Latest Stories

Listening to music you’ve loved all your life can do more than make you feel good. People experiencing mild cognitive impairment or even early-stage Alzheimer’s symptoms can listen to music and re-shape their brains to prevent a progression. But not just any music will do…

Trehalose is used to sweeten and extend the shelf life of products, It’s in in everything from gum to nutrition bars. But when you eat foods with trehalose, it’s like scattering birdseed to attract birds to your yard. Except in this case, you’re feeding deadly bacteria and inviting it to thrive in your gut.

High blood pressure. High cholesterol. Diabetes. These are all major risk factors for heart disease. But more and more research is pointing to another candidate that may be a bigger trigger for heart attack than any of these well-known factors.

The mouth can be a gateway for all kinds of viruses, including the one that causes COVID-19. And now, researchers have discovered how keeping your mouth healthy can help defend against these viruses — and how letting your oral health lapse can reduce that protection…

Wearing face masks hasn’t gotten easier. Some of us experience skin rashes. They make our noses itch. And it feels like it’s harder to breathe. But if you wear glasses you have to deal with another problem: foggy glasses. And people are reaching for a solution that can lead to impaired thyroid and immune function down the road…

It’s no secret that olive oil is a heart-healthy alternative. But the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health says it can do even more. How do they know? They followed 92,000 people for 28 years and the results are too good to pass up…

Until about a decade ago, scientists believed we had a finite number of brain cells that could not be replaced, and that, over time, we continue to lose those brain cells. We now understand they can, in fact, regenerate themselves — and have identified the most significant source of their destruction…

It never hurts to take extra precaution, especially when it comes to the flu. And we have an new reason too, that surprisingly isn’t due to COVID-19. It has to do with common medications found to amplify or dampen how your body reacts to a flu infection.

With the global incidence of dementia expected to double every 20 years, combatting cognitive decline has become serious business for researchers. If you’re ready to get just as serious, they’ve found a simple step to grow your white matter day by day.

Cannabis has been making big news for its health potential over the last few years. So much so, it’s practically mainstream. However, despite all the interest, there may be a catch… or two or three to know before you decide if it’s for you or not.

It’s always a good thing to include fruit in your diet. Most of us don’t eat enough of it, but now we’ve certainly got more reason to — especially when it comes to grapes and the special effect they have on gut bacteria.

We often forget that Mother Nature’s medicine cabinet often holds the answer to so many of the illnesses that we suffer from. The latest: two popular Italian herbs that could go from farm to table to cancer treatment…

We tend to see phytic acid as something to avoid because of its reputation as an antinutrient. But this plant-based substance isn’t all bad. In fact, it has some health benefits that could offset its potential for causing mineral deficiencies. So let’s dig into the conundrum…

Chronic inflammation is linked to a host of problems, from obesity to autoimmune conditions to depression. So researchers are exploring ways to directly target inflammation in people at risk. It turns out a long-used ancient anti-inflammatory spice could help with these modern-day problems…

The connection between gum disease and more serious health problems is no secret. But recent large-scale research has painted a more comprehensive picture, and it’s not pretty. It’s time to stop thinking of the mouth as an independent system of its own…

If you’ve cracked open a magazine or gotten online, you’ve seen lots of terms you might chalk up to New Age fads or practices, like “self-care” and “mindfulness.” News flash: beyond helping with stress, one specific practice made improvements to women’s hearts that could be seen in their arteries…

Insulin resistance is when a body’s response to the hormone insulin is impaired and glucose in the blood cannot be used for energy. The next step is usually diabetes. Beans and legumes are great for people with insulin resistance, but black beans just may take the cake…

Chronic pain is a fact of life for over 20 percent of adults. And if you’re part of that one in five, you know just how much of an impact that pain can have on your ability to work, play and simply enjoy your life. But what if you could learn to “reframe your pain” to better manage it? Pain science says it works.

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. Many health conditions can increase risk for stroke including high blood pressure and diabetes, but when researchers looked closer, they found two common things happening in the hour before a stroke that pushed those risks over the edge.

We all need a good night’s sleep. That’s a gut feeling for most people. But sometimes discomfort within the gut is what hurts our ability to get deep, restful sleep. To make matters worse, it tuns out the process can occur in reverse: Sleep disorders are believed to trigger the stomach, too…

Science has discovered how to go beyond chronological age (the number of years you’ve lived) to measure biological age (the rate at which your cells age) using epigenetic clocks. They track chemical changes in DNA that not only helps predict health but also lifespan. And they’re finding too many of us aging faster thanks to the same culprit…

Which is worse for your heart: an egg or a hot dog? Think about it. Since the amount of cholesterol in a food doesn’t always correlate with raising your cholesterol, which high cholesterol foods are the worst culprits for elevating bad cholesterol levels? The doctor says it’s these four…

While most men with prostate cancer recover completely, the outlook is grim for the handful diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease. But research has identified three molecules — and the foods they come from — showing that the place to start to change your fate is your gut…

There’s growing evidence that many of the worst and most chronic diseases, including coronary artery disease, diabetes and even Alzheimer’s may be riding the same steed: inflammation. But there’s a simple, non-medicated fix that works so well at dousing it, you can see the proof in your blood work…

Some experts have said that at least 31 percent of the cardiovascular disease burden in the world could be avoided if environmental pollutants were eliminated. So when researchers looked at the association between toxic heavy metals and the body’s major arteries, they were shocked, but not surprised…

Hardening of the arteries is a dangerous factor that can increase a person’s risk for stroke. It’s associated with chronic inflammation that damages blood vessels and hinders self-repair from mechanisms called resolvins. That’s where omega-3s come into the picture…

Fatty liver disease isn’t new. What is new is learning its impact on metabolic health is so strong it’s now called Metabolic-associated liver disease, and that with every breath you take, you’re increasing your odds of the most common indication for liver transplantation. Start here to reduce your risks…

Are you a label reader? Do you review the fat content of almost every product before adding it to your grocery cart? We’re not judging but we do want to share some new evidence that will blow all your concerns about saturated fats and heart trouble out of the water — and make life easier…

Winter is here, and you know what that means: Your chances of getting sick and ending up with pneumonia are higher than at any other time of the year. And if you still haven’t gotten the message about the harms of a couch potato lifestyle, you’re missing out on the easiest intervention that works across all age groups.

When it comes to your arteries, you want the consistency of a wet noodle, not an uncooked piece of pasta. Otherwise your risks go up for heart problems. Yet, age isn’t the only thing that can stiffen our arteries. From birth control pills to menopause, women face a unique risk that can have serious consequences…

What if I told you that memory loss is not the first sign of Alzheimer’s? And that once memory loss is present the damage is already done? In fact, researchers have discovered five early warning signs that you could be developing Alzheimer’s that have nothing at all to do with memory loss…

In recent decades, we’ve done a good job of reducing lead in our homes. Paint and pipes (in newer homes at least) are pretty much lead free. But several popular spices resting innocently in your spice rack could still be increasing your lead exposure…

If you live in a house with stairs, you’ve probably been missing out on a daily opportunity to strengthen your heart and lungs, keep your weight down, and stretch your muscles. Studies have shown how this deceptively simple form of aerobic exercise benefits all aspects of our health.

Picture your life in 20 years. What do you want it to look like? I bet you don’t want to see yourself being cared for by someone else because your brain’s too feeble. To improve your odds of keeping your cognitive health intact 20 years from now, I have a suggestion for you…

Did you know that there are special cells in your eyes that have nothing to do with sight? They’re in charge of your internal sleep-wake clock. When the work of those special eye cells are disrupted, it can wreak havoc with your health in the form of cancer, diabetes and obesity…

Depression can strike at any time but during the holidays, depression rates can soar. And if you have to celebrate long distance, or are unable to share the same space with family and friends for whatever reason, the holidays can certainly seem less merry and bright. Luckily, technology can bring you together…

Green, leafy vegetables are probably the best things you can include in your daily diet. But there are probably more green, leafy choices than you’re aware of, each with its own merits, distinctive flavor and texture. Here’s a primer on the nutrient value and benefits of my favorite six…

By now we all know that a sedentary lifestyle is one of the largest risk factors for a plethora of dangerous health conditions — especially diabetes. But how can you fit enough activity into each day to reduce your threat? It’s not easy… but if you get creative, a little movement will go a long way…

Aging is inevitable but age-related decline is not. The latter is set off by the the decline of detoxification pathways linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other leading causes of death and disability. Because in response to toxins, your cells lose a significant amount of your body’s master antioxidant…

Research is pointing more and more to the health benefits of our favorite indulgence: Coffee. In fact, we’ve recently found there’s something special about your morning cup that works as a treatment for a distressing skin condition that has no cure…

Going through cancer treatment, the last thing on anyone’s mind is exercise. It’s hard enough to find the energy to make dinner, go to work, let alone hop on a treadmill. But here’s why abandoning exercise during cancer treatment is a big mistake…

It is probably the most widely studied and treated bacterium residing in half the population. It’s associated with gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. But doctors commonly rule it out when a patient has stomach pain. So is H. pylori really an infection?

I know a lot of people who use lavender to destress, yet I know just as many more who claim that essential oils don’t work and are all just a hoax. Well, the debate has finally been settled by science. So get ready to take a big whiff and feel the calm…

Everyone has their food weaknesses. Mine fall into the high-carb category. But I’m not worried anymore. Turns out we can all breathe a sigh of relief that we can potentially improve our aging brains by eating more carbs rather than less calories.

Genetic testing is considered the standard for predicting our likelihood of developing cancer, diabetes, coronary artery disease and other illnesses. But soon, there may be a far more precise and easy way to tell who’s at risk, and to keep people alive.

Genetically modified foods, designed to tolerate the carcinogenic pesticide Roundup, are pretty scary. But if you think the genetic engineering threat to your food stops there, you could be dead wrong. Especially if you enjoy potatoes…

Many cancer prevention and treatment plans promote low (or no) sugar diets. Cutting out sugar cuts out cancer’s energy supply, so tumors can’t grow. But here’s the problem… normal cells need glucose. So, you can’t deprive your body of sugars completely…

The more time you spend on Facebook, the more likely you are to be depressed. Does that mean you should deactivate your account and move to a mountaintop somewhere away from the trappings of modern technology? Not necessarily, just ditch these three bad habits…

As it gets colder, we spend more and more time indoors, snuggled in blankets or sitting in front of fireplaces. And the fact is, our efforts to keep warm and celebrate the winter holidays can pose some serious risks. Here are some fire-safe tips to help you enjoy your winter and holidays safely…

It’s not news that smoking is bad for you. A recent study found that long-term smokers are giving up ten years of their life. But which is worse for you, being a couch potato or smoking like a chimney? Several studies have looked into this, leading to some interesting findings…

A migraine with aura is when a change in your vision occurs right before the head pain begins, like flashes of light. blurry vision or even blind spots. Now, new research has linked this migraine symptom to an easy-to-miss heart problem that significantly increases your risk of stroke…

Eating greens is good for you. No one can deny that. But even greens — the healthiest food on the planet — aren’t perfect. At least not nowadays… Just recently we were all warned to throw out the romaine due to an E. coli outbreak. But there’s another reason to be careful…

Let’s face it… we all have those nights where bedtime’s closing in and we’re starving. But even though before bed snacking has gotten a bad rap, not all bedtime snacks are bad for you. One in particular may do the opposite of what you’ve been told — it may boost your metabolism and more!

When it comes to exercise, aerobic exercise, the kind that gets your heart rate up and blood pumping, has been considered the holy grail. After all, it does have some amazing benefits. But if you want to lower cholesterol, stroke and heart attack risk in less time, try this…

Singing releases endorphins, the brain’s “feel-good,” pain reducing chemical. Singing also releases oxytocin, a hormone which has been found to alleviate anxiety and stress. But that’s not all: Study after study reveals that singing in a group has multiple health benefits…

I often have patients come to me about visible signs of aging. After wrinkles and sagging skin, they’re most concerned about darkened spots and growths, and vascular skin blemishes. If you have these same concerns, I’d like to share with you how I help my patients…

By now you have probably read a lot about free radicals and how they are responsible for the disease and aging process. That’s because free radicals literally break down healthy cells — killing and mutating them. You fight them with antioxidants, but what if they’re outnumbered?

You wouldn’t think that having a big brain would be a bad thing… More brain cells. Possibly more intelligence. Sign me up! But just like more money means more problems, a bigger brain could set you up for a higher chance of something no one wants more of…

An optimum diet and exercise can protect your neuromuscular junction synapses from the wear and tear of aging. So, are you following an optimum diet and exercising daily? Don’t beat yourself up too much. There’s a nutrient that duplicates the effects without diet and lifestyle changes…

Night owls tend to be more creative and intelligent. They also have more mental stamina later in the day. That means they can burn the midnight oil to get stuff done, like homework, work or passion projects. But there’s one area where us early birds have a big advantage — health.