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It’s no secret that the choices you make have a profound impact on your health. From protecting your heart to guarding against dementia and disability as you age, lifestyle modifications are taking center stage, and these four can add years to your life…

We all want to age like those people who get laugh lines, not wrinkles, hold on to their memories and become more vital as the years pass. But it doesn’t always go that way. There’s a way to measure your odds — just in time to do something about it.

A drink with dinner — no big deal. What about two or three beers? If you’ve had enough to drink that you get a hangover the next morning, you’re setting yourself up for a potentially fatal heart problem, even if you’ve never had heart issues before.

Women are at much higher risk of dementia than men, and declining estrogen may have something to do with it. But it gets more alarming: The earlier menopause happens, the higher that dementia risk goes. What can we do about that? You’d be surprised…

I’m not body-shaming. My concerns stem from knowing that certain kinds of fat and where it’s carried, like around the middle, can do real damage. But there’s another type of fat we never see that goes after the heart. Surprisingly, the leanest among us may be most at risk.

Exercise should be part of any weight-loss strategy. But can it do more? Scientists have looked into how it may help us resist the foods that often sabotage our best efforts. And it’s promising enough that you may start disliking exercise a whole lot less…

When bacteria become resistant, the original antibiotic can no longer kill them. The chances of experiencing an antibiotic-resistant infection are only increasing. But what you eat can shift the balance of antibiotic resistance genes in your gut…

Pancreatic cancer is tough. Often diagnosed late, survival rates are low. Knowing your risks can help. And now a predictor of elevated risk has been identified — a condition that could mean cancer isn’t far behind. But like those other risk factors, you can take control…

None of us want to face dementia. So we do crosswords and brain teasers and hope we’ll maintain a sharp brain. But there’s actually a simple action that a lot of us aren’t taking that can make a big difference in our dementia risk…

Ever wonder how much sleep you need for your best shot at overall health, including strong mental faculties? A huge study has answered that question for those of us middle-aged and up. Here’s the scoop, plus some tips for natural ways to help you achieve it…

Did you know the immune cells that are generated to fight gum disease often turn up in heart valves and heart muscle? And that’s not the only crazy connection to your dental hygiene. Most recently, it’s been found that your lungs are another target for mouth bacteria…

One of the most promising fields of anti-aging research is fecal transplants. Sounds gross, but amazing things happened when old mice were transplanted with poop from young mice. How far would you go to turn back the clock? Luckily, you don’t have to go quite this far, but it’s where you should start…

Dramatic improvement for type 2 diabetes is just the tip of the iceberg for what may be possible to achieve with water fasting. But it shouldn’t be approached lightly. If you’ve considered it, here’s what you should know…

We hear a lot about breast, liver and even lung cancer. But no so much about esophageal cancer. It causes minimal symptoms, so it’s often not suspected before it becomes advanced. And its rates have almost doubled. While experts figure out why — it’s important to know your risks…

Coffee. Few of us can or want to start the day without it. And why not? The health benefits keep coming, or do they? That all depends on the brew method and your sex, especially if you’re watching your cholesterol…

It helps reduce the inflammation that can lead to heart disease and metabolic dysfunction. It can even help support stronger bones and muscles. Now researchers have found further evidence of this little powerhouse’s brain benefits — even in middle age…

As if COVID-19 wasn’t enough of a jolt for us to deal with, now there’s monkeypox. It may feel like we’re under attack from new viruses, but monkeypox has been around. It’s a cousin to smallpox, but don’t get worried, get in the know…

It can seem that there’s nothing more painful than a urinary tract infection. So you head off to your doctor who prescribes an antibiotic. But you should know, the way doctors have been treating UTIs only perpetuates the dreaded recurrent UTI cycle. Here’s why…

When arteries get thick and stiff, it opens up a world of trouble starting with heart and circulatory problems. It makes it easier for plaque to build up. But there may be more to it and researchers hope that leads them to strategies other than surgery…

As we age, changes start to occur in our bodies. Not all of them are pleasant. And some can be warning signs that you’re actually aging faster than you probably want to. The good news is that you can do something about quite a few of them…

It turns out that a hormone we naturally produce, and a supplement many of us take in order to improve sleep, is also a surprising immune system booster. Discover all the ways melatonin can help now and always…

Vitamin D has shown positive effects on autoimmune disease, diabetes, heart disease and even COVID-19. Now research shows that Black and Hispanic women, who are normally more susceptible to breast cancer, are safer from the disease if they have adequate levels of vitamin D in their blood.

For a long time, cancer research has emphasized the genetic aspect of the disease, that is, the risk we inherit from our parents. Now, though, science is becoming more aware of the environmental and metabolic factors behind cancer that are under our control…

From imaging equipment to procedures like bypass or angioplasty to open a blocked artery as a heart attack happens, it would seem U.S. hospitals have all they need to provide the best care available to prevent the worst from happening. The truth may surprise you…

Your gut goes through some big changes when you’re under stress. In fact, stress impacts the bacteria in your microbiome, and it may even cause a serious gut issue called leaky gut syndrome. But don’t worry too much (it’ll only make your gut worse!). There’s a way to shield your gut from stress…

There’s matcha tea, various herbal teas and flowery botanical teas, but none of them are as systematically studied as Camellia sinensis — true tea — with thousands of years of traditional use behind its growing global reputation as a beverage that promotes good health.

Maybe it’s because some still hold strong to the adage that men are the stronger sex. Or maybe it’s because men themselves aren’t open about health problems they experience with age. That’s a problem because male frailty is real and two signs can indicate if you’re headed there early…

Someone develops dementia every three seconds. That means in the time it took you to read that sentence, another person became a victim. You’re not doomed, though, if you can increase levels of three powerful antioxidants you should be taking anyway…

Living well is an art, not a science. It begins with your health and making choices that lower stress and create satisfaction. From the space you call home to the food you eat, these 6 prinicples can help you make a masterpiece of the art of living…

If you take prescription blood pressure medication, you may know these drugs don’t come without risks, this time from a surprising source: If you’re used to popping ibuprofen for pain you need to know it’s a dangerous mix with certain classes of blood pressure drugs.

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…

Beards are big right now. No wonder: there are a lot of benefits to having a beard… not shaving every day, avoiding sun damage and many women find them attractive. But despite all the beard benefits, there’s a big beard pitfall. It’s something bearded men and their partners should be aware of…

No matter how you slice it, cheese is delicious. But cheese is high in fat. It’s high in calories. It’s high in sodium. It causes inflammation. Sure, there are some downsides to going hog wild on a sharp cheddar cheese wheel. But there are upsides too… especially if you have prediabetes or diabetes…

No one questions any longer that being overweight or obese is a serious health problem. Excess body fat has been linked to a dozen types of cancer. But does excess body weight affect your brain? Based on research done over the past fifteen years, the answer seems to be yes. Being overweight produces definite physical changes in your brain… and none of them are good.

We’ve all heard about those diets that claim you can eat as much as you want and not gain weight. But, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, right? Not always… See why the Mediterranean diet not only deters overeating, but protects against obesity and disease…

While a magnesium deficiency manifests symptoms and can lead to dire health consequences, it can be very hard to detect. Routine blood tests don’t often look for levels of magnesium. And, even when they do, it’s not a foolproof test. That’s because most of your magnesium is stored in your bones, not your blood.

Most of the time, when we look at dietary factors that contribute to disease, the focus is on the things we get too much of — red meat, highly processed items, trans fats. But a recent look at dietary patterns found that what you’re NOT eating could be just as detrimental to your health…

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Happy wife, happy life.” According to my husband, it’s one that’s extremely accurate. If I’m happy, his life is going well too. If I’m not, then he’s more likely to be stressed and unhappy as well. But new research shows that old adage goes both ways… and has a major impact on your health.

Diseases are like dominoes. You get one disease, and it triggers a chain reaction that causes others. Just think about it for a second… If you have an autoimmune disease, you’re more likely to get cancer. If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to get heart disease. If you have heart disease, you’re more likely to get dementia. The list goes on and on. Why are chronic diseases connected?

In 2010, the CDC estimated that 23,000 people were dying annually from infections caused by MRSA and other “unkillable” bacteria that have learned to resist our best antibiotics. Then we stopped hearing much about superbugs. Now we’re finding that fungal infections are following suit, and it’s downright scary…

To keep all of the organs in your body working, your heart muscle must work tirelessly. Unfortunately, as you age, your chance of heart failure goes up significantly. Aside from genetic factors, what you eat makes a big impact. And out of these 5 popular styles of eating, one could slash your risk by 41 percent…

What should you do when you’re so desperate you’d trade anything (your car, your left arm, your firstborn, your beloved cockapoo) for one decent night’s sleep? Well, the bad news is, there’s no silver bullet solution to insomnia. But research says more of this fish on your dinner plate comes pretty close…

Have you ever wondered how to get rid of those tiny bumps on the back of your upper arms? The ones that feel like “chicken skin,” even when you’re not cold, and can actually show up on your cheeks, thighs or buttocks, too. Those bumps amount to a common skin condition and there are several ways to tackle it…

Why is it some people can eat potatoes, bread, chocolate cake and other tasty treats from time to time and still look like Elle McPherson? Yet, some of us can’t even look at a chocolate chip cookie in the Panera bakery display without gaining five pounds. Could something be working against you?

Arthritis is a leading cause of disability. If the joints of your fingers, hips, and knees become painful, stiff and inflamed, it can be hard just to get out of bed in the morning. And without a concerted effort to fight back against the pain, a person’s quality of life can go quickly downhill. But there are ways to fight back…

When you eat in-season, the food’s fresher. It tastes better. And packs more nutrition. If seasonal eating strikes a chord with you, look for the stalky, green vegetable that sprouts every spring — asparagus. This scrumptious veggie can provide major health benefits that you’ll want to take advantage of…

What’s going on with drug prices these days? To say some increases (like the Epi pen and insulin) are unreasonable really understates things. We need to look at the system that’s in place for setting prices, the middleman you don’t really need, and a handful of ways you can beat that system and pay less for meds you need…

Hormones can cause a lot of problems. If your testosterone goes down, so does your libido and energy levels. Your muscles and bones can become weaker, your body fat can go up and you can end up with more rolls around your belly. If you’re a thrill-seeker, there’s a fun way to boost it…

We would probably all like to live a longer, healthier life. Past studies have shown that the key could be stronger muscles. But there’s another option that’s been proven to be more important than muscle strength to determining how long you live — muscle power. Here’s the difference and how to boost it…

Capsaicin is a natural compound found in spicy peppers. It has no nutritional value on its own but is well known for its pain-killing power — and at least a handful of other proven benefits including reduced stroke and heart attack risk, lower cholesterol, and dousing chronic inflammation. Here’s how to put it to work…

The flu’s breaking records this year. Not because it’s more severe. Or because it’s causing more deaths. It’s just lasting super long. That means, if you haven’t gotten it yet, the threat is still very real. If I were you I’d stock up on the berry with phytochemicals that effectively stopped the flu virus from infecting cells…

A couple of years ago the British Journal of Medicine (BMJ) published the story of a woman who overcame blood cancer by taking curcumin supplements. Past studies also show it’s helpful against colon, skin and pancreatic cancer. Now it appears curcumin packs anti-cancer clout against stomach cancer too…

Research shows that smokers who try to give up cigarettes without participating in a smoking cessation program will fail a whopping 95 percent of the time, making it the number one thing you must do if you want to quit. But new research has uncovered a strategy that can increase your chances of quitting by almost six times…

People who live long well do so through small, daily acts of healthy behavior. And it’s the cumulative effect of those small acts over time that rewards them with better health. So, every time you practice just these 4 pillars, give yourself a pat on the back. You’re building your own personal fountain of youth…

Mercury amalgam fillings have been used for more than 150 years. They’re affordable and durable. But now that we know how hazardous they are, many folks are considering having those old fillings replaced. Finding the right replacement isn’t so easy, though. If you’re considering it, here’s what you should know…