Latest Stories

After reading some recent research into just how “doing art” affects the brain and the emotions, whether you consider yourself “good at art” or not, you may want to grab the kid’s coloring books and crayons or just start doodling away…

Alcohol-related deaths in the U. S. have risen sharply. However, women are far outstripping the men in this morbid race. While deaths in men went up by 35 percent over time, researchers want to know what’s fueling the shocking increase for women and how to stop it…

As the COVID-19 pandemic runs its course, we’re being advised to stay at home as much as we can. But this shouldn’t mean that we let our physical fitness fall by the wayside. In fact, now more than ever, it’s important to find some simple, do-able ways to keep moving.

There are obvious problems with prescribing opioids for tooth pain. The biggest being the potential for addiction and side effects. But beyond these problems with opioids in dentistry, there’s a very surprising one that proves it’s not worth any of these risks…

Surgery is never something to go into lightly. It’s a major event that puts your body under a lot of stress. So it’s important to weigh the risks and benefits carefully, especially if you’re over 65 and have one of these three health conditions which makes it far more dangerous…

My uncle played football all through school. His dream was to go pro so he put all he had into every game. Looking back, he wishes he had never even played. Yet every day, his body painfully reminds him he did. Now men like him face another problem from their glory days…

We’ve all been told a million times that managing stress is an important part of taking care of your health. But how seriously do you really take this advice? I’m here to tell you that ignoring stress is a big mistake — one that sets off a sequence of events that sends your health down the tubes.

About 50 percent of the Amerian population fits into a surprising category that could increase their severity of not only flu infection, but also coronavirus. Just like heart disease, diabetes and lung diseases, if you are in this group, take extra precautions…

Diet and exercise can reverse obesity for many. But thousands of people turn to gastric bypass surgery, a more drastic method for losing weight quickly. Unfortunately, the sudden weight loss that comes after such surgery comes with risks of its own…

Antibiotic resistance has doubled over the past 20 years. So scientists are searching far and wide for compounds that can fill the big shoes of current antibiotics we’ve used for decades. And they’ve discovered an unusual contender…

What’s good for the heart is also good for the brain. In fact, research over the past decade has confirmed the intimate connection between our brains and our hearts, and how caring for one means caring for the other… A two for one, so to speak…

Sometimes healthcare is a Catch 22. Meds and treatments can help us live longer, better, and healthier unless we make this mistake researchers found can actually accelerate your health problems in spite of your doctor’s best efforts…

Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory compound proven to act against a variety of cancers and possibly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. For big benefits, it’s important to improve the amount your body can absorb. Here are a few ways to do that…

Dizziness, or vertigo, can have lots of causes. But while the initial episode of dizziness may be physically based, when it continues, a person can get trapped in a vicious cycle, a self-destructive feedback loop that must be broken…

Did you know that while heart disease still reigns number one, the second most common cause of death worldwide is actually stroke, beating out all forms of cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and even lower respiratory infections? Time to lower your risk…

“Drastic times call for drastic measures.” And the pandemic was one of those times. It was tempting to apply drastic measures to our disinfectant efforts. But something we learned that we can carry forward, no matter what virus we face, is that the simple answer turned out to be the best answer…

Over the years I’ve had numerous occasions where I’ve stopped, clutched my chest and looked at my husband and said, “Am I having a heart attack?” If you knew my family history of heart disease, you’d understand why. But this time, my thoughts went straight to coronavirus…

“Exercise is medicine, and there is no question that moderate to vigorous physical activity is beneficial to overall cardiovascular health. However, like medicine, it is possible to underdose and overdose on exercise — more is not always better and can lead to cardiac events.” Here’s lifesaving info on how to do it right…

Gut health has become a buzzword for those who want to feel better, fight off disease, and live longer. And with good reason: Poor gut health is associated with everything from weight gain and autoimmune conditions to heart and kidney disease. Now, there’s another reason to focus on your gut — fighting cancer.

Studies show diet sodas increase the risk of stroke, dementia and metabolic syndrome, among other issues. If you can give them up, you really should. But, at the least, remember this: Don’t eat carbs with your diet soda. Because new research shows that could be where the real danger lies…

You know what happens when you tip over one domino — the whole row falls. And the same thing happens with your health… In fact, a new study shows that the amount of blood your heart pumps out directly impacts the amount of oh-so-important grey matter you have in your brain…

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced by a portion of the brain called the substantia nigra. Dopamine controls muscle movement, everything from walking and gripping with the hands, to smiling and swallowing. As Parkinson’s patients produce less dopamine, symptoms become more apparent. But a fun activity shows promise for keeping them active.

This past weekend, like most everyone else, I went in search of Lysol disinfectant spray and came home empty-handed. After all, when you want to ward off the spread of anything in your home, that’s been our go-to disinfectant, right? But if you can’t find it, here’s how you can use essentials oils in your home…

Olive oil isn’t just part of the amazingly healthy Mediterranean diet. It can stand alone and still confer all of those benefits… thanks to its high antioxidant content! In fact, extra virgin olive oil shows a unique composition of fatty acids with a higher antioxidant content than any of the other edible oils. But does it stand up to the heat?

Hypertension, stroke, heart disease and diabetes are directly linked to obesity. It’s also viewed as a predictor of a dozen types of cancer or more. So it’s no wonder that research is ongoing into how we can stem the tide of obesity-related conditions that, at worst, lead to death and at the least, greatly affect the quality of life for most Americans…

Chocolate cake at breakfast may help you keep weight off… Hard to believe? Not ready to break out the cake yet? Then you need to know what happens when you eat breakfast that doesn’t when you eat any other meal of the day. Let’s take a look at the research behind these claims…

Although skincare experts have coined the term, vitamin F is not a real vitamin. In fact, the F simply stands for fat. Specifically, vitamin F is two types of fatty acids – linoleic acid (an Omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (an Omega-3). These acids are now the hottest trend in skincare. And here’s why…

Scientists and doctors agree that eating too many calories, and the weight gain that causes, are the biggest factors in high blood pressure for most people. But just cutting back on calories isn’t always enough to get that high BP down. Case in point? A new study shows that this missing nutrient can trigger high blood pressure…

Is it any wonder that poor sleep is one of the fastest ways to send your health down the drain? Not at all. Luckily, thanks to a new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia, there’s a new weapon you can holster in your sleep arsenal to help you rest better — as long as it passes the smell test.

Scientists just published the results of a long-term study that confirmed the fact that sugar doesn’t just lead to metabolic syndrome by messing with your blood sugar… It comes at you in another serious way… So to avoid that cluster of conditions that lead to stroke, heart disease and diabetes, read this asap…

As more states approve the use of medical and recreational marijuana, there is growing concern about the negative health effects of this drug, along with a cautious appreciation for its benefits.

You’ve probably heard that omega-3s, like you find in fish oil, can improve your brain health. But the truth is, their effect on your brain is nothing short of miraculous…

Did you know that high blood pressure can destroy your bones and kidneys as well as your heart? Researchers have found that leaving the wrong kind of phosphates out of your meals may provide an easy way to rescue your blood pressure and your vital organs.

There’s been so much written about cholesterol and nutrition… and what you should do and what you should never do… Well, here’s a fact: If you don’t get enough calcium, it makes you fat and gives you high “bad” cholesterol.

Many of us shudder at the thought of vision loss. How would we get around? How would we experience the world? We go to great lengths to preserve our eyesight, like undergoing surgeries to correct glaucoma, cataracts and other eye conditions. So let’s protect them.

If you suffer from chronic pain you probably also struggle to get a good night’s sleep. The two problems tend to go hand in hand. But what if there was a way to conquer both problems at once and end this uncomfortable cycle?

Your doctor may be doing all he can with the tools he’s been given. But besides giving up the worst offending lifestyle factors that make you a prime target, there are some surprising tools at your disposal to protect your heart.

Do you wage war on the dandelions in your yard every year? If you do, you might want to reconsider… Dandelions may not make your lawn look neat and tidy, but they offer unbelievable health benefits.

Sweet potatoes and Thanksgiving go hand in hand. But the old-fashioned sweet potato casserole isn’t good for you at all. And it’s such a shame to take one of the best sources of beta-carotene and trump its health benefits by smothering it in butter and sugar.

You may have never heard of small intestinal bowel overgrowth (SIBO), but it has a role in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). You’ll be interested to know that treating SIBO is also the secret to successfully treating rosacea, fibromyalgia, and more. Here’s why…

Probiotics — supplements containing helpful gut bacteria, and prebiotics — nondigestible carbohydrates that act as food for probiotics, have been the subject of much research in terms of making your gut as healthy as can possibly be. So why all this focus on your gut?

If any segment of the American population needs this vitamin, it’s anyone with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome affects one out of every three adults in the United States. If you’re one of them, you’re grossly deficient in the one vitamin that could help.

We know that male pattern baldness (MPB) results from a sensitivity of hair follicles, which is inherited from a man’s mother. Rather than the level of testosterone being a problem, it’s more likely the skin’s ability to process…

Are you ready to say sayonara to high blood sugar and all the health problems it causes? Well, I have good news. You could be just three meals away from significantly better blood sugar. But you have to do one thing first…

Americans consume the most meat per capita in the world — more than 175 lbs. per year, and evidence suggests it’s far too much for optimal health. But protein is essential right?

A big concern for women is the decrease in lean muscle mass that starts in your 30s. For each decade after it begins, you’ll lose an average of three to eight percent of your muscle mass. That adds up to danger…

When successfully nurtured, relationships should give you energy, motivation and promote health. But how do you know if you’re in a toxic or unhealthy relationship? Answer these questions…

It’s hard to keep up with all the additives food companies sneak into your food. But killing off gut bacteria, creating inflammation and increasing your risk of colon cancer are good reasons to.

When WHO announced several days ago that processed meats and red meats can cause cancer, many of my friends turned to me and asked, “Margaret, what are you going to eat now?” I have no intention of changing the way I eat — and that includes meat.

When you’re trying to keep your weight down, counting calories may be one of the worst ways to go about it. Instead, you should switch to the kinds of nutrient-dense foods that make you feel full after every meal, and watch the pounds come off.

We face stress in our everyday lives. Work and family life can be plenty challenging, and unusually extreme, out-of-our-control events can be incredibly overwhelming. The amount of stress we face and how we deal with it can greatly affect our health.

Leg and butt strength are essential for stability, tone and protecting the knee joints. I’m sure many of you have heard of, or even done, leg lunges. Well, today we’ll make those a bit more challenging by doing them this way…

Of course, the longer you do something, the more accustomed you get to doing it, the easier it gets. But there’s a more exciting reason healthy living gets easier with time…

Research at Emory University suggests that if you have a hard time keeping your weight where you want it, there is an oversized organ that has grown too large to let our digestive system adapt to its demands.

Alternative health gurus can knock it all they want. Call it processed, call it high glycemic, call it what you want. But getting more of this in your food can help lower the risk of dying from ANY type of cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, or stroke.

There’s a lot of hype about the health benefits of cold-pressed juices. Pretty much every health store is selling them. But there are a few things you should know before forking out $10-$15 for these “nutritious” drinks.

FitBit, Nike, Garmin, Jawbone… if you have a wearable fitness tracker, you’re on your way to growing younger. Sound crazy? The secret is in the…

Blood sugar imbalances are manageable without medications if you’re willing to take an honest look at what you eat, be more physically active and moderate your stress. And don’t forget about herbs…

Fatigue comes in many forms, including physical tiredness and digestive issues. One of the great ways to reduce physical and digestive fatigue is through yoga practice. Just a few simple yoga postures, or stretches, can make a significant difference in how you feel

When it comes to your health, being proactive is better than sitting back and waiting for something unfortunate to happen. You should take advantage of screenings that can alert you to problems. But how do you know if a test is truly necessary?