Latest Stories

Raise your hand if you’ve had a medical scan in the past year? We’re lucky to have technology like CTs, MRIs and X-rays. They let us see inside our bodies to figure out what’s wrong… and potentially save our lives. But you know the saying “too much of a good thing”? That applies to medical scans too…

Beyond genetics, most doctors look at your risk of dementia as a crapshoot. But the more research uncovers about its causes, the more you can do to prevent it. That’s why a new study out of Michigan State University was so interesting since it found a significant link between relationship status and dementia risk.

Beta cells are the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. Your body uses this insulin to manage blood sugar. People with type 2 diabetes have beta cells that don’t produce enough insulin. But based on this latest study, ginkgo biloba could fix that…

Some experts say fasting is great, not only for weight loss but also to enhance overall health. But how do you choose the right technique for you? If weight loss, longevity and avoiding disease are your goals, a study found some pretty amazing results that may give you the answer you need…

Hemorrhagic strokes (bleeding on the brain) are more difficult to treat and more likely to be deadly. Sounds pretty scary. But things got even scarier when news of a study came out warning of a two-fold increase in the risk of these strokes in women with low LDL cholesterol levels. Should you be concerned?

Kombucha. Keifer. Bone broth. There are plenty of drinks that encourage good bacteria to throw a party in your gut. There are also plenty of drinks that cause bad bacteria to crash that party: Soda. Diet drinks. Juices. And alcohol, which causes an unhealthy imbalance in your microbiome. But wait a sec…

Look at any web article on heart disease or any health-related magazine on the shelf at your local grocery store and you’ll find recommendation upon recommendation for the type of diet you should eat to keep your heart healthy. That’s why you may be surprised at what they found about the top three…

Exercising is one of the best ways to lower your blood pressure. In fact, getting more exercise can lower your systolic blood pressure as much as some medications. That’s empowering. But before you rest all your hopes of taming your blood pressure on your exercise regimen, you need to know…

We all know that one person who eats Taco Bell every day for lunch and TombStone frozen pizza every night, but still wears a size two skinny jean. Or that person whose idea of a diet is ordering a Filet-O-Fish instead of a Big Mac, so they get fewer calories. But eating like this could steal something from you…

Despite all our technological and medical advancements, Lyme disease isn’t being diagnosed accurately and efficiently. It takes a few weeks, leaving people untreated and at higher risk of long-term consequences. But a new diagnostic tool is in the works that could prevent all that unnecessary suffering…

Flu season is just around the corner and you know what that means, right? Soon everyone around you is going to be coughing, sneezing and spreading those virulent germs. Not at my house — if I can help it! We’ve already amped up immune-boosting efforts, starting with some essential immune-boosting supplements…

Sometimes warnings to live healthier just aren’t enough to give us the kick in the pants we need to change our habits. Now though, there’s a new warning for everyone who is overweight or obese that just might be the wakeup call that does the trick… Especially if you have concerns about Alzheimer’s.

If you live in a major metropolitan area like New York or Los Angeles, you’d expect to pay more for many consumer goods. I found this out (in reverse) when I moved from New York City to a small town in Maine. But should the same rules apply to a blood test, MRI or even life-saving surgery?

Most of your life, you’ve used aspirin to minimize everyday ailments… To fend off a splitting headache. To ease aching joints. To make a bad back bearable. But word on the street is, aspirin has much grander talents than that.

You know those people who can sleep for a few hours a night and wake up refreshed? They roll out of bed energetic and bright-eyed after four hours of sleep and hit the ground running. And weirdly enough they escape the health-related downsides of sleep deprivation that most of us won’t. Here’s why…

If you have diabetes, you understand what a dangerous disease it is. If your blood sugar stays too high for too long, it can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, and even blindness. But, did you know that low blood sugar can be just as dangerous?

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss for people over the age of 60. While, the medical community has known for some time that wet AMD is caused by the development of leaky blood vessels in the eye, the initial cause behind dry AMD has remained a mystery, till now.

Humans are social creatures. So it’s not surprising that people who feel isolated get sick more often. Ongoing loneliness is a very real risk factor for chronic health conditions like heart disease and stroke. These are a few reasons why breaking out of loneliness is important, but this one might matter most…

Your BMI calculates the relationship between your height and your weight to determine if you are overweight or obese. And, the medical community has increasingly used the calculation to determine whether or not you’re at risk for health issues like diabetes, metabolic syndrome and heart disease. But, what if your BMI is lying?

Even if you grow your own medicinal herbs in your five-acre backyard, get most of your medical care from a naturopath and buy your groceries from food co-ops, farmer’s markets and CSAs, you’ve probably had a dose of prescription antibiotics in the past decade or so. Here’s why it matters…

In the American Journal of Medicine, there’s talk of establishing a new sub-specialty in medicine. That’s all you need — another doctor, right? At first, it may seem like a great idea with more Americans suffering inter-related conditions, like obesity, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. But it highlights a troubling trend…

It’s no secret that the FDA is no friend to the natural supplement industry. The Agency is still going to great lengths to squeeze natural supplements right off the market, passing and manipulating laws that favor the sale of questionable drugs. But what happens when these drugs taint your supplements?

Exceptional longevity means living past 85, something my grandmas and great-grandmas achieved. Clearly, there might be something genetic happening here. But even if your family line isn’t filled with examples like these, research shows the secret to longevity may be in your mind more than your genes, diet or workout…

How many harmless outpatient procedures or tests do you think you’ll undergo this year? If your answer is even just one, you should be aware that you have more to be concerned with than what the procedure reveals about your health… and it has to do with contaminated instruments used in healthcare settings.

Scientists know that light plays a critical role in heart health. Past studies have even shown that heart attacks increase dramatically during dark winter months — like those around the corner. But the latest research shows how you can use light for some big heart protection in just 30 minutes a day…

Tramadol is far less addictive than some “big gun” drugs. In fact, when it was first released, it wasn’t even classified as an opioid (but that’s changed). Tramadol also has fewer side effects than other painkillers. Or so we thought… As more people turn to this “safe” pain reliever, risks are bubbling to the surface…

If you have diabetes, you have a higher risk of cancer. That’s just the way it is. It doesn’t matter if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman. (although, if you’re a diabetic woman, your risk is even higher). Because here are the cold, hard facts…

If I don’t eat lunch by 2:00 pm, I feel lightheaded. But I still haven’t written off the idea of fasting. How can I when I keep reading studies that show it’s an effective way to fight chronic inflammation… the stuff that puts you at risk for cancer, autoimmune diseases and pretty much every other health condition.

Thyroid hormone balancing is confusing for mainstream doctors including endocrinologists (but they may not admit it). That’s because they use only lab tests. The problem with that is there are many medications that affect your thyroid hormone and confound the interpretation of standard thyroid tests…

Sleep apnea is a common problem for both men and women. And that diagnosis comes with some other very serious worries… If you have it, you’re at much higher risk of recurrent heart attack, stroke, and even atrial fibrillation. Now you can add three kinds of cancer to that…

There are a lot of culprits at the root of disease-causing constipation… low fiber, certain medications, dehydration, and food allergies. Now you can add these viruses to the list…

Strong muscles are important… and not just if you want to look buff. If you have decreased muscle strength, you’re less mobile and more likely to fall, which means you can’t be as active and independent as you want to be.

Carbohydrates have a bad rap. They can spike your blood sugar and add inches to your waist if you’re not careful. But low-carb and Paleo enthusiasts may be doing themselves a big disservice by eschewing them altogether.

But before you can access this amazing medical technology there are a few things you need to know starting with why the FDA feels they have jurisdiction over your fat cells…

If you regularly reach for this over-the-counter aid to deal with stomach problems, there’s something you should know… these medications come with some very serious side effects that even the FDA can’t ignore any longer.

Everyone loves the fact that oats or oatmeal can lower cholesterol… but not everyone loves oatmeal. Or maybe you just want to mix things up a little. When researchers saw how much another grain lowers not only LDL cholesterol levels, but all non-HDL cholesterol levels and apoB levels, they were pretty stoked. You may be too…

In many ways, our ancestors’ lifestyle was more in tune with the human body’s natural rhythms. And research shows one important activity these folks used to recoup their mental and physical energy is still important today.

Training by yourself can be difficult. It takes motivation and a lot of the time it takes equipment. Having a partner to train or exercise with helps with motivation, a positive outcome … and you can replace many of the weights with body pressure from your partner.

Have you started a healthier diet and maybe you’re exercising too — only to be disappointed that the inches aren’t coming off? The problem is likely “obesogens.” Obesogens hijack the regulatory systems that control your weight and make it almost impossible for you to maintain a healthy weight. But you can beat them…

In my opinion, the dietary advice provided in the South Beach Diet by its author, cardiologist Arthur Agatston, MD, is less than healthful or helpful, and sometimes nonexistent.

Looking down at your keyboard, cell phone, ipad and the like causes poor posture and can set you up for some real pain. These three exercises will help you relieve the strain and the pain.

There’s an important heavy metal that might be missing from your diet… and if you’re having trouble getting rid of excess fat… or your energy levels have tanked — you want it back.

Cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer in the United States. This is a tragic statistic when you realize that there are numerous ways to reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes.

Do you consider yourself well, a bit unhealthy or maybe even sick? I ask this because your thoughts and perceptions about yourself and especially your state of health can influence the trajectory of your wellness.

We’ve all splurged on bad junk food that tastes good. If you make a regular habit of it, you’re in for a world of hurt. But what if there was a magic pill, so to speak, that could “undo” the effects of the bad foods? Would you take it?

It’s not unusual to have the occasional bout of stomach trouble — stomach pain, gas, diarrhea or constipation happens from time to time. But if you’re dealing with these symptoms on a regular basis, check out how low FODMAP foods can help…

Mosquitos are more than annoying… they’re harbingers of disease. Malaria, West Nile, chikungunya and Zika are all deadly viruses known to spread through the sting of this tiny insect that strikes big fear in many parts of the world. Protect yourself…

We all have those moments—a forgotten appointment, a name we can’t recall, a word that’s on the tip of our tongue. For the most part, these incidents aren’t worrisome. However, as we age, they seem to increase in significance.

Even if you’re already dealing with a neurodegenerative disease, researchers say this targeted combination of nutrients can not only prevent the loss of your brain cells — it can reverse it.

Researchers found this nut has an extremely positive effect on your gut microbiome: it reduces your risk of colon cancer. So if you’re ready to make a small change that will have a big impact on your health, eat more…

Everything you strive for — money, a home, a car, vacations, nice clothes, good health — is a means to achieving the quality of life you desire. But something’s standing in your way…

Cancer can be a sneaky disease. Be alert for its unusual signs, especially swelling in these body parts, or you may miss the opportunity to catch it before it spreads, making treatment more difficult…

I don’t know if you’ve ever felt like a slave to unhealthy food cravings. But if you are anything like my patients, there are things you need to understand about the powerful brain chemicals involved and some important strategies to gaining your power back.

Opioid painkillers increase risk for addiction. But did you know that opioid painkillers can increase the duration of your pain by several months? You can experience more pain than if you never took them in the first place.

Type 2 Diabetes is a global epidemic. And its cause is no secret: People are not eating well and exercising less and less. So, in theory, the simple solution should be to eat right and exercise often, right? Not so fast…

At first glance, you’d probably think it’s the least glamorous of nutrients. But don’t let its low-profile fool you. It can do some pretty fabulous things, including keeping you young.

If researchers are right, this simple supplement known as herbal aspirin should do wonders when it comes to keeping your inflammation levels down and chronic diseases at bay…

Imagine going to the doctor and instead of getting an injection of a lab-created pharmaceutical, he injects your own cells into your body to repair your heart… save your joints from arthritis… or to stop multiple sclerosis from ravaging your nervous system?

After moving and settling into my new digs, I discovered I had unexpectedly put on 10 unwanted pounds which got my attention. At first I was puzzled at my weight gain but then I found the answer when I listed what had changed in my life …

Stress is bad news. Often time our psychological stress from the interactions of the day, mixed with our physical stress from overwork or sedentary positions, leads to muscle tension and pain. Learning ways to reduce stress and pain are essential to wellbeing.