Latest Stories

You might think this post is another speech from a doctor about lifestyle factors that cause LDL (bad) cholesterol to rise. But I really just want you to know about the biochemical processes that influence cholesterol levels that aren’t alway explained to patients, and which ones you may or may not be able to control…

Sensibly soaking up the sun is a good way to boost your vitamin D. But research shows that while you’re soaking up the sun, the sun is soaking up your stores of another very important vitamin — one that can help your body fend off some pretty nasty illnesses and chronic conditions…

Getting little, if any, exercise and following an unhealthy diet add up to a surefire recipe for disaster. These bad habits were thought to be equally risky for both men and women. But it’s been found men’s health can suffer much faster and face bigger dangers in a surprisingly short time.

You already know nuts are brain food. But a new study has measured their powerful effect in the form of brain waves. They tested six different kinds of nuts, and all of them produced brainwave frequencies that can improve cognition, healing, learning, memory and more…

Last month, my friend Jeff felt a strange heaviness in his upper arms. It wasn’t from exercise and it wasn’t painful, just strange. He called his doctor, who suggested a trip to the ER. Jeff was having a heart attack. What would you have done if you were Jeff?

When you think about losing weight, chances are you think about your gut, the one that’s central in the battle of the bulge. But you might be focusing on the wrong gut. Research has found a surprising reason there that explains when you and your friend follow the same diet, only one of you loses weight.

It’s no secret that exercise can help you feel better about yourself and your life. In fact, studies have shown regular physical activity to combat depression and put a smile on your face. But is a drug-free solution to chronic anxiety that easy?

Even in first world countries, like the U.S., vitamin deficiencies may be more common than you would ever guess. How do you know if you’re getting enough of the nutrients considered essential? Besides having your blood tested, pay attention to these six often sneaky signs of a deficiency…

Most of the research into brain health has focused on slowing or reversing the mind-stealing conditions you see in the elderly. But what, if anything, can omega-3s do for a middle-aged brain, especially one with a genetic predisposition for those very problems?

Approximately 37 million Americans have diabetes and another 96 million are pre-diabetic. If you’re one of those 96 million, you may not even know you’re on the verge of developing diabetes, much less at increased risk for heart attack or stroke. One change could turn that around…

Shingles may seem like more of an annoyance than a serious threat to your health. But that’s not exactly true. Shingles can actually affect your eyes, cause nerve pain and attack your internal organs. It can also raise your risk of potentially life-threatening cardiovascular complications…

Many people still think that a heart attack strikes suddenly, or with very little warning. A Harvard Health survey tells us that, for women, the warning signs can come as much as a month in advance. And they’re anything but the classic signs most people look for…

As the cold weather approaches, you know you have to protect yourself from ailments like cold and flu. But what about more serious events, like heart attack? Surprsingly, as the temperatures go down our risk for heart attack goes up. Here’s why (an odd effect on blood vessels, for one) and what to do…

Certain activities help stimulate the brain to keep it running like a high-performance race car. That’s why there are plenty of sophisticated web-based cognitive games specifically designed to improve those skills we need to keep our independence. And then there are crossword puzzles…

Even though men in their 50s don’t have the same rapid bone loss women do, that changes around 65. Then, men lose bone mass at the same rate, and recovery from fracture is riskier for men. Most surprising? The risk of an osteoporotic fracture in men is higher than the risk of prostate cancer.

Frailty can strike anyone over the age of 65, and the subtle changes can sneak up if you’re not careful. The factor that makes it more likely is the loss of a certain nutrient that circulates in your blood less and less with each passing birthday, increasing vulnerability to this scourge of aging…

The research is in: A sedentary lifestyle can lead to diabetes, heart disease and obesity, and weaken our bones and muscles, making us more susceptible to frailty as we age. But adding this “snack” to our daily menu could go a long way toward reversing that damage to live longer and healthier…

Need an edge this cold and flu season? It’s time you discovered the berry with up to 60 times more vitamin C than an orange, and enough potassium, calcium, protein, beta-carotene, amino acids and antioxidants to support your heart, liver, eyes and more.

Only about one in five people who lose weight will actually succeed in keeping it off long-term. So does that mean you’re doomed to failure? Definitely not. Just take the right advice to heart, from those who’ve been there, done that and, most importantly, succeeded…

The holiday season can make it extra challenging to stick to your heart-healthy eating plan. With cardiologist-approved tips, you can make it, and still enjoy every single holiday…

A blood clot is a collection of blood in the body that has changed from liquid to a semi-solid mass. The body does this to stop bleeding when injured, but sometimes a clot forms inside a blood vessel and does not dissolve on its own. Here are 10 things to know about them…

Although it’s long been known that heavy drinking can significantly raise the risk of stroke, little research has looked at the effects of moderate to low consumption to determine if there really is any safe level. That’s all changed thanks to a worldwide study that gives us new insight…

If you’re health conscious, you don’t smoke. And you probably don’t allow others to smoke in your home. But if you have a gas stove, you could be exposing you and your family to a dangerous chemical in your very own kitchen comparable to second-hand smoke.

With so much info on apple cider vinegar out there, you may still be on the line about giving it a try. Well, we’re going to look at five big reasons you should be taking ACV regularly, why it’s vital to your health and how to take it to get the most health benefits possible…

The take-home message is simple: vitamin D plays a vital role in human health. Without sufficient levels, you’re selling yourself and your life short. New findings bring home the urgency about preventing early death and a new disease connection…

There’s no denying the seasons influence our state of mind. It’s easier to be in a good mood when the days are long and warm, but much harder during the short, dark days of winter, when some of us face seasonal affective disorder. Why does the light affect our moods and can we overcome it?

With dementia on the rise, experts are looking closer at known risk factors that lead to the devastating illness. One, alcohol use, has been hotly debated. Some studies say it harms, while others were not so clear. International research including almost 25,000 participants may finally have the answer…

There are tons of good reasons to eat almonds regularly. Maybe you want to improve your waistline, or like almost 4 million Americans, you want to ‘go’ regularly and enjoy the benefits of a healthy gut this tiny nut provides.

For years we’ve been warned that red meat is bad for heart health. Some controversial studies of late have started to lean the other way. But when researchers looked at three important measures of heart health, what they saw was indisputable.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Indian Ayurvedic Medicine share the longest and most sophisticated histories of healing with plants, herbs and spices. Have you heard of these nine powerful plants that can spell relief of stomach problems and keep your gut healthy?

Can we actually have fun during this summer of COVID-19? Infectious disease experts say yes… as long as we are smart about it. If we choose low-risk activities with people we know and trust, the summer of 2020 can be safe and fun. Here’s how…

A lot of people try intermittent fasting and low-carb diets like the keto diet to lose weight. But that’s far from the biggest benefit of going low-carb or fasting. Research shows both practices change how your metabolism works in a way that fights infection and aging simultaneously.

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…

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!

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.

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…

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.

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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?

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…

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…

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…

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.

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.

Researchers are racing to come up with new treatments for COVID-19 before more people lose their lives. But new treatments take a long time to develop and test. Luckily, we already have to a wide range of antivirals at our fingertips — including one that’s proven to help people recover from COVID-19 quicker.

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…

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.