Latest Stories

The COVID toe mystery still has experts scratching their heads. Looking back they’re asking what’s really behind the phenomenon. You may find this hard to believe, but a debate has arisen as to whether COVID is even the cause of these discolored, painful toes…

When my mom was visiting she kept apologizing for her “old people farts.” After we had a good laugh, I helped her understand why she had these embarrassing episodes. The good news is it’s an easy fix, but ignoring it can steal your health…

Walking is one of the healthiest habits to fall into. But when you pick up the pace, something amazing happens to your telomeres, little DNA caps that work like harbingers of aging: brisk walking walks back your biological age…

The healthier you are, the longer you are likely to live. But, with every year that you’re alive, your risk of developing Alzheimer’s also goes up. That’s the double-edged sword of longevity! But there’s a way to get around it…

COVID-19 was found to cause damage to multiple organs. And Long COVID causes long-lasting problems after the virus leaves the body. Now, it may have ties with a rare but devastating ophthalmic condition that often ends in blindness. These are the signs to watch for…

Even though testosterone is a natural male hormone, it can fuel certain prostate cancer cells, accelerating their growth. By starving them of this fuel, hormone therapy can help slow their growth or even cause cancer cell death. While there’s no doubt that this can help save your life, there is a downside…

Plant-based diets, where animal products are eaten much less, appear to keep type 2 diabetes at bay, though the exact mechanisms behind “why” has not been fully understood. Harvard researchers took a look, and the bottom line: they work, but the devil’s in the details…

One in four adults worldwide have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and many of them don’t even know it. It’s well-known that NAFLD can raise your risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. So why is the leading cause of death in people with NAFLD heart disease?

Heart failure is an often misunderstood diagnosis. It doesn’t mean your heart stops working. But it can be deadly. Here’s a primer on risk factors, symptoms, behaviors you can change to lower your risk, and a few science-backed ways to make improvements if you’ve been diagnosed.

The licorice plant is one of the world’s oldest herbal remedies. Its powerful compounds are linked to fighting diabetes, adrenal fatigue and even the herpes simplex virus. Prostate cancer may be next on that list. But before you run out to stockpile it, there are some things to know…

For most adults, there’s no identifiable cause for their hypertension, meaning no underlying condition or typical risk factor appears to be to blame. It’s called essential hypertension and all they know for sure is that it develops over years. But, for men, at least, an odd link to anger, with a twist, may be the cause.

Houseplants are a great way to bring a little nature inside. A little greenery goes a along way to ease anxiety, improve mood and sleep, and importantly, your oxygen levels. They can also protect you from a dangerously common household gas…

You may have heard the expression “that’s a problem for future me.” You may have even said it yourself. But when it comes to health, that can be dangerous. In fact, recent research shows that certain health decisions you make in your younger years can elevate your Alzheimer’s risk later in life…

If you’re looking for something to turn your metabolism around, think aloe vera. The thought may conjure up memories of slathering it on sunburns, and while it’s true it’s great for your skin, it’s also considered a ‘functional food’ — meaning it provides health benefits, particularly for metabolic syndrome.

Your skin can tell you a lot about your health. If something is out of balance, it can show up as rashes, eczema or other rritations rooted in inflammation. So, if your skin is showing signs of a problem, research says chances are it’s wreaking havoc elsewhere increasing risk for stroke, heart attack or worse.

There are numerous ways to lower your risk of becoming a heart disease statistic, from exercise to eating habits to stress reduction. Apparently, picking just the right bedtime is just as crucial. Too early or too late means a 12 to 25 percent increase in your risk. But there was an optimal bedtime to aim for…

Tai chi, an ancient Chinese mind-body practice, involves a combination of deep breathing and a series of slow, deliberate movements of the hands, arms, neck, legs and core. A tailored version has been found helpful in helping stroke victims get back on their feet…

It’s easy to look in a mirror and gauge if we need to lose weight. But there’s another kind of fat that isn’t so easy to see. It’s called visceral adipose fat and it’s stored inside your body around your organs. Turns out these fats may team up to set you up for cognitive decline…

How much time do you devote to exercise? If you’re like most, not as much as you’d like. By the time you’re done with work, housework, kids or grandkids — who feels like a half hour of heart-protective cardio? If you think you’re not getting as much as you need, you might be relieved to know how much your daily activities are helping…

Scientists have long known that people whose zinc levels are too low have few to no infection-fighting T-cells. And their thymus, an immune system organ that generates those T-cells, starts to shrink. When corrected, their thymuses grow and start generating T-cells again. But activation needs a burst…

It can be deceptively easy to slide into an extended period of not having sex. Life gets busy, you get tired, and sometimes we think we’re just too old. But lack of sex isn’t just a relationship issue: not having sex can negatively impact your health, happiness and well-being…

Fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet. But if you’re nearing 65, one food source in particular is the best choice for fending off the inflammation that leads to heart problems. Here’s why it’s better than fruits or vegetables at keeping your heart healthy…

It’s no secret that avocados have lots of health benefits wrapped up in one little package, including phytochemicals that protect eyesight and fight cancer. But the connection between eating avocados and lowering your risk of heart disease just got even stronger…

Following the pandemic, the effects of long COVID are slowly coming to light. Almost daily, new symptoms and conditions are revealing their strange connection to SARS-CoV-2. Not too surprising, the latest has also been linked to diabetes and the shingles virus…

If you sometimes experience the kind of dizziness that feels like a sudden spinning sensation, you’re probably experiencing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). And it can range from annoying to downright debilitating. Some people experience a “once and done” episode, but others aren’t so lucky. Fortunately, getting relief could be as simple as the right nutrients…

Opioids are proof that modern medicine has a long way to go in the battle against pain. Thank goodness there are natural ways to decrease pain levels, including the ones you can find down memory lane…

Many people enjoy “alone time.” It helps us reset, be productive and sparks creativity. But loneliness is different. It is a feeling of social isolation fueled by a lack of fulfilling interactions with others. And research has been finding for years that it’s harmful to our health, especially your brain…

There’s good news for all of us who love our sweet and carb-laden treats but would like to tone them down a bit… and it’s all wrapped up in helping your gut help you make better choices, release appetite-suppressing hormones and increase calorie burn…

Drugs for ED have become incredibly popular in the last several years, helping many men overcome a problem that impacts their quality of life. But they may come with a serious price: a higher risk of three conditions that could cause vision loss…

You’ve probably heard that your body is 50 percent water. But did you know some of your most vital organs are up to 80 percent water? Your heart is one of them. And we’re hearing that your future risk of heart failure may hinge on how well-hydrated you keep it…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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.

There was a time when giving up dairy was pretty bleak. Now, the choices are abundant. But are these milk alternatives really “milk?” What is their nutritional value, and how do they compare to dairy milk? How can you choose, and how can you be sure you’re choosing the best one for you? Here’s the skinny…

Far too many of us think that aging means getting weaker and sicker and goes hand-in-hand with poor brain function. But the truth is, those are just symptoms of unhealthy aging. New research by immunologists has just laid the secret to healthier aging at your feet…

Red meat isn’t exactly the health food du jour these days. And that’s because there’s a lot of science stacked against it. But is red meat really that bad for you? Well, I have surprising news for you: Not only is it not as bad as you’ve been led to believe, it may even help you avoid this disease…

Do you know what the perfect food is, from the vantage point of a food company? It’s the Cheeto. I mean, any food with “vanishing caloric density” that stimulates the feel-good chemicals in your brain so that your mind and your body want it again and again… Wait, are talking drug addiction, here?

Do you ever go through periods where you feel kind of “blah”? Everything’s a chore. You keep up with work, family and social commitments… but just barely. Some might call this mild depression. But the truth is, low-grade chronic inflammation has been found to kill motivation and steal happiness…

Inflammation and stress seem to be two of the most dangerous and rampant issues of our time. Inflammation is at the root of numerous medical conditions including those that affect the brain. But the key to solving inflammation and stress might be one and the same. And, it’s been found in a very surprising place…

Several normal changes that occur in our bodies as we age also change the way we react to alcohol, and what it does to us. Because of these changes, it’s easier for some seniors to develop drinking problems without even realizing it’s happening. Here’s what you should know…

Let’s say you’re at the grocery store, and you have a sudden, overwhelming craving for a big scoop of rocky road in a waffle cone. You pick up the first carton of rocky road you see and take a look at the label. It contains all sorts of stuff, but you won’t find all of it listed for good reason…

Cancer is an incredibly scary disease. It turns your body’s own cells against you until they grow out of control in a bid to steal your life. And, considering the fact that cancer is now the second leading cause of death in the U.S., far too many people are being forced to deal with the realities of the disease.

There’s a therapeutic blanket that’s gaining in popularity today that takes “security blanket” to a whole new level. Research has shown it’s good for relieving anxiety and insomnia, and for helping adults as well as children. If this sounds like something you’d like to try, here’s why and how it works…

90 percent of adults will be infected with this virus. In fact, it’s the most widespread epidemic in our country. But most people will only suffer uncomfortable outbreaks. The unlucky ones could end up with a far more dangerous issue that affects the brain. But the right bacteria can help…

The deer tick is far from the only critter that can infect you with a vector-borne disease (one caused by a microorganism transmitted by an insect bite). At least eight other tick varieties can transmit potentially fatal diseases. So, it’s frightening indeed when yet another tick-borne disease is discovered…

Imagine your doctor telling you that you have high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol all at once. Then, learning that a cup of blueberries per day can help you master your metabolic syndrome and significantly reduce all these problems?.

Recently, I read an online article about 7 common myths surrounding the cholesterol-lowering medication Atorvastatin, also known as Lipitor. The author minimized well-reported adverse side effects to the degree I might expect from a pharmaceutical representative. Let me set the record straight…

Now, I don’t want to be glib, because getting enough activity is incredibly important. But why 10,000 steps? Where did this number come from? And will you really get diabetes, cancer, heart disease or die early if you only get, say, 6,300 steps per day?

There is a way to stop most headaches before they start and it can be as simple as changing the foods you eat. Here are the six foods that could be causing your headaches.

Many factors contribute to high blood pressure, but most of us wouldn’t think about sleep quality as part of that equation. Think again! How well you sleep is more important to maintaining healthy blood pressure than you’d ever expect. Just look at these results after just one night of tossing and turning…

In the “old days,” cholesterol was Public Enemy #1. And one of the biggest sources of cholesterol? Eggs. Fried, scrambled … we were told over and over to lay off the eggs, for our hearts’ sake. Then things started to shift.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…