Latest Stories

Astrocytes are star-shaped cells in the brain that express receptors for hormones, including ghrelin, which signals hunger, and its counterpart, leptin, which signals fullness. But just 10 days of the wrong foods dismantles that whole system…

Given how deadly a heart attack or stroke can be, it helps to get as much advance warning as possible. But too often that’s not the case by the time the heart signals a problem. But there’s another part of the body where researchers have discovered a tell-tale sign that may save lives years in advance.

If you follow a few simple rules, you can drink tomato juice until your heart’s content (and your heart will be very content — and healthy — with lower BP and cholesterol!). That’s what people in this study did, and look how it worked out for them? Ready to give it a go?

Snoring, waking up gasping for air or with a headache in the morning and feeling tired and irritable are all signs of sleep apnea, a condition that affects more than 29 million Americans. A new study has found an easy way to reduce your risk of sleep apnea in under 20 minutes per day…

Will a banana a day keep heart disease away? Let me count the ways… bananas are high in potassium, a mineral that plays a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy heart. Without enough of this mineral, your heart and arteries simply cannot function the way they’re supposed to.

If you think forever chemicals are new, you’d be wrong. PFAS have been around since the 1940s. That means most of us have been around long enough for PFAS to have taken advantage of a vulnerable window of time when they set us up for disease later in life…

The health and longevity of people in blue zones is just one reasons for tons of research on omega-3 essential fatty acids. They’ve held an ancient secret that in today’s world is still proving they’re not only essential because we can’t produce them on our own, but good health depends on them.

Blood clots in response to an injured blood vessel. It’s a normal response even to a paper cut. As the bleeding stops, the clot is no longer needed and dissolves. Things don’t always go as planned, but who would have thought an artificial sweetener could make things worse…

You wouldn’t think being a spectator at a sporting event would have a positive impact on your health. But it does — at least when it comes to one sport in particular, whose fans could put just about anyone’s Fitbit score to shame…

Studies have shown that not sleeping enough and having irregular bedtimes and wake-up times can put your heart at risk. Now, researchers have connected the dots between poor sleep and a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke…

Chronic constipations affects more Americans than care to admit. If you’re one of them and reach for laxatives for relief, take a close look at the type and how many you use. Your future brain health may depend on it…

Over the years, we’ve learned more about how the health of your mouth can affect your entire body. But oral health risk factors that contribute to stroke prompted research into how caring for your mouth could save your brain from silent damage…

A daily spoonful of olive oil could tame a lot of health ills. But what makes it so healthy? For years polyphenols, phenomenal plant compounds, got all the glory. But a component that makes up almost 80 percent of olive oil’s composition is stepping forward…

If you’re age 65 or older and considering surgery, know your risks. Especially if the surgery is elective. You’ll need to weigh the chances of a newly recognized risk and what it could do to your life… against the potential benefits you’ll get from having the surgery. And it’s a threat your doctor may not be aware of yet…

The word “diet” conjures up images of deprivation, tasteless foods, and constant cravings for what we can’t have. But deprivation diets set you up to fail… unless you have willpower like Superman. Instead of starting a new “diet,” pledge to gradually change your “eating style,” and you’ll have greater success.

Strange as it sounds, obesity is a form of premature aging. But though that’s been well established, experts were still shocked to see how similar obesity-related neurodegeneration is to changes in an Alzheimer’s brain…

Ever hear the expression, “out of the frying pan, into the fire”? It means going from a bad situation to one that may be even worse. Like taking a drug linked to heart issues, bladder cancer and liver toxicity and giving it new life as an Alzheimer’s treatment.

Within each of us is a unique ecosystem of bacteria known as the gut microbiome. When it’s well-balanced, well-being flourishes. The same can be said for your social biome. And whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, helping yours thrive entails more than quality or quantity…

The ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing and clicking of tinnitus can drive anyone crazy. And though doctors have tried for years to help, there’s been little known about the causes of the condition — until now. It turns out it could be sitting in your medicine cabinet at this very moment…

Inflammatory bowel diseases, like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can be painful and debilitating, causing chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, bloody stools, weight loss and fatigue. If you’re in your 40s, certain medications can increase your risk of developing one…

Tinnitus can be caused by hundreds of health issues and external stimuli. But one recently identified source is something we’re all exposed to at one time or another — and it’s not-so-great news for people living in urban areas…

Phthalates are colorless, odorless “everywhere” chemicals. They go by a host of names, but they’re all endocrine-disrupting chemicals. From thyroid to menopause trouble, women are hardest hit. Now, they’re why you can get diabetes from your shampoo…

Before you head off to the nail salon, there’s something you should know. Gel manicures may look lovely but they expose you to a very real danger. Just like the sun and tanning beds, those nail dryers pack a serious punch of UV radiation…

Exercise is one of the most powerful anti-aging tools we have. But even though physical activity can improve health during aging, evidence also shows that inevitably those beneficial effects decline. Research shows with the right intervention, they may not have to…

If you’re one of the 80 percent of people who suffers from low back pain at one point or another, there’s something that you need to know before you see your doctor: the prescription they want to give you probably won’t work. Even worse, while it does little to nothing for your pain, the drug could lead to problematic or even dangerous side effects…

It’s no surprise that women’s bladders get weaker. And Kegel exercises have long been recommended to improve pelvic floor strength and relieve bladder leaks. But that didn’t always work well enough until they added a second step…

Weight loss has never been easy. That’s why Wegovy sounded like a fairy tale. In truth, it’s a cautionary tale of miserable side effects, disrupted hormones, a black box warning and rapid weight gain that doesn’t live up to the hype for everyone.

Everyone has trouble sleeping occasionally, with the most common causes being stress, anxiety and depression, neurological problems and pain. But there’s another group of middlemen that can make sleep tough, and they reside in a surprising part of your body…

Nuts are givers of great health. Almonds have been called the world’s most nutritious nut. Walnuts have been known to crackdown on chronic disease. And pistachios have been hailed as natural weight loss helpers. But what is the best nut for lowering cholesterol? The one that dropped numbers significantly lower than exercise intervention…

There are a few differences between Americans and Europeans. But one of the biggest differences is the food we consume. Take dangerous food additives. Here is a handful that have been banned in Europe, but are still fed to us, starting with your morning toast…

Metabolic syndrome sneaks up on people. It might start with your cholesterol. Before you know it, your blood pressure goes up. Next, your doctor is concerned about your blood sugar which is going up with your weight. Before you wake up one day on more medications than you’ve ever taken in all your years, try a daily bowl of oatmeal instead.

You have roughly 100,000 miles of blood vessels and veins that make up your arterial superhighway… and much working against them. Your heart, and more, depend on them. Luckily, new research has found a way to make it easier than ever to decrease arterial stiffness and improve blood flow. Just grab a partner and stretch…

I’ve never thought of my diffuser as anything but a blessing to my health and home. It’s an easy way to take advantage of the benefits of aromatherapy and a great alternative to chemical air fresheners. But I recently read something that indicated there may be a dark side to my diffuser…

It’s fun to read about the health benefits of guilty pleasures… like drinking coffee, looking at cat memes or indulging in a glass of wine. We get a lot of mixed messages about that last one though. But a new study shows that people who drink low-to-moderate amounts of alcohol have better brain health than those who don’t.

About 84 million adults in the U.S. have prediabetes. That means 34 percent of adults, at any given time, are poised to cross a threshold that would take them down a chronic disease path. Sounds daunting, doesn’t it? But what if I told you they could turn that trajectory completely around in a matter of steps?

How often do you eat capers? You know, those tiny green balls you see hanging out in your chicken piccata, on top of your salmon lox bagel or in your salad. The answer for most of us is probably not that often. That’s a shame because they’re packed with a potent compound for brain and heart health…

Breaking health news contends that limiting dietary saturated fat does nothing for reducing heart disease events or for heart disease prevention. The study’s conclusions run against the advice of most health authorities, but by sheer numbers alone, it feels pretty compelling…

Using disinfectant wipes to clean the surfaces in your home? You should know there’s more to it than just pulling one out and wiping. Follow these tips to make sure you get the most out of them during cold and virus season…

If you’re feeling like all your energy has been drained, you can barely get out of bed in the morning and struggle to make it through the day, you’re not alone. Lack of energy is a common complaint and can be due to a wide range of issues. Figuring out what’s got you dragging is a challenge. Here are some clues…

You’ve probably heard that omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation and disease, while omega-6 fatty acids fuel them. But recent research shows this isn’t entirely true. Omega-6 fatty acids from healthy sources aren’t the inflammation-causing boogeymen they’ve been made out to be. In fact, they may even have unique health benefits…

High blood pressure can stem from a combination of issues. And while your doctor is prescribing medications, far too often other causes get ignored, leaving you with uncontrolled blood pressure problems that even the strongest medicines can’t fully control. Put these blood pressure-reducing interventions to work…

When you have food allergies, you become very good at inspecting labels. That’s because, if you don’t, it could have serious consequences. But what if, despite all your careful label reading, you’re still exposed to a food allergen because it’s not listed on the label? That’s a food allergy sufferer’s worst nightmare. And the FDA’s new food labeling rules are making it more likely…

Most people think menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, memory loss start in the ovaries, when in fact they are neurological symptoms. That’s because estrogen helps produce energy in the brain. As it delines neurons slow down and age quickly. That’s why women need to protect their brains as they age…

Food is a powerful tool for optimizing health. But how come some people try a certain diet and experience dramatic results while others barely notice a difference in their weight, health and well-being on the same diet? Luckily, research has us one step closer to figuring out how to make healthy eating work for everyone…

Men have a reputation for avoiding check-ups. and even putting off sick visits for as long as possible. That’s why we’ve put together five warning signs something’s wrong with your health that you should never ignore, just for you guys…

We all have times when we overdo it at the dinner table. Unfortunately, overeating regularly causes you to gain weight, increases your risk of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cognitive decline and cancer and triggers hormonal changes that make it harder to stop overeating. Luckily, this simple, healthy snack can stop the vicious cycle of overeating…

Adopting clean-living strategies are commonplace for those of us who realize the health dangers posed by toxins. But while we’ve been focused mostly on toxins and poisons, there’s another threat that deserves your attention, capable of contributing to autoimmune diseases and the underlying inflammation that accelerates the process of chronic illness.

You probably remember the days when saturated fat was the enemy of people prone to high cholesterol. In fact, you’ll still see many widely respected health institutions advising people with high cholesterol to cut back on the fats. But a lot of recent evidence shows that this advice is outdated. If you really want to lower your cholesterol, you need to focus on carbs instead…

If you haven’t tried chiropractic care yet, you could be missing out. While some dismiss chiropractic care, believing that the only way to find relief is through medical treatments and drugs, scientific studies are proving that chiropractic works! Here are a few conditions getting adjusted could help…

Kidney stones may be one of the most painful things you’ll ever experience… many people compare it to giving birth. Arming yourself with ways to dissolve small stones and preventing new stones from forming is so important. Here are the natural options you can use at home…

When most people think of healthy greens, they think of kale or spinach. But have you tried arugula? This peppery-spicy, delicate-looking green can help lower your blood pressure and save you from bone fractures, and that’s just for starters…

Your skin, hair and metabolism aren’t the only things that start to show the signs of aging once you hit 40. The cells in your retina do too. And that can cause major vision problems as you get older. But red light could help you protect these critical cells and keep your eagle eyes a bit longer…

Your vagus nerve runs from your brain to your gut and controls a long list of automatic body functions. It keeps you breathing and keeps your heart beating. There are things you can do to keep this nervous system “superhighway” functioning optimally.

Even with successful cancer treatment, many people suffer toxic damage from the chemotherapy designed to save their lives. But new research has found a diet has the power not only to boost the effectiveness of tumor-shrinking treatments but also to protect cells against the DNA damage caused by chemo…

New research into hypertension recently proved that a condition long considered to be an uncommon cause of high blood pressure is actually quite common. The problem? Doctors weren’t testing for it enough and when they did their technique was highly inaccurate. Could this be the cause behind your BP problems?

Despite its reputation for raising the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, some recent studies show that eating red meat in moderation isn’t that bad for you. But that doesn’t mean you’ve got a free pass to indulge until the cows come home. Red meat does contain a compound that poses harm to your arteries and brain.

Over the past decade, the number of people taking muscle relaxers long-term has skyrocketed. These drugs were never approved for long-term use. But that’s not the worst of it. Here’s what you need to know about the potential dangers of muscle relaxers, plus other options to stop the spasms and the pain…

Putting your feet up at the end of a long day comes naturally. But what if your feet, ankles and legs are swollen and painful? More than an annoyance, this could be a sign of a much more serious condition. Here are a few to check out…

Acupuncture, medical marijuana, cognitive behavioral therapy, curcumin and anti-inflammatory diets are all popular, effective options for pain management. But there’s one more natural pain solution I’m willing to bet you’ve never heard about…

Once you hit middle age, chronic and degenerative diseases become the biggest threat to your health and longevity. Many of these diseases occur when oxidative stress causes free radicals to attack your cells… including Alzheimer’s. But a few potent antioxidants could protect you from the oxidative stress that puts you at risk for debilitating diseases like Alzheimer’s…