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Inflammation is your body’s natural response to stress. When you sprain your ankle, it becomes inflamed in order to cushion and protect your joint from further damage. If you eat something too spicy, your intestine may become inflamed, protecting your digestive tract. But inflammation has its downsides, too…

I first read about the double cleanse in a beauty blog. It’s a system based on the Korean regimen of skincare and it promised to deliver clearer, healthier skin and smaller pores. To break it down to its simplest form, you use an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser. Here’s what it did for me…

Science has shown how “beneficial” bacteria can improve health. It’s exciting stuff! In fact, studies show that bacteria can protect you from everything from cancer to autoimmune diseases to heart disease. Need proof? The latest study found that a single strain of bacteria could curb cardiovascular disease risk.

With age comes wisdom, they say. But other things come with age, too. Like less room in your brain to hold all that wisdom. The unfortunate truth is that, the older we get, the less grey matter we have. But what if you could slow down this “brain shrink”? What if you could find a way to make your brain younger?

Diabetes can damage your blood vessels, steal your vision, and raise your risk of kidney disease, heart attack and stroke. What makes it especially scary is that it can sneak up on you. Luckily, there is something you can do to prevent diabetes before it starts or to gain control over your blood sugar if you’ve already been diagnosed…

When it comes to coffee and cancer, you get a lot of mixed messages. Several studies show coffee can reduce the risk of different cancers. Yet, there was that controversy last year requiring coffee shops to post carcinogen warnings. A new study shows that you can drink your coffee without a single cancer-related thought crossing your mind.

You’ve probably never heard the term “Ambien zombie” before. So, let me explain this growing problem… When you take Ambien or other sleep aids, they do two things that can get you in trouble: They give you Teflon brain, meaning new memories won’t stick. They also release your inhibitions…

You’ve probably heard about the lawsuits over Roundup causing cancer. Its nasty reputation is finally catching up to it… Could you have been exposed? The answer is most certainly, yes. Here’s what you need to know about past exposure and protecting yourself from the newest glyphosate danger… liver disease.

Ladies, the next time you think about pampering yourself with a manicure, you may want to skip the part where they polish your nails. Three of the chemicals known to be most toxic to humans are in that cherry red polish (all of the colors, actually!), and make no mistake, they’re getting into your body.

People who drink wine moderately have lower rates of heart attacks and diabetes, live longer and have healthier brains. There are hundreds of studies that show this. However, not all wines are created equal. So, how do you go about finding a wine that offers you the best health benefits possible?

One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. This means many men will face a particularly difficult choice between cancer treatment and the possibility of Alzheimer’s or dementia. There are ways to reduce your risk of prostate cancer and the possibility of androgen therapy…

Researchers found the “high-risk” version of an Alzheimer’s gene actually responds more favorably to certain lifestyle changes that could lower risk. So, here’s a “plain talk” explanation of the genetic factors that can increase or decrease your risk, and how to outsmart those genes to stay clear of Alzheimer’s.

Milk’s benefits have been hotly debated over the last decade. But a review of 14 scientific papers points to solid evidence that milk and dairy in your diet provide some hefty health benefits you don’t want to go without — especially if you want to avoid some of the biggest disease risks of our time…

If there’s one thing most people have learned about visceral fat (think “beer bellies” and apple-shaped bodies), is that it’s bad. And they’re right… A new study confirms visceral belly fat is connected to heart disease, above and beyond any risk related to excess weight. So what can we do about it?

We’ve all heard that spending too much time sitting leads to obesity, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, even cancer. Are we doomed? Maybe not… A new study reveals that where you sit and what you’re doing makes a huge difference to the health risks that previous studies associated with sitting…

In 2000, about 1 in 150 children had autism. Today, it’s closer to 1 in 59 children. Whether autism rates are actually rising, or awareness is just increasing diagnoses is a question that still needs an answer. Another question that needs an answer? What causes autism in the first place. One theory? The cause is in our food.

What do urinary tract infections and brain damage have to do with each other? As bizarre and frightening as it sounds, there’s a correlation between having a UTI or other infection and having a stroke. What’s more, it seems that having an infection can heighten your chances of brain damage from a stroke.

By now we all know that sugary drinks are no friend to good health. At the same time, most of us have a guilty pleasure… Mine is Big Red. I simply love that bubbly red soda. Should I be worried? I try to limit my consumption to only once in a while, so I’m thinking “no harm, no foul” there, right? WRONG.

This month an astounding report was published claiming little if any reduction in heart disease outcomes is obtained through nutritional supplements and dietary interventions. Unfortunately for me, I know too much to let this claim stand without a rebuttal…

Is social media making us miserable? It seems like it sometimes… Suicide rates are on the rise, and studies link social media to higher rates of depression. A 2012 study, for example, found that the more time you spend on Facebook, the more likely you are to be depressed. But that doesn’t make sense, because staying social is good, right?

Melatonin is an insomniac’s dream. But there are even more great reasons to supplement with melatonin: It just may be the single most powerful anti-aging supplement you can take.

When you look at yourself in the mirror every morning to make sure your fly’s zipped, your cowlick’s tamed and your green smoothie didn’t give you a “mustache,” it’s easy to get hung up on one thing… your weight. Fuhgeddaboudit! Focus on muscle and all falls perfectly into place…

Research is pointing to mindful eating as a way to reduce the symptoms of stress-related conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. It’s also suggesting that it’s a potentially powerful way for people with diabetes to help stabilize blood sugar. But that’s not all. Here’s how it works…

People with Alzheimer’s genes may have more of these forgetful moments than everyone else… even when they’re in their late teens and 20s. A new study published in the journal eLife found that people with a family history of Alzheimer’s performed worse on memory tests from the age of 18 on.

In some women, breast implants may be associated with a constellation of symptoms known as “breast implant illness.” These symptoms include chronic fatigue, pain, cognitive and immune problems. But there’s a bigger danger. A type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been linked exclusively to some implants…

Cannabidiol is the main non-psychoactive chemical compound extracted from cannabis and hemp plants. In other words, while it’s found in marijuana, it’s not one of the compounds responsible for the high associated with the drug. And it just might be prescribed for your next bacterial infection…

I’m in that age group where falling asleep and staying asleep tends to get harder by the year. But, contrary to what many people think, insomnia is not a normal part of aging that we just need to accept. True, sleep problems are more likely. But you don’t have to take them … well, lying down.

What’s happening with your blood pressure outside of the doctor’s office has a significant impact on the medicine you’re prescribed. Which is why when I see a patient with high or borderline blood pressure readings, I advise them to start keeping track of their numbers at home. At that point, the questions start…

Many of us struggle with our weight. Forget body shaming… my point is all about living a healthier life now and in the future — with an emphasis on the future. That’s because if you’re overweight under the age of 50, and don’t lose it as you age, losing your independence is a big risk factor…

Many years ago, I started having mysterious symptoms no doctor could pin down — fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness and just a general “off” feeling. It’s been a long journey trying to get a diagnosis since then, but I remember the first diagnosis I almost received — hyperthyroidism…

There is a concerted effort by the medical establishment to convince you that anything other than their side effect-ridden, chemical-laden prescriptions and often unnecessary medical procedures are dangerous.

Many stretches isolate a single muscle or muscle group. And stretching the entire body can take quite a bit of time and energy. But this one yoga exercise, steeped in tradition, stretches the entire body in one sequence.

Imagine living your life around your next atrial fibrillation episode. Many people do as it’s a very common cardiac rhythm disorder. But being common doesn’t make it any less difficult — or worrisome: There is no cure and complications can lead to stroke.

Who doesn’t love pancakes? Who wouldn’t love Alzheimer’s-proof pancakes even more? All you have to do is add this one all-natural ingredient. Pretty sweet, huh?

I love coffee. But I am prone to migraines and coffee can sometimes trigger them. This leads me to consider whether coffee, objectively, is healthy or not. Well, lucky for coffee lovers like me, numerous studies extol the health benefits of drinking several cups.

The news about how doctors want to handle a cancer diagnosis just isn’t getting any better. Yet, there is no shortage of those who come to the forefront to slander any natural treatment that shows promise. Not only is this frustrating, it’s ironic. How? Well, take their cut and burn philosophy…

Maintaining prostate health as we age can be challenging. Prostate conditions can be indistinct and difficult to diagnose. Signs are often vague and their significance may vary between individuals.

Despite studies that show the dangerous down-sides of statin use, the medical community is not only continuing to push their most prescribed drug on heart patients, but now they want to go after young people who ‘might’ develop heart disease — as a preventative of all things.

No matter what you do, don’t stop moving. Dance, walk, jog, garden, swim, chase grandkids — anything that keeps your body in motion. That is, if you want to keep your brain from shrinking.

Olives are a staple of the Mediterranean diet and an ingredient in a traditional favorite: antipasto salad. While the health benefits of olive oil are often touted, we seldom hear much about the small, tasty fruit of the tree itself. Until now…

We’re still discovering everything that brain cells can do … and what happens when they “go rogue.” One thing that can occur is Alzheimer’s. But if new research is any indication, there’s good news.

Medical professionals and scientists know what causes cardiovascular disease to develop. The bigger questions are these… why would you have a heart attack? And what do you need to know and do to prevent one?

Probiotics are essential to your good health. Some help your body absorb nutrients better, some relieve unpleasant digestive symptoms, some prevent yeast overgrowth and still others boost your immune system. But did you know they may prevent cavities?

Carpal tunnel pain can be crippling, radiating through your wrist to your finger tips. But you don’t have to suffer passively. Follow this video for acupressure points that lead to relief…

Magnesium plays a part in more than 300 metabolic reactions such as energy production, DNA synthesis, insulin action, glucose regulation, lipid metabolism, blood pressure control, bone strength and much more.

Fitness training and exercise in general can sometimes get boring. But not this time. With these exercises you can invoke the power of Thor the thunder god while using sledgehammers to develop strength throughout your body.

Few patients who meet the criteria for prediabetes are receiving drug or lifestyle modification treatment from their primary care physician. That means people are missing a window of opportunity to prevent a disease that could ultimately end their lives prematurely.

Overwhelmed by where to begin on changing your diet? It does not have to be challenging to meet your health needs, and your diet does not need to be bland or boring. But here are a few tips that will make it easy to get started…

Women are not the only ones harboring concerns over body image, we’ve learned following results of The Male Body Image Study. However, in an interesting twist, most men who were classified as “overweight” felt satisfied with their appearance.

Like so many Americans, I have suffered bouts of low back pain (LBP) throughout my life. Doctors are not immune, unfortunately. I am a vocal advocate for the use of manual therapies to reduce pain, with the hope of being able to avoid altogether analgesic and anti-inflammatory pain relievers.

There is some pretty strong medical evidence that your body has a master mediator. A hormone actually. When it’s balanced you experience good health. But when it’s not, your body is ripe for disease.

Recent reports into the health benefits of coffee have contributed to a constant drip of good news, especially for coffee lovers. The latest news indicates that consuming several cups a day may provide protection from multiple sclerosis (MS).

Alternative cancer therapies are sought by tens of thousands of people all over the world — even those who are undergoing conventional treatments. Because when it comes to cancer, shouldn’t we look all healing possibilities?

A growing number of Americans are five times more likely to get liver cancer. Those are some pretty scary odds. But a food that’s been reported in numerous studies to help ward off cancer can also provide extra protection when it comes to the health of your liver…

Constipation is a major contributor to heart disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, skin aging, and other chronic illnesses. It’s important to understand what causes constipation so you can reverse it, or at least treat it safely. Your health really depends on it.

If you have a problem with stress… and keep putting off learning how to deal with it in a healthy way… you may be making it easier for cancer to spread throughout your body.

The ongoing water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan, has many other U.S. municipalities examining water supplies for toxins… many with disturbing results. But even in areas where public water is still deemed safe for drinking, it contains hundreds of unregulated chemicals and contaminants.

I’ll be glad to see longer days but not the disruption, minor though it may seem to most, to my circadian rhythm. After all, when we spring forward we lose an hour — and some of us need that hour more than you may realize…

Using resistance bands is a terrific way to strengthen and tone your body without the need for fancy weight lifting equipment or a gym membership. They are inexpensive and come in a variety of tensions to match your level of fitness.

If you live within walking distance of your favorite pub, you may want to consider jogging or running home after your next visit. It just may change the way your favorite alcoholic beverage affects you.