Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Joyce Hollman

Don’t let ‘fear of flying’ anxiety ruin your summer

Fear of flying can ruin a vacation you’ve planned for ages, or make you a wreck if you fly for business. It doesn’t have to be that way — not if you try these tried-and-true techniques, tips, apps and supplements that can help you fly away from your feelings of anxiety…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The surprising risk from reusable water bottles

Reusable water bottles are much more than a fad. They help us keep up with hydration efforts and that convenience promotes a healthy lifestyle. But if we’re not careful about how we use them, they can lead to sickness instead of wellness real fast…

Carolyn Gretton

The diet that crosses the blood-brain barrier

One diet keeps coming to the top of every list. It’s loaded with nutrients so powerful they’re studied for their potential to fight disease. Now there’s undeniable proof they cross the blood-brain barrier to feed your brain exactly what it needs to guard against decline…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The dangerous side of Low T: Serious heart health risks

While low T is often thought of as a bedroom problem, the truth is men who live with low levels of the male hormone, testosterone, face much more serious risks. In fact, a review of 11 studies indicates Low T is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease that can end a man’s life…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

What is borderline cholesterol, and what should I do about it?

If you’ve been told your total cholesterol is “borderline high,” you’re not alone. That’s a common scenario for about 85 million Americans. But what does that mean exactly? And should you be worried? The doctor says that depends on several factors…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Optimizing vitamin D gets personal

Vitamin D has a long and enviable list of ways to maintain good health. But there’s a catch: If you’re not getting enough, its preventive benefits are beyond your reach. Research into ongoing deficiencies reveals the complexities of why you may have to get personal to maintain optimal levels.

Carolyn Gretton

A little exercise goes a long way to ease depression

Exercise has proven itself as effective as medication at relieving depression symptoms and risk. But being depressed makes it hard to be motivated enough to commit to a regular routine. Fortunately, to benefit, it doesn’t take as much as you might think.

Carolyn Gretton

A glitch in the brain’s barrier reduces Alzheimer’s odds by 71%

People who carry the APOEe4 gene have a significantly higher risk of Alzheimer’s. But it’s been a mystery why some carriers don’t develop disease. The secret lies in the blood-brain barrier, and a discovery that may finally open up a route for real protection…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The lasting damage anger does to your blood vessels

Emotions like anger, sadness and anxiety have long been associated with heart attack. We often imagine one big event that pushes our emotions over the edge and sends us to the ER. But it’s the short bursts of anger you should be worried about unless you’ve already got some protection…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The popular condiment linked to stomach cancer

Sodium is an essential nutrient the body needs — but only in small amounts. The problem is in the typical American diet, there’s no shortage of it, and it doesn’t just raise your blood pressure. It may be the missing link that explains why stomach cancer rates are on the rise.

Joyce Hollman

Why sleep trouble can lead to blood sugar trouble

While you’re asleep, restorative processes take place. If your sleep is interrupted so are these important processes. That’s just one link between sleep trouble and blood sugar trouble research has identified, even when following a healthy diet…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The strange cancer risk we share with our pets

Cancer doesn’t only strike humans. It can steal away the lives of our pets. In fact, one in three dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime. Research is revealing a strange factor that can make it more likely your dog will be one of the statistics — it’s a risk our pets share with us…

Margaret Cantwell

2 servings a day drops pounds, inches, BMI and disease risk

What if adding two specific foods to your day could not only help you drop pounds, lose inches and significantly lower your body mass index, but also rescue everything that’s wrong with your health? It sounds too good to be true, but these are the facts…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Should you be concerned about bird flu?

We’re hearing more about bird flu lately. The virus known for infecting poultry has jumped to cows, goats and even pets. Some experts also believe human transmission may be underreported. So, many of us are rightfully asking the question, “How concerned should I be?”

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Seniors beware: Loneliness is a fast track to frailty

Loneliness is something we’ve all experienced at one time or another. Maybe a friend moves away, a loved one passes away or a co-worker leaves and your lunch buddy is now gone. For seniors, however, loneliness isn’t always short-lived. And we’ve learned it contributes to a deadly cycle…

Carolyn Gretton

An unexpected effect of chronic pain: Brain aging

Chronic musculoskeletal pain can impact your muscles, bones, joints and ligaments. It can be unrelenting, and research shows a surprising connection between this type of pain, inflammation and brain aging. An essential fatty acid may attack all three…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The chemical connection between diet, diabetes and cancer

A study aiming to understand what factors elevate risk in families susceptible to cancer ended up discovering a deeper mechanism linking an essential “energy consumption pathway” to cancer development. Here’s how it works and what activates it…

Joyce Hollman

Heart-healthy benefits of exercise start in the brain

Everyone knows exercise benefits the heart. And we assume it’s because our heart muscle gets stronger and blood pressure, cholesterol and weight get lower. But there’s a key step that happens before that — and it starts in your brain…

Carolyn Gretton

8 proven benefits you only get from extra-virgin olive oil

After decades of research proving the many health benefits of olive oil, we’ve gotten the message. But it may be a little cloudy. To lower risk of heart and cognitive problems, cancer and risk of death with a spoonful a day or two, only one olive oil stands out…

Joyce Hollman

Vitamin B12’s impact on multiple sclerosis treatment

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that current treatments can only slow. But a missing link between B12 signaling and MS has the potential to fight neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, not only for MS but also for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s…

Jedha Dening

A simple trick to lower morning blood sugar

Gaining tight control over your daily blood sugar levels by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, stressing less and getting good quality sleep, will all help control your morning readings. But there is one simple trick that may help even more…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How heart disease, anxiety and depression feed off each other

The sympathetic nervous system is part of the involuntary nervous system that increases heart rate, blood pressure and also contributes to anxiety and depression. Finally research is realizing how heart disease, anxiety and depression can promote each other and worsen outcomes…

Joyce Hollman

13 ways to make the holidays safe for your pet

Having a pet is not only heart-warming, it’s good for you. So it’s only fair we protect our pets and keep them safe, too. This can be especially challenging during the holiday season. Here are more than a dozen tips for making the season safe for your furry friends.

Carolyn Gretton

Supplements that fight 4 roadblocks to healthy aging

Who doesn’t want to keep their health and independence as we get older? But our bodies tend to deteriorate in ways that make that difficult. Luckily, a review of supplements shows we don’t have to sit back and let these conditions wreck our lives…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Smoking’s link to dangerous belly fat

Despite all we know about the dangers of smoking, nearly one in 12 U.S. adults still does. And while many of them may want to kick the habit, concerns about weight gain is one excuse holding them back. If only they knew the irony of what smoking does to their belly fat…

Joyce Hollman

Think twice about beta-blockers after a heart attack

Beta-blockers are often prescribed to prevent a second heart attack. But they come with risks of their own. And research shows not everyone benefits from them. This new information will help you talk to your doctor before you decide if they’re right for you.

Carolyn Gretton

How heart disease fuels cancer growth

There are a few risk factors that heart disease and cancer have in common, including smoking, diabetes and obesity. But a new connection that has surfaced goes deep inside the body and involves an injured or diseased heart’s release of tiny bubbles that promote the growth of cancer cells.

Carolyn Gretton

ACV: From ancient remedy to social media sensation

Social Media’s favorite new health fad, apple cider vinegar, is actually thousands of years old. But it’s experiencing a resurgence for its potential in treating some modern ailments that have grown in prevalence over the past several years…

Joyce Hollman

The daytime secret to better sleep at night

If you have trouble sleeping, or you feel tired in the morning, and you’ve tried everything under the sun (and moon), it’s time to examine what your day looks like. It may hold the secret to the elusive and essential sleep your health depends on…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The free solution to ‘dry eye’ you can do at home

When you blink, your eyes are awash with a substance known as “tear film.” It keeps your eyes moist and feeling great. But when it’s compromised, you suffer from dry, irritated eyes. You’ve probably tried the prescription and even the over-the-counter drops to find relief. Save your money, and try this…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

That low-fat dairy advice? It’s way wrong for your heart

Many of us believe the only way we can enjoy dairy is to only choose low-fat options.That’s meant watery milk and giving up rich, delicious full-fat yogurt, not to mention real butter and cheese. Time to stop. You’ve been cheating your tastebuds and your heart for too long…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

8 great supplements for calming rheumatoid arthritis

Living with RA can get a little easier when you use supplements to naturally reduce inflammation and swelling, relieve pain, improve your overall health and combat the side effects of those prescription drugs. Here are the great eight…

Joyce Hollman

How obesity can lead straight to heart failure

A lot’s been said about obesity as a contributor to diseases like cancer, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. And some of it’s been contradicted. But cardiac scans don’t lie about the physical changes obesity wreaks on the heart that lead straight to heart failure…

Jenny Smiechowski

What your itchy skin indicates about your gut

You’ve heard of the gut-brain axis. Well, research shows there’s a gut-skin axis too. That means your gut is constantly communicating with your gut, and your gut is constantly communicating with your skin. In fact, a new study shows exactly why people with skin problems are more likely to have gut problems and vice versa…

Margaret Cantwell

The vaccine that lowers Alzheimer’s risk 40 percent

For years researchers have teased us about the potential for an Alzheimer’s vaccine. So far we’ve been left high and dry, or have we? Turns out a vaccine that’s been around for decades may activate the immune system in a way that protects against the disease…

Carolyn Gretton

Your brain and cholesterol on cranberries

Like most berries, cranberries are bursting with health-boosting micronutrients which give berries their red, blue, or purple color. But it’s their potential impact on the brain and vascular health that has experts giving the tiny berry a closer look…

Carolyn Gretton

How a mistaken Alzheimer’s diagnosis proved deadly

Lyme disease is growing across the country. Testing for it is often inaccurate. And if not caught it in time, it could prove debilitating or deadly. That’s what one family discovered when their father was misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s before the truth came out…

Carolyn Gretton

Low thyroid? Keep these 9 foods on your radar

If you’re suffering from unexplained weight gain, fatigue, thinning hair, stiff or painful joints, memory issues and increased sensitivity to cold, you may want to get your thyroid checked. Chances are, you’re suffering from low thyroid. Then take a good look at what you’re eating…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why are tomatoes being genetically modified with vitamin D?

In this day and age, it’s hard to believe a vitamin deficiency could be at the root of many of the significant health problems we face. But more and more research says it is, from heart problems, to autoimmune disease and even Alzeimer’s. But is the answer in tomatoes?

Carolyn Gretton

How your eyes can influence your longevity

So many of the body’s systems are interconnected and influence each other. For instance, the gut has been found to influence mood, immunity and dementia risk. Knowing this, researchers were still surprised by the connection they found between lifespan and our eyes…

Joyce Hollman

Cognitive decline and aphasia: How singing can help

Cognitive flexibility is a key component of executive functioning, and group singing provides an opportunity to “exercise” the portions of the brain that control this crucial function. In fact, singing may be an enjoyable and effective way to boost your brain function…

Carolyn Gretton

Your immune system is aging faster and here’s why

The body’s immune system tends to grow weaker as people age. But as the aging population grows, something stands out. In some people, this aging seems accelerated. Why? A not-so-surprising difference that makes it hard for your immune system to do its job…

Carolyn Gretton

More proof a vitamin D deficiency spells dementia

As the world’s population ages, dementia is on the rise. Researchers, feverishly hunting for anything that can stop this cognitive destroyer in its tracks, have found new evidence further indicating that preventing dementia could be as simple as correcting one key deficiency…

Joyce Hollman

More than 100 health conditions increase with height

There are many instances where being tall may be considered an asset. Reaching the top shelf at the supermarket is just one. But you should know, being on the taller side is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for several health conditions you should watch for…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The surprising way an entire family got lead poisoning

What if I told you that you could be unknowingly serving up a dangerous substance in your home every day that could poison your body, cause behavior and learning problems in your children and skyrocket your risk for heart disease? This is how it happens…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The ‘new and improved’ treatment that slows AMD

Age-related macular degeneration is a disease that progressively steals vision. There’s no cure, but the main treatment slows progression to avoid severe vision loss. And as effective as it was, researchers have kicked it up several notches with two new sight-saving ingredients…

Carolyn Gretton

The sweet news about sugar in your coffee

There’s no doubt that coffee’s health benefits are backed by plenty of research. But the caveat has been to avoid the cream and sugar to reap them. Of course, you want the benefits — but you want to enjoy your coffee too. Here’s some good news on that front…

Carolyn Gretton

How time of day (and sex) affects your exercise results

Exercise is so good for us experts tell us to do it whenever we have the time. But depending on what your goals are — less tummy fat versus more upper body strength or better blood pressure and cholesterol — your exercise timing makes a huge difference…

Carolyn Gretton

The lowdown on skin cancer: Types, treatment and staying safe

More Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than for all other cancers combined. But skin cancer is still shrouded in mystery, misconceptions and doubt. Let’s take a look at the main types, how to identify them, what to expect and how to stay safe.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Proline: Why this amino acid causes depression for some

More than 37 million Americans now take medications for depression. And for far too long experts focused on chemical imbalances in the brain these drugs treat. But another imbalance is proving just as powerful at affecting your mood. And the medicine is much easier to swallow…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Strange link: Dietary cholesterol and viral infection

Specific limits on dietary cholesterol were lifted from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans back in 2015. But that move may have been too hasty. Turns out there’s an odd connection between dietary cholesterol and your susceptibility for viral infection…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How breast cancer and diabetes feed off each other

As scientists will say, just because there seems to be a link doesn’t mean there is, especially without proof. But now, when it comes to diabetes and breast cancer, they’ve got the proof connecting cancer’s sweet tooth and a dangerous feedback loop…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

A doctor’s list of 6 diseases a plant-based diet benefits

Have you ever noticed something strange when you go to your doctor? No matter what your health problem, their answer is always in a pill. But physicians everywhere are being put on notice by one of their own — and she’s got a better prescription with lots of clout…

Joyce Hollman

10 surprising things that cause hair loss

Aging is not automatically accompanied by hair loss. But there are lifestyle and other factors that could cause you to see more hair in your hairbrush than you’re used to. I was surprised to find that several of these may be behind my own hair loss.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

4 movements that really help you “go”

I had a problem with constipation for years. Whatever the cause, going to the bathroom was my nemesis. I would go days without “going” and then when I did, the strain was awful. After many, MANY doctor’s visits, and getting no help, I decided there had to be a better way. And, I found it…

Carolyn Gretton

Atrial fibrillation: A reason to work harder to avoid dementia

Atrial fibrillation can raise your risk of several heart and circulatory issues, including heart failure and stroke. But what’s been less clear is whether AF increases the risk of dementia not caused by stroke. So far, this is what they’ve found…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The serious blood clot risk that comes with prostate cancer

People with cancer are known to have a higher risk of dangerous blood clots known as venous thromboembolism or VTE. These clots are a leading cause of death in people with cancer. Because prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, this is a risk they need to be aware of…

Jenny Smiechowski

The antioxidant that protects your brain’s barrier

Inflammation is a huge factor when it comes to Alzheimer’s. It’s triggered by a build-up of proteins that kill your brain cells. And it may cause the build-up in the first place. One thing’s for sure, inflammation causes the disease to progress quickly and severely.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Quantified: How much type 2 diabetes ages the brain

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t just spell problems for your blood sugar. It acts as a gateway disease in many respects. And while there have been concerns about its connection to cognitive decline for a while, you may be surprised to learn how much diabetes ages the brain…

Carolyn Gretton

The real reason ‘bad’ cholesterol increases during menopause

When women undergo menopause, they experience a decline in estrogen that kicks off a host of unpleasant symptoms. But what has been less clear is estrogen’s specific role in heart disease risk, and how the “change” is connected to cholesterol, until now…

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