What every woman should know about her brain-gut-vagina axis
Posted on: January 9, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

What every woman should know about her brain-gut-vagina axis

You may already be familiar with the gut-brain axis, the biochemical signaling that takes place between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. Research has shown that this nextwork, influenced by the health of the gut microbiome, can have far-reaching effects, from cognitive decline to depression and autoimmune conditions. But the gut is the center of the body in more ways than one. For women, it may also influence…

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Chronic constipation? You may have chronic inflammation
Posted on: January 8, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Chronic constipation? You may have chronic inflammation

Constipation can occur in any age group, but it tends to become more of a problem as you get older, with 30% to 40% of adults over the age of 65 citing constipation as a problem. It may seem like a minor annoyance, but chronic constipation can come with some pretty serious health consequences, including fatigue, anxiety, depression and significantly higher colorectal cancer risk. There are a lot of things…

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Coffee or tea drinkers: Who’s got better bone density?
Posted on: January 8, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Coffee or tea drinkers: Who’s got better bone density?

As a woman of a certain age, one of the things I’m most concerned about is bone loss. And it’s no wonder… The drop in estrogen that accompanies menopause is no joke. Up to 20% of a woman’s bone loss occurs during this period, leading to osteoporosis and making fractures prevalent in women over 50. Worse, roughly half of women over 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related bone break. There are…

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High-fat cheese may protect your brain from dementia
Posted on: January 7, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

High-fat cheese may protect your brain from dementia

I’m a real fan of high-fat cheeses like Brie and Gouda. But I’ve always been careful not to overdo it, because all that fat is bad for the heart. Right? Maybe not… Research has begun to suggest that the health risks of certain high-fat foods on the heart may be overstated. First, let’s understand the intimate connection between heart health and brain health. Research continues to show that heart disease…

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The bedroom activity that predicts longevity better than diet or exercise
Posted on: January 6, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

The bedroom activity that predicts longevity better than diet or exercise

Want to live a long life? No problem. Research into extending our lifespans has been at a fever pitch for a few decades now, and science has determined that certain healthy habits can add years to the average lifespan… For starters, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep. The first two are often considered most important. But you’ll be surprised to learn how much poor sleep can…

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A multivitamin a day could keep hypertension away
Posted on: January 6, 2026 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

A multivitamin a day could keep hypertension away

I’ve inherited a few things from my mother: her short stature, her green eyes. And her hypertension. Besides medication, getting a good variety of vitamins and minerals in my diet helps. But there are times when I fall off the wagon, going heavy on the cookies and ice cream and light on the veggies. No matter what, though, I always take a multivitamin. Every. Single. Day. And you should, too,…

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Food that helps you feel happier, not just healthier
Posted on: December 24, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Food that helps you feel happier, not just healthier

When you want a feel-good snack or meal, what foods do you reach for? Pizza? Frosted Flakes? Hot dogs? Mine used to be a McDonald’s fish sandwich and a vanilla milkshake. It felt great going down, but about an hour later, I was cranky and ready to go to sleep. Didn’t matter if it was 12 noon… I wanted to curl up under the covers. Now I know why… …

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Your sweat may say as much about your health as your blood
Posted on: December 24, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Your sweat may say as much about your health as your blood

I recently had my annual physical. As part of that, my doctor ordered a series of blood tests to measure my cholesterol, blood sugar and other biomarkers. Now, I’m not the biggest fan of needles, and I hate having to make a special trip to a lab to get the tests done. But I grit my teeth and go through with it because I know it’s the best way to…

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6 at-home tests to reveal the health of your arteries
Posted on: December 23, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

6 at-home tests to reveal the health of your arteries

When fatty plaque builds up in your arteries, they become narrow. That reduces blood flow to your heart, brain and other organs, but is also a potential setup for heart attack or stroke. Because of these dangers, the American College of Cardiology has long recommended that doctors use assessment tools such as the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score, a newer one called PREVENT and symptom checkers to calculate a…

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Is the problem thyroid constipation?
Posted on: December 23, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Is the problem thyroid constipation?

Do you feel bloated and struggle to ‘go’? Maybe having a bowel movement just once or twice a week has become your normal. If so, you know first-hand the pain and frustration chronic constipation can cause. Sadly, numerous factors could be keeping you backed up, from your diet to common medications. But perhaps one of the sneakiest causes of constipation is an underactive thyroid. The good news is, once you…

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