Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

Low sex drive? It may be your thyroid

There are a lot of symptoms of low thyroid function. You may experience cold hands and feet, fatigue, headache, stiff or painful joints and depression, among other effects. But there’s another thyroid symptom affecting men and women we don’t talk about…

Carolyn Gretton

The sneaky substances raising women’s blood pressure

Modern living is synonymous with chemicals. And unfortunately, some of them may be inescapable. They’re called “forever chemicals” and there’s no doubt they impact our health. If you’re a woman puzzled about what’s behind your blood pressure, this may be the first place to look…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

That low-fat dairy advice? It’s way wrong for your heart

Many of us believe the only way we can enjoy dairy is to only choose low-fat options.That’s meant watery milk and giving up rich, delicious full-fat yogurt, not to mention real butter and cheese. Time to stop. You’ve been cheating your tastebuds and your heart for too long…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

8 great supplements for calming rheumatoid arthritis

Living with RA can get a little easier when you use supplements to naturally reduce inflammation and swelling, relieve pain, improve your overall health and combat the side effects of those prescription drugs. Here are the great eight…

Joyce Hollman

How obesity can lead straight to heart failure

A lot’s been said about obesity as a contributor to diseases like cancer, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. And some of it’s been contradicted. But cardiac scans don’t lie about the physical changes obesity wreaks on the heart that lead straight to heart failure…

Jenny Smiechowski

What your itchy skin indicates about your gut

You’ve heard of the gut-brain axis. Well, research shows there’s a gut-skin axis too. That means your gut is constantly communicating with your gut, and your gut is constantly communicating with your skin. In fact, a new study shows exactly why people with skin problems are more likely to have gut problems and vice versa…

Margaret Cantwell

The vaccine that lowers Alzheimer’s risk 40 percent

For years researchers have teased us about the potential for an Alzheimer’s vaccine. So far we’ve been left high and dry, or have we? Turns out a vaccine that’s been around for decades may activate the immune system in a way that protects against the disease…

Carolyn Gretton

Your brain and cholesterol on cranberries

Like most berries, cranberries are bursting with health-boosting micronutrients which give berries their red, blue, or purple color. But it’s their potential impact on the brain and vascular health that has experts giving the tiny berry a closer look…

Carolyn Gretton

How a mistaken Alzheimer’s diagnosis proved deadly

Lyme disease is growing across the country. Testing for it is often inaccurate. And if not caught it in time, it could prove debilitating or deadly. That’s what one family discovered when their father was misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s before the truth came out…

Carolyn Gretton

Low thyroid? Keep these 9 foods on your radar

If you’re suffering from unexplained weight gain, fatigue, thinning hair, stiff or painful joints, memory issues and increased sensitivity to cold, you may want to get your thyroid checked. Chances are, you’re suffering from low thyroid. Then take a good look at what you’re eating…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why are tomatoes being genetically modified with vitamin D?

In this day and age, it’s hard to believe a vitamin deficiency could be at the root of many of the significant health problems we face. But more and more research says it is, from heart problems, to autoimmune disease and even Alzeimer’s. But is the answer in tomatoes?

Carolyn Gretton

How your eyes can influence your longevity

So many of the body’s systems are interconnected and influence each other. For instance, the gut has been found to influence mood, immunity and dementia risk. Knowing this, researchers were still surprised by the connection they found between lifespan and our eyes…

Joyce Hollman

Cognitive decline and aphasia: How singing can help

Cognitive flexibility is a key component of executive functioning, and group singing provides an opportunity to “exercise” the portions of the brain that control this crucial function. In fact, singing may be an enjoyable and effective way to boost your brain function…

Carolyn Gretton

Your immune system is aging faster and here’s why

The body’s immune system tends to grow weaker as people age. But as the aging population grows, something stands out. In some people, this aging seems accelerated. Why? A not-so-surprising difference that makes it hard for your immune system to do its job…

Carolyn Gretton

More proof a vitamin D deficiency spells dementia

As the world’s population ages, dementia is on the rise. Researchers, feverishly hunting for anything that can stop this cognitive destroyer in its tracks, have found new evidence further indicating that preventing dementia could be as simple as correcting one key deficiency…

Joyce Hollman

More than 100 health conditions increase with height

There are many instances where being tall may be considered an asset. Reaching the top shelf at the supermarket is just one. But you should know, being on the taller side is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for several health conditions you should watch for…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The surprising way an entire family got lead poisoning

What if I told you that you could be unknowingly serving up a dangerous substance in your home every day that could poison your body, cause behavior and learning problems in your children and skyrocket your risk for heart disease? This is how it happens…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The ‘new and improved’ treatment that slows AMD

Age-related macular degeneration is a disease that progressively steals vision. There’s no cure, but the main treatment slows progression to avoid severe vision loss. And as effective as it was, researchers have kicked it up several notches with two new sight-saving ingredients…

Carolyn Gretton

The sweet news about sugar in your coffee

There’s no doubt that coffee’s health benefits are backed by plenty of research. But the caveat has been to avoid the cream and sugar to reap them. Of course, you want the benefits — but you want to enjoy your coffee too. Here’s some good news on that front…

Carolyn Gretton

How time of day (and sex) affects your exercise results

Exercise is so good for us experts tell us to do it whenever we have the time. But depending on what your goals are — less tummy fat versus more upper body strength or better blood pressure and cholesterol — your exercise timing makes a huge difference…

Carolyn Gretton

The lowdown on skin cancer: Types, treatment and staying safe

More Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than for all other cancers combined. But skin cancer is still shrouded in mystery, misconceptions and doubt. Let’s take a look at the main types, how to identify them, what to expect and how to stay safe.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Proline: Why this amino acid causes depression for some

More than 37 million Americans now take medications for depression. And for far too long experts focused on chemical imbalances in the brain these drugs treat. But another imbalance is proving just as powerful at affecting your mood. And the medicine is much easier to swallow…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Strange link: Dietary cholesterol and viral infection

Specific limits on dietary cholesterol were lifted from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans back in 2015. But that move may have been too hasty. Turns out there’s an odd connection between dietary cholesterol and your susceptibility for viral infection…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How breast cancer and diabetes feed off each other

As scientists will say, just because there seems to be a link doesn’t mean there is, especially without proof. But now, when it comes to diabetes and breast cancer, they’ve got the proof connecting cancer’s sweet tooth and a dangerous feedback loop…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

A doctor’s list of 6 diseases a plant-based diet benefits

Have you ever noticed something strange when you go to your doctor? No matter what your health problem, their answer is always in a pill. But physicians everywhere are being put on notice by one of their own — and she’s got a better prescription with lots of clout…

Joyce Hollman

10 surprising things that cause hair loss

Aging is not automatically accompanied by hair loss. But there are lifestyle and other factors that could cause you to see more hair in your hairbrush than you’re used to. I was surprised to find that several of these may be behind my own hair loss.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

4 movements that really help you “go”

I had a problem with constipation for years. Whatever the cause, going to the bathroom was my nemesis. I would go days without “going” and then when I did, the strain was awful. After many, MANY doctor’s visits, and getting no help, I decided there had to be a better way. And, I found it…

Carolyn Gretton

Atrial fibrillation: A reason to work harder to avoid dementia

Atrial fibrillation can raise your risk of several heart and circulatory issues, including heart failure and stroke. But what’s been less clear is whether AF increases the risk of dementia not caused by stroke. So far, this is what they’ve found…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The serious blood clot risk that comes with prostate cancer

People with cancer are known to have a higher risk of dangerous blood clots known as venous thromboembolism or VTE. These clots are a leading cause of death in people with cancer. Because prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, this is a risk they need to be aware of…

Jenny Smiechowski

The antioxidant that protects your brain’s barrier

Inflammation is a huge factor when it comes to Alzheimer’s. It’s triggered by a build-up of proteins that kill your brain cells. And it may cause the build-up in the first place. One thing’s for sure, inflammation causes the disease to progress quickly and severely.

Joyce Hollman

Why eating bad food makes you feel good, and how to break the cycle

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…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why pomegranate can keep your muscles young and healthy

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.

Jenny Smiechowski

The scariest ingredient in the cereal aisle

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.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

5 lesser known benefits of exercise

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

My psoriasis vanished when my extra weight did

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…

Joyce Hollman

4 disease-fighting diets (and the one reason they work)

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…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why the diabetes benefits of low-carb diets go way beyond weight loss

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.

Joyce Hollman

Parkinson’s earliest symptom identified and may hold key to halting the disease

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…

Jenny Smiechowski

The painful post-cancer side effect no one talks about

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.

Joyce Hollman

Why you need to get rid of your kitchen sponge… TODAY!

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…

Dr. Michael Cutler

7+ sweeteners as sweet on your health as they taste

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…  

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The common denominator behind obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes

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…

Joyce Hollman

6 fragrant pain relievers and how to use them to feel better

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?

Joyce Hollman

Tight blood pressure control may be key to closing door on dementia

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…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Take a vacation and prevent a disease

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…

Jenny Smiechowski

Is your back pain a sign of Ankylosing Spondylitis?

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?”

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How skipping out on regular dental visits leads to cancer

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…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

The best and worst diets of 2019

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…

Joyce Hollman

Turning up the office thermostat turns up performance for women

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…

Joyce Hollman

2-week test identifies worst foods for weight gain regardless of sugar and fat content

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…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why late-life bowel disease puts your life on the line

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to get a big wellness boost in 17 minutes a day doing nothing

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…

Joyce Hollman

4+ reasons cancer-fighting cauliflower is the unsung hero of the vegetable world

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.

Jenny Smiechowski

How yoga relieves rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and boosts remission

When your joints are painful, swollen and inflamed from a rheumatoid arthritis attack the last thing you feel like doing is putting pressure on them. But as counterintuitive as it sounds, there’s one activity that when you have RA, could be your ticket to symptom relief and even remission…

Dr. Michael Cutler

The pitfalls of polypharmacy and how to avoid this dangerous trap

Polypharmacy is the result of a complex medical system. It’s defined as taking multiple prescribed medications with the possibility that they all may not be clinically necessary, and may, in fact, cause harm. And what you don’t know about this common “affliction” can hurt you or someone you care about…

Margaret Cantwell

‘Precondition’ your blood pressure to lower risk of stroke and heart attack

Do you know my least favorite moment during doctor’s visits? When the doctor inflates the blood pressure cuff around my arm and it squeezes my arm super tight. It’s uncomfortable and I can’t wait until it’s over. It turns out, though, that moment of pain is worth what I gain in my brain…

Jenny Smiechowski

6 ways to tackle the serious side of varicose veins

Whether you’re self-conscious about your varicose veins or you don’t let a few veins get you down, you should know that varicose veins are more than a cosmetic issue. They could put you at risk for a potentially deadly health problem — blood clots.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Brain-saving habit for your Alzheimer’s prevention strategy

It’s 2019 and there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s. Despite all the research, science doesn’t seem to be any closer to a cure. At least not one that can turn back the damage the disease does to one’s brain… Does that mean you’re doomed to end up with this dreaded disease? Not if you follow a few strategies…

Jenny Smiechowski

Can’t stick to keto? Try the ‘super satisfying weight loss diet’ instead

People have tried a lot of diets over the years, but keto has to be the most restrictive. Clearly, not everyone’s cut out for it. If you feel the same way but want to find a diet that works and improves your health, I have another option for you: one that offers similar benefits with a lot more flexibility…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Using a smartphone app for fewer migraines

A new study by researchers at NYU School of Medicine is offering new hope to migraine sufferers. And what’s really amazing is that it’s not a pill. It’s not a shot. It’s not anything you have to see your doctor for to get a prescription or even a referral. It’s just a simple app you can use on your smartphone.

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