Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Hitting the stairs: Exercise after heart surgery

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Reduce pain and stress and boost your brainpower with nature’s sounds

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Sleep: The secret to getting your sex life back

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.

Joyce Hollman

5 symptoms that could signal kidney disease

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.

Carolyn Gretton

Bleeding gums? You could have a vitamin C deficiency

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The vitamin that gets you on your feet following hip surgery

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.

Carolyn Gretton

AFib signs women and their doctors miss that can lead to stroke

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.

Carolyn Gretton

The connection between darker skin and vitamin D that harms hearts

If you have dark skin and tend to spend a lot of unprotected time in the sun, you may think you’re safe from vitamin D deficiency. But research shows the opposite may be true. This is why researchers are recommending that African Americans add vitamin D to their diet to help protect their heart health…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Meeting the brain’s energy needs connected to slower aging

The mitochondria found in our cells generate about 95 percent of the body’s energy. As we age, that energy declines. Research has found a connection between the brain’s ability to pull in glucose and the level of energy produced by mitochondria — one that could hold the link to living longer and healthier.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How cocoa lessens the risk of fatty liver

A fatty liver increases risk for liver damage, liver cancer, liver failure and even death. But there may be a surprisingly pleasant way to halt the progression of fatty liver and improve the health of this vital organ.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Nutrient combo combats pain and symptoms of uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that develop from the muscle in the uterus, typically in women of child-bearing age. The condition usually stabilizes, and symptoms lessen or go away on their own once a woman goes through menopause when her hormones decline. But till then?

Joyce Hollman

Harnessing the brain’s cleaning mechanism may reverse Alzheimer’s

Past research has shown the brain’s cellular cleaning mechanism can help take out the trash that leads to Alzheimer’s, and there are ways to naturally encourage the process. But what happens when, despite everything, this cleaning system breaks down? An experimental drug may have the answer to reversing it…

Carolyn Gretton

Sleepy in the daytime? It could affect this key marker of aging

Aging is directly connected to the shrinking of your telomeres, compounds that protect your chromosomes from damage. But there are several other factors that could shorten your telomeres and potentially accelerate the aging process — for instance, finding yourself constantly in need of an afternoon nap…

Carolyn Gretton

The veggies diabetics should be eating for kidney health

Diabetic nephropathy can strike one out of four people with diabetes, leading to loss of kidney function and the need for dialysis. While there is no cure yet for this condition, researchers are exploring options — and may have found one in a certain group of vegetables…

Joyce Hollman

The exercise sweet spot that keeps blood pressure in check

Three decades of research have further validated the role of exercise for healthy blood pressure. But it’s also shown that the “long game” matters. But if you haven’t stuck to your exercise routine, it’s not too late…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Air pollution: What you should know about this silent threat

Air pollution has not only been associated with asthma and lung diseases but also diabetes and heart attack. Research shows that in the U.S. alone 50,000 people will die this year due to one particular type of air pollution, a silent killer known as PM2.5. Here’s how to protect yourself…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Probiotics may keep respiratory infections away

As they say, prevention is the best medicine. And one of the most promising ways to avoid illness is to shore up your immune system by promoting a healthy and balanced gut microbiome.

Joyce Hollman

The once-a-day nutrient that eats away anxiety

When feelings of intense fear and dread become overwhelming and prevent us from doing everyday activities, an anxiety disorder may be the cause. Anxiety can be brought under control with medications, but at a cost. Don’t let it eat at you when you can eat it away…

Carolyn Gretton

Three times in life when your aging gets ramped up

Most of us perceive aging as a straight line on a steady decline. But the truth is our aging process is more like a straight line that’s interrupted by dips and bumps at certain points. And scientists have been able to identify three precise points in a person’s life when the most dramatic shifts in physiological aging occur.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Black cumin: 7 modern benefits of an ancient seed oil

King Tut, Cleopatra, and Hippocrates relied on black cumin seed for an array of conditions, including malaise, weakness, coughing and skincare. When something is carried down over the years as a “remedy,” especially as long as black cumin seed, there’s got to be something to it. But when the research agrees, it’s even better.

Carolyn Gretton

10 essential ingredients for healthy, vibrant skin

Healthy skin isn’t just something you’re born with — it takes some work. And while fancy creams and serums may help keep your skin radiant, you need to go deeper than the products you put on the surface to help your skin stand the tests of time. That’s where skin nutrition comes into play…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Being active may help you hold onto your hearing

You’ve probably heard plenty about the dangers of not being active, including heart disease, stroke and various cancers. But are you aware of the auditory dangers of a sedentary lifestyle? It’s time to listen up and get up to save your hearing…

Joyce Hollman

Hungry all the time? It’s your blood sugar, not your appetite

Are you hungry all the time? Do you find yourself eating just an hour or two after a big meal? If you’ve had trouble with your weight as a result, stop beating yourself up over your lack of appetite control. You may be a big dipper. That means changes in your blood sugar levels affect how soon you feel hungry again.

Joyce Hollman

Not eating your greens? A greens powder could help

Less than ten percent of us eat enough leafy greens, and it’s making us sick. We either don’t like the taste, find them expensive and don’t like that they may cause gas and bloating. If you want to make healthier choices about what goes in your crisper — but have an easy option as well, here are the healthiest greens and what to look for in a greens powder.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

High blood pressure: What I tell my patients

High blood pressure is extremely common. What’s worse is that only about 1 in 4 adults with hypertension have it under control. That’s because there are many causes. Put too many straws on the camel’s back and it falls over. Take a few straws away, the camel can stand back up. You can bring your numbers down the same way.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 ways exercise helps battle breast cancer

Although it may seem like exercising would be a difficult task for anyone undergoing treatment for breast cancer, according to doctors at Johns Hopkins, it’s one of the best things to do. Not only does it lessen the side effects of treatment, research shows it has a direct impact on treatment outcomes.

Carolyn Gretton

One ‘must-have’ for a healthy liver and healthy living

Poor diet and lack of activity can lead to a lot of health problems, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The traditional way to treat fatty liver has been through significant weight loss. But researchers are finding that you may not need to lose as much weight to keep your liver healthy if you do this…

Joyce Hollman

9 health and body changes that happen in your 70s

Your body doesn’t come with a user’s manual. So, as you age, some changes may take you by surprise, but you can be prepared. Here are some things you might expect and some advice to keep enjoying life no matter your age.

Carolyn Gretton

How breastfeeding makes women’s hearts healthier

Maybe you’re a soon-to-be new mom deciding whether to breastfeed or not, or a mom who breastfed years ago. In either case you may excited to learn mothers benefit just as much from breastfeeding as their babies do. It turns out breastfeeding may lower the risk of certain diseases over the long term for moms, including cardiovascular disease…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How the gut may activate Alzheimer’s genes

One of the fastest-growing areas proving gut health is whole-body health is Alzheimer’s research. Study after study has linked the gut microbiome with either Alzheimer’s risk or protection. Now, a ground-breaking study has found that the genes that trigger Alzheimer’s may be turned on by the gut.

Jenny Smiechowski

4 signs multiple chemical sensitivity is behind your strange symptoms

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…

Joyce Hollman

Using massage to manage blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Get as fit as an endurance trainer without the time and sweat

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…

Dr. Michael Cutler

7 reasons to consider bio-identical hormone replacement therapy

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…

Margaret Cantwell

A strange tale of infection, disease and a platypus cure

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…

Debra Atkinson

8 tips to spring into that summer body (slideshow)

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.

Jenny Smiechowski

3 simple ways to shed pounds without changing your diet

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…

Joyce Hollman

10 purple powerhouse foods that fight cancer, stroke and dementia

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…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Senior citizens’ spicy secret helps stave off memory loss

Could daily consumption of a certain form of curcumin — the substance that gives Indian curry its bright color — really improve memory and mood in people with age-related memory loss? See what the research says about the secret India’s seniors already know…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Kiss winter chapped lips goodbye

Coming out of a long, cold winter often means dealing with dry, chapped, cracked and irritated lips – leaving you to slather on that chapstick, hoping for relief. So, what do you do to finally get the smooth, soft, moisturized lips you want? Here are the six secrets to kissing those chapped lips goodbye…

Joyce Hollman

The deadly link between diesel fuel and ALS

We all know that breathing vehicle exhaust is bad for us. Recent research has focused on one particular type of fuel and the pollution it creates. We’re exposed to it more than we may think, and it is directly linked to an incurable and ultimately fatal condition.

Dr. Mark Wiley

Heal, soothe and destress using good vibrations

The Beach Boys may have been onto an ancient healing practice without even realizing it… That’s because the entire universe and everything in it resonates at specific vibrational frequencies. In fact, energy is nothing but vibration, and we are surrounded by it and made up of it.

Joyce Hollman

What apples and pears do to your stroke risk

You know the old saying about an apple a day, and how it keeps us from getting sick… And, you’ve probably heard that dark green and deeply colored fruits and vegetables provide you with far more nutrition than pale or white ones. Well, research has managed to confirm the first adage while turning the second piece of wisdom completely on its head…

Jenny Smiechowski

How beef and milk pull the trigger on autoimmune disease

Hamburgers. Meat loaf. A glass of milk. There’s debate about whether animal products like beef and milk should be avoided altogether. But wherever you fall in your consumption of cow products, there’s one health risk to be aware of…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

10 foods that sock it to your seasonal allergies

Soon the flowers will be blooming, birds will be singing, the grass will turn a vibrant green… and, your seasonal allergies will be back in full force. Don’t reach for those anti-histamines that can leave you feeling funky and drowsy and off your game just when you can get out and play. Eat, instead!

Beverly Burmeier

Hot or cold: What’s best for pain?

Knee pain, a stiff shoulder, elbow tendonitis, arthritis or a recent minor injury… it doesn’t matter the cause. What does is stopping the pain. Commonly, hot or cold therapy can help, but how do you know which will work for your pain?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The bacteria that keep your blood sugar under control

There are natural ways to prevent type 2 diabetes in the first place and even ease problems, if you’ve been diagnosed. Even better, though, a six-year study reveals clues to how bacteria in your gut can reverse blood sugar problems.

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

The memory problems that linger after surgery

We all experience those moments from time to time — a forgotten name, a hazy memory, misplaced keys… but according to a recent study, if you’re middle aged and have undergone surgery in the last few years, you may experience greater cognitive decline.

Dr. Michael Cutler

Menopause Q & A: Progestogens vs progesterone

I commonly get questions from my female patients about the use of synthetic progestogens in menopause and this month a new patient came to me taking Prempro. I’d like to share why naturally-derived progesterone is safer and more effective.

Jenny Smiechowski

Is this really the first sign of Alzheimer’s?

When it comes to your body clock and health, things get kind of tricky. Scientists can’t always tell if a messed up body clock causes disease, or if it’s the first sign a disease is brewing in your body. And in the case of Alzheimer’s, they’re starting to think it may be the latter…

Joyce Hollman

Why gargling with red wine may be the next health craze

If you’re someone who enjoys having a glass of Cabernet or Merlot with dinner, hopefully you already know all about the heart-healthy benefits you’re indulging in. But there’s a new and delightful twist to the story of red wine, polyphenols and your health…

Margaret Cantwell

Why a vitamin D deficiency means faster aging

It’s been more than well established that a vitamin D deficiency greatly increases the chances you could end up with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and even cancer, the so-called diseases of aging. Is it because this vitamin actually suppresses aging?

Jenny Smiechowski

6 cancer-causing items hiding in your home (slideshow)

Did you know ordinary items lying around your house could be sabotaging your health? Some of these items contain carcinogens that cause your cells to divide faster, damage your DNA or trigger other processes in your body that can eventually lead to cancer…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

When blood thinners lead to stroke

I was shocked recently to read how dangerous those blood thinners they give stroke victims really are. In fact, according to new information, for a lot of people with specific health issues, they could just as easily cause stroke instead of preventing it…

Jenny Smiechowski

The connection between lighting and a better brain

Ever have a day when you just don’t feel like the brightest bulb in the bunch? We all do, but now science knows one reason why: Your lighting choices are much more important to your health than you ever realized, and could mess with your memory…

Joyce Hollman

The cold, flu, sinus-allergy tonic you can make at home

Did you know that you can use apple cider vinegar as the base for a high-powered drink that’s good for everything from the flu to indigestion? To take ACV’s health benefits to the next level, just add in these superfood all-stars for a homemade tonic that’ll ward off almost anything.

Jenny Smiechowski

Why grass-fed milk may be the ultimate health drink

Whether you’ve converted to nut milk or you’re still drinking conventional milk, you may want to consider drinking a glass of grass-fed milk daily. Researchers believe it may be an easy way for people of different ages and lifestyles to fight disease from cancer to heart disease…

Joyce Hollman

Know these early signs to head off Parkinson’s disease

People often ignore the early signs of Parkinson’s, since they often closely resemble signs of aging we’ve been groomed to accept as normal. This makes it even more important to reduce severity of symptoms and maintain quality of life…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Get a younger, brighter smile without damaging your teeth

A bright smile doesn’t just show the world how happy you are, it takes years off your face! No wonder we’re all so obsessed with whitening and brightening our teeth. But, leave the bleaching for the toilet. Get a brighter smile without harsh chemicals…

Dr. Mark Wiley

Get IBS under control in 4 steps

IBS is a painful and often life-altering syndrome. The good news is there are, indeed, natural and effective methods to control and greatly reduce your symptoms. With these 4 tips, you should be able to reduce its frequency, duration and level of discomfort…

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