Latest Stories

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…

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…

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…

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…

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!

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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?

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.

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

Imagine turning up the switch on a natural substance your body produces to avoid the ailments of aging. Wishful thinking? Not with this amino acid’s potential to suppress weight gain, increase bone mass, muscle strength and endurance, reduce depression, insulin resistance, DNA damage and more…

Research published in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports took into account decades of data on the health effects of watermelon. What did they find? Eating watermelon could be one of the best things you do for your blood pressure and blood sugar…

Vital exhaustion, or burnout syndrome, is usually characterized by persistent stress, excessive fatigue, feelings of demoralization and sleep problems. This syndrome is linked to a number of health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes, but its biggest impact appears to be on the heart…

Migraines, depression, sleep loss and anxiety can fast become an endless cycle that seems to have no end. Medications may work for some, but especially when it comes to migraines, the side-effects can rival the pain. But there’s one daily habit that might provide the relief you need…

There are benefits to high-fat, low-carb diets, particularly for weight loss and brain conditions like epilepsy. But there’s no denying the damage fat can do to your heart. Researchers have uncovered a connection between diets high in fat and a certain protein that can wreak havoc with your cardiac health…

Scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors may contribute to Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder that usually affects a person’s motor skills and movement. When it comes to environmental concerns, a certain herbicide has a strong connection to the disease.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, we hear. But could it also keep brain aging at bay? That’s what some new research indicates. But if you don’t like apples, no worries. There are other sources of this brain-boosting nutrient…

Red ginseng has quite a reputation in traditional Korean medicine. It’s used as a tea, extract and supplement for various ailments, and is reported to have strong anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. Now, scientists have discovered two molecules in the root that can stop the spread of lung cancer, with the help of a microwave.

Strokes don’t only happen in the brain. Retinal artery occlusion is a stroke that happens in the eye. The only symptom may be diminished vision. But an “eye stroke” is considered a medical emergency, meaning minutes count not only to avoid permanent vision loss but to prevent another serious event…

Despite increased awareness of the downsides of soda, half the population consumes sugary drinks on a given day. One in four people gets at least 200 calories from soda, while five percent get at least 567, the equivalent of four cans of soda a day. For a breast cancer survivor, that could be a death sentence. Here’s why and the drink to toast your longevity to instead.

Fasting has become popular of late. Recent research, though, has shown that even intermittent fasting might not be enough to bust belly fat. But the research did get the fat to give up the skinny on why it’s so difficult, and that’s information you can use to master your strategy to win the battle of the bulge…

The Mediterranean diet is well known for its multiple health benefits, including heart health, weight loss and cancer prevention. Now, researchers in Scotland have added brain health to that list. Sticking to a Mediterranean style of eating can keep your brain sharp well into your senior years.

Aging can come with higher risks of many diseases, including type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. These two diseases may seem unrelated, but they share a lot of the same characteristics inside the body. And now it appears there may be a definite link between type 2 diabetes and your risk for Parkinson’s.

Lowering blood pressure can be challenging. After all, to get it down, most doctors recommend changing your diet, getting more exercise or taking loads of medications, sometimes stacked one on top of another. But lowering your BP a few more notches can be as simple as a cup of tea.

There’s tons of evidence that eating mostly fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help prevent and even cure many conditions, from eczema to arthritis to diabetes and heart disease. But some people remain skeptical. Here’s one woman’s true story of what can happen when you switch to a plant-based diet.

Much has been written about coffee’s health benefits, but one area that’s been murky is whether coffee helps or hurts heart health. Now, another study has confirmed that drinking coffee made a particular way, and used as the basis for some of our favorite coffee house beverages, can actually raise the risk of cardiovascular disease…

Those blooms you bring into your home this spring could spell discomfort and even worse for your furry friends. Here’s the lowdown on some popular flowers, how they can poison your pet and what to do if you think your cat or dog has eaten them.

Pain, burning, urgency — each of these symptoms will sound familiar if you’ve ever suffered from a urinary tract infection. And the likelihood is, you have. And while the pain and symptoms of the infection themselves are bad enough, according to a new study, having a urinary tract infection could be a signal of far worse to come…

Do you know someone whose heart attack seemed to “come out of the blue? While it’s hard to understand how someone can seem fine one day and suffer a major heart event the next day, it happens. Cardiologist Dr. Elizabeth Klodas explains how, why and what’s lurking below the surface that even a stress test can miss — and how to help guard against it.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, chances are you’ve experienced side effects from your medication, so you may be aware of alternatives that relieve your symptoms. One such alternative, fish oil, has shown the ability to ease RA symptoms. You can ramp us those effects by taking it with the right juice…

There’s no doubt fiber’s part of a healthy diet. Yet, we mostly think about what it does for the gut, like promoting regularity or stopping the bloat. There’s one more way adding the power of fiber to your life could improve your health (and even your happiness)…

Energy drinks are loaded with caffeine and sugar. For that reason alone, they’ve always been questionable at best when it comes to your health. But now, research has pinpointed other chemicals in these drinks that damage your kidneys and set you up for heart failure.

In the U.S., someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds. For survivors, the road to recovery can be long and hard. But trials are underway to test a hallucinogenic drug that could be the answer to less brain damage and better function following stroke.

Fructose has been a common food additive for decades, and its overconsumption is known to cause issues with the liver and insulin resistance, a precursor to obesity and diabetes. What hasn’t been as clear is how fructose impacts the immune system, and that’s a gamble with high stakes right now.

For years we’ve been told to watch our cholesterol, keeping our so-called “bad” cholesterol down and our “good” cholesterol up. But what if that advice was wrong and we’ve been operating under a false sense of security? There’s much more banking on HDL than we ever realized.

Walk into any gym and you’ll notice a great divide, with women hitting the treadmills and ellipticals, while the men lay claim to the weight machines. It’s a divide that seems to only get greater with age. But if you’re a woman over 50, skipping the weights in favor of just cardio could be a big mistake.

A high-protein diet can be an extremely effective weight loss plan. It usually goes hand in hand with a low-carb diet. But before you jump into changing your ways, consider the health of your kidneys. If not, you could end up with a bigger problem than a few extra pounds.

We use more artificial light than ever at night, both indoors and outdoors, and it’s affecting our health. Night light use is connected with a higher risk of obesity, depression, sleep disorders and diabetes. And according to researchers, it may be raising our risk of a particular type of cancer…

If you were in the clutches of drugs or alcohol, you’d want out. It’s time to think about foods that are bringing your health down the same way, foods that are engineered to addict you. Here’s insight into the worst culprits and how to break free.

The egg debate has gone on for years. Some studies indicate eggs contribute to heart disease, cancer and a shorter lifespan, while others have demonstrated a protective effect. There’s a lot on the line when it comes to eggs. So, it’s no wonder the debate is ongoing. Here’s what the latest research reveals…

Curcumin, a compound found in the spice turmeric, is well-known as a powerful anti-inflammatory that’s shown promise in relieving several diseases, including cancers of the stomach, blood and lungs. As if these benefits weren’t enough, the spice may also help protect the health of another vital organ.

Sleep is critical time the brain uses to clear toxins, build memories and reinvigorate parts of the brain that help us continue to learn and function independently. If you’re missing out on valuable shut-eye, these processes are short-circuited, and you could potentially set yourself up for serious problems.