Latest Stories

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.

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…

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.

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.

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?

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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.

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.

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…

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

Antibiotics don’t do the trick for a lot of people with Lyme disease. Even if you get antibiotics right after your tick bite, you could still be among the 10 to 20 percent of people who deal with chronic symptoms after Lyme disease treatment.

You’re working hard. Getting less sleep than you should. And the stress is piling up. Surprised you’re sick again? If you’re not careful it could be flu that strikes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the season is winding down, but the threat is not even close to being over yet…

We’ve all been there… Your friend lost 20 pounds on a new diet so you try it and… nothing. No weight loss, no new thinner body, no feeling great and fitting into those skinny jeans. So, what’s the deal? Why do some diets work for some people and not for others? Researchers set out to find the answer…

Triglycerides have really gotten a bad rap. In fact, you’d be extremely unhealthy without them, since they perform some crucial bodily functions… Essentially, triglycerides are the fats that are stored in the liver for use whenever the body needs energy. But nothing’s perfect, right?

Being obese puts you at risk for a lot of health problems like stroke, sleep apnea, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, anxiety, depression and certain cancers. But there’s one way to remedy those risks, and I’m not talking about losing weight…

When was the last time you thought about your bladder? As organs go, we pretty much take the bladder for granted. Unless something goes wrong or you have an overactive bladder, chances are, you rarely think about it at all. Here’s why you should…

If time and pain keep you from fitness, consider rebounding. There are so many built-in benefits, but three new studies help to showcase this exercise form’s vast benefits to health and wellness beyond a shadow of doubt…

You may think that you’re as healthy as you can be and that you’re at lower risk for things like dementia and Alzheimer’s than someone who regularly lights up a joint. After all, alcohol is legal and if you consume it responsibly, what could you have to fear?

The health of the prostate gland is a focus for most men as they age and for good reason. Changes in prostate size can drastically affect quality of life with symptoms such as difficulty urinating, nighttime frequency and urgency, and carry cancer concerns…

Have you tried everything to get rid of dark spots… from microdermabrasion and peels, to lasers, lotions, potions… and even prayer? Maybe you haven’t had to deal with it, but, especially if you’re a young woman, it could still be in your future…

Want to live to your 90s and beyond, and stay healthy doing it? A recent study from the University of California identified four habits that can increase your odds of blowing out 90 candles on your birthday cake one day. And #3 is really surprising!

Nobody wants to have foul-smelling breath. But gargling with mouthwash may not be such a great idea. In fact, in doing so you could greatly increase your risk for diabetes and do some cardiovascular harm as well. That’s because your mouth is home to a beneficial health-boosting compound you’re sending down the drain…

The use of human growth hormone for anti-aging is popular among men and woman who want to feel and look younger, be more energized, leaner, and sexual, and who want stronger muscles and bones. If it’s for you, here’s what you need to know…

Sugar feeds bad bacteria. If you have a sweet tooth, it’s sad to think that chocolate cake could put the balance of your microbiome in jeopardy. But Princeton University shows us why sugar upsets microbial balance so much, and how you can counter it and eat your cake too…

You may not know this, but 85% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. And, it’s the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. That makes doing everything you can, now, to prevent the disease vital…

You’re probably gearing up for some spring cleaning. But be careful: Cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that have an impact on your lungs comparable to smoking a pack of cigarettes every day! Watch out for these 8 worst offenders…

There are things you can do to lower your heart disease risk, especially if you get regular aerobic exercise, like walking, swimming, cycling and dancing. But, even better, there’s a way to get twice the heart-healthy benefits from your exercise without double the effort…

There are many ways to exercise, tone and improve cardio health. Some are boring, some are challenging… With a little out of the box thinking you can make them much more fun. Like this super fun and different way to work your butt, legs, shoulders and arms at the same time.

Hospitalizations and deaths from flu this year have been higher than normal. But what if you don’t have symptoms… could you still have the flu? For older adults, this is a more frequent reality than most people realize, including doctors. And that’s even more scary…

Recent research has shown alcohol can damage your DNA, shorten telomeres and increase your risk for atrial fibrillation… not to mention seven different kinds of cancer. So there’s no question that drinking a lot is bad. But a little just might work like a beneficial brain tonic…

Everyone’s nerve pain is unique but what everyone who’s ever lived with nerve pain has in common is that it can’t go away fast enough. I had the unfortunate experience to learn that the hard way this past year. You see, I tore my shoulder and had to have surgery…

Numerous studies have shown that a freshwater blue-green algae called spirulina boosts men’s immune health. This superfood, and its cousin chlorella, can be enjoyed both in food and as a supplement.

Chronic inflammation amplifies your cancer risk. Fortunately, researchers confirmed that omega-3s are an effective way to fight the chronic inflammation that fuels breast cancer. But they also found one source of omega-3s is substantially more effective…

Yoga can produce lasting changes to your nervous system that help regulate your stress response. And control it you must: Stress is a killer that increases your chances of heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Under chronic stress, your chromosomes show the effects of accelerated aging.

Remember going to the fair and encountering the carnies who want to guess your weight? To this day, I’m not sure how they do it… but I don’t have to guess to know most Americans have a weight problem. And one reason is how fast — or how slow — we eat…

Does it seem like you’re out of luck and doomed to carry that spare tire around your middle ‘til the day you die? Don’t give up yet. A new study is providing the key to turning off your hunger so that you can actually drop those pounds and keep them off…

You’ve heard how important it is to keep your gut healthy by populating it with beneficial bacteria. And, the most popular way to do that? Probiotics. Those little capsules filled with acidophilus, bifidus and lactobacillus. But, what if I told you they might be cheating you…

It’s no secret air pollution affects your lungs. Breathing the toxic chemicals that spew from factories and vehicle exhaust causes chronic respiratory disease, emphysema, not to mention lung cancer. What you may not know is how it can give you Alzheimer’s…

Throughout your life, your heart sees its fair share of damage… Eating an unhealthy diet, drinking alcohol, staying sedentary, being overweight and smoking cigarettes all take a toll on your ticker. (And let’s face it…none of us are saints. We’ve all done at least one of these things in our lives.)

I’m sure you’re familiar with the concept of a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” Well, science keeps showing there’s some truth to it, especially when it comes to your health. What you believe about aging and disease can either keep you healthy or set you up for sickness…