Latest Stories

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…

Your doctor says you’ve got to lower your cholesterol and blood sugar. Of course, he also says to do that, you’ve got to lose weight, and you’ve found that hard. No worries. Meet the diet that gives you these benefits and more, with or without the weight loss…

It’s no secret that antibiotic overuse is harmful. It contributes to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance that threatens us all. But for women, it’s personal. If you’re not careful, fighting a simple infection could age your brain and hasten cognitive decline…

Mitochondria communicate with time-keeping molecules in our cells, and this communication is disrupted in people with type 2 diabetes. That’s a problem because some of the most common diabetes treatments affect mitochondria, meaning they may work differently depending on the time of day they are taken…

Doctors have long known that if you’re a woman, your brain is in danger. Numerous studies show women are twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer’s. And as you may have guessed, hormones are believed to be the culprit following menopause. But not the ones you’re thinking of…

Research says being an optimist can absolutely add years to your healthspan, the number of years you get to live a healthy, disease-free, productive life. But it depends on when you’re optimistic in response to the stressors in your life — before they happen or after…

The brain needs a lot of oxygen. Without a hardy supply, brain cells begin to malfunction and die off. That’s why the brain has a mechanism in place to make sure its energy demands are met: a single cell that may be all that’s between you and a cascade that could lead to Alzheimer’s or stop it…

While we used to think of colon cancer as a concern for those middle-aged and older, more people are being diagnosed under the age of 50. And while plenty of research speculates as to why that is, the best is finding ways to keep it from happening to you…

If your liver goes down, so do you. It’s a fact that’s as true for your bones as it is for any part of your body. So, if you’re experiencing bone loss, problems with bone density or are worried about suffering from weak bones and fractures, your liver health, or lack of it, could be to blame.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Live fast, die young.” It’s one that’s stood the test of time since living a fast and risky life is often cut short. Now, there’s one more adage that will likely stand up to that time test, and may have you cranking up your AC: Live cold, die old…

You may think the only way to get exposed to lead is through drinking water or paint chips in older houses. But if you were born in the U.S. before 1996, you were very likely absorbing lead with every breath you took. And researchers say that could be affecting how your brain is aging today…

Every time you eat or drink anything other than water, the pH level in your mouth drops (becomes more acidic). This causes minerals in your tooth enamel to seep out as your body tries to re-establish a balanced pH. Any guesses what happens in the rest of your body?

Nearly half of the American population has high blood pressure. But what’s really odd is that for most adults, there’s no identifiable cause of their hypertension. Lifestyle factors, like salt intake, get a lot of blame. But if you’re not eating your protein right, you’ll be surprised at what may happen…

Could an existing FDA-approved drug be that magic Alzheimer’s pill we’ve been waiting for? It reduced those signature brain plaques and improved memory deficits in mice. Better yet? The “drug” is a simple vitamin that’s already shown that people with the lowest intake are 80 percent more likely to develop the disease…

There’s an all-natural “pill” shown to help you lose weight. Sure, diet and exercise can help. But why not give yourself a break and take this pill every day? You’ll drop pounds and end up not only with a healthier body weight but a better gut, bones, skin and more!

The biggest complaints men have that can often lead to considering testosterone therapy are weight gain, lack of energy, low libido, depression and lack of muscle tone. They’re often convinced that testosterone therapy will solve everything. But there’s another side to that coin…

My husband is an early riser and likes to start his day with time on the treadmill. I’m barely able to get going in the morning hours and would rather workout in the afternoon. I’ve always told him, it doesn’t matter when you exercise, as long as you do. Unfortunately, a new study may have just proven me wrong…

During stroke, the right treatment can save a life and prevent permanent disability. But time is of the essence. The drugs that can break up those blood clots must be given within 4 ½ hours of a stroke. So you can see how seconds count. That’s why you need to know how the ‘wrong help’ could increase the danger…

Positive — or negative emotions — change your body chemistry. Think for a moment about this. How does it feel to communicate/show kindness, forgiveness, acceptance, or love?

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that significantly increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. While about a third of adults in the U.S. are estimated to be living with metabolic syndrome, many people don’t know they have it since many of the signs of the disorder are silent. Find out, right now…

Coffee has been called “the world’s most common recreational drug,” and with good reason. Every morning, roughly 83 percent of American adults reach for a cup of java to jump-start their day. Are you one of them?

The trouble all starts with a bacterium known as Porphyromonas gingivalis. When its numbers grow too large, your body’s immune system reacts, leading to inflammation, swelling, bleeding, and erosion of your gum tissue. Then, it can even travel from your mouth to your bloodstream, and to your brain….

A new study found lousy eating kills 11 million people per year. That means 1 in 5 deaths is caused simply by eating the wrong foods. That’s more people than both smoking and high blood pressure kill. But what exactly qualifies as lousy? I’ll tell you, as well as the 3 dietary habits that contribute to more than half of these deaths!

It’s 2 p.m., and lunch hour is long gone. You’ve got a stack of work to complete, and you just can’t focus. A nap is sounding really good. So, you reach for something sweet to get some pep and energy. Hold on… Researchers recently exposed the truth about what sugar actually does to your mood and your ability to perform…

Researchers took a broad, long-term look at what the obesity epidemic is costing us: Millions of lives lost, and millions of years of healthy, vital living missed, because we carry too much weight. It’s synonymous with heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. But the 13 cancers are most disturbing.

You’ve probably heard of “magic mushrooms.” Hallucinogenic trips are part of the mushroom’s reputation, but their health benefits have put them up front on the voting ballots in two states and could make them the next legalization trend, like cannabis. Here’s what you should know…

Your brain doesn’t create any new brain cells after it fully develops at age 25 or so? At least, that’s what you’ve been told most of your life. If you can’t make any more, your life is just one long descent toward cognitive decline. Well, that’s wrong and outdated.

You may already have some tricks up your sleeve for avoiding flu this spring and beyond. Maybe you get the flu vaccine every year, take special herbs or pump yourself full of vitamin C. But whatever you do to keep yourself safe from the flu, I have a flu-fighting tip I guarantee you’ve never heard before…

Despite the fact that women everywhere have been saying for decades that menopause makes them gain weight, no link had been proven between the hormonal changes of menopause and changes in body composition… until now. But extra weight is the least of the reasons it should concern you…

What’s that warm sensation on my skin? Yes, the sun is already beating down in parts of the country and that means you need to be protected from skin cancer and the unsightly damage of photoaging. Choosing what’s safe and works best to keep your skin protected can be confusing. But you’ve come to the right place…

Cheeseburgers, sugary sodas, candy and deep-fried foods are bad for us. So, like most people you may have made heart-healthy diet changes you thought were for the better… like less red meat and more chicken… swapping butter for margarine… and generally cutting back on fat and sugar. But are those changes as healthy as you think?

Do you know the scariest thing about type 2 diabetes? A lot of people have it and don’t realize it. The problem is, if you don’t know you have diabetes, you won’t do anything to treat it. And no good comes from unmanaged diabetes. It wreaks havoc on your body… especially vital organs like your brain.

If you drink beer, you should be familiar with hops, since the flower of the plant is used to make beer, including ales, lagers, and pilsners. Hops are best known for adding the flavor, color and bitterness, but for years experts have claimed hops aren’t just good for making beer, but good health, too. Hops may even fight cancer…

Remember the endless days of childhood? It seemed like so many things happened in a day! Now, as we get older, time goes faster and faster, and we’re not happy about it. Well, it turns out there’s a scientific explanation for this phenomenon, one that might show us how to feel like we’re getting more out of each day.

Stroke scares the heck out of just about anybody. But the right antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory nutrients can help reduce the development of cerebrovascular disease — which can lead to stroke. Find out how these foods, herbs and nutrients you can supplement can help push your stroke risk far away…

Peeing in a cup was once a routine part of getting a yearly physical. Doctors would test for traces of blood, protein or sugar, to check for hidden cases of diabetes or kidney disease. Some doctors still routinely check urine. If your’s does, it could pose an unexpected danger…

The best thing about dieting is cheat day, right? Besides a little indulgence, cheat days were believed to keep the body from “adapting” to the diet and preventing weight loss plateaus. But that theory has been called into question. It turns out this six days on, seventh day off philosophy could actually be harming your health.

How many times do you go to the bathroom at night? I’ll admit, there are nights when I go to the bathroom a few times. And sure, it’s annoying. But I never thought it was anything to worry about. Unfortunately, if you get up to go several times at night (like I do sometimes), your nightly bathroom habits could be a harbinger of bad news.

How do you lift your spirits when you’re feeling a little down? Researchers found that the way your thoughts revolve around the people around you can go a long way toward making you a happier person and it only takes 12 minutes. And the technique worked across the board on people of all different personality types.

I grew up cleaning my ears with cotton swabs. Unfortunately, those swabs are still big business and the chosen ear-cleaning method for many — even though they can result in a ruptured ear drum, ear infection, impacted ear wax or much, much worse… like a life-threatening infection of the lining of your brain…

Mushrooms can lower blood pressure, protect the liver, and improve digestion. Some even have anti-cancer properties. And a very recent study gives us strong evidence that eating a handful of mushrooms each day can help you maintain your mental faculties well into old age. Don’t like them? Not a problem…

There’s nothing more stressful than getting diagnosed with a serious disease… especially if that disease comes with as much baggage as cancer. The second your doctor delivers your test results (or even mentions cancer as a possibility), you switch into fight-or-flight mode. That can really hurt your chances…

It wasn’t long ago that The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released its health statistic brief… And, yet again, heart disease was at the top — as the leading cause of death in the United States. It’s been like this for years, and years and years. Not surprising, right… but, you know what was?

Here’s a simple truth we take for granted: Relaxation is powerful medicine. It can prevent mental health issues, counteract the physical damage caused by stress and reduce your risk of chronic disease. Those are facts. But for it to work, you have to actually feel relaxed, and that’s not so easy unless…

When we think about cancer, most of us worry about breast, lung, or colon cancer. After all, those are the ones you hear the most about. But, there’s another type of cancer that shouldn’t be forgotten in your quest for prevention, considering an innocent daily habit could fuel it…

If you’ve reached adulthood without having had the chickenpox, you may consider yourself lucky. And in a sense, you are. Unless you’ve never had chickenpox, a case of shingles is always a possibility. Along with the long-term nerve damage and serious complications shingles can bring, if you’re not careful…