Latest Stories

There’s no shortage of excuses to put off exercise till you realize you might have needed it. But is there really any reason to get started later in life? Or is it just plain too late, and have the benefits you would have gotten (like muscle strength) from exercise passed you by? The answer is surprising…

Every cigarette robs the smoker of 7 to 11 minutes of their life. That’s more than 3 hours for every pack. Now, there are plenty of “quit smoking” aids. But this isn’t about those methods. If those haven’t worked, let me share how two important people in my life ditched the habit — forever…

Most of modern medicine’s “wonder drugs” don’t start in a lab. They start in a bug. Or a bush. Or a berry. Or in some cases, a pile of dirt on Easter Island… Back in the 60s, Canadian scientists set off to Easter Island to search for natural compounds to fight microbes. But they found something even more amazing…

Even though I would love to look younger and have smooth, wrinkle-free skin, I don’t want to head off to one of those medical spas and have a doctor inject toxins to freeze my wrinkles or syringes of fillers to plump my skin. Luckily, a new study has the answer — no doctors or injections necessary!

Once considered a new age therapy, like many people I was a little skeptical about what biofeedback could do for my headaches. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised. Now, a new study has taken a deeper look at biofeedback and proven its worth for two other difficult-to-treat conditions…

Steroid shots are a common occurrence in most doctor’s offices. After all they may seem like a cure-all for what ails you… especially aches and pains in your joints due to inflammation. Here are 10 types of conditions they can help, and when to know if you need to consider other options…

Despite the debate on meat’s health merits, most meat-eaters are confident about one fact: White meat is healthier than red. Well, before you cook up a white meat feast fit for a king, you should know that chicken isn’t the perfect alternative to red meat we thought it was…

The benefits of B12 are real. But to be fair, many vitamins and supplements have benefits that rival the manufactured, high-price tagged drug options. Not only can you feel better with adequate B12, but it also helps tone down the highly inflammatory metabolite, homocysteine. Here’s why it’s a big deal…

Everyone knows the biggest risk factors for cardiovascular disease… Smoking. Age. High blood pressure. High cholesterol. Family history. Lack of exercise. Obesity. No surprises here. But there’s something else that’s seriously affecting your heart that’s not in the list of usual suspects…

After a sleepless night, you’re not your best self the next day. You notice every little annoying thing about everything and everyone you interact with all day. Because basically, the less sleep you get, the harder it is to see the world through a positive lens. And here’s the problem with that…

If you’ve decided to go vegetarian or vegan, you’re in good company. There are now more than 19 million vegans in the U.S! There are many admirable and inspiring reasons for giving up animal products. If you’ve done it, you deserve major props. But I need to warn you: It could be messing with your brain.

It’s a radical thought for many of us that we can cure ourselves. After all, we’re not doctors, right? But when it comes to mental illness, especially depression, we should probably take another look at this statement.

Restless leg syndrome is a harmless disease, or is it? It is true that restless leg isn’t caused by a serious medical problem. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t serious. People with this mysterious disease (doctors still don’t know exactly what causes it) face major risks that people without this disease don’t have…

Hearing loss is pretty much a given with age. Approximately one in three people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing. But, of all the diseases and conditions we face with age, is hearing loss that bad?

We all get aches and pains, but when it’s your chest we’re talking about… well, that’s always concerning. Could it be heartburn or something serious? The body’s signals can be confusing, but when the signal comes from your chest, the stakes are too high to ignore. How do you know when to seek medical attention?

My mom and I are so similar it’s almost scary. We like the same foods. We share a lot of the same hobbies and mannerisms. We’re a true testament to the power of genes. But there’s at least one area where we’re opposites. Mom’s a slow eater and research shows if I don’t change my ways, I’ll be paying for it…

It’s that time of year again. Over 900,000 Americans get pneumonia every year, usually following a cold or flu bug. And it looks like a lot of those cases could be avoided. In fact, researchers have recently found just how important this one element is in your diet for fighting off pneumonia-causing bacteria…

It’s a moment most of us dread… You bend down to put on a sock, pick up a bar of soap, pet your dog, get into a yoga pose and — youch! — your lower back spasms. Suddenly, you can’t stand up straight. So, you’re out of commission for days, again! What can you do to find real relief from low back pain?

While you can’t change your chronological age, it is now proven that your biological age is influenced by your testosterone and estradiol levels. That’s according to newer studies which measure correlations between these hormone levels and chromosomal telomeres. First let me explain about telomeres and their important relationship to biological age…

We’ve all experienced a stressful event in our lives where we were completely overwhelmed. Our hearts beat faster, our hands started shaking and the world seems to close in around us. But then things got better… or did they?

Balanced blood sugar isn’t just about eliminating foods. It’s also about adding foods that help your body process sugar better. If you’re looking for a few blood sugar-friendly options to add to your grocery list this week, try these five foods.

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…

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.

The Europeans don’t want anything to do with our food, especially our chlorinated chicken, our hormone-treated beef and our genetically-engineered crops. They’re concerned that it would degrade their food standards. Can you imagine if America had food standards?

Did you sleep well last night? It may not be stress or insomnia … you could have a sleep condition known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Don’t be bamboozled by a drug company’s marketing message that insists their over-priced, side effect-ridden pills can keep you healthy when your body is crying out for a cure. Natural methods can be safer and better!

This seemingly simple exercise from grade school can help you regain strength, make you stronger, improve bone density and help you become more coordinated.

Heavy beer drinkers are not usually the picture of health, and we’d never recommend you become one. But as surprising as it sounds, beer could be considered a health food for several reasons…

Life is meaningless. And so is your health and wellbeing. Does that statement surprise you? Put you on the defensive? Let me explain …

As you age, it seems like your eyes are one of the first body parts to go. Even if you had 20/20 vision your entire life, when you hit middle age you start to see the world differently — and not in a good way!

There’s a surprising way to halt the progression of a very serious autoimmune disease — and possibly even cancer. But there’s a catch. The solution is one that will likely make your stomach turn…

Chemicals called furocoumarins can increase your risk for melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, by as much as 36 percent. And it naturally occurs in this food…

Can you name the best exercise for your health as you age? Did you say jogging or running? No thanks! The ‘hands-down’ best exercise to boost your testosterone levels is…

You probably already know that you can suffer from acne as an adult, even into middle age. But what you may not know is that acne isn’t isolated to the skin. If we look deeper, we can see numerous systemic issues going on.

Thyroid conditions are becoming more common. One in eight women will develop a problematic thyroid at some point in their lifetime. And women are five to eight times more likely to have a thyroid condition than men.

Put down the crossword puzzles and the Sudoku, because there is another way to keep your memory running like a thoroughbred stallion well into old age. One that is surprisingly simple…