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I have a bad habit. It puts my health at risk daily. But I can’t (or don’t want to) quit it. I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager, after all. Despite what you may be thinking, it’s nothing too crazy. It’s not smoking, drinking, doing drugs or even eating donuts. It’s wearing makeup.

I don’t know about you, but Christmas is almost here and I’m still recovering from Thanksgiving. And, it’s not just the hours spent cleaning and decorating to prepare for company – only to clean again once the fun was over and everyone went home that has left me dragging – but the food, oh the food!

Wow, the response to my post last week on cacao, the superfood to beat statins, was amazing! But I’m not really surprised… Now that you know what cacao can do for cholesterol, let me share other benefits that will have you adding cacao to your coffee like I did this morning…

High blood pressure is a life-threatening condition if not properly managed. So, medication is a no-brainer for most… At least until your psoriasis flare-ups get worse and your irritated skin becomes swollen as it cracks and bleeds. Unfortunately, for people with psoriasis, things just aren’t that simple…

If you’ve ever struggled to lose weight and keep it off, you know that the battle of the bulge can be challenging. Surprisingly, a few simple tricks and lifestyle changes may represent easy ways to shrink your waistline. Start with these 10 simple tricks that are easy to stick with.

Lots of people deal with mild to moderate brain fog that keeps them from functioning at their best. That’s because brain fog is a symptom of a wide variety of conditions, which makes you wonder… what’s really causing brain fog in all these situations? Now we know and what to do about it…

You might focus specifically on your heart or brain when you think of your health. While there’s no doubt they’re important, we tend to ignore an organ that’s every bit as vital — one that plays a role in the health of every other part of your body, especially when it comes to stopping disease…

As a rule, blood pressure tends to go up after menopause. Many doctors think it has something to do with changing hormones. But there’s another factor adding to the problem… and this is the time of year that the risk could be especially plentiful if you’re not aware of it…

Readily available, far less expensive than medications, and with no side effects, the foods you choose to eat — and not eat — can make the difference between becoming a statistic and living a healthy life. A new study points to one class of food that can dramatically lower your risk for heart disease…

Wildly fluctuating hormones go hand-in-hand with everything from mood swings and hot flashes to night sweats, sleep problems and weight gain. To top it off, most women face a less-than-satisfying sex life thanks to the added bonus of sexual problems. But it doesn’t have to be that way…

Research shows that most cancer patients don’t die from cancer. They die from conditions caused by or related to their cancer. And one of the most dangerous cancer-related risks you need to be aware of is stroke, especially when it comes to these five types of cancer…

Hip pain doesn’t stop at your hips. It can cause debilitating pain in the lower back and knees because your hips simply cannot bear their share of the weight. If you are living with hip pain, even if it seems minor, it’s good to know the cause. Here are four possible reasons for hip pain, and the signs of each…

Like many people, I’ve always had a problem getting enough sleep. Whether it’s falling asleep in the first place or waking up and spending the rest of the night with my mind spinning, it seems like a solid eight or even five hours can be hard to find. Then I discovered clean sleeping…

When I was growing up, my parents were always on one type of diet or another. From Cambridge Shakes to Slim Fast, the grapefruit diet to eating only cabbage soup, if it wasn’t one, it was another. And, no matter what, I remember my mom saying that my dad always lost more weight, faster.

There was a time, in my younger years, when I thought that having a breast implant was just an act of vanity. Then I learned about breast cancer. But these medical devices have a troubled history, to say the least, including fatigue, exhaustion, joint swelling and pain, frequent muscle cramps, fibromyalgia and now, cancer.

Evening snacking is a hard habit to break. It takes willpower to not pour a bowl of cereal at 9 pm. Or finish that whole bowl of popcorn while you catch up on Dancing with the Stars. But sometimes to break a bad habit you need to be reminded why your body is built to eat during the day…

After years of being told what to eat, what not to eat, and even omitting entire food groups, we’re realizing some of these diets are rather extreme. And confusing. If you find yourself overwhelmed about how to eat to avoid disease and live a longer life, scrap the complicated diets and remember two simple rules…

Regular brushing, flossing and visits to your dentist are essential for maintaining oral health. But equally important is your diet. These self-care measures can make a significant difference in promoting dental health, reducing cavities and, most importantly, supporting your overall health.

By now, most people have heard of antioxidants and what these little gems can do for their health. But, just in case you’re still wondering if getting enough antioxidants every day is actually important, let’s do a quick recap on their most important points…

Like a lot of people, I’ve noticed that as I’ve gotten older, my hearing isn’t quite as good as it used to be. In fact, I’m pretty sure that I drive my husband crazy by constantly saying, “What?” and “Can you please talk louder. I can’t hear you!” But I’ve found a little trick to avoid embarrassing moments like these…

When someone is extremely self-absorbed we may say that they think they’re the center of the universe. My dad, on the other hand, prefers saying that they think the sun shines out their backside. Well, you know what? He’s onto something, but UV rays bring disease protection to everyone’s gut…

It’s hard to imagine anyone getting a case of the winter blues with all the holiday hustling and bustling happening, but seasonal affective disorder is estimated to affect as many as 10 million Americans. If the cold grey days get to you, try these comfort foods with nutrients that can combat the winter blues in a very real way.

Fall and winter are seasons of serious indulgence, starting with the holidays… They’re also seasons of serious cold and flu viruses that run rampant this time of year. I hate to break it to you, but what you eat affects your immunity a lot more than you think. In fact, this diet might keep you flu-free…

Every cardiologist in America (including me) had an eye on Philadelphia a couple of weeks ago, and it wasn’t for the Eagles-Patriots game. The results of a major study on the effectiveness of stents and bypass surgery were announced at the annual conference of the American Heart Association — and surgeons are stunned…

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that’s caused when UV rays damage pigment cells in the skin called melanocytes. When melanocytes are damaged, they mutate and start growing rapidly. But the root of skin cancer may be hiding somewhere other than your skin cells — in your hair follicles.

Essential fatty acids found in fish oil have had their ups and downs in health news. First, they were praised for heart health, then dashed for prostate cancer potential, then dashed again on heart disease. But finally, it looks like more studies are coming out that vindicate omega-3s all around…

The evidence is clear: the amount of sleep you get each night is a predictor of your health and of your lifespan. Seven to eight hours is the number you should be shooting for. In fact, numerous studies have enlightened us about the dangers of too little (and too much) sleep. The latest threat? Old bones…

Step into any store, park, mall, or gym and you’ll see immediately that some people walk more slowly while others speed past. And, while you may think that how fast you walk is simply a matter of preference, a new 40 year study by researchers at Duke University says that you should think again.

A Belgian astronomer and mathematician developed this easy-to-calculate ratio between a person’s height and their weight. It’s become an accepted measuring stick for a person’s chances of living a long, healthy life, or of dying young. But BMI, or body mass index, is coming under a lot of fire…

It may surprise you to learn that heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with kidney disease. See, when your kidneys stop working, calcium builds up in your arteries. But a new study shows EDTA chelation could help clear calcium out and prevent many of these deaths…

There’s no doubt that a satisfying sex life not only makes you happier and less stressed, but it also lowers your blood pressure, boosts your immune system and reduces your risk of heart disease. Make it work better for you…

Curry is not only tasty, but is also reported to have medicinal properties. Used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, it contains turmeric, a root known as a potent anti-tumor agent.

As a doctor who only wants to relieve my patients’ suffering, it can be frustrating working at getting to the root cause of an allergy — especially one causing chronic health issues.

If you eat without thinking about what you’re eating, you’re missing out on an unsurpassed chance to improve your well-being. Functional foods are just that: foods that can help your body function at its best. If you’re not eating these, you’re starving your body of the nutrients it needs to be healthy.

Gratitude begins with a thought. If believed, it grows into that wonderful feeling of “well-being” that begets balance and wholeness in the entire body. The really good news is that you can experience gratitude whenever you wish…

In the U.S. alone, more than 60,000 chemicals are used in industry, agriculture and household products, none of which require real safety testing. Despite their widespread use, these chemicals pose real harm, and none of us are immune…

If you only turn to cranberries for bladder help, you’re missing out. The benefits of this underrated berry are so great, researchers believe they are just beginning to understand the superpowers cranberries can bestow on the human body.

You already know it can help you lose weight. But calorie restriction has some amazing health-boosting benefits that go far beyond your waistline. And this common-sense trick will give you the will power to reap them all…

Interstitial cystitis can seem like a chronic urinary tract infection. But unlike a UTI, no bacterial infection is present. All the other annoying symptoms are however, especially the frequent and often painful urination…

Would you give up one snack a day if it meant you could live a disease-free life? Because that could be all that’s standing between you and the ticking cancer-causing time bomb in your body…

Remember the ephedrine weight loss craze of the 90s? Since it was natural it had to be safe right? Wrong. Fortunately another natural compound has come forward that may give dieters the fat-burning boost they’re looking for with no ill effects.

When planning your meals, if you follow a specific diet, sometimes it seems easier to determine what you shouldn’t be eating than what to include. But one thing I’ve learned is to be a little skeptical about the food advice you find online.

It’s no news that fruits and vegetables are important for your health. What you may not know, though, is that they’re crucial for your sexual health too. Here’s how to get the most helpful nutrients into your meals.

Michael Pollan, a celebrated food writer is someone with whom I generally agree. We share many platforms, including the benefits of whole food, real food, a high volume of plant food, and a return to cooking. However, he recently criticized the paleo diet and with this, I must take issue.

Taking a probiotic supplement is one of the best things you can do for your body. The special microorganisms that we call beneficial bacteria dwell in your gut (intestinal tract) where they help maintain a healthful, balanced environment that is critical for overall health.

Making mistakes is OK when dealing with health and trying to recreate a better quality of life. But when you don’t realize you are making mistakes, serious problems occur that put success out of reach…

Tightness is the lower body can alter the way you carry out your daily activities. Stretches can do wonders for loosening the low back, hip and legs to help you feel better and increase your ability to do the things you enjoy.

Stem cells work like magic in your body. They can replenish themselves over and over and over again, which means they can take damaged tissues or organs and make them as good as new. As we age they reproduce less and less unless you do this to keep them coming…

When most people diet, one of the first foods they tend to shy away from is real cheese. But when you combine fat and protein you satisfy your hunger pangs in a way that will last for hours…

Multitudes of studies have been carried out on different types of tea and herbal tea preparations, but understanding the differences between them can be daunting. But with a little guidance and effort you can find a tea suited for just about any health issue you may need to relieve.

Cancer is challenging; Yet preventing cancer is not necessarily rocket science. In fact, research has shown that the majority of risk of developing cancer is associated with many environmental and lifestyle factors you can control…

Changing your diet is hard. That’s why 95 percent of people who go on diets fall off the wagon eventually. But if you’re one of them, don’t get discouraged. Follow these tips for real success…

Scientists say a world where antibiotics no longer work is not far away… and that’s more than frightening. It turns out the solution to this problem has been under our noses the whole time…

Summer can be a very energetic time of year, a time when you head to the outdoors for increased activities during the longer, warmer days. All the extra activity and time spent outside can do wonders for your health, but at the same time, it’s important to pay close attention during the “season of heat.”

Certain types of cancer are closely tied to obesity, and breast cancer is one of them. But It turns out the relationship between fat and your hormones is what really makes all the difference in your breast cancer risk…

A racing mind contributes to anxiety. But once you help your mind and body relax, release tension, return to equilibrium and rejuvenate your entire being, you’ll be able to direct the path you want in life…

No matter where you go, you can’t get away from it. And research in the journal Cell Biology shows that too much of it could actually be making you older and sicker.

Have you heard of blue zones? There are a few of these special places scattered across the globe, and one them is Ikaria, Greece. What makes it and other blue zones so special? Maybe the food…

Like most folks with a chronic ailment, you may not suspect that the very foods you are eating could cause your symptoms. Why not? Because you don’t feel an immediate reaction.

Learning gets harder as you get older. But that doesn’t mean you should send your brain on a permanent hiatus once you hit middle age. Because, contrary to popular belief, you can teach an old dog new tricks…