Latest Stories

Latest Stories

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….

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?

Carolyn Gretton

How heart disease can set you up for Alzheimer’s

If you have heart disease, your risks for other conditions are higher, including Alzheimer’s. That’s because circulation problems lead to brain dysfunction. The surprise is how early it harms the brain and how it can triple those telltale plaques directly associated with Alzheimer’s…

Joyce Hollman

Myopia epidemic: Why nearsightedness is on the rise

Experts are warning of an emerging ‘epidemic’ of myopia after observing sharp increases in the number of adult-onset cases of nearsightedness among late baby boomers. What gives and is there anything you can do about it?

Joyce Hollman

Amplify broccoli’s superpowers without having to eat it raw

Broccoli has established itself as a “superfood.” It contains a compound called sulforaphane with an amazing reputation. But you’ll need to eat your broccoli in a particular way so sulforaphane can do all the great things it has the potential to do for you — and believe me, it’s worth the extra trouble…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Boosting testosterone could help men ward off type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is considered the most preventable disease of all, yet blood sugar problems are at epidemic proportions. The question is, with rates skyrocketing, how do you avoid becoming another statistic? The key could lie in your hormones…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

One more reason to give up bottled water: Your gut

Microplastics have now invaded every corner of our planet, compromising our food supply and flooding our once pristine oceans. You may be concerned about their effects on the environment, but it’s your gut you really need to worry about…

Jonathan Sharp

Benzene: What to know and how to avoid tainted sunscreen

Benzene is an industrial chemical and a known human carcinogen. It would be natural to think it has no place in consumer products such as sunscreen. So you might be asking yourself how it made its way into these affected products and what you can do to protect yourself…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why nuts are a breast cancer survivor’s best friend

Breast cancer isn’t just the most common cancer among women in the United States. It’s also the second leading cause of death. For survivors, recurrence is a nagging fear. But a new tool with significant clout takes that risk way down…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Understanding brown fat and its weight-loss advantage

At any given time in the United States, nearly half of us are trying to lose weight. And though the young and older among us are at it too, middle-aged adults edge out others as those persistently trying to lose a few pounds. Is it because during middle age it’s harder? Not if you take this weight loss advantage…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Even in Alzheimer’s, omega-3s may preserve memory function

There’s no shortage of advice on lifestyle factors, including diet and nutrition, to support healthy brain functions. But what about a brain that’s already in cognitive decline? Research shows there’s still much hope…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Diabetics with a high risk for heart problems are getting left behind

Blood sugar problems and heart problems go hand in hand. But many people are being left in the dark when it comes to treatment to help them avoid the danger. If you’re one of them, this is for you…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

4 ways to decrease binge-watching’s blood clot danger

One thing most of us can agree about when it comes to the pandemic is that we’re all binge-watching a lot more television. And that’s a big problem. In fact, it’s a big 35 percent risk increase for fatal blood clot. Here are four easy steps to bring it down…

Dr. Mark Wiley

The tea that helps you drop pounds, cholesterol points and blood sugar levels

Pu-erh is in a category of its own because of its special post-fermentation process. It makes pu-erh at once unique in flavor but different in its chemical composition, thus lending itself to delivering potent healing properties documented in numerous published clinical studies. I think it’s tea time…

Carolyn Gretton

Want cancer protection? Magnesium levels matter

Magnesium is a critical mineral for hundreds of bodily processes. Now, researchers are exploring exactly how magnesium may help defend the body from cancer — and they’ve discovered it has to do with the immune system…

Joyce Hollman

Why the link between cataract surgery and decreased dementia?

What if lowering your dementia risk was as simple as improving your vision? Research shows that people who’ve undergone cataract surgery can lower their dementia risk by thirty percent. But what’s the connection and what can you do to help your eyes and your brain?

Carolyn Gretton

Hygge: The excuse you needed to cozy up for your well-being

There’s no question we’re living in chaotic times. And it’s sent our stress levels into the stratosphere. One remedy can be found in a concept practiced in Demark to bring comfort, peace and relaxation to our physical and mental environments — and our well-being…

Jenny Smiechowski

The bigger this body part, the smaller your stroke risk

When if comes to body image, there are lots of body parts where size might matter. There’s one body part, though, where what really matters about its size isn’t so much for appearance’s sake, but what it might indicate about your risk for a potentially deadly event…

Jenny Smiechowski

The most critical habit for maintaining your brain power

Fortunately, most of us won’t get Alzheimer’s. But that doesn’t mean you get off scot-free. Many of us will develop some cognitive impairments as we age. So, what can you do to keep your cognitive abilities from slipping away? It’s simple, really…

Jenny Smiechowski

8 foods that could fuel MS flare-ups

As the years go on, we learn more and more about multiple sclerosis (MS). For a long time, scientists suspected that MS was caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. But did you know food allergies may be a major piece of the puzzle?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The controversial breakfast food that beats away diabetes risk

Can what you eat for breakfast really change your metabolic profile for the better, preventing the risk factors that lead to damaging blood sugar problems… and ultimately to type 2 diabetes? This food can, and that’s only the beginning…

Joyce Hollman

Is the secret to beating superbugs right under our feet?

Long before antibiotics, cultures around the world have used medicinal plants to treat bacterial infections. That’s a good thing, considering the rise of antibiotic resistance. But all along, a powerful bacteria killer has been hiding under our feet…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 full-body benefits of dancing

Hitting the dance floor (even in your own home) and boogying the night away (or the hour, or even just a few minutes) has been proven time and again to be one of the best things you can do for your health. Let’s take a look at just a few of the benefits dancing delivers…

Dr. Michael Cutler

Weird medical ‘food’ could be best treatment for gut conditions

As a former ulcerative colitis patient, I am very interested in ways to restore intestinal health. In 1997, I underwent drastic surgery for this condition. I’d like to be able to help others get relief without such extreme measures. That’s where SBI comes in…

Joyce Hollman

How your diabetes drug sets you up for heart attack

If you or someone you love is taking metformin for type 2 diabetes, it’s only a matter of time before a second-line drug will be necessary. But recent findings show that with some of these medications you’re jumping “out of the frying pan and into the fire.”

Joyce Hollman

9 times to listen to your body’s signals

Here are nine things you should never ignore, or chalk up to “nothing.” Go to your doctor and get them checked out. They could save you time and expense, and could quite possibly save your life.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The best nutrient for fighting autoimmune disease

Autoimmune disease is something that runs in my family… Over the years, we’ve tried everything from natural supplements to prescription drugs but as anyone with this type of disease knows, autoimmunity is difficult to defeat. Fortunately, a new study just might have the answer we’ve all been looking for…

Jenny Smiechowski

The simplest (and most entertaining) way to slash depression risk in half

The longer you’re on this earth, the more likely you are to experience depression. But there are plenty of ways to keep depression from dragging you down… including one super simple and entertaining habit you only need to practice once a month to feel better…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The diet that makes statins more effective

If you live with high cholesterol or heart disease, chances are your doctor has prescribed statins for you. But certain enzymes in your body might keep them from working. Luckily, a new study has the answer to boosting statin effectiveness.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

3 overlooked causes of erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction affects at least one in five men over 60. But, the more you know about what contributes to erectile dysfunction, the more you can do to prevent it. In fact, there are three often overlooked causes that could be fueling your bedroom boredom…

Joyce Hollman

What your nightmares reveal about your health

Which comes first, the nightmare or the illness? It’s hard to say. But one thing is certain: your dreams, particularly your nightmarish ones, are intimately connected with your health. If nightmares are disrupting your sleep, something else might be happening…

Jenny Smiechowski

The surprising heart disease danger as risky as smoking and obesity

Everyone knows that smoking and obesity put you at risk for heart disease. But before you pat yourself on the back for staying away from cigarettes and keeping your BMI low, there are two equally dangerous risk factors you might not have under control…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why back pain takes a bite out of your lifespan

There are a lot of ways to gauge how long you’re going to live… You can look at your family tree. You can take your lifestyle into account. If you’re eating well and exercising, the odds of a long life are in your favor. But what about the condition of your back?

Joyce Hollman

How to tell if you have a sugar allergy

There’s never been a question that sugar is at the root of metabolic syndrome  and diabetes. But even before it gets that bad, sugar is doing its dirty work in your body. You may be among those who have a sugar intolerance or, more rarely, a full-blown sugar allergy.

Joyce Hollman

How Big Pharma bribes you to keep taking their drugs

Most prescriptions are way too high. That’s why drug companies offer some incentive programs to help us afford their expensive medications. But insurance companies aren’t too happy with these financial incentives, and may soon put patients in a bad spot…

Jenny Smiechowski

The snack habit that sets you up for sun-damaged prematurely-aged skin

The genes that metabolize food so efficiently during the day don’t work that well at night. They think they’re off duty. That means late-night snacking could lead to metabolic imbalances and weight gain. But there’s more to the story than just that…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What sleep has to do with obesity

It’s no secret sleep is vital to your health. And now we know if you’re not getting it, you can’t control cravings, improve your metabolism or keep your blood pressure stabilized. No wonder it leads to diabetes and obesity…

Joyce Hollman

Is your doctor letting you ‘drug and drive’?

Nearly half of all older adults are using seven or more prescription medications that could impair their driving ability — making them dangerous not only to themselves, but to others. Are you one of these people? It’s not something your doctor always catches…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What to know about colonoscopies and cancer risk

No one looks forward to a colonoscopy. After all, the prep that keeps you running for the bathroom, not to mention having a scope inserted into your, well… bottom. If you’re overdue and not sure about going through with it, this may help make up your mind…

Jenny Smiechowski

The common antibiotics that double your risk of aortic aneurysm

Antibiotics have risks. But in many cases the benefits far outweigh those risks… Except when they’re prescribed for a virus, or as “preventative,” or especially when they put you at risk for a serious and potentially deadly aortic aneurysm…

Dr. Michael Cutler

The side-effects of cannabis they don’t talk about

Despite the fact that cannabis is legal in more states and perceived to be harmless for recreational use, newer evidence has emerged showing that regular heavy use of cannabis causes a number of adverse health effects. Let’s review them…

Joyce Hollman

3 weird signs that indicate winter dehydration

Surprisingly, many experts consider the risk of dehydration higher in winter than in the hot summer months. Your body operates differently in the colder months, and its priorities may not be focused on keeping you hydrated. Here are the odd signs to look for…

Margaret Cantwell

The one time sitting doesn’t harm your health

You’ve probably heard and read that sitting seriously sabotages your heart health, and it may even double your heart disease risk. But that’s not always the case. There’s one instance when sitting is actually great for your heart…

Joyce Hollman

5 life-saving banana benefits (slideshow)

Bananas are high in potassium, a mineral that plays a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy heart. Without enough of this mineral, your heart and arteries simply cannot function the way they’re supposed to.

Joyce Hollman

How vitamin C helps shield you from toxin exposure

So the verdict is in. Glyphosate, the toxic weedkiller in Roundup causes cancer. It wreaks damage by depleting the body’s supply of its “master antioxidant,” glutathione. But in high enough doses, a common vitamin has been shown to reverse the depletion of glutathione caused by glyphosate…

Jenny Smiechowski

The simple test that reveals your brain’s health

It’s scary to think that dementia could be brewing in your brain without even realizing it. But there’s plenty you can do to protect your brain health. And there may even be a simple way to gauge how healthy your brain is right now without expensive brain scans.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The ‘tree spinach’ that fights fatty liver like a drug

When people think about what carrying extra weight around does to their body, they often forget about their liver. But even if you’re skinny, you’re not home free from fatty liver disease. Either way, there are a few things to add to your diet that can protect this vital organ.

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