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The list of harmful effects tied to semaglutide keeps growing. Sure, it melts fat, but almost half the weight loss may come from muscle loss. That’s trouble for anyone, but especially if you have blood sugar problems…

The good news is that antibiotic use is on the decline after years of discovering the damage they do to the gut microbiome. But, there are times they’re necessary, and that means the risk of another sinister way they cause harm long after their use…

Atrial fibrillation is more common in people over 65. But trends in certain risk factors are changing that, and linking the condition with more than a 50% increased risk for early-onset dementia, even without stroke…

Colorectal cancer is growing among folks 50 and younger. But a potent daily habit could help survivors live longer, in some cases, than their peers who never had cancer. Here’s what we all need to know to kick our bodies into high gear for cancer survival and prevention…

“Eat the rainbow” was coined for a good reason: To reap the incredible disease-fighting benefits of flavonoids and reduce your risk of early death, research suggests it’s key to get them from these different sources…

There’s no question that smoking is a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke. But if you thought cannabis, smoking or eating edibles, was safer, we’ve got a warning about how it could impact your blood vessels…

Health experts are sounding a warning as rates of early-onset breast cancer in women under 50 are growing dramatically. It’s a trend, they say, that cannot be explained by genetics alone, and we know eactly why…

Feet get cold, sore and tired. It’s par for the course, right — or is it? Your feet are surprisingly responsive to what’s going on in your body. One serious signal spells danger for your heart and blood vessels. Here’s how to recognize your feet are flashing a warning light that requires attention…

While goiter was once a common health problem, it seemed to all but disappear. So why are we now hearing it may be making a comeback, the kind no one wants to see? The reasons may surprise you…

COPD is an inflammatory lung disease with no cure that can compromise quality of life. A simple vitamin holds much promise as a potential treatment and improves levels of a coenzyme that delays cellular aging…

Taking a vitamin once a day seems a simple enough strategy for anyone to stick to. But how many times have you read about the amazing benefits of one vitamin in particular, got started enthusiastically and then just gave up the habit? This is one vitamin you can’t afford not to commit to…

Every day we learn more about the far-reaching role the gut plays in our health. The latest? It holds clues that can reveal if frailty or healthy aging and longevity are in the cards for you and how to play them for a winning hand…

My favorite road trip game is the one where you choose the ‘one thing’ you couldn’t do without if you were stranded on a desert island. For me, it’s a no-brainer: the nutrient science shows can fight all inflammatory and metabolic disorders.

The immune system’s first line of defense is white blood cells that fight infection and disease, including cancer. But some white blood cells support cancer growth. If you’ve got 30 minutes, you can increase the good guys and take down the bad ones…

Multiple sources report this tick season is going to be a doozy. Not only do there seem to be more ticks, but they are also more likely to carry diseases, including Lyme disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis. Here’s your first step to reduce your chances of getting sick…

I’m not sure when I first noticed that “life hacks” were a thing, but now they’re everywhere, and anyone and everyone is an expert. But here’s the thing, are these hacks worth the hype and truly helpful? Let’s find out…

Americans eat much less fiber than we should. So what? Constipation troubles? It’s a lot more serious that that. Without enough fiber your heart misses out on protective signaling that, among other things, lowers blood pressure…

Low thyroid among Americans ranges from 5% to 20% due to variables constituting what’s normal. But for those diagnosed and receiving treatment, there’s a warning about the most commonly prescribed medication for the condition…

A high-fat diet doesn’t just cause weight gain; it makes enzymes that break down sugar and metabolize fat dysfunctional, making weight harder to lose and increasing prediabetes risk. But there’s a secret weapon…

When your adrenals are constantly stressed, this sets off an autoimmune inflammatory response in your entire body. If you’ve got thyroid problems as well, things can go south real fast. The result? Feeling hopelessly stuck — tired, overweight and unhappy. There’s a way out…

In the U.S., one in 10 adults takes antidepressants. And when you come with physical complaints, it gets blamed on the depression. But depression doesn’t just hurt. It contributes to the diseases that cut our lives short.

It’s not Alzheimer’s yet. But it could be. That’s because this common condition not only shrinks brains, an MRI study shows it’s rapidly aging them, too. Luckily, it also links a single nutrient to keeping them young and plump…

Your liver health is a big deal. But your heart health ends up in the spotlight more often. Considering the role the liver has been found to play in coronary artery disease, that maybe changing…

Plenty of dietary guidance is available to manage diabetes. But that doesn’t make developing meal plans and choosing the right foods less daunting. Can you imagine carrying this weight every day? Cut yourself some slack…

With age, our blood vessels stiffen, hindering circulation, increasing blood pressure and risk for heart attack and stroke. Poor lifestyle habits often get blamed, but it turns out your gut may be prematurely aging your blood vessels…

We eat healthy, exercise and reach for supplements in hopes of adding years to our lives and enhancing the quality of our health. What if I told you it could be easier? Two currently available drugs may be the longevity cocktail we’ve hoped for…

There’s an especially complex relationship between gum disease and type 2 diabetes. It’s a loop where one condition exacerbates the other, and vice versa. But research says it may be possible to gargle away both problems. Let’s look at the facts…

Toxic metals, like lead and mercury, cause brain damage, heart problems and kidney dysfunction. Abundant in daily life, the threat is real, but the news is good: Mercury can be manufactured out of our favorite nutrient-rich fish.

Wallking is great exercise with big benefits. Luckily, research is showing that while getting close to 10,000 steps a day might be an admirable goal, it takes far fewer steps to tip the scales in favor of a healthy heart and longevity…

If you’re looking forward to good health in older age, exercise is essential. And if you plan your activities around your personal peak hours, you’ll improve two measures of healthy aging by working smarter, not harder…

Licorice is candy. But in traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s a medicinal herb. Its powerful effects are why guidelines determined how much was safe to eat. But they were wrong about how little can have deleterious effects…

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. It’s also a leading cause of stroke. Risk of devloping it climbs with age but it can also run in families and take your risk even higher. Do this one thing to slash it…

I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to slow aging. Understandably, there’s some skepticism when products claim to. But it can be as simple as avoiding the things that accelerate your rate of aging — like these foods…

For years, people with gout have been shamed for causing their own pain. It was thought their poor diet elevated uric acid which contributes to painful crystals in joints, like the big toe. Now we know there’s more to the story.

If you can bang out close to 10,000 steps a day, more power to you. But there’s a more effecient way to rev up your metabolism and burn 60 percent more calories. This is one health hack that may sound too good to be true, but here’s why it works…

Thanks to genetics, even diet and exercise may not lower high cholesterol. And since many people ditch medication, researchers seek alternatives. After a study with 400,000 people, they’ve hit on one that’s effective even when it starts with your genes.

Garlic has long had a place at the table and in traditional medicine, where the potent bulb is linked to heart health, reduced inflammation and a strong immune system. Now, taming aggressive cancer cells can be added to the list…

After a heart attack, it makes sense that you’d want to sleep more. But the need for sleep is more than the physical exhaustion of going through a traumatic health event. It’s a signal for healing that if not heeded could mean a 2nd heart attack…

The “cold sore” virus is extremely common. It’s believed to be present in more than half of all Americans. That doesn’t make it any easier to deal with when cold sores flareup. Gaining a better understanding of the virus may…

Apple cider vinegar is a versatile household staple, from brightening salad dressings to unclogging drains. It’s also touted as a health elixir. How can you separate the hype from the real benefits? See what the doctor has to say…

Environmentalists have sounded alarms about the harm it’s doing. But a more dire warning may be the estimated nine million premature deaths that happen each year because it’s hardening our arteries. As a doctor, this is how I’m protecting myself…

The idea of a healthy diet has been based on older dietary measures that steer us towards food groups or specific macronutrients. But it’s the effect of food inside the body that’s the common denominator fueling disease…

With cold and flu season approaching, you need to hear an ugly truth: Many decongestants we’ve turned to for sinus pain and pressure have been deemed ineffective and will leave drugstore shelves soon. Here’s why some work and some don’t…

The virus season is here. That means you need to ready your defenses against respiratory infections and the potential for pneumonia. As odd as this advice sounds, seeing your dentist may make the biggest impact…

A supplement that fights respiratory infections has been overshadowed by vitamin C, even though studies show it can reduce the likelihood of getting the flu by more than 50%. But its power to starve cancer might help it stand out…

The low FODMAP is as effective as medication in managing IBS symptoms, but it can be difficult to follow because it is so restrictive. What if you only had to restrict two things to get the same symptom relief?

Do you live with never-ending congestion and recurrent sinus infections? Feel like you can’t get enough air through your nose? Nasal polyps may be to blame. Your doctor can remove them, but to keep them from returning, do these 2 things…

How well do you think you’re aging? Considering all we now know about slowing the rate of aging so we can reduce risks for functional decline and disease, we’d be foolish not to try. The first step is to gauge your biological age…

Acute pancreatitis is a painful sudden attack that could land you in the hospital. Damage from repeat attacks put you in serious jeopardy. Rest, IV fluids, pain meds and antibiotics can only do so much. But this vitamin may treat, protect and prevent…

As age goes up, the more likely we are to experience vision loss due to age-related changes in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. But what if it was possible to age-proof our eyes with the help of a protein that keeps them young in the same way collagen helps age-proof our joints?

Deciphering cholesterol readings can be complex but we all know HDL is the good stuff, or so we thought. For women, menopause can help bring out the bad side of HDL that could lead to the first sign of Alzheimer’s…

Heart disease is not always top of mind. Maybe because we’ve become numb to it. Yet it remains the leading cause of death. While that almost makes it almost seem “normal”, it’s time to get scary serious about it…

The question of whether or not alcohol provides health benefits seems to have sparked a never-ending debate. It may have started with the French Paradox, but could end with these six cancers…

Being overweight is considered a risk factor for heart disease. But rumblings among experts began casting doubt on BMI as a measure of that risk. It’s been missing an important fat distribution detail that gives a much clearer, potentially life-saving picture…

Based on the theory of entropy, which translates to the breakdown of cells and systems in humans — exactly what happens with aging — scientists have stumbled on a novel anti-aging intervention. Here’s how you can put it to work…

If nature can throw allergens at us, it’s not surprising the answer to taming them is found in nature as well. If anyone understands the concept of balance, it’s Mother Nature. Thanks to these natural allergy relievers, you could enjoy fall without walking around in an antihistamine fog…

The oral microbiome is the second largest microbiome in the body. Research links it with whole-body health and longevity when it’s balanced. When it’s not, gum disease-causing bacteria can increase risks for certain cancers…

A leaky gut is exactly what it sounds like. So you can imagine having one can lead to all sorts of problems, from pain to autoimmune disorders. Just 2 of these nuts a day can make a significant improvement…

Omega-3 fatty acids are associated with healthy aging throughout life, promoting healthy brain and heart function. But as important as they are throughout life, they need to be there at the beginning too…

Indulging a sweet tooth occasionally seems harmless. But having a penchant for sweets, especially when sugars hide where we least expect them, can raise several markers for serious trouble, particularly stroke.