Posted on: May 16, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Microplastics in your artery plaque may be the final straw

There’s no escaping our exposure to plastic. Even if its manufacture ends tomorrow, plastic waste can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose. As it does, it breaks down into tiny bits that make their way into our bodies. That’s where we are today. We don’t feel or taste it in the food or water we consume, or in the personal care products that permeate our skin. But…

Posted on: May 15, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Trouble sleeping? It may be linked to liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, affects 30% of adults worldwide. By 2040, just 16 years from now, health experts predict that percentage will rise to 55%. People with MASLD suffer damage from inflammation and tissue scarring, caused by abnormal accumulation of fat. That leads to heightened risks for diabetes, cancer (both liver and elsewhere), chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Oddly enough,…

Posted on: May 14, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

12 medications you shouldn’t take with coffee

A whopping 3 out of every 4 Americans ages 20 and older drink coffee at least occasionally, and roughly half drink it daily. Considering coffee’s growing list of health benefits, that’s not a bad thing. From lowering stroke risk to reducing some cancers and promoting healthy aging, there’s a lot going for it. However, there is a drawback to be aware of: Coffee consumption could interact with your medication. Coffee…

Posted on: May 14, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Focus on protein? The fiber gap matters most

As a cardiologist deeply invested in preventive health, I’ve observed a common trend… While many individuals are preoccupied with protein intake, a significant number are neglecting a vital nutrient — fiber. Despite its essential role in maintaining overall health, fiber doesn’t receive nearly the attention it deserves. The Truth About Fiber Intake According to a comprehensive study on fiber intake, less than 5% of Americans meet the recommended daily intake for dietary…

Posted on: May 13, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Metabolic syndrome raises dementia risk 70%

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that increases the risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. At least one-third of all American adults have metabolic syndrome. You likely have metabolic syndrome if you’re affected by three or more of the following symptoms: Abdominal fat (or high waist circumference) High blood pressure High blood sugar High blood triglycerides, which can raise your levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol Low HDL, the…

Posted on: May 8, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

How to live disease-free at 70 and beyond

Now that I’m in that period delicately referred to as “midlife,” I’m trying to stay as healthy as possible. That includes a more nutritious diet, avoiding alcohol and exercising regularly. But sometimes I wonder if these steps are enough to overcome past unhealthy behaviors — particularly a diet that threw caution to the wind when it came to sugar, all the wrong fats, processed foods and alcohol. What a relief…

Posted on: May 8, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Lower a leading cause of stroke with a brisk walk

I am not a runner and never will be. But I love walking. I feel more alert after a good, brisk walk, and there’s science that explains why. Walking also helps me manage my blood pressure, helping to keep my heart healthy as I age. Plenty of research has shown that walking is ideal for heart disease prevention. Now we’re learning that your walking pace could count more than how…

Posted on: May 6, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

The warning bladder leaks could have for your heart

Quite often, research turns up a connection between two conditions, which becomes important in keeping people healthy. After all, we’ve said it time and again… An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That brings us to the subject of urinary incontinence — or the involuntary leakage of urine — a common symptom that affects 50% of adult women and increases with age. In fact, up to 75%…

Posted on: May 6, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Why a banana a day is key to regulating blood pressure

Eat less salt. If you have or are at risk of high blood pressure, you may have heard this advice from your doctor. That’s because when you ingest too much salt, your body responds to the excess sodium by holding on to water to dilute it. The result is an increase in the amount of fluid in your blood vessels, which raises the pressure inside the vessels and makes your…

Posted on: May 3, 2025 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

The super slimming secrets of olive oil

There are enough health benefits tied to olive oil that you really don’t need one more reason to make it part of your life. You can read about eight benefits you can only get from extra virgin olive oil, right here — but there’s just one in the list I want to focus on right now… According to a study published in the journal Foods, Greek men and women over…