Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Down this ‘shot’ before meals for lower blood sugar

While lifestyle changes can help defeat blood sugar problems, they’re not easy to stick to. But, if you’re still able to manage your condition without resorting to medication, you’d probably like to keep it that way. Here’s a tip researchers say will help…

Joyce Hollman

Why your hips hurt and the supplements that help

Healthy and pain-free hips are important to maintain mobility and independence with age. Osteoarthritis is only one condition that can compromise your hip function. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to support your hips so they can keep supporting you!

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to lower your soaring summer stress hormone

There’s this myth about the lazy days of summer being so relaxing. But it looks like stress hormone levels may be far higher in summer than in winter, and that means so is your risk for depression, memory problems and even a heart event…

Carolyn Gretton

Pneumonia: The surprising threat to denture wearers

Properly cleaning dentures is important, and not just for a fresh mouth. Like teeth, they collect bacterial plaque and may cause fungal infections. Worse, they build up a sticky biofilm that acts like a magnet for some very dangerous bacteria, in and out of your mouth, that you can breath into your lungs…

Joyce Hollman

Proof dietary supplementation is a must

For years, the medical establishment has pushed the idea that supplementing is a waste of money. Will they change their minds after findings that prove food alone can’t compete with multivitamins when it comes to keeping important levels where they need to be…

Joyce Hollman

Aspartame: The artificial sweetener linked to anxiety

Did you know that aspartame is responsible for generating 75 percent of consumer reports on adverse reactions to artificial sweeteners? It’s been linked to heart attack, stroke and kidney damage for starters. The latest? Multi-generational anxiety…

Jenny Smiechowski

10 houseplants NASA says will make you feel better

How would you like to add some greenery to your bedroom that can help you sleep better, suffer fewer colds or allergies, and experience less anxiety–thanks to the proven power of plants to purify your air? Well, check out this list to see which ones can benefit you the most… NASA approved!

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Men’s heart health: In your 60s and beyond

Although a heart attack may seem to come “out of the blue,” the substrate that enabled it to happen has been building for decades. But the more risk factors you can keep under control, the less likely you’ll have a heart attack in the future. And it truly is never too late to start…

Carolyn Gretton

Why severe heart attacks occur most often on Mondays

Is there anyone who really likes Mondays? When that alarm goes off early Monday morning, it signals the end of a care-free attitude and hello to whatever business is at hand. It also signals a dangerous time for your heart…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The answer to gum disease found in fish oil

By the age of 65, the risk of periodontal disease, a gum infection that erodes soft tissue and bone, leading to tooth loss, is more than 70 percent. But a simple nutrient appears to get to the “root” cause, supporting stem cells in the gums that may hold onto your teeth…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Formaldehyde: This secret summer threat is heating up

When you think about the dangers that come with blazing summer heat, you probably think about dehydration and sunburn. In a big city, you might worry about the pollution making up that thick summer haze. But the heat is also increasing a serious threat in your home right now…

Carolyn Gretton

IBD: The gut problem that increases stroke risk

The symptoms of IBD are bad enough: bloating, cramping, stomach pain, diarrhea, fatigue and weight loss. Worse, IBD can set off other problems, including raising the risk of blood clots. In turn, that means IBD carries a higher stroke risk to be on guard for…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The veggie that lowers blood sugar up to 35 percent

If you work at balancing your blood sugar, you know that rice and potatoes can be a real problem. But they’re hard to give up, right? What if you could just replace half a serving of potatoes with a certain veggie and lower blood sugar spikes by 35 percent?

Carolyn Gretton

Carotenes: A double-whammy against atherosclerosis

Carotenes, antioxidant compounds found in varying degrees in fruits and vegetables, are believed to have the potential to check atherosclerosis. But many studies have been inconclusive on this point. The most recent, however, hits on not one, but two ways the nutrient supports our arteries.

Joyce Hollman

12 surprising ways air conditioning affects us

Whether you have one in your home or not, when it’s hot, most of us certainly wish for one. But air conditioning can be a mixed blessing. In climates that are consistently hot, it can be a lifesaver. But it does have its tradeoffs. Living in a consistently air-conditioned environment can do both good and not-so-good things to your body.

Joyce Hollman

Moderate drinking’s brain-changing effects on the heart

There’s been a lot of conflicting research on the impacts of alcohol on health. But study after study has linked moderate drinking with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. It has to do with a very small part of the brain that has a big job: processing emotions…

Margaret Cantwell

Why GERD, acid reflux and indigestion increase in summer

To maintain good health, your body must constantly manage the delicate balance that keeps pH levels where they should be. The trouble is that some of our vital functions throw that balance off. And summertime is when they can get really out of whack…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

Reduce the travel risks of deep vein thrombosis

As the summer season hits full swing, many people are planning their long-awaited vacations. If you are escaping to a far-away place, however, it’s important to keep in mind the risks involved with long-distance travel, including deep vein thrombosis…

Joyce Hollman

The best workout for better blood sugar control

Diabetics know the right exercise is important for controlling blood sugar. But a newly discovered factor to add to any routine has the highest chance of helping some with type 2 diabetes completely stop their glucose-lowering medications…

Carolyn Gretton

3 reasons to wash your rice: Lead, cadmium and arsenic

I like my rice with a creamy consistency, so I’ve never washed it before cooking. That’s about to change. In the U.S., arsenic levels in rice are sky high (even in instant rice), but it’s not the the only harmful heavy metal you get a serving of when rice is on your plate…

Jenny Smiechowski

6 common sunscreen chemicals aren’t safe even by FDA standards

Sunscreen is so important for protecting yourself from skin cancer and skin aging. There’s no denying that. Heck, I wear sunscreen on my face and neck every day (even in the winter when the likelihood of me getting any sun is pretty slim) for those very reasons. But sunscreen is far from perfect…

Carolyn Gretton

Living with Lupus: The vitamin deficiency you can’t afford to ignore

Metabolic syndrome combines insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity for a high risk of heart trouble and stroke. If you have lupus, you may be shocked to find yourself in the crosshairs of this dangerous condition.

Joyce Hollman

The ‘hereditary’ toxicity of chemotherapy

The effectiveness of chemotherapy could be debated all day. But if you weigh surviving cancer against the toxicity of the therapy, you can see why so many go through with it. And why so many look for alternative therapies. But there’s a new consideration for cancer patients who want to be parents…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

8 vitamins for supple summer skin

Between fluctuating hormone levels, falling collagen levels, oxidative stress and the summer sun, your skin could probably use some help repairing itself these days. That’s where these eight skin-saving vitamins come in…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Two big reasons you need more vitamin C this summer

Summer is here and that means fun in the sun. Taking vitamins might not be at the top of your list when it comes to summer must-haves, but there are two big reasons vitamin C should be, and one of them is sunburn protection…

Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby

The vitamin everyone needs (especially diabetics) for kidney protection

Protecting your kidneys is critical to health. But did you know one of the most dangerous and prevalent side effects of type 2 diabetes is kidney damage? So in addition to properly managing diabetes, it’s vitally important to be sure you’re not deficient in this one very important vitamin…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why summer heat is hard on your heart and how to keep cool

If you have heart problems, it’s important to understand how heat can compound your risks. When your body tries to cool down, the process stresses the heart in several ways, But you can still enjoy summer, keep your cool and stay safe with these tips…

Joyce Hollman

5 serious conditions that can make you really thirsty

Excessive thirst can be a sign of dehydration or overheating. But it can also signal a much more serious health problem. If you’re finding yourself more thirsty than usual, it may have absolutely nothing to do with the summer heat, and everything to do with an underlying condition, like one of these…

Carolyn Gretton

Matcha tea: Nature’s antidepressant in a cup

It’s not uncommon to feel down on occasion. But persistent feelings of sadness that impact daily life could indicate depression. Even with treatment, up to a third feel left out in the cold. With those odds, it’s helpful to know a warm cup of the right tea could help.

Jenny Smiechowski

5 reasons mosquitoes love you and how to turn them off

Are you a mosquito magnet? Do you wonder why everyone else can enjoy a great summer cookout while you get swarmed by disease-carrying, welt-inducing, blood-sucking insects? Well, it turns out, there are several potential reasons why you could top the mosquitoes’ most desirable list…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Keto: The diet with potential to starve cancer cells

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 immediate benefits of exercise says science

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!

Joyce Hollman

What ‘diabetes remission’ really looks like

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….

Jonathan Sharp

Is your mattress leaking fiberglass? Here’s how to know

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…

Carolyn Gretton

Walking significantly raises survival odds after a stroke

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…

Joyce Hollman

Why napping won’t make up for your sleepless nights

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The age when metabolism really slows (it’s later than you think)

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Meditation: Better concentration now and less degeneration later

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…

Carolyn Gretton

Osteoporosis: The forgotten mineral that lowers the risk

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…

Joyce Hollman

Can a COVID-19 infection cause diabetes?

COVID-19 hasn’t been shy about wreaking havoc on multiple organs in the body. And it’s come to light that in many cases, it goes after the pancreas. There it begins a dangerous game of cat and mouse with hormones that regulate blood sugar. In fact, there are real concerns that a bout with COVID-19 may leave lifelong blood sugar problems in its wake…

Carolyn Gretton

Considering hormone replacement therapy? Check your ‘vascular age’

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…

Carolyn Gretton

Combining metabolic syndrome with kidney disease can be deadly

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…

Joyce Hollman

10 factors that increase bone fracture risk

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.

Joyce Hollman

Early signs of COVID-19 differ by age: know yours

Did you know that the earliest COVID-19 symptoms are not the same for everyone? We’ve learned a lot through the pandemic and new research shows that, depending upon your age, the early warning signs may be different from what you think. Knowing your earliest symptoms can help you protect yourself and others…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Insulin resistance: What you need to know

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Harnessing the simplest of supplements against autoimmune disease

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Losing height? Why mid-life shrinkage is a stroke risk warning

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.

William Davis

Vitamin K2: 3 reasons it helps you live your best life

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.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How sugar drains our mitochondria and sets the stage for disease

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…

Carolyn Gretton

The overlooked nutrient deficiency that can sneak up on diabetics

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The exercise combo that slays 6 types of cancer risks

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.

Joyce Hollman

Does your body have enough beige fat to ward off dementia?

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Will you suffer from long COVID? Count your symptoms

COVID-19 brought big and frightening surprises from the beginning. And the one that might be the most unique is the realization that once you’re supposedly over the virus, you may not be over your symptoms. Can you know if you’re more likely to suffer long COVID? Here’s exactly what to look for…

Carolyn Gretton

Why you should never throw these fruit and vegetable skins away

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Essential oils really work with the help of a ‘brain vitamin’

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

3 simple ingredients to fade age spots and the ones to avoid

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…

Carolyn Gretton

The significant impact healthy choices have on genetic cancer risk

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…

Carolyn Gretton

Making sense of starches in your diet: The good and the deadly

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…

Jenny Hart

How diabetes increases risk factors for 4 common diseases

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The vitamin deficiency found to fuel addiction

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…

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