Latest Stories

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…

From controlling type 2 diabetes to stopping cancer in its tracks, if you want to stay in tip-top shape, nuts could be your ticket to a longer, healthier life. And it looks like the benefits of walnuts just keep stacking up, especially where heart health is concerned…

Memory problems can be unnerving, especially when we get older. It’s easy to begin second-guessing everything and wondering whether you’re simply forgetful or if something worse is happening — like Alzheimer’s. How can you tell the difference? Here are a few things to take note of…

Sun exposure may be rough on the skin, but it has a lot of upsides for our sleep, mood and vitamin D levels. And now researchers are discovering that the benefits of sunlight may go even further by protecting us from certain autoimmune diseases…

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of sight loss in the Western world. And most people don’t know they have it until they’re already losing their sight. Researchers have been looking for ways to catch AMD before that point, and they may have identified some new early warning signs that can help them do it…

To lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, we’re told to eat a heart-healthy diet. What exactly is heart-healthy? Is it only eating certain types of foods and eliminating others? Or is there a way to get to that elusive heart-healthy status without feeling deprived? Yes, according to these new rules…

Instead of dreaming of tropical islands this winter, why not try some exotic fruits that hail from warmer climates? Here are 11 exotic “superfruits” that are fun to try, and packed with enough nutritional power to dispel the winter doldrums and most anything else that ails you…

It’s been known for some time that people who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of getting certain cancers, including thyroid cancer. But it’s been unclear exactly how many cases of thyroid cancer are connected with weight — until now — and the findings should be a wake up call, especially for men…

Research shows inflammation is a driving force behind obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Now research is stacking up that connects it with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The good news? Foods feed that inflammation in a dose-dependent manner and a change of diet could make a big difference.

Low blood pressure, or hypotension, comes with its own set of troublesome symptoms. And, just like high blood pressure, it may also be a signal of other things going wrong in the body — surprisingly enough, even with your thyroid…

The average American eats less than one daily serving of whole grains, and some studies show that over 40 percent of Americans never eat whole grains at all. When you know what whole grains can do for blood sugar, it’s no wonder so many Americans are in trouble…

AFib skyrockets your stroke risk. By throwing your heart out of rhythm, the condition can result in blood clots being released, blocking blood flow to your brain. If that wasn’t bad enough, strokes caused by AFib tend to be more severe than strokes from other causes. That’s why getting to the truth about AFib triggers is vitally important…

Aging means slowing down, doing less and retiring, right? Wrong! According to research from Harvard, if you’re taking it easier as the years pass, you’re missing out on processes in the body that can actually build your body back stronger and fight disease to help you live healthier and longer…

Need a reason to stop procrastinating when it comes to household chores and get that sweeping, vacuuming and dusting done? A study looked at housework specifically for its ability to increase the amount of physical activity people get, and found quite a few unexpected perks that promote healthy aging…

Sucking in our stomachs can seem normal, especially for women. But it turns out it’s not exactly healthy for us to be holding in our stomachs all the time. Read on to discover the dark side of “stomach gripping” and why it might have you running to the nearest restroom faster…

The FODMAP diet has been found to reduce the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. But it wasn’t clearly understood how. Well, now we know. We also know that many people with IBS have a very unique microbial signature that’s downright dangerous…

It’s long been known that following menopause, women face an elevated risk of numerous health problems. But for women who experience early menopause (before the age of 50), the risks carry an extra wallop. And unfortunately, outside factors are contributing to this phenomenon…

Researchers have identified a connection between a genetic link and altered metabolites that appears to increase susceptibility to migraine. Good news is, to correct these metabolites and hopefully cut down on the painful condition, they’re looking at diet and a particular supplement that’s already shown major promise…

Iron is an essential nutrient. Iron deficiency anemia is all too common, especially in women and people over 65. But iron overload can also lead to serious health concerns. This conundrum is plaguing research over the past five years that has discovered a complicated relationship between iron levels and Alzheimer’s…

We’ve known about the harmful effects of phthalates for some time now. They disrupt our hormones. They also cause thousands of deaths from heart disease each year. A new study has shown exactly how a specific chemical works in our bodies to raise cholesterol and cause heart disease.

A Japanese concept called ketsueki-gata suggests that blood type shapes personality. The Blood Type Diet suggests certain foods may be healthier based on blood type. And while research on the validity of these concepts may be lacking, science is learning that blood type may influence disease risks…

Months and months ago we warned that the fall and winter months were expected to be a little rocky thanks to the combination of COVID-19 and a potentially nasty flu season. There was concern the viruses could muddy diagnoses and delay effective treatment. But things have gotten more confusing…

You might have heard the news that a bad flu season might be just around the corner. But while getting the flu might leave you worried that you’ll suffer from a complication like pneumonia, bronchitis or a bacterial infection of the lungs, most of us don’t think about what it’s doing to our heart.

Do you prefer coffee or tea? Either way, if you’re drinking the optimum amount you’re doing yourself some big favors, especially when it comes to risk of stroke and dementia. You may love either drink, but they love your brain more…

If you have high blood pressure, you’ve probably been told to cut back on salt. But just because you’re using less salt doesn’t mean you have to skimp on flavor. There are plenty of herbs and spices that will not only add flavor to your meals, but will also lower you blood pressure, so says science…

Getting older has its advantages, but losing sleep isn’t one of them. Not only does age-related sleep loss hurt your physical and cognitive health, researchers are finding it can make you distressed about aging. And that negative outlook could have further consequences for your physical and mental well-being…

There’s probably not one of us who believes eating fast food is healthy. But what’s the harm in the occasional indulgence? Well, you might be surprised to learn there’s far more lurking inside that greasy bag you get in the drive-thru than just anti-nutrients that pack on the pounds…

While there are a lot of myths surrounding menopause, one thing remains true — this midlife change brings estrogen production to a crashing halt. And that loss of estrogen can lead to health issues well beyond hot flashes and night sweats. The connection between estrogen and Alzheimer’s is one that may surprise you…

Science shows that the bacteria in your gut directly affects your blood sugar. And what you eat directly affects the bacteria in your gut. So, if you want better blood sugar, you have to get strategic about feeding those healthy bacteria. So, top your grocery list with this one food…

The earliest recorded use of lavender comes from ancient Egypt. Today, research substantiates many of lavender’s benefits, including calming anxiety. But it’s a natural remedy for some troubling physical ailments as well. Here are just seven ways you can put this sweet-smelling herb to use…

Women have a serious disadvantage when it comes to aging. They’re much more likely to develop physical limitations and disability with age than men. And scientists have no clue why. Stay vigilant and watch out for this one warning sign that your physical abilities are on the downslide…

If you spend most of your time indoors, like most adults, that means 90 percent of the time, you’re being exposed to lighting that could be dulling your memory, fogging your brain, reducing your ability to learn new things and even shrinking your brain…

There are at least four factors unique to sex that increase a woman’s risk for stroke. But the differences don’t stop there… Even the symptoms, including an altered mental state, that women can experience during a stroke may be so different there’s risk of misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

Rosemary’s been used for its memory-protecting powers since ancient times. While it’s hard to say exactly why rosemary has this effect, researchers think it comes down to antioxidant compounds. Specifically, two important brain antioxidants that make it a turbo charger for the brain..

Cancer is arguably the most feared word in the English language. Some cancers, though, are even more disturbing, because their rapid progress makes life expectancy cruelly short. Pancreatic cancer is one of these. It’s important to know the signs, risks and preventive measures that could help…

Stress can infiltrate your body without notice. Not until the damage is done do you even realize there’s a problem. So, just like bad foods and dangerous toxins, it might be time to take a health break from the effects of social media to undo the damage these experts are revealing…

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…