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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…

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…

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…

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…

If you have a spouse or partner, they can tell you if you’re snoring or breathing weird — two telltale signs of sleep apnea. But if you’re single, finding out you have sleep apnea isn’t so easy. But there’s one warning sign you can see clearly every time you look in the mirror…

If you’re a woman approaching middle age (or you have a daughter who is), you may be wondering if there’s a way to delay menopause for a bit. The good news is, there does seem to be a natural, healthy way to do that. It also improves your health and reduces your disease risk!

When you’re younger, your body is able to clear out damaged cells. As we get older, not so much. This creates an altered cell state associated with aging and diseases, like cancer. But research has zeroed in on one consistent compound whose function can increase both lifespan and healthspan by slowing aging…

Sixteen medical scholars and doctors from England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Sweden and the United States conducted a massive review of past studies on the safety and effectiveness of statins. Their only goal: to get to the bottom of the “statin myth.”

Do you ever close your eyes and imagine something you really want to achieve? If weight loss is your dream, there’s one technique that can really supersize your results. In fact, a recent study shows it can help you lose five times as much weight…

Your hands are built from an intricate structure of bones, ligaments and muscles that are extremely vulnerable to injuries and other conditions that can cause pain and rob them of function. Here are some things to watch for and tips to keep them ‘hands-on’ healthy…

You may have heard some whole grains, like oats, are a good source of fiber. And the health benefits of fiber are a no-brainer. But the real health protection comes from previously undiscovered compounds in grains that work similar to a drug used to treat heart disease…

Here’s a piece of trivia for you… What plant is a blood purifier and is considered helpful against cancer, diabetes, skin diseases and arthritis — and was the inspiration for Velcro? If you guessed burdock root, you win. Now, do you know how to use it?

Lots of conflicting info about drinking lately. And it’s not so cut and dry. It looks like some doctors may recommend that people with certain disease risks should have a drink from time to time, but in families with other risks, abstinence will be key…

If you find yourself playing mind games to sleep, like counting sheep, you’re on the right track. But your mind is a trickster. Sometimes, when you want something too badly, it gives you the opposite. So, you have to beat your mind at its own game, this way…

You can diet and exercise, but there are just some places the fat clings to. But instead of choosing surgery or liposuction, there’s a less invasive technique that involves injecting a naturally occurring plant chemical into fat pockets to dissolve them.

You might be shocked to find what’s just as bad for your health as gorging on junk food daily. If you’re letting it get the best of you, forget spending money on healthy foods like salmon, quinoa, kale and kefir. Because all your best health habits could go out the window…

If you haven’t had your own levels checked, it’s time to make an appointment because there are six serious health dangers optimizing your vitamin D levels could save you from.

After examining the brain tissue samples of healthy people in comparison to the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, researchers found that the pH of your brain plays a pivotal role in how amyloid plaques form and take over your brain…

Winter is coming. So is the common cold. That means you should be checking your pantry to take stock of anti-virals and immune-boosters that can ward off these nasty buggers. But there’s one you should especially have on-hand to kill that cold fast…

It’s hard to feel positive when you’re feeling ill. And negative emotional states can certainly bring about physical symptoms. What may surprise you is how connected your happiness is to length of life, disease and death…

Inflammation causes severe health problems and destroys your quality of life when you’re living with an autoimmune disease. And, finding a way to stop the inflammation could give you back your life. Could it really be this simple?

Science is telling us that keeping our hearts healthy will also protect our minds. There is evidence that many of the factors that contribute to physical illness also contribute to mental decline, especially these seven indicators…

So many conditions cause serious, long-term pain. Fibromyalgia. Arthritis. Back injuries. Nerve damage. Migraines. Multiple sclerosis. Shingles. Cancer. Forget the opioids and try these alternatives that are heavier hitters than you might think…

Do you still have your appendix? Well, hold on to it… Long-term scientific research is questioning whether surgery is even necessary for an appendix attack. It turns out you do have another option, and for more than half of patients, it worked better.

It’s easy for the number of medications you’re taking to spiral out of control. But in addition to the minor (or sometimes not so minor) side effects each medication has on its own, there’s also a major side effect of taking multiple medications you may not suspect…

The number of infections seen with contact lens use is increasing. In fact, there’s a threefold increase in the number of infections caused by one particularly nasty eye infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. Here’s how to avoid losing your sight if you wear them…