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Surgery is difficult at any age, but it carries specific complications for older adults, including long-term memory loss. Researchers have dug into this connection and may have narrowed it down to the way a specific type of anesthetic affects tau protein, a key player in Alzheimer’s development…

You might think having a genetic predisposition for cancer is a death sentence, or that there’s very little you can do to counteract heredity. Well, recent research has shown this to be untrue when it comes to colorectal cancer. In fact, lifestyle factors can do more for folks with the cancer gene than those without…

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.

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…

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.

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.

Atrial fibrillation symptoms can appear differently in women. And because these symptoms are less familiar, women often ignore them and doctors often misdiagnose or minimize them. That can be deadly since AFib carries higher stroke risk for women. Here’s what to know to protect yourself from this serious stroke threat.

The low-carb diet craze has been going strong for decades. It started with Atkins, progressed to Paleo, and now it’s all about Keto. But low-carb eating isn’t for everyone. And, as shocking as it sounds, certain high-carb foods can even kick-start your weight loss.

It’s become evident that a diet based mainly on plants is a healthy one. That’s why many people have adopted a plant-based diet, consuming more vegetables than meat. But choose your vegetables well to avoid the insidious effects of protein deficiency than many people are not aware of…

For millennia, this bright yellow spice has been revered for its many uses. Today, researchers and medical professionals are rapidly exploring turmeric’s remarkable potential and demonstrating its powerful benefits for many key areas of health.

This year’s horrible flu season is finally winding down… thank God! But if you were one of the unlucky ones who got the flu, you may be wondering how you can prevent yourself from reliving that awful experience again next year. You’re in luck…

Before I began my yoga practice, I was exhausted, stressed, stiff, achy and unhappy. But it really changed my life. If you don’t currently practice yoga on a regular basis, you’re missing out. Here’s how to get started at home as a beginning yogi…

People who take antipsychotics, anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants often do worse in the long-term than people with the same mental illnesses who don’t take these medications. But there’s a very promising long-term solution…

You might wonder why so much focus has been on measuring serum cholesterol to predict heart attack and stroke, when the science has been sketchy. All I can say is that doctors are slow to let certain practices go by the wayside. But, now there’s good reason to…

Chances are you’re already familiar with the health risks of eating too much processed food. Processed foods loaded with fats and sugar are a surefire way to develop hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. But these can give you cancer…

New research clearly shows that meditation is about more than just relaxation. It can actually keep you clear and focused as you age. Maybe as my friend’s grandmother says, it can even keep you out of the nursing home. Here’s how to get started…

You’d assume if you eat vitamin D-rich foods, spend enough time in the sun and take a vitamin D supplement, your vitamin D levels would be pretty solid. But unfortunately, that’s not necessarily true. These thieves are stealing your vitamin D and your health…

Anxiety does awful things to a person. It messes with your sleep, your stress levels and is often tied to depression. If you’re battling anxiety, you could take medication prescribed by your doctor. But will you stick with it?

Antibiotics are the enemy of gut health, because they indiscriminately kill the bacteria in your gut. That means even the good guys… the bacteria strains that support your immune system, help you absorb nutrients, aid digestion and help you get rid of toxins.

Most people would agree that Alzheimer’s is the cruelest disease. What makes it even worse is that no real treatment advancements have been made. But a study appears to point to how to prevent Alzheimer’s from developing in the first place…

A scalp facial? It sounds strange, but the results will make you a believer. The secret to healthier, thicker, more lustrous hair, like you had when you were younger, starts at your crown. Yet, your scalp may be the most neglected part of your body.

If you’ve ever had food poisoning, you know the misery. In some cases, though, the consequences can be more serious than stomach cramps. For this reason, it’s crucial to know more about the bacteria that can contaminate your food, and how to avoid them.

One in 22 men is likely to develop colorectal cancer over a lifespan. So what if taking the ED drug Viagra (sildenafil) could significantly reduce that risk? At least one group of scientists say this is a possibility, according to results of a study…

Cognitive decline is considered a “normal” part of aging. Even people who don’t end up with dementia experience a decrease in brain power as they get older. But you can help your brain age slower by as much as 11 years…

Maybe you’ve heard that taking antibiotics is like setting off an atomic bomb in your microbiome. It doesn’t just wipe out bad bacteria, it wipes out everything, including the bacteria that keeps you healthy. But have you heard what antibiotics do to your heart?

Sometimes, it’s the smallest part of a plant that contains the most powerful nutrition. Seeds, for example, are tiny powerhouses packed with goodness that could actually help you live longer and healthier by staving off disease and conditions, like…

A lot of people feel stress and urgency about getting fit when summer is just around the corner. That leads to bad decisions that set them up for failure. Like starvation diets. Exercising too fast and too hard. And worst of all, setting themselves up for unrealistic goals…

The connection between vitamin D and cancer is gaining more traction. Past studies have linked a deficiency to an increased risk for colorectal cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and leukemia. But just how much can the vitamin reduce your risk?

It may seem illogical that darkness could actually help depression. But if you’re down in the dumps, a light at the end of the tunnel may be the last thing you need. Instead, a darker bedroom may be just the thing to boost your spirits…

One in four American adults deal with uncomfortable symptoms when exposed to everyday chemicals. That means more than 55 million Americans have multiple chemical sensitivity, a condition where chemicals in your environment make you feel ill. Do you have any of these symptoms…

When was the last time you had a massage? The health benefits, both preventive and corrective, are well-researched, and have been experienced by a wide range of people. More than just a way to relax, it promotes health, alleviates pain, and slows the progress of diseases, like these…

Who wouldn’t want to get the cardio-metabolic health benefits of traditional endurance training, but with five-fold less exercise volume and time commitment? Sign me up! Try it this way to avoid the sweat and stress on your joints…

Some studies indicate that women who take synthetic, chemically modified prescription hormones for extended periods of time have an increased incidence of breast cancer, heart attack and stroke, and pulmonary embolism. So lets’ talk about bio-identical therapy…

The prospect of a very powerful antibiotic from an unlikely and strange source, may provide a weapon to fight some of the most resistant bacteria known to man. But there is an even stranger reason why you may never benefit from it…

As warmer weather becomes the rule and not the exception, chances are you’ll be more active than ever. And who wouldn’t like a more toned summer body for those spring and summer clothes? When you’re in a hurry to get results, use these tips for faster fitness. You might be surprised to find less is more.

If you don’t have the time or energy to overhaul your diet, I have good news. There are a few other ways you can trim fat without tackling a new diet plan. In fact, there are several daily choices that factor into your weight that have nothing to do with what’s on your plate…

Any time you’ve got a purple or dark blue fruit or vegetable on the menu, you’re consuming a healthy dose of a special antioxidant-rich plant pigment known as anthocyanin, that can protect you from life-threatening conditions. Get started with these top 10…