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While it’s been known for years that salt and blood pressure risk go hand-in-hand, the risk was associated with the increased fluid sodium pulls into the bloodstream and its effects on the kidneys. But it turns out salt’s effect on the immune system may be responsible for the real culprit.

When most people think about esophageal disorders, the first thing that comes to mind is acid reflux — where stomach acid backs up, resulting in heartburn. However, that barely touches the surface of the painful and disruptive problems that can affect your esophagus. But there’s one natural fix for most of them…

I think it’s safe to say there are three compelling reasons you’re interested in natural health… number one, you want to live longer. Number two, you want to live disease-free. And number three, you want to age well…

Some of us take daily medication along with vitamins and supplements. But some meds do you more good when absorbed quickly. Turns out that the direction you lean could make that more efficient or make it take five times longer to get your benefit…

If you’re struggling to lose weight for whatever reason, you’ve probably wondered whether or not paying for a professional weight loss program is worth it. What would you say to losing double the weight?

Most of us, if we had to choose, might opt to give up our physical abilities over our mental faculties. I know I would. But research demonstrates once again that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In this case, it’s the breath of life for your brain…

If you don’t think you’re being over-exposed to blue light, you’re kidding yourself. Think about how often you talk, text, check Facebook, send an email or order groceries on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Now, the news about blue light has gotten more worrisome…

Extensive research has been published on the amazing health potential of green tea. But its bitter flavor isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. So are you out of luck if you prefer black to green tea? Not in the least, especially if you want to avoid stroke and heart disease and live longer…

We all know that smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer. But there are quite a few myths out there about what else causes the disease, and how you can prevent it. Here are ten of those myths, debunked…

We’ve learned a lot about chronic fatigue syndrome, including that it can be triggered by certain viruses like Epstein-Barr. Before 2020, less than one percent were diagnosed. But that number is expected to skyrocket thanks to the connection that’s recently been discovered…

If you’re living with an autoimmune disease, you’re probably focused on keeping it under control. But you should know heart disease could be just around the corner. Autoimmune problems that posed the highest heart risk included these four…

When you see your doctor about your heart, the main dietary advice you’ll get is to cut down on salt. While that’s been standard advice for more than a century, no one really knew how much salt is too much. Or in this case how little you have to give up for a lot of relief…

Muscle loss begins to really affect us around the age of 40 and ramps up with each year. But who knew scientists would find a connection between the same anti-aging ingredient we reach for to keep our skin firm and the process of age-related muscle loss?

Pneumonia is a dangerous condition for older adults. They’re nearly five times more likely to be hospitalized with it and half won’t come out alive. New research has revealed a surprising insight as to why: It has as much to do with the gut as it does with the lungs…

If you’re still not eating more plant-based foods, what’s holding you back? If you doub just how protective fruits and greens are at keeping heart problems at bay, we’ve got some hard and fast numbers that will have you saying ‘yes’ in a heartbeat…

Psilocybin, an active compound in magic mushrooms, has shown promise in treating anxiety and depression thanks to its power to enhance well-being and create change in areas of the brain. Now it may lend a hand to those who need it to give up addiction…

As we grow older, the odds of getting dementia increase. But is that a given? When you take a look at the relationship between age and 8 specific risk factors, you might just find you can keep your brain up to 20 years younger than your contemporaries…

Do you remember when eating eggs for breakfast was considered one of the worst things you could do for your health? I do! But research has found an important nutrient abundant in eggs has the potential to disrupt the inflammation and cell death commonly tied to neurological problems.

A team of neurologists and immunologists have discovered the immune system is capable of fast-acting and lasting protection against ischemic stroke thanks to a subset of first-responder cells that swoop in to protect the brain. Here’s how they can work to our benefit…

When we’re injured, pain and inflammation occur. At home, and at the doctor’s offices, anti-inflammatories have been the answer. But we’re learning that interfering with that inflammatory response can backfire and turn short-term pain into a long-term problem.

Calorie restriction equals weight loss. But there’s a lot more it does for the body, like promoting a longer disease-free life. And Yale researchers have found a way to get those big benefits without having to actually alter caloric intake.

In a world where social media is king, seniors catch a lot of flak. But Boomers aren’t just more experienced than Millenials and Gen Xers. They’re rebels leading the way to better ways to stay healthy, vibrant and live longer…

Sarcopenia, which kicks in after age 40, accelerates muscle loss with each passing year. Worse, this gradual deterioration increases risk for diabetes, heart attack and dementia, not to mention male health problems. There’s a habit you can pick up today to guard against these dangers…

It’s no secret that what you eat has a direct effect on your health. Figuring that out doesn’t have to be complex: Just eating more of six kinds of foods and less of four others can decrease your risk of major cardiometabolic diseases…

HDL is the good cholesterol we all want more of. Easier said than done, right? Actually, it just got easier. And that’s a doubly good thing because not only is HDL good for the heart, research has found it’s also liver-protective. So time to get on board with improving your HDL with the single nutrient that can help you meet all these needs…

Heart procedures like angioplasties and bypass operations save lives. But you know the old adage “too much of a good thing?” Well, tens of thousands of people get these procedures preventatively. But research shows instead of preventing a heart attack, they could worsen your risk…

If you’ve ever had a stubborn case of tinnitus, you know just how unbearable it can be. Constant ringing, buzzing, clicking or hissing in the ears is enough to bring anyone to a breaking point. Have you tried this?

One challenge to treating Alzheimer’s is the difficulty of getting treatments through the blood-brain barrier. But researchers have stumbled across a game-changer: What if you could clean plaques from the blood as it circulates in the brain using existing methods?

The American Heart Association recommends you eat four to five servings of fruit and vegetables every day. But more than 70 percent of produce exposes you to dangerous pesticide residue, negating disease-fighting nutrients. Here’s how to make safer and cost-effective choices…

Tattoos are commonplace as a form of self-expression. Yet, despite their popularity, the industry is largely unregulated, at least when it comes to the ink used. This might give you pause if considering your first or adding to your collection…

Wow, the response to my post last week on cacao, the superfood to beat statins, was amazing! But I’m not really surprised… Now that you know what cacao can do for cholesterol, let me share other benefits that will have you adding cacao to your coffee like I did this morning…

High blood pressure is a life-threatening condition if not properly managed. So, medication is a no-brainer for most… At least until your psoriasis flare-ups get worse and your irritated skin becomes swollen as it cracks and bleeds. Unfortunately, for people with psoriasis, things just aren’t that simple…

If you’ve ever struggled to lose weight and keep it off, you know that the battle of the bulge can be challenging. Surprisingly, a few simple tricks and lifestyle changes may represent easy ways to shrink your waistline. Start with these 10 simple tricks that are easy to stick with.

Lots of people deal with mild to moderate brain fog that keeps them from functioning at their best. That’s because brain fog is a symptom of a wide variety of conditions, which makes you wonder… what’s really causing brain fog in all these situations? Now we know and what to do about it…

You might focus specifically on your heart or brain when you think of your health. While there’s no doubt they’re important, we tend to ignore an organ that’s every bit as vital — one that plays a role in the health of every other part of your body, especially when it comes to stopping disease…

As a rule, blood pressure tends to go up after menopause. Many doctors think it has something to do with changing hormones. But there’s another factor adding to the problem… and this is the time of year that the risk could be especially plentiful if you’re not aware of it…

Readily available, far less expensive than medications, and with no side effects, the foods you choose to eat — and not eat — can make the difference between becoming a statistic and living a healthy life. A new study points to one class of food that can dramatically lower your risk for heart disease…

Wildly fluctuating hormones go hand-in-hand with everything from mood swings and hot flashes to night sweats, sleep problems and weight gain. To top it off, most women face a less-than-satisfying sex life thanks to the added bonus of sexual problems. But it doesn’t have to be that way…

Research shows that most cancer patients don’t die from cancer. They die from conditions caused by or related to their cancer. And one of the most dangerous cancer-related risks you need to be aware of is stroke, especially when it comes to these five types of cancer…

Hip pain doesn’t stop at your hips. It can cause debilitating pain in the lower back and knees because your hips simply cannot bear their share of the weight. If you are living with hip pain, even if it seems minor, it’s good to know the cause. Here are four possible reasons for hip pain, and the signs of each…

Like many people, I’ve always had a problem getting enough sleep. Whether it’s falling asleep in the first place or waking up and spending the rest of the night with my mind spinning, it seems like a solid eight or even five hours can be hard to find. Then I discovered clean sleeping…

When I was growing up, my parents were always on one type of diet or another. From Cambridge Shakes to Slim Fast, the grapefruit diet to eating only cabbage soup, if it wasn’t one, it was another. And, no matter what, I remember my mom saying that my dad always lost more weight, faster.

There was a time, in my younger years, when I thought that having a breast implant was just an act of vanity. Then I learned about breast cancer. But these medical devices have a troubled history, to say the least, including fatigue, exhaustion, joint swelling and pain, frequent muscle cramps, fibromyalgia and now, cancer.

Evening snacking is a hard habit to break. It takes willpower to not pour a bowl of cereal at 9 pm. Or finish that whole bowl of popcorn while you catch up on Dancing with the Stars. But sometimes to break a bad habit you need to be reminded why your body is built to eat during the day…

After years of being told what to eat, what not to eat, and even omitting entire food groups, we’re realizing some of these diets are rather extreme. And confusing. If you find yourself overwhelmed about how to eat to avoid disease and live a longer life, scrap the complicated diets and remember two simple rules…

Regular brushing, flossing and visits to your dentist are essential for maintaining oral health. But equally important is your diet. These self-care measures can make a significant difference in promoting dental health, reducing cavities and, most importantly, supporting your overall health.

By now, most people have heard of antioxidants and what these little gems can do for their health. But, just in case you’re still wondering if getting enough antioxidants every day is actually important, let’s do a quick recap on their most important points…

Like a lot of people, I’ve noticed that as I’ve gotten older, my hearing isn’t quite as good as it used to be. In fact, I’m pretty sure that I drive my husband crazy by constantly saying, “What?” and “Can you please talk louder. I can’t hear you!” But I’ve found a little trick to avoid embarrassing moments like these…

When someone is extremely self-absorbed we may say that they think they’re the center of the universe. My dad, on the other hand, prefers saying that they think the sun shines out their backside. Well, you know what? He’s onto something, but UV rays bring disease protection to everyone’s gut…

It’s hard to imagine anyone getting a case of the winter blues with all the holiday hustling and bustling happening, but seasonal affective disorder is estimated to affect as many as 10 million Americans. If the cold grey days get to you, try these comfort foods with nutrients that can combat the winter blues in a very real way.

Fall and winter are seasons of serious indulgence, starting with the holidays… They’re also seasons of serious cold and flu viruses that run rampant this time of year. I hate to break it to you, but what you eat affects your immunity a lot more than you think. In fact, this diet might keep you flu-free…

Every cardiologist in America (including me) had an eye on Philadelphia a couple of weeks ago, and it wasn’t for the Eagles-Patriots game. The results of a major study on the effectiveness of stents and bypass surgery were announced at the annual conference of the American Heart Association — and surgeons are stunned…

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that’s caused when UV rays damage pigment cells in the skin called melanocytes. When melanocytes are damaged, they mutate and start growing rapidly. But the root of skin cancer may be hiding somewhere other than your skin cells — in your hair follicles.

Essential fatty acids found in fish oil have had their ups and downs in health news. First, they were praised for heart health, then dashed for prostate cancer potential, then dashed again on heart disease. But finally, it looks like more studies are coming out that vindicate omega-3s all around…

The evidence is clear: the amount of sleep you get each night is a predictor of your health and of your lifespan. Seven to eight hours is the number you should be shooting for. In fact, numerous studies have enlightened us about the dangers of too little (and too much) sleep. The latest threat? Old bones…

Step into any store, park, mall, or gym and you’ll see immediately that some people walk more slowly while others speed past. And, while you may think that how fast you walk is simply a matter of preference, a new 40 year study by researchers at Duke University says that you should think again.

A Belgian astronomer and mathematician developed this easy-to-calculate ratio between a person’s height and their weight. It’s become an accepted measuring stick for a person’s chances of living a long, healthy life, or of dying young. But BMI, or body mass index, is coming under a lot of fire…

It may surprise you to learn that heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with kidney disease. See, when your kidneys stop working, calcium builds up in your arteries. But a new study shows EDTA chelation could help clear calcium out and prevent many of these deaths…

There’s a wriggly uprising your probably haven’t heard about that at the very least will give you the heebie jeebies and at the worst could make you very ill. That’s because just two years after the first case of eye-invading parasites from cattle were found in humans, they’re back!

Almost everyone has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, from time to time. Medications we take, stress from the day and a racing mind that just won’t shut down, pain, or irregular sleep habits can be the cause.