Latest Stories

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t just spell problems for your blood sugar. It acts as a gateway disease in many respects. And while there have been concerns about its connection to cognitive decline for a while, you may be surprised to learn how much diabetes ages the brain…

When women undergo menopause, they experience a decline in estrogen that kicks off a host of unpleasant symptoms. But what has been less clear is estrogen’s specific role in heart disease risk, and how the “change” is connected to cholesterol, until now…

Most people that develop inflammatory bowel disease do so by the age of 30. But IBD is on the rise — and it’s targeting a vulnerable population: folks aged 60 and older. IBD is painful, difficult and debilitating. And if you’re a senior, the risks are even higher…

Gout has been established as a risk factor in certain cardiovascular conditions, including stroke and heart attack. But what about heart failure? Exploring a potential link between these two conditions may offer heart failure patients a new lifeline…

We’ve been warned to avoid eating much fish over concerns about mercury. But now, Canadian researchers say the chemical form of mercury consumed from a high fish diet is completely different from the form found in the brains of those who were poisoned by mercury. What gives?

Zinc is one of those nutrients you don’t hear a lot about. People are all over vitamin C, but zinc, an equally important nutrient for a strong immune system tends to take a back seat to all the hype. But supplementing can be tricky…

About 20 percent of people with high blood pressure are resistant to treatment, leaving them vulnerable to heart attack and stroke. Researchers trying to get to the bottom of why are onto something…

Remember how for years, doctors warned us not to eat eggs? They would raise our cholesterol, give us heart disease and leave us to die of a heart attack or stroke? Forget that old-school advice. The new-school lists three ways eggs do a heart good…

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.

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…

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a serious wake-up call. You’re plagued with diarrhea, cramping, bloating, constipation, indigestion, fatigue. And no one knows for sure why IBS strikes some and spares others. It’s a mysterious disease. But despite its mysteriousness, there is one thing we do know about IBS for sure…

No one knows exactly why men end up with enlarged prostates as they age but the fact is that benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH affects approximately over 27 million men over the age of 50 per year, making it one of the most common diseases faced by aging men. But the meds used to help cause another problem…

Plenty of research tells us that a diet centered around fruits, vegetables and whole grains can prevent a long list of diseases, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. But wait… can’t you indulge in the occasional burger or steak without worrying? Here’s what researchers found when people ate as little as two ounces a day…

Your barista at Starbucks. Your yoga teacher. Your bank teller. They all have tattoos. Heck, even your boss has a tribal design peaking out from his shirtsleeves. Now, most people who get tattoos will never have a problem. But when you inject a foreign substance into your body, there’s always the possibility…

A face-lift may not be something you would consider. The thought of going under the knife and weeks of downtime and pain is not appealing. But there are many new procedures shown to be safe and effective these days, with little to no downtime. If you’ve thought about lifting your laugh lines, let me tell you about…

Left unchecked, chronic stress can skyrocket your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. But few of us take the steps necessary to manage stress since it can seem difficult to overcome or too time-consuming to put in the effort. But a new study says you can do it in just 20 minutes a day…

If you asked a handful of people whether they’d like to live to be 100, you’d probably get mixed answers. Some might say, “Sure, the longer the better.” But just as many would be afraid to live that long, concerned about frailty and poor health. Yet in Japan, centenarians are thriving thanks to these longevity hacks…

Your breakfast can send you on the blood sugar equivalent of Magic Mountain, where you spend your day experiencing spikes and dips that leave you feeling weak, irritable and downright bad. Or it can send you on a smooth ride down the lazy river. The choice is up to you. But if the second option sounds better, eat this…

If you have any of the following 10 cancer symptoms or signs, be sure to consult a physician. It may prove to be nothing at all or something other than cancer. But at least you and your family will know what you are up against and you can take the steps to manage it.

While some groups recommend that all women, no matter their age, get a yearly mammogram, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that once you hit 74, screening can stop for good. But, is that true? And, if you should continue to be screened, is traditional mammography your best choice?

Blood pressure, especially systolic (the top number) naturally creeps up as arteries stiffen with age, raising the risk for heart attack, kidney damage, and even cognitive problems. But what if there was something easy that only took 5 minutes a day to bring it way down, without breaking a sweat?

Headlines report that type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. What’s equally concerning is people with prediabetes who don’t know their risk. But even worse than that (and yes, it gets far worse), there are human timebombs among us who think they are just fine because their diabetes test was WRONG…

Your body runs on hormones. They are the “chemical messengers” that make things happen, like controlling your body temperature, your moods, your sex drive, your sleep patterns, and your immunity against disease. Most people think of insulin as the hormone associated with diabetes. But that’s cutting it short…

Bacteria that live on your skin can also cause serious problems. They can put you at risk for painful, even dangerous, life-threatening infections from drug-resistant superbugs. Luckily, recommendations from a 16th-century text on Traditional Chinese Medicine may have the answer to fighting off skin pathogens…

Plastic water bottles make me think of chemicals leaching into every sip, even though most are supposedly BPA-free now. That might make some people feel better, but I hate to be the bearer of more bad news about America’s love affair with bottled water… If you’re drinking them, I’d have to ask you: what’s your poison?

It’s become a fact of life that being a caregiver, whether it’s for an elderly parent or a spouse, takes a toll on your health, leading many people to fear becoming caregivers or to feel as if their health is doomed if it becomes necessary. But are the health dangers of caregiving real? The key to successful caregiving…

New cholesterol guidelines allow for a more “personalized” approach to drug therapy, which could allow some patients to reduce the number of drugs they are taking (a good thing), though some will end up on more (not so great). But what these experts left out underscores how badly they’re failing at helping people achieve optimal levels…

In recent years, a certain cruciferous vegetable has risen to the top of the pile as a superfood. It’s been hailed as one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. In other words, it’s got a ton of nutritional value but few calories. But there are two problems… one involves your thyroid, and the other is a scary cancer threat…

Getting the news you have Parkinson’s can be hard on your bearings. Even if things weren’t looking good and you expected the diagnosis. Because a progressive nervous system disorder affects movement, exercise is a good recommendation because it can help slow disease progression. But the right exercise carries even bigger benefits…

There are a lot of downsides to having migraines…They’re painful and nauseating. They prevent you from going to work and having fun with friends. They increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, depression and anxiety. But what if I told you there’s at least one upside…

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…