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Meat gets quite the bad rap these days. Most experts tell us we need to eat less — if any at all — to avoid some of the scarier diseases… like heart disease and cancer. They also tell us that those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet live much longer and healthier lives than meat eaters. Now, I swore off red meat a while back. It made me feel “off.” But chicken… that’s my weakness.

Cigarette smoke is bad for you… whether you’re the one smoking or the one caught in the aftermath. Asthma, ear infections, respiratory infections and, yes, even cancer are all on the table if you inhale enough of it. But there’s another surprising effect of cigarette smoke that can hurt us all, either way…

One of my longtime friends is absolutely gorgeous but never thought so herself. That’s because despite all of her natural beauty, she had acne scarring from the time she was in her teens. And, every single time she looked in a mirror, those scars were all she could see.

People go keto for a lot of reasons. To fit into that one pair of jeans… to balance blood sugar to prevent (or even reverse) conditions like prediabetes and diabetes… to replace brain fog and mid-afternoon slumps with keto euphoria and a clear mind. But there’s one benefit that’s not on most keto dieters’ radar — at least not yet…

Would you knowingly wash your hair with a chemical that could give you osteoporosis? Would you get in the shower every morning and lather up with something that would irreparably damage your kidneys or lungs? Or that could cause cancer? I thought not.

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…

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…

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.

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.

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…

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…

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…

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.

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.

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.