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You’ve heard the phrase, “Your eyes are the windows to your soul.” Well, according to research, they might also be the windows to your heart. In fact, what your eye doctor sees during your exam could reveal whether a heart attack or stroke is in your future so that you can take steps to save your life.

An apply a day can do a lot of good things. A study of how apples support the gut microbiome shows that one variety in particular may promote the growth of bacteria associated with less body fat…

To effectively use the power of vitamin C to combat oxidative stress, your white blood cells need 50 times more C in their cell walls. Macrophages in your respiratory tract are dependent on C. And it helps the body produce interferons to keep viruses from replicating. See why it’s more important than ever to understand how sugar steals yours?

For decades, there’s been a debate as to whether our favorite morning beverage is truly friend or foe when it comes to our health. But a study of almost half a million people may give you a a reason to rejoice and pour a second cup each morning…

Investigators have discovered interesting connections between breast cancer and the health of the body’s different microbiomes. In fact, the gut may be just as influential as the breast microbiome when it comes to the risk of aggressive breast cancer…

In people living with scleroderma, the immune system tricks tissues in the body into thinking they’re injured. This causes a buildup of scar tissue that hardens the skin and damages blood vessels and internal organs. But it get much worse with a common metabolite found in a very common diet…

Not getting good sleep can tear down your health. You can try sleeping pills. But they can be addictive and carry additional risks. Instead, you might opt for something completely natural that comes with the kind of side effects you’ll actually appreciate — maybe even dream about…

Fermented foods are all the rage nowadays because they contain probiotics that support gut health. But despite the enthusiasm for everything from yogurt to sauerkraut to kombucha, there’s one fermented food that doesn’t get much love — buttermilk. As a result, we’re missing out on some serious benefits…

It’s no secret blood sugar problems can complicate your health. In fact, it’s been long known that diabetes and heart trouble go hand-in-hand. And according to researchers at the American Heart Association, every diabetic should be on the lookout for one thing that could double their risk for heart trouble — what your blood pressure does at night.

Emotional pain can cause chronic pain and chronic pain can cause emotional pain. It’s a bidirectional relationship that’s made worse when opioids enter the mix. So, while taking these painkillers can make you feel better early on, over time, they only make your problems worse.

We don’t often think about young adults as being at high risk from a COVID infection. But research looking at the impact of even mild infections among them points to a potentially risky constellation of health issues they need to watch out for in the coming years…

Diabetes can lead to complications, especially infections. In fact, diabetics are 10 times more likely to suffer urinary tract infections. And yes blood sugar is to blame for its impact on the innate immune system…

The effect of cannabinoids, when compounded with the effects of certain other drugs, can create some dangerous symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about possible interactions before you start to use CBD.

Multivitamins are an easy way to supplement a diet that’s not always perfectly balanced, even though skeptics will tell you they only produce expensive urine. But their impact on cognitive decline in those most at risk is nothing to flush down the toilet…

Anyone who’s ever tried to lose weight is familiar with those pink, blue and yellow packets, and has probably had quite a few diet sodas in their lifetime. But not only do they work counter to that goal, those fake sweeteners carry very real dangers…

Have you heard of chemopreventive agents? They can be synthetic (like pharmaceuticals) or natural compounds, like those found in foods. They help fight cancer by putting a big kink in cancer’s molecular pathway. Here are the strongest contenders to put to work…

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, an athlete or work out for your wellness, improving the diversity of your microbiome could improve your motivation and your endurance. Especially if you’ve taken medication found to steal your fuel…

People living with mild cognitive impairment, where their memory has “slipped” but doesn’t significantly interfere with daily life yet, have ten times the risk for Alzheimer’s. But experiencing symptoms of MCI doesn’t mean dementia is inevitable. Especially if you have 20 minutes a week to spare…

Lifting weights is one of the best ways to avoid frailty, slim a fatty heart and reduce diabetes and stroke risk. But how much and how often do you have to lift to build muscle? If I told you how little it takes, I’m not sure you’d believe me. So here’s the proof…

When trying to lose weight, there’s an old saying that goes something like this: breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dine like a pauper. But do morning calories really equate to weight loss?

It’s no secret that blood sugar problems can lead to complications. And two of the most likely areas where secondary issues occur are the eyes and kidneys. A 36-year study offers advice on the optimal HbA1c level to avoid that damage…

Parkinson’s disease slowly steals a person’s physical and mental abilities. But research indicates a substance produced naturally by the body can be used to control the debilitating symptoms. And it’s a therapy that involves a hormone that’s simple to boost…

Previous studies have shown that a handful of this particular nut can make a difference for heart and metabolic health. Now data gathered over 30 years has reinforced not only these health benefits — but opened an unparalleled window into healthy aging…

It’s a no-brainer that eating anything that barely resembles real food and bears a list of unpronounceable ingredients could be remotely healthy. That’s why these foods contribute to dementia, weight gain and colon cancer. But why is the cancer risk so much higher for men?

Alzheimer’s disease therapies leave a lot to be desired. But researchers are learning more about the mechanisms behind the disease and may have found a link to a whole new avenue of treatment… delivering antibody-based therapies across the blood-brain barrier.

Over and over, the research tells us that to live longer, shoot for 10,000 steps a day. Getting more daily steps has been linked to a healthier brain, heart and independence. But truth be told, you can walk less and get benefits over and above your total daily steps with this simple trick…

Brand new research says higher consumption of dietary cholesterol — specifically eggs — was significantly associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease. So, after years of conflicting information, do we have the definitive answer to whether it’s safe to eat eggs? See what a cardiologist says…

You’ll probably never see elderberries in the fruit section of your grocery store, but these berries have been used for centuries to boost immunity and fight off viruses, like flu and the common cold. But have you wondered if they stand up to their reputation? Here’s what the science says…

There are a lot of potential risk factors for breast cancer, and researchers are discovering more every year. In fact, they’ve uncovered one that could be linked to medication commonly prescribed for certain psychiatric conditions. Here’s what they know so far…

Ever feel like your body fell apart at a certain age? Seems unfair how some conditions seem to team up to take your health down. One such surprising tag team is high blood pressure and low bone density. Well, I know a vitamin whose tag team game is powerful enough to wrangle them both…

If you’ve been suffering from unexplained headaches, bowel troubles or allergy-like symptoms, it may be time to look at your diet and eliminate some of the ingredients in processed foods. Here’s a closer look at each type of additive and the health problems associated with it.

With age, most of us may be on the lookout for warning signs of Alzheimer’s… things like forgetfulness, difficulty following simple instructions, personality changes and problems communicating. But there’s one sign you might not know about… Depression. And its link to Alzheimer’s shows on the brain.

Whatever you think about cannabis, there’s no denying it’s a promising pain reliever — especially in a world where our only options are OTC pain relievers that increase the odds of internal bleeding and insanely-addictive opioids. So why are more people popping aspirin or opioids than cannabis products for their pain?

Did you know that not all types of fat are created equal? And, I’m not talking about the types of fat you eat, but the types of fat you have on your body. Yup, there is such a thing as good fat that you actually want to have more of, especially if you’d like to win the battle with obesity and diabetes…

Have you ever noticed how many expressions that describe anxiety include the word “gut”? “I could feel it in my gut.” “I had a gut feeling that something was wrong.” Turns out that this association between our innards and our feelings of anxiety may have crept into our language by way of actual, biological fact.

Fat around your heart is a dangerous thing. It’s linked to cardiovascular disease and the possibility of early death. But can you slim your heart down the same way you do your body? Research found the best ways to knock off up to 30 percent of two types of dangerous heart fat…

Meat gets quite the bad rap these days. Most experts tell us we need to eat less — if any at all — to avoid some of the scarier diseases… like heart disease and cancer. They also tell us that those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet live much longer and healthier lives than meat eaters. Now, I swore off red meat a while back. It made me feel “off.” But chicken… that’s my weakness.

Cigarette smoke is bad for you… whether you’re the one smoking or the one caught in the aftermath. Asthma, ear infections, respiratory infections and, yes, even cancer are all on the table if you inhale enough of it. But there’s another surprising effect of cigarette smoke that can hurt us all, either way…

One of my longtime friends is absolutely gorgeous but never thought so herself. That’s because despite all of her natural beauty, she had acne scarring from the time she was in her teens. And, every single time she looked in a mirror, those scars were all she could see.

People go keto for a lot of reasons. To fit into that one pair of jeans… to balance blood sugar to prevent (or even reverse) conditions like prediabetes and diabetes… to replace brain fog and mid-afternoon slumps with keto euphoria and a clear mind. But there’s one benefit that’s not on most keto dieters’ radar — at least not yet…

Would you knowingly wash your hair with a chemical that could give you osteoporosis? Would you get in the shower every morning and lather up with something that would irreparably damage your kidneys or lungs? Or that could cause cancer? I thought not.

One of the casualties of modern-day life is home cooking. Not surprisingly, 90 percent of us don’t like to do it. No wonder more and more people eat out. But it’s getting even harder to differentiate the restaurant foods that might not be so bad from the ones that are a heart attack waiting to happen…

Blood pressure is one of the most important predictors of complications like heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. But we’re learning that getting an accurate BP reading is a slippery slope… even when your blood pressure is taken by professionals. If you rely on a few readings a year during doctor visits to feel safe, this information is urgent for you…

I’m one of those weird people who actually likes going to the gym. To me, working out, while necessary, is also fun. In fact, I drive my oldest daughter crazy since she absolutely hates to run and I’m always trying to encourage her to do a mile or two with me. But, one thing I don’t like about the gym is how I smell by the time I leave.

Nothing says summer to me like a handful of dark, sweet cherries. You just can’t get them any other time of year as good as they are in the summer months. But the cherries I’m going to tell you about are bright red, not dark purple. And they’re anything but sweet. But year-round they may be your best cure-all…

A team from the Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cambridge decided to address problems related to forgetfulness. And guess what? They may have found an antidote to the daily distractions that we face in this busy world… and you can get it in a brain training game.

Statins are the most popular cholesterol-lowering drug around. But you may have heard a few things about statins that concern you. It sure would be simpler if your doctor pulled out the prescription pad and gave you something safer to manage your cholesterol. Something without side effects, like fish oil…

There is one thing that many folks have long used to help them relax, unwind mind and body, and prepare for restful sleep. And it works like a charm, for most people, but not for the reasons they think it does. Now science reveals the secret to why a warm bath can help you get your best sleep ever…

Many women are taking advantage of dermal fillers to fight the effects of gravity. Most of the time, these cosmetic procedures go off without a hitch… but occasionally one of the top listed risks is an allergic reaction at the injection site that can affect the whole body. But when you use your own fat…

If you have lupus, you know it can flare up and settle down. It can also leave you at higher risk of having cancer or an infection. Natural strategies, such as incorporating or avoiding certain foods and supplements, and changing your lifestyle, will not cure lupus — nothing will — but they could help.

We’re all part of one big EMF experiment. We can take steps to reduce our EMF exposure, like buying those little shields for your cell phone. But for the most part, we have to accept we’re surrounded by these unseen energy fields that could be harming us in some way. That’s the bad news. Here’s the good news…

Flu season is just around the corner. In fact, the fall and winter months are the illness’ playground. So, if you want to avoid the days of misery, stuck in bed, sneezing, coughing, body aches and everything else that goes with it, the time to start preparing to fight it off is now. And, I’ve got good news for you…

Your gut microbiome is made up of millions and millions of bacteria, both good and bad that influence your health. And, the foods you eat play a big role in determining the diversity and balance of that bacteria. Now, a study has demonstrated how just one fruit could tip the balance for good or ill in your gut…

Every day someone decides to “lose weight and eat better.” The reasons vary but they have one thing in common: they’re endless. Which is maybe why Weight Watchers came out with an update to its SmartPoints system. As a cardiologist, I’ve learned that diets don’t work — because they focus on the wrong thing…

High blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, excess body fat, and elevated blood sugar are all part of metabolic syndrome. You may be surprised to learn your doctor is probably not doing nearly enough to help you avoid it. That’s concerning enough that new guidelines have been developed…

It’s been years since I ate fast food, like McDonald’s. Now I’m a fast casual aficionado. You know, those restaurants that provide healthy-ish options, like lentil quinoa bowls from Panera and sofritas tacos from Chipotle, that I eat a little too often. Though fast casual seems healthier, it’s still rife with hidden health pitfalls…

New research has finally determined how menopause leads to muscle atrophy. It’s been one of the least understood menopausal symptoms within the medical community. But nothing makes aging more difficult than frailty, and without muscle, that’s where a lot of women end up following menopause…

Have you ever heard of passive exercise? I know what you’re thinking… that’s an oxymoron. Exercise is active not passive. In fact, activity is the whole point of exercise. But passive exercise is a real thing. It’s when your body moves but someone (or something) does the work for you. Here’s an example…

Therapeutic fibbing is a creative communication technique you can use when someone with short-term memory loss is disoriented, anxious or upset. It’s not lying, but a way to step into their reality and spare them unnecessary distress or anxiety. My mom was a champion at this technique.

A powerful compound you can get from regularly consuming common foods like apples and tea has the power to protect against both cancer and heart disease in one fell swoop — especially if you’re at higher risk due to some not-so-healthy lifestyle habits…