Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

Why skipping breakfast means getting sick more often

There are many proven reasons breakfast has earned the title of “most important meal of the day.” And the popular practice of fasting is proving yet another reason why: a chain reaction set off by inflammation that can make you sick easily and more often and set you up for heart problems…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is revitalizing old blood the secret to slowing aging?

Research has demonstrated the power of young blood to rejuvenate older bodies, making hearts and muscles stronger and minds sharper. But you can’t walk into your doctor’s office and ask to be hooked up to an IV of blood from a 20-year-old. Here’s what you can do…

Joyce Hollman

How ultra-processed foods destroy your hunger hormones

Astrocytes are star-shaped cells in the brain that express receptors for hormones, including ghrelin, which signals hunger, and its counterpart, leptin, which signals fullness. But just 10 days of the wrong foods dismantles that whole system…

Carolyn Gretton

This early warning could save your heart years before signs of trouble

Given how deadly a heart attack or stroke can be, it helps to get as much advance warning as possible. But too often that’s not the case by the time the heart signals a problem. But there’s another part of the body where researchers have discovered a tell-tale sign that may save lives years in advance.

Carolyn Gretton

Conclusive: Vitamin D’s viral ‘protective effect’

During the pandemic, there was a lot of research into how nutrition might give us an edge, and one vitamin stood out. Now that the worst appears to be behind us, you may be wondering what was ultimately decided. Does vitamin D have exceptional clout or not?

Jenny Smiechowski

Drink away high blood pressure and bad cholesterol

If you follow a few simple rules, you can drink tomato juice until your heart’s content (and your heart will be very content — and healthy — with lower BP and cholesterol!). That’s what people in this study did, and look how it worked out for them? Ready to give it a go?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to lower sleep apnea risk in 20 minutes

Snoring, waking up gasping for air or with a headache in the morning and feeling tired and irritable are all signs of sleep apnea, a condition that affects more than 29 million Americans. A new study has found an easy way to reduce your risk of sleep apnea in under 20 minutes per day…

Joyce Hollman

5 ways eating a banana could save your life

Will a banana a day keep heart disease away? Let me count the ways… bananas are high in potassium, a mineral that plays a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy heart. Without enough of this mineral, your heart and arteries simply cannot function the way they’re supposed to.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How forever chemicals set you up for disease later in life

If you think forever chemicals are new, you’d be wrong. PFAS have been around since the 1940s. That means most of us have been around long enough for PFAS to have taken advantage of a vulnerable window of time when they set us up for disease later in life…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why omega-3s came out on top of COVID-19

The health and longevity of people in blue zones is just one reasons for tons of research on omega-3 essential fatty acids. They’ve held an ancient secret that in today’s world is still proving they’re not only essential because we can’t produce them on our own, but good health depends on them.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Erythritol: The sugar substitute linked to sticky blood and stroke

Blood clots in response to an injured blood vessel. It’s a normal response even to a paper cut. As the bleeding stops, the clot is no longer needed and dissolves. Things don’t always go as planned, but who would have thought an artificial sweetener could make things worse…

Jenny Smiechowski

Golf lovers do this better

You wouldn’t think being a spectator at a sporting event would have a positive impact on your health. But it does — at least when it comes to one sport in particular, whose fans could put just about anyone’s Fitbit score to shame…

Joyce Hollman

How irregular sleep hardens arteries

Studies have shown that not sleeping enough and having irregular bedtimes and wake-up times can put your heart at risk. Now, researchers have connected the dots between poor sleep and a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke…

Joyce Hollman

Laxatives linked to high dementia risk

Chronic constipations affects more Americans than care to admit. If you’re one of them and reach for laxatives for relief, take a close look at the type and how many you use. Your future brain health may depend on it…

Carolyn Gretton

The link between your toothbrush and silent brain damage

Over the years, we’ve learned more about how the health of your mouth can affect your entire body. But oral health risk factors that contribute to stroke prompted research into how caring for your mouth could save your brain from silent damage…

Carolyn Gretton

The surprising truth about olive oil’s benefits

A daily spoonful of olive oil could tame a lot of health ills. But what makes it so healthy? For years polyphenols, phenomenal plant compounds, got all the glory. But a component that makes up almost 80 percent of olive oil’s composition is stepping forward…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The silent surgery risk your doctor may not know about

If you’re age 65 or older and considering surgery, know your risks. Especially if the surgery is elective. You’ll need to weigh the chances of a newly recognized risk and what it could do to your life… against the potential benefits you’ll get from having the surgery. And it’s a threat your doctor may not be aware of yet…

Joyce Hollman

Forget dieting: Adopt an ‘eat more-live better’ food style

The word “diet” conjures up images of deprivation, tasteless foods, and constant cravings for what we can’t have. But deprivation diets set you up to fail… unless you have willpower like Superman. Instead of starting a new “diet,” pledge to gradually change your “eating style,” and you’ll have greater success.

Joyce Hollman

Obesity causes brain changes that mimic Alzheimer’s

Strange as it sounds, obesity is a form of premature aging. But though that’s been well established, experts were still shocked to see how similar obesity-related neurodegeneration is to changes in an Alzheimer’s brain…

Joyce Hollman

Old diabetes drug with a dangerous past may treat Alzheimer’s

Ever hear the expression, “out of the frying pan, into the fire”? It means going from a bad situation to one that may be even worse. Like taking a drug linked to heart issues, bladder cancer and liver toxicity and giving it new life as an Alzheimer’s treatment.

Joyce Hollman

One a day with a friend rids loneliness and stress

Within each of us is a unique ecosystem of bacteria known as the gut microbiome. When it’s well-balanced, well-being flourishes. The same can be said for your social biome. And whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, helping yours thrive entails more than quality or quantity…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Research links common medications to tinnitus

The ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing and clicking of tinnitus can drive anyone crazy. And though doctors have tried for years to help, there’s been little known about the causes of the condition — until now. It turns out it could be sitting in your medicine cabinet at this very moment…

Carolyn Gretton

Common medications increase bowel disease after 40

Inflammatory bowel diseases, like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can be painful and debilitating, causing chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, bloody stools, weight loss and fatigue. If you’re in your 40s, certain medications can increase your risk of developing one…

Carolyn Gretton

The road that leads to tinnitus noise triggers

Tinnitus can be caused by hundreds of health issues and external stimuli. But one recently identified source is something we’re all exposed to at one time or another — and it’s not-so-great news for people living in urban areas…

Joyce Hollman

Thyroid, menopause and diabetes: The phthalate danger to women

Phthalates are colorless, odorless “everywhere” chemicals. They go by a host of names, but they’re all endocrine-disrupting chemicals. From thyroid to menopause trouble, women are hardest hit. Now, they’re why you can get diabetes from your shampoo…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Popular manicure may increase risk for skin cancer

Before you head off to the nail salon, there’s something you should know. Gel manicures may look lovely but they expose you to a very real danger. Just like the sun and tanning beds, those nail dryers pack a serious punch of UV radiation…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Mitochondria: Key to preserving fitness during aging

Exercise is one of the most powerful anti-aging tools we have. But even though physical activity can improve health during aging, evidence also shows that inevitably those beneficial effects decline. Research shows with the right intervention, they may not have to…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Common drug for back pain found to offer nothing but side effects

If you’re one of the 80 percent of people who suffers from low back pain at one point or another, there’s something that you need to know before you see your doctor: the prescription they want to give you probably won’t work. Even worse, while it does little to nothing for your pain, the drug could lead to problematic or even dangerous side effects…

Carolyn Gretton

How to make Kegels work better for bladder leaks

It’s no surprise that women’s bladders get weaker. And Kegel exercises have long been recommended to improve pelvic floor strength and relieve bladder leaks. But that didn’t always work well enough until they added a second step…

Margaret Cantwell

Wegovy: From rebound weight to that black box warning

Weight loss has never been easy. That’s why Wegovy sounded like a fairy tale. In truth, it’s a cautionary tale of miserable side effects, disrupted hormones, a black box warning and rapid weight gain that doesn’t live up to the hype for everyone.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

4 serious but lesser-known dangers of high blood pressure

When you think of high blood pressure, what comes to mind? For most people, answers might include heart disease, stroke, heart attack, or maybe even an aneurysm. They would be right. But they’d also be missing something. That’s because not all of the dangers of out of control blood pressure are so well known.

Carolyn Gretton

How much are those french fries hurting your heart?

A diet loaded with foods high in unhealthy fats can really hurt your heart health. And fried foods are one of the biggest culprits. Researchers are studying just how fried food affects heart disease risk, and so far what they’ve found is disturbing, including the damage a one-cup serving can do…

Carolyn Gretton

Resveratrol fights effects of a high-fat diet and Alzheimer’s

There appears to be a connection between a diet high in saturated fat and brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s. As researchers explore this link, they’ve discovered that a particular nutrient may help protect the brain in those consuming high-fat diets…

Dr. Mariza Snyder

The connection between declining hormones and depression

You may be asking yourself, “How did I get here? Why do I feel so bad?” If you’re between the ages of 35-50 then your hormones are most likely to blame. Your reproductive hormones are fluctuating, and ultimately beginning to or finishing their decline to menopause. It can be a difficult time. But it doesn’t have to be.

Joyce Hollman

The diet that can keep Parkinson’s away

About a million people in the United States are presently living with various stages of Parkinson’s disease. There is no cure for this progressive disease that slowly robs you of your physical and mental capabilities. But the right diet could keep it at bay for quite a long time.

Tracey G. Ingram, AuD

Tips to trigger your happy chemicals and boost your mood

For a minute, just close your eyes and think about what makes you happy. We often think about people in our lives, circumstances or possessions. In reality, however, happiness is largely a chemical experience. That means you can intentionally trigger your mood-boosting neurotransmitters.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Research proves age is no barrier for weight loss

As a society, we’re conditioned to see weight loss as something for the young. Even among medical professionals, there’s existed a strong misconception that weight loss isn’t safe for seniors. But not only can seniors lose weight, they may have the biggest benefits to gain.

Dr. Mariza Snyder

Top 3 ways to naturally increase low progesterone levels

If you find yourself with symptoms that your body isn’t functioning at its best, low levels of progesterone may be to blame. Learning as much as you can about progesterone might be just the key that you need to get your body back into balance in a healthy, natural manner!

Carolyn Gretton

PQQ: The ‘longevity’ nutrient with big heart benefits

We’re familiar with how the antioxidant pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) can benefit the mitochondria, the “power plants” of our cells. But it’s been less clear what specific disorders this longevity nutrient can impact. Researchers are beginning to identify those conditions — including a life-threatening heart disorder…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The 6-month diet that could put type 2 diabetes into remission

Ready to battle your blood sugar problems and win the war against diabetes for good? According to an analysis of research, your best weapon could be a simple diet you only need follow for six months to ditch diabetes, lose weight and even improve your triglyceride levels.

Carolyn Gretton

Does obesity increase your disease risk or not?

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…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

What I tell my patients about statins

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

‘Banned’ chemical in everyday products fast-tracks fatty liver disease

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…

Carolyn Gretton

New gluten-free ‘flour’ packed with nutrition and a dash of caffeine

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…

Tracey G. Ingram, AuD

Bisphosphonates for bone health: Therapy or fracture risk?

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…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The honey+ ancient seed combo that may speed COVID-19 recovery

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…

Dr. Mariza Snyder

How estrogen dominance affects PMS during perimenopause

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!

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Soy metabolite may prevent dementia damage to the brain

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.

Joyce Hollman

The diet that keeps a 2nd heart attack away

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.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Coffee lovers benefit from lower prostate cancer risk

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.

Tracey G. Ingram, AuD

6+ benefits of whole-body vibration

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…

Joyce Hollman

Mood got you down? Get your fiber up

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.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The tea that helps you burn fat in your dreams

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?

Joyce Hollman

6 proven ways to quit smoking this year

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.

Joyce Hollman

COVID-19’s effect on the brain looks like stroke damage

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.

Joyce Hollman

New test for earlier detection, earlier intervention for Alzheimer’s

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.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What body shape can reveal about colon cancer risk

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.

William Davis

Extra cardioprotective effects of omega-3s discovered

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 […]

Tracey G. Ingram, AuD

The symptoms COVID-19 Long Haulers can’t get rid of

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to turn fat into a healthy advantage

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…

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