Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

How nighttime workouts impact your sleep

When it comes to your health, there are few things exercise can’t improve. It’s great for your muscles, bones, heart, brain and weight. Exercise also can even help you sleep better — as long as you stick to this golden rule that’s entirely about the one time of day to avoid exercise…

Joyce Hollman

The drink that lowers stroke risk in 3 cups a day

Images of the hearts of heavy, moderate, and light coffee drinkers reveal that people who drank coffee daily had hearts that were of a healthier size, and that functioned more efficiently. But it was the association between habitual coffee intake and the incidence of heart attack, stroke, and death that really raised eyebrows…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Diet soda’s weird side effect that unfairly targets women

If you’re trying to maintain a certain weight or lose a few pounds, you may be relying on diet drinks to reduce the number of calories you consume. But in a sick twist of fate, those drinks may do the opposite, especially for women who seem to be the target of a newly discovered side effect of artificially sweetened drinks…

Joyce Hollman

10 heart symptoms you should never ignore

The image most people have of a heart attack comes from the movies. Suddenly and without warning, someone clutches their chest, moans, and falls to the ground, dead. But that cinematic version of a heart attack is misleading. Often there are signs that, if caught early enough, can turn that bad ending around.

Margaret Cantwell

Why I’m glad I started supplementing my amino acids

I’d been hearing about amino acids for a while, mainly in the context of athletic performance. I’m not a triathlete or marathon runner, so I didn’t think they held any value for me. Boy was I wrong. Amino acids are the catalyst for nearly every physiological function that occurs in the body. Think energy, hormones, metabolism, sleep, cognition and more…. see what I mean?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The two-step approach to beating resistant hypertension

For reasons doctors aren’t exactly sure about, some people with high blood pressure don’t respond as well to medication. Their hypertension is called “resistant.” Does that mean you’re at the end of the rope? Not at all. But you may have to work harder at it by going for a two-punch combo to bring it down…

Joyce Hollman

Winter squash: Time to eat this ‘Blue Zone’ food now

Fall is a great time to try all the nutritious varieties of squash. Whether you pick acorn, butternut, or Japanese Kabocha, you’ll be getting your fill of fiber, vitamins, and carotenoids, with few calories and a low carb content. Best of all you may get a life-lengthening boost from this popular ‘blue zone’ superfood!

Carolyn Gretton

The sudden, deadly potential of sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea doesn’t just steal sleep. It can wreak havoc with the heart, leading to problems like metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, stroke and type 2 diabetes. It’s certainly a condition to take seriously, especially now that we know it can double the risk of sudden death…

Joyce Hollman

12 habits that pack on dangerous belly fat

Not all fat is created equal. Belly fat, also called visceral fat, causes unhealthy chemical reactions in your body. Fat around your midsection puts you at greater risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke than being obese or overweight. To lower your risks, ditch these 12 habits…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to triple your exercise benefits

Exercise is key for good health. But while some studies indicate walking does the trick, others suggest high-intensity interval training is the way to go. And what about the time you spend sitting? Can exercise counter those consequences? Here are the answers to all these questions and more, including what exercise boosts your fitness level three times as much.

Joyce Hollman

10 reasons to eat potatoes

Potatoes have a reputation as a food that’s generally not so healthy. In all honesty, this is based on some of the ways we prefer to eat them. From french fries and mashed potatoes to chips, we’re responsible for sucking the nutrition right out of what could be considered a super supplement growing right under our feet…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

CBD’s Pac-Man-like effect on Alzheimer’s plaques

Plaques are a hallmark sign of Alzheimer’s disease that accumulate in the brain over time. While there are drugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, they don’t affect the pathophysiology of the disease at its source. But as research into CBD has revealed, there may be another way to halt the damage these plaques do…

Joyce Hollman

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reversed hallmarks of Alzheimer’s

HBOT treatment involves spending time in a special chamber, where air pressure levels are 1.5 to 3 times higher than average, breathing pure oxygen. The goal is to fill the blood with enough oxygen to repair tissues and restore normal body function. And that’s how it appears to have reversed the development of biological hallmarks that lead to Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The concern about high blood pressure and nighttime hot flashes

With all of the symptoms women can experience during menopause, nighttime hot flashes may be the worst, as well as the most common. While most of us think of them as pain in the rear, there’s a darker side to them every woman should be aware of. As well as the one thing she can do to reduce the threat they pose to her heart health.

Carolyn Gretton

Can’t quit bacon? These plants might protect you

It’s been hammered into our heads that processed meats like bacon and sausage make us sick. That doesn’t make it any easier to eat less of these tasty foods. Luckily, researchers have identified a plant extract that not only may act as a substitute for the dangerous preservatives in processed meat, it may counteract their ill health effects.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Silent coronary atherosclerosis: What tests may not reveal

If you’ve had a yearly checkup, you may feel confident that your risk of a future heart attack is low, thanks to cardiac CT scans and CAC scoring, now widely used to gauge the accumulation of calcified arterial plaque. But that gold standard test meant to help you and your doctor stay ahead of any potential danger isn’t getting the complete picture…

Joyce Hollman

New test detects ‘on-switch’ for prostate cancer development

PSA tests have been the gold standard to detect prostate cancer. But high PSA levels don’t always mean cancer is present, setting most men up for painful, risky, and ultimately unnecessary biopsies. That may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a test that can detect an “on-switch” for prostate cancer development…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The 9 best and worst foods for your liver

Your liver performs more than 500 vital functions. From processing and storing nutrients to balancing blood sugar, fueling muscles, regulating blood clotting and filtering toxins from your blood stream, your liver is always hard at work. Let’s take a deep dive into the foods that love your liver and the foods your liver would love for you to forget.

Carolyn Gretton

What the gut reveals about RA progression and treatment

More studies are demonstrating a clear link between changes in the gut microbiome and disease, particularly autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis. On top of that, the microbiome may serve as a sort of crystal ball, not only predicting disease progression, but ultimately providing clues that can enhance treatment.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The diet that accelerates hair loss

It’s been noticed among the scientific community that there are higher rates of male-pattern baldness and hair thinning among men and women who are overweight. So they decided to dig deep into the connection. They found a tangled web of fat, inflammation and oxidative stress that blocks hair follicle renewal, and here’s what you can do about it…

Joyce Hollman

Your brain and aging: It’s not all bad news

Bad news: Most people assume that their memory and other brain functions will automatically worsen with age. True, there is some cognitive decline. Good news: But research shows that some important brain functions actually improve as we get older. Here’s what you can worry a lot less about…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Get the spark you need to revive the romance in your life

Has the romance and passion in your relationship waned with the passage of time? That spark that can sometimes fade may not be as elusive and you think. As research has helped confirm, all you may need is a little time to shine to heat things up, thanks to what the “sex vitamin” can do for both men and women…

Carolyn Gretton

The dietary secret to keeping your body clock in sync

Does your job require you to travel across time zones? Maybe you work late or deal with other factors that disrupt your schedule often? If so, you know what it’s like when your body clock gets out of sync, causing fragmented sleep and lack of focus. Luckily, researchers may have found a simple dietary solution for your jet-lagged misery…

Joyce Hollman

4 head-to-toe benefits of lutein beyond your eyes

Lutein is a natural antioxidant found in green leafy vegetables and other healthy foods. It’s best known for promoting healthy eyesight and even reducing the risk of AMD. But you may be very surprised to know it can do a lot more, even affecting the aging process. Here are three important research-backed reasons you want to be sure you’re not missing out on this nutrient…

Carolyn Gretton

The health impact of ‘thyroid dimming’

Decades of research have demonstrated that the thyroid plays a key role in regulating the body’s metabolism, affecting weight gain and related metabolic problems like diabetes, high cholesterol and fatty liver disease. Once thought to operate like an on and off switch, new research reveals the liver’s role in thyroid ‘dimming’…

Margaret Cantwell

The simple reason statins don’t work for everyone

One of the reasons many people have a hard time with their cholesterol is because of how they respond to the popular statin drugs used to treat it. For some, drug therapy works, but for others, not so much. But a few tweaks can fix that…

Joyce Hollman

Experts validate 5 factors that drastically affect heart disease risk

If you have a family history of heart disease, you might assume you’re a time bomb waiting to go off and there’s little you can do about it. But you’d be wrong. As much as 90 percent of our risk comes from factors within our control. And some of those factors have recieved an updated seal of approval from the experts, validating their potential to save your life…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The pesticide that helps pack on the pounds

It’s no secret that for decades Americans have been getting heavier. There are a lot of reasons why, and we’ve been conditioned to believe they are within our control, and that not following a healthy diet or overeating is no one’s fault but our own. But it may not have been the food all along, and instead, what was on the food…

Carolyn Gretton

Is exercise a good idea with AFib?

If you have the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation (AFib), you may be confused as to whether it’s a good idea to exercise. No wonder. To this point, the few studies on AFib and exercise have been contradictory. But, there’s been positive indication that a carefully structured exercise program may help some people with AFib better manage their condition…

Joyce Hollman

The grain you’ve never heard of that could prevent diabetes

Most of us have gotten the message: eating more whole grains (as opposed to refined grains like white flour and white rice), is key to healthy living, especially if you want to avoid chronic disease. And nothing can become chronic faster than jumping from prediabetes to a full-fledged diagnosis. But the right grain can completely turn things around, and it’s gluten-free…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why your showerhead could give you a lung infection

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.

Jenny Smiechowski

An anti-viral treatment might cut Alzheimer’s cases in half

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The good-for-you food that won’t make you gain weight

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?

Joyce Hollman

How the FDA is sneaking your vitamins out the ‘back door’ for drug profits

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The thyroid connection to chronic fatigue

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.

Joyce Hollman

Your doctor could be all wrong about your blood pressure

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…

Jenny Smiechowski

The food that helps you break free from the junk food blues

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The new oil on the block that gives olive oil stiff competition

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

4 ways endurance training disease-proofs your body

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.

Joyce Hollman

7 foods to soothe winter skin

Winter is probably the worst time of year for anyone’s skin. But for those of us with naturally dry skin, as well as skin that’s passed its fifth decade or so, the challenge of making it through the winter can be even greater. Let’s keep it healthy and looking good, too…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

Harvard identifies best foods to fight breast cancer

Previous research has demonstrated links between increased fiber intake and reduced breast cancer risk. So for years, the best advice to cut your breast cancer risk was eating more fiber. Not so fast. Turns out there were other nutrients at work doing a better job at keeping breast cancer at bay…

Jenny Smiechowski

3 ways to protect yourself from this painful flu shot side effect

The flu shot is a tricky topic to bring up this time of year, because a lot of people feel strongly about it. Some people never get it. Others always do. If you fall in the latter camp, there’s something you need to know about a flu shot side effect that can cause you pain for months after you get it…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What your appendix has to do with getting Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s is a scary disease. There’s no clear cause for it, so your best protection is understanding the risk factors, and looking for ways to lower those risks even more. One of those things has to do with your possible attachment to — or lack of — a certain vestigial organ…

Jenny Smiechowski

Try this risk-reducing combo to shut down stroke

So, what’s the difference between people who have severe, life-altering strokes versus those who have minor ones? More importantly, what’s the difference between people who have strokes and people who live their lives stroke-free? A couple of things you need to start doing every day…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The vital sign your doctor isn’t taking but should be

You know the drill at your doctor’s office… step on the scale, then the nurse takes your blood pressure and clips that thing onto your finger to get your pulse. Each of those vital signs tells him how you’re doing and if there are any concerns. But, are those vital signs really getting the “big picture”?

Dr. Michael Cutler

How to do a water fast and what to expect

I’ve personally seen dramatic improvement with arthritis, headaches, high blood pressure, fatigue, rashes, water retention, and more as a result of water fasting. If you’ve thought about it, but didn’t know how to start, what to expect, and how to move back to solid foods, I’ve got all the answers for you…

Jenny Smiechowski

This ancient first aid staple heals wounds and fights superbugs

Your first aid cabinet is probably stocked with antibiotic ointment, band aids, hydrogen peroxide, gauze dressings, medical tape, aloe vera gel and antiseptic solution. You may even have some manuka honey or arnica gel in there. But if you want to keep MRSA away, you’ve got to add this…

Joyce Hollman

How to keep bursitis from making every movement a pain

Many people confuse bursitis with arthritis, where bone-on-bone friction occurs. Both are inflammatory conditions, but are caused by injury or wear to different parts of the joint. If you’re not sure what’s causing you pain, here’s how to tell and what to do about this painful condition…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why that thing you’re avoiding could help fix your IBS

It’s hard to be active and fit when you have irritable bowel syndrome. Just to leave the house, you have to locate the nearest bathroom… just in case. It’s very limiting, but worse, prevents you from getting the exercise you need. But the very thing you’re avoiding could be the key to relieving your symptoms.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to reset your hunger hormone for easier weight loss

Have you ever wondered why it’s so easy to gain weight but so hard to lose it? Why, no matter how many times you tell yourself that you won’t reach for that bedtime snack, you do it anyway. The answer lies with one particular hormone. When it malfunctions your willpower goes out the window…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why tall people get the short end of the stick when it comes to cancer

There are a ton of advantages to being tall… You can reach stuff on high shelves. You can see better at movies and concerts. And you can eat more because taller people need more calories than short people. Despite these advantages, there’s one big disadvantage to all that height…

Jenny Smiechowski

Two minerals that boost bone health better than exercise

Exercising is one of the best ways to keep your bones healthy. But what if you can’t exercise because you’re sick, injured, or just too dang busy to fit in your usual workouts? Is there any other way to keep your bones strong? There is. And it’s more effective at protecting your bones than exercise…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

9 ways fake sweeteners can lead to disease

By now you know artificial sweeteners are bad for your health. In fact, drinking diet sodas, sweetened with these chemical compounds has been linked to everything from migraines and kidney damage to heart attack and stroke. Now there’s one more reason to avoid those sweeteners…

Joyce Hollman

High blood pressure might ‘turn on’ Alzheimer’s in the brain

One piece of information that is pretty solid about Alzheimer’s is the presence of sticky amyloid plaque. But there’s still more to learn about how it affects the brain. That’s because about thirty percent of people over 70 actually have amyloid in their brains — but not everyone with amyloid develops Alzheimer’s…

Jenny Smiechowski

Family history of stroke? Slash your risk 66%

Has a close family member had a stroke? Unfortunately, that means you’re more at risk. Especially if your family member had their stroke before the age of 65. But even if genes put you in the stroke danger zone, it’s possible to counteract your genetic stroke risk…

Jenny Smiechowski

How much can organic eating lower your cancer risk?

You might not be surprised to learn that eating organic food frequently could make you 25 percent less likely to get cancer. But when it comes to several specific types of cancers, eating organic could bring some risks down by more than 75 percent! So what’s holding you back? I know, it can be costly. But if you eat organic the smart way, you’ll save your life and your life’s savings…

Joyce Hollman

8 benefits of ginkgo biloba

The Ginkgo tree is a species that dates back over 270 million years. Considering its longevity and hardiness, numerous researched healing “superpowers” are attributed to these living fossils. Ginkgo biloba, the extract collected from the dried leaves of the tree, has been a staple of Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. Here are eight reasons for its healthy reputation…

Jenny Smiechowski

What cannabis cream could do for your skin

If you’ve ever suffered from a chronic skin problem or disease, you know that it’s not just physically uncomfortable, it’s psychologically uncomfortable too. You could turn to a popular medicinal herb for life-changing relief from your chronic skin problems… especially those with a strong itch factor.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Does your body have a diabetes switch?

You might remember the research by the Mayo Clinic that showed you can turn off your body’s aging switch with high-intensity interval training exercise. The key is that it reduces a common symptom that’s also linked to your immune system and type 2 diabetes. Doe that mean your body has a diabetes switch too?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The strange symptom that makes this mood disorder harder to treat

NAC is a derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine and has been shown to significantly decrease bipolar depression. Good news for sufferers, since the drug treatment is successful in only 40 to 50 percent of patients. But if you’ve tried NAC without success, this one symptom could be holding you back…

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