Category: Health Conditions

Could Chowing Down on Cocoa Fix Your Heart?

Flavanols from cocoa have emerged as a superfood for your heart, reducing death from cardiovascular disease as well as the incidence of heart attacks and stroke. STORY AT-A-GLANCE In the first large-scale trial to evaluate the long-term effects of cocoa flavanols on heart disease, notable benefits were uncovered Those who received cocoa flavanols had a…


Better Brain Health for Students and Seniors

Who can benefit from better brain health? If you said “everyone,” you’re right. However, we will focus on two groups of individuals with special reasons for focusing on brain health: students and seniors. First, however, let’s define brain health. The World Health Organization defines brain health as “the state of brain functioning across cognitive, sensory,…


Sugar Is Crucial for Immunity: 2 Kinds Boost Immunity and Help You Live Longer

Nowadays, the concept of a low sugar and no-sugar diet is very popular. Many people are beginning to pay attention to reducing sugar intake in their diet, and are even implementing a “zero sugar” diet to some extent. However, a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that sugar…


The Right Way to Shower, According to Experts

Taking a daily shower is a fairly recent development for Americans. Just 100 years ago, many thought getting their whole body wet at once (instead of taking the sponge baths that were common then) would invite diseases like pneumonia, and someone would “catch their death.” Nowadays, a long, hot shower is a daily ritual for…


Facial Pain Comes to Light

In Brief: Using an imaging technique to visualize pain signals in facial nerves, NIDCR researchers identified a protein that enhances neurons’ responses to painful stimuli. Blocking the protein in mice blunted pain signaling; the results could inform the development of safer, non-opioid pain therapies. From a throbbing tooth or aching jaw to a pounding migraine,…


The Best Fruit for Chronic Constipation

The kiwi is a wonder fruit when it comes to tackling the tough, often painful, chronic constipation afflicting so many people worldwide. Chronic constipation can have many causes. The good news is, nature has many remedies for this uncomfortable, even painful, condition. Prunes are the first fruit that many think of when it comes to relieving constipation, and…


Getting Kids Walking, Biking to School Can Lead to Long-Term Fitness

Kids who walk, skateboard, or ride their bikes to school when they are young are more likely to keep it up as they get older, reaping the health benefits, recent research suggests. “The walk to school is a wonderful moment in the day that provides children a glimpse of living an active lifestyle,” said study co-author…


Could Artificial Sweeteners Be Bad for Your Heart?

Artificial sweeteners are a popular way to try to keep slim, but French researchers suggest they may also increase your risk for a heart attack or stroke. The finding stems from tracking heart health among more than 103,000 men and women in France for close to a decade. “We observed that a higher intake of artificial…


An Opioid Success Story: Efforts to Minimize Painkillers After Surgery Appear to Be Working

The opioid epidemic has been wreaking misery and death across the nation for years. In 2017 alone, opioid overdoses killed more than 47,000 people – 10,000 more deaths than were caused by traffic accidents that year. For many people who abuse opioids, the problem begins with opioid prescriptions from their doctors for pain relief. Government…


Unhealthy Gums Could Up Your Odds for Dementia

Gum disease has far-reaching effects and may increase your odds of developing dementia, a new study suggests. In a review of 47 previously published studies, researchers in Finland found that tooth loss, deep pockets around teeth in the gums, or bone loss in the tooth sockets was tied to a 21% higher risk of dementia…