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Late-night eating can lead to weight gain or high blood sugar levels. That’s a recipe for diabetes. But new findings show many of us carry a gene that can make that habit worse by turning a hormone naturally produced in the body against us.

When your sleep cycle gets screwed up, so does your health. Disruption to your circadian clock has been found to interfere with the brain’s ability to clear a protein closely linked to stealing your brain functions and memories. But getting it back on schedule isn’t so hard…

While none of us doubt that heavy drinking is a danger to health, the jury has been out for decades as to whether light to moderate alcohol use can be helpful or harmful. But one consistent debate has centered on alcohol’s connection to cancer. Well, now, the jury may have made a final decision.

For years, if not decades, health care providers have assumed people with higher levels of body fat have high bone density and are at low risk of fracture. Turns out that was a mistake that’s left men, especially, in danger.

More and more evidence has mounted over the past decade suggesting that bacteria in the gut can affect the immune system, particularly an autoimmune reaction. If what we eat can affect the bacteria in our guts, could diet also play a role in whether or not we end up with MS?

A cuff squeezes your arm at your doctor’s office, helping your doctor determine whether he needs to prescribe medication. But you should know those blood pressure readings are wrong surprisingly often…

Ginseng is an anti-viral and anti-inflammatory that stops our stress response cycle, including the immune response that follows stress. But for those who need help with energy and aging, its benefits may go to the cellular level…

A ketogenic diet is a diet that’s very low in carbohydrates. Most people go on a ketogenic diet to lose weight. But research has established other benefits of the diet, including the potential to relieve pain. The reason may surprise you…

Research is proving that coffee has more perks than ever previously thought. But there’s one negative holdover: Many people think coffee increases their intestinal problems, when that’s just not the case. A review of 194 research publications shows exactly what we mean…

Is one of your resolutions to lose some serious weight this year? But, will hitting the gym give you the results you want? And how much can you expect to lose and how long will it take? Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have all of these answers…

What if you did something that doubled your risk of high blood pressure, made you 70 percent more likely to get cardiovascular disease and 47 percent more likely to die for any reason? You’d change your ways, right? It’s not so easy, but these are two sleep disorders to get very serious about…

Is estrogen a woman’s superpower? It may be when it comes to surviving a run-in with COVID-19. Enough so that researchers are wondering if balancing the hormone can help older women who may be particularly vulnerable.

Vitamin D is mired in controversy. Preventive medicine has always sung its praises, while scientists have been skeptical. But not anymore: Researchers have finally proven one form does next to nothing, while the right form fortifies the immune system and keeps infections away. What’s in your bottle?

Lutein is a super healthy carotenoid. It reduces the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts, as well as coronary heart disease, stroke and metabolic syndrome. It may even improve your cognitive health. Here’s how to get the most of it from a great source…

Do you feel good about your energy levels or do you struggle to make it through daily activities, even ones you used to enjoy, ending up exhausted? Your answer could predict whether or not you’re going to live a long, healthy life or die within the next three years.

Sex isn’t just enjoyable. It relieves stress and boosts your immune system. But it’s not all rosy when it comes to what happens between the sheets. Sometimes people die during or shortly after sex due to sudden cardiac death. And it doesn’t just happen to older men…

If you have diabetes, you’d think that it would be enough that you have to deal with the disease itself and all of the symptoms it causes… But you’re wide open for hypertension and heart disease. Luckily, just one nutrient can help you fight three of your worst enemies and hold onto your health…

If there’s one thing most doctors would agree on it’s that the most difficult disease to treat has to be cancer. And while the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors has provided hope, there’s still room for improvement — and an Amazonia berry may be a key player.

As we’re coming out of the omicron wave, many places are beginning to lift mask mandates, but there are still areas where you may still need to wear a mask — like on public transit and airplanes, as well as in airports. That begs the question: How often can you reuse an N95 mask?

Fatigue, memory problems, even walking difficulties all sound like problems to do with aging. So, when depression sets in, well, no wonder. But what if all of these are just symptoms of a simple vitamin deficiency?

Too many believe dementia is a normal part of getting old, when in truth, losing your cognitive abilities is anything but. Even more shocking is that frailty can more than double your risk. That should make preventing old-age frailty a priority by following these steps…

Brain fog, fatigue and other neurological and psychiatric symptoms of long COVID syndrome plague many survivors. But there may be more to deal with, including markers of brain damage normally seen with Alzheimer’s…

Your eyes are the window to your soul. Now, research shows your eyes can tell even more. Comparing the age of your retina to your chronological age may present a powerful screening tool to see if you’re at a heightened risk for death.

You may not know this, but a woman’s sensitive “private areas” are highly absorbent when it comes to chemicals. In fact, the rate of chemical absorption in your genitals is 300 times higher than in your feet. And a recent study shows that products like sanitary pads and diapers are seeping chemicals with consequences…

Including more vegetables in your diet is good for your health in innumerable ways. But not all vegetables are created equal. In fact, their taste can give people with type 2 diabetes a big clue as to which they should choose to better control metabolism and blood sugar levels.

Glaucoma is a dreaded diagnosis that can lead to incurable blindness. That’s why researchers are continuing to study the mechanisms behind this disease to develop more effective treatments. And they may have found an intresting connection between calcium and retinal blood flow…

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and develop in response to our thoughts and feelings. One neuroscientist shows us how we can fight depression, reduce stress and anxiety and improve the quality of our lives by using a method that rewires the brain to better handle these challenges.

Studies have shown that your diet can help change the genetic pathways that regulate metabolism and aging. But just how many years could you add to your life by eating differently? We’ve got the answer and more good news: You don’t have to make major changes….

If you ever needed an argument to believe that food is medicine, then this should get your attention: In a tale of two Japanese cities, one seems to have defied the worst of COVID-19, and doctors believe it comes down to their blue zone diet…

Most of us would like to think that the food we eat isn’t just good for our health, but also our wallets and the environment. That’s not always the case. Here are 3 simple ways to hit all those bases without making drastic changes to your diet.

Insomnia stinks. But, sometimes, you’d do almost anything for sleep, right? However, if you do turn to prescription sleep aids to get some zzz’s on occasion, there’s something you should know… They threaten lives more often than those commercials with the calming, sleep-inducing butterfly lead you to believe.

Mick Jagger, the 75-year-old frontman for the Rolling Stones, underwent heart surgery about a month ago. But you’d never know it from this video… If you want to bounce back from any kind of surgery, especially heart surgery, there are a few things you could learn from Mr. Jagger, including his dance moves…

Did you know that teams of scientists and doctors across the world are now taking a step back from the traditional prescription for deadly diseases like colorectal cancer and beginning to dig deeper into how you can use combinations of diet and natural supplements to not only prevent them but stop their spread?

What should you do when you smell warm cookies or French fries and you really, really want some? Walk away, of course. Stop smelling them and you’ll stop wanting them. You may find this hard to believe, but one of the best ways to curb your desire for, say, those French fries your friend is eating, is to…

If you’re struggling to lose weight, there’s one piece of advice no one will ever give you: Eat more carbs. Well, I know at least one carb-y food you can add to the “nice” rather than “naughty” list as you work to get your weight in check…

Have you ever noticed that the second scientists discover that a natural substance like an herb or plant can help promote better health or fight disease, they immediately begin using it to design a drug that pharmaceutical companies can sell for a ridiculously high profit?

There are poisonous, cancer-causing chemicals in your drinking water. If you’re thinking you’ve heard this from us before, you’re right. Chemical companies are still hiding these poisons or disguising them as something else. Bottom line: A year later, you’re still drinking poison. Take these steps to protect yourself…

When people hear mention of the glycemic index (GI), they often think about measuring carbs and sugars. But it’s also about measuring disease risk. That’s because insulin is the all-important hormone for each cell of your body. When problems develop, they can go from blood sugar spike to disease fast…

Whether I’m whipping up a quick smoothie or digging into an omelet and toast, I love breakfast. I know not everyone is a breakfast person. But I have a hard time understanding how that can be… If you’re not, I have bad news. Your breakfast habits (or lack thereof) are putting your heart in jeopardy…

You may know of someone who has used fasting to lose weight, get their diabetes under control or just get healthier. But besides helping to drop weight — it helps boost human metabolic activity, generate antioxidants and reverse some effects of aging by elevating levels of certain metabolites that diminish naturally with age…

The brain has been compared to a computer. It takes in information, processes it, and stores it away in our memories. But just how does this happen? And how can we help things along? A recently published study took a close look at what’s going on in our brain when it’s at work forming permanent memories for us.

Analyzing the bloodwork of patients who’ve suffered heart attack has revealed a common problem — low levels of a vitamin that helps regulate blood flow, lower blood pressure and the levels of oxidative stress in your cardiovascular system. You might say it turns back the clock on your veins, arteries and heart.

There are a lot of downsides to living with diabetes. But there’s one big downside that might not be on your radar — cancer. A new study shows that not only are people with diabetes more likely to develop cancer, they’re also more likely to develop the kind that spreads. It comes down to a trigger you must control…

I’m a fan of The Big Bang Theory. In my favorite episode, Sheldon tells Amy that all vitamin supplements can do is give you “very expensive urine,” a conclusion that’s not far off from that of the recent study questioning the use of vitamins. But their ridiculous reasons are sitcom-worthy…

If you’re an occasional junk food muncher when life is on cruise control… but especially lean towards sugary, gooey high-calorie foods when stress derails you, pay close attention to the dirty trick your brain plays on you that gets your body to stop burning calories…

The makers of artificial sweeteners have taken full advantage of the data to make a case for their products. But one after the other, “safe” artificial sweeteners have been unmasked as the health hazards they really are.

If you’re trying to decide if glyphosate (the chemical in Roundup) is harmful to your health, good luck. It’s hard to get a straight answer. Many organizations categorize it as a probable human carcinogen, except for the EPA. Whether an immediate concern for you or not, research says your family line could suffer…

What you choose to eat in the morning can have a very real effect on your brain power and focus for the rest of the day. But the right “brain foods” can help you put together some powerhouse breakfasts. Here are the top four brain-fueling breakfast foods that can help you stay sharp daylight to dark…

Many of my patients who have a family history of heart issues seem to resign themselves to the fact that they will experience the same fate as their relatives. There’s nothing further from the truth. Genetics is not destiny. It is merely a predisposition. And that means you have a big say in your outcome…

Most people think cancer is about the worst thing that could happen. As a health researcher, I’m no exception and spend a lot of time looking for ways to diminish that risk. But there are other health issues that may not seem as scary — but can disrupt and derail your life just as much… maybe even more…

The importance of eating dark, leafy green vegetables is something you’ve heard me talk about before. The chlorophyll that makes them green fights cancer, heals wounds and detoxifies the liver. That’s why leafy greens are a central part of healing diets — even one that could help you eat your way to a stronger brain.

During menopause, everything about your body (and life) is in flux… Your risk for breast cancer increases after 40 and keeps going up. It’s at its highest after your 70th birthday. Luckily, a new study just identified a plant compound that can help keep you breast cancer-free during those midlife changes and beyond…

A slight decline in your senses as you get older is normal. But even though diminishing senses are a normal part of aging, there is one sense you should pay close attention to if it starts to go south — your sense of smell. For one reason, it could also be an early sign of a few serious diseases…

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. But, why is it so deadly compared to other cancers? Often it’s simply not found early enough to stop its spread. And, once it’s metastasized to other parts of the body, it’s extremely difficult to treat. But science may have found a new tool to help stop it…

You must have sugar to survive. But sugar is bad for you, right? It all depends on the way sugar is presented to your body. That’s where glycemic index comes in. Let’s look at the ways sugar heals…or kills you.

What kind of exercise is best? And how much is enough? What if you just can’t stand to work up a sweat and keep at it for long? Well, there’s more evidence that you don’t have to exercise yourself into oblivion — instead, grabbing a little here and a little there can be quite beneficial…

In just the last few years, discoveries regarding telomeres and mitochondria have provided big clues into how to live longer healthier. But in my group of friends, I get asked about another kind of anti-aging quite often. The kind everyone wants to know how to drastically slow… The kind that shows on your face and skin.

Of all the spices in your cabinet, there’s one that is arguably head and shoulders above the rest in terms of disease-fighting properties. But it’s time to give you an update: Studies have explored even more benefits of this spice that’s been prized for thousands of years, both for its flavor and its healing properties…

Type 2 diabetes is rampant. But there’s some weight behind something that just might be Mother Nature’s answer to blood sugar and weight problems — two health issues that often go hand in hand. If you haven’t heard of this Egyptian secret, here’s what you need to know…

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a breathing exercise that lowers blood pressure and eases sleep apnea. Well, hold on to your hat because the power of breathing doesn’t stop there. If you’re experiencing your fair share of senior moments, breathe like this to boost your brain’s memory center…