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

A home hepa air purifer supports brain function

There are numerous scientifically validated ways to support brain health and avoid cognitive decline. Like eating blueberries, take regular walks, getting decent sleep and controlling stress. And you might be doing all of them. But every day, you’re breathing in microscopic pollution particles, known as particulate matter, that can enter the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier via the olfactory nerve (nose to brain) or by crossing from the lungs into…

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

This Fatty Acid May Raise Insulin Resistance Risk

Roughly 1 out of every 4 adults worldwide may have insulin resistance — a metabolic problem that makes it harder for the body to use insulin and keep blood sugar in check. Over time, that can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes. Sugar gets most of the blame. But researchers say another part of the diet deserves attention: the quality of the fat you eat. A recent review from…

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

Fiber Maxxing: Is TikTok’s Latest Gut Health Trend Good for You?

Fiber is finally having its moment. That’s worth celebrating. But it also points to a bigger problem with some wellness trends: They often take a sound health principle and push it to an extreme. Fiber is essential. “Maxxing” is where things can get tricky. Adults generally need 22 to 34 grams of fiber per day, depending on age and sex, and many fall short. Fiber helps keep digestion moving, supports…

Posted on: May 12, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Gum Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease: The Inflammation Link

Your mouth and kidneys may be more connected than you think. In fact, gum disease (periodontitis) and chronic kidney disease may fuel each other in a harmful cycle. When gums stay inflamed, harmful oral bacteria and inflammatory compounds can enter the bloodstream, stressing blood vessels and adding to body-wide inflammation. At the same time, chronic kidney disease can weaken immune defenses and keep the body in a low-grade inflammatory state,…

Posted on: May 9, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Pomegranates may help tired immune cells act young again

Thanks to modern health practices, we’re living longer than ever. But with that longer lifespan can come a host of issues that make aging feel like a tough slog. One reason? Your immune system ages right along with the rest of you. As we grow older, the immune system naturally begins to undergo a process known as immunosenescence. That means the body’s defenses become less sharp and less flexible. Too…

Posted on: May 8, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

How Eating Healthy Might Be Raising Your Lung Cancer Risk

Smoking is nowhere near as popular as it was in decades past. The rate of U.S. adults who smoke has plummeted 74% since 1965 to 11.6% as of 2022, suggesting that the battle to get people to quit smoking (or never start) is all but won. That should mean lung cancer rates have dropped accordingly, right? Overall, that’s true. Since peaking in 1984, the rate of new cases of lung…

Posted on: May 7, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Olive oil: Brain health or cognitive decline

It’s easy to think of memory loss as something that happens “later.” But the changes that affect brain health can begin years before they become obvious. And researchers are paying closer attention to one surprising influence: the gut. Your gut and brain are in constant communication, which means the foods you eat every day may shape memory and thinking more than you realize. One food that has come to the…

Posted on: May 6, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

The surprising strategy that could reverse AFib

One of the more common conditions I encounter in my clinical practice is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). AFib is a very irregular, often rapid heartbeat that can be associated with palpitations, reduced exercise capacity, and fatigue.  In some cases, it causes no symptoms at all.  But whether symptomatic or not, AFib can increase our risk of developing a stroke — and that’s what makes the rhythm dangerous. For decades, doctors have treated AFib…

Posted on: April 28, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Are Cleaning Sprays Safe for Your Lungs? Study Suggests Caution

Most of us don’t think twice about using cleaning sprays on a kitchen counter or bathroom sink. It feels like a simple way to keep our homes safe. But new research suggests that habit may come with an unexpected downside, especially for your lungs. The concern isn’t obvious, and most people have never heard about it. Scientists are now warning that a class of common disinfectant chemicals may be more…

Posted on: April 24, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Get breathless a few minutes daily to lower your risk of 8 major diseases

I’m not exactly a couch potato. But I’ll admit it—I’m no fan of structured exercise. So this research came as welcome news. It suggests you don’t need long workouts to protect your health. In fact, just a few minutes a day of the right kind of movement — enough to leave you out of breath — may go a long way toward lowering your risk of serious disease. Higher intensity…