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Low levels of vitamin D have been shown to go hand-in-hand with conditions ranging from osteoporosis and heart disease to Alzheimer’s. But there’s a mineral deficiency that could be working against all your best efforts to get enough of the valuable vitamin D your body needs…

We’re finding out that when it comes to chronic disease, when you eat may be as important as what you eat. Researchers are finding that an early breakfast may be key to reducing the risk of this common condition that sneaks up on far too many of us…

Who says you can’t have good times after 50? With a healthy body and a strong spine, the sky’s the limit. But if yours isn’t as supple and strong as it should be we’ve got age-friendly exercises and supplements to get your vitality back…

Certain factors can increase a person’s risks for heart trouble. Like a broken record, we’re warned to eat right, exercise and not to smoke to keep all our numbers low. But for diabetics there’s one risk factor that’s been found to worsen them all…

Whatever the time of year or our excuses, the weight we wanted to lose may still be hanging around — on hips, thighs and middles. Don’t feel bad. Even with the best laid plans, when trying to lose weight the odds are stacked against you — unless you know an inside secret…

As we age, our lean muscle mass declines, but that doesn’t mean we’re helpless to stop it. There are many reasons to preserve it. If you need one more, consider what research has found about its connection to Alzheimer’s…

Type 2 diabetes is considered preventable. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. Other conditions can make it harder to reverse, including obesity, hypertension and metabolic syndrome. But there is quite a bit of published research that indicates an ancient seed could help…

Overweight, diabetic and suffering from everything from heart disease to cancer could describe a large percentage of U.S. adults today. If you want to make sure you don’t end up this way, there could be powerful help sitting on your kitchen shelf right now…

Beets are a root vegetable we love for their bright purple flesh and pleasing sweet flavor. And if you’ve beat around the bush for a while, you might be aware that beets help your body produce a heart-healthy compound called nitric oxide. Here’s how to get the most of it…

For a long time, the only concerns the medical community had about cholesterol were high levels and an inconsistent link to heart disease. Then, research uncovered cholesterol’s significant role in the brain, and that levels can do much more than climb high or lay low…

Considering that 1 in 3 of us have prediabetes, researchers know the implications could be huge if they could could find a simple fix. Especially if it’s something most of us enjoy, don’t need a prescription for and tackles a key inflammatory biomarker…

Cheese and other whole-fat dairy foods have endured a bad rap for far too long. Considering it’s one of six foods linked to longevity, experts are calling for a re-evaluation of low-fat recommendations and have proof the old advice has more holes than a hefty slice of Swiss cheese.

Atrial fibrillation or AFib causes an irregular heartbeat. When blood pools in the atria (top chamber) of the heart, stroke risk increases. AFib is not the same as heart palpitations. Here’s how to tell the difference and the vitamin that may keep the condition at bay…

Sun exposure is a double-edged sword. The good side: vitamin D; the bad side: photoaging. But it goes deeper. Sun exposure can further throw a post-menopausal woman’s hormones out of whack, making her more vulnerable to significant health risks…

By age 50, up to 80 percent of women suffer with uterine fibroids. These non-cancerous tumors cause lower back pain, heavy bleeding, exhaustion, pain during sex, complications during pregnancy and bladder trouble. Research shows a tea habit may help…

The anthocyanins found in purple, blue and red plants pack a powerful punch against a host of inflammatory-related conditions and blood sugar issues. But researchers digging deeper into the impact of these powerful antioxidants have discovered an interesting quirk as to why they’re so effective at reducing diabetes risk…

Electronic screens expose your eyes to the damaging effects of blue light. But what many don’t know is, the sun is a significant source of blue light and, just like UV rays, blue light prematurely ages your skin. But unlike UV rays, sunscreen can’t protect you…

It’s a lab-made chemical originally used to help treat certain skin conditions. It’s similar to a hormone produced naturally by our bodies that increases production of skin-darkening pignments. But it’s a killer tan that you want to avoid at all costs…

You’ve heard it time and again: eat healthy to protect your cardiovascular health. Yet stroke is the one cardiovascular condition that doesn’t seem to be influenced by diet. So, what can you do? The answer is another lifestyle factor (not exercise) that affects us all at one time or another…

There are many good reasons to maintain a healthy weight. And most of them are on a long list of dangerous conditions. But it’s actually a health issue no one’s sounded an alarm about yet that may put anyone dealing with obesity in the danger zone…

Much research has connected artificial sweeteners to not-so-sweet health issues, while health agencies continued to maintain their safety. It’s no wonder we’re confused. Now a recent declaration by a leading global health body has only made things murkier about this possible carcinogen…

Sleep is essential to our well-being. But we’re still learning how it helps prevent disease. One surprising finding? Deep-sleep brain waves reboot the body’s sensitivity to insulin, resulting in a more effective control of blood sugar the next day…

Are you destroying your wellness with the food you buy at the supermarket? Learn about the seven deadly ingredient sins you may be unknowingly committing when you fill up your cart at the grocery. By purchasing health-promoting foods, instead, you can help your heart and lower your risk of cancer. Here’s how to make those crucial supermarket aisle decisions.

There’s no question arsenic can be poisonous in large amounts. But are the small amounts we’re exposed to over time in rice and drinking water really that bad for us? Research points to yes. In fact, a recent study has underscored the connection between arsenic exposure, insulin production and sensitivity and type 2 diabetes…

Remember that super sexy foodie scene from the steamiest movie to come out of the late 80s — 9 1/2 Weeks? In “that” scene, the two romantic leads share some sensuous snacks, including grapes and strawberries, while sitting in front of an opened refrigerator. But do you know what was missing?

Menopause can be a nightmare of hot flashes, depression and fatigue. Luckily, there is an answer in a 10,000-year-old traditional Chinese practice that has helped many women overcome these challenges and reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms…

Brain shrinkage is linked with aging and cognitive decline. So the more we know about pumping up the volume, the better. Despite research linking the habit to health problems, going down for a nap may be the easiest way to keep your brain volume up…

For most, the common bacteria H. pylori has no symptoms. But for some it leads to all sorts of gastric problems, like heartburn, indigestion, gastritis and gastric cancer. Now, research has found a troubling factor that can ramp that cancer risk way up…

More than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, which is why doctors pay such close attention to warning signs like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But it looks like there’s another important level they should be paying a lot more attention to…

Numerous studies indicate that alcohol and a disease-free life just don’t mix. But is something about beer different? It’s been tied to fewer infections and blood clots and less inflammation. And now we may know the secret behind its health-promoting benefits…

Erectile dysfunction is a subject most men don’t want to talk about. After all, many men take it as another sign, along with laugh lines and a receding hairline, that they’re just getting older. But if you’re experiencing problems in the bedroom that you’ve been ignoring, the results of a study of over 95,000 men in Australia may be a wake-up call for you…

There’s a reason we’ve learned to trust our gut instincts. Research has revealed that it works for the body like a second brain and that its effects on total body health can reach far beyond its intestinal confines. That’s why when scientists had a gut feeling about its connection to heart disease, they couldn’t shake it until they discovered this missing link…

Nobel Prize-winning physiologist and biochemist Otto Warburg hypothesized over 90 years ago that cancer cells use sugars for energy. If you take a cancer cell’s preferred energy source, what happens then? On the keto diet, the body turns to burning fat for energy instead of carbohydrates, but cancer might starve…

Sometimes staying motivated to exercise can weigh heavy on your fitness goals, no matter what they are. We’ve been conditioned that achieving them depends on the long haul. Not so for these five benefits that science says you can experience immediately. Hint: some of these may be the motivation you need!

Is it really possible to send type 2 diabetes into remission? That’s the word scientists used when they reviewed almost 100 papers about the effects of various diets on the disease. Their final assessment? It certainly is, as long as these two key strategies are part of the plan….

If you’ve ever shopped for a mattress, you know that there’s a lot to consider, including size, price, and of course, comfort. Oftentimes, we get so preoccupied with finding the perfect mattress that will last a decade, that we totally overlook potential hazards. But how dangerous could a mattress be? Quite dangerous, actually, especially if it’s leaking fiberglass…

Walking is probably one of our favorite forms of exercise. But many hardcore fitness freaks might cast doubt on the benefits of waking a few hours a week. If they are ever unfortunate enough to experience stroke, they may change their minds. Reducing risk of death up to 80 percent is nothing to scoff at…

Is napping your favorite pastime? Of late, it’s been mine. I’m not sure if the heat is to blame or just age. But I’ve been catnapping more often. That may sound nice, but I’ve noticed I don’t wake refreshed or any better able to focus. Turns out there’s a good reason for that. It’s called slow-wave sleep…

Maybe you remember a time that you could eat anything you wanted and not gain a pound. Yet now, if you even look at a cheeseburger, you can feel your hips and thighs expanding. If so, you’ve probably placed the blame on a slow metabolism due to age. But new research says your metabolism stays strong longer than you might think…

Although millions of people around the world seek mental clarity through meditation, most of us in the U.S. ignore this powerful tool. True, most of us have little time to set aside for ourselves. But considering how much science shows the simple practice can improve concentration now and lessen the risk for degeneration, even Alzheimer’s, later, we can’t afford not to make time…

It takes more than calcium and vitamin D to maintain bone health. These popular nutrients tend to take the spotlight, though strong healthy bones depend just as much on important micro- and macronutrients. In fact, a single trace element — and don’t let that word diminish its big benefits — is instrumental in boosting your bone density…

For years, doctors have used a menopausal woman’s chronological age and years since onset of menopause to determine whether hormone therapy is too risky for her cardiovascular health. Now, researchers are suggesting physicians look at a completely different kind of age for a more accurate measure…

Metabolic syndrome is bad enough on its own since it raises your risk of problems like heart attack, stroke and diabetes, not to mention premature death. But when combined with chronic kidney disease, the cluster of conditions that make up metabolic syndrome can send those risks into the stratosphere. Here’s how to avoid them…

Research has identified 10 factors that, if they apply to you, add up to a 30 percent higher chance you’ll suffer a fracture in the next two decades. Some of them are beyond your control. But there are a few you can address now to prevent broken bones later on.

Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance. They’re all manifestations of the same metabolic dysfunction, just to a different degree. And all individuals who develop type 2 diabetes are initially pre-diabetic. And all pre-diabetics are initially insulin resistant. The key may be stopping this hidden dysfunction…

Some things simply go hand-in-hand, like salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, a needle and thread. And according to scientists, another pair where you can’t have one without the other is vitamin C and strong, stable immune cells. In fact, this special combination could be the key to defeating autoimmune conditions for good…

If you’re nearing 50 and find that you’re simply not as tall as you used to be, you’re not alone. That’s because height loss due to the shrinking of your spinal discs, compression fractures and poor posture often start adding up by your 5th decade. It may be a blow to your ego but an ever bigger one to your health. Good news: you can slow it.

Since its discovery, scientists have uncovered five different compounds that make up the vitamin K family. And one of the most compelling is vitamin K2. Discover three reasons this one nutrient can help you live your best life.

It’s no secret that most of us eat way too much sugar. It’s also no secret it can lead to diabetes. But that’s not all. It has a very sinister effect on our mitochondria, our cellular power plants, that can set the stage for a metabolic disaster. What can you do? Cut down on sugar and feed your mitochondria what that sugar’s been stealing from them…

If you have diabetes, you know it’s imperative to manage your intake of sugar and carbs. But while many diabetics are busy making sure they are eating right for blood sugar management, many are falling behind on an important nutrient that can leave them with mobility issues…

There’s no question that physical activity has a huge impact on our health. From keeping our hearts healthy and cholesterol in check to controlling blood sugar, staying active makes it more likely we’ll live better, healthier and longer. Best of all, exercise has been shown to have powerful cancer-fighting properties.

When all the experts are telling you to cut down on fat it can be confusing. But the body contains one fat that you certainly need more of, especially if you want to avoid cognitive decline. In fact, this fat has been deemed “indispensable” in protecting the brain from dementia. Here’s how to turn your fat to the good side and benefit…

If you’re a foodie you may already be on board with leaving the skins on many fruits and vegetables for that rustic look and taste. But there’s another reason: super nutrition! But can you eat all the skins? That’s up to you, but here’s a list of fruit and vegetable skins you should never throw out…

Essential oils have long been used to boost physical and emotional health. Some may speed wound healing, lower blood pressure and even attack the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. But the scientific community has claimed it was a “placebo effect.” Well, that’s all over now that the mechansim by which they boost health and mood has been uncovered…

They’re often referred to as age spots, sun spots or liver spots. But their cause is the same: UV ray exposure that speeds up the production of the natural pigment melanin. Avoiding age spots is a good idea — because the same culprit is behind skin cancer. But if you want to fade them, there are some dangers there to watch out for as well…

Cancer can strike at anyone, but some people have inherited genes that put them at higher risk. Does that mean you’re doomed? Far from it. Researchers are discovering this genetic predisposition is far from a death sentence, thanks to the significant impact of a few healthy choices…

Starchy foods have a mixed reputation. Some are actually good for you, while others can spike your blood sugar and contribute to metabolic diseases. And recent research has come down that certain starchy foods present a clear and present danger to your heart health. Here’s the good and the bad on those starches on your plate…

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects how the body takes in and uses glucose or sugar. Both genetic and environmental factors can play a part in the development of diabetes. And because diabetes affects many systems in the body it can increase the risk for other serious diseases as well. Here’s what you need to know about those risks…

Some blame Big Pharma for pushing the drugs in the first place. Others lay the problem at the feet of doctors who continue to prescribe the medications, despite alternatives. But there’s something the experts may be missing about the opioid crisis: a vitamin deficiency that makes the body more sensitive to the drug’s effects…

Post menopause, it can be more difficult for women to keep the weight and health problems at bay. There’s also a higher risk at this time to enter a spiral that can negatively affect a woman’s ability to maintain an independent and healthy, high-quality lifestyle throughout her lifespan. Beat it by putting on your dancing shoes…