Latest Stories

Whether you’ve been injured and stuck in a cast, imobilized due to surgery or stroke or maybe you just have a bad shoulder or knee, being immobile leads to muscle wastage that steals strength that’s hard to get back. But don’t let being sidelined prevent you from exercising the limbs you can move. New research shows the benefits can be transferred to the ones you’re not even moving!

Healthy blood pressure equals a healthy heart. Or so we’ve been told. But, according to recent research findings, relying on normal blood pressure as a sign that a heart attack or stroke is not in your future has painted a pretty picture that’s been revealed to be nothing but a facade — a false sense of security that could put you in deadly danger.

A new study has some sobering information for those of us who’ve made a regular habit of it eating takeout. Along with your favorite foods and a hefty side of convenience, those takeout containers carry a mega dose of plastic that’s finding its way into your meals. Here’s how, why you should be concerned and how to reduce the harm…

The human body has two different immune systems with different roles. But did you know that one of those systems can be trained to seek out and destroy cancer? That’s exactly what immunotherapy is all about and why researchers are excited about a nutrient found in certain foods that could double our immune power against cancer.

When you eat in a way that helps lower cholesterol and improve overall heart health, you’re also helping lower risks associated with cancer, dementia, arthritis and other diseases. Here’s why and how…

Based on available research, a ketogenic diet may be associated with improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes and HDL cholesterol levels. And now, it certainly looks promising as a nutritional intervention for heart failure.

Do you take your temperature and regularly find it hovering around 97 degrees? Or feel sure you have a fever only to find the thermometer reads a “normal” 98.6? There are several theories as to why this happens, but if you’re like me, you want to know if it’s anything to worry about. Here’s what we’ve found…

Shingles can strike anyone who’s had chickenpox, although older adults tend to be more susceptible. This painful, burning, itching rash takes time to heal. But you can relieve its symptoms through a number of natural means while waiting for it to disappear…

Taking a low-dose daily aspirin has been widely accepted for decades as an easy way to prevent a heart attack or stroke. But aspirin’s safety in prevention has been challenged over the last couple of years, and now it’s a call you should leave up to your doctor. Luckily an old test may provide new insight into whether it’s worth the risk for you or not…

While we tend to hear a lot about cancer of the lungs, breasts and colon, liver cancer tends to be ignored — kept as kind of a dirty little secret. Yet, deaths from the cancer are skyrocketing. But there is good news. A brand-new study has found a simple way to keep your liver healthy and decrease your risk of liver cancer dramatically. And it has to do with how much you eat.

If you’re a woman, simply not socializing enough can put your heart at as much risk as if you put on weight, regularly take medications with cardiovascular side effects or eat a lot of salt.

From preventing osteoporosis to shoring up your immune system, vitamin D is one of the most important supplements you can take. But most people are barely getting the minimum when there’s good reason to get more. To avoid frailty, stay strong, fit and active, higher amounts matter.

You may think of artificially sweetened beverages as a better alternative to sugar-laden drinks and a good way to avoid weight gain. Surely one is at least heart-healthier than the other, right? That’s not just wrong… it could be dead wrong.

For many years, omega-3s have been reported to be heart healthy. The Mayo Clinic recently quanitified that as a fact in a review of 40 clinical trials. And now we’ve learned that in the event of a heart attack, these fatty acids can make all the difference…

Colorectal cancer is most commonly treated with chemotherapy. But the most widely used chemotherapeutic agent is only effective in less than 30 percent of cases. More and more researchers are turning to nature to try to broaden the array of effective therapies, and one plant is stepping up to the plate…

Your doctor put it all on the line: Lose weight or have a heart attack. How would you do it? Diet? Exercise? Bariatric surgery? It’s a lot to think about, but the Cleveland Clinic has some pretty shocking information that may help you make up your mind…

Research has proven that small particles breathed in from polluted air are connected to Alzheimer’s. Now we’ve learned they can lead to Parkinson’s and motor neuron disease. This brain damage starts at an astoundingly early age because with every breath, aluminum, iron and titanium may build up in your brain…

People with type 2 diabetes are often told to avoid potatoes because they’re high on the glycemic index and thought to raise blood sugar. But a new study shows potatoes may actually be the starch of choice…

Research has indicated exercise may improve the prognosis of cancer, but experts haven’t been able to pinpoint exactly why. One theory was that exercise activates the immune system to support the body’s ability to prevent and inhibit the growth of cancer. Now researchers know why it works, and not just in mice…

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…

Do you spend lots of time on your laptop or smartphone or binge-watching your favorite shows? If so, you could set yourself up for sleep trouble. Here’s why those screens are trouble, 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…

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…

You don’t have to live with your depression, stress and anxiety. And, you don’t have to choose those prescription drugs with questionable effectiveness, chemicals and dangerous side effects. Start here…

You may think you’re doing everything you can to ward off dementia as you age. But there’s one more lifestyle habit you should adopt ASAP if you want to keep your cognitive health intact… and it takes place in the bedroom.

The biggest trend in the exercise world is high-intensity interval training or HIIT. It’s one of the best ways to stay in shape, keep your bones strong and your muscles lean, and to lose weight if that’s your goal. Luckily, it’s pretty simple and great for us mature folk…

Scoliosis is a painful and sometimes disabling condition affecting approximately 7.5 million Americans. It causes the spinal column to curve (rather than grow vertically), which causes an asymmetrical posture. The good news? A single yoga pose might correct it…

Alzheimer’s and dementia rates are rising at an alarming pace. And they’re only expected to grow more and more in the years to come… Is there something in the air? The answer is yes. There absolutely is… Alzheimer’s-causing air pollutants.

While you may assume that people who live beyond 100 must have superhuman genes, this isn’t the case at all. Only one third of their genes have any influence on their lifespan, while the rest of their longevity is determined by these three factors…

If you’re like a lot of people with chronic low back pain who would like an easier and possibly less expensive alternative to feeling better, you’re in luck. Recent research has shown that something you can do at home is just as effective for achieving relief as physical therapy.

If you’ve ever dyed your hair, you know how hair dye smells and feels on your head — that strong chemical smell and burning sensation on your scalp are the first warning signs that hair dye probably isn’t great for you. But just how bad is it?

When summer comes, the days get longer and we tend to stay awake later. Obviously, we can’t turn off the solar cycle. But understanding the powerful impact these external changes have on your body is the first step to finding solutions to sleep easier…

Rheumatoid arthritis is serious and usually gets worse over time. It can even lead to severe disability in cases where joints become so swollen and disfigured that you’re unable to use them. But diet can help, and there’s one particular food that protects your joints best from this devastating disease…

If you’re over 50, you’ve probably noticed that you just don’t have the sense of balance that you used to. This lack of balance doesn’t just add a wobble to your walk that can make you appear older, it also makes it more likely that you will suffer from a fall…

As a doctor, I was extremely disturbed to discover the American Heart Association’s new conclusions about coconut oil for heart health. Let me uncover what we know about coconut oil and why their conclusion is simply incorrect…

If you’re reading this right now, you’re likely an unfortunate headache and migraine sufferer. But what you may not know is that 30 percent of headaches and migraines are triggered by foods. And the six most common offenders are…

If low-key relaxation is your thing, more power to you… or if you’re a jet-setting adventurer seeker, that’s great too. Everyone is different. But to get the most of your vacation, take the kind that just might help you live longer by boosting your health on the cellular level…

The benefits of probiotics extend far beyond your gut. They also heal other health issues you wouldn’t expect like eczema, allergies, colds, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infections, tooth decay and periodontal disease and more. Check out these 7 big benefits of taking a simple, daily probiotic…

Cataracts result when the naturally clear lenses of your eyes begins to cloud, causing you to experience difficulty seeing and eventually leading to complete vision loss. The only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. This makes focusing on cataract prevention vital to healthy eyesight.

Have you been more forgetful lately? Has it been harder to focus than it used to be? Talking to your doctor about it probably won’t do you any good. Mainstream medicine thinks that it’s all just a natural part of getting older. But, it doesn’t have to be that way.

You might be surprised how much you’ll notice your upper body needs this stretch and opening. Most of us think of stretching and focus on our legs and hips, but your upper body can benefit just as much if not more, especially since it can hold so much tension.

When researchers looked at data from 17,000 adults they noticed that those who had lower blood pressure had a higher potassium intake. So, here’s a list of foods that can help you get more of this heart health-boosting nutrient…

Without enough antioxidants we would age more quickly and be more prone to neurodegenerative diseases. But while antioxidants are vital to health, there’s another disease fighting partner that can play a huge role in fighting off free radical damage, and that is ORAC…

Although we often don’t read about how it’s possible to reverse or stop prostate cancer, there is evidence that such goals can be achieved. It just takes a few well-researched steps you can get started doing all on your own…

Did you know that stress damages your DNA? Stress shortens your telomeres, a part of your chromosomes that’s associated with cellular aging. The shorter your telomeres, the quicker you age and the more likely you are to succumb to diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

It’s amazing that traditional cultures know the nutritional and medicinal benefits of plant ingredients. What’s even more amazing is they have known the powerful influences of plants long before the need for the type of scientific research that modern medicine requires.

Like oxygen rusts steel or air turns sliced fruit brown, free-radical damage occurs in your body through the natural process of metabolizing the oxygen you breathe. Think of it like car exhaust. It’s called oxidative stress and it’s an underlying cause of disease…

The debate about dairy’s health benefits continues… One day you hear that dairy increases your risk for serious health problems like cancer. And the next day you hear that dairy can protect you from cardiovascular disease and help you lose weight. So what’s the story?

Did you drink enough water today? Many of us suffer from chronic dehydration, especially during the summer months. But what’s really surprising is that most people may not even know they’re dehydrated…

If you’re over 40 and having trouble getting enough sleep, there’s a simple solution to your problem. In fact, it’s so easy that many people ignore it. Yet, it can help you fall asleep 20 minutes faster and sleep more deeply all night. The answer is a…

Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, can be bothersome and embarrassing. The condition arises as an immune system reaction that produces an inflammatory cascade in the body, which surfaces on the skin. Eliminating food triggers can help…

If you’re making the switch to a healthier diet, then you’re probably familiar with one particular feeling… hunger. But never fear! There’s a trick for curbing cravings that will make your life a whole lot easier and your stomach a whole lot fuller.

When you’re trying to lose weight, skipping a meal might seem like the obvious solution. After all, it lowers your calorie intake and that’s a good thing, right? But skipping breakfast leads to negative metabolic changes that can sabotage your efforts and put you in danger of stroke.