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When most of us consider the possibility of disease, we tend to think physical symptoms will be the first indication of a problem. That’s not always the case… Many diseases, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and more can present with subtle emotional changes long before any physical ones…

You can’t change your birth date. But you do have some control over many aspects of the aging process. That’s why you hear more about heart age, mental age and biological age these days. Can you guess a simple way you can improve the resilience and longevity of your heart, brain and even your chromosomes?

If you’re like me, the next few weeks and months will be a whirlwind of rich foods, thanks to the upcoming holidays. Last January, my pants were a little tighter, my scale showed I was heavier, and I just didn’t feel as healthy as I like to. But some interesting research may make it easier for all of us to get back to our “normal” quicker.

As we get older, insulin’s response to a large meal tends to be weaker later in the day. If you want to control your blood sugar, prevent diabetes and obesity, digest your food more efficiently and sleep better, you’d do well to imitate the Italians. It’s time to bring back the evening constitutional…

Our lives have changed a lot in the past fifteen years… and most of those changes can be traced back to smartphones. You can FaceTime with friends and family across the world. You can instantly access weather reports. You always have directions. It’s amazing stuff. But with good comes bad…

Did your doctor ever tell you to take low-dose aspirin daily? You’re not alone. For years, doctors promoted this habit to prevent heart attacks. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology even advised it for a while. Why the change? It just doesn’t work anymore and here’s why…

The FDA doesn’t approve each ingredient used in hair dye. It’s up to manufacturers to include cautions and warnings on their packaging. If any of their ingredients are found to be unsafe, the FDA can request a recall but cannot require it. Why does this matter? Well, coloring your hair may give you cancer…

If you drink soda, you have a higher risk of dying. It doesn’t matter whether your beverage of choice uses natural sugars or an artificial sweetener… just drinking it could lead to an early death. The only difference is what you may die from, according to The Journal of the American Medical Association.

In my last post we touched on a rather hushed subject… female sexual dysfunction. Hopefully, more women are realizing there’s no reason to say goodbye to a healthy and fulfilling sex life as they age. And no reason not to talk to others about it and seek help, including these natural helpers…

Chili peppers not only have a powerful effect on your taste buds, but they also have a powerful effect on your cardiovascular system. In fact, research shows chili peppers can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. But the hot heart-healthy benefits don’t stop there…

It feels like there’s not enough compassion in the world nowadays… People, whether family or strangers, are more likely to jump to judgment than kindness. But there is one big benefit of cultivating compassion… one that would inspire even the most selfish among us to give it a try…

In the world of fruits and vegetables, the color purple signifies something special. Any time you’ve got a purple or dark blue fruit or vegetable on the menu, you’re consuming a healthy dose of a special antioxidant-rich plant pigment known as anthocyanin.

You may have heard that coffee reduces blood sugar problems. In fact, numerous scientific studies have linked higher coffee intake to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Now, thanks to a cutting-edge technique, the one type of coffee that can truly give you that diabetes protection has been identified…

Lots of factors affect the health of your hair, skin and nails… Thyroid issues, hormonal imbalances, medication, aging. But no matter what’s behind your issues, the result is the same: slipping self-confidence. A lot of people turn to beauty supplements. But one could affect the lab work at your next checkup…

For decades doctors have preached to us about reducing the amount of salt in our diets to achieve better blood pressure numbers to keep our hearts healthier… Well, according to a new study, there’s another reason to watch your salt intake. And, this time it’s about your brain, instead of your heart…

Chemo leaves you exhausted, nauseous, confused and unable to focus (chemo brain), and even worse — at risk for other health problems, including heart disease. That’s why, when diagnosed with cancer, there’s one healthy habit your doctor will advise you to continue, and research shows the sooner the better…

Countless studies show aerobic exercise has a near-miraculous effect on brain aging. In fact, a 2016 study found it not only prevents age-related brain shrinkage and cognitive decline… it also reverses it. But, could yoga alone provide the same brain benefits that a run or a heart-pumping bootcamp class could?

Rroughly 700,000 people die per year from diseases that don’t respond to antibiotics worldwide. What can we do about it? Find alternatives for the antibiotics we’ve used over and over again for decades. And researchers from Northeastern University have just done exactly that…

About two-thirds of the U.S. population is overweight or obese. If you find yourself among that two-thirds, there’s something else you should know. If you get a flu shot, it will probably be less than effective. Here’s why and extra precautions you should take…

If you have a senior in life that needs special care, the options may seem overwhelming. Which type of care is best and most appropriate to my senior spouse or parent’s needs? How do I even begin to choose? If you’re facing this decision, or feel you will be soon, here are six possible options…

Antibiotic resistance has been labeled an epidemic and according to the CDC, “More than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year.” Well, it’s possible that if more of us turned to this natural antibiotic powerhouse, that we could avoid a personal assault from these superbugs…

For some reason, subjects like erectile dysfunction in men get a lot of attention, but when it comes to sexual problems that women face, everyone is a little hushed. No reason to be. So, let’s talk frankly about this important subject, starting with the many things that can contribute to it…

When we hear the word “herpes,” most people think of cold sores or STDs. But Chickenpox, Mononucleosis and Roseola are all caused by a herpesvirus. The list goes on. And now there’s mounting evidence that long after herpesvirus symptoms pass, they increase the risk for major neurological diseases…

As we age, our eyes are vulnerable to disease — macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. If you have a genetic tendency toward age-related eye diseases, then you’re really at risk. But beyond obvious risk factors for eye diseases, there’s an invisible factor endangering your vision…

Daily sugar consumption has been shown to reduce the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus, a process known as neurogenesis. It also increases the presence of cytokines, proteins that cause inflammation. Even though we’re wired to want sweets, it’s possible to rewire your brain to turn them away…

The Mediterranean diet is known as one of the healthiest to follow if you want to avoid a plethora of diseases including Alzheimer’s and diabetes. The focus is on olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains and fish. Would you be excited to know there’s now a meatier version?

It might seem strange to think that psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that causes skin inflammation, redness and scaling, could also lead to coronary heart disease. After all, it’s external. There’s no such thing as “psoriasis of the heart,” right? A dangerous myth about psoriasis is that it’s only skin deep…

Pick almost any chronic disease around, and I can find you scientific evidence that air pollution increases the risk of it… Diabetes. Alzheimer’s. Heart disease. Breast cancer. It plays a part in them all. It turns out you don’t even have to live somewhere highly polluted to damage your health. A short visit will do…

You have tons of friends on Facebook. You get lots of emails every day. You’re active in online forums and support groups. But somehow, you’re still lonely. What gives? No matter what’s holding you back from tackling your loneliness head on, don’t worry. I know a simple way you can feel far less lonely…

On the Japanese island of Okinawa, it’s quite common for people to live to be 100 or more. Okinawa is a Blue Zone — a place known for longevity where science has identified the reasons. And Okinawans know that, besides diet, friendship is the thing that will make for a long, healthy life…

If you think that food quality is not a vital part of optimal health, think again. And if you think because we live in a modern world with grand advancements in science and technology, that we are healthier and live longer than those in centuries past, you would be wrong.

It happened again this morning: We all overslept. On days like this, I’m glad that we plan ahead just in case our morning is rushed. If you’re thinking to yourself that there’s no way to prepare a smoothie on a rushed morning, I’ll let you in on our secret…

Migraines are the mother of all headaches. Most drug remedies only provide partial relief, if at all. But there is one solution that’s showing promise…

Men worry about our testosterone… and rightly so for many reasons. But along with that concern comes several myths. I want to set them straight…

Chances are you’ve never heard of a natural protein called brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) produced in your body. I had not until I came across several studies where BDNF was referred to as ‘miracle-gro’ for the brain and ‘brain fertilizer.’

Colds and flu are often lurking nearby, waiting for the earliest chance to make their seasonal debut. Instead of waiting for a special time of year to anticipate the threat, it’s a good idea to generally be prepared. I’d have to recommend the food I consider nature’s smartest drug…

There’s no shortage of butt-lifting, bum-toning exercises available on the internet. What makes some of them more beneficial than others is how they wake up lazy muscles that haven’t worked effectively for a long time…

Unbalanced or poorly functioning hormones are an often overlooked cause of unwanted weight gain. The hormones involved include cortisol, thyroid, DHEA, aldosterone, growth hormone, progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen.

Drugs to fight depression are big business, generating billions in sales. But a study suggests that some of these drugs are worthless for fighting this problem.

Scientific research offers compelling evidence that your mood plays a powerful role in keeping you healthy. And if yours tends to be down in the dumps, don’t give up. You can still benefit…

Eating disorders come in different guises. Many don’t realize they have one — yet a quick review of the numbers on obesity, diabetes and heart disease shows quite a different story.

Have you been fooled by the trend towards ‘vitamin’ waters? I hope not, instead you should reach for a bottle of an original that’s practically part supplement, part water — naturally…

Whether you’re pro-marijuana or not, there’s no denying that the marijuana plant may have some intriguing health benefits. Could clobbering diabetes be next on that list?

Trans-fats are on their way out. They’ve been banned and are no longer recognized as “generally safe.” But we’re not safe from them yet. Manufacturers have until 2018 to get rid of them.

A great quote I’ve seen making its way through social media is this one by Maya Angelou: Bitterness is like cancer. It eats up the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it clean. There’s more truth in that statement than most of us probably realize.

Staying active and keeping your body-as-a-temple in naturally fit shape may seem completely physical. But you have untapped resources that can help you get even more out of exercising–and you won’t find them at the fitness store.

As the relationships between oral health and overall health become more evident, dentists may assume a role more akin to a primary care provider. Especially now that we are learning more about the relationship between plaque on your teeth and cancer survival…

Because every person is genetically unique, the ideal diet for you deserves to be just as unique. There are, however, some “foods” that are detrimental for all of us, across the board…

Millions of Americans take prescription painkillers to manage chronic pain, but these painkillers do more harm than good. You build up a tolerance to them quickly and may even become addicted.

You exercise to improve your health. But if you take your exercise routine too far, it could have the opposite effect… Especially if you’re turning to extreme forms of exercise like Bootcamp and CrossFit to get in shape.

I’m frequently asked about the best exercises to burn fat, or retrieve a body part from the grasp of gravity. The truth is, one thing can make those exercises I suggest work even better…

Certain places on earth are pockets of health and longevity, like the tiny Italian village of Acciaroli. There, more than one in ten residents lives past the age of 100. So what’s their secret?

“A little bit of cheating is a good thing if in the long run it behaviorally helps people to stick to the diet in the long run.”

Because bacteria and viruses evolve quickly and develop resistance to our drugs, infections are growing too powerful to treat with antibiotics and antivirals. But there is still a great deal that we can do to protect ourselves.

Stress is a killer, and when your mind is active too many thoughts can keep you from relaxing, calming down and repairing your body. When your mind is overactive, stress rules your spirit, inflammation expands the tissues and a host of health saboteurs come to the forefront—headaches, muscle and joint aches, insomnia, pain…

Sardines may be small in size but they provide a whopping dose of nutrients and heart-healthy oils, which is why sardines are a superfood for men and one of the best foods for men over 50.

If you’re already lean and healthy, is there any reason to limit yourself to a diet that consists primarily of meat and specific vegetables? If you want to stay healthy and avoid heart attack, yes.

The biggest risk factor for breast cancer is age: The older you are, the higher your risk. But that shouldn’t discourage anyone from outwitting this awful disease, especially when there are two simple things you can do today to shrink your chances of ever developing breast cancer.

It seems like every time you turn around there’s another chemical, toxicant, or pollutant that is going to hurt you. So whenever you find something that will legitimately and effectively flush these things from your body, it’s worth taking a look at. The worst of these toxicants right now is…

You already know foods like peanuts and shellfish can cause severe allergic reactions. But if you have joint pain, or get headaches in the afternoon, or you have some brain fog and can’t quite remember things sometimes … even if you just get irritable for no reason, it could be food allergies.