10 Healthy Habits for Living Long

Living to age 100 or more without major health problems is not unimaginable, health experts say – provided you abide by a number of proven health habits.
   
For example, a recent study on 20,000 Britons... (Read more about 10 Healthy Habits for Living Long)

14-Point Checklist for a Healthy Heart

Since heart disease is the leading killer of Americans today, affecting some one in four people in the United States, a huge amount of suffering, heartache and medical resources could be saved if citizens undertook some simple lifestyle changes... (Read more about 14-Point Checklist for a Healthy Heart)

30% of Multivitamins Don't Provide What They Say

More than 30 percent of a medicine chest of multivitamins failed to contain what they said they did, or were contaminated with lead, according to a report by the private company ConsumerLab.com
   
Among the 46... (Read more about 30% of Multivitamins Don't Provide What They Say)

4 Natural Ways to Look and Feel Younger

As you get older in years, you don’t have to decline in body and mind. So ditch the drugs, lose the hormone replacement therapy, forget about surgery, and instead follow these tips from the Chinese medical tradition that help to provide... (Read more about 4 Natural Ways to Look and Feel Younger)

6 Factors in Accurate Blood Pressure Readings

Such a simple - and vitally important - item as a blood pressure reading can be considerably inaccurate unless six simple factors are taken into account. Getting an accurate reading is important because a false high reading can cause unnecessary... (Read more about 6 Factors in Accurate Blood Pressure Readings)

70 Percent of Cancers May Be Tobacco-Related

As many as 70 percent of overall cancer deaths may be linked to smoking, far beyond the rate of lung cancer mortality attributable to tobacco, according to recent research.

“This study provides support for the growing... (Read more about 70 Percent of Cancers May Be Tobacco-Related)

9 Ways to Drink More Water

There is widespread agreement among health professionals about the energy-boosting value of drinking enough water during the day. Water ensures that your body is able to form, for example, the blood and lymphatic fluid it needs. Water also... (Read more about 9 Ways to Drink More Water)

Acupuncture Outperforms Drugs on Hot Flashes

Acupuncture does as well and is longer-lasting than drug therapy in handling the hot flashes and sweating that afflicts 80 percent of women who are treated for breast cancer, according to recent research. In addition, the study showed,... (Read more about Acupuncture Outperforms Drugs on Hot Flashes)

Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia

There is new hope for the millions of americans suffering from fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain, stiffness and fatigue for unknown reasons. It affects between three and six percent of Americans, mainly women.... (Read more about Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia)

Allure and Doubt Regarding Vitamin D

It's long been known that vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and thus good for bone and teeth health. But research now also suggests a role for vitamin D in fending off such chronic diseases as diabetes, immune disorders and cancer. ... (Read more about Allure and Doubt Regarding Vitamin D)

American Children Are Not Consuming Enough Milk

A recent study from Penn State has found that American children are drinking insufficient amounts of milk and the dairy they are choosing to consume are very high in fat. The study examined a children's daily dairy intake and compared it with... (Read more about American Children Are Not Consuming Enough Milk)

Americans Strongly Advised to Cut Sugar Consumption

New guidelines released from the American Heart Association urge Americans to reduce their sugar consumption because there is mounting evidence that a high intake of added sugars can lead to a number of health conditions such as obesity, high... (Read more about Americans Strongly Advised to Cut Sugar Consumption)

Another Five Predictors of Long Life

Being conscious of fat and sugar in your diet, and working out at the gym, may seem like the keys to a long and healthy life. But you may easily tire of calorie counting and workouts. It seems the real signs of whether you will be blessed with... (Read more about Another Five Predictors of Long Life)

Avoid Summer Allergies

For those who suffer from outdoor allergies, a walk in the woods may not sound very relaxing. Planning and taking precautions now can help keep you active this summer. Here are some tips from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma &... (Read more about Avoid Summer Allergies)

Back Pain: Causes and Treatments

There's a good chance you or someone you care about has suffered with back pain that lasts a long time. Back pain is the second leading symptom seen by doctors in the United States. Now, one might think a powerful group of pain medicines can... (Read more about Back Pain: Causes and Treatments)

Balancing Work and Home Life is Getting More Difficult

Work is stressful. Perhaps more than ever. A new study out of the University of Toronto documents that 50 per cent of people bring their work home with them on a regular basis. And as the office seeps into our home lives, the stress associated... (Read more about Balancing Work and Home Life is Getting More Difficult)

Biofeedback Allows Patients to Control Their Symptoms

Having cold hands or feet are an annoyance that many of us deal with when we're exposed to cold temperatures or stress. But for individuals with Raynaud's Disease, the constriction of blood vessels is more severe, leading to coldness, numbness,... (Read more about Biofeedback Allows Patients to Control Their Symptoms)

Botox May Be The Answer for Preventing Migraines

The value of Botox in treating and preventing chronic migraines in adults has been confirmed by four separate studies in the U.S., Canada and Europe. These studies have discovered that treatment with botulinum toxin type A was associated with... (Read more about Botox May Be The Answer for Preventing Migraines)

Brain Scan Reveals Bullies' Pleasure Pattern

In two unexpected findings of a recent brain-scan study, bullies appear to gain pleasure from fighting, lying and destroying property - and they seem to lack the ability to control their violent and thrill-seeking emotions. In the study, which... (Read more about Brain Scan Reveals Bullies' Pleasure Pattern)

Caffeine Found to Reduce Pain of Exercise

A cup of coffee prior to intense exercise can make a workout more tolerable by modulating the way the nervous system processes pain, a recent study showed.
   
The study, published in the International Journal of... (Read more about Caffeine Found to Reduce Pain of Exercise)

Caffeine Found to Reverse Alzheimers' In Mice

Giving the caffeine equivalent of five cups of coffee a day to aged mice with symptoms of Alzheimer's reversed two signs of the disease: it reversed memory impairment and reduced the hallmark protein (beta-amyloid) in the animals' blood and... (Read more about Caffeine Found to Reverse Alzheimers' In Mice)

Caloric Restriction May Not Be Answer to Longer Life

Numerous studies on flies, mice, and recently monkeys have suggested that limiting one's diet may be the key to a longer life. But a new study by US researchers suggests that fasting may impair the ability to cope with infection. (Read more about Caloric Restriction May Not Be Answer to Longer Life)

Can Ginseng Fight Cancer?

In a new research effort, a University of Chicago team will investigate to what extent ginseng can kill cancer cells and will identify the herb's active biochemicals that may be responsible. In another project, the researchers will undertake to... (Read more about Can Ginseng Fight Cancer?)

Chelation Therapy Would Be Great, if It Works

Chelation therapy, in which a chemical agent improves one's health by latching on to excess metal atoms in the body, forming complexes that are then excreted in the urine, so far has only limited proven effectiveness. Claims are often made that... (Read more about Chelation Therapy Would Be Great, if It Works)

Chelation Therapy | Remedy or Ripoff?

Tonight, we look at a popular alternative medicine treatment used for a variety of ills: chelation therapy. It's believed to work by removing metal and mineral toxins from the body. And now a government funded study is looking to see if it can... (Read more about Chelation Therapy | Remedy or Ripoff?)

Chicken Soup | Holistic Remedy for Colds

By now many of us have already had to deal with some kind of respiratory infection, and it’'s not even January. Sure, you take the cold and flu remedies off the shelf of your pharmacy; but what about mom’s good old chicken soup? Is it urban... (Read more about Chicken Soup | Holistic Remedy for Colds)

Chocolate May Aid Mental Ability and Fight Mental Fatigue

Dark chocolate seems to boost people’s brain power and mitigate their tendency to grow tired from mental exertion, a recent study showed.
   
The researchers carried out their work at the Brain, Performance and... (Read more about Chocolate May Aid Mental Ability and Fight Mental Fatigue)

Cortisol Treatment May Help Halt Phobias

A body chemical that hinders the retrieval of memories seems to have the effect of reducing the fear associated with social and spider phobias, a recent study showed.
   
The chemical is the stress hormone known as... (Read more about Cortisol Treatment May Help Halt Phobias)

Does Belief in God Reduce Stress?

Finally researchers are exploring the biological value of belief in a Supreme Being. The good news, so to speak, is that belief in God can block anxiety and minimize stress. All this from a new study at the University of Toronto which explored... (Read more about Does Belief in God Reduce Stress?)

Donna Karan to Fund Alternative Cancer Research

The foundation run by fashion designer Donna Karan, founder of the DKNY clothing line, is partnering with Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City, to test yoga, meditation and aromatherapy treatments against cancer over the course of a... (Read more about Donna Karan to Fund Alternative Cancer Research)

Expert Commentary: Dr. Micozzi, M.D. - June 8, 2009

What makes the story on the 14-point checklist for a healthy heart interesting is that it quotes Ara DerMarderosian, a professor of pharmacognosy at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. What is Pharmacognosy?  The American... (Read more about Expert Commentary: Dr. Micozzi, M.D. - June 8, 2009)

Ginseng Combination Helps Bowel Movements

Ginseng, with two other ingredients that together form a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, promotes gastrointestinal health and regular bowel movements, a recent study showed.
   
The findings, published in the... (Read more about Ginseng Combination Helps Bowel Movements)

Going to Work Sick Linked to Long-Term Leave

Habitually working while sick, an increasingly common practice, can land a person in a situation in which his risk of having to take long-term sick leave is markedly increased, according to a recent study. The researchers, who published their work... (Read more about Going to Work Sick Linked to Long-Term Leave)

Graston Massage Breaks Up Deep Scar Tissue

A relatively new massage technique gets at stubborn scar tissue buried deep in muscles and joints, returning people to a delightfully pain-free and flexible condition. The technique, called Graston therapy, is usually performed by a massage... (Read more about Graston Massage Breaks Up Deep Scar Tissue)

Green Tea Promotes Healthy Gums

Men who drink green tea appear to have greater periodontal health than those who don't, a recent study revealed. And it seems the more green tea they drink, the better their gum health is. Periodontal disease is a chronic condition in which the... (Read more about Green Tea Promotes Healthy Gums)

Have a Cold? Try Echinacea: Natural Immune Enhancer

What do you do when you're fighting off a cold? Most of us get the recommended extra rest, plenty of water, and vitamin C, but some people use herbal supplements like Echinacea. Echinacea has been shown to help reduce the onset, duration and... (Read more about Have a Cold? Try Echinacea: Natural Immune Enhancer)

Health Wrap: August 29th

A new study says weight gain between pregnancies could lead to complications during pregnancy and during the delivery period, even in women who are not medically overweight. The study found that a gain of 3 or more BMI or body mass index units... (Read more about Health Wrap: August 29th)

Hypnosis Helps Control Hot Flashes

Hot flashes can make life hell for women going through menopause. And they'e especially torturous for those who are being treated for, or who have just finished treatment for, breast cancer. So the federal government funded a five-week study at... (Read more about Hypnosis Helps Control Hot Flashes)

Japanese Kampo Medicine

The American public is becoming more accepting of innovative forms of medical treatment. Today most Western educated physicians accept acupuncture and Chinese medicine as a valid and alternative form of treatment for many medical issues, often... (Read more about Japanese Kampo Medicine)

Low Vitamin D Linked to Cognitive Impairment in Elderly

Elderly people with low levels of vitamin D in their blood have a 130 percent greater risk of developing cognitive impairment than people with high levels, a recent study showed. Cognitive impairment is a transitional phase between normal aging... (Read more about Low Vitamin D Linked to Cognitive Impairment in Elderly)

Marriage Lowers Alzheimer's Risk

If you’re married at midlife, you’ll have a 50 percent lower chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in your older years, according to a recent study.

And if you were once married but... (Read more about Marriage Lowers Alzheimer's Risk)

Mechanics of Sleep Apnea Show Why It's Perilous

Sleep apnea – in which a sleeping person repeatedly ceases breathing for intervals – restricts the brain’s blood flow and raises its blood pressure, eventually disrupting the brain’s ability to control these dynamics and... (Read more about Mechanics of Sleep Apnea Show Why It's Perilous)

Mental Disorders Associated With Migraines

Migraine sufferers seem to have an increased tendency to experience mood and anxiety disorders, according to a recent study - though it's not clear whether one causes the other or if both are caused by some unknown third factor. "An expanding... (Read more about Mental Disorders Associated With Migraines)

Migraines Affect Mostly Women

Headaches affect roughly 45 million people in the United States. Of those people, migraine headaches are the most common type of headache that sends patients to their doctor's office. Migraines occur when constricting blood vessels in the brain... (Read more about Migraines Affect Mostly Women)

More Cardiac Death in Women Using Antidepressants

Antidepressant use among women is associated with greater risk for sudden cardiac death, a recent study revealed.
   
But the reason for the link is unclear, and the fact doesn’t suggest that antidepressants... (Read more about More Cardiac Death in Women Using Antidepressants)

More Natural Cures for Workaday Woes

Modern medicine is coming to agree that the new ways are not always necessarily the best ways. It's reaching the conclusion that the latest pharmaceuticals are not always necessarily the only way to assault an ailment, that homespun remedies... (Read more about More Natural Cures for Workaday Woes)

Multivitamins Found Useless Against Top Killers

In a large, well-regarded study on women, daily multivitamin use was found to provide no protection at all against breast cancer, colon cancer, heart attack, stroke, blood clots or premature death.
   
Previous... (Read more about Multivitamins Found Useless Against Top Killers)

NIH Endorses Alternative Therapies for Back Pain

In the midst of the debate on healthcare, it may be interesting to note to what extent the Federal government is changing its bureaucratic mindset about what is good medicine and healthcare. The evidence: The National Institute of Health's... (Read more about NIH Endorses Alternative Therapies for Back Pain)

Natural Killer Cells to the Rescue

The human body has an array of defenses to protect itself. Our skin is a natural barrier protecting us from bacteria and viruses. The body has a natural internal thermostat that regulates body temperature despite the vagaries of the weather. (Read more about Natural Killer Cells to the Rescue)

Neuromuscular Dentistry Can Ease Jaw-Caused "Migraines"

A relatively uncommon form of specialized dentistry can relieve pain that’s so excruciating it gives sufferers incapacitating migraines, makes it impossible for them to touch their own faces, and gives them ringing in their ears, to... (Read more about Neuromuscular Dentistry Can Ease Jaw-Caused "Migraines")

New Treatment for Cluster Headaches

“"You can’'t concentrate, you can't’ focus, I probably couldn’'t even dial 911 if I had to, you can’'t concentrate, you run around like a rat in the cage,” says cluster headache sufferer, " Stephen Coutsourakis. The unbearable pain of cluster... (Read more about New Treatment for Cluster Headaches)

Nicotine-Replacement Aids Help in Quitting Smoking

President Obama’s love-hate affair with cigarettes is emblematic of that of thousands of other smokers in America who would like to quit but who are repeatedly pulled back into tobacco’s orbit by stress and addictive urges.

Nine Physical Symptoms of Depression to Watch For

Depression isn’t all “in the head.” There are a number of disturbing and quite physical symptoms – very depressing in their own right – that can be markers for the condition, especially if several of them occur... (Read more about Nine Physical Symptoms of Depression to Watch For)

Number of Children Getting Chiropractic Care Increases

The number of American children receiving chiropractic care is steadily increasing, recent surveys have showed.
     
Since 1991, according to survey data released by the American Chiropractic Association, the... (Read more about Number of Children Getting Chiropractic Care Increases)

One-Third of Hospitals Provide Alternative-Medicine Option

In 2005, a study found that one in five hospitals provided their patients with the option of alternative medicine, but by 2007 that number had risen to one in three. "The largest hospitals in the U.S. are doing it," said Laurel Anderson, former... (Read more about One-Third of Hospitals Provide Alternative-Medicine Option)

Oscillo | Homeopathy

If you are one of the many Americans who have already received the flu shot this season, consider yourself lucky! But for the rest of us, there is the over-the-counter drug called Oscillococcinum which is claiming to shorten the length of your... (Read more about Oscillo | Homeopathy)

Outdoor Secondhand Smoke

Studies reveal the hidden dangers behind outdoor secondhand smoke exposure. A 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's Report claims secondhand smoke kills tens of thousands of people each year, and it has long been claimed that second hand smoke can be... (Read more about Outdoor Secondhand Smoke)

Pre-Surgery Smoking-Cessation Program Successful

More than a third of the patients who participated in an eight-week kick-the-habit program that started before a scheduled surgery and continued after were able to stop smoking – and were still tobacco-free a year later, according to a... (Read more about Pre-Surgery Smoking-Cessation Program Successful)

Rapid Rise in "Complementary" Medical Services

Have you been to a practitioner besides your family physician? Whether chiropractic care, acupuncture, yoga or homeopathy, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has become increasingly common in the United States, and 72% of adults use some... (Read more about Rapid Rise in "Complementary" Medical Services)

Reducing Salt a Little Can Increase Health a Lot

If Americans cut their overly heavy salt consumption by as little as 1 gram (400 milligrams of sodium) a day, the result would be 200,000 lives saved from heart disease and stroke over the course of a decade, according to a recent study.Read more about Reducing Salt a Little Can Increase Health a Lot)

Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems

A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how... (Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)

Remedy or Rip off?: Skinny Water

We’re all looking for that great answer to weight loss. Oh there are a lot of remedies; some come in pill form, and some in a bottle. In this week’s Remedy or Ripoff report, we look at a new water--that’s right, water--that claims to burn fat.... (Read more about Remedy or Rip off?: Skinny Water)

Seven Anxiety-Fighting Foods

Step aside, Prozac and Valium, and make way for some natural alternatives that, while they might not do as dramatic a job at relieving anxiety, certainly have the anxiety-relieving benefit that they have no nasty side effects whatever. Berries.... (Read more about Seven Anxiety-Fighting Foods)

Seventy Percent of Children Low In Vitamin D

Seven out of ten children in the US have low levels of vitamin D, putting them at greater risk of eventually suffering from bone disease high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors, according to research published in the online... (Read more about Seventy Percent of Children Low In Vitamin D)

Severe Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Achiness

Most people with persistent, unexplained muscle and bone pain have low levels of vitamin D in their blood, a recent study discovered. Other studies have found vitamin D to be crucially important for healthy bones, bone marrow and blood vessels,... (Read more about Severe Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Achiness)

Sleep Loss And Alzheimer's Linked

Chronic sleep deprivation demonstrated in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease makes brain plaques appear earlier and more often, according to a Washington University School of Medicine report published in Science Express. The researchers involved... (Read more about Sleep Loss And Alzheimer's Linked)

St. John's Wort and Depression

Some studies show St. Johns wort helps alleviate depression, and some don't. But one government agency, one educational institution and a nonprofit biomedical group recently gave it a something of a thumbs-up. "There is some scientific evidence... (Read more about St. John's Wort and Depression)

Study Finds Ginkgo Biloba Ineffective

The herb ginkgo biloba's reputation as a fountain of mental acuity has been tarnished by a recent six-year study, which showed it has no effect on the onset or progression of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. The research, which was published in... (Read more about Study Finds Ginkgo Biloba Ineffective)

Study Supports the Efficacy of Chelation Therapy

A new study suggest positive effects of chelation therapy. A new study by Ohio State Medical Center suggests a link between mercury and heart disease, traced to the activation of a relatively unknown enzyme, which triggers a process leading to... (Read more about Study Supports the Efficacy of Chelation Therapy)

Super Summer Foods

Summer is a great season to enjoy what nature has to offer - fresh fruits and vegetables. Whether you're trying to lose weight or just want to eat healthy, summer provides your pick of produce. Summer fruits and vegetables in addition to having... (Read more about Super Summer Foods)

Understanding Asbestosis | Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

What is the Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is used for many purposes. Historically it has been used for many different things. Asbestos mainly was used... (Read more about Understanding Asbestosis | Symptoms, Causes, Treatments)

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Teen Cardiovascular Problems

Adolescents with low levels of vitamin D in their blood have a greater frequency of high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar, a recent study revealed, leaving them vulnerable to later heart problems and diabetes.
    Read more about Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Teen Cardiovascular Problems)

Vitamin D for Diabetes

Vitamin D, previously shown to benefit cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease, appears to prevent or delay the inception of diabetes, and to alleviate its symptoms among those already afflicted with it, according to a recent review of various... (Read more about Vitamin D for Diabetes)

Waiting May Reduce Need for Back Surgery

New studies demonstrate that waiting may be the best alternative to back surgery. Approximately 1.5 million back surgeries are performed worldwide. These surgeries are performed to address painful problems associated with slipped or misaligned... (Read more about Waiting May Reduce Need for Back Surgery)

Want To Quit Smoking? Try Some Exercise

Exercising has the effect of making cigarettes appear less attractive, potentially aiding smokers who want to quit. The new study from the University of Exeter shows that exercise can reduce the draw of cigarettes and smoking related images... (Read more about Want To Quit Smoking? Try Some Exercise)

What is Hoodia?

Hoodia is the latest appetite suppressant rage! It comes from a cactus-like plant in South Africa. It was used by tribesman as an appetite suppressant so they could go on long hunting and gathering trips. That appetite suppressant effect is... (Read more about What is Hoodia?)

What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?

Dr. Sattesh Babu of Vascular Associates of Westchester discusses Peripheral Arterial Disease, who is at risk, why it is important to be screened and current treatments. Pad is essentially a blockage of the arteries in the lower... (Read more about What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?)

Winterizing Your Skin

Once autumn arrives, Michael Panella can be found spending a lot of time outdoors. He loves taking on home projects that allow him to work in his back yard. But, the dropping temperature causes Michael’s rosacea, a flushing and redness of the... (Read more about Winterizing Your Skin)

Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There

A recent report by health provider BUPA has found that people's worries are damaging their health by causing sleepless nights, loss of sex drive, and erratic eating habits. The 2007 Worry Report demonstrates that almost one in five people... (Read more about Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There)

Yoga Is a Possible Treatment For Depression

Yoga may offer solutions for depression, anxiety and epilepsy. Reports from the World Health Organization and elsewhere estimate that mental illness comprises fifteen percent of the global disease burden. Depression and anxiety disorders... (Read more about Yoga Is a Possible Treatment For Depression)

Yoga Reduces Fear of Falling Among Elderly

Taking yoga classes yields a slight but important decrease in the fear of falling among senior citizens, a recent study showed, as well as conferring greater lower-body flexibility and removing constraints on their leisure activities.