Latest Stories

Sarcopenia can put a kink in your plans to enjoy retirement, whether you see yourself playing golf every day, going on cruises or hosting campouts in the backyard with your grandkids — and instead leave you frail and housebound. But your gut bacteria can help keep it from stealing your get-up-and-go.

Traditionally, women start out with much lower blood pressure than men. But when we get into our 40s, things start to change. That’s why women are being urged to diligently check it. Turns out even a mild elevation in BP for middle-aged women can double the risk for heart attack.

Walking is one of the safest and easiest ways to stay active. It’s also great for your heart health and can help you live longer, reducing your risk of death as much as 32 percent. Better news? Retire your Fitbit… it doesn’t take near as many steps as you’d think…

For men, obesity and low testosterone levels can go hand-in-hand and are often a “chicken and the egg” situation. Obesity kicks off testosterone decline and the resulting low-T leaves the body burning fewer calories and leads to more weight gain. But it’s a vicious cylce that can be broken so you can get your vim and vigor back.

Your gut or GI tract is home to a huge and diverse community of microorganism that makes up your gut microbiome. And more and more evidence is proving that much of your health — even your blood pressure levels — starts right here…

When you suffer from anxiety, that feeling of dread can take over. Unfortunately, the medications most doctors will prescribe carry a boatload of side effects. Some can even worsen your anxiety symptoms. But a plant compound found in some of our favorite foods was shown to wrangle anxiety… and cholesterol, too.

What do varicose veins and COVID-19 have in common? They both put you at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, a condition where a blood clot forms deep within a vein, usually in the legs, but sometimes in the arms. And swelling may be the only sign of the clot and the COVID-19 infection.

Dyes used in food are supposed to be safe for you to eat, but we’ve already seen evidence that’s not the case. Artificial food colorants have been linked with everything from hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions and worse — and now, there’s evidence they may impact your gastrointestinal health as well…

For years, research has dug into the benefits of coffee. And, now, there’s more credibility pointing to our favorite elixir’s stimulating brain benefits. Coffee certainly lives up to its reputation to help us stay sharp, alert and focused, but should we drink more… or less for the best big brain benefits?

Over the past twenty years, the emerging field of neurotheology has explored the relationship between spiritual practices and meditation and a person’s overall physical and mental health. But the idea that meditation is good for the brain, and may even prevent Alzheimer’s, isn’t new at all…

As we age, diet plays an important role in maintaining health and independence. But it’s a little more complex than you’d think. Research has revealed some recommendations, and some precautions, that can help you live life with vim and vigor no matter how many candles are on your birthday cake…

In the past twenty years, the survival rate for pancreatic cancer has skyrocketed, as long as the disease is caught at stage 1, from around four percent to almost forty percent. This makes greater awareness of the risk factors for the disease and the early warning signs of pancreatic cancer an important part of survival.

A good night’s sleep can do wonders for your mental and cognitive health. It helps keep us focused, alert and simply happier. But more than that, getting just the right amount of sleep can bring down your risk for stroke and heart attack.

Sardines. You either love them or you hate them. But if you were at a high-risk level for type 2 diabetes — meaning you’re prediabetic — and eating just a few a day could turn all that around for you, why not give it a try? Still need convincing? Check out these impressive results…

When you were growing up, your mom never forgot to remind you to eat your vegetables. And while that’s still great advice, there might have been one recommendation she missed. Always eat your fish… your oily, fatty fish, that is! Because people with higher omega-3 blood levels live longer than those with lower levels.

All of us have those nights when physical discomfort or a racing mind can make it difficult to sleep well. But when it happens night after night, it can be a real nightmare — one that affects up to 70 percent of older adults. Pop a pill? That’s dangerous the older you get. But new research says the right kind of music is the stuff dreams are made of…

Between the chaos of the pandemic and the information overload that comes from being constantly online, stress is pretty much a constant presence in our lives. Luckily, evidence continues to mount that following a healthy diet with plenty of plant-based foods can help you manage your stress…

Psoriasis is a difficult autoimmune disease to manage. Not only can it result in thick, red, itchy skin plaques that feel uncomfortable — but it can make someone suffering from the condition uncomfortable about showing their skin. It can also cause misery below the skin including inflamed joints and tendons. A type of diet shows promise in improving symptoms…

Diabetes is well-known as a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. But prediabetes? No big deal, right? Wrong. The notion that prediabetes is “blood sugar that’s high but not high enough to be diabetes” has lulled us into a false sense of security. It can lead to heart damage without ever progressing…

You already know that there’s “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol and that the “good” type helps eliminate bad forms of cholesterol out of your system. But researchers have discovered another benefit to “good” cholesterol that could help predict your likelihood of developing a serious heart problem…

Heat stroke is a dangerous condition that can sneak up on you if you get overheated and don’t take the time to cool off. Now, we’re finding that being overheated for too long can lead to specific danger for seniors… it can actually lower your body’s ability to clean out damaged cells that could lead to diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

People with high blood pressure are usually taking some action to bring it under control, including diet, exercise and medication. But what they don’t know is that they could be sabotaging their efforts simply by taking care of other health issues, especially with medication…

Exercise plays a vital role in heart health and is often recommended by experts as one of the best ways to avoid heart problems. But what if you’ve actually had to undergo heart surgery? Can you get the cardivascular and muscular benefits you need to reduce frailty without danger? You bet, especially if you take the stairs…

Most vaccines have some side effects, and the COVID-19 vaccine is no different. That’s left a question mark for the many people who experience no side effects at all. If side effects are the immune system doing what it’s supposed to do, does a lack of side effects mean that the vaccine isn’t working?

I can’t think of much that’s more relaxing than strolling through a park and listening to a bird song. It clears the mind, rejuvenates the spirit and inspires me more than almost any other experience. And I’m sure I’m not alone in appreciating these gifts that come from spending time outdoors, including how they impact our health…

Sleep is soothing. But it’s also invigorating. You know what else is invigorating? Sex. If you’re a woman of a certain age feeling left out in that department, sleep may be the way to get it back, according to experts who understand what you’re going through.

It’s no secret that exercise is good medicine and one of the keys to better health and longer life. In fact, physical activity has been shown to reduce risks for high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia, to start. Now, we might add COVID-19 to that list…

While kidney disease is not reversible, there’s a lot you can do to slow its progression and prevent serious disease or kidney failure. Here are some of the danger signs to watch for, and half a dozen things you can do now to protect your kidneys.

Have you noticed your gums bleeding after brushing your teeth? It could be an early sign of gum disease. But what if you take excellent care of your teeth and your gums still bleed? Then it may be time to explore other factors connected to this warning sign, like a shortage of this particular vitamin…

With age, the risk of falling rises dramatically, and with it the risk of suffering a hip fracture. In fact, in the U.S. alone, over 300,000 seniors are hospitalized for hip fracture each year, three-quarters of them women. Here’s how to avoid that trauma and boost your chances of walking away from it following hip surgery.

Remember the days when eating whole, natural, delicious eggs was a no-no? You got stuck eating bland egg-white omelets, dry toast and artificially-flavored low-fat yogurt for breakfast. Yuck. Thankfully, those days are long gone. A new study shows that eating eggs actually reduces your risk of heart disease.

In Japan, living to 80 is no big deal. But there’s an island off the country’s coast where islanders live even longer. And, they’re three times more likely to reach 100 than their North American counterparts, with much less risk of cardio disease, breast or prostate cancer or dementia…

It’s completely possible to retrain your brain for better eating habits. And the consensus is that it takes about 66 days for a new behavior to feel automatic. Now, you shouldn’t tackle too many at once. So, let’s go after the 3 proven worst at packing on the pounds…

I don’t consider myself old but I’m not a spring chicken either. My back has gotten stiffer, my shoulders have gotten rounder and my toes seem further away than ever before. If you’re in the same boat, here’s one FUN way to improve all of these problems and more…

A long-term study found that 70 percent of physical aging and about 50 percent of mental aging is determined by choices we make every day. With that in mind, I’d like to offer you 9 simple choices you can make at any age to keep thriving for decades to come!

Kate Spade. Anthony Bourdain. Two successful people, in the prime of their lives, took their own lives this week. And we are all asking that question… Why? But another question we need answers to is how to stop the mental illness epidemic. A new approach holds promise…

In our enthusiasm for quick results, some of us go overboard when we try to eat healthy. Don’t let it backfire. Here are 5 ‘health’ foods that you should know more about before chomping down on them…

There are so many supplements that can benefit your body in different ways that it can feel impossible to narrow it down to which ones you really need. No worries! Here are the top six vitamins and minerals all women over 40 should take for their best health…

Fat can have scars. And because of where this fat “sticks,” most people with scarred fat have an apple body shape. So, if your fat cells become scarred as you gain weight, what can you do to finally slim down and avoid the health threats your body shape seems prone to?

Dehydration is a real threat that many people don’t take seriously. They think it only happens to someone trekking through the desert, or to marathon runners or other athletes. But it could be the reason for your aches and pains, foggy brain and faster aging…

When it comes to heart disease, diet makes a big difference. But there’s one food that stands out from the pack if you want to keep your heart healthy. This food may even be able to help prevent two serious diseases at once…

Did you know nighttime light exposure impacts your metabolism? Researchers at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine recently looked into it. The results will make you want to turn off your nightlight, your bedside clock and your smartphone for good!

Hormones are master switches. One in particular is a double-edged sword. At optimal levels, it keeps our cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems functioning perfectly. But get estrogen off balance and men — yes, men — have a real problem on their hands…

Kidney disease kills more people than breast and prostate cancer combined. So why doesn’t kidney disease get the same funding and attention as cancer? Maybe because it’s largely invisible until it’s quite advanced. Make sure you know the risk factors and warning signs…

What really keeps you youthful, healthy and living the good life? It’s nothing complicated. No prescriptions, creams or expensive procedures. It’s getting the right nutrients. In fact, if you want to avoid the pitfalls of aging and disease for as long as possible, you need…

Mosquitoes carry dangerous viruses, from West Nile and Zika, to malaria and even yellow fever. But these viruses aren’t the only danger you face when a mosquito bites you. There’s a newly discovered one that sends your immune system into hyperdrive…

Research shows that staying physically active lowers your risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, endometrial cancer and many others. But do you have to sweat till you drop to benefit? Or will something much gentler help you fight cancer?

Are you anemic? Actually, a better question is this: would you know if you were? Many people over age 65 are and don’t even know. They also don’t know that there are two problems that make anemia more dangerous than it needs to be…

According to a new reports, tens of millions of Americans each year are exposed to contaminated drinking water — consuming everything from fecal bacteria to lead and arsenic. Clearly, drinking right out of the tap is a bad idea. So, if you must invest in a water filter, which one?

Whoever said, “Traveling is good medicine,” never spent time on a cramped plane. Particular risks come into play with specific conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or recent surgery. These and other factors can make long-distance travel potentially dangerous….

Everyone knows that belly fat increases your risk of heart disease, cancer and other diseases. But when does belly fat become a problem? Is a little bit worth the worry? And what if you’re fit everywhere else but your belly? Are you still at risk? Here’s how to know…

Normally, urine color ranges from pale yellow to deep amber. If your urine falls outside of this color spectrum, it’s usually time to consult your doctor. A variety of medical and dietary issues can cause urine to take on a range of colors you might not expect. Here are some colors to watch out for.

It’s the most widely used herbicide in the world, and new evidence says that it’s more prevalent and dangerous than ever. Worrisome enough on its own, new research reveals glyphosate-based herbicides expose us to five hormone-disrupting heavy metals…

Hormone treatment therapies of the past have many of us too scared to consider HRT. But there is an urgent reason why you should consider your options… That menopause ‘brain fog’ may not end with the last hot flash. In fact, it could be the reason two-thirds of Alzheimer’s victims are women…

One way to stretch your dollar is to make sure the produce you buy doesn’t spoil before it’s eaten. Another way is to consider store brands, many of which are just as nutritious as their full-priced competitors. Here are 7 tips to get you started.

It’s no fun to see signs of of aging. Every time a wrinkle appears, your heart sinks a little. But trust me… what’s going on inside your body is even more alarming. Aging is hard on your vital organs, and your heart is particularly vulnerable to the harsh hands of time…

Many Italian towns have reputations as blue zones… places where inhabitants live unusually long and healthy lives. Most often their health and longevity is attributed to a healthy Mediterranean diet. But the citizens of a town on the Italian Riviera hold tight to another healthy secret…

Many claims have been made about the ability of saw palmetto to shrink the prostate, relieve symptoms of BPH and associated urinary tract problems and perhaps even fight prostate cancer. Is this hype, or does saw palmetto really help?

I’m looking at old age from a comfortable distance. But I’m realizing some adjustments to my home are necessary if I want to remain here independently for another decade or two. If you’re “of a certain age” and want to live in the home you love, here are some things to consider…

A recent study from Italian researchers found that when you don’t exercise your legs enough, not only do you lose muscle mass in your legs, you lose nerve cells. You’ve heard the saying, “use it or lose it.” Well, it’s particularly true when it comes to your brain cells…