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One of the casualties of modern-day life is home cooking. Not surprisingly, 90 percent of us don’t like to do it. No wonder more and more people eat out. But it’s getting even harder to differentiate the restaurant foods that might not be so bad from the ones that are a heart attack waiting to happen…

I’m one of those weird people who actually likes going to the gym. To me, working out, while necessary, is also fun. In fact, I drive my oldest daughter crazy since she absolutely hates to run and I’m always trying to encourage her to do a mile or two with me. But, one thing I don’t like about the gym is how I smell by the time I leave.

Blood pressure is one of the most important predictors of complications like heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. But we’re learning that getting an accurate BP reading is a slippery slope… even when your blood pressure is taken by professionals. If you rely on a few readings a year during doctor visits to feel safe, this information is urgent for you…

Nothing says summer to me like a handful of dark, sweet cherries. You just can’t get them any other time of year as good as they are in the summer months. But the cherries I’m going to tell you about are bright red, not dark purple. And they’re anything but sweet. But year-round they may be your best cure-all…

A team from the Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cambridge decided to address problems related to forgetfulness. And guess what? They may have found an antidote to the daily distractions that we face in this busy world… and you can get it in a brain training game.

There is one thing that many folks have long used to help them relax, unwind mind and body, and prepare for restful sleep. And it works like a charm, for most people, but not for the reasons they think it does. Now science reveals the secret to why a warm bath can help you get your best sleep ever…

Statins are the most popular cholesterol-lowering drug around. But you may have heard a few things about statins that concern you. It sure would be simpler if your doctor pulled out the prescription pad and gave you something safer to manage your cholesterol. Something without side effects, like fish oil…

Many women are taking advantage of dermal fillers to fight the effects of gravity. Most of the time, these cosmetic procedures go off without a hitch… but occasionally one of the top listed risks is an allergic reaction at the injection site that can affect the whole body. But when you use your own fat…

If you have lupus, you know it can flare up and settle down. It can also leave you at higher risk of having cancer or an infection. Natural strategies, such as incorporating or avoiding certain foods and supplements, and changing your lifestyle, will not cure lupus — nothing will — but they could help.

We’re all part of one big EMF experiment. We can take steps to reduce our EMF exposure, like buying those little shields for your cell phone. But for the most part, we have to accept we’re surrounded by these unseen energy fields that could be harming us in some way. That’s the bad news. Here’s the good news…

Flu season is just around the corner. In fact, the fall and winter months are the illness’ playground. So, if you want to avoid the days of misery, stuck in bed, sneezing, coughing, body aches and everything else that goes with it, the time to start preparing to fight it off is now. And, I’ve got good news for you…

Your gut microbiome is made up of millions and millions of bacteria, both good and bad that influence your health. And, the foods you eat play a big role in determining the diversity and balance of that bacteria. Now, a study has demonstrated how just one fruit could tip the balance for good or ill in your gut…

Every day someone decides to “lose weight and eat better.” The reasons vary but they have one thing in common: they’re endless. Which is maybe why Weight Watchers came out with an update to its SmartPoints system. As a cardiologist, I’ve learned that diets don’t work — because they focus on the wrong thing…

High blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, excess body fat, and elevated blood sugar are all part of metabolic syndrome. You may be surprised to learn your doctor is probably not doing nearly enough to help you avoid it. That’s concerning enough that new guidelines have been developed…

It’s been years since I ate fast food, like McDonald’s. Now I’m a fast casual aficionado. You know, those restaurants that provide healthy-ish options, like lentil quinoa bowls from Panera and sofritas tacos from Chipotle, that I eat a little too often. Though fast casual seems healthier, it’s still rife with hidden health pitfalls…

New research has finally determined how menopause leads to muscle atrophy. It’s been one of the least understood menopausal symptoms within the medical community. But nothing makes aging more difficult than frailty, and without muscle, that’s where a lot of women end up following menopause…

Have you ever heard of passive exercise? I know what you’re thinking… that’s an oxymoron. Exercise is active not passive. In fact, activity is the whole point of exercise. But passive exercise is a real thing. It’s when your body moves but someone (or something) does the work for you. Here’s an example…

Therapeutic fibbing is a creative communication technique you can use when someone with short-term memory loss is disoriented, anxious or upset. It’s not lying, but a way to step into their reality and spare them unnecessary distress or anxiety. My mom was a champion at this technique.

A powerful compound you can get from regularly consuming common foods like apples and tea has the power to protect against both cancer and heart disease in one fell swoop — especially if you’re at higher risk due to some not-so-healthy lifestyle habits…

You know nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by the names Motrin, Advil, and Aleve, etc. These are typically the first choice to control inflammation and pain. They seem harmless enough. Why else would the FDA make them available over the counter? But there are a few safety concerns, including newer warnings…  

Antibiotic-resistant infections usually bring to mind a hospital setting — not food. But even if you’ve come to grips with news that superbugs are in your grocery store meat, this next part may be harder to swallow… There’s another agricultural source of antibiotic-resistant superbugs lying in wait…

Regardless of your level of activity, joint pain can affect your performance and your enjoyment. You can tackle this challenge by selecting from a wide variety of anti-inflammatory and pain medications, or signing up for physical therapy. You also can choose these 7 foods that help reduce joint pain.

More people over 60 are hitting the weights and skipping the cardio machines. The reason being that muscle strength declines with age. But is it the best exercise for them? Here’s the definitive answer on whether strength training or endurance exercise is best to prevent age-related decline…

You live a pretty healthy lifestyle, eating vegetables and walking every day. But you like to let loose with a piece of tiramisu (or two) on occasion. You think moderation is better than anxiety-inducing perfection, but your mid-life belly bulge is developing a mind of its own. Try this to stay fit without changing your diet…

The number of people living with Parkinson’s has risen steeply over the past three decades. In fact, from 1990 to 2016 alone, Parkinson’s diagnoses more than doubled from 2.5 million to 6.1 million. Unfortunately, the disease has confounded the medical community and the cause behind the majority of Parkinson’s cases has remained a mystery. Until now…

Most of us think if we don’t eat meat, fish, eggs or dairy we’re not getting any protein in our diet. But that’s NOT protein. It’s FOOD. And the protein content of those foods is not necessarily related to the protein content of your body. Because the only protein that’s present in your body was made in your body…

You’ve probably experienced it — that terrifying moment when you notice a strange bump in your armpit, behind your ear, on your inner thigh, under your boob. Is it a pimple? An ingrown hair? A cancerous tumor? That marble you ate when you were seven? And that’s when you realize, it’s none of those things…

It’s important to watch out for your health and the planet’s, but being a conscious consumer isn’t easy. When a company covers up its questionable environmental record with distracting claims, dramatic advertising or by omission, it’s known as greenwashing. Here’s what you should know…

Caffeine’s connection to migraine is certainly complicated. Maybe that’s why few studies have looked at this suspected trigger in-depth enough to find out why it’s both reliever and trigger. Until now… If migraines are a problem for you, now you can know how much caffeine might trigger your next one… or how much might help.

Professor Erik Millstone, a researcher from the University of Sussex and expert on food chemical safety policy, believes products that contain aspartame should be pulled from the grocery store shelves they proliferate. Why? All those studies that said it was safe were sketchy, to say the least…

Studies show that the DNA in the mitochondria is especially vulnerable. Your inherent DNA repair mechanisms may not be adequate to the task of dealing with constant insults from free radical-oxidative stress exposures. Fortunately, your body can generate antioxidants to correct that imbalance…

In previous years the flu vaccine has been estimated at 50 to 60% effective. In fact, many people were disappointed that their flu shot did not protect them from getting sick with influenza.

Intentional or not, diet food made with artificial sweeteners is designed to spur cravings… cravings to eat more and more because it doesn’t do the one thing that sugar can for you.

If you’re interested in feeling healthier, living longer and losing weight with the paleo diet, there’s one technique that can get you a long way to your goal.

Here are the five most common mistakes I see people make as they transition towards a Paleo diet.

Most of what we do happens right in front of us and in a range of motion of about 60-degrees. The problem is, life goes on eventfully in the other 300 degrees.

Is there anything in your life you’d like to change? If you answered ‘no,’ I’d really be surprised. I might also secretly wonder if you were being truthful with me — but more importantly — with yourself.

Your morning coffee may give you the energy to start your day, but did you also know that daily coffee habit is good for your health, especially your cardiovascular health? Here’s how to get the most from those thousands of health-boosting polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins, bioflavonoids, minerals and more…

Did you know that your chronic pain can be linked to the toxins you swallow, inhale and absorb in your everyday life? Discover a detox recipe that helps your body cleanse and shrug off pain that you probably considered inescapable.

People walking down the street, sitting in their cars, even across tables from each other… staring at their phones, reading and texting, and their heads are almost parallel ground. This chronic forward head position creates a real pain in the neck.

In today’s toxic environment, diabetes may be the biggest health danger we all face. But you can calm the risk of this condition with lifestyle, herbs and natural ways to ease the stress your body faces. Here are the three herbs you must know about to improve your chances of avoiding diabetic complications.

Women and heart disease have a complicated history. What was once considered a man’s affliction is now the number one killer of women, leaving breast cancer behind in the dust.

When it comes to marketing and advertising — images are where it’s at. And no industry knows this better than the foodies. But it’s not the ingredients that are the problem…

You’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and your doctor suggests something called “watchful waiting.” Once you hear that your physician is suggesting you forego medication or another treatment for prostate cancer for now, should you be relieved or worried?

If you really want to do everything in your power to decrease your chances of ever developing breast cancer, there’s one thing new research shows you should absolutely give up…

Doctors embrace the idea that dietary cholesterol is bad for you. But you should know that half the people hospitalized for heart attacks or undergoing surgery have normal cholesterol levels.

Weekend warriors need to find time during the week to elevate their heart rate, work their cardio and move their muscles. This can help keep the body primed for more vigorous physical activity on the weekend — and help avoid injury.

Men can expect to die five years earlier than women, and physiological differences don’t come close to explaining why. But their tough guy attitudes may…

Millions of people know it’s important to beef up your vitamin C intake to strengthen your immune system. But there is another very important reason to get ample amounts of this essential vitamin — it can keep you from going blind.

The foods on your plate can be an important part of your spring detox program. With the right diet and supportive detox supplements, a brighter, cleaner, more vibrant you can sparkle with health in the brightening sun.

Considering that more than 1 in 3 American adults are deficient in vitamin D, you may be wondering what came first, the illnesses or the low vitamin D? So let’s take a long look at the list and get straight on just how vital this vitamin is and why you’re most likely not getting enough to do any good…

The Japanese are doing something very right. They are living longer and healthier — and there’s no reason the rest of us can’t live just as well. All you have to do is balance the way you eat…

They’re not a traditional “cardio” exercise… in fact, they may seem a little old fashioned. But if you want an intense upper-body workout that gives you real world strength using only your body weight, it’s hard to beat…

It is safe to say that many people, both young and old, could do well by developing their overall strength. Most, however, are unable to lift their own body weight. Improving this strength goes a long way in protecting quality of life as you age, especially for women.

Just like prescriptions, OTCs can cause adverse drug interactions. Now a group of medicines commonly-used to treat arthritis pain — available both by prescription and over-the-counter — is proving to be especially dangerous to people that suffer from…

A mid-afternoon nap is my frequent go-to strategy for getting my mental powers back when they start to get fuzzy. If you would like a little more sleep (and the 5 health benefits that go with it) here are some tips for more effective napping.

Depression is not at all uncommon. The doctors are quick to point to a chemical imbalance in the brain and suggest daily medication. But for many of us, the problem could be as simple as a nutrient imbalance.

Men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer should take a serious look at their vitamin D levels. New research indicates there is a link between low levels of vitamin D and aggressive prostate cancer, so the faster you deal with vitamin D deficiency perhaps the better your chances of tackling the disease.

This sound may actually help you cut down on the amount of food you eat. If you guessed rap music, you’d be wrong. It’s even more intolerable than that. And if you suffer from misophonia — it would probably work even better on you…

The environment now causes 1 out of every 4 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. And the leading cause of death from the environment isn’t cancer, heart disease, injury, infections or other diseases. It’s stroke. But you can lower your risk with foods high in…