Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Joyce Hollman

Nature’s Ozempic? Berberine’s impact on blood sugar and weight loss

Berberine is a natural plant compound found in the barberry and goldenseal plants that, in study after study, has been shown to improve blood sugar, cholesterol and even weight loss efforts. Here’s all you need to know…

Joyce Hollman

Study finds optimal dose of omega-3s to lower blood pressure

Omega-3s have been under a lot of scrutiny. From cardio-protective to cholesterol-lowering and brain-boosting, the studies have had one thing in common: discovering that dosage matters. Now an analysis of 71 trials has found the magic amount for lowering blood pressure…

Joyce Hollman

Vitamin D levels bolster skin cancer treatment

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer drugs that take the brakes off the natural immune response so T cells can anihilate cancer cells, are especially effective against melanoma, when caught early. But a new finding says vitamin D levels play into how effective the immunotherapy can be…

Carolyn Gretton

The ‘genotoxic’ sweetener that damages your DNA

Artificial sweeteners are just as popular as ever. And it’s really suprising considering the health concerrns that have been raised over the years, including tumors and heart problems. Now we know why one in particular is especially troublesome…

Margaret Cantwell

What are your health risks from the Canadian wildfires?

Raging wildfires in Canada are causing major headaches and dangerous breathing conditions for parts of the U.S., reaching as far south as Georgia. Fine particulate air matter from wildfires is among the most toxic and passes to your lungs quckly and easily. But the biggest concern is the threat to heart health…

Dr. Michael Cutler

Tips to treat and avoid the fungus among us

We all have yeast on our skin, and for the most part you never know it’s there. But when you do, it’s quite annoying, itchy and uncomfortable. Some can be downright dangerous. So how can you avoid a yeast or fungal infection especially during the summer months?

Carolyn Gretton

How age, diabetes and dementia intersect

A growing body of research has established a link between diabetes and dementia. But where they intersect could triple dementia risk. That intersection? The age when prediabetes becomes full-blown type 2 diabetes…

Joyce Hollman

An apple a day could keep frailty away

Frailty is a syndrome that leads to a greater risk of falls, fractures, disability, hospitalization and mortality. In other words, it can take your independence and make life a lot less fun. Here are 5 signs it could be creeping up and maybe the easiest way to avoid it…

Dr. Geo Espinosa

Pygeum: Natural prostate support that stacks up

Enlarged prostate is typically a benign condition that significantly impacts a man’s health and lifestyle. It can be both uncomfortable and inconvenient, making you feel you can’t be as spontaneous and active as you once were. A remedy with ancient roots and scientific clout could be just what you need…

Joyce Hollman

The blood pressure drug that makes blood pressure worse

A common class of blood pressure drugs has come under scrutiny. They’re designed to keep calcium from stiffening the vascular smooth muscle cells so blood flows freely and BP stays in the healthy range. But research is showing they may actually cause damage that can make your BP worse…

Joyce Hollman

Three ways diabetes can cause Afib

There’s a long list of things that can trigger AFib, a heart arrhythmia that causes the heart’s upper chambers to beat irregularly and rapidly and increases stroke risk. Most people don’t know how close type 2 diabetes is to the top of that list…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The meal that boosts your heart health the most

Heart trouble isn’t just a man’s problem. We’ve learned that for women, heart attack can be doubly deadly. If you want to slash your risk for coronary artery disease, consider the meal that boosts your heart health the most…

Carolyn Gretton

The crazy high cancer risk that comes after gallbladder surgery

Few of us give our gallbladders any thought until trouble starts. As a result, gallbladder removal is one of the most common procedures in the United States. So no big deal, right? Wrong. New insights into what happens after the tiny organ is gone highlight a very high risk for kidney cancer.

Joyce Hollman

10 neurotoxic pesticides linked to Parkinson’s

A cure for Parkinson’s has been elusive. But one thing’s for sure: the death of dopamine-producing neurons is a hallmark of the disease. Research has identified 10 commonly used pesticides toxic to those neurons linked directly to Parkinson’s development.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Prickly pear: The cactus fruit that lowers cholesterol

High cholesterol can affect our health in some surprising ways. And relying on statins has its downsides too. You might be excited to know a fruit that tastes like a cross between all-natural bubble gum (if there were such a thing) and watermelon is surprisingly effective…

Carolyn Gretton

The habit the healthiest and happiest seniors practice

Nothing can stop the march of time. But there are plenty of ways to slow it down and avoid age-related decline. If you follow certain lifestyle habits, you’ve got the recipe for living your senior years long and healthy. But there’s one thing that’s like the icing on the cake…

Joyce Hollman

Laugh away stroke and get happy to lower hypertension

Happiness and laughter do more than make us feel good. These emotions affect our blood vessels and directly impact hypertension risk and heart health. Need proof? See what these studies found out about the emotional connection to these serious health issues…

Jenny Smiechowski

What almonds do to your cholesterol

Your body needs cholesterol to make hormones and vitamin D, help you digest your food — not to mention it’s like brain food. But once your body has enough cholesterol to do what it needs to do, the rest is just superfluous. This is where HDL comes in…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

How CoQ10 supports kidney health

37 million people in our country are living with chronic kidney disease, mostly due to high blood pressure and diabetes. And most don’t even know it. Luckily, a review of multiple studies is offering up an easy way to help make sure you don’t become one of them…

Carolyn Gretton

For women, heart attack can be doubly deadly

When it comes to heart attack, the gender gap is real. In past studies, women were found to be 20 percent more likely than men to die within five years of their first severe heart attack. Now, research indicates the odds of survival may be worse than that…

Joyce Hollman

The bad bedroom habit that leads to metabolic syndrome

When you don’t turn off all the bedroom lights, processes in your body that normally shut down after dark keep going. And when they’re running overtime, they impair glucose and cardiovascular regulation — risk factors for a metabolic nightmare…

Carolyn Gretton

4 ways mouth breathing wrecks your health

Do you often wake up in a puddle of drool? Is your mouth drier than the Mojave desert in the morning? These are annoying signs of a common issue that can impact your health far more seriously than you ever dreamed. From bad teeth to low oxygen, mouth breathing takes a toll…

Jedha Dening

What this tiny seed does to your big appetite

Blood sugar spikes chip away at your body’s sensitivity to insulin. Make a habit of them and they’ll lead straight to insulin resistance, putting type 2 diabetes just a hop and a skip away. But there’s a tiny food that can help… and curb your appetite, without any side effects…

Margaret Cantwell

The secret to lower blood pressure in your pickle jar

How does eating a salad with a tasty dressing that includes salty ingredients and sugar lower blood pressure? Your doctor would roll his eyes, but the research validates the numbers went down. And the secret’s in the vinegar…

Joyce Hollman

Sleep apnea: A much bigger worry than just snoring

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder that causes a person to stop breathing multiple times during the night. It often goes untreated in people at high risk for cardiovascular disease, although up to 80 percent of people with heart disease also have OSA. Here’s everything you should know about this serious health threat…

Joyce Hollman

What a doctor with cancer discovered about cannabis

No matter the cancer type, when it comes to treatment, chemo brain, pain and poor sleep are along for the ride. And even though some doctors are supportive of alternatives like CBD, they don’t know what to tell their patients. A doctor with cancer believes her research can…

Joyce Hollman

The gut problem that hardens your arteries

It’s no secret that a high-fat high-cholesterol diet is bad for the heart. But understanding why it’s worse for some people is another story. Until you understand the gut is a window to the body capable of turning the thermostat up on atherosclerosis…

Joyce Hollman

The carcinogens behind that new-car smell

I remember my first new car. It was exhilarating driving it around. And that new-car smell? Funny how we thought of it almost like a status symbol. But now we’re learning that new-car smell is a byproduct of a chemical process known as off-gassing, and the cancer threat stinks more than you know…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Do statins hurt kidneys?

Can statins hurt your kidneys? My answer is a bit complicated. As a doctor, I could provide three observations right now, not necessarily pointing in the same direction. But let’s start with diabetics, those with established heart or vascular disease and those with familial hypercholesterolemia…

Joyce Hollman

The trace mineral that slows brain aging and helps after stroke

Selenium plays a role in many bodily processes, including reproduction, thyroid function, and protecting the body from free radicals and infection. But what it can do to slow brain aging got our attention, even in the event of stroke…

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.

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

Are you active but still struggle a little with anxiety or depression? “Variety is the spice of life” when it comes to the activities you choose that can benefit your mental health and well-being.

Joyce Hollman

7 reasons to get your omega-3s from krill oil

If you want to support your heart and brain health, your doctor may have recommended that you eat at least two servings of fish a week to get your omega-3s. Fish oil supplements have become popular for this reason — but they’re not your only choice and there’s some evidence they may not be the best choice.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

What processed foods are doing to your kidneys

When we think about poor food choices affecting our health, we think of heart disease and diabetes. But microvascular diseases, ones that affect your small arteries and blood vessles to cause big problems, like kidney disease, are on the rise. Here’s why and how to protect your kidneys.

Carolyn Gretton

Want a better brain? Start with your heart

It’s no secret that the health of your brain depends a lot on your heart health. And the American Heart Association recently issued guidelines that reiterated the importance of this link, as well as the steps you can take to strengthen both your heart and your brain health…

Joyce Hollman

The mineral secret to living longer lighter

To help control weight and promote a longer healthspan (a longer healthier lifespan) many people are turning to restrictive diets, like the vegan diet, known for its health and longevity benefits. But thanks to the mineral found in Brazil nuts you may not have to…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Drink this 30 minutes before exercise to burn more fat

Many supplements claim to enhance sports performance and even muscle gain. But what if you want to maximize your fat burn without mazimizing your workout? If that’s the case, there’s household machine you should crank up before your next workout.

Joyce Hollman

Simple hack boosts effectiveness of anti-aging supplements

It’s no secret that nutritious food, exercise and a low-stress lifestyle can add up to a longer, healthier life. But is that enough? It doesn’t have to be, when research has uncovered a treasure trove of nutrients that can help. And now they’ve found you can boost their effectiveness by taking them at the right time.

Carolyn Gretton

Can stress really make your hair fall out?

A little hair loss is natural — we lose about 50 to 100 hairs from our heads every day as part of the normal hair growth and turnover cycle. If you’re losing far more than that, there could be a number of reasons. Could stress be one of them? Here’s what a Harvard study found…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The saturated fat link to heart disease may be melting away

If you’ve given up the guilty pleasures of a perfectly cooked steak, dripping rich juices, butter melted just perfectly onto your biscuits… or your favorite cheeses, hold up. Research has revealed that not only is the evidence against saturated fats weak at best, those fats may even be vital to our health.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How household dust may contribute to breast cancer

Chemicals have been developed to make our lives easier and safer. But is that always the case? More and more studies are finding it’s not. In fact, something as innocuous as the dust in your home can pose a cancer threat, thanks to chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system.

Carolyn Gretton

Do you have to choose between meat and heart health? Maybe not

If you’re at risk for heart disease, you may be avoiding meat, especially red meat, and eating more vegetables, per doctor’s orders. While more of the green stuff is always a good idea, a 10-year study has found some good news for meat lovers: All meat isn’t off the board — just this group found to significantly raise the danger risk for your heart.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Cocoa: The drink that protects your heart when you’re stressed

When you’re anxious, your heart rate and blood pressure go up. The function of your arteries is also temporarily impaired. So, what can you do other than try to Zen out or medicate? Tantalize your taste buds with the drink that wards off stress-induced cardiovascular events.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The diet that wins for weight loss, cholesterol and insulin sensitivity

There are a number of reasons people diet, but if you had to narrow them down, they’d probably all fit in two categories: to lose weight and to improve a health condition. What if you want it all?

Joyce Hollman

Why your weight can increase your Alzheimer’s risk

Most people don’t know that obesity doesn’t just place a strain on your body, but on your brain as well that can set you up for Alzheimer’s. Maintaining a healthy weight can lessen the risk, and it may be a little easier with the one nutrient that feeds your brain and helps you lose weight.

Carolyn Gretton

Bleeding gums? Check your blood pressure

Keeping your teeth and gums clean can go a long way toward protecting the health of your whole body, including your heart, lungs, kidneys and brain. In fact, good oral health has been linked with an important measure of heart health: your blood pressure…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The juice that promoted healthier aging in just 10 days

Things change with age. But you don’t have to settle for poor blood vessel health, high blood pressure, and senior moments just because a few extra years have passed — not when you know how to kick up production of an important compound that can get things going in the right direction in as little as 10 days.

Joyce Hollman

The pre-diet step for lasting lower blood pressure and weight loss

If you’ve been discouraged with results after dieting, the problem could be your gut bacteria. Researchers identified a pre-diet step that boosts the benefits of
a healthy diet and helped participants lose weight, get control of their blood pressure and even cut down or eliminate BP medication.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Are you taking one of these medications that increase fall risk?

Chances are, if you’re 65 years of age or older, you’re currently taking at least one prescription drug that could cause a dangerous fall, a hip fracture, head trauma and worse. Coinciding with the rise in medication is the rate of death from falls. Here’s a list of the worst offenders…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

3 deficiencies leading to weak bones for vegans

While research shows going vegan could help you lose more weight, ward off type 2 diabetes, and even protect against certain cancers, the news isn’t all roses. If you go vegan and aren’t careful, your bones can suffer. Research shows three nutritional deficiencies leading to trouble…

Joyce Hollman

The sleepy solution to less menopausal belly fat

Have you been told that belly fat is just part of menopause? It took a female doctor to realize that only about half of women are plagued with weight gain at this time in their lives. So she dug in and found out what else was contributing to that extra weight…

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