Latest Stories

When you’re trying to lower your high blood pressure, every little bit helps. Especially if you’re among half of those diagnosed who can’t get it under control, even with medicaiton. A surprising natural method tested at Brown University helped lower blood pressure by an average of 15 points,

Harvard researcher showed it lowers Parkinson’s risk. Other research says it’s protective against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. And still more says it could help prevent liver cancer. So when the latest report showed it could help beat obesity, diabetes and heart disease, no one had to twist my arm to drink up…

To keep an optimally functioning brain, many of us take supplements, play memory games, do crossword puzzles, and in general spend a lot of time concentrating on the organ between our ears. But taking care of your brain actually starts with caring for a completely different organ…

Which is the healthiest choice: An Impossible Burger (plant-based), a grass-fed beef burger, or a traditional corn-fed beef burger? These three “meat” categories may appear distinct, thanks to good marketing and environmental activism… but as a cardiologist, my answer might surprise you…

When it comes to medications, if you’re like most people, you take what your doctor advises. But what if you take a medicine for years that research shows is really of very little value and that the side effects outweigh the benefits as the years progress? Such is the case with statins prescribed to lower cholesterol.

It may seem like your arthritic knees and rosacea have nothing to do with one another. That your IBS and allergies are completely unrelated. That your gum disease and inability to get your BMI down are two separate problems. But the fact is, almost all chronic health conditions are caused by the same thing…

I have a bad habit. It puts my health at risk daily. But I can’t (or don’t want to) quit it. I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager, after all. Despite what you may be thinking, it’s nothing too crazy. It’s not smoking, drinking, doing drugs or even eating donuts. It’s wearing makeup.

I don’t know about you, but Christmas is almost here and I’m still recovering from Thanksgiving. And, it’s not just the hours spent cleaning and decorating to prepare for company – only to clean again once the fun was over and everyone went home that has left me dragging – but the food, oh the food!

Wow, the response to my post last week on cacao, the superfood to beat statins, was amazing! But I’m not really surprised… Now that you know what cacao can do for cholesterol, let me share other benefits that will have you adding cacao to your coffee like I did this morning…

High blood pressure is a life-threatening condition if not properly managed. So, medication is a no-brainer for most… At least until your psoriasis flare-ups get worse and your irritated skin becomes swollen as it cracks and bleeds. Unfortunately, for people with psoriasis, things just aren’t that simple…

If you’ve ever struggled to lose weight and keep it off, you know that the battle of the bulge can be challenging. Surprisingly, a few simple tricks and lifestyle changes may represent easy ways to shrink your waistline. Start with these 10 simple tricks that are easy to stick with.

Lots of people deal with mild to moderate brain fog that keeps them from functioning at their best. That’s because brain fog is a symptom of a wide variety of conditions, which makes you wonder… what’s really causing brain fog in all these situations? Now we know and what to do about it…

You might focus specifically on your heart or brain when you think of your health. While there’s no doubt they’re important, we tend to ignore an organ that’s every bit as vital — one that plays a role in the health of every other part of your body, especially when it comes to stopping disease…

As a rule, blood pressure tends to go up after menopause. Many doctors think it has something to do with changing hormones. But there’s another factor adding to the problem… and this is the time of year that the risk could be especially plentiful if you’re not aware of it…

Readily available, far less expensive than medications, and with no side effects, the foods you choose to eat — and not eat — can make the difference between becoming a statistic and living a healthy life. A new study points to one class of food that can dramatically lower your risk for heart disease…

Wildly fluctuating hormones go hand-in-hand with everything from mood swings and hot flashes to night sweats, sleep problems and weight gain. To top it off, most women face a less-than-satisfying sex life thanks to the added bonus of sexual problems. But it doesn’t have to be that way…

Research shows that most cancer patients don’t die from cancer. They die from conditions caused by or related to their cancer. And one of the most dangerous cancer-related risks you need to be aware of is stroke, especially when it comes to these five types of cancer…

Hip pain doesn’t stop at your hips. It can cause debilitating pain in the lower back and knees because your hips simply cannot bear their share of the weight. If you are living with hip pain, even if it seems minor, it’s good to know the cause. Here are four possible reasons for hip pain, and the signs of each…

Like many people, I’ve always had a problem getting enough sleep. Whether it’s falling asleep in the first place or waking up and spending the rest of the night with my mind spinning, it seems like a solid eight or even five hours can be hard to find. Then I discovered clean sleeping…

When I was growing up, my parents were always on one type of diet or another. From Cambridge Shakes to Slim Fast, the grapefruit diet to eating only cabbage soup, if it wasn’t one, it was another. And, no matter what, I remember my mom saying that my dad always lost more weight, faster.

There was a time, in my younger years, when I thought that having a breast implant was just an act of vanity. Then I learned about breast cancer. But these medical devices have a troubled history, to say the least, including fatigue, exhaustion, joint swelling and pain, frequent muscle cramps, fibromyalgia and now, cancer.

Evening snacking is a hard habit to break. It takes willpower to not pour a bowl of cereal at 9 pm. Or finish that whole bowl of popcorn while you catch up on Dancing with the Stars. But sometimes to break a bad habit you need to be reminded why your body is built to eat during the day…

After years of being told what to eat, what not to eat, and even omitting entire food groups, we’re realizing some of these diets are rather extreme. And confusing. If you find yourself overwhelmed about how to eat to avoid disease and live a longer life, scrap the complicated diets and remember two simple rules…

Regular brushing, flossing and visits to your dentist are essential for maintaining oral health. But equally important is your diet. These self-care measures can make a significant difference in promoting dental health, reducing cavities and, most importantly, supporting your overall health.

By now, most people have heard of antioxidants and what these little gems can do for their health. But, just in case you’re still wondering if getting enough antioxidants every day is actually important, let’s do a quick recap on their most important points…

Like a lot of people, I’ve noticed that as I’ve gotten older, my hearing isn’t quite as good as it used to be. In fact, I’m pretty sure that I drive my husband crazy by constantly saying, “What?” and “Can you please talk louder. I can’t hear you!” But I’ve found a little trick to avoid embarrassing moments like these…

When someone is extremely self-absorbed we may say that they think they’re the center of the universe. My dad, on the other hand, prefers saying that they think the sun shines out their backside. Well, you know what? He’s onto something, but UV rays bring disease protection to everyone’s gut…

It’s hard to imagine anyone getting a case of the winter blues with all the holiday hustling and bustling happening, but seasonal affective disorder is estimated to affect as many as 10 million Americans. If the cold grey days get to you, try these comfort foods with nutrients that can combat the winter blues in a very real way.

Fall and winter are seasons of serious indulgence, starting with the holidays… They’re also seasons of serious cold and flu viruses that run rampant this time of year. I hate to break it to you, but what you eat affects your immunity a lot more than you think. In fact, this diet might keep you flu-free…

Every cardiologist in America (including me) had an eye on Philadelphia a couple of weeks ago, and it wasn’t for the Eagles-Patriots game. The results of a major study on the effectiveness of stents and bypass surgery were announced at the annual conference of the American Heart Association — and surgeons are stunned…

It happened again this morning: We all overslept. On days like this, I’m glad that we plan ahead just in case our morning is rushed. If you’re thinking to yourself that there’s no way to prepare a smoothie on a rushed morning, I’ll let you in on our secret…

Migraines are the mother of all headaches. Most drug remedies only provide partial relief, if at all. But there is one solution that’s showing promise…

Men worry about our testosterone… and rightly so for many reasons. But along with that concern comes several myths. I want to set them straight…

Chances are you’ve never heard of a natural protein called brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) produced in your body. I had not until I came across several studies where BDNF was referred to as ‘miracle-gro’ for the brain and ‘brain fertilizer.’

Colds and flu are often lurking nearby, waiting for the earliest chance to make their seasonal debut. Instead of waiting for a special time of year to anticipate the threat, it’s a good idea to generally be prepared. I’d have to recommend the food I consider nature’s smartest drug…

There’s no shortage of butt-lifting, bum-toning exercises available on the internet. What makes some of them more beneficial than others is how they wake up lazy muscles that haven’t worked effectively for a long time…

Unbalanced or poorly functioning hormones are an often overlooked cause of unwanted weight gain. The hormones involved include cortisol, thyroid, DHEA, aldosterone, growth hormone, progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen.

Drugs to fight depression are big business, generating billions in sales. But a study suggests that some of these drugs are worthless for fighting this problem.

Scientific research offers compelling evidence that your mood plays a powerful role in keeping you healthy. And if yours tends to be down in the dumps, don’t give up. You can still benefit…

Eating disorders come in different guises. Many don’t realize they have one — yet a quick review of the numbers on obesity, diabetes and heart disease shows quite a different story.

Have you been fooled by the trend towards ‘vitamin’ waters? I hope not, instead you should reach for a bottle of an original that’s practically part supplement, part water — naturally…

Whether you’re pro-marijuana or not, there’s no denying that the marijuana plant may have some intriguing health benefits. Could clobbering diabetes be next on that list?

Trans-fats are on their way out. They’ve been banned and are no longer recognized as “generally safe.” But we’re not safe from them yet. Manufacturers have until 2018 to get rid of them.

A great quote I’ve seen making its way through social media is this one by Maya Angelou: Bitterness is like cancer. It eats up the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it clean. There’s more truth in that statement than most of us probably realize.

Staying active and keeping your body-as-a-temple in naturally fit shape may seem completely physical. But you have untapped resources that can help you get even more out of exercising–and you won’t find them at the fitness store.

As the relationships between oral health and overall health become more evident, dentists may assume a role more akin to a primary care provider. Especially now that we are learning more about the relationship between plaque on your teeth and cancer survival…

Because every person is genetically unique, the ideal diet for you deserves to be just as unique. There are, however, some “foods” that are detrimental for all of us, across the board…

Millions of Americans take prescription painkillers to manage chronic pain, but these painkillers do more harm than good. You build up a tolerance to them quickly and may even become addicted.

You exercise to improve your health. But if you take your exercise routine too far, it could have the opposite effect… Especially if you’re turning to extreme forms of exercise like Bootcamp and CrossFit to get in shape.

I’m frequently asked about the best exercises to burn fat, or retrieve a body part from the grasp of gravity. The truth is, one thing can make those exercises I suggest work even better…

Certain places on earth are pockets of health and longevity, like the tiny Italian village of Acciaroli. There, more than one in ten residents lives past the age of 100. So what’s their secret?

“A little bit of cheating is a good thing if in the long run it behaviorally helps people to stick to the diet in the long run.”

Because bacteria and viruses evolve quickly and develop resistance to our drugs, infections are growing too powerful to treat with antibiotics and antivirals. But there is still a great deal that we can do to protect ourselves.

Stress is a killer, and when your mind is active too many thoughts can keep you from relaxing, calming down and repairing your body. When your mind is overactive, stress rules your spirit, inflammation expands the tissues and a host of health saboteurs come to the forefront—headaches, muscle and joint aches, insomnia, pain…

Sardines may be small in size but they provide a whopping dose of nutrients and heart-healthy oils, which is why sardines are a superfood for men and one of the best foods for men over 50.

If you’re already lean and healthy, is there any reason to limit yourself to a diet that consists primarily of meat and specific vegetables? If you want to stay healthy and avoid heart attack, yes.

The biggest risk factor for breast cancer is age: The older you are, the higher your risk. But that shouldn’t discourage anyone from outwitting this awful disease, especially when there are two simple things you can do today to shrink your chances of ever developing breast cancer.

It seems like every time you turn around there’s another chemical, toxicant, or pollutant that is going to hurt you. So whenever you find something that will legitimately and effectively flush these things from your body, it’s worth taking a look at. The worst of these toxicants right now is…

You already know foods like peanuts and shellfish can cause severe allergic reactions. But if you have joint pain, or get headaches in the afternoon, or you have some brain fog and can’t quite remember things sometimes … even if you just get irritable for no reason, it could be food allergies.

Break out your blender and try these fresh, delicious smoothie recipes the next time you’re craving a healthy, all-natural snack.