Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

Three seconds to stronger muscles? It’s not as crazy as it sounds

Fitness experts have focused in recent years on exercise programs that pack a lot of benefit into a short amount of time. They may have beaten an all-time record: a technique that improves strength in just a few seconds a day and may be the easiest way to avoid the ravages of aging.

Joyce Hollman

Chew slow and savor to burn calories

Diet-induced thermogenesis refers to the increase in metabolic rate that follows the ingestion of food. Turns out you can kick it up to enhance the energy expenditure associated with the metabolism of the food you eat. In other words, you can burn energy while you eat. Does it get any better?

Carolyn Gretton

How heart disease can set you up for Alzheimer’s

If you have heart disease, your risks for other conditions are higher, including Alzheimer’s. That’s because circulation problems lead to brain dysfunction. The surprise is how early it harms the brain and how it can triple those telltale plaques directly associated with Alzheimer’s…

Joyce Hollman

Myopia epidemic: Why nearsightedness is on the rise

Experts are warning of an emerging ‘epidemic’ of myopia after observing sharp increases in the number of adult-onset cases of nearsightedness among late baby boomers. What gives and is there anything you can do about it?

Joyce Hollman

Amplify broccoli’s superpowers without having to eat it raw

Broccoli has established itself as a “superfood.” It contains a compound called sulforaphane with an amazing reputation. But you’ll need to eat your broccoli in a particular way so sulforaphane can do all the great things it has the potential to do for you — and believe me, it’s worth the extra trouble…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Boosting testosterone could help men ward off type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is considered the most preventable disease of all, yet blood sugar problems are at epidemic proportions. The question is, with rates skyrocketing, how do you avoid becoming another statistic? The key could lie in your hormones…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

One more reason to give up bottled water: Your gut

Microplastics have now invaded every corner of our planet, compromising our food supply and flooding our once pristine oceans. You may be concerned about their effects on the environment, but it’s your gut you really need to worry about…

Jonathan Sharp

Benzene: What to know and how to avoid tainted sunscreen

Benzene is an industrial chemical and a known human carcinogen. It would be natural to think it has no place in consumer products such as sunscreen. So you might be asking yourself how it made its way into these affected products and what you can do to protect yourself…

Carolyn Gretton

Can stress increase your odds of getting COVID-19?

Stress is associated with all kinds of health problems. Prolonged stress can raise your risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, not to mention early death. Then, is it so far-fetched to think it contributes to your susceptibility to COVID-19?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why nuts are a breast cancer survivor’s best friend

Breast cancer isn’t just the most common cancer among women in the United States. It’s also the second leading cause of death. For survivors, recurrence is a nagging fear. But a new tool with significant clout takes that risk way down…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Understanding brown fat and its weight-loss advantage

At any given time in the United States, nearly half of us are trying to lose weight. And though the young and older among us are at it too, middle-aged adults edge out others as those persistently trying to lose a few pounds. Is it because during middle age it’s harder? Not if you take this weight loss advantage…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Even in Alzheimer’s, omega-3s may preserve memory function

There’s no shortage of advice on lifestyle factors, including diet and nutrition, to support healthy brain functions. But what about a brain that’s already in cognitive decline? Research shows there’s still much hope…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Diabetics with a high risk for heart problems are getting left behind

Blood sugar problems and heart problems go hand in hand. But many people are being left in the dark when it comes to treatment to help them avoid the danger. If you’re one of them, this is for you…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

4 ways to decrease binge-watching’s blood clot danger

One thing most of us can agree about when it comes to the pandemic is that we’re all binge-watching a lot more television. And that’s a big problem. In fact, it’s a big 35 percent risk increase for fatal blood clot. Here are four easy steps to bring it down…

Joyce Hollman

Why you shouldn’t wait to increase your vitamin D

When you think of vitamin D, you likely think about bone health. But during the pandemic, vitamin D has come to the forefront for another reason… one that proves adequate levels matter not only during infection but before you ever come face to face with the villain.

Dr. Mark Wiley

The tea that helps you drop pounds, cholesterol points and blood sugar levels

Pu-erh is in a category of its own because of its special post-fermentation process. It makes pu-erh at once unique in flavor but different in its chemical composition, thus lending itself to delivering potent healing properties documented in numerous published clinical studies. I think it’s tea time…

Carolyn Gretton

Want cancer protection? Magnesium levels matter

Magnesium is a critical mineral for hundreds of bodily processes. Now, researchers are exploring exactly how magnesium may help defend the body from cancer — and they’ve discovered it has to do with the immune system…

Joyce Hollman

Why the link between cataract surgery and decreased dementia?

What if lowering your dementia risk was as simple as improving your vision? Research shows that people who’ve undergone cataract surgery can lower their dementia risk by thirty percent. But what’s the connection and what can you do to help your eyes and your brain?

Carolyn Gretton

Hygge: The excuse you needed to cozy up for your well-being

There’s no question we’re living in chaotic times. And it’s sent our stress levels into the stratosphere. One remedy can be found in a concept practiced in Demark to bring comfort, peace and relaxation to our physical and mental environments — and our well-being…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

A nasal spray for dementia is heading to human clinical trials

Dementia is a health crisis that’s been laid at the feet of America’s rapidly growing aging population. But we may be on the cusp of something major: A strange combo for better brain health delivered via a nose spray…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

The Nordic diet: Fad or lifestyle?

The Nordic diet is based on the way people in Scandinavia have eaten for years. While the Nordic diet highlights more lingonberries and fewer olives, the premise is similar to the Mediterranean diet. Eating the Nordic way should add up to way less sugar than you’d get on a typical American diet, and that’s just one benefit…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The best exercise for a fatty liver

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease occurs when fat builds up in the liver. Yet, despite its serious dangers, there’s very little your doctor can do for you if you develop NAFLD. That’s why prevention focuses on lifestyle interventions, including the best exercise…

Carolyn Gretton

A surprising impact of meditation: Immune system activation

Meditation is almost magical when it comes to improving your well-being. And researchers have taken notice. In fact, one team recently measured the impact of meditation on the body’s genes and found it could be a powerful ally in boosting your immune defenses…

Joyce Hollman

Sleep better with the bedtime routine of a toddler

Many things conspire against us when it comes to sleeping well: a snoring partner, medications we’re taking or various medical conditions. But there are four pillars of a good bedtime routine that work whether you’re three or 43…

Joyce Hollman

7 benefits of positive self-talk (and how to shush the negative)

The reality is that we talk to ourselves all the time, and the messages we give ourselves have a profound impact on our health and well-being. Here’s how you can improve your “inner dialogue” and make it work for you.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Eating this way leads to fewer brain blood clots

Evidence continues to stack up that adding more plant-based foods to your diet is powerfully beneficial to your health. Skeptical? Check out these 7 steps to more plants and fewer blood clots…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The raisin-like snack that wards off vision loss

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss for people over 60. No known therapy has yet been shown to impact early stages of AMD. That’s why when it comes to keeping your vision, prevention is key — and this fruit is a must…

Carolyn Gretton

The supplement that could solve morning sickness

Few pregnancy symptoms are as challenging as morning sickness. No one really knows what causes it, which makes it tough to find an effective treatment. But researchers have zeroed in on some clues that could make the first trimester much more pleasant…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Study says more time in the sun could prevent breast cancer

While your dermatologist will tell you to avoid spending too much time in the sun in order to decrease your risk of skin cancer, research is stacking up that sunlight offers big benefits to your health — especially for women. In fact, the more, the better…

Carolyn Gretton

How to combat the pollutants harming your heart

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide. And one risk factor we feel we can do little about is pollution. So-called “safe” levels have been linked to everything from Afib to heart failure, but waiting on experts to fix this problem could be too late. Here’s what you need to know to lower your risks…

Jenny Smiechowski

The exercise that helps men manage that late life belly bulge

As soon as middle age hits, men and women face a noble yet notoriously difficult battle worthy of an entire Game of Thrones episode — the battle of the belly bulge. Here’s how to banish that belly bounce for good…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The cancer therapy that lowers your risk of side effects from radiation

It seems like it would be bad enough just to receive a cancer diagnosis, but often the cure can feel as bad as the disease. In order to beat cancer, the treatment experience can be quite miserable. But thanks to the latest in cancer therapies, the sickness and misery could be a thing of the the past…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

How a zero-calorie soda can give you diabetes

We all know that sugary drinks are bad for us. But what if I told you there was another beverage that could be even worse? In fact, if it were a pharmaceutical it might have been pulled from the market by now. Or, at the least, carry a strong warning to physicians and a warning label for consumers…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why bad cholesterol could bring on early Alzheimer’s

There’s an Alzheimer’s risk factor that most people don’t realize is a risk factor. And it affects millions of Americans. Luckily, it’s a risk factor that can easily be abated — your cholesterol level. It turns out that high LDL cholesterol could be putting you at risk for Alzheimer’s…

Joyce Hollman

The common (and controllable) symptom that links disease and depression

It stands to reason that having heart disease, suffering a stroke, or having cancer could lead to feelings of depression. But it works the other way too… people with depression are more likely to also suffer certain physical disorders. It boils down to this common denominator…

Jenny Smiechowski

The popular joint supplement with hidden heart benefits (and more!)

If you’ve ever struggled with stiff, achy joints, you’ve probably tried glucosamine supplements. They’re by far the most popular joint supplement around… If you’re dealing with your joint condition in other ways, you’re missing out. This supplement has more major benefits than you can shake a stick at…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Civil War-era medicines could fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria today

Thanks to research at Emory University, help for the antibiotic resistance epidemic may have been discovered in the most unlikely of ways — not in cutting edge medical techniques or the latest drug development — but in the past…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Women with sleep apnea have a cancer concern they may not know about

Sleep apnea is a common condition that’s still grossly underdiagnosed in women. A dangerous trend considering women with sleep apnea are at much higher risk for heart problems. And now, a new study has confirmed that for women, our sleep apnea danger doesn’t stop at our hearts.

Dr. Michael Cutler

High protein for weight loss and more

I love a high protein meal. The good news here is that higher protein foods reduce obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, muscle wasting (in the elderly), and more. But that is far from all the benefits. Studies also back up the role of protein in weight loss and weight maintenance…

Joyce Hollman

Aspirin may not be as dangerous as we thought

Aspirin continues to be routinely prescribed to patients at risk of heart disease. But research is starting to question whether this is OK for everyone. If you’ve been regularly popping an aspirin, particularly if you are at high risk of stroke or have had a stroke, you’ll want to pay close attention…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

4 ways watermelon boosts your energy (slideshow)

This summer fruit isn’t just juicy and sweet, it’s also chock-full of nutrients that ward off fatigue and its hidden causes. Let’s take a look at all the ways eating watermelon can give you more energy.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Spirulina: How to use the superfood that’s your heart’s best friend

There’s no question that your heart is one of the most important organs in your body. And, if you don’t keep it healthy, you’re at extreme risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and even heart failure. This antioxidant powerhouse offers the multi-faceted protection your heart needs…

Jenny Smiechowski

10 scientifically proven ways to lower your dementia risk

When it comes to reducing your dementia risk, you don’t have time to waste… Every year, 10 million more people worldwide are diagnosed with this devastating disease. And that number is expected to increase in the coming years. So why mess around? Start lowering your risk today…

Joyce Hollman

What you should know about cancer if you’re 65+

One quarter of new cancer diagnoses are in people ages 65 to 74. Given these numbers, prevention efforts should be focused on addressing the particular challenges and cancer risk factors faced by older adults. That’s why experts came together to examine how cancer in this age group could be better prevented…

Jenny Smiechowski

The common antibiotic that puts you at risk for a fatal heart rhythm

There’s probably been a point in your life where you took a Z-pack from your doctor without second guessing it. Maybe your throat was ablaze with strep bacteria or any other number of nasty infections. At those times, a Z-pack feels like a life-saver. But this common antibiotic can also be a life-ender…

Joyce Hollman

Ultra-processed foods: How fake food leads to real disease

Every day, more proof arises that what we put in our mouths can have a profound effect on our health, now and in the long run. Despite all the news and research about the importance of eating whole foods with names you can spell, Americans are reaching for foods that make them fat and sick — one in particular…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Baby boomers: Shingles is putting your vision in danger

Most of us have heard of the shingles virus, especially if you’re past middle age when your risk of being diagnosed goes up. Basically, if you’ve ever had chickenpox, you’re at risk for shingles. And, there’s something else you should know… It’s putting more and more baby boomers at serious risk for blindness…

Jenny Smiechowski

The hidden heart danger that starts way before menopause

Women have a much steeper heart disease risk once menopause strikes. But your estrogen levels start dipping long before you enter full-blown menopause which means your heart attack risk skyrockets a lot sooner than you realized.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Get up to take your colorectal cancer risk down by 70%

Sitting is the new smoking. That’s because while the rates of smoking have fallen to their lowest point in recorded history, we spend more time than ever sitting… at our computers, in our cars, on our couches to watch TV and at the kitchen table eating. And it’s making us sick.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

How you can have good cholesterol and still face double the risk of heart attack or stroke

Investigators found that even among individuals who would be deemed low risk based upon LDL cholesterol levels, those with elevated inflammation levels had double the risk of a subsequent cardiac event. This supports what we already know about coronary and vascular disease… and a missed opportunity to save lives.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The dangers of a fatty liver and how to protect yourself

Most of us think of liver problems in relation to how much alcohol we drink. But, while alcohol can damage your liver, there is a much sneakier cause of liver damage that you could be living with right now and not even know it. It’s called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD for short.

Joyce Hollman

What every man needs to know about his breast cancer risk

You may never have even considered the fact that men can get breast cancer. But breast cancer is breast cancer, folks, regardless of gender. It operates pretty much the same way and can kill anyone. But men can also be survivors, provided they know the signs, take action, and don’t let stigma stop them…

Jenny Smiechowski

16 vegetables that turn on a powerful tumor suppressor

Genes. It’s easy to curse fate for giving you less than perfect ones… Unfortunately, some are more serious than a painful pair of fallen arches or skin that doesn’t make for stunning selfies. Hidden somewhere in your genetic code may be a tendency toward cancer. That doesn’t mean you can’t beat those odds…

Dr. Michael Cutler

The amazing healing power of fiber

Had I known that high fiber foods heal intestinal diseases, like ulcerative colitis, I might have been spared a complete proctocolectomy, the complete removal of my large intestine. My experience served as a catalyst to investigate healing through fiber… something I didn’t learn in med school and am glad to share…

Joyce Hollman

8 skills that can help you be a happier caregiver

Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s is unlike any other stressor. It has multiple layers, and it’s not like you can wait to deal with the physical strain while you’re taking care of the way it affects every other aspect of your life, including depression. But there’s help in these eight skills…

Craig Cooper

5 foods to secretly boost HIS sex drive

If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and the way to your heart is through the bedroom, then the way to satisfy both is also through his stomach. Your husband can achieve a stronger sex drive and better sexual performance by eating these five foods…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

This morning brain boost keeps you sharp all day

As we age, cognitive problems can start to creep in… and no one wants to see that happen. But one of the areas that can become especially challenging is decision making. Yet, the decisions we make in later life can substantially affect our finances, our health, and our independence. This can help…

Joyce Hollman

3 well-being factors that make your golden years golden

It seems that the relationship between exercise and well-being, both physical and emotional, travels in both directions. Those who exercise are happier, healthier and more emotionally stable. But there are three well-being factors that fuel that drive from the start — and they make all the difference…

Jenny Smiechowski

The plant-like growth in your private area that causes major pain

Let’s say you start feeling a little itchy in your lady parts. You figure you have a yeast infection, buy an antifungal like Monistat and call it a day. But when the itching doesn’t stop you take a closer look. And you notice strange white patches taking over your nether regions. What the heck is happening?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The best walking exercise to kick bone loss to the curb

Without enough estrogen, cells known as osteoblasts aren’t able to make new bone tissue at the level necessary to keep your bones strong. But what you may not know though is that after menopause there’s something that can raise your chances of ending up with weak bones even more — diabetes.

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