Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Tinnitus: Helping the brain learn to filter sound again

Less is known about what causes tinnitus than about the risk factors associated with it. That’s why people with the condition are often told nothing can be done about it. Luckily, researchers who understand how the brain filters sound haven’t given up…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

How a car ride raises BP as much as a high-sodium diet

Long-term exposure to air pollution, like that caused by traffic, has been linked to dangerous health conditions, from heart disease to lung cancer. But what about in the short-term? You’ll be shocked at what a single car ride can do to your blood pressure…

Carolyn Gretton

The diet that takes diabetes down, except when it doesn’t

It can be tough to separate the good from the bad when choosing a diet plan. That’s why scientists are paying closer attention to the health impacts of certain ones. And when it comes to diabetes, they’ve discovered something interesting about plant-based diets…

Joyce Hollman

The one brain change that matters more than tau and plaque

Not long ago the amyloid hypothesis came into question. One reason: amyloid plaques are found in the brains of people with normal cognition. But did you know there’s an earlier sign of impending Alzheimer’s we may be able to do more about?

Joyce Hollman

The alternative fuel source that powers up your immune system

A metabolic by-product you can trick your body into producing more of appears to supercharge immune cells as they fight infection and disease, research is finding. There are a couple of ways to get them going…

Carolyn Gretton

Omegas-3s may help slow pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that involves lung scarring and low blood oxygen levels. Current treatments can only help its symptoms so much. But researchers have discovered a link between improved lung function and a common nutrient found in fish and flaxseeds…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Obesity’s weird effect on when the body burns energy

Losing weight isn’t easy. That’s why so many of us have just made resolutions to give it another go. But now we have a clue as to why. New research reveals simply being obese actually changes when your body burns caloric energy…

Carolyn Gretton

The cancer 900 chemicals have in common

Chemicals are everywhere and we know they carry health dangers. But if you’re a woman, you may want to pay special attention to more than 900 chemicals in consumer products and our environment that carry cancer-causing traits for one kind in particular…

Joyce Hollman

How incontinence increases your odds of disability

If urine leaks when you sneeze or laugh, it’s embarrassing and inconvenient. But it may also be disabling. Research from major university health centers have linked urinary incontinence in women to an increased risk for disability, and have a clue why…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Decade-long study reveals what slows cognitive decline despite APOE gene

We’re told with age we can expect our memory to fail. But does aging really mean an inevitable journey of cognitive decline? Or can we stave off memory loss, even in the face of a genetic predisposition to it? 10 years of research shows how to do the latter…

Jenny Smiechowski

What centenarians and their children have in common

Researchers found that the offspring of centenarians and centenarians themselves have something in common helping them live longer than the rest of us. But joining their club is not out of your reach…

Joyce Hollman

How cold would you go to burn fat and cut diabetes risk?

There’s a large body of literature claiming that cold water immersion can do all sorts of things: end chronic pain, reduce symptoms of depression, boost the immune system, prevent diabetes and help you lose weight. Some of those have recently been shown to be true…

Joyce Hollman

The safe, effective quit-smoking pill Americans can’t get

It’s the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, killing close to half a million people each year. The good news is a safe and highly effective quit-smoking pill is available. But Big Pharma greed is keeping Americans from ever using it.…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Understanding who gets long COVID and why

It’s been a few years since Covid-19 became well-known. Nowadays, it’s making the rounds with the common cold and flu and infections seem milder but frequent. And it is those frequent infections that health experts are now most worried about…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Exercising for lower blood pressure: How much is enough

Let’s face it, exercise comes easily in our teen years but seems much harder as we get older. Most of us slack way off after our 40s. But when it comes to maintaining healthy blood pressure, you can’t skimp, but you can get some extra help…

Joyce Hollman

The secret to staying out of the hospital

No one enjoys being hospitalized, even if the reason isn’t life-threatening. The food is bad, the gowns drafty, tests demeaning and the longer you stay, the more muscle mass you lose. Luckily, there’s a not-so-shocking way to cut down on your chance of a hospital stay, even if you’ve already had a few…

Carolyn Gretton

Why diabetics have higher risk of severe lung infections

People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing serious lung infections following a respiratory infection. Diabetes can weaken the immune system, but its specific effects on the lungs have been unclear, until now. What research has found may signal a way to dial it back…

Joyce Hollman

The prebiotic hack that curbs your appetite

We’ve long known about the gut-brain connection and how the gut’s influence extends far beyond, well, the gut. But can the gut be optimized so it influences the brain to help us make better food choices? Recent research points to a solid yes…

Carolyn Gretton

Keto: The diet that combats polycystic kidney disease

The ketogenic diet has proven great for weight loss and blood sugar control, but not so great for the kidneys. Or so investigators thought, until they took a closer look at the impact of keto on a specific type of kidney disease….

Carolyn Gretton

Brushing twice daily may keep respiratory illness away

Dentists advise toothbrushing twice a day to reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Those are good enough reasons for practicing good oral hygiene. But it turns out toothbrushing may cut down on at least one serious respiratory disease…

Carolyn Gretton

How nutmeg could lead to a longer lifespan

We’ve all heard the saying “the spice of life.” And nutrition research has proven several spices are exactly that. Spices have been found to improve specific conditions and improve health in general. Now one such spice has given up its secret for healthy aging…

Carolyn Gretton

Why only some of us get a brain boost from cocoa

Flavanols have a great reputation for heart and brain health. Cocoa is a source that’s been shown to be a real brain booster in some studies, but not so much in others. Researchers dug to the bottom of these mixed results, and found something interesting about cocoa and who benefits the most…

Carolyn Gretton

Mitochondria may hold secret to Parkinson’s diagnosis and treatment

Parkinson’s disease affects millions. Yet there is no single test to diagnose it, so years may pass before the standard treatment starts. But a revelation about mitochondrial involvement could lead not only to a definitive blood test but new treatment as well…

Joyce Hollman

When heart disease can spell dementia later in life

Most of us think that heart disease is a condition of old age. It happens to people in their 60s and 70s. But this is a fallacy. It can strike much earlier than most of us realize. And the earlier it does, the higher the risk of dementia down the road…

Carolyn Gretton

The seed that could help prevent breast cancer

Seeds, arguably the smallest part of any plant, often contain potent nutrition. Some exert particular influence on the gut, where their benefits are elevated even more. In fact, one seed and its action in the gut could play a key role in preventing a disease women dread…

Margaret Cantwell

10 best ways to blast inflammation from your body

Autoimmune problems that arise when your immune system attacks your own organs may afflict as many as 50 million Americans. However, making certain dietary changes may bring a measure of relief and offer protection against this widespread health issue…

Carolyn Gretton

Dropping one teaspoon of salt lowers blood pressure like medication

Fewer than 1 in 5 of the more than 1 billion people worldwide with high blood pressure has it under adequate control. Doctors usually recommend a combination of medication and lifestyle tweaks to bring it down. But it turns out one teaspoon of salt could have an impact as powerful as medication…

Joyce Hollman

How calorie restriction changes your body to slow aging

In early 2023, a first-of-its-kind study proved calorie restriction can indeed slow the pace of aging, not just in mice, but in humans. A second look showed how: It led to genetic changes that prevented a common aging condition that normally develops in older people…

Joyce Hollman

Kidney disease and cluster conditions lead to dangerous heart syndrome

You’ve likely heard of metabolic syndrome by now, even if you don’t have the condition. But if you do and start to have kidney problems, you’re at high risk for a major new heart syndrome affecting one-third of adults across the country…

Joyce Hollman

Probiotics: The new prevention strategy for colorectal cancer

Over the years, the benefits of probiotics have begun to stack up. And after significant advances in probiotic research, experts have a message for us: the gut microbiome cannot be neglected when treating or preventing colorectal cancer.

Carolyn Gretton

Three seconds to stronger muscles? It’s not as crazy as it sounds

Fitness experts have focused in recent years on exercise programs that pack a lot of benefit into a short amount of time. They may have beaten an all-time record: a technique that improves strength in just a few seconds a day and may be the easiest way to avoid the ravages of aging.

Joyce Hollman

Chew slow and savor to burn calories

Diet-induced thermogenesis refers to the increase in metabolic rate that follows the ingestion of food. Turns out you can kick it up to enhance the energy expenditure associated with the metabolism of the food you eat. In other words, you can burn energy while you eat. Does it get any better?

Carolyn Gretton

How heart disease can set you up for Alzheimer’s

If you have heart disease, your risks for other conditions are higher, including Alzheimer’s. That’s because circulation problems lead to brain dysfunction. The surprise is how early it harms the brain and how it can triple those telltale plaques directly associated with Alzheimer’s…

Joyce Hollman

Myopia epidemic: Why nearsightedness is on the rise

Experts are warning of an emerging ‘epidemic’ of myopia after observing sharp increases in the number of adult-onset cases of nearsightedness among late baby boomers. What gives and is there anything you can do about it?

Joyce Hollman

Amplify broccoli’s superpowers without having to eat it raw

Broccoli has established itself as a “superfood.” It contains a compound called sulforaphane with an amazing reputation. But you’ll need to eat your broccoli in a particular way so sulforaphane can do all the great things it has the potential to do for you — and believe me, it’s worth the extra trouble…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Boosting testosterone could help men ward off type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is considered the most preventable disease of all, yet blood sugar problems are at epidemic proportions. The question is, with rates skyrocketing, how do you avoid becoming another statistic? The key could lie in your hormones…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

One more reason to give up bottled water: Your gut

Microplastics have now invaded every corner of our planet, compromising our food supply and flooding our once pristine oceans. You may be concerned about their effects on the environment, but it’s your gut you really need to worry about…

Jonathan Sharp

Benzene: What to know and how to avoid tainted sunscreen

Benzene is an industrial chemical and a known human carcinogen. It would be natural to think it has no place in consumer products such as sunscreen. So you might be asking yourself how it made its way into these affected products and what you can do to protect yourself…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why nuts are a breast cancer survivor’s best friend

Breast cancer isn’t just the most common cancer among women in the United States. It’s also the second leading cause of death. For survivors, recurrence is a nagging fear. But a new tool with significant clout takes that risk way down…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Understanding brown fat and its weight-loss advantage

At any given time in the United States, nearly half of us are trying to lose weight. And though the young and older among us are at it too, middle-aged adults edge out others as those persistently trying to lose a few pounds. Is it because during middle age it’s harder? Not if you take this weight loss advantage…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Even in Alzheimer’s, omega-3s may preserve memory function

There’s no shortage of advice on lifestyle factors, including diet and nutrition, to support healthy brain functions. But what about a brain that’s already in cognitive decline? Research shows there’s still much hope…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Diabetics with a high risk for heart problems are getting left behind

Blood sugar problems and heart problems go hand in hand. But many people are being left in the dark when it comes to treatment to help them avoid the danger. If you’re one of them, this is for you…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

4 ways to decrease binge-watching’s blood clot danger

One thing most of us can agree about when it comes to the pandemic is that we’re all binge-watching a lot more television. And that’s a big problem. In fact, it’s a big 35 percent risk increase for fatal blood clot. Here are four easy steps to bring it down…

Dr. Mark Wiley

The tea that helps you drop pounds, cholesterol points and blood sugar levels

Pu-erh is in a category of its own because of its special post-fermentation process. It makes pu-erh at once unique in flavor but different in its chemical composition, thus lending itself to delivering potent healing properties documented in numerous published clinical studies. I think it’s tea time…

Carolyn Gretton

Want cancer protection? Magnesium levels matter

Magnesium is a critical mineral for hundreds of bodily processes. Now, researchers are exploring exactly how magnesium may help defend the body from cancer — and they’ve discovered it has to do with the immune system…

Joyce Hollman

Why the link between cataract surgery and decreased dementia?

What if lowering your dementia risk was as simple as improving your vision? Research shows that people who’ve undergone cataract surgery can lower their dementia risk by thirty percent. But what’s the connection and what can you do to help your eyes and your brain?

Carolyn Gretton

Hygge: The excuse you needed to cozy up for your well-being

There’s no question we’re living in chaotic times. And it’s sent our stress levels into the stratosphere. One remedy can be found in a concept practiced in Demark to bring comfort, peace and relaxation to our physical and mental environments — and our well-being…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

A nasal spray for dementia is heading to human clinical trials

Dementia is a health crisis that’s been laid at the feet of America’s rapidly growing aging population. But we may be on the cusp of something major: A strange combo for better brain health delivered via a nose spray…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

The Nordic diet: Fad or lifestyle?

The Nordic diet is based on the way people in Scandinavia have eaten for years. While the Nordic diet highlights more lingonberries and fewer olives, the premise is similar to the Mediterranean diet. Eating the Nordic way should add up to way less sugar than you’d get on a typical American diet, and that’s just one benefit…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The best exercise for a fatty liver

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease occurs when fat builds up in the liver. Yet, despite its serious dangers, there’s very little your doctor can do for you if you develop NAFLD. That’s why prevention focuses on lifestyle interventions, including the best exercise…

Carolyn Gretton

A surprising impact of meditation: Immune system activation

Meditation is almost magical when it comes to improving your well-being. And researchers have taken notice. In fact, one team recently measured the impact of meditation on the body’s genes and found it could be a powerful ally in boosting your immune defenses…

Joyce Hollman

Sleep better with the bedtime routine of a toddler

Many things conspire against us when it comes to sleeping well: a snoring partner, medications we’re taking or various medical conditions. But there are four pillars of a good bedtime routine that work whether you’re three or 43…

Joyce Hollman

7 benefits of positive self-talk (and how to shush the negative)

The reality is that we talk to ourselves all the time, and the messages we give ourselves have a profound impact on our health and well-being. Here’s how you can improve your “inner dialogue” and make it work for you.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Eating this way leads to fewer brain blood clots

Evidence continues to stack up that adding more plant-based foods to your diet is powerfully beneficial to your health. Skeptical? Check out these 7 steps to more plants and fewer blood clots…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The raisin-like snack that wards off vision loss

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss for people over 60. No known therapy has yet been shown to impact early stages of AMD. That’s why when it comes to keeping your vision, prevention is key — and this fruit is a must…

Carolyn Gretton

The supplement that could solve morning sickness

Few pregnancy symptoms are as challenging as morning sickness. No one really knows what causes it, which makes it tough to find an effective treatment. But researchers have zeroed in on some clues that could make the first trimester much more pleasant…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Study says more time in the sun could prevent breast cancer

While your dermatologist will tell you to avoid spending too much time in the sun in order to decrease your risk of skin cancer, research is stacking up that sunlight offers big benefits to your health — especially for women. In fact, the more, the better…

Carolyn Gretton

How to combat the pollutants harming your heart

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide. And one risk factor we feel we can do little about is pollution. So-called “safe” levels have been linked to everything from Afib to heart failure, but waiting on experts to fix this problem could be too late. Here’s what you need to know to lower your risks…

Joyce Hollman

The music that can keep your brain young

Listening to music you’ve loved all your life can do more than make you feel good. People experiencing mild cognitive impairment or even early-stage Alzheimer’s symptoms can listen to music and re-shape their brains to prevent a progression. But not just any music will do…

Joyce Hollman

Superbugs: The not-so-sweet side effect of a food additive

Trehalose is used to sweeten and extend the shelf life of products, It’s in in everything from gum to nutrition bars. But when you eat foods with trehalose, it’s like scattering birdseed to attract birds to your yard. Except in this case, you’re feeding deadly bacteria and inviting it to thrive in your gut.

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