Latest Stories

Even in first world countries, like the U.S., vitamin deficiencies may be more common than you would ever guess. How do you know if you’re getting enough of the nutrients considered essential? Besides having your blood tested, pay attention to these six often sneaky signs of a deficiency…

Most of the research into brain health has focused on slowing or reversing the mind-stealing conditions you see in the elderly. But what, if anything, can omega-3s do for a middle-aged brain, especially one with a genetic predisposition for those very problems?

Approximately 37 million Americans have diabetes and another 96 million are pre-diabetic. If you’re one of those 96 million, you may not even know you’re on the verge of developing diabetes, much less at increased risk for heart attack or stroke. One change could turn that around…

Shingles may seem like more of an annoyance than a serious threat to your health. But that’s not exactly true. Shingles can actually affect your eyes, cause nerve pain and attack your internal organs. It can also raise your risk of potentially life-threatening cardiovascular complications…

Many people still think that a heart attack strikes suddenly, or with very little warning. A Harvard Health survey tells us that, for women, the warning signs can come as much as a month in advance. And they’re anything but the classic signs most people look for…

As the cold weather approaches, you know you have to protect yourself from ailments like cold and flu. But what about more serious events, like heart attack? Surprsingly, as the temperatures go down our risk for heart attack goes up. Here’s why (an odd effect on blood vessels, for one) and what to do…

Certain activities help stimulate the brain to keep it running like a high-performance race car. That’s why there are plenty of sophisticated web-based cognitive games specifically designed to improve those skills we need to keep our independence. And then there are crossword puzzles…

Even though men in their 50s don’t have the same rapid bone loss women do, that changes around 65. Then, men lose bone mass at the same rate, and recovery from fracture is riskier for men. Most surprising? The risk of an osteoporotic fracture in men is higher than the risk of prostate cancer.

Frailty can strike anyone over the age of 65, and the subtle changes can sneak up if you’re not careful. The factor that makes it more likely is the loss of a certain nutrient that circulates in your blood less and less with each passing birthday, increasing vulnerability to this scourge of aging…

The research is in: A sedentary lifestyle can lead to diabetes, heart disease and obesity, and weaken our bones and muscles, making us more susceptible to frailty as we age. But adding this “snack” to our daily menu could go a long way toward reversing that damage to live longer and healthier…

Need an edge this cold and flu season? It’s time you discovered the berry with up to 60 times more vitamin C than an orange, and enough potassium, calcium, protein, beta-carotene, amino acids and antioxidants to support your heart, liver, eyes and more.

Only about one in five people who lose weight will actually succeed in keeping it off long-term. So does that mean you’re doomed to failure? Definitely not. Just take the right advice to heart, from those who’ve been there, done that and, most importantly, succeeded…

There may have been fewer trick-or-treaters at your door this year, but Halloween still marks the first holiday of a season that can make it extra challenging to stick to your heart-healthy eating plan. With cardiologist-approved tips, you can make it.

A blood clot is a collection of blood in the body that has changed from liquid to a semi-solid mass. The body does this to stop bleeding when injured, but sometimes a clot forms inside a blood vessel and does not dissolve on its own. Here are 10 things to know about them…

Although it’s long been known that heavy drinking can significantly raise the risk of stroke, little research has looked at the effects of moderate to low consumption to determine if there really is any safe level. That’s all changed thanks to a worldwide study that gives us new insight…

If you’re health conscious, you don’t smoke. And you probably don’t allow others to smoke in your home. But if you have a gas stove, you could be exposing you and your family to a dangerous chemical in your very own kitchen comparable to second-hand smoke.

With so much info on apple cider vinegar out there, you may still be on the line about giving it a try. Well, we’re going to look at five big reasons you should be taking ACV regularly, why it’s vital to your health and how to take it to get the most health benefits possible…

The take-home message is simple: vitamin D plays a vital role in human health. Without sufficient levels, you’re selling yourself and your life short. New findings bring home the urgency about preventing early death and a new disease connection…

There’s no denying the seasons influence our state of mind. It’s easier to be in a good mood when the days are long and warm, but much harder during the short, dark days of winter, when some of us face seasonal affective disorder. Why does the light affect our moods and can we overcome it?

With dementia on the rise, experts are looking closer at known risk factors that lead to the devastating illness. One, alcohol use, has been hotly debated. Some studies say it harms, while others were not so clear. International research including almost 25,000 participants may finally have the answer…

Forget the ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ drama. There are tons of good reasons to eat almonds regularly. Maybe you want to improve your waistline, or like almost 4 million Americans, you want to ‘go’ regularly and enjoy the benefits of a healthy gut this tiny nut provides.

For years we’ve been warned that red meat is bad for heart health. Some controversial studies of late have started to lean the other way. But when researchers looked at three important measures of heart health, what they saw was indisputable.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Indian Ayurvedic Medicine share the longest and most sophisticated histories of healing with plants, herbs and spices. Have you heard of these nine powerful plants that can spell relief of stomach problems and keep your gut healthy?

Knowing what I know now about expiration dates on foods, I cringe thinking about how much food (and money!) is unnecessarily thrown away. But I recently came across something that piqued my curiosity about those same dates on medications. Considering the high cost of meds, this is even more cringeworthy…

Autumn is harvest time. That means a variety of veggies and fruits are available now and bursting not only flavor, but health-boosting nutrients. It’s time to get adventurous and “wow” your taste buds. Here are six you might not have tried before…

If you’re like me, Daylight Savings Time throws you for a loop. Don’t brush it aside… It can have a profound impact on everything from genes that alter your sleep patterns to your brain, heart, energy levels, ability to remain alert, and more. That’s why doctors are calling for an end to it…

Evidence is mounting that a smile can both lift your mood and make you healthier. And it’s true whether the smile is genuine or faked. So, if you’re feeling down, force a smile. It may soon become real when you see just how many benefits science shows it can get you…

It’s become increasingly clear that certain types of food can raise cancer risk, while other foods help protect against the disease. But just as important as what we eat is in the cancer battle, so is how we eat. And one style of diet checks off quite a few of the reasons cancer happens…

Sleep is essential for good health. And most experts agree, between 7 and 9 hours a night helps the body operate at peak efficiency. But is there a threshold at which insufficient sleep causes the most harm, as in increasing the risk of multiple disease and death? Without a doubt….

Do you settle down in the evening only to discover your legs have other plans? That annoying twitching sensation can make it almost impossible to relax. Your doctor may have thrown his hands up but a way to treat the condition has been found in an old-time remedy…

Bad health and obesity don’t always go hand in hand. Yes, there’s a connection with some health problems, including diabetes, stroke, heart disease and cancer. However, some obese people are considered healthy by most standards. Scientists believe they’ve pinned down what makes the difference…

Many patients come to see me because they want to avoid medications or get off of statins. There’s a lot to consider, including guidelines, but that’s not all considering the risk calculator is, in many ways, flawed. Here’s what I tell them…

In 2016, it was banned from soaps and body washes. But despite the evidence of the harm it does, the FDA has yet to force its removal from other types of household products. Not only can it absorb through your skin, it accelerates fatty liver disease. Here’s what you need to know…

It’s easier than ever to make the switch to a gluten-free diet with all the gluten-free flours and baked goods now available. However, those goods tend to lack the fiber and nutrients found in wheat. Now, there’s an alternative “flour” that can make up that shortfall…

The goal of oral bisphosphonate medications is to slow down the rate of bone thinning. But then again, they’ve been tied to fractures. That’s why researchers are trying to determine how helpful or effective they actually are…

My family and I were hit with what I still call “the COVID” early on in the pandemic. A lot has changed since then, for the better, but the potential for infection from SARS-CoV-2 or one of its variants is still a possibility But thanks to ground-breaking research there may be a natural way to dramatically speed recovery time…

The COVID-19 vaccine is here, but there are a lot of questions as to whether people with underlying medical conditions should take it. Agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are examining the data. Here’s what to know if you fall into these four categories…

Whether you’ve had PMS throughout your life or it is just beginning in your 40s, perimenopause can take it to the next level. Let’s dive into how you can love your body through this transition and feel your best!

Do you love soy milk, edamame, miso or tofu stir-fry? Well, we’ve got good news: Those soy products you enjoy so much may do more than fill your tummy, they may offer significant protection from dementia.

That feeling of an elephant on your chest is something a heart attack survivor never wants to feel again. But every year, 200,000 Americans suffer a second heart attack. If you don’t want to be one of them, researchers say one diet does everything right for your arteries to make it less likely.

For all you male coffee lovers worried about the possibility of prostate cancer in your future, listen up: Past studies have already linked coffee to a lower relative risk of liver, bowel, and breast cancers. Now you can add prostate cancer to the list.

Whole-body vibration is a form of passive exercise for improving neuromuscular performance. But from your bones to your hormones, there’s even more this long-used therapy can do fo you…

Dietary fiber binds with cholesterol, lowers blood sugar and speeds the removal of toxic waste from your body. It can also help you say goodbye to that funky blue mood.

Researchers continue to dig into COVID-19’s mysteries and their exploration has turned up some interesting clues and connections between aging, immune defense, viral sabotage and how we might fight it…

Most weight loss plans don’t work for one simple reason. They’re too restrictive. Yet, what if you could lose weight while you sleep by firing up your metabolism and having it run all night long?

Smoking is bad for you. No news there. But now we know that smoking also makes your lungs a target for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Here are six proven stop-smoking methods you can use to make 2021 the year you quit.

COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory disease. But it presents odd neurological symptoms like cognitive dysfunction and the loss of taste and smell. Researchers looking at the brains of those worst hit saw a big clue to why: brain areas that appeared stroke damaged.

Almost 14 million people age 65 and older will have Alzheimer’s dementia by the year 2050. But an early diagnosis could offer a better outlook, more years of independence, even the possibility of new treatments.

Most of us only think about our body shape when we look in the mirror or try to zip up a pair of jeans. But according to a new study, where we carry our weight could play a dangerous role in cancer risk. Whether you’re an apple or a pear, here’s what you should know, including how to lower the risk.

It’s no surprise omega-3s are your heart’s best friend. Studies have shown not only do they reduce risk of a heart attack — but if you do have one, higher blood levels of the essential fatty acid also point to better survival odds. Now, their protective effects have been found to lower risk of sudden […]

As more information has become available, scientists realize Covid is a multi-system disease that can potentially affect any organ. And the impact of that can linger for weeks and months. Here’s what you should know about the long haul symptoms…

What are your chances of having protective fat? Yes, there is such a thing, and it’s possible to convert bad fat to good fat. Here’s how brown fat works and how to get more…

Seafood has a reputation for being nutritious and good for you. It offers a lean, high-quality protein source rich in omega-3s and anti-inflammatory properties. Sounds ideal, until you realize some of our favorites are considered the most plastic-filled seafood in the world… and there’s harm in it.

Heart surgery is a dangerous procedure. And the recovery is certainly no walk in the park. Even though your doctor may keep a close check on you, there’s one area that recent researchers have found a big gaping hole. Some people are developing malnutrition related to their surgery and that leads not only to complications but poor recovery.

There are so many unfounded misconceptions and myths about menopause despite the lack of evidence to support them. It’s time to annihilate this misinformation with cold, hard facts topped with research and medical experience, flip the myths and get real about your body and your health!

In autoimmune disease, the body’s immune system goes haywire, attacking its own healthy cells and tissues. Treatment is usually long term and can carry harmful side effects. That’s why researchers are looking to a plant-based compound that may be the answer…

Eat to live, don’t live to eat. It’s a motto that could keep you slim. And according to the results of a brand new study, it’s also a motto that could be the key to slowing down your aging. It all has to do with specific complex machines located inside your body’s cells called ribosomes. […]

As the COVID-19 vaccines become available, there are questions about its safety, especially for people with certain allergies. After all there are people who can’t take the flu vaccine. So, allergy experts are taking a close look at this issue and, along with the CDC, have information that can help you know what to expect. […]

When I see a patient for the first time, I point out that my role is not to make a cholesterol or blood pressure number perfect. My role is to help them achieve a greater health goal: longevity. And the truth is, what I can do pales in comparison to what you can do yourself.

If you’re a night owl, getting up with the birds to exercise probably isn’t on your to-do list. But new research shows hitting the gym or even just heading out for a morning walk could be one of the best things you could do to lower your risk of cancer by boosting a cancer-fighting hormone. […]