the benefits…

Nothing jolts you awake like a leg cramp. Sometimes they’re associated with a serious condition. Other times, they strike from too much or too little exercise. Say hello to this vitamin and goodbye to the pain…

If you eat a typical Western diet, chances are good you aren’t getting all the nutrients you need, even from fortified foods, like cereal. In fact, there are five nutrients critical to disease prevention we’re falling short on…

Dementia dangers with every breath — that’s the warning of a 29-million person study. Here’s what you need to know about the triple-threat hidden in air pollution and how to fight back and win the battle for your brain health…

Want firmer, younger-looking skin (with the bonus of a healthy heart)? A breakthrough in skin aging, discovered in one of my favorite plant compounds, is poised to change the way we approach anti-aging skincare formulations…

The dark side of artificial sweeteners has been coming to light for years. But the newest generation carries especially concerning risks, like trading calories for higher stroke risk by interfering with how your blood vessels function…

For decades, obese Americans have been made to feel lazy and at fault for eating too much and not moving enough to avoid weight gain. Energy in, energy out, right? That was wrong on so many levels, and we know why…

It’s time for hot tubs to go from luxury to wellness tool. If you can’t or won’t exercise, time in a hot tub may be just what you need to lower blood pressure and improve your immune system, even after you dry off.

While vitamin D deficiency is mainly the result of not getting enough vitamin D from sun and diet, in some cases, it can be traced to a gene mutation. Researchers uncovered something shocking about this mutation that could be a huge step forward in the fight against cancer…

Harvard researchers say the life expectancy gap between men and women has grown to six years. That’s unsettling enough, but the underlying reason behind increasingly shorter lifespans among men is even more so…

Research is learning more about the cellular hallmarks of aging — those that happen at a level we don’t see, but can sneak up and pull the rug out from under your feet. One of those is sarcopenia which can leave you frail and dependant, unless you drink a daily dose of trigonelline…

Loads of research has stacked evidence of coffee’s health benefits. But it gets better. Beyond the heart, it slays a cluster of conditions, even in early stages, to crush what’s now known as cardiometabolic disease, and it just takes this much…

Your skin is a shield between you and the pollutants, UV radiation, pathogens and toxins you encounter daily. A lot can go wrong, and not just skin cancer. From skin tags to spots, skin changes warn of conditions that are more than skin deep…

There’s no escaping “forever chemicals.” They’re everywhere and, as the name implies, they stick around. They’re also linked to numerous disease conditions. But have we been overthinking the solution?

Adults with ADHD face some unique challenges. Struggling to focus takes a toll that results in reduced well-being and higher risk for depression. But research uncovered a significant factor that fuels that cycle…

Genes have come to the forefront of research into obesity, adding a layer of complexity. A study into one gene sheds light on the thyroid, a small organ with big influence on the repression and enhancement of gene activity…

Women are fortunate that, for most of their lives, heart problems are of little concern. That changes in menopause, when it becomes a significant threat. Four factors can increase the danger, but one in particular needs addressing sooner than later.

Summertime is here and that means markets across the country are once again selling that sweet, juicy fruit kids and adults alike wait all year for. And we’ve got good news: If you eat watermelon, you’re getting much more than a tasty treat…

Diverticulitis is a painful inflammation of the colon that becomes more common after 50. But diet, lifestyle and some conditions can increase your odds. If not treated, complications can be life-threatening. Here’s what to know…

Low testosterone and aging are often blamed when men have trouble in the bedroom. But a six-year study shows an unrelated health problem, easily remedied, may actually be the impetus for a man’s sexual health decline…

Given that it’s a normal physiologic process and not a disease, women are expected to just endure menopause and get on with it. But misery is not “normal,” and neither is accepting the harm it does to your health…

Superfoods get their reputation because they’re nutrient dense and do for your body what it normally takes a variety of other foods (in copious amounts) to do. Or because they contain that “one amazing” ingredient, like the natural answer for your sinus problems…

In the last two decades, there’s been a significant increase in deaths from obesity-related ischemic heart disease. Let’s talk about why obesity drives heart problems, the type of fat that does the most harm, who’s most affected and what to do about it…

Even if you don’t play golf, but have a golf course in your neighborhood, you’ll want to pay attention to this. You could face more than double the risk of developing Parkinson’s, and it may start in your groundwater…

Would you know if you were having a heart attack? Conventional wisdom says that chest pain, sweating and shortness of breath are classic signs. But there are others that aren’t talked about nearly as often. Don’t mistake these symptoms…

If you’re tired of those deep purple and red splotches that happen with the slightest bump and make your skin look beat up and older than it should, there is an answer… and, it’s easier than you might think.

If you have high cholesterol, you may be on the hunt for alternatives to statins. Why? Because they have side effects that are intolerable for many. This one works so well your doctor may recommend it. Just be careful…

As you age, you probably tend to worry about the health of two of your most important organs — your brain and your heart. That’s why we’re urged to exercise and eat right. But what if you’re over 65, is it too late? Not for a berry boost…

The average American consumes almost 19 teaspoons of added sugar a day. And that’s tied to more than 45 serious health problems. No wonder many of us turn to low-calorie sweeteners, like xylitol. But practicing moderation may be safer than risking blood clots…

A mild stroke could be a wake-up call. But a severe stroke changes your life in ways you can’t bounce back from. Before it’s too late, do something about the most important risk linked to severe stroke…

If you have risk factors for heart disease, including hypertension and diabetes, a case of pneumonia can increase the stress on your heart further leading to some serious complications. But if your doctor approves, you can start working to prevent that possibility now…

Aging gracefully is about more than just adding years to your life. It’s about enriching those years with health, vitality and connection. Golf can help because it’s more than just a sport — it’s a pathway to a longer, fuller life. 

Vitamin D is linked to positive impacts from healthy aging to prevention. Its effect on blood pressure has been inconclusive, however. But new research finds it may be a matter of when and who vitamin D can help the most…

Obesity is at the root of most disease, from cancer to heart disease. But it’s most closely linked to is diabetes, hence the term ‘diabesity.’ But another hidden factor driving that connection has been recently uncovered…

Gabapentinoids have been seen as a safer alternative to opioids for pain. However, they carry with them their own risks — including one debilitating condition that could be a death sentence for older adults…

Coming out on the other side of a cancer diagnosis is no small feat. But survivors often live looking over their shoulders. Scientists have identified one particularly high risk factor that could leave cancer in the rearview mirror…

Avocados have long been considered a superfood. Yes, they’re high in fat and calories but also contain some valuable nutrition. That’s what caught the attention of researchers looking to put the blood pressure-busting effects of avocados to the test…

Visits to the ER for heart attacks increase during the winter months. Experts say there are three levels of people for whom this is more likely, and one group never sees it coming. Here’s how to avoid being one of them…

Menopause is a dangerous time for women, beyond breast cancer. So how can you keep ‘the change’ from stealing your health? Whether you’re perimenopausal or post-menopausal, start now to avoid these 5 threats…

Licorice is candy. But in traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s a medicinal herb. Its powerful effects are why guidelines determined how much was safe to eat. But they were wrong about how little can have deleterious effects…

I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to slow aging. Understandably, there’s some skepticism when products claim to. But it can be as simple as avoiding the things that accelerate your rate of aging — like these foods…

For years, people with gout have been shamed for causing their own pain. It was thought their poor diet elevated uric acid which contributes to painful crystals in joints, like the big toe. Now we know there’s more to the story.

If you can bang out close to 10,000 steps a day, more power to you. But there’s a more effecient way to rev up your metabolism and burn 60 percent more calories. This is one health hack that may sound too good to be true, but here’s why it works…

Thanks to genetics, even diet and exercise may not lower high cholesterol. And since many people ditch medication, researchers seek alternatives. After a study with 400,000 people, they’ve hit on one that’s effective even when it starts with your genes.

Garlic has long had a place at the table and in traditional medicine, where the potent bulb is linked to heart health, reduced inflammation and a strong immune system. Now, taming aggressive cancer cells can be added to the list…

After a heart attack, it makes sense that you’d want to sleep more. But the need for sleep is more than the physical exhaustion of going through a traumatic health event. It’s a signal for healing that if not heeded could mean a 2nd heart attack…

The “cold sore” virus is extremely common. It’s believed to be present in more than half of all Americans. That doesn’t make it any easier to deal with when cold sores flareup. Gaining a better understanding of the virus may…

Apple cider vinegar is a versatile household staple, from brightening salad dressings to unclogging drains. It’s also touted as a health elixir. How can you separate the hype from the real benefits? See what the doctor has to say…

Environmentalists have sounded alarms about the harm it’s doing. But a more dire warning may be the estimated nine million premature deaths that happen each year because it’s hardening our arteries. As a doctor, this is how I’m protecting myself…

The idea of a healthy diet has been based on older dietary measures that steer us towards food groups or specific macronutrients. But it’s the effect of food inside the body that’s the common denominator fueling disease…

With cold and flu season approaching, you need to hear an ugly truth: Many decongestants we’ve turned to for sinus pain and pressure have been deemed ineffective and will leave drugstore shelves soon. Here’s why some work and some don’t…

The virus season is here. That means you need to ready your defenses against respiratory infections and the potential for pneumonia. As odd as this advice sounds, seeing your dentist may make the biggest impact…

A supplement that fights respiratory infections has been overshadowed by vitamin C, even though studies show it can reduce the likelihood of getting the flu by more than 50%. But its power to starve cancer might help it stand out…

The low FODMAP is as effective as medication in managing IBS symptoms, but it can be difficult to follow because it is so restrictive. What if you only had to restrict two things to get the same symptom relief?