Latest Stories

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…

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…

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…

It’s no secret that opioids come with serious side effects: nausea, vomiting, constipation, depression and a huge risk of addiction. Most people put up with these side effects, because opioids made that pain more tolerable. At least that’s what we thought…

There are quite a few other things my doctor could be looking at besides my iron and cholesterol levels. A few could actually save my life. In fact, there are several simple blood tests that will alert you to changes you can make to slash your risk of heart attack and stroke…

They’ve been reported to have the power to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of clots that lead to both heart attacks and strokes. But until now, no one was sure why or which variety offered the best protection…

Mitochondria are the energy centers of your cells. As you get older, your mitochondria don’t work as well. They become less active. Some become defective. This causes physical aging and illness. You can change that…

A “superager” brain stays sharp and protects your body, too. The same brain regions that control your decisions and dreams also regulate your organs, your hormones, your immune system, and predict how much energy your body needs…

About one in every three American adults suffers with hypertension. You probably know the big things that can bring on hypertension, including family history, salt, anger, stress, smoking, being overweight. But there are a few sneaky ones you need to know about…

Did you know that most people with osteoporosis don’t realize that their bone density is slipping away until they have their first fracture? If you’ve been lazy about boosting your bone health, a single supplement may be able to slash your future bone loss in half…

Music is a well-known stress management tool, which could be very helpful to someone with heart disease. But let’s hope that you’re not there yet. If that’s the case, there’s another important way music might help keep you from ever having your first heart attack…

Food is everywhere. But we’re woefully deficient in nutrients. Underfed and undernourished. And this has serious consequences for our health. In fact, there’s compelling evidence these low-nutrient foods could be causing the cancer epidemic…

Have you ever felt that warm glow when you do something for someone else, from helping a neighbor with their yard work to dropping a few dollars into the hand of someone who really needs it? Well, you should see what it does to your brain…

While healthy foods play a role in diabetes prevention, science shows there is one food that goes above and beyond in the fight against type 2 diabetes. And its serious diabetes protection might come as a shocker in more ways than one…

Experts have starting asking is an aspirin a day worth the risks, including gastrointestinal bleeding. But what if aspirin is your go-to remedy for knee pain, headache or your doctor said it would protect against stroke and heart attack? How about an aspirin alternative?

This phenomenon of subjective age is nothing new to most people. What you may not know is that it can be controlled, and that this is a good thing, since it seems that it actually plays a part in determining how long, and how well, you can live…

A bad night of sleep can throw your whole day off, but that’s not all… After a single night without the proper amount of rest, the metabolism in your fat cells are already in trouble — leaving you unable to burn fat and beginning to store it instead…

As you get older, your hair changes. It thins. It gets more brittle. And your once Rapunzel-like locks begin growing at a snail’s pace. But, you might be glad to know that researchers have found a way to help hair follicles survive longer and stimulate hair growth….

Ultimately, it’s those lifestyle habits, the way you eat and how you treat your body — including your skin — that are the biggest factors to looking and feeling your best… even when it comes to fine lines and wrinkles. But the right topical treatments can go a long way to help…

Psilocybin, a compound found in some mushrooms, has major advantages over the current go-to depression treatment, SSRIs, including things like high effectiveness after just one dose and the ability to relieve depression without numbing other emotions.

On a recent trip to the gym, I noticed most of the men were using weights while the women were focusing on aerobic activities and machines, like ellipticals. And I started wondering… In the long run, which matters most in terms of a longer, healthier life?

Nuts are considered a staple of healthy diets. While almonds are reported to be a big favorite with big benefits of their own, my favorite and a superstar reported to help reduce numerous disease-risk factors, including these big four, is the humble…

Is any stroke ever minor? Even if you appear to gain a full recovery, there’s something sinister that could be waiting for you around the corner… Having a stroke greatly increases your chances of developing Alzheimer’s. But there are steps you can take to put the odds in your favor…

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. And it’s dangerous as heck… a known carcinogen responsible for malignant mesothelioma and the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans. That’s why it was banned decades ago. So how is it making a comeback?

Food preferences come in all shapes and sizes. Some people have a raging sweet tooth. For others it’s salt, hot and spicy, or all of the above. But there’s one taste preference that could harm your health. It may even put you at risk for cancer… Sensitivity to bitterness.

You wouldn’t think your sleep habits would impact your heart that much… but they do. Depending on how you sleep you can significantly increase your odds of having a heart attack and dying from cardiovascular disease in the next ten to twenty years…

If the idea that the plasticware you may be using on a daily basis could result in chromosomal alterations isn’t enough to scare you, the scientists discovered one more thing that might… according to the researchers, those cellular alterations get passed down.

Some studies have indicated daily aspirin to help stave off cancer and possibly even dementia. That meant people without heart health problems, were suddenly “supplementing” with aspirin. When it comes to aspirin, it’s important to carefully weigh any benefits against the risks…

There are so many exercise types to choose from. Aside from considering your natural abilities, how do you know which will give you the biggest return for your time, energy and sweat? If that one question has you in a quandary, I have great news: You can forget about it.

There are a lot of arguments against drinking whole milk, including fat, calories and inflammation. So we’re told skim or plant-based milks are better. But whether you believe any of this or not, there’s something you should know before you give up whole milk completely…

Living in a polluted environment is something we’ve almost become immune to. But what about exposure to dangerous, even carcinogenic, drugs? No problem, as long as you’re not taking any, right? Except, these four banned drugs could be in your dinner tonight…

Oxidative stress happens when too many free radicals accumulate in your body and damage your cells. There are plenty of foods and supplements that can help protect you, but what if the most powerful antioxidant is in the bedroom, not the kitchen?

The thing the food police liked about it was that you could suck down a tasty sweet soda and this great new fake sweetener would just pass right out of your body. No calories and no ‘nothing’ left behind. Now along with it’s toxic reputation, they’ve found it hides in your fat…