Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Joyce Hollman

5 health-based benefits of kindness

Being kind to others feels good. But the benefits extend even further than that. Science shows acts of kindness have real effects that impact physical health, from depression to heart health. Check out these 5 you can get more of…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Fast food and fatty liver: How much is too much

Fast food, offering tasty and effective transport of unhealthy fat, is horrible on the liver. And the heart. We’d be kidding ourselves to think we could give it all up completely and forever. But knowing where the point of no return is would be really helpful.

Carolyn Gretton

Cannabis: A new breakthrough in anti-aging skincare

CBD products are growing in popularity. You can find tinctures, gummies and even topicals made from phytocannabinoids (pCBs). Topicals are non-intoxicating and include creams, balms and oils. One more thing you may want to know: they may be the next thing in anti-aging skincare…

Joyce Hollman

The obesity-AMD connection and the nutrient that helps both

Obesity can steal your heart health. Now, research shows it could steal your vision, too. Obesity appears to be a trigger that uses inflammation like fire on DNA and may be the reason some people get age-related macular degeneration and some don’t…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

This six-minute trick beats fasting for brain health

The neurons in the hippocampus, the brain area responsible for memory and learning, depend on brain-derived neurotrophic factor for their production and survival. But BDNF’s potential to halt cognitive decline and how to boost it is what should really interest you…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What blood type can reveal about stroke risk

Stroke is a growing threat with age. In fact, after age 55 that risk doubles every 10 years. But people under 60 do have strokes. How can you know if that’s a probability so you can do your best to avoid it? See where your blood type stroke risk falls…

Joyce Hollman

How consistent hydration slows aging and prolongs life

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: it’s important to keep your body hydrated for reasons like termperature regulation, waste elimination and much more. But its effects on sodium may be the best kept secret yet…

Jenny Smiechowski

Keeping weight off requires different approach than losing it

You’ve probably heard weight loss is 80 percent diet/20 percent exercise. So, if you want to lose weight, focus on cutting calories and complement that with a modest calorie burn in realistic daily workouts. But for maintaining the loss, the same rules may not work…

Dr. Michael Cutler

Demystifying diagnostics: Blood tests and what they mean

Blood tests are part of annual health physicals for most of us. Sometimes, though, tests may be needed beyond the basics, including more advanced and in-depth tests for disease risk profiling. Here’s your insider’s guide to blood tests…

Carolyn Gretton

Plain and simple: The right diet keeps us from dying early

There’s just no denying the power of a healthy diet to reduce disease risk. But the payout gets bigger when you stick with it, as in reducing your risk of early death, period. But there is still the stroke conundrum…

Carolyn Gretton

10-minute test helps detect ‘curable’ hypertension

Is your doctor overlooking the most curable cause of high blood pressure? Nodules affect one-in-twenty people with the condition. Researchers found that a urine test and new scan help detect patients who come off all their medicines after treatment.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The silent liver disease that’s worse on your heart

There’s a one in four chance, unbeknownst to you, you’re living with a common liver condition, and it’s damaging your heart right now. Researchers are so concerned, they say we can’t view the heart and the liver as completely separate functioning organs any longer…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Verified secrets that supercentenarians share

Sister André was a supercentenarian, someone who lives significantly beyond 100. When she passed at 118, it reignited a well-known longevity theory. You may think you know all about the French Paradox. But what it does for artery health is its best-kept secret…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How well are you aging? Your nose knows

Frailty increases risks for infection, disability and hospitalization. This makes preventing frailty a vital part of healthy aging. You may still be active, but there’s an easy way to know if frailty is sneaking up on you, in time to do something about it…

Carolyn Gretton

When coffee and hypertension are a dangerous mix

Loads of research says coffee is protective against heart failure, heart attack and stroke. But depending on your blood pressure range, it could be a dangerous mix and do just the opposite. That’s why it’s important to know how much is too much…

Dr. Michael Cutler

9 types of cough and how to treat them

Cough is the most common complaint most doctors see this time of year. So, I thought it would be helpful to look at the different types and causes of cough and their treatments. Just remember, it’s always best to err on the side of precaution…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The vitamin duo that beats depression and anxiety: K2 + D3

If you’re living with depression and anxiety, don’t suffer in silence or from the unwanted side effects of prescription antidepressants. Two vitamins have been shown to boost a depressed mood and relieve anxiety — especially when combined. Get your groove back, naturally…

Carolyn Gretton

How scrubbing the toilet with gusto can help you live longer

Exercise is such a powerful tool, but we’re still not doing it. So researchers are working on creative ways to make it easier without sacrificing benefits. They may have hit upon the perfect formula: increasing the intensity of everyday activities a minute at a time, with huge results…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What your tongue can tell you about your heart

If you’re worried about your heart, look in the mirror and say “ah!” Not because it’s time to relax. But because the tongues of people with heart failure look totally different from those of healthy people. Here’s what to look for…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What the number of pushups a man can do reveals about his health

Who wouldn’t like to have a crystal ball that could predict your health over the next decade? That way, you’d know exactly what areas need improving. Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health may have found the next best thing — pushups.

Joyce Hollman

Is a ‘silent’ food allergy attacking your brain?

Food allergies can be uncomfortable and even life-threatening. But is it possible to have a food allergy and not know? Here’s evidence silent food allergies can cause problematic changes in the brain you might chalk up to something else…

Joyce Hollman

Anxiety-relieving practice deemed effective as medication

Generalized anxiety disorder can be challenging, often leading to isolation, physical illnesses, chronic pain and fatigue. Risky antidepressants have been the go-to treatment, but a drug-free alternative just went head to head against the pills and the news is good…

Joyce Hollman

How exercise works like a roadblock to prostate cancer progression

Prostate cancer is the second most deadly cancer in American men. Previous research has shown an exercise program could release chemicals that control the growth of prostate cancer. Now the news is even better…

Carolyn Gretton

The activity that slashes diabetes risk 44 percent

Blood sugar problems that lead to diabetes are most common around the age of 45. That spells big trouble, including an increased risk of heart disease, nerve damage and even sexual problems. Lifestyle changes can improve things, but this one gets powerful results…

Carolyn Gretton

A concerning connection: breast cancer survival and heart disease

Breast cancer deaths are declining. If we stop right here, that’s certainly great news. But even though fewer women are dying from the cancer, their treatment may set them up for another disease they should be followed closely for…

Joyce Hollman

Worried about Alzheimer’s, cholesterol and blood pressure? There’s a tea for that

Drinking tea warms the soul. I find it one of the most soothing things I do for myself. What’s even better? Knowing this guilty pleasure has lots of researched benefits—many among the biggest health issues we face today.

Joyce Hollman

15 minutes of yoga and your ‘stroke’ number could drop 10 points

Exercise and health go together like PB and J. Typically, people choose one kind of exercise that works for them. I’m not knocking that because getting any exercise is a good thing. But adding in a little yoga can balloon benefits for blood pressure…

Carolyn Gretton

The ‘d’eeper problem behind age-related muscle weakness

Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength and functionality associated with aging. But have you heard of dynapenia? If you want to keep fraily, falls and decline out of your future, you need to understand how deep age-related muscle loss goes.

Joyce Hollman

Thunderstorm asthma: What allergy sufferers should know

A lot of us suffer from allergic rhinitis or hay fever. There’s nothing that unique about seasonal allergies, except maybe this: If you have hay fever, you are at risk for a serious event called “thunderstorm asthma,” even if you don’t normally have asthma.

Carolyn Gretton

An important step forward in gauging men’s prostate cancer risk

The old standby, PSA testing, isn’t 100 percent accurate, leading to unnecessary biopsy and treatment and loads of anxiety. But when it was scaled back, metastatic prostate cancer cases rose. The key is identifying men by risk level—and a new tool may be the answer to saving lives…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Soak away up to 28 percent of your heart disease risk

The number one cause of death for men and women in the U.S. is heart disease. That’s why there’s no shortage of advice on how to lower risk. But I think most of us would never have guessed this relaxing habit could take such a sizable chunk out of your risk level…

Joyce Hollman

Coffee has more digestive perks than you can shake a stir stick at

The ways that coffee can keep you healthy are really underrated. So, if you love your cup of joe, take heart! Among all the great benefits research is revealing about coffee, you’ll be glad to know drinking it is one of the best things you can do for your digestive health!

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Reprogram disease-causing inflammation with this ancient herb

Frankincense could be the key to defeating some of the most frightening diseases of the modern world, thanks to its ability to target inflammatory enzymes to stop the disease cascade.

Joyce Hollman

Vaping leads to a mouthful of disease-causing bacteria

Most people believe e-cigarettes are a safe alternative to the real thing and are a good way to quit. But e-cigarettes have their own dangers, including the risk of cancer, heart and lung disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. It comes down to a mouthful of bacteria that turns bad in a surprisingly short amount of time…

Jenny Smiechowski

Microgreens: Big benefits from tiny greens

If you’ve ever been at a restaurant and seen a delicate mound of tiny greens resting on your grass-fed burger, then you’ve tried microgreens. You may not have given this green garnish much thought, but you should start paying more attention to it — these greens pack a serious nutritional punch.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

How to find nutrition news you can trust

Today, with news coming from so many different sources, it has become much harder to decide who to trust. This is not just true for current events or politics, it also applies to food, nutrition and medical care. So do like I do and follow these five rules…

Joyce Hollman

Antibiotic resistance: One more reason to avoid NSAIDs

Using NSAIDs like Motrin and Advil for pain relief can damage your stomach and put you at risk of heart attack and stroke. But there’s one more reason to reach for something else… these meds could also make it harder for you to battle a resistant infection.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why losing weight before bariatric surgery could save your life

Weight loss surgery can come with big benefits, including lowering your risk of chronic conditions, like heart disease and diabetes. The surgery is not without risks, though, including a small percentage of deaths. Fortunately, there’s a way to cut that risk by 40 percent before you enter the operating room…

Joyce Hollman

The unexpected way lead gets in your drinking water

Depending on the age of your home, your pipes may be lined with lead. And when it mixes with another heavy metal commonly used in municipal water systems, your lead exposure could increase tenfold…

Joyce Hollman

One more reason to use hops for menopause relief

With all the research linking hormone replacement therapy with breast cancer, it’s no wonder many women prefer natural relief for menopause symptoms. After concerns about its possible interactions with common medications, a particularly effective supplement has been given the all-clear…

Jenny Smiechowski

Keto, inflammation and the autoimmune disease connection

Making changes to your diet can drastically improve autoimmune disease symptoms… or even send your disease into remission. But what diet is best if you’re one of the 23.5 million American’s struggling to get an autoimmune condition under control?

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Why an amino acid deficiency could lead to diabetes

The rate of diabetes in the U.S. is rising sharply. Lots of reports and research seems to focus on the American lifestyle and the terrible food we eat. So, you can probably imagine how surprised I was to learn a deficiency we hear little about could be partially to blame…

Jenny Smiechowski

How omega-3s from fish help regulate cholesterol

There’s been some debate over the years about whether omega-3s reduce heart disease risk. But a new study may put the decades-long debate to rest. Not only does it show that omega-3s come with substantial cardiovascular perks, but it also shows exactly how these healthy fats help your heart…

Joyce Hollman

7 everyday essentials for a natural medicine cabinet

It’s becoming commonplace to find that medicines we’ve thought were safe, aren’t. In fact, some of them are downright dangerous. Remember the recent warning about carcinogens in your heartburn medication? If you’d like to build a natural medicine cabinet, here are seven starters for you…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Block brain inflammation to pump the brakes on Alzheimer’s

For far too many years, Alzheimer’s disease has been a mystery to the medical community. Doctors and researchers are unsure why it starts… much less how to find a cure. But they’re closing in on the puzzle. They’ve identified the one factor that may play the biggest role in fighting the progression of the disease.

Joyce Hollman

The chemicals causing celiac disease

The origins of celiac disease, which afflicts one in 100 adults worldwide, were largely believed to be genetic. But research has found that toxic chemicals, some commonly found throughout our homes, are associated with a higher risk of developing the autoimmune disease.

Jenny Smiechowski

13 spices that save you from junk food-fueled inflammation

Junk food contributes to disease-causing inflammation. But it’s almost impossible not to hit the drive-thru from time to time. Just make sure you counteract your burger and fries with these inflammation-fighting spices…

Jenny Smiechowski

Your stove may be cooking up unsafe levels of indoor air pollution

Most of us don’t think twice when we click our gas stoves on to cook. But maybe we should. Gas stoves are exposing us to pollution levels so high they would be illegal if they were outside. And this exposure can contribute to everything from asthma to heart disease to cancer.

Joyce Hollman

Take 10 years off your brain age with resveratrol

Resveratrol is a polyphenol, a plant compound that acts as an antioxidant. It’s found in red wine and dark chocolate. If you want to wind back the clock on your brain’s age by up to a decade, go ahead and indulge a little!

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Reduce COVID-19 anxiety and depression with these free apps

If you’re feeling anxious, down, or lonely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic you’re not alone. Anxiety and depression numbers have skyrocketed since the lockdowns began. A collection of apps can help significantly reduce your stress and anxiety, and they’re free!

Joyce Hollman

6 habits that hijack your immune system

You probably already know that bad nutrition and poor sleep can sabotage your immune system. But there are some lesser-known habits you may be engaging in right now that are compromising your immune system’s ability to protect you at a time when you need it most.

Jenny Smiechowski

3 dangers of drinking too much green tea

With all the hype around green tea’s health benefits, it’s tempting to sip on the stuff all day, every day. But it turns out that drinking too much of this typically healthy beverage comes with a few potential side effects… including one serious one.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The best time to check your blood pressure

High blood pressure and heart disease go hand in hand. Most of us get checked regularly at our doctor’s office. Hopefully yours is in the green… but there’s a way to check it to see if red zone numbers are in your future.

Joyce Hollman

5 smoothies that calm inflammation and boost immunity

I’m focusing on superfood combinations that can boost my immune system and tame inflammation. Both will lower my chances of a COVID-19 infection, or any infection, for that matter. And since spring has finally arrived and it’s warm out, I’d like to share five of my favorite superfood smoothie recipes with you.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Switch couch time for naptime for better mood and BMI

Stay-at-home orders have most of us sitting more than ever. Estimates show that levels of physical activity have plummeted by 32 percent, leading to added stress and depression as well as weight gain. A new study has shown that substituting nap time for sitting time could help you feel and be healthier.

Jenny Smiechowski

All whole grains aren’t as healthy as you’ve been made to think

Fiber is a health-giving, life-saving nutrient. Research shows eating a high fiber diet decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and colorectal cancer. It also extends life expectancy. The problem is, not all sources of fiber deliver the same benefits — especially if they’re “whole grain.”

Jenny Smiechowski

Just one fast food meal can lower your brain power

With all the stress, uncertainty and monotonous days spent hunkered down at home, many of us are eating less healthy than we normally would. But it turns out, even a little bit of junk food has a swift and serious impact on your brain’s ability to function.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Drinking more whole milk clobbers ‘cluster’ of cardio threats

Both diabetes and high blood pressure significantly increase your risk of dying from both heart attack and stroke, with diabetes alone nearly doubling that risk. Now, new research has found that simply adding more dairy to your diet could be the key to avoiding both conditions, especially if you go full fat.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Ancient Chinese remedy soothes indigestion without drugs or side effects

If you live with indigestion that causes bloating and stomach pain, you might be tempted to head to your doctor for a prescription. But wait… many of those pills have been linked to Alzheimer’s. Luckily, a new study has found safe, effective indigestion relief in an ancient Chinese practice.

Joyce Hollman

Drink away weight and disease risk with green tea

With obesity on the rise, more people are looking at green tea as an aid in fat burning and weight loss, as well as for its other health benefits. An international group of researchers did a deep dive into how green tea can help with weight loss.

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