Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why are tomatoes being genetically modified with vitamin D?

In this day and age, it’s hard to believe a vitamin deficiency could be at the root of many of the significant health problems we face. But more and more research says it is, from heart problems, to autoimmune disease and even Alzeimer’s. But is the answer in tomatoes?

Carolyn Gretton

How your eyes can influence your longevity

So many of the body’s systems are interconnected and influence each other. For instance, the gut has been found to influence mood, immunity and dementia risk. Knowing this, researchers were still surprised by the connection they found between lifespan and our eyes…

Joyce Hollman

Cognitive decline and aphasia: How singing can help

Cognitive flexibility is a key component of executive functioning, and group singing provides an opportunity to “exercise” the portions of the brain that control this crucial function. In fact, singing may be an enjoyable and effective way to boost your brain function…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Rosemary: Old-fashioned herb for modern-day ailments

Who doesn’t love rosemary? Its aroma is both fresh and invigorating — but it’s also a culinary herb that works well in just about any dish. It’s not short on health benefits either. From memory support to metabolic conditions, its polyphenolic compounds are proving powerful allies…

Carolyn Gretton

Your immune system is aging faster and here’s why

The body’s immune system tends to grow weaker as people age. But as the aging population grows, something stands out. In some people, this aging seems accelerated. Why? A not-so-surprising difference that makes it hard for your immune system to do its job…

Carolyn Gretton

More proof a vitamin D deficiency spells dementia

As the world’s population ages, dementia is on the rise. Researchers, feverishly hunting for anything that can stop this cognitive destroyer in its tracks, have found new evidence further indicating that preventing dementia could be as simple as correcting one key deficiency…

Joyce Hollman

More than 100 health conditions increase with height

There are many instances where being tall may be considered an asset. Reaching the top shelf at the supermarket is just one. But you should know, being on the taller side is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for several health conditions you should watch for…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The surprising way an entire family got lead poisoning

What if I told you that you could be unknowingly serving up a dangerous substance in your home every day that could poison your body, cause behavior and learning problems in your children and skyrocket your risk for heart disease? This is how it happens…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The ‘new and improved’ treatment that slows AMD

Age-related macular degeneration is a disease that progressively steals vision. There’s no cure, but the main treatment slows progression to avoid severe vision loss. And as effective as it was, researchers have kicked it up several notches with two new sight-saving ingredients…

Carolyn Gretton

The sweet news about sugar in your coffee

There’s no doubt that coffee’s health benefits are backed by plenty of research. But the caveat has been to avoid the cream and sugar to reap them. Of course, you want the benefits — but you want to enjoy your coffee too. Here’s some good news on that front…

Carolyn Gretton

How time of day (and sex) affects your exercise results

Exercise is so good for us experts tell us to do it whenever we have the time. But depending on what your goals are — less tummy fat versus more upper body strength or better blood pressure and cholesterol — your exercise timing makes a huge difference…

Carolyn Gretton

The lowdown on skin cancer: Types, treatment and staying safe

More Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than for all other cancers combined. But skin cancer is still shrouded in mystery, misconceptions and doubt. Let’s take a look at the main types, how to identify them, what to expect and how to stay safe.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Proline: Why this amino acid causes depression for some

More than 37 million Americans now take medications for depression. And for far too long experts focused on chemical imbalances in the brain these drugs treat. But another imbalance is proving just as powerful at affecting your mood. And the medicine is much easier to swallow…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Strange link: Dietary cholesterol and viral infection

Specific limits on dietary cholesterol were lifted from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans back in 2015. But that move may have been too hasty. Turns out there’s an odd connection between dietary cholesterol and your susceptibility for viral infection…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How breast cancer and diabetes feed off each other

As scientists will say, just because there seems to be a link doesn’t mean there is, especially without proof. But now, when it comes to diabetes and breast cancer, they’ve got the proof connecting cancer’s sweet tooth and a dangerous feedback loop…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

A doctor’s list of 6 diseases a plant-based diet benefits

Have you ever noticed something strange when you go to your doctor? No matter what your health problem, their answer is always in a pill. But physicians everywhere are being put on notice by one of their own — and she’s got a better prescription with lots of clout…

Joyce Hollman

10 surprising things that cause hair loss

Aging is not automatically accompanied by hair loss. But there are lifestyle and other factors that could cause you to see more hair in your hairbrush than you’re used to. I was surprised to find that several of these may be behind my own hair loss.

Joyce Hollman

A year after COVID infections, thyroid troubles persist

After learning that a COVID-19 infection could take lives, we also learned that it could change lives by the way it attacked various organs in unexplainable ways. One of those was the thyroid. If you’re still having trouble a year after an infection, this may be why…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

4 movements that really help you “go”

I had a problem with constipation for years. Whatever the cause, going to the bathroom was my nemesis. I would go days without “going” and then when I did, the strain was awful. After many, MANY doctor’s visits, and getting no help, I decided there had to be a better way. And, I found it…

Carolyn Gretton

Atrial fibrillation: A reason to work harder to avoid dementia

Atrial fibrillation can raise your risk of several heart and circulatory issues, including heart failure and stroke. But what’s been less clear is whether AF increases the risk of dementia not caused by stroke. So far, this is what they’ve found…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The serious blood clot risk that comes with prostate cancer

People with cancer are known to have a higher risk of dangerous blood clots known as venous thromboembolism or VTE. These clots are a leading cause of death in people with cancer. Because prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, this is a risk they need to be aware of…

Jenny Smiechowski

The antioxidant that protects your brain’s barrier

Inflammation is a huge factor when it comes to Alzheimer’s. It’s triggered by a build-up of proteins that kill your brain cells. And it may cause the build-up in the first place. One thing’s for sure, inflammation causes the disease to progress quickly and severely.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Quantified: How much type 2 diabetes ages the brain

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t just spell problems for your blood sugar. It acts as a gateway disease in many respects. And while there have been concerns about its connection to cognitive decline for a while, you may be surprised to learn how much diabetes ages the brain…

Carolyn Gretton

The real reason ‘bad’ cholesterol increases during menopause

When women undergo menopause, they experience a decline in estrogen that kicks off a host of unpleasant symptoms. But what has been less clear is estrogen’s specific role in heart disease risk, and how the “change” is connected to cholesterol, until now…

Joyce Hollman

The medication increasing inflammatory bowel disease in people over 60

Most people that develop inflammatory bowel disease do so by the age of 30. But IBD is on the rise — and it’s targeting a vulnerable population: folks aged 60 and older. IBD is painful, difficult and debilitating. And if you’re a senior, the risks are even higher…

Carolyn Gretton

What gout and heart failure have in common

Gout has been established as a risk factor in certain cardiovascular conditions, including stroke and heart attack. But what about heart failure? Exploring a potential link between these two conditions may offer heart failure patients a new lifeline…

Joyce Hollman

Why the mercury in fish may not be so bad

We’ve been warned to avoid eating much fish over concerns about mercury. But now, Canadian researchers say the chemical form of mercury consumed from a high fish diet is completely different from the form found in the brains of those who were poisoned by mercury. What gives?

Jenny Smiechowski

Zinc: Too much or too little spells trouble

Zinc is one of those nutrients you don’t hear a lot about. People are all over vitamin C, but zinc, an equally important nutrient for a strong immune system tends to take a back seat to all the hype. But supplementing can be tricky…

Carolyn Gretton

This could be why your blood pressure medicine isn’t working

About 20 percent of people with high blood pressure are resistant to treatment, leaving them vulnerable to heart attack and stroke, Researchers have been trying to get to the bottom of why medications don’t work well for these patients. And they’ve found a surprising reason…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

New study shows 3 ways eggs benefit your heart

Remember how for years, doctors warned us not to eat eggs? They would raise our cholesterol, give us heart disease and leave us to die of a heart attack or stroke? Forget that old-school advice. The new-school lists three ways eggs do a heart good…

Margaret Cantwell

Can supplements battle COVID-19 or diabetes, cancer, heart and liver disease?

A friend shared information on social media the other day about vitamin C. It could just as easily have been a post about vitamin D… or zinc. Or any nutrient we’ve been told all our lives promotes good health. Then the trolls attacked. How did we get to a place where nutrition is the enemy?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 small things to do each day to avoid coronavirus

Experts keep promising that at some point, hopefully soon, the pandemic will transition to what’s known as the “endemic phase.” Think common cold or flu. That’s great news. But till then, these daily tips can help keep you infection free…

Jenny Smiechowski

April showers bring May flowers… but they also bring major gut trouble

Spring is my favorite season. Where I live, it means birds chirping, flowers sprouting, trees budding and rain — lots of it. But a recent study found that heavy spring rainfall in one American city caused cases of acute gastrointestinal illness to double! What’s that about? And could it happen where you live?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why your car could be a petri dish for coronavirus and how to clean it safely

Like most of us, you’ve probably been cleaning your house from top to bottom for weeks, trying to protect your household from the coronavirus pandemic. But if you have to get out on occasion for essentials, like me, you may have forgotten about this COVID-19 petri dish…

Jenny Smiechowski

The best way to feed your muscles so you don’t lose them with age

If you’re like most people, you’re not a planner when it comes to protein… Some meals you eat lots of protein. Other meals you don’t eat much. But you figure it all evens out in end. Unfortunately, that assumption could cost you something very important — your muscles.

Jenny Smiechowski

What you need to know about ACE inhibitors and a higher risk for severe COVID-19

You’ve probably heard that people with chronic health conditions are more at risk for developing a severe case of COVID-19. That includes people with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and a wide range of other issues. But what if their medicines increase their risk?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 things to watch to keep your migraines from going chronic

There’s not much that’s more miserable than a migraine… The pain that comes with one alone is bad enough, but the nausea, light and sound sensitivity, and the fact that one can steal days and days of your life is like adding insult to injury, something I know all too well.

Joyce Hollman

A few more uncommon symptoms of COVID-19 you should know about

We’re finding out more about COVID-19 every day, including symptoms, like fever and a dry, persistent cough… as well as the odd symptoms like red eyes or a sudden loss of your sense of smell. This month, several studies have uncovered a few more unusual signs to watch for…

Joyce Hollman

Can magnetic therapy draw you out of depression?

If you’re suffering with clinically diagnosed, long-term depression, every single aspect of your life is altered. Depression can rule your days. And you may or may not be aware of the dangers associated with SSRIs. Good news is Stanford is seeing great results with a drug-free treatment…

Jenny Smiechowski

Does your vitamin D level play a role in your COVID-19 risk?

There’s no denying that vitamin D plays an important role in your immune system. Vitamin D helps regulate immune response and, specifically, helps your body determine when it needs to send out its immune defenders… Can vitamin D reduce the risk and/or severity of COVID-19?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The condiment that raises your blood pressure lowers your immune response

You’ve heard you should avoid too much salt in your diet because it could lead to blood pressure problems. The tasty condiment can be a double-edged sword, delivering great taste with real danger. And now there’s one more reason to watch your salt intake closer than ever before…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to improve your odds of recovery following a stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S., predominately striking older adults and reducing mobility in half of those survivors. Despite these bleak statistics, researchers have found a way to improve recovery that could improve life after a stroke…

Jenny Smiechowski

Are you immune to COVID-19 after you’ve had it?

Scientists worldwide are scrambling to figure out important, life-saving information about COVID-19. And one of the most pressing questions they’ve been working round the clock to answer is: Are people who contract the virus immune to it afterward? And if so, for how long?

Joyce Hollman

When it’s okay (and healthier) to feel sorry for yourself

Have you heard of comparative suffering? Think of those times you’ve felt bad about a loss or a situation (like being isolated), but guilt yourself because someone else may have it worse. These feelings are a sort of grief that triggers cortisol. If you don’t acknowledge them, it makes you sick…

Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby

Top 9 natural antibiotic foods and herbs

Antibiotic alternatives have been around for millennia before penicillin was discovered. These 9 antibiotic alternative foods and herbs haven’t lost their ability to fight bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi.

Jenny Smiechowski

Overlapping respiratory infections means your doctor could mistakenly clear you of COVID-19

One of the trickiest parts about the COVID-19 crisis is diagnosis. There are a lot of barriers — the shortage of tests, the severity and variety of symptoms, the overwhelm of the medical community and the fact that one in five people with COVID-19 has another virus that may steal the diagnosis…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why a lung condition makes you an easy target for COVID-19

At this point, it’s common knowledge that people with other health conditions have a greater risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19. But among that overall group, there may be a smaller group that’s even more at risk… people with pre-existing lung conditions.

Joyce Hollman

Is laughter really the best medicine?

The truth is, laughing is healthy. A good laugh offers a healthy distraction from anger, guilt, stress and other negative emotions, something we all could use right about now. But you may be shocked at what it can do for the backbone of your immune system…

Jenny Smiechowski

The downside to the ‘use it or lose it’ approach to a better brain

Plenty of studies show that “mind exercises” can improve memory, reasoning and processing speed to some degree or another. But one of the more recent studies shows we shouldn’t put too much stock in mental exercise, especially if we want to live longer…

Joyce Hollman

How antibodies from coronavirus survivors might save lives

The approach of infusing patients with the antibody-rich blood of those who’ve survived an infection is not new. The approach dates back to the 1890s, and one of the largest trials was during the H1N1 influenza virus pandemic of 1918. Can it help us in this fight?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Common stomach drugs that can lead to memory problems

More than 15 million people in the U.S. take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to control stomach acid, heartburn, and the symptoms of acid reflux or GERD. But most don’t know that PPIs are actually able to bypass the blood-brain barrier and can affect your brain itself.

Jenny Smiechowski

Why hospitals are using mega-doses of vitamin C to help COVID-19 patients

There’s a lot of debate about whether vitamin C works for things like colds and flu. So, it may surprise some people to learn that in the worst-hit areas, treatment for people who are seriously ill with COVID-19 includes mega-doses of vitamin C. Here’s why…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why moisturizer is more important than you realize for preventing COVID-19

Frequent handwashing and using hand sanitizer when necessary are ‘best practices’ to protect yourself from COVID-19. But that can lead to seriously dry hands. But beyond the discomfort and aesthetic considerations, it puts you more at risk for getting COVID-19…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The at-home coronavirus test that’s a hoax

Twelve days ago, I developed fever, a dry cough, extreme fatigue, and horrible pain between my shoulder blades that kept me up all night, night after night. When I met with my doctor via video chat, she was worried.

Margaret Cantwell

Remove these cancer-growing medications from your medicine cabinet now

Ranitidine-based medications were found to contain an impurity considered a probable human carcinogen. The FDA thought the amount and impact was small, but things have changed: If they’re in your medicine cabinet, you should know the danger has increased significantly…

Joyce Hollman

COVID-19 or spring allergies? How to tell the difference

As someone who suffers with spring allergies, I’m nervously awaiting the signs: itchy eyes and throat, runny nose, and sneezing. Why am I nervous? Because I need to be able to tell whether I’m just allergic… or infected with COVID-19…

Jenny Smiechowski

This popular pest killer kills more than mosquitos

They’re all around us… in yard and garden insecticides, in flea and tick treatments you put on your pets and even in bug spray you use on yourself. They’re in lice shampoo. Unfortunately, these common chemicals aren’t just killing mosquitos… they’re increasing disease and death rates among humans…

Joyce Hollman

How that “spare tire” is connected with deadly prostate cancer

Research tells us that being overweight increases a person’s risk of at least 13 types of cancer. Now add #14, a fast-killing cancer that only men can get. If you’re a man in your 50s carrying extra pounds around your waist, the likelihood that you’ll die of this cancer is even greater…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

A few important coronavirus facts you may have missed

With all of the headlines that are screaming the latest frightening statistics at us, it’s easy to see how you may have missed some of the small details that could matter most in the coming weeks and months. So, with that in mind, here are five facts you can hold on to…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 ways to make sheltering in place easier

Like more than 217 million other Americans, my family is currently under shelter-in-place orders due to Coronavirus. That means no going to work, school, or leaving the house for any reason unless absolutely necessary. And, it has meant some big changes for all of us.

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