Latest Stories

Whatever makes poop a taboo topic in our minds, it’s time to get over it. After all, as the famous children’s book says, “Everybody poops.” So why not learn a bit more about what’s happening in our own bodies? And why not start now by checking out the answers to seven pressing poop questions…

There are two ingredients Puerto Ricans eat far more than other Americans do. In fact, it’s not uncommon for them to eat these flavorful foods every single day. What effect does eating so many amazing alliums have on Puerto Ricans? It may be why they’re way less likely to get breast cancer than us mainlanders.

Weight gain can really creep up on you as you get older. But gaining 5ish to 20ish pounds increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes substantially. So, if you can keep your body weight stable as you get older, you’ll be better off. And I know a simple (and scrumptious) way to do that.

As long as there have been people, there have been stories of a fountain of youth that can turn back the clock and keep you forever young. But, while I’m sure some of us would like to live forever, I think most of us would settle for a way to just slow down the clock a bit. These scientists think they have…

Pumpkins signal fall and one of our favorite, fun holidays. But pumpkins are so much more than a traditional Halloween decoration. When you start carving yours, save those seeds for a snack with major benefits…

Staying in the hospital isn’t fun. But did you know it leaves a mark on your health when you leave? Not an obvious one like a surgical scar. This mark is impossible to see with the naked eye because it’s deep inside a vital organ responsible for helping you recover…

Some people swear hand sanitizer is far superior to plain old soap, while others wouldn’t trust a bottle of that goo as far as they could throw it. The debate may still go on, but at least when it comes to reducing the spread of the flu virus, recent research shows there’s a clear winner…

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women. That’s the bad news. The good news is that simple lifestyle changes can go a long way in reducing your risk of breast cancer…

Fasting is all the rage. Research shows these diets can slow down aging. Reverse type 2 diabetes. They may even reduce breast cancer risk. But drastically reducing calories long term may have unanticipated effects on certain body parts…

Green tea’s polyphenols reduce the risk of cancer and its other compounds protect against neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It contains caffeine that boosts your brain function. It makes your metabolism work better. And it kills bacteria and viruses. And, yet, green tea has another gift for humankind…

Summer’s over and we’re moving into that time of year where for many of us, it’s hard to find time to take a day off. After all, after using your vacation days over the summer and with the holidays just around the corner, slowing down can mean getting so far behind your never able to catch up. But you’re not out of luck…

The health promoting benefits don’t stop with the oil that comes from this tasty fruit of the olive tree. In fact, the leaf of the olive tree contains a wealth of powerful health agents that lower blood pressure, improve heart health, and even lower the risk of cancer.

Prostate cancer is scary. While chances of survival are good compared to some cancers, as long as it’s found early, it’s still the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Every day in this country, eighty-eight men die from the disease. But a study evaluating more than 36,000 men shows you can significantly reduce your risk.

You probably know what junk food does to your body… You develop a belly bulge. You can’t fit into your favorite jeans. It could lead to metabolic syndrome or diabetes. But long before any of these changes, a high-carb, high-fat diet is making serious, hard-to-reverse changes to your brain in record time.

When you think about the risks associated with high blood pressure, what’s the first one that comes to mind? For me, it’s heart attacks. After heart attacks, it’s strokes. But down the list of high blood pressure-related risks, there’s another noteworthy risk I never knew about…

A small pilot study took a deeper look at the connection between the gut microbiome and neurodegenerative diseases. Not only did it discover that Alzheimer’s biomarkers appear in the gut, mirroring what’s happening in the brain, but it also gave strong indications on how to reduce signs the disease is developing…

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?

Thrombosis is a condition where a blood clot forms in one of your veins and obstructs the flow of blood. And the most common type — deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — can occur often in your legs.

Before I went on the paleo diet, my digestive system never did its job without complaint. Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pains and bloating were near-constant companions. Until I forswore the problem foods in my diet, the aftermath of many of my meals were torment.

Shoulder strength and tone are very important. Many people lose their range of motion in the shoulders over time, which limits their activities in daily living.

Have you ever wondered why non-smokers get lung cancer. Well, there’s some research that shows it could have a lot to do with diet, carbs and insulin…

Alzheimer’s disease has no cure at this point, so the best plan is to take steps to prevent this devastating disease. And the best form of prevention is to exercise, eat foods that nourish the brain, monitor your diet—especially your sugar intake—and watch your glucose level.

Hip replacements are at an all-time high, even among those in their 40s. Opening up your hips with easy exercises are your best bet for improving and keeping your hip health.

PMS is more than just a “period,” and can strike at many different ages. But there’s a natural way you can conquer these symptoms and get back to living your life.

The rise of the paleo diet has made meat more popular. That doesn’t change the fact that scientists continue to find evidence that meat is harming your health. But these tips can help you beat meat’s bad rap and eat all you like…

Have you ever wondered how research scientists in a lab can be so spot on at developing a supposed lifesaving medicine — but totally miss the boat because its side effects are as harmful as the condition it was created to cure? Welcome to Big Pharma…

It does wonders for your blood sugar… and it’s not too hard on the taste buds either. But because insulin has such far-reaching effects as your body’s master hormone, there’s no telling what other health benefits you may be in for.

Spring isn’t the only allergy season anymore … Allergies are now an all-year affliction. We have toxic molds, pests, food allergies, pet allergies … even our genes can trigger reactions to allergens.

Many Americans are feeling the burn — of acid reflux disease, that is. And if you’ve ever had acid reflux, you know the feeling all too well… but if you need a solution, don’t follow the conventional wisdom of conventional physicians…

A good memory is something you can easily take for granted until you begin to lose it. Forgetting people’s names, where you put your keys and the title of the movie you just saw are all considered “normal” as you age. But if that’s the case, who wants to be normal?

Looks like proof positive that taking advantage of fun social activities can boost your physical health, reduce pain and help you achieve greater wellness. So put on your dancing shoes and…

Emphasizing heavy animal proteins and processed foods in your diet creates acidity that adds to your health woes. By understanding the impact on your health in terms of pH (acid/alkaline) balance, it becomes clear that an alkalizing diet can offer numerous benefits for long-term wellness and vitality…

It’s a good idea to do a spring cleaning for your body. Once a year you should shake out the internal junk, gunk and “cobwebs” and give your body a huge healing boost.

High blood pressure is responsible for about 1,000 deaths daily. That’s because it often has no symptoms and can lead to stroke and heart disease. That means you could be a ticking time bomb. But there’s a new super fruit in the spotlight and it has sweet blood pressure benefits…

There is a fungus among us… and it’s estimated that 70 percent of us have it in our gut. As long as your good bacteria are keeping it under control you’ve nothing to worry about. If not, your body and mind are in grave danger…

It’s easy to describe stomach symptoms: nauseous, bloated, dull pain, sharp pain, indigestion, heartburn. But not near as easy to find solutions. That’s why it’s often best to take a holistic approach…

Over the past 50 years or so, researchers noticed that some people were 20 percent more likely to get bladder cancer. And the culprit was in their water…

A question I ask nearly every patient I see is, “Do you sleep well?” It’s such an important question because insomnia is much more than just feeling tired the day after a night of poor sleep. It’s also a major cause for many illnesses…

It’s becoming more common later in life, so if you’re noticing it more and more, you should give it some serious attention. Surprisingly, it can be a precursor to a much more serious age-related condition: dementia.

Filling your gut with the good guys that help you thrive is the best way to keep your health in check. You could try fermented foods — or better yet these 3 drinks that taste a lot better, and kombucha isn’t one…

You probably don’t consciously think about color when you plan which foods you’ll eat for your meals and snacks. But you should – it could be making an important difference in your health.

For men, prostate problems can be a vexing conundrum. The blood test for a PSA level, though popular, doesn’t really provide much useful information about your prostate. Here’s what you need to know about the PSA test, natural ways to protect your prostate and even what foods you should be eating for better prostate health.

Stress and fatigue take their toll every day. Meditation has been used for centuries or calm down, focus, transcend and is also shown to alter our genetic expression in positive ways.

How many hours of sleep do you get nightly? Women are notorious for functioning on way too little. Well, it’s time to take note about the importance of sleep, because the quality of the sleep you get now, may help you survive breast cancer later.

For many of us, the natural chemicals in our coffee represent the biggest dose of antioxidants we get during the day. And research shows those nutrients can nuke cancer.

Studies have linked proton pump inhibitors to increased danger of heart and chronic kidney disease, and most recently, dementia. That’s an awful lot of risk for a problem that a simple vitamin could fix — like our superhero vitamin…

Reflexology views each part of the body as a microcosm of every other part. As such, within the landscape of your feet, palms, or forearms are maps or holographic representations of all the organs of your body.