Latest Stories

As we get older, exercise becomes even more important than it was in our 20s and 30s. The tough part is that our bodies won’t, or shouldn’t, do the same things they did decades ago. We have to be more selective about the type of exercise we engage in.

Say you start taking a new blood pressure medication and suddenly feel nauseous and dizziness all the time. What would you do? Probably call your doctor. But if you’re suddenly feeling down or anxious, you may not immediately connect it to your blood pressure medication. Especially, if no one warned you…

We’ve all heard high blood pressure called the “silent killer.” And, unfortunately, I’ve seen how deadly it can be in my own family. But, sometimes, it’s not just the hypertension you have to worry about… Two common factors can compound the threat to triple the risk of cardiovascular death.

It’s easy to get conflicted about the importance of vitamins, especially when the mainstream tells us there’s no reason to supplement. But then a 20-year study comes out that proves for some, like diabetics, a simple deficiency could quadruple the risk of death from disease complications…

Since I took a prolonged course of heavy-duty antibiotics several years ago, my gut has never been the same. Acid reflux, IBS — I’ve had all sorts of problems that impacted how I Iive my life. So I was excited to find a recent study revealed a diet that can improve gut health… even after it’s gone seriously awry.

With the season’s falling temperatures comes an increased risk for upper respiratory infections… If you find yourself coughing, sneezing or wheezing anytime soon and your doctor places an antibiotic prescription in your hands, make sure you’re not trading an infection for a heart problem…

It’s no exaggeration to say that Vitamin B12 is crucial to life. B12 helps make red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. It also creates and regulates DNA. B12 is essential for proper nerve function. So a deficiency can leave you wide open for serious problems. Here’s how to avoid them…

Before the widespread use of modern-day antibiotics in the 1960s, honey was used around the world as a wound dressing. It’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties made it the perfect substance for treating wounds and skin infections.

As winter comes on, there’s good news for those of us who enjoy the occasional glass of wine, or even a nightly drink before dinner. Apparently, wine contains powerful antibacterial agents that could keep you clear of a sore throat and maybe even improve the results of your next dental visit…

We all know that if we want to lose weight, slim down, and tone up, we have to do two things – watch what we eat and exercise. Yet too often, even when we stick to those two principles, it can be difficult to truly see much difference in a short amount of time.

Electronics are so ingrained in our day-to-day, it’s hard to imagine life without them. But people who remember a pre-digital world, often wonder if being so plugged-in is harmful. A new study shows that the blue light from electronics may damage brain cells. But that’s not all… it could make you age faster too…

Dairy marketing has long convinced many of us that drinking a lot of milk is the express lane to strong bones. We’ve told that “milk does a body good.” Turns out, that may not only be false, but a downright dangerous statement that’s luring thousands of men to their early deaths.

Coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fat, a fat long considered to be unhealthy. Yet coconut oil has been credited with a wide range of health benefits. What’s wrong with that picture? Here are 12 ways the research shows coconut oil can impact your health and wellness….

Since the early research on the French paradox, a lot of naysayers have come out of the woodwork to cast doubt on its validity. And they’re partly right: There was a glitch in the research concerning the correlations with red wine. But dismissing the French paradox completely would be a big mistake…

Millions of Americans are so affected by health disorders that are so stigmatizing, they’re too afraid to get help. Many feel alone in their experience, so they don’t seek the treatments they need. Here are a few of the most commonly stigmatized health issues and tips on how to get help…

There are two things they say are 100 percent certain in life… death and taxes. And according to the CDC, in the U.S. you’re most likely to die from either heart disease or cancer. I can’t help you with your taxes, but there’s a way to measure your heart disease and cancer risk at home and do something about it…

Being sick or in the hospital is hard enough, without having to figure out the bills that soon follow. Are you being overcharged? Did the doctor or hospital submit the charge to your insurance company? Is the insurance company paying what it should? Having someone in your corner makes a big difference.

Ahhh… childhood… Cartoons. Games. Candy. Sugary cereals. It was a blast, wasn’t it? Well, that was then, and this is now: All of that stuff is still weighing down your (and my) health today. In fact, our childhood diets play a bigger role in our major health issues as adults than most of us ever realized…

Using your purse as a back-up plan, a place to throw things “just in case” they’re needed during the day, is a recipe for muscle and nerve damage. You’ve probably not thought about what that sort of load is doing to your body. Here are 8+ pains that it causes and how to avoid them…

Fast medicine is impersonal and cold. Patients are now just bits of standardized data. But the biggest casualty of fast medicine is the forgotten concept that if we remove the obstacles, the body can heal itself. That’s called slow medicine. Together, both ways of healing could optimize your health…

The human body has a complex network of thousands or millions of clocks all over the body, all doing their own thing and all of which have to talk to each other and synchronize with each other. When that happens, health is good. A way to make all this work for you is called chrononutrition… and it’s easier than you’d think…

You may have already hatched a plan to protect your memory as much as you can in these critical years. Mediterranean diet? Check. Daily power walks? Check. Sudoku book on your nightstand? Check. But there’s another factor influencing your memory, one you probably don’t realize you need to protect yourself against…

There’s a lot of research claiming to prove the health benefits of coffee. Some of those health claims have a good deal of solid research behind them, while others warrant further investigation. But after more than 20 years of research into coffee, there is one thing we know for sure that can keep you drinking, worry-free…

We all know that being overweight or obese is associated with an increased risk of developing numerous diseases. But did you know your weight and your risk of cancer are inextricably linked? Not only that, but over 40 you’re at higher risk for certain cancers. The secret’s in your BMI. Here’s how to check your risk and lower it…

Plants make potent medicine. Our ancient ancestors knew it. And modern scientists know it (why do you think most medications have their roots in plants?). Still, many folk remedies get written off as hogwash. That’s why it’s especially exciting when research can pinpoint the mechanism behind a plant’s medicinal power…

Despite what many people think, an overactive bladder is not a natural or inevitable part of aging. It is a diagnosable condition that, while more likely with age, can occur at any age. If an overactive bladder is affecting your quality of life, check out your options — from botox to bladder training and more…

Metformin is a drug for treating diabetes. Like rapamycin that I wrote about last week, metformin has humble beginnings. It is derived from a kind of French lilac, reputedly used to treat diabetes-like conditions in medieval Europe.

Alzheimer’s disease has no cure at this point. Does that mean you should sit back and only hope it doesn’t happen to you? That’s a big fat NO. There’s enough research on how to avoid the mind robber, starting with foods you should eat, those you shouldn’t and other helpful tips to live dementia-free…

A hip fracture is especially serious as you get older. It can mean a loss of mobility and even loss of life. People over 50 who fracture a hip have a much higher risk of death within ten years of their injury. Unfortunately, one certain B supplement can be problematic, especially for women…

You’ve probably heard the warnings before: take care of your oral health or you could end up with heart problems. New research shows the harm to your heart may actually be measured by the number of teeth you have. Even if you only lose a few, your odds for heart trouble increase…

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.

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.

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

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…

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…