Latest Stories

Exercise and brain health go hand in hand… But how much time do you have to put in to prevent the most dreaded of age-related brain diseases — dementia? Science finally has a solid answer: A recent study determined a goal you can set to obliterate your dementia risk…

If you’re living with low back pain, you’re not alone. And whether your pain is sharp and shooting, dull and achy or radiating, there are things you can do at home to get relief, including the 5,000-year-old practice deemed just as effective as physical therapy…

When you think of the herpes simplex virus, not much that’s pleasant comes to mind. But what if the virus that can wreak so much havoc could also be used for good, like causing advanced tumors to disappear, shrink or stop progressing?

A hip fracture, especially over 60, can be a nightmare. The long period of immobility that follows can bring on dangerous health complications. Calcium and vitamin D are important, but you may be shocked to know how much your coffee or tea habit may help…

For some people, allergies can be an issue year-round. Even when there’s frost on the ground and no pollen in the air, they’re still dealing with sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. One allergy expert points to weather as a possible trigger and what may help…

In the United States, roughly 17 percent of women ages 20 and older suffer from urinary incontinence. While that doesn’t seem like a lot, the number skyrockets as women age. And so does overactive bladder. But why are these conditions worse for some, and where’s the relief?

Research into the causes of thyroid cancer is ongoing, but exposure to pesticides has long been suspected. One, in particular, glyphosate, was associated with a 33 percent increase in cases. 2023 is the year this health destroyer is supposed to be phased out. Is it too little too late?

Did you know that every time you exercise, your muscles start using more of the glucose (and fat) in your bloodstream? That’s why it’s recommended for balancing blood sugar. But what if you have high blood sugar, but no time to exercise? Try this instead…

As you age, your body starts breaking down and becomes more inflamed. This leads to frailty… or what’s commonly thought of as “getting old.” You walk slower, feel creakier and just don’t have as much physical or mental spunk as you once did. But here’s something you may not know… the right diet can turn that around!

Stress is bad for you. Or is it? It certainly has its downsides, like increasing risks for conditions such as nausea, migraine, hypertension, heart disease and even cancer. But all stress is not the same and can, in fact, have the opposite effect…

There appears to be no end to the havoc a poor diet can wreak on the body: the heart, liver, kidneys, blood sugar, and metabolism all suffer… but the damage a bad diet does to your blood vessels provides a direct path for that destruction and more.

Getting your blood pressure checked is simply a routine procedure to be sure your heart is effortlessly pumping blood like it’s supposed to. But if your doctor is only checking one arm, you could be at higher risk for heart attack, stroke or sudden death and not even know…

What’s considered normal memory decline with age is not as disruptive as Alzheimer’s or dementia. But still, who wouldn’t like to maintain strong mental faculties as long as possible? If you’re getting plenty of this nutrient, you’ll keep a sharp brain at any age…

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is on the rise as the population grows older. And as more is learned about how it can steal our vision, research is also revealing connections to other conditions that can increase the risk of the blinding eye disease even more…

The fact that “good” cholesterol, AKA HDL cholesterol, is beneficial to heart health is just that, a long-standing fact. But sometimes facts bear re-examining. That’s because HDL may not be the harbinger of heart health we once thought, at least not for everyone.

The traditional Mediterranean diet is well known for its benefits that lead to longevity, partly by improving heart health and weight. Hard to believe it could get any better than that, but hold onto your hat… Find out how to double visceral fat loss and drop disease risk, even more!

Chemicals are an invasive part of our lives that we have a hard time avoiding. Many of them can make our lives easier, but that luxury demands a high price. In fact, we’re paying with our lives… 100,000 a year to be exact, lost to heart disease and early death. But you may be more shocked to learn how you’re exposed to this killer chemical…

We’ve known for some time that coffee and green tea are exeptional health-promoting beverages. But you may be less aware of the significant heart protection another common drink offers. Researchers have discovered a daily cup can protect against this indicator of heart attack and stroke…

A growing body of research is showing how dangerous phthalates are to our health. But one hazard in particular that women need to be aware of when it comes to these widespread pollutants strikes at a very personal level…

You know salt promotes high blood pressure and increases the risks for heart problems, including stroke. But did you know sodium can literally stress you out? Research says that alone can wreak havoc on your health in ways you never thought…

The search for a cure for cancer is proving to be a long-term effort, but experts are honing in on the mechanisms by which cancer cells grow and spread. Nutrition, especially, has often been examined as a possible path for preventing cancer. Now it may also treat it…

Chlorella is a true superfood, packed with amino acids, minerals, vitamins and other nutrients that support the health of the body. If you are seriously ill, suffering a modern-lifestyle disease or an athlete looking to perform and feel better, chlorella may offer just the boost you need.

You’ve probably heard all the warnings about cutting down on screentime at bedtime to avoid blue light, especially if you hope to get a good night’s sleep. Not so fast. It turns out you can have your iPad, phone or TV, and your sleep too if you just follow a few simple rules…

Acai is reported to be a miracle fruit that can work wonders for arthritis, cholesterol, obesity, heart health, digestion, energy, erectile dysfunction, inflammation, detoxification, diabetes, allergies, bloating, muscle cramps and oxidative stress. But how can one fruit do all that?

The Christmas season can be a double-edged sword. It brings with it feelings of love, togetherness and joy. But many people find themselves stepping around emotional landmines that trigger feelings of anxiety and depression. Here are some healthy ways to cope and have a truly rewarding holiday season…

Selma Blair and Christina Applegate are part of a trend, but not a popular one. Autoimmune diseases are on the rise in people aged 50 and older. While scientists examine why, one possible reason is a common medication. Another isn’t so easy to avoid…

We’ve gained new insight into just how important synaptic transmission is in keeping our brains healthy. A long-sought, gene-encoded protein has been discovered that enables the brain to communicate a broad range of signals, but when depleted can lead to breakdown…

Decades of research confirms compounds found in red grapes are heart-healthy, good for your skin and may even deter diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Now it appears they may be why a glass of merlot can offer oral health benefits for preventing cavities and gum disease…

CBD has gotten lots of press over the last few years. But perhaps its most hyped benefit is its ability to provide pain relief. Now CBD has been put to the test to determine if it’s truly a pain-relieving miracle or just hype based on the phenomenon of the “placebo effect.”

Exercise is good for almost everything that ails us, even cancer. Past research says it cuts the risk of invasive breast cancer. And the latest shows no matter what kind, exercise can reduce cancer spread as much as 72 percent. But what it reveals about “permanent” protection is the big story…

If you suddenly feel as if the world is spinning around you, you could have a condition known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV. BPPV’s vertigo-inducing spin can be frustrating, nauseating and limiting. And, the experts say that it’s all caused by tiny crystals in your ears. Here’s one way to beat BPPV…

In the months and years after a heart attack, there’s concern about having another one. After all, 20 percent of people who’ve had a heart attack have a second one within five years. Worrying, though, won’t prevent another, and neither will medicine for that matter. But your belly fat might…

As a cardiologist who’s always been interested in nutrition, I encourage you to step away from the hype and the false trends, move beyond macronutrients, and follow the dietary advice that has stood the test of time, allows humans to live long well, and is profoundly elegant, simple and sound, starting with carbs…

You’ve probably heard of antioxidants. They’re the healthy compounds that fight free radical damage from the oxidative stress caused by everything from exposure to U.V. rays to eating fried foods and even your body’s own physiological processes. Now, the effect of one kind at keeping Alzheimer’s away has been measured, and it’s amazing…

When you’re contemplating surgery, there are two things you’re probably thinking about: How expensive will it be? And, more importantly, how risky will it be? A third question should be: is this surgery even necessary?

Cannabidiol has the potential to improve a lot of people’s health. But what conditions will it work for? That question’s a doozy. Especially since there’s a lot of misinformation out there about what cannabidiol can and can’t do. But recent research by the ‘big guns’ shows that CBD is helpful for at least four health conditions, and probably more…

We know by now that exercise is not an option… but not for the reason most often associated with exercise, like getting in shape. Without some form of regular exercise, most of will find it hard to live a long, full, healthy life, avoid cancer and weak bones and the telltale signs of frailty creeping in…

For far too long, saving our hearts has focused on one thing: cholesterol. But heart research into another growing health problem may intersect this blind spot of cardiovascular research to provide an answer for two very serious health conditions that both lead to vascular calcification… and hearts that give out.

I don’t know about you, but I was so sad to hear that actress Shannen Doherty’s cancer is back… and with a vengeance. It’s a risk many of us worry about, and some, more so than others, have an elevated risk. Though there is no cure, we can lessen those risks, starting with these simple habits, backed by research…

When you’re admitted to a hospital, whether for surgery or an illness, you expect to come out healthier than you went in, or at least not sicker. Unfortunately, for one in every ten people, just the opposite happens. While in the hospital, those people contract a nosocomial infection.

It’s one of the most popular ingredients in packaged foods… from bread to protein bars to chips to lunch meat. And then there’s restaurant food. So even if you don’t cook with it, you’re likely eating it. Research links it to diabetes and fatty liver disease, and now the brain…

Once you’re exposed to perfluoroalkyl substances or PFAs, they end up in your bloodstream forever. In fact, PFAs can be seen in the bloodwork of 99 percent of Americans. PFAs are carcinogenic. They’re linked to thyroid, liver and kidney disease. Here’s how to cut down on exposure and detox what’s there already…

Fat is normally stored under our skin, but when there’s too much, we run out of room. The amount of fat that you can store under your skin varies from person to person. But what happens once you run out of room? Scientists discovered it gets caught up in an overspill mechanism that can be reversed…

Some people say we should avoid milk completely. Others will tell you to only go with whole milk because the fats in it are good for your brain. How do you know what’s right? Well, a new study is shedding more light on the subject, at least when it comes to how fast you age…

Phenacetin was a popular painkiller until 1983 when the FDA banned it because of its connection to cancer. Good riddance, right? Not so fast… it’s connected to a very popular OTC pain killer on our drugstore shelves right now that may increase the risk of several cancers, including kidney, bladder and blood cancer…

From “natural” to “non-GMO,” food labels can make almost any item in the grocery store appear good for you. But we know that most processed foods are far from healthy. If you’re confused in the grocery store aisles, here’s Dr. Klodas’ guide to exactly what all the labels mean…

It’s no secret that a sedentary lifestyle, where the most exercise you get is standing up from your chair, can be deadly. Just doing any sort of exercise regularly can protect your best years. Because staying active does much more than control blood pressure and prevent strokes and heart attacks.

If you’ve been on the fence about whether or not eggs are not only healthy but safe when it comes to your heart, you’re not alone. After all, it’s been a head-spinning debate for the last two decades. Finally, the controversy about whether eggs are good or bad for your heart health looks to be solved…

How is the FDA doing at “protecting the public” from the opioid crisis? And how quickly are they making headway against the growing threat of antibiotic resistance? One could argue that they need to focus on the real problems here, and not worry about a substance that could actually be the answer to it all.

Your body needs muscle for more reasons than just movement. It needs muscle to regulate hormones, perform metabolic functions and maintain organ function. So, losing muscle quickly creates a dangerous domino effect that makes your body unable to perform critical tasks for survival.

The interconnectedness of your brain, your gut, and your immune system is a well-known fact, but maybe one that’s not completely familiar to you. The more you know about it, the more you can do to hold onto your health and keep your independence as you age. And it starts at your belly…

About 80 percent of people deal with low back pain, and most of the time, it’s not caused by a strain or injury. A new study from researchers at John Hopkins Medicine may have finally figured out what’s behind our aching backs…

You have a stressful job. You get home from work, exhausted. You watch TV until you fall asleep, forgetting to brush your teeth. These are just a few of the common habits most of us are guilty of. What’s the harm? These are just a few of 8 behaviors that shave years off your lifespan…

It’s an industrial food product and a far cry from the ‘natural’ label claimed for it. In fact, it’s prepared by a secret formula — that the food industry will not reveal (even to government agencies or health workers). And it’s part of an explosion of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Here’s what you should know…

Even if you always avoid the potato salad at summer picnics, one day you’ll find yourself crouched next to a toilet cursing the suspicious food that made you so uncomfortable. Luckily, food poisoning doesn’t strike that often. It’s even possible to stack the deck against food-borne pathogens to lower your odds more…

Have you taken a good look at the ingredient list on your shampoo lately? How about your toothpaste? I’m willing to bet there’s an ingredient they all have in common. The problem? It’s a harsh chemical the Environmental Protection Agency considers a “probable human carcinogen.”

Did you know that 70 percent of deaths worldwide are caused by just three lifestyle diseases — heart disease, cancer and lung disease? But what if lifestyle wasn’t the whole story behind so-called “lifestyle” diseases? What if there was something else causing these diseases… something contagious?

It’s also no secret that refined carbs like white bread, soda, white rice, and pastries with their added sugar, have a high glycemic index. Eating them raises blood sugar much too rapidly, setting us up for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. But that’s not all they do…

Hands-down, one of the easiest exercises to fit into your life is walking. In fact, when you choose to walk your way to weight loss, you don’t need special equipment, a gym membership, or expensive new clothes. You just get going. But how far do you actually need to walk to lose weight?

You stop to grab a quick drink and see all those colorful soda cans and bottles behind those frosty refrigerated glass doors. You’re tempted, but you stick to bottled water for your health’s sake. But you might have just picked a heart attack waiting to happen…