Posted on: February 18, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

The early heart disease risk men face in their 30s

For many men in their 30s, a heart attack feels like a distant concern — something that happens later in life. Routine screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI) is often not emphasized until the mid-40s. But growing research suggests that coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in men may begin rising much earlier — sometimes as early as age 35. Understanding this early turning point could make…

Posted on: February 18, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Night owls face almost 80% higher risk of heart trouble

I’ve always been a bit of a night owl. I’m always so busy with work and errands during the day that late evening is the only time I have to myself to watch TV, read or just chill out. I never considered what my late-night habits might be doing to my health. I figured as long as I was still getting eight hours of sleep every night, I was fine,…

Posted on: February 18, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Exercise after stroke helps heal the brain

One of the most frightening calls I’ve ever received was the one telling me my mom had suffered a stroke. Thankfully, she received immediate medical care and survived. But the days that followed were filled with uncertainty. She struggled to move one side of her body. Her speech was slow and slurred. Swallowing, coordination, and memory were all affected. Doctors warned us that some of these symptoms might improve —…

Posted on: February 18, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

6 ways to make your varicose veins and blood clot risk vanish

It happens every summer… Millions of women find themselves looking longingly at a pair of shorts or a new swimsuit wishing they could put them on. But instead, they throw on the same old beach cover-up they’ve worn for years. Why? They’re too embarrassed by their varicose veins. If you have varicose veins, this internal struggle is probably pretty familiar to you. You want to get into the spirit of…

Posted on: February 17, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Don’t let contaminants cancel out your green tea benefits

When I was sick as a child, my mom would come marching into my room with a warm cup of tea. I don’t remember what kind it was, but I sure didn’t like the taste. She said it would help me get better quickly. Because I didn’t like it, she wouldn’t leave my room until I’d finished the last drop. Mom had the best of intentions, but as soon as…

Posted on: February 17, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Diet can lower elevated stroke risk of menopause

Somewhere in our 40s, our health priorities begin to shift. We start thinking about the possibility of health changes that our 30-something selves didn’t give a second thought to. For women, one of those impending changes is menopause, which we’ve learned carries an elevated stroke risk. But there’s encouraging news: a major long-term study has found that women who most closely follow a Mediterranean-style diet have a significantly lower risk…

Posted on: February 14, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

The vitamin deficiency that can lead to hospitalization from respiratory infection

It seems like everywhere you go, someone is coughing or sneezing, spreading germs that your body might not be ready to handle. Fortunately, there’s a way to strengthen your protection against respiratory infections. It may also keep you from landing in the hospital if you do get sick. All you need is a little sunshine in the form of a vitamin. Let’s look at what the latest research says about…

Posted on: February 14, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Gut microbiome and aging: Can a younger microbiome help?

Your gut does a whole lot more than digest the food you eat. It can affect your overall health. With age, however, the gut microbiome — the trillions of microbes that live primarily in the large intestine — changes. Emerging research suggests these shifts may influence how well the intestine repairs and renews itself. That begs the question: Could maintaining a more “youthful” microbiome support intestinal regeneration and healthier aging?…

Posted on: February 13, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Fertility: Why cellular energy matters

Every cell in your body depends on energy. At the center of that energy production are tiny structures called mitochondria. When mitochondrial function is strong, cells perform at their best. When it declines, the body can suffer a cellular energy crisis, impacting cells directly involved in vital functions throughout the body, including metabolism, inflammation, immune responses, aging and more. So, supporting our mitochondria so they can keep our cells and…

Posted on: February 10, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

When eating meat could help you live longer

Longevity is the capacity to live significantly longer than the typical life expectancy. For example, American-born men and women may expect to live to 75 and 81, respectively. Exceeding 85 to 90 is increasingly viewed as achieving longevity, with 100+ being the milestone for centenarians.  How to live that long is a question that often leads to discussions about diet, including whether to eat meat. Decades of research have sought to answer…