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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…

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the No. 1 cause of death worldwide. And though we’re familiar with the three main risk factors for CVD — high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking — research has uncovered another, less-obvious factor that can double your risk for heart trouble…

If you have high blood pressure, you know it’s tough to get your readings down to normal levels, even with medication. One popular food known for health benefits could tank it by 7 points…

We’ll do just about anything we can to extend our lifespan, whether it’s following an anti-aging diet or exercise regimen — or as involved as using hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In all those efforts, there’s one goal scientists continue to chase: the ability to swallow one pill to stop aging. And they are inching ever closer…

Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is similar to coronary artery disease. Both involve a buildup of plaque inside the arteries, which slows the flow of blood that nourishes all parts of the body and increases risk for blood clots. Scary thing is, it’s considered a “silent disease.” Here’s what to watch for…

Saying the word “menopause” immediately conjures up images of hot flashes, night sweats and bones becoming frail and prone to fracture. However, while menopause isn’t always a walk in the park, everything post menopause isn’t always bad news…

More evidence is stacking up that, when it comes to keeping your brain at its best, what you eat counts. According to research that spanned 12 years, there are eight foods you’ll want to make a part of your regular diet if you want to ward off cognitive impairment and dementia as you age — and one to avoid like the plague…

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms affecting one-third of American adults that increases risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. If you have excess belly fat, high cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, you may be one of them. If you’ve got 10 hours, you can turn it around before it’s too late.

As you get older, the size of a certain vital organ becomes more and more important — your brain. That’s because, typically, the older you get, the smaller your brain volume gets. And if this shrinkage gets too out of hand, you end up with a serious cognitive impairment like dementia.

By definition an autoimmune disorder is one in which your own immune system goes haywire, attacking the healthy tissue in your body, causing the disease. MS is one such disease. New research shows its symptoms may be improved and progress prossibly slowed with a change of temperature. Here’s why…

If you want to love your skin, it makes sense that improving circulation will help. It is, after all, considered your largest organ. So that means there is a lot of territory to cover and you want all of it to benefit from the oxygen and nutrients your blood carries to your skin cells…

Most people who have a hiatal hernia don’t have any symptoms at first. However, a more severe or untreated hiatal hernia will often lead to another condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Left untreated, you could be in for quite a few complications…

These foods can boost your testosterone levels and nitric oxide levels, resulting in better erectile function without exposing you to the dangers of erectile dysfunction drugs.

We use more than a billion pounds of pesticides per year in the U.S. alone. While we’d all like to think pesticides don’t affect the people, animals and plants they’re not intended for, we know better. Those chemicals move and drift…and find their way into your home. Here’s where to look…

It’s long been known that exercise has a positive impact on your brain and your memory. It decreases your risk of Alzheimer’s and can even slow cognitive decline. If you don’t move, your temporal lobe is doomed. So what about these other positions…

Hypertension is scary, especially if your blood pressure is what they call “resistant.” That means adhering to a combination of at least three antihypertensive medications of different classes, which usually includes a diuretic. This post is for you…

Macular degeneration is an eye disease that causes more blindness than glaucoma and cataracts combined. More than ten million Americans have it. The reason so many of us do could be the standard American diet. Because compelling research shows another much healthier diet could stop this sight-stealer in its tracks.

Should you head to the doctor at the first sign you’re sick, fill your prescription and start popping the pills they give you? You might want to think twice. Scientists are looking at what they do to your gut, and it turns out antibiotic use can cause permanent change in your gut and lead to serious problems.

It’s easy to turn your nose up at plastic surgery when you’re young. But as you get older, a little surgical help starts to get more tempting. But before you make any serious decisions, here’s something you need to know… There’s one cosmetic procedure that causes a sky-high risk of autoimmune disorders in women.

Gratitude is a powerful social emotion; a deep feeling of thankfulness, one that has long reaching benefits for wellness and quality of life. And multiple studies show that aside from being a socially favorable way to be with others, it has powerful effects on your health…

Back pain is common across all ages, genders and socioeconomic groups. But, if you’re a woman age 40 to 80, your odds of suffering are the highest of any group. But more concerning is that back pain may be shortening your life. Here are three signs to look for and steps to take if you’re in pain…

Deep pressure therapy simulates hugs, cuddling, swaddling, and holding — all things we’ve been trained from a young age to enjoy. When someone we love hugs us or hold us, we feel safe, calm and relaxed. And that’s likely why pressure can relieve anxiety and help you sleep…

By now, the health benefits of coffee are indisputable, offering protection from heart disease to cancer. But if you want to use coffee for its brain benefits, there’s something you need to know: Not all coffee provides equally effective protection. It depends on the roast…

Let’s face it: it’s all too easy to stop following an exercise program when the weather turns cold. Even knowing it’s the best way to stave off cancer, heart disease and diabetes won’t help you hit the ground running when the temps are frigid, unless you have a few tricks up your sleeve…

Do you know why your memory starts to slip as you get older? Immune cells in the brain known as microglia become inflamed and release chemicals that interfere with cognitive and motor function. This leads to cognitive decline. But there’s a simple way to cool this brain-harming inflammation…

In the U.S., each year over half a million people have knee surgery. During the time following surgery when you can’t move around, there’s a big risk of developing a deadly blood clot. Blood thinners carry side effects as scary as a blood clot itself, and aspirin has been called “risky.” What can you do?

Leaky gut is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a condition in which the lining of your gut becomes too permeable, allowing particles that should remain in your digestive tract to cross into your other tissues. But besides making you sick, it’s making you old. Here’s how to stop it…

What do we know about estrogen in men? We know a lot… unfortunately, because more than just tanking men’s testosterone levels, estrogen excess can lead to some serious health problems. That’s why it’s important to know symptoms, why it develops, its associated health risks… 

Some strange things can start happening to your skin once you’ve reached your fifth or sixth decade of life. Here are eight skin changes that men and women may observe as we get older, what to expect to see and what to do about them…

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. An important factor is arterial stiffness because the less flexible your arteries are (and the higher your pulse wave velocity), the higher your risk of heart disease and death. But scientists have shown this vitamin is a big help…

Every 19 minutes someone over 65 dies from a fall, making falls the leading cause of death in this age group. But, what puts you at risk? And why are you more likely to fall as you age? Well, according to new research it goes beyond balance — especially for women….

The shower is a warm, happy place. But it can be a dangerous place too. And I’m not referring to your risk of slipping and falling. I’m talking about that dangerous showerhead hanging over your head… a breeding ground for hazardous bacteria that can cause a serious infection.

A new study shows that there’s a causal link between a virus that affects almost 80 percent of the adult population and Alzheimer’s. That’s a scary thought, but not all bad news: If Alzheimer’s is caused by a virus, that means there are new options for treatment…

For years there’s been a debate about nuts. On one side, experts have claimed that nuts are good for you and you should eat them daily. While the other side has said that nuts are high in fat, healthy or not, and will lead to weight gain. So, who’s right? Who do you believe?

It’s no secret that the FDA has an alliance with major drug companies. But did you know that there’s a secret “back door” to the FDA that is allowing drug companies to remove natural supplements from the market for sole use in their drugs? Here’s how it’s happened right under our noses…

There’s tired… and then there’s the kind of fatigue that makes you feel like just getting out of bed is an impossible task. Luckily, there’s hope. Researchers have discovered a connection between low levels of thyroid hormones and chronic fatigue syndrome that could make all the difference.

Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure? Maybe you were even prescribed that scary drug they found could cause cancer (remember the recall?). What if you didn’t really have high blood pressure at all. What if your doctor made a mistake? It happens more often than you’d think…

Depression makes you want junk food. But research shows junk food makes you more depressed. So, you just keep digging yourself deeper and deeper. There’s one type of food that drives the junk food blues more than any other. But there’s one food that can turn the junk food blues around…

If you have cholesterol problems, medication can often just add fuel to the fire. That’s because statin drugs come with more than enough of their own risks, including liver damage, blood sugar problems and neurological damage. But a new oil on the block may be exactly what you need…

If you’ve been wondering what the best exercise may be, you may have found it… especially if your goals are to slash your risk of disease, kickstart your metabolism, reduce your bad cholesterol and quench heart-harming inflammation. It all comes down to what endurance training does for your gut.