Latest Stories

Knowing what I know now about expiration dates on foods, I cringe thinking about how much food (and money!) is unnecessarily thrown away. But I recently came across something that piqued my curiosity about those same dates on medications. Considering the high cost of meds, this is even more cringeworthy…

Autumn is harvest time. That means a variety of veggies and fruits are available now and bursting not only flavor, but health-boosting nutrients. It’s time to get adventurous and “wow” your taste buds. Here are six you might not have tried before…

If you’re like me, Daylight Savings Time throws you for a loop. Don’t brush it aside… It can have a profound impact on everything from genes that alter your sleep patterns to your brain, heart, energy levels, ability to remain alert, and more. That’s why doctors are calling for an end to it…

Evidence is mounting that a smile can both lift your mood and make you healthier. And it’s true whether the smile is genuine or faked. So, if you’re feeling down, force a smile. It may soon become real when you see just how many benefits science shows it can get you…

It’s become increasingly clear that certain types of food can raise cancer risk, while other foods help protect against the disease. But just as important as what we eat is in the cancer battle, so is how we eat. And one style of diet checks off quite a few of the reasons cancer happens…

Sleep is essential for good health. And most experts agree, between 7 and 9 hours a night helps the body operate at peak efficiency. But is there a threshold at which insufficient sleep causes the most harm, as in increasing the risk of multiple disease and death? Without a doubt….

Do you settle down in the evening only to discover your legs have other plans? That annoying twitching sensation can make it almost impossible to relax. Your doctor may have thrown his hands up but a way to treat the condition has been found in an old-time remedy…

From heart trouble to sleep apnea and Parkinson’s, doctors all too often fail to see the signs or flat-out misdiagnose women’s health. And they’re still doing it when it comes to thyroid problems, telling women the symptoms are in their heads or just one more problem of menopause. Here’s why…

10,000 steps a day seems like an impossible goal. And luckily, we’re finding you don’t have to really walk that much to get real-world benefits. Want to make a singificant dent in your dementia risk? You’ll be glad to know you can take that number way down…

The best way to combat damage from oxidative stress is with antioxidants. These powerful nutrients strike a balance against the perils of aging and inflammation that can destroy health. Now we’ve learned they can defend against a mechanism of metabolic disease that leads to insulin resistance…

Tooth loss is considered a serious health problem that sits right up there beside arthritis and cancer. It’s also been associated with a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and even death. So, the reasons to be extra vigilant about what’s behind your dental health go far beyond that pretty smile.

The human body is amazing. But a lot of little things can go wrong. Some are annoying, like rashes, while others, like fatigue, can wreak havoc with our daily lives. Many of these mishaps are set off by a poorly functioning immune system. Here’s how to know if yours is in trouble…

The ‘M’ in menopause stands for miserable. Hot flashes at the most inopportune times during the day and relentless sleep robbers at night. If HRT isn’t for you, discover the diet that works as well and helped women drop an average of eight pounds…

For consumers who suffer lifelong side effects after prescription drug use, the question that often arises first is: How could medication approved by the FDA cause them serious harm? A drug used to treat a painful bladder condition is just one example of what happens when the system goes terribly wrong…

Colon cancer can be especially difficult to eradicate. But help for patients fighting this battle may come from a simple vitamin.

Everyday items we come in contact with can impact our health. One of those is aluminum, long associated with breast cancer and Alzheimer’s. As a theory, it’s controversial, but researchers find it wrapped up in brain tau tangles. Do you know all the ways you’re exposed to it?

Plant sterols are natural substances produced by plants. Beta-Sitosterol is one type that’s well known for supporting prostate health. But the list doesn’t stop there. Here’s how to use this popular plant substance for your best male health and more…

Hardening of the arteries seems to be one of those things we just expect with age. It can destroy heart function, lead to heart attack, even death. But we’ve learned more about the process that causes arteries to harden, and that’s valuable information if you want to try to avoid this killer…

Night shift workers are prone to health risks based on the fact that their work hours are in direct contradiction to their circadian rhythm. From higher BMI to depression, these conditions can drag health down fast. Is the solution as easy as when to eat?

It’s no secret that more time spent sitting than moving shortens lives. That’s why experts encourage us to count our steps. They even nailed down how many daily steps you need to prevent a multitude of chronic diseases, ranging from obesity to depression, heart disease to GERD and more…

Sex. It’s a topic that’s all over TV, film and social media. Unfortunately, it’s one that many of us are uncomfortable discussing personally. And if you have diabetes, you may not even be aware that your blood sugar problems not only mess with your health but are also behind problems in the bedroom…

Who says sex after 60 stops? If you think you’re supposed to leave all that behind after a certain birthday, you’d be mistaken. Researchers say an active sex life can offer benefits that can make your life more satisfying with age, and they have some tips to help you get it on…

COPD is an umbrella term for a group of incurable inflammatory lung disorders. It carries higher risk for other serious conditions such as heart disease, memory loss, stroke or diabetes. But less has been known about its connection to vitamin deficiency and an aged immune system…

If you’re newly retired, or will be soon, some planning probably went into how you’ll spend this chapter of your life. Your finances may have been at the top of your list. But before you check anything off, be sure you don’t make the two mistakes that don’t leave room for second chances…

When a physician suggests a medication, you trust them. You’d never expect them to prescribe a drug that may not actually work — much less one with links to other diseases. But that’s just what has happened…

Some of us feel powerless about improving our odds of living long lives without the physical limitations that can make us dependent on others. A stroke is a perfect example of the kind of event that can change everything in an instant. But you can do something incredibly simple to lower that risk…

It’s well-known that stroke can cause damage to the brain. But once the stroke is treated, it seems logical that the damage would stop there. Unfortunately, researchers have discovered a process deep within your body that can lead to more destruction. But it may be possible to dial it back…

In our 40s, our list of health concerns begins to grow. It doesn’t take long before that shortlist gets longer and longer. It would be easy to get overwhelmed trying to rein them all in, unless you’re familiar with one powerful phytonutrient that tackles them all, including hormone imbalance, sluggish metabolism, immune health and so much more…

Nothing is more frustrating than seeing numbers on a scale tipping in the wrong direction, no matter how much calorie counting you’ve done. Is it your diet? Hormones? Or the air you breathe? It’s not high in calories, but it’s high in something else science says packs on the pounds…

Unless you grew up in a family where mothers and grandmothers suffered heart attack, like mine, I can see why many think heart disease is a man’s disease. But once you know what fueled the stereotype, you’ll understand
it’s an equal opportunity threat..

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.

We know that, as of now, there’s no cure for COVID-19 infection. The best defenses have been social distancing and handwashing. But what about nutrition? Now an international team of physician-researchers is advising vitamins and minerals that support immunity in this battle…

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…

Making deliberate choices about the foods you eat and what kinds of meals you prepare for yourself can truly make the difference between good or poor health or between a minor illness or a life-threatening one. Foods that boost your immune health are especially important…

I like a glass a wine now and then, but I’m finding my body doesn’t tolerate it as well as it did in my younger days. Luckily, a study has found an herbal remedy may work like a natural hangover drug to not only significantly reduce acute alcohol-related symptoms but protect the liver.

If you’ve been feeling out of balance or even taken a tumble, it may be time to get your ears checked — but not for the reasons you might think. It turns out your hearing plays a bigger role in your balance than ever realized and a hearing test could help you avoid a fall…

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, more than 25 million Americans now suffer from asthma. That’s 25 million people that have to take more extensive precautions with their health in these unprecedented times. So, what should you be doing now to protect yourself if you have asthma?

If you have celiac disease you have to strip every trace of gluten from your life. But even when you try your best, a dose of gluten gets past and ends up triggering diarrhea, fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, and other terrible symptoms. Here’s good news for you, even if you’re just gluten sensitive…

If the last couple of years have taught us anything, it’s that prevention is worth its weight in gold. But you should know, just like there are foods that can boost your health when you need it most, there are some foods that, no matter what bug you’re fighting, you should avoid like, well… the plague.

There’s no way to put this that it doesn’t sound scary: Inflammation causes your body to produce cells that stop your immune system from fighting off cancer — basically putting the brakes on your defenses and allowing the cancer to grow unchecked. But’s that information you can use to turn your risk around…

As you know, brain volume tends to shrink with age. And as a result, you start to experience some level of cognitive decline, even if you don’t end up with dementia or Alzheimer’s. But one man’s brain scans show a near lifetime practice can slow down the rate at which the brain ages…

Are you confused about the difference between probiotics and prebiotics, and how each can benefit your health? You’re not alone. We’re going to clear all that up in a moment. But, for now, just know that prebiotics are the focus of recent research, and not for the usual reasons.

Diabetes is an epidemic in our country, spurred on by sedentary lifestyles and skyrocketing rates of obesity. And, once you have it, the rest of your health can quickly deteriorate, raising your risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

A new study takes a closer look at whether eating more olive oil, one of the main components of the Mediterranean diet, is associated with a lowered risk of heart disease here in the United States. But what about other plant-based oils?

75 is the average age for a first stroke in women. But could making midlife lifestyle changes significantly reduce the number and severity of strokes in women who are of middle age and beyond? The results of a 25-year study shed some pretty compelling evidence on that question…

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?

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?

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.

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.

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…

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?

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…