Latest Stories

Some dark chocolate brands, even organic ones, have been found to contain dangerous amounts of cadmium and lead, heavy metals linked to hypertension, kidney failure, nerve damage and more. Take precautions if your favorite is on the list.

Mountains of research and our doctors tell us a meat-heavy diet is a fast track to early death. But if you’ve embraced meatless burgers and other mock meat substitutes, you’re cheating your body of vital nutrition. It starts with ‘deception’ on the ingredient label…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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.

We spend a lot of time talking about the dangers of high blood pressure. But did you know that low blood pressure (hypotension) holds dangers all its own? Here’s what you need to know about hypotension, its effects and how to prevent it.

Alzheimer’s is one of the scariest diseases on the planet. It doesn’t just steal your life, it steals who you are and the lifetime of memories you’ve accumulated. Scientists have proven that one of the easiest ways to postpone or even prevent Alzheimer’s could be found in your bathroom.

There are changes you can make in your forties that will keep you healthier, more energetic and more alert for decades to come. Here are 11 changes you can make that will make a big difference over time.

A new study says there’s a little-known factor that could be increasing your chances of ending up with worrisome cholesterol levels. It’s something you could be drinking on a daily basis.

Potatoes are probably the most controversial vegetable. No one would say that broccoli is unhealthy, but potatoes have plenty of naysayers… mostly because they’re high in carbs. But the truth is that potatoes are a good source of nutrients, including protein that can fuel your muscles.

The vital antioxidant nutrient Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is responsible for providing an energy spark to all 100 trillion of your body’s cells. And scientists have proven that sufficient CoQ10 is critical for producing 95 percent of your body’s personal energy. But its effects go much deeper…

When your thyroid is functioning properly, your health blossoms. When it isn’t, the effects on your health can be more widespread than you’d ever imagine. Here is a list of 9 lesser-known signs of thyroid trouble you need to be aware of.

Vitamin D and calcium, the dynamic duo of bone health, are probably the first things you think of when you think about how to keep your bones healthy… but vitamin K is crucial for building bone strength and can be found in many of the foods we eat.

High sugar intake is directly linked to liver cancer, liver scarring and fatty liver disease — a condition that can lead to cirrhosis. But there is a zero-calorie savior that can satisfy your sweet tooth and save your liver — stevia.

Spending time in the sunshine lifts your mood and gives you a vitamin D boost that keeps your bones and your immune system strong. But it also leads to UVB-induced skin damage and premature aging. Could supplementing collagen reverse that damage and restore youthful skin?

If you want to reduce your odds of developing Alzheimer’s, you should make one simple change to your diet — eat more flavonoid-rich foods. Why? Because the amount you eat now directly impacts your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in the decades to come.

When you think of apple cider vinegar, you probably picture that tangy salad dressing that makes your mouth water or that tart marinade that gives your favorite chicken dish an extra kick. But, if you’re only using the flavor-packed powerhouse in your cooking, you could be missing out on some big health benefits…

Do you have stomach issues, food allergies or intolerances? What if you could get rid of your gut trouble without changing anything in your diet? It sounds too good to be true, but it’s possible. That’s because gut issues don’t always have to do only with the contents of your stomach…

One in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. And even while breast cancer rates have been decreasing, this year alone, over 42,100 women will die from it. But a review of 20 studies proves a high fiber diet is a solid way to bring your breast cancer risk down.

In many modern countries, even the U.S. where most people have access to high-quality nutrition, vitamin deficiencies are more common than most realize. That puts wellness at the top of the list… starting with these essential nutrients…

We all want to look younger. Yet, little things you do each day could be aging you beyond your years… That’s why we’re counting down six seemingly harmless habits that can leave your face looking like a road map. If you’re doing any of these, stop now to keep your age a secret…

On their own, statins are not a fool-proof guarantee of better outcomes. In fact, I recommend that all my patients eat a heart-healthy diet. Why? Because if your cholesterol is high and you can reduce it with diet alone, that’s always the better answer. That’s why a new study is so alarming…

With COVID-19 going around, you want your immune system to be primed and ready to fight if and when it needs to. That means you should pay a little extra attention to the vitamins and minerals you’re getting daily. A new scientific review shows that high selenium levels could be linked to a higher likelihood of surviving COVID-19…

There’s one exercise that can be done anywhere. No special equipment is required and the benefits are wide-ranging — from boosting your brain health to keeping your heart ticking.So, throw out the excuses and break out your shoes…

Since we know that heart disease is the leading cause of heart attacks, is there anything you’re doing that’s increasing your risk of death? What can you do differently that could save your life? For starters, you can change these five habits and change your risk…

I’m being careful to make very conscious choices about what I eat these days. See, the link between depression and weight gain is well established. But there’s another piece of the puzzle that may be the root of the problem and the answer to fixing it…

As much as I enjoy losing myself in good television, I know that by watching so much all at once, I might be putting my health at risk. According to all the research, binge-watching is linked to a higher risk of inflammatory disease and a shorter life span in general… so is there a level that’s safe, especially for your heart health? The good news is yes!

You’ve probably heard about “brain-boosting” foods that lower your risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. But an area that gets overlooked when we talk about diet is food pairing. Can eating certain foods together impact your risk? Turns out these pairings are a recipe for cognitive decline…

Overall, fewer people are dying from cancer. But while cancer deaths are going down, the number of people being diagnosed with certain types actually went up last year. We’ve put together a list of six symptoms that doctors say patients often miss to help you avoid being caught in this nightmare scenario…

If you have metabolic syndrome, you’re officially at a much higher risk for heart disease (diabetes and cancer too). Scary thought, I know. But protecting yourself from the dangers of metabolic syndrome might be easier than you’d think…

More than one million people suffer from MS in the U.S. But ground-breaking research may be able to help them slow, even reverse the damage it inflicts on the nervous system. Best of all, it’s a natural compound found in some of our favorite fruits.

Even though coffee has transformed its bad-for-you image over the past couple of decades, there are still lingering questions about coffee’s impact on your health. Why is coffee OK for your heart in some studies and not OK in other studies? Research shows it all may come down to this one thing…

In the weeks after a heart attack, you need to do things differently so you don’t have another one. What should you do to turn your heart health around? Healthy eating and exercise are great starters. But there’s another component to restoring heart health that people often forget about…

For decades, scientists have questioned the link between sleep and Alzheimer’s. Does poor sleep increase risk? It seems people with sleep problems are more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s. Or, does the brain biology of people at risk cause them to have poor sleep? Regardless, what’s at the root of this is what deep sleep does to your brain.

Over the past couple of decades, we’ve seen aspirin’s anti-cancer clout rise significantly. But the salicin that inspired aspirin may not even be the best anti-cancer compound the amazing willow has to offer. Recent research shows there’s another willow compound with even more cancer-fighting potential…