Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Virginia Tims-Lawson

What coffee can do about digestion, gallstones and your liver

Research is proving that coffee has more perks than ever previously thought. But there’s one negative holdover: Many people think coffee increases their intestinal problems, when that’s just not the case. A review of 194 research publications shows exactly what we mean…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Researchers weigh in on how to blast belly fat this Spring

Is one of your resolutions to lose some serious weight this year? But, will hitting the gym give you the results you want? And how much can you expect to lose and how long will it take? Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have all of these answers…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The sleep disorders that more than double heart dangers

What if you did something that doubled your risk of high blood pressure, made you 70 percent more likely to get cardiovascular disease and 47 percent more likely to die for any reason? You’d change your ways, right? It’s not so easy, but these are two sleep disorders to get very serious about…

Carolyn Gretton

Estrogen may give women the edge in COVID-19 survival

Is estrogen a woman’s superpower? It may be when it comes to surviving a run-in with COVID-19. Enough so that researchers are wondering if balancing the hormone can help older women who may be particularly vulnerable.

Margaret Cantwell

Vitamin D2 or D3: Proof one’s a dud and the other fights infection

Vitamin D is mired in controversy. Preventive medicine has always sung its praises, while scientists have been skeptical. But not anymore: Researchers have finally proven one form does next to nothing, while the right form fortifies the immune system and keeps infections away. What’s in your bottle?

Jenny Smiechowski

How to squeeze the most cataract-fighting lutein from spinach

Lutein is a super healthy carotenoid. It reduces the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts, as well as coronary heart disease, stroke and metabolic syndrome. It may even improve your cognitive health. Here’s how to get the most of it from a great source…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Fatigue: How to keep it from shortening your lifespan

Do you feel good about your energy levels or do you struggle to make it through daily activities, even ones you used to enjoy, ending up exhausted? Your answer could predict whether or not you’re going to live a long, healthy life or die within the next three years.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Death during sex: Not just a danger for older men

Sex isn’t just enjoyable. It relieves stress and boosts your immune system. But it’s not all rosy when it comes to what happens between the sheets. Sometimes people die during or shortly after sex due to sudden cardiac death. And it doesn’t just happen to older men…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

One thing diabetics should eat to bring BP, cholesterol, and fasting glucose down

If you have diabetes, you’d think that it would be enough that you have to deal with the disease itself and all of the symptoms it causes… But you’re wide open for hypertension and heart disease. Luckily, just one nutrient can help you fight three of your worst enemies and hold onto your health…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The Amazonian fruit offering hope against cancer

If there’s one thing most doctors would agree on it’s that the most difficult disease to treat has to be cancer. And while the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors has provided hope, there’s still room for improvement — and an Amazonia berry may be a key player.

Carolyn Gretton

How to get the most out of your N95 masks

As we’re coming out of the omicron wave, many places are beginning to lift mask mandates, but there are still areas where you may still need to wear a mask — like on public transit and airplanes, as well as in airports. That begs the question: How often can you reuse an N95 mask?

Joyce Hollman

The vitamin deficiencies making older adults depressed

Fatigue, memory problems, even walking difficulties all sound like problems to do with aging. So, when depression sets in, well, no wonder. But what if all of these are just symptoms of a simple vitamin deficiency?

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Frailty: The new #1 one risk factor for dementia

Too many believe dementia is a normal part of getting old, when in truth, losing your cognitive abilities is anything but. Even more shocking is that frailty can more than double your risk. That should make preventing old-age frailty a priority by following these steps…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

COVID’s Alzheimer’s-like damage on the brain

Brain fog, fatigue and other neurological and psychiatric symptoms of long COVID syndrome plague many survivors. But there may be more to deal with, including markers of brain damage normally seen with Alzheimer’s…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

‘Retinal age gap’: A window to how well you’re aging

Your eyes are the window to your soul. Now, research shows your eyes can tell even more. Comparing the age of your retina to your chronological age may present a powerful screening tool to see if you’re at a heightened risk for death.

Jenny Smiechowski

The chemicals seeping into your most sensitive areas

You may not know this, but a woman’s sensitive “private areas” are highly absorbent when it comes to chemicals. In fact, the rate of chemical absorption in your genitals is 300 times higher than in your feet. And a recent study shows that products like sanitary pads and diapers are seeping chemicals with consequences…

Joyce Hollman

Bitter is better when it comes to blood sugar

Including more vegetables in your diet is good for your health in innumerable ways. But not all vegetables are created equal. In fact, their taste can give people with type 2 diabetes a big clue as to which they should choose to better control metabolism and blood sugar levels.

Carolyn Gretton

Calcium, retinal blood flow and the connection to glaucoma

Glaucoma is a dreaded diagnosis that can lead to incurable blindness. That’s why researchers are continuing to study the mechanisms behind this disease to develop more effective treatments. And they may have found an intresting connection between calcium and retinal blood flow…

Joyce Hollman

Neuroplasticity: Shaping your brain for your best life

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and develop in response to our thoughts and feelings. One neuroscientist shows us how we can fight depression, reduce stress and anxiety and improve the quality of our lives by using a method that rewires the brain to better handle these challenges.

Joyce Hollman

How many years can a better diet add to your life?

Studies have shown that your diet can help change the genetic pathways that regulate metabolism and aging. But just how many years could you add to your life by eating differently? We’ve got the answer and more good news: You don’t have to make major changes….

Joyce Hollman

The ‘blue zone’ that defied COVID-19

If you ever needed an argument to believe that food is medicine, then this should get your attention: In a tale of two Japanese cities, one seems to have defied the worst of COVID-19, and doctors believe it comes down to their blue zone diet…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

3 ways to improve your carbon footprint and your health

Most of us would like to think that the food we eat isn’t just good for our health, but also our wallets and the environment. That’s not always the case. Here are 3 simple ways to hit all those bases without making drastic changes to your diet.

Carolyn Gretton

How you can tell your dog’s true age?

It’s an equation we’ve cited for decades: 1 dog year equals 7 human years. But the canine aging process isn’t quite that simple. Read on to discover how old your dog really is — and how you can make their life a long, healthy and happy one, since they bring so much to yours….

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to lessen the damage cancer treatment does to the heart

A cancer diagnosis is about the worst thing anyone could face, until the treatment starts. And the side effects from treatment don’t always end when the drugs do. In fact, one common side effect of cancer therapy that can be both long-term and extremely serious is heart damage.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Evidence long COVID zaps your cellular power generators

Long COVID can keep people from returning to living their normal lives. Researchers have struggled to find a commonality between the young and old, and mild and severe infections that result in it. Until they dug into the single source that supplies energy to every cell in the human body…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Even in brains riddled by Alzheimer’s, exercise helps memory

You’ll find that physical activity does everything from offering you a mood and energy boost to improving your sleep. Now, there’s one more reason to get active. Staying active as you age could be the key to saving your mind, even if Alzheimer’s is already there…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Got a muscle injury that needs healing fast? Avoid this

As we get older, it seems like the number of aches and pains we suffer, or muscles we pull, goes up, along with the time it takes to heal. And according to a study from a team of scientists at Tokyo Metropolitan University, something in your food could be making the situation worse…

Joyce Hollman

Do negative calorie foods exist?

A lot of diet “hacks” are touting the value of “negative-calorie” foods as an easy way to boost weight loss. But can eating more of them really help on the scales or are you punishing yourself? Here’s the skinny on negative calories…

Carolyn Gretton

Three seconds to stronger muscles? It’s not as crazy as it sounds

Fitness experts have focused in recent years on exercise programs that pack a lot of benefit into a short amount of time. They may have beaten an all-time record: a technique that improves strength in just a few seconds a day and may be the easiest way to avoid the ravages of aging.

Joyce Hollman

Chew slow and savor to burn calories

Diet-induced thermogenesis refers to the increase in metabolic rate that follows the ingestion of food. Turns out you can kick it up to enhance the energy expenditure associated with the metabolism of the food you eat. In other words, you can burn energy while you eat. Does it get any better?

Joyce Hollman

6 ways this forgotten health nut can improve your health

There are several health conditions you can improve by chomping on a few nuts. But are you limited to just almonds, walnuts or pistachios? Not at all! In fact you should eat a handful of this forgotten health nut every day. Now, here’s how they can help…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The low-carb link to heart problems

The low-carb diet I love could be dangerous for my heart. It’s important to weigh the risks and benefits of going low-carb. It’s not an easy decision, and each low-carb dieter has to decide what’s best for them.

Jenny Smiechowski

Tired of antibiotics in your food? Oranges are next

In case you haven’t heard, citrus trees in Florida have been struggling with a bacterial disease called citrus greening. That means the citrus industry has been struggling too. Citrus farmers are desperate. And you know the saying: Desperate times call for desperate measures. Well, that includes widespread use of antibiotics in your oranges.

Jenny Smiechowski

The surprising impact distant relatives with Alzheimer’s have on your risk

It’s common knowledge that if someone in your immediate family (like your mom, dad or siblings) has Alzheimer’s, you have a higher risk of the disease. But things get a little murkier when it comes to aunts, grandparents and so on. These numbers will get you serious about avoiding the disease.

Jenny Smiechowski

Treating this common eye condition might cure your migraines

Now, the exact cause of migraines is still a mystery. But all these eye-related symptoms make you wonder… Is the answer to migraines in the eye? It could be. In fact, a new study shows that migraines are closely connected to one eye condition in particular…

Joyce Hollman

Let this oil flow once a week for better blood flow

Heart disease is still the number one cause of death among adults in the United States. But there’s some advice that could keep you from being one of them. It turns out that for good blood flow, you need to let the oil flow. What kind? The one shown to reduce heart attack risk by 30 percent…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to use bedtime snacking to grow more muscle

No matter how much I worked out, or how many weights I lifted, that muscle tone I’m so envious of remained elusive. But, it’s an easy fix. It turns out I was eating wrong — or more accurately — not eating at a particular time of the day that can spur muscle growth for bigger gains.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What Yo-Yo dieting does to your heart

New Research shows that yo-yo dieting may make it harder for women to control a variety of heart disease risk factors, leaving them in danger. And, considering that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women across the world, this is a serious issue you should know about…

Dr. Michael Cutler

Cinnamon: The super antioxidant-rich disease-fighting spice

Did you know that more herbs are among the foods with highest antioxidant value? And one of my favorites is right up there near the top… cinnamon. You might be pleasantly surprised to see what science has to say about cinnamon and Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer and blood sugar…

Joyce Hollman

How mouthwash raises your blood pressure

Have you heard the expression, “throwing the baby out with the bath water”? It means getting rid of what’s good, along with what’s bad. This happens a lot when it comes to things we do and use that are supposed to make us healthier… like gargling with mouthwash.

Jenny Smiechowski

The vegetables that slash colorectal cancer risk 79 percent

No one should ever let the fear of bad breath keep them away from garlic too often. That’s because allium vegetables could have a valuable service to offer: cancer protection. And the more you eat, the better. You could cut your colorectal cancer risk a whopping 79 percent!

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The inactive ingredients in pills that trigger allergies

Do you have a food allergy or sensitivity? If so, you know some can be quite uncomfortable and others, quite dangerous. So if you had a problem with gluten, lactose or peanuts, you’d never expect to find anything like that in your medication, right? Think again…

Joyce Hollman

Is ‘meat glue’ causing your digestive problems?

Have you heard of “meat glue?” Yes, you read that right… It’s an additive that showing up in everything from meat to dairy, and even baked goods. Its purpose is also to bind proteins together, giving products a better texture and longer shelf life. Here’s how it can make you sick…

Jenny Smiechowski

Waiting till middle age to get fit can still get you the benefits of a 20-something

We all made mistakes in our youth… But don’t get down on your younger self too much, especially if you neglected exercising because you had something better to do. There’s strong evidence that even if you lived a less-than-healthy lifestyle in your youth, you can make up for it later…

Jenny Smiechowski

Which diet offers better dementia prevention?

There’s a question that’s probably at the top of your mind, because it could save it: What diet provides the best dementia protection? Several studies found the Mediterranean diet reduces Alzheimer’s risk. But recently, it’s gotten stiff competition from a diet designed specifically with brain health in mind.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Vaping practically as bad for your heart as smoking

While many hail e-cigarettes for reducing the risks of traditional cigarettes, new warnings are also sounding. Research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 68th Annual Scientific Session has shed some light on the heart dangers associated with e-cigarettes…

Jenny Smiechowski

34 health problems fueled by junk food

Here’s an exciting statistic: The CDC reports that roughly 70 percent of annual deaths are due to chronic diseases. I know what you’re thinking… “That’s sad, not exciting. What the heck is wrong with you?” Here’s why I think it’s exciting… You have the power to prevent them!

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

How meds put your health in a ‘chicken and the egg’ loop

Are you on so many medications because you feel so sick? Or do you feel so sick because you’re on so many medications? At some point, the line between the chicken and egg scenario can get pretty blurry.

Joyce Hollman

How dangerous are the unregulated ingredients in your makeup and shampoo?

What if I told you that there’s a group of products in your home that are completely unregulated for safety. The average teen girl uses no less than fourteen of these products every day. But teens are not the only ones in danger. Neither are women. Here’s how to protect yourself…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Can you measure the health benefits of your social life?

Would you like to be that person who’s still active, engaged and sharp at 100 years old, living independently and enjoying time with the great grandkids? If you’re a social butterfly, you’re half way there. And now, a new study has figured out why — by measuring the benefits of being social.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Scientists warn ‘allergy’ danger from ticks is greater than expected

If you’ve ever been bitten by a tick, you know concerns include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, Ehrlichia and Powassan disease. And now, the potential for a weird allergy that may be a bigger threat than first thought…

Joyce Hollman

9+ amazing phytonutrients and why you should eat them every day

Phytonutrients are simply chemicals produced by plants that afford them protection. But luckily for us, phytonutrients can boost our immunity, improve our digestion, repair DNA damage from toxin exposure, and even prevent cancer. Here’s 9 and how they help…

Jenny Smiechowski

The mineral that might replace antibiotics to treat UTIs

For many women, UTIs become chronic… which means taking antibiotics does too. But those drugs are becoming resistant. What better reasons to find a new treatment for UTIs. And researchers from the University of Queensland may have done just that…

Jenny Smiechowski

How dental plaque bacteria fuels aggressive colorectal cancer

Certain bacterial strains may make cancer more aggressive. Unfortunately, there’s a common oral bacteria that has this exact effect on colorectal cancer… People with this bacterium in their body are not only more likely to get colorectal cancer, it’s likely to be aggressive and deadly…

Dr. Michael Cutler

What the doctor wants you to know about ginger’s benefits

Research has markedly increased in studying ginger and the various components behind its health benefits. No wonder, since it has a reputation for healing that goes back more than 3,000 years! How can you separate fact from fiction? See what the doctor has to say…

Joyce Hollman

No time for the gym? Housework could save your life

A recent study showed that a quarter of all Americans sit for more than eight hours a day. The result: obesity, a heart muscle that isn’t exercised, brittle bones and more. Does that mean you’re doomed if you can’t make it to the gym or workout regularly? Maybe not… How tidy is your home?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What you should know about resistant hypertension

For most people, making healthy lifestyle changes and possibly adding in a prescription medication is enough to optimize their blood pressure and keep them out of the danger zone. However, if you fit into any of these categories, resistant hypertension could be the problem:

Jedha Dening

4 natural (and safe!) reflux remedies

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, is a condition where stomach acid splashes up into the esophagus. Luckily, there are a variety of simple remedies that can help put out the fire naturally…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

6 ways to alkalize for a disease-fighting body

While it’s easy to become acidic, especially if you eat a standard Western diet, controlling your body’s pH and alkalize your system is in your hands. If you want to raise your pH and use the power of alkalinity to detoxify and help your body fight off disease, here are the six easiest ways.

Joyce Hollman

The FDA isn’t done trying to take away your supplements

The supplement industry is growing bigger and healthier, and Big Pharma can’t get its hands on the profits. So, along with the FDA, they are doing the next best thing for them: Holding supplements to ridiculous regulations the likes of which their deadly meds and schemes received a “pass” on…

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