Latest Stories

We’ve seen plenty of research on brain plaques and tangles, the telltale signs of Alzheimer’s. But experts may have linked the disease’s beginnings to a surprising cause… one that bolsters a long suspected association with diabetes and increased risk for this mind-robber — sugar made in the brain.

Flavanols are natural antioxidants found in certain fruits and vegetables as well as tea and cocoa. They have well-researched benefits that just keep piling up, like substantially lowering blood pressure to help support arteries and prevent strokes.

There’s no question obesity is a serious disease that’s spreading among Americans. And scientists are working overtime to find ways to treat it beyond the usual diet and exercise. One group of researchers may have found an answer hidden in a common vitamin…

Have you been spending more time on your laptop or smartphone or binge-watching your favorite shows since the COVID-19 lockdowns began? If so, you could be setting yourself up for a danger no one expected from a pandemic. Here’s how those screens are putting your health at risk, along with a simple solution for better sleep and sight.

Brushing and flossing your teeth is about far more than just avoiding cavities. In fact, the health of your mouth is tied to serious conditions from diabetes to heart disease. But until now, the reason wasn’t clear. Now researchers know it’s tied to a particularly powerful immune cell that, when hyperactivated, can circulate through your body to do major damage…

Asthma can be deadly. The symptoms include coughing, tightness in the chest and wheezing. Because there currently is no cure for asthma, management of the condition is the best our health care providers can offer. However, recent research is proving those treatments can come at a cost…

Some recent research has made me feel a lot better about my pretty minimal exercise program. The research insists that even a little bit of physical activity every day can improve health — but I was shocked at just how little could help me avoid disease and live longer…

Doctors and scientists have long suspected a link between Alzheimer’s and sleep apnea. What they haven’t known is exactly how similarly these two conditions damage the brain. Now, researchers have untangled the puzzle and why, if you’re living with sleep apnea, you need to make brain health your top priority right now…

Resveratrol may be great for your heart, but there’s another natural antioxidant that your body absorbs much more easily, and that does the same thing and more! Found in blueberries or supplements, it just may be the help your blood pressure is looking for…

We’re all wearing masks and keeping distance to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. But continued research into coronaviruses is providing new ways to keep us safer. Since the virus significantly replicates in the throat and is expelled through the mouth, an unassuming product on your bathroom vanity may help lessen the spread…

When you have type 2 diabetes, managing your disease includes avoiding food that could cause your blood sugar to skyrocket. Going too low could also be a problem. But integrating dietary care into daily life could also be as simple as adding beverages shown to impact your health in a very positive way…

Triglycerides are not all that important for heart disease risk on their own. Rather they’re more significant depending upon the company they keep and whether they’re very high. The combination of low HDL and high triglycerides is a particularly worrisome profile. For that reason, let’s talk about how to get them lower…

Right now, costly therapy and questionable drugs are the approved treatments for OCD. But cannabis may hold potential for providing a break from the chronic cycle of obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors those struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder deal with on a daily basis…

Living with inflammatory bowel disease can make you feel like you’re on your own since the medical community hasn’t been able to agree on the cause or how to reduce your symptoms. Luckily, a new study has found the answer. It comes down to just one ingredient in a long list of foods to avoid.

One in four American households includes someone who suffers from migraines, and more than 90 percent of sufferers are unable to function normally during their attacks. Treatments have included drugs that don’t always help and advice on avoiding triggers. Thanks to research into the effect of light on migraine, there’s new hope…

Simply talking generates droplets that can carry the coronavirus from an infected person. That’s why we’re all wearing masks. And, according to the CDC, flu spreads much the same way. Luckily, a simple drugstore item has been found to help make it four times less likely those droplets can spread…

CoQ10 is an essential nutrient that works like an antioxidant in your body promoting heart health, slowing down the effects of aging and powering trillions of your body’s cells. But a couple of factors are notorious for stealing it, including this list of common medications…

The debate about whether non-stick pans are safe or not has been ongoing for two decades now. While manufacturers will tell us they pose no health risks, researchers have sounded warnings about serious toxins directly linked to disease. Here are several factors that could influence how much of those toxins are leaching from your pans to your food.

Not getting enough quality sleep is linked to some heavy-hitting health problems, including Alzheimer’s, heart disease and cancer. But there’s a more immediate benefit to getting good sleep than preventing future illness: It’s proven to make life less difficult and more enjoyable right now.

These days, having a “bag of tricks” to help quiet your mind is indispensable. Not only that, but it can also help prevent all sorts of stress-related illnesses. Here are 10 things you can do when your mind is racing. See which work for you and keep them ready…

The use of proton pump inhibitors to treat acid reflux over a long period of time has been shown to produce some serious side effects, including bone fractures and gut infections. Now there’s another ailment long-term users of PPIs have to watch out for — diabetes.

Vitamin D is sharing the spotlight with COVID-19 once again, as it was recently revealed President Trump was supplementing it, along with a special treatment cocktail. But it’s not the first time the sunshine vitamin has been connected to patient outcomes during the pandemic. It’s no wonder, considering the importance of vitamin D to our overall health…

Have you ever wondered why salt can lead to or worsen high blood pressure? Even stranger, why are young people less sensitive to salt’s effect on blood pressure? Curious researchers have found it comes down to slowed production of an anti-aging factor known as the Klotho protein…

When you read about supporting a healthy gut microbiome, bacteria may be stealing too much of the spotlight. That’s because your gut contains a lot of fungi too. And the type and amount of fungi in your gut could have just as big an influence on disease risk as bacteria do. In fact, fungi could even play a big role in your Alzheimer’s risk…

We’ve all heard about the many benefits of drinking green tea. But did you know that the polyphenolic compounds present in green tea have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties that promote healthy skin? Not to mention catechins that have potent therapeutic effects on various skin conditions. Grab your tea bags and start the bathwater…

Millions of Americans wake up every day to pain that won’t go away. From low back pain to arthritis, chronic pain engrains itself into the life of the sufferer. Now research has found that if you’re living with chronic pain, you might be facing something even worse, a dramatically higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Time to stop the pain…

LDL cholesterol is the cholesterol that’s parking in your arteries and causing blockages to build up. It is also the cholesterol that’s toxic to the lining of your arteries (the endothelium), increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Obviously it’s nasty stuff, so let’s talk about how to get less of it, and dispel some myths while we’re at it…

We’ve been so concerned with avoiding COVID-19 the past few months that we’ve let another health danger sneak in… our screen time has skyrocketed. And it’s taking a toll. While spending some time on screens is impossible to avoid, we can take steps to keep it to a reasonable level — and avoid the worst offenders…

Prunes have been associated with constipation for so long that they’ve almost become a joke. But if you’re concerned about osteoporosis, you can stop laughing right now. Even in the worst of circumstances, like the bone loss that happens with spinal cord injury, prunes have shown incredible bone-saving power…

Obesity is associated with a long list of adverse health effects including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. But research is showing that extra weight, especially around the middle, can not only shrink the brain but make recovery harder if you suffer a stroke or other brain injury.

In years past, polluted waterways, factories sending smoke into the sky and leaded gasoline fumes led to disease and made us sick. So, the EPA set guidelines and, over the decades, the environment became cleaner. But we rarely think of our homes as being polluted…

If you’ve ever gotten caught in a downward spiral of depression, you know it’s a desperate place to be. Your heart is heavy, your mind is cloudy and you feel like a lead weight is tied to your body. So, how do you dig yourself out of this depressive hole?

Someone presents a roast dinner with baked potatoes and vegetables smothered in gravy. You smell the delicious aroma and your mouth begins to salivate. But before a fork even reaches your mouth, the smell of that food is affecting your metabolism…

It’s sad to say, but a lot of people think the older you get, the worse your health gets. But this doesn’t have to be true for you. There are a lot of changes you can make now to prevent yourself from going down this road — and the first is effortless…

When it comes to eating healthy, you have to consider more than just what you eat. You have to consider when you eat it. Because meal timing makes a big difference in your energy, metabolism, weight and overall health…

They’re called “obesogens.” They come into your home on the products you buy and wind up in your household dust for you to inhale, ingest, and absorb through your skin. According to research, just three milligrams of this dust resulted in fat production.

Reports say this is the worst tick season yet. Add to this, mosquitoes and gnats and a host of other bugs, and a nice summer day or night can turn from amazing to a disaster. Here’s a way to make an effective, non-toxic, natural insect repellent with essential oils…

How often do you use time as an excuse not to exercise? If you’re like most people, probably too often. You figure if you can’t do a full-blown thirty to sixty minute workout, you just should just forget it altogether. But, you shouldn’t, and I’ll tell you why….

If you’re diabetic already, or prediabetic, maintaining tight blood sugar control is extremely important. That’s why you should take advantage of the most effective blood sugar control tools at your disposal. All you have to do is look to simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen…

Heartburn, reflux, ulcers and indigestion… If you’re taking prescription or over-the-counter medication to treat any of these common health complaints, you could be taking a chance with your life.

Mussels… They may not be at the top of your shopping list but they are a powerhouse of nutrition for men… And if your aim is more muscles — and better health for your brain, heart and more — eat more mussels.

Sometimes migraines come out of nowhere. Other times, it’s one of a list of many “triggers” that sets them off. Now, research says you can add too much or too little weight to that list. So is there a weight “sweet spot” that can help prevent your migraines?

Most people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years without major lifestyle changes, including diet changes and exercise. But there is a simple dietary trick that most doctors completely neglect in helping patients avoid diabetes…

You’ve probably heard that blueberries improve brain function, strengthen your bones and fight cancer, among other things. But there’s another berry that won’t be outdone by its blue brother. In fact, it may be one of the best age-defying, disease-fighting berries around…

Does this sound familiar… You’re working hard at losing weight and the pounds are steadily dropping, and then bang… nothing for weeks. You’ve suddenly stalled and those extra pounds just don’t want to budge. It’s certainly frustrating but one thing is for sure, you’re not alone…

A stroke hits when either oxygen or nutrients carried to the brain are blocked. While most people know that stroke is a serious issue, what is less known is that some commonly prescribed medications can increase your risk of stroke anywhere from 25 percent on up to almost 80 percent.

Did you know, that ongoing sleep issues increase your risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, anxiety and depression? And then there’s the connection between poor sleep and dementia. That one’s a real doozy…

Ah, summer. Or, should I say, “Ouch, summer!” Summer is little like a rose bush… It’s quite appealing and you can get lost in it. It’s the stuff of fond memories and adventure, but just like a thorn, an unexpected sting, pain or itch can put a quick stop to your fun…

The most common form of skin cancer beats out breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined. So take precautions this summer and find out how research says eating more tomatoes should be part of your efforts to reduce your risk of skin cancer…

The flowers of the immature female hops plant have long been used to add flavor and bitterness to beer. It was from there it was discovered that the plant alters its structure and is capable of providing many health benefits — including blasting belly fat at its core. But what about beer belly?

When your skin absorbs UVB rays from the sun, it triggers a reaction in your body that allows your skin cells to create vitamin D. So the sun is literally supplying your body with the vitamin D it needs to stay healthy. But there may be another reason for vitamin D’s sun-related nickname…

The average American gets conflicting messaging about how to eat to avoid the insulin resistance that leads to type 2 diabetes. Very few items represented as health foods, actually are… and certain industries try awfully hard to lead us astray from other…

The power behind cleansing lies in the ability to give your digestive system and your detox organs time to rest and to lighten the load. This brief period can be an amazing rejuvenator! But, before you start any cleanse…

From fatigue and joint pain to weight gain and autoimmune disease, your health issues could be caused by a single thing: your leaky gut. Leaky gut may begin in your gut but its ill effects don’t stop there. Before it’s too late, check these symptoms and causes and start repairing your gut asap!

Loss of strength can sneak up on you, and you know what that means… loss of independence can be around the corner. The little things, like taking a few minutes a day to do one good strengthening exercise can make all the difference. Here’s how to get started…

The evidence supporting medicinal marijuana is in its early stages. But now that more and more states are saying yes, research is turning up some intriguing benefits… like the fact that marijuana could help fight cancer, not just ease symptoms.

Since the majority of people with prediabetes eventually develop full-blown diabetes, scientists have been interested in ways to prevent this from occurring. Now, a study reveals that individuals who take an exotic spice can avoid it, and more…

Men and women dream of having thicker, lustrous, more beautiful hair. Before you start using a prescription or messy topical solution that may not work, think again. Side effects range from headache and dizziness to sexual and neurological problems…

For many years it’s been feared due to its high fat content. But, like many foods, the much-maligned avocado has just been misunderstood. Instead of causing harm, it actually has the ability to heal. Eating avocado each day is heart-protective…

Starbucks and the likes keep the coffee cups filled, much like a “coffee pharmacy” dolling out grande-sized cups of what may very well be a longevity prescription. Because the proof is pretty solid that a coffee habit prevents disease and extends life. But if you want to know…