Latest Stories

Your skin, hair and metabolism aren’t the only things that start to show the signs of aging once you hit 40. The cells in your retina do too. And that can cause major vision problems as you get older. But red light could help you protect these critical cells and keep your eagle eyes a bit longer…

Your vagus nerve runs from your brain to your gut and controls a long list of automatic body functions. It keeps you breathing and keeps your heart beating. There are things you can do to keep this nervous system “superhighway” functioning optimally.

Even with successful cancer treatment, many people suffer toxic damage from the chemotherapy designed to save their lives. But new research has found a diet has the power not only to boost the effectiveness of tumor-shrinking treatments but also to protect cells against the DNA damage caused by chemo…

New research into hypertension recently proved that a condition long considered to be an uncommon cause of high blood pressure is actually quite common. The problem? Doctors weren’t testing for it enough and when they did their technique was highly inaccurate. Could this be the cause behind your BP problems?

Despite its reputation for raising the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, some recent studies show that eating red meat in moderation isn’t that bad for you. But that doesn’t mean you’ve got a free pass to indulge until the cows come home. Red meat does contain a compound that poses harm to your arteries and brain.

Over the past decade, the number of people taking muscle relaxers long-term has skyrocketed. These drugs were never approved for long-term use. But that’s not the worst of it. Here’s what you need to know about the potential dangers of muscle relaxers, plus other options to stop the spasms and the pain…

Putting your feet up at the end of a long day comes naturally. But what if your feet, ankles and legs are swollen and painful? More than an annoyance, this could be a sign of a much more serious condition. Here are a few to check out…

Acupuncture, medical marijuana, cognitive behavioral therapy, curcumin and anti-inflammatory diets are all popular, effective options for pain management. But there’s one more natural pain solution I’m willing to bet you’ve never heard about…

Once you hit middle age, chronic and degenerative diseases become the biggest threat to your health and longevity. Many of these diseases occur when oxidative stress causes free radicals to attack your cells… including Alzheimer’s. But a few potent antioxidants could protect you from the oxidative stress that puts you at risk for debilitating diseases like Alzheimer’s…

According to research, the way most of us shower could increase our risks for eczema and even skin cancer. Here’s what you need to know about getting clean, plus the only three areas you should soap in the shower…

Patients and readers often ask me about the risks of soy: Is there a connection to cancer? Can it help hot flashes? And as a cardiologist, I’m probably asked most often… Is soy really beneficial for heart health? Recently, the evidence really swung in soy’s favor…

Chewing your food thoroughly does more than prevent you from choking. It eases the strain on your digestive system, prevents disease and guarantees that the nutrients in your food will be put to good use and not wasted.

A new study has found a plant compound known as the “sugar destroyer” that’s been used in Ayurvedic medicine, a tradition that goes back three centuries that could help you beat your sweet tooth and put down that chocolate bar…

Everyone loses some bone mass with age, but women going through menopause lose the most by far. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to protect your bone mass during menopause, but, unfortunately, one of the most popular methods for maintaining bone density may not work for menopausal women…

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic knee pain and turn to surgery. But after knee surgery usually comes weeks of physical therapy. If you’re going to have to work to rescue your knees and regain range of motion after surgery, it may be easier and less painful to try these Harvard-backed exercises before going under the knife…

Checkpoint inhibitors are the latest powerful cancer drug. They show promise but come with a price tag… they can cause colitis, a form of irritable bowel disease that can itself lead to colorectal cancer. That’s why researchers are looking to an easily available supplement to not only help prevent cancer, but to also help their therapies work better.

A lot of us are working from home now. If you are, or even if you’re still going into a workplace where you sit for much of the day, you’ll want to develop some new habits now, before your health deteriorates. That’s because yet another study indicates not moving can increase your risk of death by cancer up to 82 percent….

Depending on what microbes you have in your gut, you’re going to end up with different metabolites… and potentially, different diseases. If you want to change these metabolites to support a healthy heart with less cholesterol and arterial plaque, a new study shows exactly what you need to do…

For a long time, red meat has been Public Enemy #1, making us more likely to have high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes. But there’s some good news for meat lovers: New research on red meat consumption calls much of this into question.

Diet is one of the most effective weapons you have in the fight against heart disease. But can you narrow down all the diet advice to what does your heart the most good? Recent research from Harvard did and found these four approaches can lower your heart disease risk by as much as 21 percent…

The symptoms of low thyroid function, or hypothyroidism, can mimic symptoms of many other conditions. But given the right testing, a case of hypothyroidism is hard to miss. The problem is that the “standard” test for thyroid malfunction can actually hide the problem. Here’s what you should know if you suspect hypothyroidism is behind your symptoms.

If you get diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor will advise you to reduce your salt intake. At one point, several large-scale studies conclusively linked high-salt diets to high blood pressure, but we’ve learned that the connection between salt and blood pressure isn’t so cut and dry… and it includes your gut.

Your microbiome goes way beyond your gut. It extends across your whole body, including your most sensitive area. When the bacterial balance gets out of whack down there, you’re left with a nasty infection known as bacterial vaginosis. Luckily, a few specific strains of probiotics can quickly get your vaginal microbiome back on track…

Have you ever heard about the heart-health liver link? Scientists have known for a while that poor liver health can lead to a diseased heart but weren’t sure exactly why. Now they know… and if you want to keep your heart pumping strong, you’ve got to love your liver…

Making a habit of eating close to bedtime can really pack on the pounds. That’s no secret. But beyond weight gain, eating against your circadian rhythm can set you up for one of the most preventable diseases, and that’s just for starters…

Decades of scientific evidence supports the mind-body connection. Still, it’s easy to forget just how closely your mental and emotional state impacts your health. Here’s a good reminder: a new study shows feelings of well-being and happiness could protect you from dangerous intestinal pathogens that cause infection. Here’s how to boost yours…

If you’ve been putting off your trip to the dentist, you may be risking more than just a cavity. In fact, you could be setting yourself up for inflammation of your gut lining. Here’s the connection you’ve probably never heard of between the bacteria in your mouth and your chances of developing inflammatory bowel disease.

If you’re not already taking vitamin D, it’s time to rethink that strategy. Not only can it help you maintain healthy bones and a strong immune system as you age, an exhaustive review of scientific research has found the sunshine vitamin can protect against cancer and even improve prognosis. But it all comes down to your vitamin D status…

There’s a good reason everyone always tells you to eat your greens. They’re chock-full of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that keep you happy and healthy — including one specific vitamin that’s essential to your body’s ability to clot blood, create bone, maintain healthy blood pressure and, now, a new study shows it could help you live longer.

When you’re craving a snack, you have two choices. You can reach for something salty, crunchy and processed (like potato chips) that won’t do your heart health any favors. Or you can reach for something that’s just as satisfying that significantly improves your cholesterol, blood vessel health and cardiovascular disease risk…

There’s no denying that running is great for your cardiovascular health. But what about its impact on your knees? Convention has always said it’s not so great in that department. But it turns out, they were wrong…

A lot of people swear by the herb echinacea to kick a cold or flu to the curb. But the research on its effectiveness has been conflicting. Which may leave you wondering… is that $12 bottle of echinacea pills really worth it? You may be surprised…

Untreated mineral deficiencies, especially for women, can cause serious health problems including endocrine (hormone) imbalances, osteoporosis and anemia, yet this underlying problem is commonly overlooked.

You know greens are good for you. That’s why you stock your fridge full of big, leafy bunches of romaine, kale, spinach and chard. But when it comes to greens, bigger isn’t always better. In fact, the smaller your greens are, the healthier they may be…

Low energy is the worst. It can add to your stress because let’s face it, life goes on whether you feel up to it or not, right? But the lack of energy is also depressing. If you’re battling low energy, hormone issues could be at the core of your ebbing energy stores…

Excess liver fat is a hazard. It’s even worse than that extra abdominal fat you’ve been worried about. That’s because it puts you at an even higher risk of developing insulin resistance, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and even cancer.

Many factors can raise your risk of heart disease: family history of heart problems, obesity and diabetes. And researchers believe that if you lose a loved one, the grief you feel can also put your cardiovascular system at risk.

Probiotics play a critical role in maintaining a healthy immune system. If you disrupt the balance between the beneficial and harmful bacteria in your gut, you place your physical, emotional, and mental health in jeopardy.

Yoga is one of the healthiest fitness practices around. It can improve your cardiovascular health, tone and strengthen your muscles, balance your metabolism, give you more energy and improve your stamina. But there’s a catch…

Magnesium is necessary for more than 300 biochemical processes in the body. We can’t list all of them here, but we can focus on some of the more important reasons magnesium matters for men’s health.

Most chronic skin issues aren’t just skin deep. They’re a sign of deeper imbalances in your body and lifestyle that could lead to bigger problems.

Whether your goal this winter is to swoosh down the slopes, maneuver icy sidewalks, or get up from a chair without pain, healthy knees are important to you.

If your shoulders feel sore, tight or painful, you may blame it on overworked muscles or poor posture. But there could be another more worrisome cause behind your shoulder trouble… In fact, shoulder problems may have less do with muscle strain and more to do with a higher rate of heart disease…

Premodern civilizations developed a vast array of mind/body techniques and practices for achieving enlightenment and long life. Science it catching up with the realization that the ancient methods hold modern value…

If you’re not getting quality sleep, you’re missing out on sleep’s biggest benefit: the prevention and reversal of most chronic illness. Because sleep is when your cells and systems do some of their most important work.

Meditation and meditative exercises are powerful tools for optimal health. These time-honored practices promote healing on every level: physical, mental, emotional, and psycho-spiritual. Give yourself a few extra moments to unwind your mind. It’s been a busy year – you deserve it.

If you’re starting an exercise routine chances are that your goals include burning fat and avoiding injury. You also want to enjoy the exercise as much as possible. For all those reasons and more, warming up and cooling down correctly is vitally important to your workout.

Heart disease, cancer and now asthma. Just think of processed meat as the cat burglar of your health and vitality, stealthily stealing it away while you’re busy doing other things… like eating a hot dog, a bologna sandwich, bacon or corned beef.

Do you often feel drained of energy in the morning… or late afternoon… and don’t know why? Sounds like you could be a victim of energy theft. There are several culprits that could be zapping your energy, and they run the gamut from physical to emotional.

If sore, achy or swollen joints are keeping you from being as active, you’re not alone. It’s hard to stay active when it hurts. But, if you don’t do something about it, your health will continue into a downward spiral…

Bariatric surgery is popular among some people who despite other weight loss efforts — and the dangerous threats obesity poses to their health — resort to surgery to slim up and get healthier. An important vitamin can help with recovery…

Inflammation truly is the root of disease. And some common factors that most of us experience regularly — stress and difficulty sleeping — are major contributors to unruly inflammation throughout the body.

Don’t let age slow you down. Use some of theses tips to charge forward and make the years ahead of you the prime of your life!

I get a lot of questions from people about upper body strengthening and toning. Not everyone is comfortable using weights, and if you don’t have much strength to begin with, even small weights can be challenging. I’m happy to report there’s another option…

Over the past decade, a powerful bioflavonid found naturally in plants, herbs, and vegetables known as luteolin, has been gaining ground in research studies as a potential “big gun” in the treatment and prevention of diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and others.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is scary stuff. But at the same time, it’s the number one treatable risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. So why are 25 percent of emergency room visits from hypertensive patients?

Constipation is a serious matter. When you’re constipated, your body is bogged down with extra wastes it should be releasing. And that puts you at risk for health problems like hemorrhoids, incontinence, rectal prolapse, diverticulosis and colon cancer. But for some it’s a chronic problem…

Vitamin deficiencies are at the root of too many health epidemics to count… dementia, cancer, heart disease and mental illness to name a few. So, is it any wonder that another rampant health problem could be caused by a lack of a critical vitamin?

For men who have to take the next step to manage an enlarged prostate, there are more than a dozen surgical options available. Minimally invasive procedures, in which no incisions are made in the skin; and invasive procedures that involve removing part of the prostate gland. Which is right for you?

You may be thinking about recommitting to exercise. But there are real obstacles to exercise for anyone any age. Maybe you think you don’t have the time or the right equipment, and you feel uncomfortable at the gym. Forget about all of that.