Latest Stories

Pneumonia is a dangerous condition for older adults. They’re nearly five times more likely to be hospitalized with it and half won’t come out alive. New research has revealed a surprising insight as to why: It has as much to do with the gut as it does with the lungs…

If you’re still not eating more plant-based foods, what’s holding you back? If you doub just how protective fruits and greens are at keeping heart problems at bay, we’ve got some hard and fast numbers that will have you saying ‘yes’ in a heartbeat…

Psilocybin, an active compound in magic mushrooms, has shown promise in treating anxiety and depression thanks to its power to enhance well-being and create change in areas of the brain. Now it may lend a hand to those who need it to give up addiction…

As we grow older, the odds of getting dementia increase. But is that a given? When you take a look at the relationship between age and 8 specific risk factors, you might just find you can keep your brain up to 20 years younger than your contemporaries…

Do you remember when eating eggs for breakfast was considered one of the worst things you could do for your health? I do! But research has found an important nutrient abundant in eggs has the potential to disrupt the inflammation and cell death commonly tied to neurological problems.

A team of neurologists and immunologists have discovered the immune system is capable of fast-acting and lasting protection against ischemic stroke thanks to a subset of first-responder cells that swoop in to protect the brain. Here’s how they can work to our benefit…

When we’re injured, pain and inflammation occur. At home, and at the doctor’s offices, anti-inflammatories have been the answer. But we’re learning that interfering with that inflammatory response can backfire and turn short-term pain into a long-term problem.

Calorie restriction equals weight loss. But there’s a lot more it does for the body, like promoting a longer disease-free life. And Yale researchers have found a way to get those big benefits without having to actually alter caloric intake.

In a world where social media is king, seniors catch a lot of flak. But Boomers aren’t just more experienced than Millenials and Gen Xers. They’re rebels leading the way to better ways to stay healthy, vibrant and live longer…

Sarcopenia, which kicks in after age 40, accelerates muscle loss with each passing year. Worse, this gradual deterioration increases risk for diabetes, heart attack and dementia, not to mention male health problems. There’s a habit you can pick up today to guard against these dangers…

It’s no secret that what you eat has a direct effect on your health. Figuring that out doesn’t have to be complex: Just eating more of six kinds of foods and less of four others can decrease your risk of major cardiometabolic diseases…

HDL is the good cholesterol we all want more of. Easier said than done, right? Actually, it just got easier. And that’s a doubly good thing because not only is HDL good for the heart, research has found it’s also liver-protective. So time to get on board with improving your HDL with the single nutrient that can help you meet all these needs…

Heart procedures like angioplasties and bypass operations save lives. But you know the old adage “too much of a good thing?” Well, tens of thousands of people get these procedures preventatively. But research shows instead of preventing a heart attack, they could worsen your risk…

If you’ve ever had a stubborn case of tinnitus, you know just how unbearable it can be. Constant ringing, buzzing, clicking or hissing in the ears is enough to bring anyone to a breaking point. Have you tried this?

One challenge to treating Alzheimer’s is the difficulty of getting treatments through the blood-brain barrier. But researchers have stumbled across a game-changer: What if you could clean plaques from the blood as it circulates in the brain using existing methods?

The American Heart Association recommends you eat four to five servings of fruit and vegetables every day. But more than 70 percent of produce exposes you to dangerous pesticide residue, negating disease-fighting nutrients. Here’s how to make safer and cost-effective choices…

Tattoos are commonplace as a form of self-expression. Yet, despite their popularity, the industry is largely unregulated, at least when it comes to the ink used. This might give you pause if considering your first or adding to your collection…

For centuries, milk thistle has been used as a natural, herbal remedy to help support the liver, your body’s main detoxifying organ that protects you from pesticides and other environmental toxins. But if you thought that was all it could do, think again. There’s research that your blood sugar, cholesterol and weight could benefit, too.

Being a night owl may be your thing. After all, a nap or two the next day and you feel good as new, right? While that may be, something sinister may be undermining your health. Find out why this liver disease goes after people like you…

The gut-brain axis is a biochemical signaling pathway between your gut and central nervous system. But if your gut’s off, it becomes a fast track for a brain cell-destroying neurotoxin to travel straight to your brain to start a killing spree. Enough fiber can stop it…

An unhealthy gut microbiome can lead to all kinds of problems, including metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. A recent study reinforced this connection while investigating the potential of an adaptogenic herb to improve insulin resistance…

There’s more than one reason it’s referred to as the “sunshine vitamin.” Not only is its main source sunlight, but studies hint a little sunshine can lighten our darkest moods. And a recent meta-analysis of 41 studies has reinforced what many experts already know about this mood-boosting vitamin…

Around the world, herbal remedies are used to treat a wide range of ailments and diseases, even cancer. That’s because many of them, especially taken as tea, contain natural compounds with serious health benefits. And this one may steal the show…

So, you think you’ve won the genetic lottery because your grandparents are long-lived. After all, if a medical family history of disease spells disaster, the opposite must be all roses and rainbows. Or is your genetic predisposition outweighed by the choices you make every day?

For older adults, cognitive decline and dementia loom large. You can support your brain by giving it needed antioxidants. But it turns out that adding some milk to your diet provides the building blocks for the “mother of all antioxidants”…

When you hear the words “cardiovascular disease” (CVD), the first thing that comes to your mind is probably chest pain. But the symptoms are just as varied as the different diseases that fall under the CVD umbrella. Here are 6 you need to know…

If you’ve had COVID-19, you thought you were out of the woods once your PCR test came back negative. Enter long COVID syndrome and symptoms from shortness of breath and fatigue to brain fog and even sexual dysfunction, and yes, that blood clot risk that persists…

If your doctor isn’t harping on you to cut down on red meat, everyone else is. Because the age-old wisdom” says cholesterol clogs your arteries and causes heart disease. Well, red meat is a problem, but the culprit that makes it harmful to your heart resides in your gut…

Healthy eating is overwhelming, what with trying to avoid salt, sugar and fats while trying to balance the right nutrients. What if a compass could guide you, especially one that found your favorite chips are not that bad in the big scheme of things?

Hard physical work can leave you exhausted. That’s because physical activity causes a buildup of a toxic muscular sludge known as lactic acid, that contributes to muscle fatigue. Surprisingly, thinking hard can affect your brain the same way…

Summer is almost over. And, while the fall brings a lot to look forward to from cooler days, the vibrant colors of changing leaves, and holidays with pretty decorations and even pumpkin pie, it also brings with it a reason to be worried…

The majority of joint replacement surgeries occur in people over the age of 65. If you’re getting ready to undergo a knee or hip replacement, there something very important you should start doing now to lower your risk of a complication that could put you back in the hospital…

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) was created as a guideline to help mental health professionals diagnose and treat mental health problems. But findings are these labels may be hurting patients. Keep these in mind if you or a loved one is facing a mental health issue…

Decades of research showed that high systolic blood pressure was more likely to cause serious cardiovascular problems. So cardiology guidelines focused way more on the upper number. There are even some experts who think diastolic blood pressure can basically be ignored. That’s advice that could kill you.

We’ve all heard the warnings… If you don’t watch your cholesterol and keep it low, you’re putting yourself at risk for heart disease and even stroke. So, we eat better, get more exercise, take the meds, and in general think that the lower our numbers are, the healthier we are. But, that may not be true…

We place a lot of emphasis on how diet affects health. Selecting whole foods over processed foods is really not optional, not if you want to increase your odds of living a long, healthy life free of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. But there’s something you’d never expect sabotaging your best health efforts…

Sometimes, deciding whether someone should be on statins is very clear. In a patient with documented heart disease, diabetes, or genetically-driven very high cholesterol, meds make sense. But many people without known risks are advised to take cholesterol-lowering drugs. If that’s you, what should you do?

Nothing feels better than stepping out in a brand new outfit. But as great as it feels to rip off the tags and head out the door, there’s one question that’s always plagued me… do I need to wash new clothes before I wear them?

People with Lyme disease suffer fatigue, brain fog, aches, pain and a host of other symptoms, while millions of people (including doctors!) tell them that there’s no such thing as chronic Lyme disease. But do you know what’s crazy about all this? The Lyme disease epidemic might not be an unfortunate act of nature.

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to stress. When you sprain your ankle, it becomes inflamed in order to cushion and protect your joint from further damage. If you eat something too spicy, your intestine may become inflamed, protecting your digestive tract. But inflammation has its downsides, too…

I first read about the double cleanse in a beauty blog. It’s a system based on the Korean regimen of skincare and it promised to deliver clearer, healthier skin and smaller pores. To break it down to its simplest form, you use an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser. Here’s what it did for me…

Science has shown how “beneficial” bacteria can improve health. It’s exciting stuff! In fact, studies show that bacteria can protect you from everything from cancer to autoimmune diseases to heart disease. Need proof? The latest study found that a single strain of bacteria could curb cardiovascular disease risk.

With age comes wisdom, they say. But other things come with age, too. Like less room in your brain to hold all that wisdom. The unfortunate truth is that, the older we get, the less grey matter we have. But what if you could slow down this “brain shrink”? What if you could find a way to make your brain younger?

Diabetes can damage your blood vessels, steal your vision, and raise your risk of kidney disease, heart attack and stroke. What makes it especially scary is that it can sneak up on you. Luckily, there is something you can do to prevent diabetes before it starts or to gain control over your blood sugar if you’ve already been diagnosed…

When it comes to coffee and cancer, you get a lot of mixed messages. Several studies show coffee can reduce the risk of different cancers. Yet, there was that controversy last year requiring coffee shops to post carcinogen warnings. A new study shows that you can drink your coffee without a single cancer-related thought crossing your mind.

You’ve probably never heard the term “Ambien zombie” before. So, let me explain this growing problem… When you take Ambien or other sleep aids, they do two things that can get you in trouble: They give you Teflon brain, meaning new memories won’t stick. They also release your inhibitions…

You’ve probably heard about the lawsuits over Roundup causing cancer. Its nasty reputation is finally catching up to it… Could you have been exposed? The answer is most certainly, yes. Here’s what you need to know about past exposure and protecting yourself from the newest glyphosate danger… liver disease.

Ladies, the next time you think about pampering yourself with a manicure, you may want to skip the part where they polish your nails. Three of the chemicals known to be most toxic to humans are in that cherry red polish (all of the colors, actually!), and make no mistake, they’re getting into your body.

People who drink wine moderately have lower rates of heart attacks and diabetes, live longer and have healthier brains. There are hundreds of studies that show this. However, not all wines are created equal. So, how do you go about finding a wine that offers you the best health benefits possible?

One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. This means many men will face a particularly difficult choice between cancer treatment and the possibility of Alzheimer’s or dementia. There are ways to reduce your risk of prostate cancer and the possibility of androgen therapy…

Researchers found the “high-risk” version of an Alzheimer’s gene actually responds more favorably to certain lifestyle changes that could lower risk. So, here’s a “plain talk” explanation of the genetic factors that can increase or decrease your risk, and how to outsmart those genes to stay clear of Alzheimer’s.

Milk’s benefits have been hotly debated over the last decade. But a review of 14 scientific papers points to solid evidence that milk and dairy in your diet provide some hefty health benefits you don’t want to go without — especially if you want to avoid some of the biggest disease risks of our time…

If there’s one thing most people have learned about visceral fat (think “beer bellies” and apple-shaped bodies), is that it’s bad. And they’re right… A new study confirms visceral belly fat is connected to heart disease, above and beyond any risk related to excess weight. So what can we do about it?

We’ve all heard that spending too much time sitting leads to obesity, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, even cancer. Are we doomed? Maybe not… A new study reveals that where you sit and what you’re doing makes a huge difference to the health risks that previous studies associated with sitting…

In 2000, about 1 in 150 children had autism. Today, it’s closer to 1 in 59 children. Whether autism rates are actually rising, or awareness is just increasing diagnoses is a question that still needs an answer. Another question that needs an answer? What causes autism in the first place. One theory? The cause is in our food.

What do urinary tract infections and brain damage have to do with each other? As bizarre and frightening as it sounds, there’s a correlation between having a UTI or other infection and having a stroke. What’s more, it seems that having an infection can heighten your chances of brain damage from a stroke.

By now we all know that sugary drinks are no friend to good health. At the same time, most of us have a guilty pleasure… Mine is Big Red. I simply love that bubbly red soda. Should I be worried? I try to limit my consumption to only once in a while, so I’m thinking “no harm, no foul” there, right? WRONG.

This month an astounding report was published claiming little if any reduction in heart disease outcomes is obtained through nutritional supplements and dietary interventions. Unfortunately for me, I know too much to let this claim stand without a rebuttal…

Is social media making us miserable? It seems like it sometimes… Suicide rates are on the rise, and studies link social media to higher rates of depression. A 2012 study, for example, found that the more time you spend on Facebook, the more likely you are to be depressed. But that doesn’t make sense, because staying social is good, right?

Melatonin is an insomniac’s dream. But there are even more great reasons to supplement with melatonin: It just may be the single most powerful anti-aging supplement you can take.