Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Joyce Hollman

Obesity and arthritis: The real reason behind the pain and progression

Obesity has been blamed for putting a wear-and-tear load on joints that can lead to and affect the progression of arthritis. If that were all that was going on, weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing joints would not be equally affected. Here’s what’s really happening…

Carolyn Gretton

The amino acid deficiency tied to heart problems and the nut that fixes it

In Rome, walnuts were considered the food of the gods. Considering what we now know of their exceptional heart health benefits, there’s good reason to hold them in such high regard. But the biggest benefit may come from the nuts special relationship with your gut…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Sleep apnea’s direct connection to cognitive decline

Obstructive sleep apnea steals your sleep and worse, the oxygen your body needs. That struggle to breathe may be your brain’s biggest enemy. That’s because even if you’re otherwise healthy, sleep apnea can put you squarely in the crosshairs of premature cognitive decline.

Joyce Hollman

The sound that raises your blood pressure

If you live near a busy road, listening to the sounds of traffic may be something you’ve learned to live with. But if your blood pressure keeps going up and up, it may not be for long. Here’s what you should know about the connection and how to reduce its dangerous effect…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Exceptional longevity tied to an exceptional immune system

Have you ever wondered why some people live to 100 with their health, while most of us are lucky to make it to 50 before developing multiple health conditions? While longevity research has focused on wine and chocolate, a new revelation says it starts with your immune system…

Joyce Hollman

The deficiency setting African American men up for prostate cancer

African American men face a higher risk for prostate cancer. Not only are they more likely to develop the disease, but twice as likely to lose their lives to it. Genetic differences in cellular processing of one very important vitamin are to blame…

Carolyn Gretton

The common weed with anti-aging potential

Skincare is a multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S., in large part due to anti-aging products. Many companies in the industry have investigators on the hunt for the next big anti-aging breakthrough. And they may have found it in a plant largely considered to be a pesky weed…

Tracey G. Ingram, AuD

5 ways to douse GERD that won’t raise your stroke risk

Many acid reflux drugs have been found to increase stroke risk by as much as 94 percent! Luckily, researchers identified 5 easy steps to reduce GERD symptoms without the threat of stroke.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The unsweet, non-starchy food causing diabetes

Doctors have been telling us for years to watch our weight and sugar and carb intake to avoid blood sugar problems, but something clearly isn’t working: The staggering number of Americans suffering from diabetes continues to climb. Turns out they were missing something…

Joyce Hollman

8 ways to rid your home of dust, dirt and toxins this spring

Few things are sweeter than spring after a long, cold winter. It just makes you want to start cleaning everything! But with a little planning, you can make your home a healthier living space by cutting down on endocrine-disrupting toxins hiding in plain sight…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Frailty: The surprising threat to female shift workers

Frailty is a word we associate with aging. But did you know it’s also a measurement of 52 factors that can lower your lifespan? Depending on your score that could mean illness or a life cut short. And for women, there’s one more thing working against them…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Safety and effectiveness of drugs for back pain up for grabs

When your doctor prescribes drugs for your low back pain, he’s working with what he’s got. But whether analgesic medicine provides meaningful relief is still an open question, a new study has found. You may be surprised at what may work better…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The heart attack threat healthy cholesterol scores can hide

A study has confirmed that not only can a little-known lipoprotein accurately predict your risk of developing atherosclerosis (where fatty deposits clog your arteries), it can be measured by at-home genetic testing just as accurately as bloodwork done in a doctor’s office. But if you’ve got good cholesterol numbers, your doctor isn’t looking for it…

Carolyn Gretton

Your brain on high blood pressure: Changes that lead to dementia

If you have high blood pressure, your heart’s not the only thing you have to worry about. It can also impact your brain. In a “world first,” researchers have mapped specific brain regions impacted by high blood pressure and how that can increase your odds of dementia…

Joyce Hollman

Why golfers who tee off regularly could live up to 5 years longer

It turns out that playing golf just once a month can have a positive impact on heart attack and stroke risk. And, let’s face it, the older we get, the harder it is to participate in other sports that could lower that risk as much. But there’s even more to golf than meets the eye. Find out how it plays into longevity…

Joyce Hollman

Endangered Microbiome: Protecting your biggest ally

When you hear the word “bacteria,” the first thing you may think of is a disease-causing organism that needs to be eradicated. But without the bacteria in your gut microbiome, it’s your health that could disappear. And science says we should all be worried about that…

Carolyn Gretton

Stroke, cancer and 43 other conditions linked to sugar

Some foods contain natural sugars, But unless you follow a strict whole foods diet, daily added sugar is setting you up for disease, and not just diabetes or obesity. 45 adverse health conditions have been linked to added sugars prompting a new limit…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Accelerated aging and depression: More than just the blues

Depression is more than a mental state. People with depression are at far higher risk of chronic disease and even early death. However, no one knew why until an undeniable link between depression, disease and something called senescent cells was uncovered…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The other reason some men ‘go’ all night

When men over a certain age start making multiple nightly bathroom trips, two things usually enter their minds: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, and that other serious prostate problem no man wants to face. But often it’s a condition they’ve never considered…

Carolyn Gretton

Low-dose radiation: Common diagnostics linked to heart disease

Few of us are exposed to high-dose radiation (unless it’s to kill cancer cells). But what about the exposure that comes from X-rays or CT scans? We’ve been told for years not to worry about low dose radiation. But the effects on the heart aren’t so benign…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Bone loss: A significant risk factor for dementia

Bone loss and dementia are both health problems we have a higher risk of as we age. So for years, there’s been speculation about a connection between these issues. What they’ve found will have you running for your next bone density screening.

Joyce Hollman

Anticipatory stress: How worry over politics is harmful

Studies show stress affects physical health. But not just stress in the moment. Anticipatory stress is stress you’re anticipating, and politics is a big trigger. If this sound like you, there are a couple of ways to manage it and avoid the harmful effects…

Joyce Hollman

Regulating forever chemicals in your water: Too little too late?

The EPA has taken the first step to regulate forever chemicals in our drinking water. These chemicals get stored in our bodies and wreak havoc on our health. So is it too little too late? Here’s how to protect against this dangerous exposure…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is fitness enough to save a man’s heart from high blood pressure?

Hypertension is a risk factor for heart attack, stroke and premature death. For years, we’ve been told exercise can help. In some analyses, exercise was as effective as drugs. But a 29-year study came to a surprising conclusion about exercise, blood pressure and man’s risks for heart trouble…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Losing weight and gaining it back still benefits the heart

Losing weight and then putting it back on is something most of us can relate to. But don’t get too down on yourself. If improving heart health is your goal, you may be surprised to find how long even temporary weight loss does a heart good…

Joyce Hollman

Why exercise is essential to surviving colon cancer

Exercise is one of the healthiest habits we can practice. You know it protects the heart, but there’s a strong connection between cancer and exercise too. Even following diagnosis, find out why you should start moving as much as possible…

Carolyn Gretton

The ‘every day’ nutrient that takes down the Alzheimer’s gene

It’s unsettling to get news you carry the Alzheimer’s gene. But even though it may raise your risk of cognitive decline, there are ways to offset it. One of them is a nutrient you already eat every day, and if you eat more, you can lower that risk by 30 percent…

Dr. Michael Cutler

Testing for hormone imbalances

Your hormonal system is like a symphony orchestra. When everything is in harmony your health and vitality are great. When they’re off, so are you. From stress hormones to sex horrmones, men and women alike can suffer. But the more you know, the better your chances of getting back on track…

Carolyn Gretton

Paxlovid mouth: The unpalatable truth about the COVID-19 antiviral

One of the most common treatments for COVID-19 is the antiviral Paxlovid. While it’s reported to be effective at shortening the severity and duration of the virus, it has its drawbacks — among them a nasty side effect known as “Paxlovid mouth” you’ll need this advice about…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Significant sign of cellular aging linked to Alzheimer’s

It’s a given that short telomeres accelerate aging. But after decades of research into plaques and tangles as hallmarks of Alzheimer’s, new insights show those tiny caps at the end of our DNA strands also affect brain structure, and why we need to keep them longer as long as possible…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

How to lower LDL cholesterol

LDL cholesterol is the cholesterol that’s parking in your arteries and causing blockages to build up. It is also the cholesterol that’s toxic to the lining of your arteries (the endothelium), increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Obviously it’s nasty stuff, so let’s talk about how to get less of it, and dispel some myths while we’re at it…

Joyce Hollman

The dried fruit that prevents and restores bone loss

Prunes have been associated with constipation for so long that they’ve almost become a joke. But if you’re concerned about osteoporosis, you can stop laughing right now. Even in the worst of circumstances, like the bone loss that happens with spinal cord injury, prunes have shown incredible bone-saving power…

Joyce Hollman

Why weight around the middle shrinks the brain

Obesity is associated with a long list of adverse health effects including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. But research is showing that extra weight, especially around the middle, can not only shrink the brain but make recovery harder if you suffer a stroke or other brain injury.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Can exercise really help you live longer?

Saying that exercise is good for your health is nothing new. But saying and doing are totally different things… Considering that the stakes are pretty high — including a longer life span — a comparison of different forms of physical activity has discovered which one best holds up its end of the bargain…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Could poop be the secret of eternal youth?

When you think about the fountain of youth, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t poop. But what if I told you, researchers now think it’s the key to halt age-related decline and preserve cognitive function? Ponce de León would roll over in his grave! Here’s how scientists are using it, why, and what you can do to get the benefits without the ick factor.

Joyce Hollman

10 science-based tips for keeping produce fresh longer

Do you often buy fresh veggies and fruits only to have them rot before you can eat them? The problem may be with some common mistakes most of us make when washing or storing them. Here are ten pointers on how to keep your produce fresh until you’re ready to eat it.

Joyce Hollman

Eating by the numbers: A simple way to make the best food choices

Did you ever paint by the numbers? When you have a guide to follow, anyone can be a Picasso, right? Did you ever wish eating better could be that simple? It can. You can put more nutritional value on your plate and fewer calories. Best part, no complicated diet plan to follow…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

One more reason to read product labels: Hormone interference

Endocrine disruptors are everywhere. In the clothes we wear, the furniture we sit on and the products we slather on our skin. They lurk, waiting to tip our hormones from a healthy balance and cause disease. Luckily, a brand-new study found a simple way to lower the levels of these disruptors in your body. ..

Carolyn Gretton

Calming the anxious mind through conscious movement

Generalized anxiety disorder is common, and in these difficult times, more of us are getting a taste of what it’s like. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the best treatments, but it can be difficult to access. And medication isn’t ideal for long-term use because of side effects. Luckily, there’s an easy way to relieve anxiety symptoms in the privacy and safety of your own home…

Joyce Hollman

Diet tips for dodging prostate cancer

One out of every nine American men will receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancer is survivable, but once it spreads, survival rates plummet. That’s why avoiding prostate cancer in the first place is your best chance. And the best place to start is with what you eat and don’t eat…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

8 ways to raise your good HDL cholesterol

HDL, high-density lipoprotein, is the good cholesterol. This is the particle that’s moving cholesterol out of your body, so you want to keep it high. But it turns out there’s not much good news about it… Low baseline HDL numbers are a potent risk factor for developing early or more aggressive heart disease. So let’s talk about getting them up…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

This listeria danger (and possible cure) from fish

Everyone knows that eating fish is good for you. There’s the brain- and heart-healthy omega-3s, good fats and protein, not to mention the vitamins and nutrients many of us don’t get enough of, like iodine and vitamin D. But before you put fish on the table, there’s a growing risk you need to consider — and help from a surprising source…

Joyce Hollman

Breakfast first, or coffee? The wrong answer could lead to diabetes

If you’re someone who looks forward to that first cup of coffee in the morning, especially if you haven’t slept well, there’s good news. And there’s bad news. Plenty of research shows the potential of coffee to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, but the caveat is “when” you drink it…

Carolyn Gretton

Olive oil comes to the rescue for heart condition that drugs failed

Heart failure is notoriously difficult to treat, which is why so many doctors focus on preventing it from developing in the first place. But if you suffer from a specific type of heart failure, there may be good news on the treatment front — and it may be as close as your kitchen pantry…

Carolyn Gretton

What women should know about the estrogen-atherosclerosis connection

Hormone replacement therapy can be helpful to many women for relieving the symptoms of menopause. However, it’s not without risk. But considering that the number one killer of women is heart disease, more women need to understand what the loss of estrogen does to their blood vessels and that they have natural options to both ease menopause and avoid heart disease.

Jenny Smiechowski

The real reason it’s so hard to quit junk food

To put it bluntly, eating junk food makes it harder to stop eating junk food. It sends you into a downward spiral of bad food and poor health that takes a will of steel to break free from. And research has proven just how it happens. It goes straight for the part of your brain that manages appetite control and wrestles it away from you. Here’s how to get it back…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How oatmeal can ease some side effects of radiation treatment

For years, cancer survivors have been told one thing – eat less fiber. That’s because doctors believed that added fiber went hand in hand with the bloating and diarrhea that is so common after radiation. But guess what… According to a new study, they were dead wrong! Here’s why fiber and the humble oat could be the answer to radiation-induced gut inflammation.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Supplement combo turns bad fat to good fat to help stave off obesity and diabetes

If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that obesity and diabetes go hand-in-hand. And the process all begins two types of fat in the human body. Now, a brand new study has found a way to turn the bad fat good and in the process burn more calories, curb obesity-related inflammation and even put a halt to blood sugar problems.

Jenny Smiechowski

The easiest way to send your insomnia into remission

As someone who’s suffered from insomnia, I know how difficult finding safe, satisfying sleep solutions is. That’s why research from Sweden recently caught my eye. It was about a natural insomnia remedy that can make a serious dent in insomnia in just a short time — maybe even send it into remission.

Carolyn Gretton

Is your immune system causing your depression?

When you hear the words “immune system,” you probably think immediately of your body’s defense against seasonal maladies like cold and flu. A strong immune system is definitely an asset in protecting you from these and other invaders. But it turns out the immune system does a lot more than protect against microbes and infection.

Carolyn Gretton

Got 10 minutes? Try these self-care hacks proven to destress and relax

We all know stress can ruin health and bring on disease. But who has the downtime to combat it? With a never-ending list of tasks to accomplish, scheduling time to relax seems like a distant dream. Lucky for us, researchers found it only takes 10 minutes to boost your body’s physiological engine of relaxation — and they’ve identified the most effective way to do it…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why the Pesco-Mediterranean diet is the ultimate heart-healthy diet

Humans are omnivores who can survive on a long list of foods… plants, meat, fish, dairy, fruit, grains, nuts and even whatever the heck is in those processed, packaged foods we eat. But which of these foods will help you not only survive — but thrive… especially when it comes to heart health? Loads of research points to this diet as the ideal for omnivores who want to keep their hearts ticking…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

A ‘runner’s high’ triggers brain receptors that could protect against Alzheimer’s

A “runner’s high” is a reference to a feeling of euphoria brought on following a strenuous run or even after engaging in other intense forms of exercise. It’s triggered when the brain releases endocannabinoids — fantastic molecules that research shows could be key to giving your memory a boost and even preventing Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

How to interpret your cholesterol test results

When you get a cholesterol test back, you’re typically given four numbers: The total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Your doctor is probably great about going over your results with you, but it can be confusing to remember all the details once you leave their office. Here’s what you need to know to interpret the results like a pro…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why your bone health may be a sign of stiffening arteries

Your bone health isn’t something to be taken lightly. A hip break can land you in the hospital, even shorten your life span. But it’s not a heart attack, right? Not so fast. The development of mineral deposits in your arteries, which can lead to arterial stiffness, and bone mineralization share many overlapping processes. That’s why weak bones may be a sign of serious heart trouble…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why diabetes leads to dirty, damaged kidneys

There’s no denying that diabetes is hard on the kidneys. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. About one in four people with diabetes has it. And as a result, they often go on to develop kidney failure. Why exactly is diabetes so damaging to the kidneys? It turns out that diabetes prevents them from performing one of their most critical functions…

Joyce Hollman

7 delicious things to do with your microwave

Your microwave can be your best friend. Use it to make life easier, more flavorful, and more aromatic. Here are seven things your microwave can do that you may not have thought of, and here’s one good reason why: Mounting evidence shows that microwaving may help foods and beverages retain nutrients and beneficial compounds better than other heating methods.

Jenny Smiechowski

How a few daily cups of coffee could impact colorectal cancer survival

Coffee has received recognition as a serious superfood in recent years for boosting energy and metabolism and enhancing mental and physical performance. It’s also been shown to reduce the risk for diseases like Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes and dementia, not to mention reducing colorectal cancer by 26 percent. But coffee may do even more than just help prevent colorectal cancer… it may help people survive it.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Got pain? Stop and count backwards to reduce it by half

Living with pain can make all aspects of your life more difficult… from the dread you feel just getting out of bed in the morning knowing the stiffness, aches and discomfort will be there… to having to give up the activities you love. Luckily, a new study might have the answer to reducing your pain, and it’s as easy as counting down.

Joyce Hollman

8 ways to guard against the hearing loss-memory loss connection

Since I entered my 60s, my hearing isn’t what it used to be. I find myself asking people to repeat things. They don’t seem to mind and neither do I. After all my hearing is not that bad. But what does bother me is this: Research establishes a firm connection between age-related hearing loss and memory problems, possibly even Alzheimer’s. This is what we can do to combat that threat…

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