Latest Stories

As someone who’s suffered from insomnia, I know how difficult finding safe, satisfying sleep solutions is. That’s why research from Sweden recently caught my eye. It was about a natural insomnia remedy that can make a serious dent in insomnia in just a short time — maybe even send it into remission.

When you hear the words “immune system,” you probably think immediately of your body’s defense against seasonal maladies like cold and flu. A strong immune system is definitely an asset in protecting you from these and other invaders. But it turns out the immune system does a lot more than protect against microbes and infection.

We all know stress can ruin health and bring on disease. But who has the downtime to combat it? With a never-ending list of tasks to accomplish, scheduling time to relax seems like a distant dream. Lucky for us, researchers found it only takes 10 minutes to boost your body’s physiological engine of relaxation — and they’ve identified the most effective way to do it…

Humans are omnivores who can survive on a long list of foods… plants, meat, fish, dairy, fruit, grains, nuts and even whatever the heck is in those processed, packaged foods we eat. But which of these foods will help you not only survive — but thrive… especially when it comes to heart health? Loads of research points to this diet as the ideal for omnivores who want to keep their hearts ticking…

A “runner’s high” is a reference to a feeling of euphoria brought on following a strenuous run or even after engaging in other intense forms of exercise. It’s triggered when the brain releases endocannabinoids — fantastic molecules that research shows could be key to giving your memory a boost and even preventing Alzheimer’s.

When you get a cholesterol test back, you’re typically given four numbers: The total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Your doctor is probably great about going over your results with you, but it can be confusing to remember all the details once you leave their office. Here’s what you need to know to interpret the results like a pro…

Your bone health isn’t something to be taken lightly. A hip break can land you in the hospital, even shorten your life span. But it’s not a heart attack, right? Not so fast. The development of mineral deposits in your arteries, which can lead to arterial stiffness, and bone mineralization share many overlapping processes. That’s why weak bones may be a sign of serious heart trouble…

There’s no denying that diabetes is hard on the kidneys. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. About one in four people with diabetes has it. And as a result, they often go on to develop kidney failure. Why exactly is diabetes so damaging to the kidneys? It turns out that diabetes prevents them from performing one of their most critical functions…

Your microwave can be your best friend. Use it to make life easier, more flavorful, and more aromatic. Here are seven things your microwave can do that you may not have thought of, and here’s one good reason why: Mounting evidence shows that microwaving may help foods and beverages retain nutrients and beneficial compounds better than other heating methods.

Coffee has received recognition as a serious superfood in recent years for boosting energy and metabolism and enhancing mental and physical performance. It’s also been shown to reduce the risk for diseases like Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes and dementia, not to mention reducing colorectal cancer by 26 percent. But coffee may do even more than just help prevent colorectal cancer… it may help people survive it.

Living with pain can make all aspects of your life more difficult… from the dread you feel just getting out of bed in the morning knowing the stiffness, aches and discomfort will be there… to having to give up the activities you love. Luckily, a new study might have the answer to reducing your pain, and it’s as easy as counting down.

Since I entered my 60s, my hearing isn’t what it used to be. I find myself asking people to repeat things. They don’t seem to mind and neither do I. After all my hearing is not that bad. But what does bother me is this: Research establishes a firm connection between age-related hearing loss and memory problems, possibly even Alzheimer’s. This is what we can do to combat that threat…

Feeling lonely and being alone are very different things. Loneliness is a strong predictor of the onset of type 2 diabetes. Loneliness also elevates blood pressure and blood sugar and puts us at greater risk of early death than either obesity or alcoholism. Loneliness isn’t a weakness, it’s a health warning to heed…

With people spending more time at home than ever before during the pandemic, it’s important to have a clean, safe dwelling. But if you live with a smoker or in a home where smokers once lived, coronavirus isn’t your only concern. Thirdhand smoke and its carcinogens can become deeply embedded in carpets and drywall and later be released back into the air you breathe.

Raw honey is probably the sweetest health food out there. Unfortunately, even as a natural, unprocessed product, raw honey may still arrive on your store shelves with pesticides, herbicides and bacteria. But there are simple ways to make sure you’re eating “clean” honey and getting all of its health benefits.

There are plenty of ways to reduce your risk of osteoporosis, a condition that thins and weakens your bones. You can eat calcium-rich foods, practice weight-bearing exercise or take a supplement to bulk up your supply of bone-supporting vitamin D. But there’s one way to take better care of your bones that’s kind of strange — turning up the heat…

We would all like to live happy, fulfilling lives. So, some scientists recently set out to discover how we could all grab a little more joy in our lives — pandemic or not — and where, with whom or in what our happiness lies. What they found is pretty eye-opening, and I hope you can put it to good use, especially during these trying times…

I’ve never met a cat who doesn’t love playing with laser pointers. And the good news is, these popular pet toys give your cat plenty of exercise. But there’s also something you should be concerned about if you have one of these lying around the house… they could permanently blast away cells in your eyes in just a few seconds…

When you’re feeling sick and just want to find relief, you trust that the prescription your doctor sends you home with is not only going to help you feel better but that it’s also safe. But a word of caution… there is a common antibiotic you need to think twice about if you take other medications regularly, even if your doctor says you need it, or you could end up with a heart attack.

Does a normal weight protect you against adverse health outcomes even if you don’t eat particularly well? And what if you’re obese? Is your outcome equally poor regardless of what lands on your plate? A 17-year study may have finally helped us get the answer that most of us have been struggling with. And it may be the most freeing news you get all day…

If you have diabetes, you’ve probably wrestled with sleep issues from time to time. Diabetics often have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep and often do not get enough sleep as a result. But even people without diabetes often struggle to sleep well. So is it any worse of a problem for diabetics? Research shows being a night owl or an early bird certainly affects disease management…

Not all fat is created equal. In fact, some fat deposits, like the ones around your abdomen, can be far more dangerous to your health than the fat padding your hips and thighs. This abdomen fat skyrockets your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Now, new research has found a way to lose that fat in just eight weeks without starvation or exercise.

Turmeric is a spice used in curry. It has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat any number of conditions. Recent research confirms that it’s also a good substitute for dangerous NSAIDs if you suffer from the knee pain of osteoarthritis.

A 54-year-old man in Massachusetts died after his heart stopped suddenly. The cause? Eating too much black licorice over the course of a few weeks. How could overindulging in candy cause someone’s heart to stop? Well, it turns out black licorice contains a compound that can trigger high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms and put your life in serious jeopardy…

Having cancer is scary. But the word “chemotherapy” can be just as worrisome for different reasons, including dreadful side effects like nausea, vomiting, hair loss, weight loss, fatigue, anemia and infection. Perhaps the worst, though, is when cancer becomes resistant to chemo. What then? Well, research shows a Chinese herb is proving a potent helper in just this situation…

For many, seasonal affective disorder can soon hit hard. The fatigue, sadness, hopelessness and social withdrawal (compounded this year by COVID-19) can make a long winter feel even longer. But if you’re looking for a safe, scientifically-backed way to fend off depression, this fragrant herb can be a big help…

Did you know that how you sleep can keep you from losing weight? Research shows that sleep directly impacts your appetite hormones and your ability to say no to fattening snacks. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to counteract this effect…

If you’re living with diabetes, you already know how important it is to embrace a healthy lifestyle. But there’s one more change you might need to make to be sure you don’t add high blood pressure to your list of diagnoses…

A calorie restricted diet isn’t easy. But they can lower blood pressure and inflammation, balance cholesterol, reduce insulin resistance and promote a longer lifespan. Why is cutting calories so good for you? That’s the million-dollar question, but it may not be the only way to get these benefit.

You probably consider yourself to be level-headed, right? Sure, you like to be adventurous, but you draw the line at risky behavior because it’s the smart thing to do. But if you’re among the 1 in 4 who turns to a popular OTC pain reliever for minor aches and pains, you’re unknowingly putting something in your body that can muddy your perception of risk…

The agony and ecstasy of more physical activity that comes with warmer weather and longer days… the most common sources of agony being hip, lower back, knee and shoulder pain. There are two equal but opposite reasons three out of four of those are lower body joints…

You’ve probably heard (on more than one occasion) that you shouldn’t eat a lot of processed food. And this is wise advice. But there’s an exception to this golden rule of good eating…

We live in America, the land of the super-size! We love our food so why would we not eat? That’s crazy talk! But in case you are inclined to join me and millions of others who are convinced of the proven health benefits of this new habit, here are tips to get started…

In your lifetime, you have a one in eight chance of developing invasive breast cancer. So, it’s vital that you look beyond drug therapy and doctor’s visits alone to increase your chances of recovery and avoiding cancer. And, one of the secrets to living longer following breast cancer may just surprise you.

The evidence continues to pile up in favor of eating one particular food to fight colon cancer… studies have already shown that this food heals your gut, slows the inflammation linked to colon tumor growth and reduces your overall colon cancer risk.

One of the deadliest natural poisons known is urushiol, and it is the very toxin found within the poison ivy plant. It’s no wonder when we come in contact with it, we rash out. Let’s take a look at some natural home remedies for treating the symptoms of poison ivy.

Though there are many underlying mechanisms that can potentially trigger disease, it’s surprising to learn that lifestyle diseases — with cardiovascular disease and cancer as the two front-runners — cause 70 percent of deaths.

If you tried to fill your medicine cabinet with the best botanicals to do your body good, you’d quickly run out of space. So you probably try to just keep a few on hand for specific needs. Better yet, you could use a great multi-tasker like pure honokiol…

Love it or hate it, marijuana is becoming an accepted form of medicine. It’s most well-documented uses are for conditions like glaucoma, epilepsy, cancer and MS. But as it becomes more popular, intriguing new benefits are coming to light, including how it affects your brain…

If you’re carrying around a few extra pounds, your dinner plate could be to blame. No, really — your actual plate… And, it’s something you’ll never hear from your doctor no matter how many times you ask for help losing weight. But, we’ve got all the details right here…

When you feel stressed you can’t sleep, your mind goes on hyperdrive, your appetite changes and there’s just a general unease about everything. It’s not a pleasant experience. This happens because stress literally switches your body’s nervous and endocrine system up to maximum velocity.

Cholesterol plays an important role in your body. It’s a precursor to your natural steroid and sex hormones. It’s needed to produce vitamin D and bile acids. And it’s also involved in healthy nervous system and brain function. So lowering it isn’t so cut and dry…

Did know aerobic activity could make you fat? If a large percent of the weight you lose is lean muscle, your metabolism will slow. The rate that you burn calories at rest will decrease. And this sets you up for weight gain in the future.

You’ve probably seen kombucha at your grocery store or local coffee shop. This fermented black tea is everywhere now. And, if you haven’t already tried it, the time is now… especially, if you’re looking to lose a little extra weight.

You already know good health requires a proper diet and plenty of exercise. But if you want to take your health from good to great, you have to look beyond the physical. Staying psychologically-fulfilled and socially-active plays a surprisingly large role in your health…

No one welcomes wrinkles, gray hair or less energy, but you can fight off these “normal” consequences of getting older with 7 healthy aging tips that’ll keep you fit and sexy at any stage of life…

When I see people with forward-rounded shoulders, it’s usually a sign of two posture problems: first, rounded upper back, commonly called “turtle back,” and a forward leading head posture, now commonly called “text neck.” These 3 simple maneuvers can save you from both…

From maintaining your cognitive function to lowering your risk of several cancers, coffee offers many ways to protect both your mind and your body as you get older. But remember the old adage… too much of a good thing?

For the first time in more than a decade, life expectancy in the U.S. dropped. It’s too early to tell what all the fall in the number of years we can expect to live involves or if the trend will continue. But here are a five ways you can add years to your life starting now..

Perhaps as summer approaches, a wedding date looms or a class reunion glares from the calendar and you are more motivated than ever to dive into an exercise program. But you’re probably also kicking yourself for not doing it sooner. No worries…

The chances of getting cancer are pretty high, affecting one in three women and one in two men. Interestingly, genetic factors only account for a very small fraction of your risk. In fact, up to about 70% of cancers are linked to factors you can control…

How many times have you showed up at work on a Monday and been asked “How was your weekend?” only to be unable to recall a single thing from the previous two days? If you’re like most people (me included), the answer is “all the time.”

If you’ve ever had a kidney stone, you’ll never forget it. And once you’ve had one, you’re more likely to suffer from them again and again. So, let’s take a look at the causes and myths behind kidney stones and discover ways to beat them naturally…

Those hot summer days are almost here and with them you can find yourself drained and dragging, fighting the heat and humidity. But there’s a simple way to boost your energy and feel better without turning to caffeine or a prescription. Even better, it’s a tasty treat…

As you age, it’s natural for your stem cell production to decline. But research is indicating you can boost your body’s production of these self-renewing cells just by practicing the ancient art of tai chi regularly…

If you suffer from chronic insomnia, and you’ve tried all the usual remedies without success, don’t give up hope… finding the right treatment is a process of trial and error. What works for one person may not work for others. But this herb is showing surprising success…

You’ve been told a high fat diet will cause a rise in harmful cholesterol. The truth is, many people who have heart attacks have normal cholesterol. The myth of high cholesterol as the cause of heart disease is slowly being dispelled as new research reveals a sinister threat…

Resveratrol binds to estrogen receptors and provides unique anti-estrogen activity, which inhibits tumor transformation and cell growth. But one issue that can limit resveratrol’s effectiveness is its low bioavailability. That’s an easy fix, though, when you combine resveratrol with…

You’ve probably already heard that you should supplement vitamin D. What you don’t know though is that the supplement you’ve been taking is missing a vital piece of the puzzle that boosts your immunity, helps you heal and even fights off infections and cancer.

Some people can eat anything, barely exercise, stay thin and effortlessly balance their blood sugar. So what’s the difference between someone who can eat what they want and someone who has to count every calorie? It all comes down to metabolic health…