Latest Stories

Millions of people turn to antidepressants to help them weather their darkest days. But despite their popularity, what if the mechanism by which the most popularly prescribed were designed to work — correcting a serotonin “imbalance” — turned out to be a myth?

Even if you do everything right for your heart in terms of diet and exercise, there’s a vulnerability almost impossible to avoid. The air we breathe and the soil we grow our food in have been found to contain contaminants directly linked to heart problems on a major scale. Give up? There’s always an answer…

Most cases of liver cancer are traceable to clear risk factors such as diabetes, cirrhosis or non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, among others. But for 40 percent the cause isn’t so clear. Until research came across the ‘one a day’ that raises liver cancer risk by 73 percent…

While science is finding we’re capable of living much longer, many of us succumb to habits that cheat us of even an average lifespan. In fact, four in one hundred of us die early, when ditching one simple habit can bring those numbers down significantly…

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, three million seniors are treated in emergency rooms every year for fall-related injuries, and one in five of those falls causes serious injury, usually hip fracture or head injury. But you don’t have to become a statistic…

We are what we eat, but how seriously do we take that adage? Considering insulin resistance, anxiety and depression are part of a journey that leads to Alzheimer’s, we’re not taking it seriously enough…

Natural light just feels good. There’s a good reason for that: it goes hand in hand with our good health, regulating processes in the body. But less exposure to natural light and more to blue light is proving detrimental to how we age…

Many of us suffer from an unseen condition that can make every day difficult. Sometimes it even feels like a heart attack. But it’s not. It’s anxiety. And in a rush to take anything to feel better, we eagerly accept medication. But the long-term damage may be worse than any anxiety attack…

We know eczema can be a frustrating, uncomfortable, and, for some, distressing condition to deal with. But what you might not know, however, is that the peak prevalence of the disease occurs in early childhood. Early intervention with a vitamin that helps adults with the condition might stop it.

Feeling stressed? You’re not alone. The pandemic set off changes that we still feel the stress of today. But it also set off a flurry of research into how we can relieve it. If you’ve got less than 5 minutes, take a literal look at how fast you can improve your well-being.

Did you hear about the baby sea turtle that pooped plastic for six days? You can’t see it, but microplastics are coursing through your bloostream too, depositing hormone-disrupting toxins, causing heart disease and binding to your gut. Here’s how to purge it…

Women may be less likely to get a Parkinson’s diagnosis than men, but over 400,000 women live with the condition. But are their numbers lower due to the fact it affects the genders differently or a mistaken perception that’s endangering women?

It’s pretty astonishing that medical professionals still treat the mouth as separate from the rest of the body. Research has already shown how strongly connected it is to other organs, particularly the heart. Now, an underlying factor in gum disease can skyrocket risk for heart failure.

If you’re avoiding all carbs, you could be missing major protection from the kind that keeps your gut microbiota healthy, regulates blood sugar, reduces cholesterol and relieves constipation. What’s more, research indicates consuming it regularly reduced cancer risks by 60 percent…

The pain of knee osteoarthritis affects more than 14 million Americans who often seek relief from their well-meaning doctors. But one remedy that’s proven quite lucrative for pharmaceuticals is proving nothing but ineffective and risky for patients…

The scariest thing about stroke is how it can strike without warning. That’s why knowing if you have any risk factors can help. But what if you’re genetically at higher risk of stroke? While it can seem you’ve been dealt a pretty poor hand, there is a trump card that helps put the odds back in your favor…

Have you ever looked at a thin person and assumed they must workout a lot? Because the secret to being thin is burning calories, right? The truth is thin people tend to be far less active than those of us with a few extra pounds. Turns out there’s something else up their sleeve…

Women tend to live longer than men, but usually spend their later years living with conditions that make life miserable. What if just two nutrients could lower those risks of age-related decline and make those golden years, well, golden?

Sedentary behavior gets a bad rap. For a few years now we’ve heard the ills of sitting too much and its dangerous effects. But it seems to always center around the TV. But what about your computer? Can it double your stroke risk, too? And if so, what can you do about it?

If you’re locked in a constant struggle with weight, you know what to eat is the daily question, and often a confusing one. There is so much diet advice out there! You’ll be happy to know that, based on research, a group of scientists is backing one particular diet as the best candidate for sustained weight loss…

Until someone finds a “fountain of youth,” aging will continue to take a toll on all of us. There are ways to slow the aging process through diet and exercise, but no way to reverse it — until now. For the first time, and in humans — not mice, researchers were able to reverse two key biological elements of aging…

With age may come wisdom, but it can also bring a number of health problems, including some that require surgery. But surgery in our senior years is especially risky, and new findings show some common medications can make it much worse. Here’s what you need to know…

Carotenoids make fruits and vegetables colorful. But more than that, carotenoids are powerful antioxidants with a serious capacity to scavenge free radicals and protect your body’s cells and tissues from oxidative damage and these three major health threats…

Thanks to the fact that the over 60s age group is growing faster than any other, research is focused on how those living longer into old age can do so without succumbing to years of frailty and disability. And they may have found at least one of the secrets to living better longer…

Americans are not fans of eye exams. The American Academy of Ophthalmologists reports most of us won’t see an eye doctor even when problems develop. That’s a mistake: an exam could find signs you’re headed for stroke or heart attack even before your doctor can…

Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are both brain disorders. And while Parkinson’s symptoms are more physical, they share symptoms, including dementia and disease progression. New research shows they also may share a common enemy that worsens brain destroying proteins.

There’s no doubt avocados are high in fat and calories. But can eating them actually help you lose weight? Smaller studies have suggested that’s the case. What did the largest and longest study to date on the health impacts of avocados find?

Foot ulcers are a major complication of unmanaged blood sugar. And they should be taken seriously. Severe ulcers can lead to amputation. That’s why to avoid them, doctors recommend proper management of blood sugar and weight loss. Add an important vitamin to that list…

Certain types of cancer have been found to increase a survivor’s risk for diabetes. And survivors who develop diabetes don’t fair as well as those who don’t. Could maintaining healthy blood sugar levels be the key to better odds and longer survival after cancer?

Some of the biggest medical studies to date, responsible for medication and procedures, have been conducted without a single female subject. But is that holding the medical community back from using protocols designed for men on women? Not at all and not without consequence…

It seems like it would be bad enough just to receive a cancer diagnosis, but often the cure can feel as bad as the disease. In order to beat cancer, the treatment experience can be quite miserable. But thanks to the latest in cancer therapies, the sickness and misery could be a thing of the the past…

We all know that sugary drinks are bad for us. But what if I told you there was another beverage that could be even worse? In fact, if it were a pharmaceutical it might have been pulled from the market by now. Or, at the least, carry a strong warning to physicians and a warning label for consumers…

There’s an Alzheimer’s risk factor that most people don’t realize is a risk factor. And it affects millions of Americans. Luckily, it’s a risk factor that can easily be abated — your cholesterol level. It turns out that high LDL cholesterol could be putting you at risk for Alzheimer’s…

It stands to reason that having heart disease, suffering a stroke, or having cancer could lead to feelings of depression. But it works the other way too… people with depression are more likely to also suffer certain physical disorders. It boils down to this common denominator…

If you’ve ever struggled with stiff, achy joints, you’ve probably tried glucosamine supplements. They’re by far the most popular joint supplement around… If you’re dealing with your joint condition in other ways, you’re missing out. This supplement has more major benefits than you can shake a stick at…

Thanks to research at Emory University, help for the antibiotic resistance epidemic may have been discovered in the most unlikely of ways — not in cutting edge medical techniques or the latest drug development — but in the past…

Sleep apnea is a common condition that’s still grossly underdiagnosed in women. A dangerous trend considering women with sleep apnea are at much higher risk for heart problems. And now, a new study has confirmed that for women, our sleep apnea danger doesn’t stop at our hearts.

I love a high protein meal. The good news here is that higher protein foods reduce obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, muscle wasting (in the elderly), and more. But that is far from all the benefits. Studies also back up the role of protein in weight loss and weight maintenance…

Aspirin continues to be routinely prescribed to patients at risk of heart disease. But research is starting to question whether this is OK for everyone. If you’ve been regularly popping an aspirin, particularly if you are at high risk of stroke or have had a stroke, you’ll want to pay close attention…

This summer fruit isn’t just juicy and sweet, it’s also chock-full of nutrients that ward off fatigue and its hidden causes. Let’s take a look at all the ways eating watermelon can give you more energy.

There’s no question that your heart is one of the most important organs in your body. And, if you don’t keep it healthy, you’re at extreme risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and even heart failure. This antioxidant powerhouse offers the multi-faceted protection your heart needs…

When it comes to reducing your dementia risk, you don’t have time to waste… Every year, 10 million more people worldwide are diagnosed with this devastating disease. And that number is expected to increase in the coming years. So why mess around? Start lowering your risk today…

One quarter of new cancer diagnoses are in people ages 65 to 74. Given these numbers, prevention efforts should be focused on addressing the particular challenges and cancer risk factors faced by older adults. That’s why experts came together to examine how cancer in this age group could be better prevented…

There’s probably been a point in your life where you took a Z-pack from your doctor without second guessing it. Maybe your throat was ablaze with strep bacteria or any other number of nasty infections. At those times, a Z-pack feels like a life-saver. But this common antibiotic can also be a life-ender…

Every day, more proof arises that what we put in our mouths can have a profound effect on our health, now and in the long run. Despite all the news and research about the importance of eating whole foods with names you can spell, Americans are reaching for foods that make them fat and sick — one in particular…

Most of us have heard of the shingles virus, especially if you’re past middle age when your risk of being diagnosed goes up. Basically, if you’ve ever had chickenpox, you’re at risk for shingles. And, there’s something else you should know… It’s putting more and more baby boomers at serious risk for blindness…

Women have a much steeper heart disease risk once menopause strikes. But your estrogen levels start dipping long before you enter full-blown menopause which means your heart attack risk skyrockets a lot sooner than you realized.

Sitting is the new smoking. That’s because while the rates of smoking have fallen to their lowest point in recorded history, we spend more time than ever sitting… at our computers, in our cars, on our couches to watch TV and at the kitchen table eating. And it’s making us sick.

Investigators found that even among individuals who would be deemed low risk based upon LDL cholesterol levels, those with elevated inflammation levels had double the risk of a subsequent cardiac event. This supports what we already know about coronary and vascular disease… and a missed opportunity to save lives.

Most of us think of liver problems in relation to how much alcohol we drink. But, while alcohol can damage your liver, there is a much sneakier cause of liver damage that you could be living with right now and not even know it. It’s called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD for short.

You may never have even considered the fact that men can get breast cancer. But breast cancer is breast cancer, folks, regardless of gender. It operates pretty much the same way and can kill anyone. But men can also be survivors, provided they know the signs, take action, and don’t let stigma stop them…

Genes. It’s easy to curse fate for giving you less than perfect ones… Unfortunately, some are more serious than a painful pair of fallen arches or skin that doesn’t make for stunning selfies. Hidden somewhere in your genetic code may be a tendency toward cancer. That doesn’t mean you can’t beat those odds…

Had I known that high fiber foods heal intestinal diseases, like ulcerative colitis, I might have been spared a complete proctocolectomy, the complete removal of my large intestine. My experience served as a catalyst to investigate healing through fiber… something I didn’t learn in med school and am glad to share…

Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s is unlike any other stressor. It has multiple layers, and it’s not like you can wait to deal with the physical strain while you’re taking care of the way it affects every other aspect of your life, including depression. But there’s help in these eight skills…

If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and the way to your heart is through the bedroom, then the way to satisfy both is also through his stomach. Your husband can achieve a stronger sex drive and better sexual performance by eating these five foods…

As we age, cognitive problems can start to creep in… and no one wants to see that happen. But one of the areas that can become especially challenging is decision making. Yet, the decisions we make in later life can substantially affect our finances, our health, and our independence. This can help…

It seems that the relationship between exercise and well-being, both physical and emotional, travels in both directions. Those who exercise are happier, healthier and more emotionally stable. But there are three well-being factors that fuel that drive from the start — and they make all the difference…

Let’s say you start feeling a little itchy in your lady parts. You figure you have a yeast infection, buy an antifungal like Monistat and call it a day. But when the itching doesn’t stop you take a closer look. And you notice strange white patches taking over your nether regions. What the heck is happening?

Without enough estrogen, cells known as osteoblasts aren’t able to make new bone tissue at the level necessary to keep your bones strong. But what you may not know though is that after menopause there’s something that can raise your chances of ending up with weak bones even more — diabetes.

You’ve probably heard about the dangers of metabolic syndrome. Low levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol), fat around the waistline, insulin resistance, hypertension and chronic inflammation are its hallmarks. But there’s a curious relationship between this stroke syndrome and migraines, too…