Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Joyce Hollman

How blueberries keep your blood pressure (and more!) in check

If you’re not already eating blueberries daily, let me remind you: They have a solid superfood reputation for not just one good reason, but several. If you need convincing, I’ll lay out multiple ways this one tiny fruit is the best thing you can eat for a healthy heart…

Joyce Hollman

Half a million medical records link viruses to neurodegeneration

For years now, researchers have noticed curious links between a handful of viruses and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. A new look into a staggering number of health records indicates even though the link may not be causal, it warrants serious attention…

Joyce Hollman

9 steps that make summer grilling healthier

Time to break out the grill, but you should know that grilling meat can generate two known carcinogens. The good news: there are a few steps you can take to reduce this threat, including the right marinade…

Carolyn Gretton

Relief for long COVID fatigue: Resetting the vagus nerve

Long-COVID is no joke. Almost half who suffer from it experience crushing fatigue they say impacts their quality of life. Researchers hot on the trail of why it happens and how to relieve it may have hit a nerve… one that has a history of dysfunction related to other viral infections.

Jenny Smiechowski

3 serious conditions most likely to be misdiagnosed

Over 100,000 Americans die or are permanently disabled each year because of diagnostic errors. How do you prevent a nightmare like this from happening? It’s helpful to know which conditions are most likely to be misdiagnosed in the first place. And lucky for you, a new study just revealed the top three…

Margaret Cantwell

Energize your cells to shrink fat—literally

If you struggle with weight issues despite sticking to a reasonably healthy diet and regular exercise routine, it’s time you got in on this little secret. It isn’t your fault. The standard American diet has made you the victim of a tragic nutrient deficiency that could otherwise shrink fat cells.

Debra Atkinson

16 ways to ‘get in the mood’

One in 10 women experiences a loss of their sexual desire. That’s 16 million women who’ve lost an important part of a healthy life. Maybe you don’t really think it’s a big deal, but there’s something you should know…

Tracey G. Ingram, AuD

Moringa: An anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic superfood

The moringa is a veritable vitamin powerhouse rich in phytochemicals, antioxidants, calcium, iron and potassium — and that’s just for starters. Praised for its healing properties for thousands of years, its popularity has reached the states and evidence is piling up. Here’s how to use it… Moringa is native to India and grown in Asia […]

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The link between artificial sweeteners, infection and multi-organ failure

You wouldn’t sit down in a restaurant and grab a little pink packet of bacteria to stir into your tea or coffee, would you? Or drink down a can of diet soda that has it already mixed in, right? Considering how artificial sweeteners ramp up and enable dangerous bacteria in your gut, you may as well…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Women and heart disease: The menopause years

I remember when I experienced my first night sweat. I knew it signalled menopause, but also knew there wasn’t much to do about it. After all, hormone therapy was dangerous. But did a flawed study scare women away from a therapy that could lessen thier heart disease risk?

Carolyn Gretton

Drinking toxins: Heavy metal contamination reaches beyond juice

You may remember when we broke news about arsenic, lead and cadmium contamination in juice. Well, that threat has grown and leached to popular “health drinks.” Considering daily exposure from other sources, your heart and brain health could suffer if you don’t cut these drinks out…

Joyce Hollman

Feed a cold, starve a fever (or leave it be for faster recovery)

A fever is the body’s reaction to infection. Turning the heat up improves the performance of immune cells and stresses the pathogen behind the illness. So is it any wonder that the practice of medicating fever is coming into question or that skipping it could clear infection in half the time?

Joyce Hollman

10 signs of early-onset dementia

Early-onset dementia can hit much earlier than you might think. And even though a few signs are similar to what older people experience, some stand out. It’s important to know them and how up to 40 percent of early-onset cases may be avoided…

Joyce Hollman

5 ‘magic’ seeds to snack on every day

In some case, the smallest part of a plant contains the most powerful nutrition… Here are five seeds in particular that you should know about. Because these tiny powerhouses are so packed with goodness — they could actually help you live longer and healthier!

Jenny Smiechowski

Triple nutrient cocktail could help stave off heart attack and stroke

Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of heart attack, but it also causes about half of all strokes. And there are often no symptoms until it’s too late.

Margaret Cantwell

The unseen damage of vitamin deficiencies: Sacrificing longevity

When it comes to supplements, most doctors say forget them. But nutrition science ignores the fact that most vitamins and minerals are not only needed to maintain daily health, they’re also required for processes that impact longevity. If you’re not taking in enough of the ones on this list, it’s your lifespan that gets cheated…

Carolyn Gretton

When it comes to aspirin and heart protection, does dose matter?

Using aspirin every day remains part of most therapeutic plans to keep people who’ve already had a heart attack or stroke from experiencing another. But there have been concerns about bleeding. Researchers recently took a look at which dose would be best as far as efficacy and safety, and what they found was surprising…

Carolyn Gretton

‘Miracle’ molecule may speed diabetic foot ulcer healing

Because it’s increasingly common, it’s easy to forget just how insidious diabetes is. It can tear the body down — from your heart to your limbs. But new technology may harness a naturally occurring molecule to speed the healing of at least one common but dangerous complication…

Carolyn Gretton

Coffee’s blood pressure benefits ‘closest to the heart’

Of all the benefits applied to coffee, there’s been some conflicting data about its effects on blood pressure. But Italian researchers have discovered something surprising about coffee, blood pressure and the best predictor of stroke and heart attack…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Women and heart disease: Don’t wait to take it seriously

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. That’s still surprising to some, but consider this: the likelihood a woman will die of breast cancer is about 1 in 30. The chance that she will die from heart disease is 1 in 3. That means it’s never too early to take your risks seriously.

Margaret Cantwell

Could a resveratrol supplement fight Lyme disease?

Not to sound paranoid, but my biggest concern about being outdoors isn’t snakes, it’s ticks. More than 475,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported each year in the U.S. Though early antibiotic therapy can help, a few plant extracts found to kill the bacteria may hold more promise…

Carolyn Gretton

What your get-up-and-go says about a sinister sign of aging

Most of us expect we’ll slow down at least a little as we age. But it doesn’t mean we need to sit back and wait to see what happens. In recent years, the connection between a healthy body and sound mind have been made clear: lose your get-up-and-go and your mind will follow…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Green tea extracts may turn superfood’s benefits harmful

Green tea boasts the most disease-fighting power in each and every sip. From improving weight loss and blood pressure to protecting DNA, it’s often considered the holy grail of teas. So, wouldn’t leveling up with high-dose green tea extract be even better?

Joyce Hollman

Metabolism slowing with age? Reverse it

It seems unfair that when we hit a certain age, our metabolism slows down, the weight starts to hang on and the risks of dangerous health conditions ramp up. But thanks to a better understanding of the type of fats we carry, your age-related metabolism change could be reversed…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The vitamin that protects your heart if you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis means living with painful joints. It also carries a much higher risk for heart and blood vessel disease and death. Why? It comes down to a simple vitamin deficiency caused by medicines that treat it.

Margaret Cantwell

Manuka honey for chronic bladder infections

Dealing with chronic urinary tract infections is a real pain in the bladder and potentially the kidneys if you don’t get it under control. Right now, the only solution your doctor can offer is antibiotics. But antibiotic-resistant UTIs are on the rise. Thank goodness for natural options…

Joyce Hollman

New osteoporosis drug: All hype and heart attack?

A new drug has been shown particularly effective at reducing the risk of fracture in women with severe osteoporosis. Great news, but there’s a catch: a 30 percent increased risk of heart attack, not to mention elevated risks for hypertension, diabetes and stroke…

Carolyn Gretton

The surprising reason your smoothie isn’t that nutritious

If you eat the right foods, you might assume you’re getting the nutrition you need for optimal health. But nutrient absorption can range from 10 to 90 percent. If you make this common smoothie mistake you’re missing out on a bio-active compound science is studying for prevention of cancer, heart disease and more…

Rick Kaselj

Breaking free from sciatic: Natural remedies to ease the pain

Sciatica is a painful condition caused by the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body. Treatment sometimes involves surgery, but thankfully, numerous natural remedies can effectively provide relief for this incapacitating condition…

Joyce Hollman

One a day to lower cholesterol, stroke and heart disease risk

Oxidation in the body is the start of a chain reaction that ends in hardened arteries, stroke, heart disease or worse. Just as it turns an apple brown or causes metal to rust, oxidation causes harm in our bodies. The good news is that oxidative stress is largely preventable…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Black cumin: 7 modern benefits of an ancient seed oil

King Tut, Cleopatra, and Hippocrates relied on black cumin seed for an array of conditions, including malaise, weakness, coughing and skincare. When something is carried down over the years as a “remedy,” especially as long as black cumin seed, there’s got to be something to it. But when the research agrees, it’s even better.

Carolyn Gretton

10 essential ingredients for healthy, vibrant skin

Healthy skin isn’t just something you’re born with — it takes some work. And while fancy creams and serums may help keep your skin radiant, you need to go deeper than the products you put on the surface to help your skin stand the tests of time. That’s where skin nutrition comes into play…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Being active may help you hold onto your hearing

You’ve probably heard plenty about the dangers of not being active, including heart disease, stroke and various cancers. But are you aware of the auditory dangers of a sedentary lifestyle? It’s time to listen up and get up to save your hearing…

Joyce Hollman

Hungry all the time? It’s your blood sugar, not your appetite

Are you hungry all the time? Do you find yourself eating just an hour or two after a big meal? If you’ve had trouble with your weight as a result, stop beating yourself up over your lack of appetite control. You may be a big dipper. That means changes in your blood sugar levels affect how soon you feel hungry again.

Joyce Hollman

Not eating your greens? A greens powder could help

Less than ten percent of us eat enough leafy greens, and it’s making us sick. We either don’t like the taste, find them expensive and don’t like that they may cause gas and bloating. If you want to make healthier choices about what goes in your crisper — but have an easy option as well, here are the healthiest greens and what to look for in a greens powder.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

High blood pressure: What I tell my patients

High blood pressure is extremely common. What’s worse is that only about 1 in 4 adults with hypertension have it under control. That’s because there are many causes. Put too many straws on the camel’s back and it falls over. Take a few straws away, the camel can stand back up. You can bring your numbers down the same way.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 ways exercise helps battle breast cancer

Although it may seem like exercising would be a difficult task for anyone undergoing treatment for breast cancer, according to doctors at Johns Hopkins, it’s one of the best things to do. Not only does it lessen the side effects of treatment, research shows it has a direct impact on treatment outcomes.

Carolyn Gretton

One ‘must-have’ for a healthy liver and healthy living

Poor diet and lack of activity can lead to a lot of health problems, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The traditional way to treat fatty liver has been through significant weight loss. But researchers are finding that you may not need to lose as much weight to keep your liver healthy if you do this…

Joyce Hollman

9 health and body changes that happen in your 70s

Your body doesn’t come with a user’s manual. So, as you age, some changes may take you by surprise, but you can be prepared. Here are some things you might expect and some advice to keep enjoying life no matter your age.

Carolyn Gretton

How breastfeeding makes women’s hearts healthier

Maybe you’re a soon-to-be new mom deciding whether to breastfeed or not, or a mom who breastfed years ago. In either case you may excited to learn mothers benefit just as much from breastfeeding as their babies do. It turns out breastfeeding may lower the risk of certain diseases over the long term for moms, including cardiovascular disease…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How the gut may activate Alzheimer’s genes

One of the fastest-growing areas proving gut health is whole-body health is Alzheimer’s research. Study after study has linked the gut microbiome with either Alzheimer’s risk or protection. Now, a ground-breaking study has found that the genes that trigger Alzheimer’s may be turned on by the gut.

Joyce Hollman

Depression’s DNA links to accelerated aging

We’ve all had the blues. But major depressive disorder is something entirely different. People with MDD have higher rates of incidence and mortality from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and Alzheimers, but the medical community hasn’t understood why, until now.

Carolyn Gretton

Treating sleep apnea helps both your mind and body

A good night’s sleep is essential for optimal health. But there are disorders like sleep apnea that can make it difficult to get steady, restful sleep. That’s why it’s so important to treat sleep apnea — particularly when it comes to your cognitive health…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is your back pain killing you?

Living with back pain can feel like torture. People who deal with pain day in and day out may even feel like it’s killing them. But can it? Past studies have made that connection. And the newest saw a correlation with premature death and back pain possibly involving a cardiovascular component.

Joyce Hollman

The vitamin that stands up to age-related muscle loss

Mitochondria are the “energy factories” of our cells. They process energy from the food we eat and make it available for our bodies to use. But even mighty mitochondria can’t provide your muscle with sufficient energy to avoid age-related muscle loss without this simple vitamin…

Joyce Hollman

The nutty reason a calorie isn’t always a calorie

In spite of all their health benefits, nuts like almonds still get “bad press.” You’ll often hear that snacking on them leads to weight gain, because of the calories that come from their fat content. What if we told you that when you eat that handful of almonds, you’re really not absorbing all those calories?

Carolyn Gretton

The link between ‘long COVID’ and your thyroid

While the majority of people who contract COVID-19 recover in a matter of days, many suffer from “long COVID,” a condition where symptoms linger for weeks or months. A possible reason? Thyroiditis, or thyroid inflammation, that’s been triggered by the virus.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Giving in to wanderlust may be what you need right now

After a year of lockdowns, things are finally loosening up. If you’ve been suppressing your wanderlust, now may be a good time to give in. Not just because it could be safer, but because of some measurable wellness benefits that could impact your well-being.

Carolyn Gretton

From hemorrhoids to heart trouble: Why you shouldn’t strain to ‘go’

We don’t like to talk about it, but the truth is, constipation is a common problem. When you’re constipated, you may have to strain to pass your stools. And if you strain too hard, it can lead to complications much more serious than hemorrhoids…

Joyce Hollman

Brain fog: How chronic sinus problems may change your brain

If you suffer from chronic sinusitis or rhinosinusitis, you know how it can interrupt your daily life. And it’s not even the runny nose or sinus pressure that’s the most disruptive. The inability to concentrate can make everyday tasks almost impossible for some. Now you can feel validated: Science shows sinus inflammation affects your brain’s connections.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Enzymes: The safer, healthier choice for digestive upset

From gas and bloating to abdominal pain, heartburn and diarrhea, surveys show that 74 percent of Americans are living with digestive problems. If you’re one of them, you may have wondered about digestive enzymes and why you need them. Here are the answers to your questions, and the relief you need.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Who’s most likely to experience long-haul COVID-19 symptoms?

One of the most frightening issues with COVID-19 is that unlike other viruses we’e exposed to, such as the flu or the common cold, which are over when they’re over, COVID symptoms can linger for months. But everyone isn’t affected the same way. Here’s why you could be at higher risk for the long haul and what might help…

Joyce Hollman

7 ways to start ridding your life of brain-damaging BPA

We’ve long known that the chemicals BPA and BPS, found in many common plastic products, can cause damage to your liver, thyroid, heart and other organ systems. Now, a team of biologists has found that these chemicals may also cause permanent brain damage. Follow this advice to reduce you and your family’s risk.

Carolyn Gretton

The antioxidants that could lower HPV infection risk

Cervical cancer can be one of the more deadly cancers women face. Human papillomavirus causes the vast majority of cervical cancer and in recent years a vaccine was developed for both women and men. But many older adults have never received the vaccine. Luckily, researchers are examining other ways to reduce this threat.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is bacon worth a 44 percent increase in dementia risk?

Dementia is a disease that’s not only on the rise, it seems to be taking the world by storm. While there are currently approximately 50 million cases of dementia globally, every year another 10 million are diagnosed. You could avoid being one of them if you cut out this kind of meat…

Joyce Hollman

The real ‘fat factor’ driving osteoarthritis

Many people believe osteoarthritis (OA) is an unavoidable result of aging, as the cartilage in joints wears away, leaving them stiff and painful. Carrying extra weight is thought to worsen it. But new research has revealed that it’s a different kind of fat factor driving OA.

Carolyn Gretton

2 types of stress putting women at high risk for heart disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is more prevalent in men than in women, but that doesn’t mean women are safe from it. Mature women are at especially high risk of developing CHD, partly because of low estrogen, and partly because of the weight of two specific types of psychological stress…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What your brain pH can tell you about your health

The measure of pH reveals how acidic or alkaline the body is. Too much, either way, can contribute to illness. Researchers have been able to see the effect of pH on brain chemistry and there are significant impacts…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Dopamine: The link between exercise and cognitive health

For decades, aerobic exercise has been linked to improved cognitive function. But the “why” hasn’t been clear. New research connects it to a feel-good neurotransmitter that may not only help your brain but help you with the motivation you need to get fit.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Mix up your daily activities to boost your well-being

The pandemic didn’t make dealing with depression or anxiety easy. In fact, by curtailing social and recreational activities and movement, your well-being may have taken an even bigger hit. Though this was a social experiment none of us volunteered for, here’s what research learned about how our daiy activities impact our well-being and how to get the most from them.

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