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It’s best known for the important role it plays before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects. But folate, sometimes called folic acid or vitamin B9, is also essential for the health of the brain, so we don't want to be short of it at any time of life. While evidence points to folate deficiency [...]

If you’re having a total knee replacement, there’s a good chance that your surgeon will prescribe powerful opioid medications to ease the pain and discomfort. This is concerning because their highly addictive nature and misuse has become a public health crisis. Fortunately, doctors are pointing to a natural solution from Traditional Chinese Medicine that can [...]

It’s not exactly news that folks who get plenty of physical activity are generally healthier. But did you know that it helps with sleep, too? Past research found that the more physical activity you get during the day, the better you'll sleep at night.1 This study focused on aerobic exercise, but here’s the thing… cardio [...]

If you think skateboarding is just for teenagers, think again. Middle-aged people are taking it up for the first time or returning to it after a long absence. Not only is skateboarding good for you physically, but it offers many mental and emotional health rewards as well. Sociologist Dr. Paul O’Connor interviewed thirty skating enthusiasts [...]

Longtime readers of this publication know that we often espouse the proven health benefits of conversation and listening to music. But did you know that the simple act of silence can be equally beneficial? A growing body of research says our background music, podcast obsessed lifestyles are doing our health no favors. Let’s dig into [...]

After a series of major heart attacks and a triple bypass, William Garguilo still had frequent attacks of angina. He said, "I couldn't walk two blocks; I felt knocked out all of the time. My legs felt like dead weights, and I couldn't catch my breath." Only then was he offered a last-ditch, non-invasive, drug-free [...]

At the forefront of prescribing free social activities to support people with their health concerns is the U.K. National Health Service (NHS). In the United Kingdom doctors can, and commonly do, write prescriptions for art classes, museum visits, ballroom dancing, gardening, cycling, golf lessons and fishing. In January, general practitioners in the city of Bristol [...]

Experts have always agreed that olive oil possesses plenty of health benefits. But you know what? The latest research into this outstanding oil shows that we are still underestimating its medicinal value! That’s right. The most recent studies now demonstrate we’ve been missing some of olive oil’s most important anti-aging benefits. Here’s what you need [...]

You know probiotics are important to the health of your digestive system, your immune system, even your cardiovascular system. But many people taking probiotics—even top brands—are making a common mistake. You may be one of them, especially if you’ve forgotten that probiotics are living things. These good, microscopic bacteria need to eat, and you’ve got [...]

Are you someone who always puts the needs of others first? It may not be doing your health any favors, say researchers from the University of Pittsburgh. A new study, published in the journal Health Psychology, suggests that being kind to yourself isn’t just good for mental health – it may also reduce your risk [...]

Today, patients with Type-1 diabetes have a wide choice of insulin delivery options. While most still use a syringe or pen, recent advances now include inhalation cartridges, pumps, and automated systems. But none of these treatments completely normalize glucose concentrations, and modern delivery systems can be challenging to wear, sometimes malfunction, and frequently lead to [...]

In ground-breaking new research, scientists from Australia have identified one cause of Alzheimer's disease. A toxic protein produced in the liver is carried through the bloodstream and into the brain. Once there it causes cell damage, inflammation, and memory loss. Researchers say the finding is exciting because it offers the potential for new Alzheimer's disease [...]

Antibiotic resistant infections are a growing concern, accounting for eight out of ten infections acquired in hospitals. The antibiotic resistant bacteria mostly grow on the surface of medical implants such as catheters, prosthetic joints and cardiac pacemakers, making them especially difficult to kill. As the rate of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) grows, ballooning to 1.7 [...]

When a city’s power grid goes down and everything electric stops working it’s big news and a serious emergency. Unfortunately, your body can sometimes find itself in a similar situation. However, in the body, it’s your mitochondria, the organelles that supply power to your cells that break down. When they do, the resulting malfunction can [...]

Frequent readers of this newsletter are well-informed on the link between good nutrition and health. Indeed, we’ve reported on countless studies showing the significant impact that nutritious food has on well-being and longevity. But have you considered how your dining companions, or lack thereof, may affect you? Now, a new study in the journal Menopause, [...]

It’s a well-known fact that many diseases have a unique smell or “breathprint” providing an early indicator of the condition. Over the years we’ve heard about dogs and cats who’ve been able to detect these odors and identify illness with their keen sense of smell. Now, modern medicine is turning to a more sophisticated sniffer—an [...]

For a long time, we’ve known that not getting enough sleep can derail your health and increase your risk of diabetes, obesity, depression, immune problems, and other health problems. But now, researchers have uncovered another bedtime habit that can lead to dangerous problems with your heart. I’m talking about going to bed at the wrong [...]