Latest Stories

In order to build and retain memories, we need to get deep sleep, known as REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. So, just staying in bed with your eyes closed, even for seven or eight hours, is not necessarily going to do the trick. But there is a trick scientists say can get your sleep and your brain in the pink!

Remember the days when fruit juice was considered healthy? Moms packed juice boxes in the kids’ lunches. People invested in expensive juicers to make it fresh every morning. Health nuts did juice fasts to lose weight and improve their energy levels. Well, the times have changed more than you may know!

The levels of radiation received during CTs, x-rays and such is generally considered safe. But that might not be the case: Radiation equivalent to three CT scans was shown to give cancer-capable cells a competitive advantage over normal cells. But a simple supplement before your next scan can protect you…

Blood is your best protection against the scariest brain diseases… especially dementia. As you get older, your blood vessels get smaller and stiffer and carry less blood to your brain. And when your brain cells don’t get enough, they start to wither away. That’s why blood flow matters most to avoid cognitive decline.

I still remember sitting in my rheumatologist’s office. He was recommending a medication that could increase my risk for deadly cancers for a condition he thought I might have — but wasn’t actually sure. And that’s the trouble with many autoimmune diseases. But what else could I do?

Your gut is one valuable organ. For years it wasn’t given much thought. We were busy keeping hearts, brains, kidneys and other vital organs healthy… until research caught up and keyed us in on just how much the health of your entire body depends on your gut.

Broccoli. Kale. Brussels sprouts. Cruciferous vegetables… the holy grail of health. It’s pretty much a fact of life by now that including enough of this family of vegetable in your daily diet is a sure ticket to health, and that not eating them at all is asking for problems. But there are some dos and don’ts…

It’s a diet some call life-changing. There are more than a few studies that show its effect on health is purely positive. It helps balance blood sugar, reverse serious autoimmune disorders, and even shed stubborn pounds. But the results of a new study throw a scary prospect on the table.

As with many health problems, the good news is that our eating habits can reverse and control this process. Here are half a dozen of the foods and herbs you can include in your diet to help stop and even prevent chronic inflammation from taking hold.

Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass that occurs with age. It can start as early as your 30s, but it really kicks into high gear in your 50s and 60s. Because anstronauts. For astronaughts, it kicks in everytime they go to space, Tht’s why helping them can offer you a sure-fire solution too…

Testosterone therapy is a rapidly growing market – one that’s expected to hit $1 billion by 2024. In addition to improving sexual health, it can boost a man’s general health. But, just like HRT for women, male testosterone replacement therapy is not without risks…

Summer is almost over. And, while the fall brings a lot to look forward to from cooler days, the vibrant colors of changing leaves, and holidays with pretty decorations and even pumpkin pie, it also brings with it a reason to be worried…

The majority of joint replacement surgeries occur in people over the age of 65. If you’re getting ready to undergo a knee or hip replacement, there something very important you should start doing now to lower your risk of a complication that could put you back in the hospital…

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) was created as a guideline to help mental health professionals diagnose and treat mental health problems. But findings are these labels may be hurting patients. Keep these in mind if you or a loved one is facing a mental health issue…

Decades of research showed that high systolic blood pressure was more likely to cause serious cardiovascular problems. So cardiology guidelines focused way more on the upper number. There are even some experts who think diastolic blood pressure can basically be ignored. That’s advice that could kill you.

We’ve all heard the warnings… If you don’t watch your cholesterol and keep it low, you’re putting yourself at risk for heart disease and even stroke. So, we eat better, get more exercise, take the meds, and in general think that the lower our numbers are, the healthier we are. But, that may not be true…

We place a lot of emphasis on how diet affects health. Selecting whole foods over processed foods is really not optional, not if you want to increase your odds of living a long, healthy life free of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. But there’s something you’d never expect sabotaging your best health efforts…

Sometimes, deciding whether someone should be on statins is very clear. In a patient with documented heart disease, diabetes, or genetically-driven very high cholesterol, meds make sense. But many people without known risks are advised to take cholesterol-lowering drugs. If that’s you, what should you do?

Nothing feels better than stepping out in a brand new outfit. But as great as it feels to rip off the tags and head out the door, there’s one question that’s always plagued me… do I need to wash new clothes before I wear them?

People with Lyme disease suffer fatigue, brain fog, aches, pain and a host of other symptoms, while millions of people (including doctors!) tell them that there’s no such thing as chronic Lyme disease. But do you know what’s crazy about all this? The Lyme disease epidemic might not be an unfortunate act of nature.

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?

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.

A group of medicines that were developed to curb osteoporosis are to blame for an increase in thigh bone fractures. When this happens, doctors are recommending that you stop taking the drug and maximize calcium and vitamin D. You think?

What does drinking enough water have to do with your heart? A lot, it turns out. In fact, a new study says that even being mildly dehydrated…

Appetite suppressants can be costly. They can also be dangerous. Do I even need to remind you about ephedra? There’s got to be a better way, right? And there is…

You’ve probably heard how body language is an essential component of how others see you. But it also has a profound effect on how you perceive yourself and — not coincidentally — on your body’s levels of the hormones associated with confidence, dominance, and stress.

Could improving your dental hygiene reduce your risk for esophageal cancer? Considering that research has tied the bacteria associated with gum disease to cases of throat cancer, it’s definitely worth the extra effort.

Everyone has a weight scale in their bathroom. They stand on it frequently to see what they weigh. And that number seems to mark their place in the weight continuum and guides their eating habits. But the numbers on these scales don’t tell the whole picture.

You’ve heard that sugar feeds disease and that inflammation is the root of all disease. And most likely you’ve heard that cholesterol is not the culprit behind clogged arteries. Doctors may finally realize the truth in these statements thanks to research that exposes the truth behind America’s biggest killer…

Financial problems can cause serious physical health troubles — but it’s not because cash strapped people are less likely to be able to afford doctor visits. The real health link to personal finance may surprise you.

There are times when a drug is the best way to treat pain. But these aren’t one-size-fits-all solutions, and there are many alternatives. The problem with drug therapy is that it does not address any of the root causes, such as inflammation, that might be causing your pain.

Have you and your partner lost that loving feeling? Hopefully not. But if you want to know how to keep those embers burning, you may be interested in knowing how other couples are doing it.

We all come in various shapes and sizes. And being comfortable in your own skin is important. But from a health perspective how much does your size really matter when it comes to how long you’ll live? The answer is…

It’s tempting to ask your doctor for a prescription when you feel depressed or stressed or under pressure. But here’s something interesting that might change your mind.

Many people think constipation is merely an annoyance. Nothing could be further from the truth. The longer stool sits in your colon, the more chemicals, antibiotics and growth hormones from the food you eat get reabsorbed into your body. And we wonder why colon cancer is on the rise…

The brain has a protective filtering mechanism of capillaries that carry blood to the brain — and won’t let just anything through. Research has shown that this potent antioxidant can actually penetrate the blood/brain barrier to not only protect your brain, but grow new brain cells.

Fish oil contains remarkable fatty acids that help the body protect both the heart and the prostate. But not all fish oil or fish are equally beneficial. Here’s an easy guide to understanding how to put the omega-3 fatty acids to work defending your health while avoiding the undesirable oils.

Any comprehensive exercise program should include a variety of types of exercise. The following six exercises can help keep you healthy and keep your workout fun, interesting, and effective.

Ask yourself: Is it mere coincidence that of these five cancers, four of them are the most diagnosed and often deadliest? Not when you consider that your own body has been pushed into a vulnerable state where these cancers can grow.

Dynamic warm ups are a challenging way to begin any exercise or fitness routine. And when there is a series of them that you can do, they often can replace the traditional workout, becoming a warm-up and workout at the same time.

Exercise isn’t just important for helping ward off heart disease, depression, stroke and diabetes, or for keeping your body flexible, toned and strong. It has a similar effect on your brain. In fact, there’s a lot of evidence that the RIGHT kind of exercise actually makes your brain younger.

Suddenly and without warning you get an attack of sneezing, choking, coughing, wheezing … these days, there doesn’t have to be anything medically wrong with you for this to happen. All you have to do is get a whiff of “fragrance.”