Latest Stories

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.

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.

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…

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…

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.

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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’…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

You’ve probably heard that 10,000 steps a day can lead to better health and longer life. But have you ever wondered why 10,000 steps? Truth be told, it was an estimate with little science behind it. Recently, researchers set out to determine exactly how many steps per day are needed for those optimal health benefits. Luckily, you can live a lot longer while walking a lot less…

It’s no secret that eating or drinking too much sugar is an unhealthy choice. Foods and beverages laden with the sweet stuff have been strongly linked to type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart attack and heart disease. Scientists quantified sugar’s effects and found a shocking number of lives could be saved by giving up the worst culprit. One of those could be yours…

Flavonoids are known to have great effects on lowering blood pressure levels. But the results haven’t been consistent for everyone. Researchers found why, and how you can make them work better for you…

About one in eight American men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, and one in 41 will die from the disease. Researchers determined to improve those odds are working to uncover more effective ways to treat prostate cancer — and they may have found an answer in the way these cancer cells feed themselves…

Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce chronic disease risk. Why? It helps burn fat that can lead to metabolic syndrome, a constellation of factors that increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes and stroke. But the number one factor is an accumulation of fat around your middle. So if you’re going to exercise, pick one known to go straight for this fat…

Having a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s can be really scary. But the National Institutes of Health found that people who adhered to at least four of five specific healthy lifestyle factors lowered their risk of Alzheimer’s by sixty percent. Best news of all? Even octogenarians can avoid Alzheimer’s by following these habits…

When most of us think about the foods we eat, we get stuck on things like fat, calories and the amount of sugar in them. Yet, one thing few of us consider is the effect of food on the pH balance — alkalinity to acidity ratio — of the body, which is equally as important… even moreso, for your kidneys.

Research has shown that the makeup of your microbiome greatly affects your immune system. But that’s not all. It impacts your weight, healthy aging and your risk of numerous chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. Two types of foods, fiber and fermented foods, have been known to increase bacterial diversity in the gut. But one does a much better job…

For many recovering from a mild COVID-19 infection, dealing with symptoms for a few weeks may have been the least of it, thanks to long COVID syndrome. Research has tried to uncover why some people suffer the phenomenon and others don’t. Turns out, 73 percent of people with long COVID had a prior run in with a well-known virus waiting for this opportunity to wake up…

Don’t you love the advice to eat better? Silly question. In fact, we hate to hear it because, what is better, specifically? Oftentimes, it’s conflicting. And it rarely includes our favorite indulgences. That’s why we struggle to choose and stick to a healthy diet. But would it be easier if you knew which foods added or subtracted minutes from your life?

To keep our hearts healthy, we’re bombarded with well-meaning advice. Eat this, don’t eat that. Exercise this much. Don’t sit too much. Avoid bad habits and reduce the stress levels in your life. But there’s one simple piece of advice that, if you follow especially during midlife, could eliminate heart failure from your future…

We have more leisure time than ever, between 36 and 40 hours a week by some estimates. But we live in a society that makes us feel like every moment must be a productive one. Once you believe that, and internalize the message that leisure time is a waste of time, research shows you’re going to be more depressed and less happy, unless you think of it this way…

Random mouth ulcers are just plain painful. Over-the-counter topicals or prescription mouthwashes may reduce the pain, but they don’t help heal those canker sores so much. So a group of scientists decided to put CBD to the test. It’s been shown to do so much, why not?

When it comes to natural ways to boost longevity, the only tips that are truly exciting are the ones that not only help you live longer but help you live better. I have one of these age and disease-defying tips for you today — and it’s backed up by more than two decades of research on real people.

The simple fact is that if you’re a woman having a heart attack, your symptoms can look different than the man having a heart attack in the same emergency room. But what else is different? Your chances of surviving, going home to your family and living a long, happy life are far less…

The scariest thing about life-threatening staph infections? You have this dangerous bacteria in your body right now. Most of us do. It hangs around in your gut or your nose and waits for an opportunity to run rampant. So, the less staph bacteria lurking around in your body the better. Here’s one way to get rid of it…

There’s a lot you can do to help yourself get to sleep before turning to medications, even over-the-counter ones. Because whether your sleep problem is insomnia or just a bad cold keeping your up at night, you should have some real reservations about what else these medications do to you…

Cutting carbs can quickly help you drop pounds and decrease your risk for heart disease and diabetes. But what’s the long-term effect of going low-carb? Is it all sunshine, roses and health benefits? Or is there a downside worse than not being able to eat pizza, pasta and bread? That depends…

If you worry about your risk for a future heart attack or stroke, stop worrying and do something about it, especially if you have a family history that puts you in harm’s way. A simple test can tell you where you stand. But either way there are a few ways to stack the odds in your favor…

It will come as no surprise that a sedentary lifestyle is bad for you. But it might very well surprise you to hear that the simple act of standing can cause you to burn calories and shed unwanted pounds, lowering your risk for these diseases. Here’s how it works…

Facing a difficult decision? You might weigh up the pros and cons, ask friends for their opinions or stay up nights thinking about it. But the best way, according to how the brain works, is none of these. Here’s why napping could help, plus five more nap benefits that will make you want to break out the nap pad.

If you’re avoiding gluten because of celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, eating out is like playing Russian roulette… As you probably suspected, plenty of supposedly “gluten-free” restaurant meals contain a hefty dose of gluten. And two restaurant foods are much more likely to be tainted than others…

Cadmium is a heavy metal that causes neurological damage and is a known carcinogen. This statement says it all: Cadmium exposure is toxic for all humans. But your fashion statement could very well be setting you up for huge risks associated with this lethal endocrine disruptor right now…

Some people are so worried about skin cancer that they end up getting no exposure to the sun at all. If you’re one of those people, the World Health Organization wants you to know that you’ve gone to an extreme that isn’t necessarily good for you…

When you exercise, your body releases feel-good hormones which make it easier to maintain a sunny outlook even when things go wrong. Plus, it fuels your brain cells and increases the odds you’ll feel optimistic no matter what life throws at you. How much will do the trick?

If you love settling into the couch and binge-watching your favorite show every evening, it’s time to rethink how you relax. Watching too much TV is terrible for your health. How terrible? Depending on how many hours a day you watch, you could increase your risk by more than 54 percent…

Researchers performed an epic study to determine the impact diet plays in whether or not you end up with cancer down the road. They analyzed the food habits of 471,495 adults and followed up with them for over 15 years. The cancer connection was unbelievable with one group of foods.

One of my favorite products of all time is coconut oil. I use it daily and think it’s hands-down one of the best ways to improve your health and get clearer, softer, younger-looking skin. Here are several ways, and just as many more benefits, of using coconut oil…

Living with a partner who snores can put a strain on a relationship. But consider for a moment the plight of the snorer. Sure, it’s hard to see how they are suffering while you lie staring at the ceiling. But habitual snorers are at an extreme health risk…

You’ve heard all about the supplements you should take to protect your bones: calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K. But what about the supplements you should avoid to protect them? Even though supplements do amazing things for your health, some might put you in harm’s way…

If you’ve struggled with your weight, you likely have also struggled with how to lose it. After all, diet advice is so plentiful, embarking on a good plan isn’t as easy as it seems. Do you have to diet? Is exercise alone enough? And, how much can you reasonably expect to lose?

What’s good about the seasons changing from summer to fall? Most of us think it’s the cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage. But sadly, there are a lot of people, mostly women, who are glad to see swimsuit and shorts season go. Why? Cellulite…

When it comes to illness, medication, and medical advice, your doctor is naturally the first place you turn. But if you stop there, you are missing out on a lot of information that could be helpful and save you time and money — without an appointment.

Heart disease and diabetes — three serious diseases that could kill you thanks to bacteria in your mouth. That should be enough motivation to keep up with your bi-annual dental checkups. But in case it’s not, here’s a bit more incentive…

There’s a lifestyle habit practiced by the majority of American adults that’s so unhealthy, it can increase your risk of coronary heart disease by 42 to 63 percent. Any guesses what it might be? Overeating? Eating processed foods? Drinking soda? Not even close…

Your multi-talented liver is kind of like the overseer of your body’s functions. And it’s time you knew exactly what this powerhouse does for you, and how you can keep it functioning for years to come…

You may have heard you’re more likely to die from sudden cardiac arrest on a Monday morning than at any other time. At least that was once the case. I say that because a new study has given us a whole new window into when you’re most at risk…

You already know how important it is to maintain the healthy bacteria in your gut. But your microbiome (the collection of bacteria, fungi and viruses in your body) extends far beyond your belly. In fact, an imbalance of bacteria in your breast tissue could lead to cancer…

There may be real help on the horizon for people living with depression (at least where medical marijuana is legal). And it’s been shown to not only alleviate depression in just 24 hours but also alter development of depression in the brain…

Bladder infections travel in packs. Once you get one, there’s a good chance another one’s not far behind. In fact, over a quarter of women get a second bladder infection within six months. But there is something you can do to slash that risk almost in half…

Resistance training has remarkable benefits for people with MS. Not only does this type of exercise improve MS symptoms, but it offers a form of brain protection that can slow the progression of the disease. Even better, anyone wanting to stop brain shrinkage can benefit…

One reason you get a checkup is to stay ahead of conditions like heart disease. But you may have values that are right below the cutoff point in each of the risk factors your doctor’s checking, and fall through the cracks. The reality is you could possibly calculate your own risk more accurately…

Over the years, there has been seemingly convincing research on both sides of the soy question as it relates to health. However, several recent reviews of observational studies point to a connection between soy and the prevention of prostate cancer…