Latest Stories

The common cold is far from dangerous, but it still makes you miserable by walloping you with a cough, a headache, congestion, a low-grade fever and that awful fatigued feeling you get when you’re sick. But the next time you’re laid up with a serious cold, you have a big bright side to think about… colds may be able to prevent the more dangerous flu virus from infecting your airways…

It’s been drilled into our heads for decades that fat is bad. With obesity comes a higher risk of all kinds of disorders, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancers. But recent research has found that fat may not always be a harbinger of a health problem on the horizon. In fact, if you’ve got thick thighs, you may breathe a sigh of relief…

In 1972, the United States banned the use of the pesticide DDT. But other endocrine-disrupting pesticides have taken its place and are still in use. Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself from exposure to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals that cause breast cancer.

Reduced muscle mass can lead to a lack of mobility, lower quality of life and even steal your independence. Now though, there’s a new weapon in your arsenal that could make all the difference — a simple and delicious way to kick your muscle strength into gear by stimulating the production of special cells in your body that boost muscle growth and repair…

If you don’t have asthma, you probably know someone who does and know they keep an inhaler close by. Oral steroids can be part of asthma management, too, since inflammation is a troublesome component of the condition. But experts fear these medications are being overprescribed and are leading to some very serious side effects…

Anticholinergics, also called antispasmodics, treat everything from Parkinson’s to COPD and asthma to irritable bowel syndrome. Some are even found in over-the-counter allergy medications. But at least three recent studies point to a strong connection between anticholinergic use and cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s.

If you’re a “social smoker,” you may think your health risk from lung cancer and other tobacco-related diseases is much smaller than if you smoke a pack a day. But is that true?

A lot of anxiety sufferers find ways to improve their symptoms, but they never quite slay their inner anxiety demon completely. If you can relate to this struggle, you need to know that the root of all those sleepless nights, panic attacks and anxious sweats may be your thyroid.

For over a decade, experts have waffled about whether omega-3 intake can help you stay heart healthy. Now, the largest meta-analysis to date has found conclusive proof that whatever amount you might get through diet, you should consider supplementing for ample cardioprotection…

Have you ever wondered if you’re going to end up with Alzheimer’s and when? The truth is that while there is genetic testing for the disease, having or not having the gene won’t answer those questions. But there is another indicator that Alzheimer’s is likely in your future…. one that you can turn around.

Everyone is trying to curb chronic inflammation nowadays. That’s because science has clearly identified it as a major contributor to disease and pain. Popular approaches to dousing it include anti-inflammatory diets and drugs. But a kind of mental therapy can significantly slash your levels — no diet changes or drugs needed!

Based on all the latest research, your vitamin D levels may be a window into your future. They can determine your risk for conditions like heart disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes. The free, circulating vitamin D levels in your blood may be the best indicator of whether your vitamin D levels are in the danger zone.

When you’re living with chronic pain, it’s easy to find yourself giving up activities that you love. But that decrease in your get-up-and-go could actually be due less to the pain itself and more about how you think and feel about your pain. Here’s what you need to know about the pain catastrophizing trap and how to escape it…

Diabetes tends to run in families. In fact, your doctor will tell you that if your mom, dad or grandparents have blood sugar problems, you’re at higher risk. But, does that mean your fate is sealed? The answer is no. There’s a completely changeable factor that plays a much bigger role in whether or not you end up with diabetes.

Chronic kidney disease is surprisingly common. People living with the disease have damaged kidneys that are unable to filter out bodily wastes and fluids efficiently. This leaves harmful levels of wastes circulating in the body, which can damage other organs (like your heart and brain). So, how can you keep your kidneys safe and healthy? Follow these six lifestyle changes…

Have you ever heard of honeybee venom therapy? It’s the use of honeybee venom for medicinal purposes (either through injections or intentional bee stings). A lot of people think it’s just a new age health practice, but it’s been used for over 5,000 years to treat a variety of conditions ranging from gout to chronic pain to multiple sclerosis. Fighting breast cancer may soon be added to that list…

Carrying excess fat around the midsection raises your risk of heart disease, diabetes, metabolic disturbances, dementia and, in women, breast cancer. Now, at least two recent studies have connected visceral fat with prostate cancer. Not just prostate cancer, but the advanced kind that normally proves fatal.

There are a lot of eye problems you can fall victim to as you get older. But perhaps the most concerning is glaucoma. It’s one of the few that can cause permanent and complete blindness. On the bright side, it’s possible to reduce your odds of ever developing the disease in the first place. One of the most effective ways is a popular diet…

While the term processed food is one most of us have heard, the concept of ultra-processed food is a litter trickier. These zero nutrition foods have been linked to everything from diabetes and high blood pressure to cancer. And a recent study has more bad news. they speed up your biological aging…

The human body was designed to sleep during the night and stay awake during the day. Mixing that up leads to problems. In fact, research shows there may be certain critical functions that your body will only perform during a nighttime sleep session… like clearing all the dementia-causing wastes out of your brain.

Holding strange neck positions over and over again, only to find little to no lasting relief? We’ve all been there, but now, we finally know why… and what is not going to help, like stretching. If you really want to get the root of your neck problem, and experience lasting relief, give this a try…

Every move we make throughout the day causes our cells to stretch and deform. The problem is that these stretched and misshapen cells could lead to permanent DNA damage and even cancer. So how are we able to keep moving without destroying our cells? New research tells us that the answer lies with calcium…

After surviving a heart attack, making lifestyle changes to prevent a second attack is vital. Yet, even with the motivation a heart attack provides, actually giving up bad habits and replacing them with new, healthy ones can be a challenge. Luckily, a new study has found a simple way to more than double your chances of success.

Once you’re over 50, you lose about one percent of your muscle mass per year. Not only can it lead to frailty, but it’s also linked to a higher risk of physical disability and even type-2 diabetes. So how do you prevent your muscle mass from slipping away with age? The answer may be simpler than you’d think…

Roughly 36 million people in the U.S. alone take cholesterol-lowering medications, also known as statin drugs. Yet, with the massive number of statin prescriptions doctors write, is there truly evidence that they save lives? New revelations are that inconsistencies and contradictory evidence has been swept under the rug…

People with stomach cancer (gastric cancer) often don’t show symptoms until the disease has reached advanced stages. The common bacterium H. pylori causes stomach cancer, but even if you carry this germ in your digestive tract, your diet can help keep you from falling victim, especially if you’re a fan of cranberry juice…

The next time you get the urge to crack open your favorite soda, think again. These drinks can irreparably damage your teeth, and it’s not just the sugar. With every sip they’re interfering with an important protective mechanism in your mouth….

Napping can come with big benefits like helping you relax, improving your mood and keeping you alert when you need it most. But lying down for a snooze in the middle of the day isn’t necessarily harmless. If your naps go long they could actually have a negative impact on your heart…

Eating a lot of sugar and refined grains is hard on your liver. But one type of sugar seems particularly harmful where your liver is concerned — fructose. It triggers a chain of events that leads to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can then lead to liver damage, liver cancer or even liver failure.

As we get older, some vitamins and minerals become especially important. We don’t process them as well and need to get more of them from our diet to protect ourselves from health complications that will make our golden years not so golden.

Americans keep gaining weight. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity or being overweight is a key factor associated with increased mortality rates in adults — as well as elevated risks of heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer.

Whether you work in an office, behind a cash register or in a classroom, it never fails… The clock strikes 2 p.m. and your energy and productivity take a dive. You can barely keep your eyes open, let alone finish out your workday. Next time it hits, try this…

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are real fears that all of us face… the idea of one day losing your mind, the ability to recognize loved ones, perform daily functions or take care of yourself — that’s just not a thought any of us want to entertain.

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who can’t wait to lace up their running shoes daily, and those who would rather get a root canal than run a mile. Love it or hate it, running is hands down the best exercise for adding years to your life…

Spanish explorers named it “Copa del Oro” or “Cup of Gold” because its petals looked like they were filled with gold. But, this gorgeous blossom has more going for it than beauty. If it’s golden slumbers you wish to fill your eyes, you might fill your tummy with golden tea…

Like people, ticks love the warm weather, which means “tick season” is here. If Lyme disease is detected early, most courses of treatment entail a heavy round of antibiotics. However, delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to chronic, exhausting symptoms that can persist for years.

When it comes to cancer-fighting compounds, which are the most effective and where do you find them? Here are eight that are shown to be particularly effective and, as it turns out, these anti-cancer compounds can be found in everyday foods you consume…

A few years ago I started using ginseng to help with my fatigue. And, it’s been such a lifesaver for me that I’ve never stopped using it. However, I recently discovered four other amazing benefits this super herb has to offer…

You’ve heard all about the best brain drinks… like tea, pomegranate juice, blueberry juice and coffee. But what’s the point of drinking brain-boosting beverages if you’re going to turn around and drink something that damages your brain and increases stroke risk?

Sometimes illness is the first sign of mineral toxicity. In fact, exposure to aluminum, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury are linked to many disease states. Some of these include…

Science has brought us a long way. We are living longer healthier lives, thanks in large part to scientific discoveries. As great as science is though, it’s not infallible. But people who go against the scientific grain are treated like blasphemers. And the reason why is disturbing…

Spasms and cramps account for much of the daily chronic discomfort and pain we feel. Although they are more common than they should be, the good news is that most muscle spasms and muscle cramps can be relieved naturally…

Everyone knows that the little green tree known as broccoli is an incredibly healthy food. Now, a recent study has revealed that broccoli has super cancer-fighting powers. But how much should you eat to benefit?

Range of motion is very important… Think about backing out of a parking space. Sure you can use your mirrors, but to be safe, you need to be able to also look over your shoulder just to be sure. And it’s surprising just how restricted that simple motion, and many others, can become over the years.

Your rate of bone loss skyrockets in the 10 years following menopause and can leave you living in fear of breaks and fractures. However, there is one vitamin that most doctors overlook that when taken along with calcium and vitamin D can help increase your bone density.

It’s no wonder men are confused… Over the past few years, various different medical organizations and professionals have changed their minds and recommendations about if and when men should get a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test.

These standing core exercises can be more than a simple solution for someone who has an injury or limitation in getting to the floor and back up. And the icing on the cake: they’re gentle on joints, but hard on the muffin top!

The next time you make a cup of tea, you just might want to reach for white tea rather than its green cousin. Although green tea has powerful health benefits, it has nothing on the white variety for keeping your skin young, firm, and wrinkle-free.

There are plenty of compelling reasons to purchase organic food… but if you’ve ever experienced the misery of chronic insomnia, I have one more life-changing reason to ditch pesticide-covered produce for good… it messes with your sleep.

Have you ever run across one of those vintage ads from the 1950s featuring a full-figured model strapped to a vibrating belt exercise machine? As funny and strange as those machines seemed, it appears the concept of using vibration for weight loss actually works…

If you want a good excuse to enjoy your glass of red wine with dinner, you’ve now got one! Overall, resveratrol stacks up to be a very potent antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory agent, with some seriously powerful benefits for your vision…

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. but most are preventable. Regardless of your risk level, these seven ways to reduce heart attack and stroke risk can get you on the right path…

Only 50 percent of people believe eating or lifestyle habits influence their risk of developing cancer. This suggest that many of us feel we don’t have much control when it comes to cancer prevention. This just isn’t the case…

You’ve probably been prescribed short-term steroids for an illness that won’t kill you, like back pain, allergies or respiratory tract infections. But the complications of this medication can increase your risk for three dangerous conditions, and two can kill you.

While it is important to eat both fruit and vegetables, it turns out that with each additional 3.5-ounce daily serving of one of these food groups, your risk of dementia continues to decrease…

Strength training can lengthen your life. In fact, in one study, people who strength trained outlived other people who did just about every other exercise under the sun but strength training. So there is definitely something special about boosting your strength…

Leg cramps, no matter the cause, are painful, annoying and sleep-disturbing. You can decrease your chances of experiencing leg cramps by modifying physical activity, but if you find yourself writhing in “Charley horse agony” often, you might need to dig deeper…

If you only fill up your bathtub when you’re feeling extra stressed, you may be missing out on some of bathing’s best benefits. There’s something about a hot soak that sends high blood sugar and calories down the drain…

Side effects for appetite suppressants include dry mouth, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, and psychological or physical dependence. There’s got to be a better way, right?

Qigong is an ancient technique that helps the body restore itself by cleaning, de-stressing, relaxing and energizing through a series of postures, movements and breathing techniques. Try these sitting or standing…