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Doctors have long known that if you’re a woman, your brain is in danger. Numerous studies show women are twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer’s. And as you may have guessed, hormones are believed to be the culprit following menopause. But not the ones you’re thinking of…

Research says being an optimist can absolutely add years to your healthspan, the number of years you get to live a healthy, disease-free, productive life. But it depends on when you’re optimistic in response to the stressors in your life — before they happen or after…

The brain needs a lot of oxygen. Without a hardy supply, brain cells begin to malfunction and die off. That’s why the brain has a mechanism in place to make sure its energy demands are met: a single cell that may be all that’s between you and a cascade that could lead to Alzheimer’s or stop it…

While we used to think of colon cancer as a concern for those middle-aged and older, more people are being diagnosed under the age of 50. And while plenty of research speculates as to why that is, the best is finding ways to keep it from happening to you…

If your liver goes down, so do you. It’s a fact that’s as true for your bones as it is for any part of your body. So, if you’re experiencing bone loss, problems with bone density or are worried about suffering from weak bones and fractures, your liver health, or lack of it, could be to blame.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Live fast, die young.” It’s one that’s stood the test of time since living a fast and risky life is often cut short. Now, there’s one more adage that will likely stand up to that time test, and may have you cranking up your AC: Live cold, die old…

You may think the only way to get exposed to lead is through drinking water or paint chips in older houses. But if you were born in the U.S. before 1996, you were very likely absorbing lead with every breath you took. And researchers say that could be affecting how your brain is aging today…

Every time you eat or drink anything other than water, the pH level in your mouth drops (becomes more acidic). This causes minerals in your tooth enamel to seep out as your body tries to re-establish a balanced pH. Any guesses what happens in the rest of your body?

Nearly half of the American population has high blood pressure. But what’s really odd is that for most adults, there’s no identifiable cause of their hypertension. Lifestyle factors, like salt intake, get a lot of blame. But if you’re not eating your protein right, you’ll be surprised at what may happen…

Could an existing FDA-approved drug be that magic Alzheimer’s pill we’ve been waiting for? It reduced those signature brain plaques and improved memory deficits in mice. Better yet? The “drug” is a simple vitamin that’s already shown that people with the lowest intake are 80 percent more likely to develop the disease…

There’s an all-natural “pill” shown to help you lose weight. Sure, diet and exercise can help. But why not give yourself a break and take this pill every day? You’ll drop pounds and end up not only with a healthier body weight but a better gut, bones, skin and more!

The biggest complaints men have that can often lead to considering testosterone therapy are weight gain, lack of energy, low libido, depression and lack of muscle tone. They’re often convinced that testosterone therapy will solve everything. But there’s another side to that coin…

When you read about slowing aging or promoting a longer lifespan, it’s a safe bet you assumed your biological age applied to your whole body. Turns out, while our organs are busy doing different jobs, they’re also aging at different rates. What’s that mean for us?

I warn you I’m going to be graphic when needed. I’m not going to be “politically correct” with my words — I’m going to give it to you straight. Because not going regularly leads to much more than just uncomfortable and embarrassing health problems…

Summer heat is a real hazzard. But you can help your body shrug off the dog days of summer with a simple vitamin. Sound crazy? Not when you understand how it keeps your blood moving, which cools your skin and reduces your risk for stroke…

When is a migraine more than just a pain condition? When it’s a symptom. Having an endocrine-related condition is likely to increase your risk of migraine headaches. That means there could be a potentially serious condition behind those terrible headaches…

Recently researchers detected 109 chemicals in the bodies of women. Among them were 55 which have never been reported in people before, plus 42 “mystery chemicals” whose sources and uses are a complete unknown. So how do you avoid becoming a walking pool of potentially harmful chemicals?

You may know that well-known actor Bruce Willis is stepping away from his 50+ year career for health reasons. His family made the announcement for him, which may indicate the progression of his illness: Aphasia. Here’s what you should know about the difficult disorder affecting millions few have heard of…

Some experts say asthma has become an epidemic in our country. And once you’ve got it, its symptoms hit you again and again. Luckily, researchers have identified the three bigest asthma culprits lurking in your home that if you can tame, could help you get better control of your symptoms.

Long COVID can affect up to 80 percent of those who’ve been infected, resulting in a constellation of symptoms including diabetes and depression. While there’s currently no recognized treatment, experts recognize dousing inflammation is key to defeating its effects, and exercise can help…

Eating a high protein diet is a great way to keep your muscles strong so that you don’t lose them with age. But there are some downsides. For men, eating a diet with too much protein can lead to low levels of testosterone, low sperm count and ED. Here’s how to find balance…

Eating foods that benefit your health in a major way isn’t all about just eating the green stuff or more fiber. In fact some of the most colorful foods can have the most amazing effects, especially on your brain…

Doctors have long noticed that taller people tend to develop colorectal cancer more frequently. Sounds odd, but the theory is height correlates to more real estate in organs too. Here are life-saving tips that can help bring those odds down….

Research has proven time and again that your morning cup of joe doesn’t just give you the jolt you need to wake up. It packs proven benefits. Yet, too much of even a good thing can quickly turn bad. So, how much is too much coffee for your heart?

Just because millions may take a specific type of medication daily, it doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. And what we’re learning in the aftermath of the pandemic has put some very common medications in the spotlight. It’s important information no matter what virus you may have to fight…

If you suffer from chronic headaches, you’ve probably gone down every avenue trying to uncover the cause and find relief. But for millions, the answers remain elusive. But you may have been looking for relief from the wrong body part, now that researchers have found a trigger within the gastrointestinal system…

Most of us wouldn’t think twice about napping a little during the day. After all, as we age, our nighttime sleep can become more disrupted, so why wouldn’t we catch up on it during the daytime hours? Surprisingly, it could be a sign of brain changes that need attention.

You’ve probably heard that 10,000 is the optimal number of steps per day to add years to your life. Truth is, there’s nothing to back that up. But a look at 15 studies has plenty of data to back up the amount that can give you real benefits. And it depends on what side of 60 you’re on.

Even with the best of intentions, it’s easy to let exercise fall by the wayside. And it can be really tough to start up again. But it’s not just about willpower. There may be a biological reaction that makes it physically difficult to get back in the exercise groove again…

Numerous studies have confirmed head-to-toe benefits of vitamin D that go far beyond strong bones. But the disease connection to low levels of the vitamin is just the tip of the iceberg of what you should know to avoid the silent epidemic behind the rise in autoimmune disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and more…

Excess iron can reduce your risk of high cholesterol… which is great. That means it could help prevent heart disease and strokes. But this benefit comes with some baggage… Too much increases your risk of some potentially dangerous skin infections. So how do you get just enough?

I’ve read conflicting information about the safety of artificial sweeteners. Still, I have always told my patients that diet sodas are worse for them than anything. Let me share why I still say this, and which fake sweeteners you should always avoid based on what the science shows about their safety. 

Age is one of the most accurate risk factors for death. An 80-year-old has a much higher risk of dying than a 30-year-old. We all know that. It’s just the way nature works. But did you know there’s a factor that predicts longevity better than age? And if you know it, you can dial it back…

When a medical device, procedure or drug is found to be no better than previous alternatives or even dangerous, it becomes known as a “medical reversal,” and may be taken off market. But how does an inferior treatment pass muster in the first place? I’m all for do-overs, but not when lives hang in the balance…

Whenever I try to stop eating added sugar, I fail. After a few weeks of doing without the sweet stuff, I decide to reward myself. That’s when my resolve crumbles faster than the delicious brown sugar and oatmeal topping on my apple crisp. But there’s hope for me (and you, too, if you share my angst) on the horizon…

You might already have Amazon’s Alexa in your house — at least have seen the TV commercials. The technology is helpful for everything from making phone calls and turning on our lights to discovering a new recipe and keeping up to date on the latest news. But Alexa may be good for more than just making your life easier… it could save your life too.

Seniors represent a growing population at special risk of cancer. In fact, more than two-thirds of all new cancers are diagnosed in adults age 60 and up. That means of all the cancer diagnoses that will occur this year, over 67 percent will be in in people over 60.

Eating an entire bag of your favorite chips may not seem like a big deal.. especially if stress is driving your actions. You deserve these guilty pleasures, right? But if you’re social distancing and dealing with anxiety, the detrimental effects of stress eating is the last thing you need…

I’m all about thinking age-positive… I don’t think older people are senile and feeble. I don’t freak out about every fine line or gray hair. And I absolutely hate when anyone tries to put you in a box based on your age… whether you’re 30, 60 or 90. That being said, I want to age as best I can.

It makes continental breakfasts bearable. Plus, it’s just an all-around good snack in a pinch (ask Jerry Seinfeld). And it’s fortified. But there is a serious problem with our cereal that goes beyond its sugar, carb or grain content… Too many popular cereals are chock-full of a health-compromising chemical.

One of the common characteristics of people who live long well is that they move their bodies every day. And there are many documented benefits of a regular fitness routine, including decreasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. But there are other benefits that may surprise you…

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease caused by an autoimmune dysfunction. Now, though, thanks to a new study, there might be an effective way for at least some people living with psoriasis to find relief. In fact, it worked for me years before this research made the connection…

Science has studied traditional diets and found proof they work to keep minds sharp, bodies active and hearts healthy. So, which one is the best for you? To help you decide, here are four diets from different parts of the world and one thing that makes any of them work better for wellness…

People use Atkins, Keto, Paleo and other low-carb diets to improve their metabolic health. The question is… why are these diets so dang beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes? Well, that’s the interesting part. So is finding that you may not have to cut as many carbs as you think.

Parkinson’s treatment has traditionally been focused on improving the motor symptoms of the disease first by replacing dopamine, a neurotransmitter. But what if we could predict Parkinson’s, and start treating it before any symptoms ever appeared? Scientists are on to something…

Overcoming cancer is a major triumph. It’s like climbing Mount Everest or swimming across the Pacific Ocean. Nothing else you do in life will ever compare, because you faced death head on and beat it. But here’s the thing… Chronic pain is one of the most common but least talked about side effects of cancer.

The most microbe-ridden thing in your kitchen is the one thing that’s supposed to be making things cleaner and more sanitary. It’s a hidden world of 5.5 trillion microbes that can make you sick. Fortunately, there are “workarounds” that can purge this repository of germs, if you change your habits just a bit…

Refined sugar has a bad rap. It has no micronutrients and the more refined sugar foods you consume, the faster diseases develop. Thankfully, there are better sweeteners to choose from that actually have nutritional value in contrast to the empty-calorie high glycemic ones…  

People who regularly get less than seven to eight hours of shut-eye each night are at higher risk of heart disease, heart failure, diabetes, stroke, and even dementia. But there’s one more sleep factor that can compound that damage if you don’t control it…

If you’re someone who lives with pain, you’re probably always looking for effective ways to control it. But most pain medicines aren’t always safe. What if you could find something that would relieve your pain gently and safely, relax you and offer other health benefits at the same time?

When researchers looked at the relationship between elevated blood pressure and the chance of developing dementia, the connection wasn’t as easy to pin down. But there was one finding that stood out, and that has real implications for the rest of us who want to lower our dementia risk…

Metabolic syndrome isn’t a disease of its own. It’s a collection of risk factors that significantly raise the risk of heart disease. Good news is, the risk factors are known to be modifiable. Now, thanks to research by a team of scientists at Syracuse University, we’ve got an easy and enjoyable way you can do that…

Everyone deals with back pain from time to time. Sometimes it’s caused by too much sitting, too much standing or too much lifting. But what if your back pain is ankylosing spondylitis, a condition you may have seen in headlines and wondered, “what is that?”

You know that you’re supposed to see the dentist at least once a year. But, are you following through? This might inspire you to set up that appointment you’ve been putting off: Dentists are detecting more cases of oral cancer and pre-cancer than ever before and it’s saving lives…

One diet has been shown in multiple studies to reduce the risk of heart disease, dementia, depression and cancer. Now that’s the power of food! On the other hand, another has been named the worst diet of the year. My advice for long term success? Make the best choices at every step…

Unfortunately, most workplaces are full of men who control the thermostat and they like those low numbers. Not only does this make women uncomfortable most of the time, but when women are freezing at work because the A/C is cranking, they’re at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to performance…

This post may very well be one of the easiest I’ve ever had to write. Ultra-processed foods are bad for you, but get this: When two diets were matched for things like sugar, salt and fat, eating ultra-processed foods resulted in more weight and body fat. So these are the foods to avoid…

Since IBD doesn’t strike older adults as often as the young, there’s less research on how it affects older people. But we know older adults get hit harder by IBD in several ways… In fact, people diagnosed with IBD later in life are much more likely to die early. That makes detection and treatment critical…

There’s growing evidence that green space is good for your health. In fact, being surrounded by green space reduces air pollution and has been linked to a lower risk of dying from some pretty serious diseases. This led researchers to pinpoint how much time in nature gets you the benefits…

Here’s a riddle for you: What’s white, and used in baking, but is not flour? (Hint: it’s healthier). What vegetable is purple and crunchy (it’s not cabbage)? And finally, what’s orange and makes a delicious curried soup, but is not squash? The answer: one of the unsung heroes of the vegetable world.