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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.

Alcohol has a reputation as a double-edged sword. But when it comes to health, not all alcoholic drinks are created equal. Research is teasing out some of those differences and one, in particular, may be why, depending on your poison, alcohol has both benefits and risks…

Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound derived from mushrooms. Several studies indicate it significantly reduces depression and even puts some patients into remission. Now research shows how it literally can pull our brains from a deep well of depression…

Does your brain really start to slow down once you reach adulthood? For years it’s been the belief that we start to lose mental processing speed once we pass the age of 20. But we may actually have more decades of fast thinking ahead of us than previously thought…

A leading longevity expert has pulled together old and new research to offer us the perfect “longevity diet.” He hopes to meld the best of what has been shown to help stave off disease and promote longer lifespans while accepting the fact that research also shows we don’t like to change our eating habits.

Capsaicin gives peppers their spicy kick. And that heat’s been one of the hurdles keeping it from clinical use despite research that show its promise for pain relief, inflammation, heart health, stroke reduction, fat burning and now, cancer. But what if you could down it as an encapsulated time-release capsule?

Not sleeping well makes you feel bad, but probably a lot worse when you realize the domino effect it starts that’s been found to lead to dangerous visceral fat and cardiovascular disease. Here’s the research and what may work to help you avoid that dangerous trajectory…

People whose brains release more oxytocin tend to be kinder and more satisfied with their lives. And unlike most beneficial chemcials in the body, oxytocin release increases with age. But if you’re not getting enough satisfaction, here’s how to get more…

Understanding your cholesterol numbers can get confusing. LDL, you want low. HDL you want high. Then there are triglycerides. It all adds up to your total blood cholesterol level. But a first-ever study counted small HDL particles in your brain, and Alzheimer’s is the big reason why…

Nitric oxide, a natural vasodilator your body produces with the right nutrition, supports normal blood pressure. But this clever little compound does so much more, Now researchers have discovered nitric oxide could be the next big thing to fight diabetes and obesity…

Instead of giving up on a fit, healthy body (or trying to starve yourself to lose weight,) these six simple weight loss hacks may be just what the doctor ordered to drop those unwanted pounds.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But times have changed. Most apples you’ll sink your teeth into today have been treated with a fungicide that’s turned them into the perfect vehicle for a drug-resistant pathogen to hitch a ride to your fruit bowl…

When my mom was visiting she kept apologizing for her “old people farts.” After we had a good laugh, I helped her understand why she had these embarrassing episodes. The good news is it’s an easy fix, but ignoring it can steal your health…

Walking is one of the healthiest habits to fall into. But when you pick up the pace, something amazing happens to your telomeres, little DNA caps that work like harbingers of aging: brisk walking walks back your biological age…

The healthier you are, the longer you are likely to live. But, with every year that you’re alive, your risk of developing Alzheimer’s also goes up. That’s the double-edged sword of longevity! But there’s a way to get around it…

Even though testosterone is a natural male hormone, it can fuel certain prostate cancer cells, accelerating their growth. By starving them of this fuel, hormone therapy can help slow their growth or even cause cancer cell death. While there’s no doubt that this can help save your life, there is a downside…

Plant-based diets, where animal products are eaten much less, appear to keep type 2 diabetes at bay, though the exact mechanisms behind “why” has not been fully understood. Harvard researchers took a look, and the bottom line: they work, but the devil’s in the details…

One in four adults worldwide have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and many of them don’t even know it. It’s well-known that NAFLD can raise your risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. So why is the leading cause of death in people with NAFLD heart disease?

Heart failure is an often misunderstood diagnosis. It doesn’t mean your heart stops working. But it can be deadly. Here’s a primer on risk factors, symptoms, behaviors you can change to lower your risk, and a few science-backed ways to make improvements if you’ve been diagnosed.

The licorice plant is one of the world’s oldest herbal remedies. Its powerful compounds are linked to fighting diabetes, adrenal fatigue and even the herpes simplex virus. Prostate cancer may be next on that list. But before you run out to stockpile it, there are some things to know…

For most adults, there’s no identifiable cause for their hypertension, meaning no underlying condition or typical risk factor appears to be to blame. It’s called essential hypertension and all they know for sure is that it develops over years. But, for men, at least, an odd link to anger, with a twist, may be the cause.

Houseplants are a great way to bring a little nature inside. A little greenery goes a along way to ease anxiety, improve mood and sleep, and importantly, your oxygen levels. They can also protect you from a dangerously common household gas…

You may have heard the expression “that’s a problem for future me.” You may have even said it yourself. But when it comes to health, that can be dangerous. In fact, recent research shows that certain health decisions you make in your younger years can elevate your Alzheimer’s risk later in life…

If you’re looking for something to turn your metabolism around, think aloe vera. The thought may conjure up memories of slathering it on sunburns, and while it’s true it’s great for your skin, it’s also considered a ‘functional food’ — meaning it provides health benefits, particularly for metabolic syndrome.

Your skin can tell you a lot about your health. If something is out of balance, it can show up as rashes, eczema or other rritations rooted in inflammation. So, if your skin is showing signs of a problem, research says chances are it’s wreaking havoc elsewhere increasing risk for stroke, heart attack or worse.

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…

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…

Even if you eat a healthy, nutrient-rich diet, you could be losing much of the benefit if you’re taking a medication that sucks that nutrition out of you as fast as you can put it in. You may not notice it at first… until you gradually feel the symptoms of a vitamin or mineral deficiency.

Let’s say you’re diagnosed with breast cancer. Research shows that eating just two ounces of a certain nut daily alters your genes in a way that could help you survive…

Weight loss can be a challenge for anyone. But if you have a health condition, it can be even harder — especially if you have type 2 diabetes. That’s because insulin doesn’t just help move glucose from blood to your cells. It promotes the storage of fat. But researchers may have found the best way…

Ketamine has long been abused as a “street drug,” with side effects like convulsions, irregular heartbeat, hives, shortness of breath and blurry vision. So, why would the FDA approve a drug from this dangerous source for people who are already emotionally at risk, and put off a “natural drug” that’s safer?

Chronic hormonal imbalances are common nowadays because our hormones are under constant assault. But these imbalances cause more than moodiness, insomnia, and anxiety (which are bad enough). They cause scary hormone-related health conditions… like idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Some of the strongest risk factors for stroke deaths are elevated systolic blood pressure, diabetes and smoking. But there are some less obvious risk factors, and some you might find strange. But the more you know, the better you can protect yourself from ever experiencing a life-changing, and often deadly, stroke.

In a perfect world, you might do everything known to lessen the odds for Alzheimer’s. But, truth be told, you may take the gamble and put off healthy lifestyle changes until a diagnosis is staring you in the face. But what if a simple test could reveal if plaque were already invading your brain so you could get serious about stopping it?

Do you ever find yourself overcome by food cravings so strong your willpower goes out the window? But if you find yourself craving certain foods over and over again, it’s actually more than just inconvenient. It’s a sign of what’s really going on with your health…