Latest Stories

If you’re health conscious, you might focus on getting important nutrients like vitamins through diet or by supplementing. But how much mind do you pay to minerals? There’s one that half of us are deficient in. Considering it just might be the best insurance against dementia, that’s a problem…

Maintaining good health shouldn’t be a trade-off. But it’s not uncommon to take a medication for one problem, only for it to lead to another. For one popular type of heartburn medication, the list of consequences just keeps growing…

You probably know more about your thyroid and adrenals than an odd little gland nestled in the chest called the thymus. Considering research believes it could be key to a lifetime of good health, here’s a much-needed introduction to what it does and why it needs your attention…

Say it with me, food is medicine. Aside from the benefits of just eating healthily, there are times when food can produce results we might normally attribute only to medication. Take oats, for example…

Amyloid plaque is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. But it’s proving a difficult target for treatment. That’s why a silent change in the brain that may precede it is offering a glimmer of hope…

Losing weight, like so many things, gets harder with age, while packing the pounds on seems to get only easier. Lucky for us, one of our favorite nuts may be the answer. New research says it’s powerful enough to be designated a superfood…

Drugs work, but I also like to look beyond pharmacologic solutions to underlying causes. That’s why I’m sharing data on a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise found to lower blood pressure as effectively as a drug…

Worried about staying strong and independent as you age? Here’s the simple daily snack scientists say could help you preserve your strength, mobility and reduce fall risk, without causing weight gain.

Evidence doesn’t always stand up to scrutiny. But when two decades of peer-reviewed studies reinforce the heart health benefits of a single nut, that’s evidence that doesn’t crack under pressure…

Millions of Americans are taking aspirin daily to prevent cardiovascular disease based on a decades-old recommendation, and many are doing it without their doctor’s supervision. Health experts have recently revised this advisory due to a dangerous side effect that outweighs its benefits…

Only about 1 in 5 people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis. Scientists haven’t known why the painful joint condition gets triggered in some and not others. But clues to how it travels through the bloodstream may lead to prevention….

Some people’s brains seem to stay young, while for others the clock speeds by, leaving cognitive decline and brain shrinkage in its wake. Do these super-agers possess some sort of superpower? Almost. A specific nutritional profile keeps their brains young…

Poor cardiometabolic health raises the risk of chronic conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver. A simple habit, starting 3 hours before bed, may be the easiest way to avoid them all…

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and at no time in her life is that risk higher than when transitioning through menopause. Thanks to advanced blood tests, now we know why and what doctors need to watch to keep women from trending to insulin resistance, stroke and heart attack…

Why do some people gain weight easily, while others don’t? The usual suspects include genetics, stress levels, hormones and, of course, metabolism. But there’s a silent, microscopic player in this game that we often overlook…

When your body can predict what you’re going to do and when, it can “meet you there,” priming your systems to perform at their peak. Here is why predictability is the ultimate health hack…

Heart disease is still the number killer. But hear this: It turns out that for good blood flow, you need to let the oil flow. What kind? The one that means fewer artery-clogging platelets in your blood and reduces heart attack risk by 30%…

Gum disease is much more common in folks over 50. But why? Are they skimping on good oral health habits? The truth is, they’re skimping on a common nutrient that seems custom-made to prevent severe gum disease.

The newer generation of blood thinners are much easier to use because they don’t require the blood test monitoring the older drugs did. But researchers uncovered an alarming risk that doctors prescribing the meds were unknowingly putting on their patients…

Anyone who’s suffered a heart attack knows they have a 1 in 5 chance of another within 5 years. It’s not inevitable. Diet, exercise, managing stress and healthy habits can help. But cutting that risk in half just got easier…

Metabolic health is a broad term that encompasses four deeply interconnected areas of health: Blood sugar metabolism, weight, the liver and the heart. Learn how one nutrient impacts them all…

Ashwagandha, a staple of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, could be the answer to 21st century wellness. Its secret? Increasing a person’s ability to resist or adapt to biological, physical or chemical stressors.

Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy feel like a miracle after years of struggling to lose weight. But we’re learning they lead to nutritional deficiencies that increase risk of serious health problems most hope to avoid even in old age…

Several factors support normal blood sugar levels, including diet and exercise. But if you’re spending too much time indoors, you’re cheating yourself of one shown by a world-first study to have a significant impact on metabolic health.

When we talk about cholesterol, the focus is primarily on HDL and LDL, otherwise known as “good” and “bad” cholesterol. But there are a couple of risk factors that change the conversation. Here’s what to know…

Experts have warned that by 2050, dementia diagnoses may triple, mostly due to an aging population. But a popularly prescribed drug for back pain may be doubling the risk, even in young people.

Heart disease develops gradually. In early stages, symptoms are often subtle or absent. By the time warning signs appear, significant plaque may already be present. That makes this early prevention window urgent…

You may think being a night owl is fine as long as you’re getting enough sleep. That’s all that matters, right? Not exactly. Those late nights pose a major threat to heart health…

Physical therapy after a stroke is common to help survivors regain their abilities. But there’s another good reason to use exercise after stroke recovery: the potential to send mitochondria to the brain to support the healing process…

Near middle age, we start thinking about health changes our 30-something selves didn’t give much thought to. For women, one of those impending changes is menopause. But what about the elevated stroke risk that comes with it? There’s encouraging news…

If I had a dollar for every time a doctor told me to cut down my salt intake… But what if something could counter salt’s bad effects? Sort of a “kryptonite” that weakened its impact on blood pressure? Sound too good to be true? This time it’s not…

When Hippocrates said let food be thy medicine, he must have had berries in mind. They’re full of uniquely beneficial compounds, wrapped in delicious little packages. If you don’t eat them daily, you’re missing out on a fast path to heart and blood vessel health…

A heart attack occurs every 40 seconds in the US, making screening to gauge risk vital. But there’s a big problem with the two screening tools doctors depend on: They missed half of all first heart attacks in people screened just days earlier. Here’s why…

A natural skincare trend on TikTok claims the aromatic herb rosemary may help wounds heal more effectively and limit scar formation. But does it really work? Here’s what scientists found when they put it to the test…

Whether varicose veins put a kink in your style or not, you should know they’re not as benign as we’ve been lead to believe. They could increase your risk for deep vein thrombosis. Here are 6 ways to reduce the threat…

Fermented foods have a healthy reputation. But if you’re stuck on yogurt, it’s time to break out of the mold. The Korean dish kimchi is gaining a reputation as an immune system “precision regulator.” Here’s why…

The gut-brain axis has demonstrated how the gut microbiome influences cognitive decline, depression and autoimmune conditions. But the gut is the center of the body in more ways than one. And for women, it’s personal…

Chronic constipation is more than feeling bloated. It can carry serious consequences. Despite modern medicine, why has this natural bodily process become such a widespread problem? The fiber fallacy has kept us from the truth…

Coffee, tea or… better bones? Our two favorite beverages have finally been put to the test: To reduce risk of an osteoporosis-related bone break that half of women over 50 face, what you drink, and how, matters…

Do you shy away from the cheeseboard at parties? I used to, but that’s changing, like the saturated fat myth that had all of us eating low-fat dairy. Turns out high-fat cheese may support your brain, and not harm your heart…

Research into lengthening the human lifespan has been at a fever pitch for a few decades, and science has determined that certain healthy habits can help us live much longer. But the one with the most clout may surprise you…

If you’re health-conscious, you may already take a multivitamin every day. If you don’t, here’s a compelling reason to start: you could avoid a factor for stroke and heart trouble that already affects nearly half of all American adults.

Gut problems are often revealed by your transit time — the time it takes for food to pass through. Depending on yours, you may be straining on or running to the toilet. This at home test will help you figure out why…

A lot of focus is on living longer and healthier. There’s a simple way to do that: lower your risk of heart disease and stroke and increase not only life expectancy but the quality of those extra years — all with one drink.

It’s not always easy to get to the bottom of mysterious muscle cramps. But if you pay attention to the signs you can most likely narrow it down to one of six common causes of cramping.

When your adrenals are constantly stressed, this sets off an autoimmune inflammatory response in your entire body. If you’ve got thyroid problems as well, things can go south real fast. The result? Feeling hopelessly stuck — tired, overweight and unhappy. There’s a way out…

Certain types of body fat are better than others. White fat isn’t one of them. Accounting for most of the body’s fat, it amounts to stored calories that if not burned, keep adding up. But brown fat ramps up metabolism and controlling it is in our reach…

Type 2 diabetes keeps trending up. That’s why we write about it. Not enough people know they can do something about it, starting with diet. But work smarter, not harder, with a functional food that goes straight to the core of the problem…

Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and the second greatest health threat. Getting an accurate measurement of blood pressure is critical. But are we? Some experts say change is needed…

It’s become increasingly clear that the health of your heart can affect the health of your brain. In fact, studies have found a link between high blood pressure and dementia. How much can you lower it to reduce your risk?

Osteoporosis and the risks for hip or spine fractures go way up with age, especially for women. That’s why we succumb to bone scans and try to build up our bones. But you may be surprised what your arms can reveal about your bones (and a disease trigger deep in your belly)…

Mild dehydration can harm your brain, your joints, your heart and age you more quickly than you’d imagine. But what’s the best drink to replace those lost fluids without running to the toilet all day? You might be surprised…

Some of the earliest signs of liver trouble are ones that you could easily dismiss as either oddities or symptoms of benign conditions, like menopause. Considering how easy it is to support liver health, that’s a shame. Watch for these signs and avoid permanent damage…

Once we’re out of elementary school, the poop jokes typically end. The childish humor is just that, plus the older we get we learn a fact: There’s nothing funny about not being able to go. And now we know our kidneys and liver can pay the price…

It’s easy to feel giddy eating ice cream, but that feeling likely won’t last long. Boost your mood and slash depression risk by 30% with foods that fight inflammation, improve insulin and bolster gut-brain communication…

There’s fat and there’s belly fat. It’s hard to lose and it takes your health down. That’s why so many reach for injectible GLP-1 drugs. Instead of dangerous side effects, battle the bulge with an alternative that not only fights fat three ways, but supports liver health and longevity…

As women age, they have a high level of risk for a type of artery disease where plaque builds up inside arteries, narrowing them and restricting blood flow. It often leads to heart attack and stroke. A simple vitamin or extra serving of these greens can dial that risk back.

A checkup isn’t complete without a blood draw. And though it provides a clearer picture of our health, most of us don’t enjoy the experience. Imagine if there was a way to get all that information without a needle stick…

The doctor says to cut back on salt if your blood pressure is high. But that’s only half the story. If you’re not getting more of a nutrient essential to healthy blood pressure, even the most common BP medications won’t help much.

One of the sneakiest causes of constipation is an underactive thyroid. Once you understand the connection between that little gland and your gut, you can get your regularity and a whole lot more back on track…