Trusted for unbiased health information since 1976
We aim to help you make informed decisions about both traditional and alternative treatments.
Are Soy Products a Problem for People on Synthro…
Levothyroxine (Synthroid) is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the country. Approximately 20 million Americans have a thyroid condition, so perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that synt…
Antidepressants and Suicide: Why Don’t Peo…
Antidepressants are, by definition, supposed to improve mood. They are prescribed to lift people out of psychological depression. In theory, drugs like fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sert…
Will Probiotics Cut Gas from Drinking Milk?
Many of us struggle with smelly gas, known more technically (and perhaps more politely) as flatulence. Sometimes the culprit is a medication that is causing the trouble. But people trying to control f…
Show 1095: How Do You Cope with Changing Recomme…
Heart Disease and Inflammation: Is cholesterol the main problem leading to clogged arteries and heart attacks? It certainly is important, but a brand-new study suggests that inflammation may also be c…
How Good Is the Evidence for Whole Grains?
Whole grains have a golden reputation as the mainstay of a healthy diet. The old food pyramid was built on a foundation of whole grains. But how good is the evidence that eating brown rice, steel cut …
Preventing Peripheral Neuropathy From Chemothera…
When you get a diagnosis of cancer the world stops. Your brain melts and you go into fight or flight mode. It is one of the most stressful times of your life. All you can think about is choosing the r…
Will Dangers of Antidepressants Shorten Your Lif…
Americans love antidepressants. It is estimated that between one in eight and one in ten takes an antidepressant medication. People take SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (sero…
Get Magnesium Just Right to Prevent Dementia
Most people would like to find a way to prevent dementia, but the picture is complex. Lifestyle factors such as exercise, diet and sleep have all been suggested as possible paths to keeping our brains…
Could Your Microbiome Boost Your Blood Pressure?
What accounts for differences in blood pressure? A new analysis from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Working Group suggests that the ecology of bacteria in our digestive tracts may play a…
Will Magnesium Help You Sleep Better All Night?
Have you ever wakened far too early and resigned yourself to tossing and turning until time to get up? This scenario is common. We were pleased to learn that one reader found a simple supplement could…
What Do You Do When Your Specialists Disagree?
Let's face it. We used to be at the mercy of our doctors. If a specialist said "jump," they expected us to inquire "how high?" If a medication was prescribed, we were expected to take it. The fewer qu…
When Should You Worry About Hiccups?
Have you ever had hiccups? Almost everyone has. They can be annoying, embarrassing and uncomfortable, but hiccups generally go away on their own. When hiccups last for more than two days, though, they…
Why Ice Craving Is a Serious Danger Signal
Ice cravings can, like the tip of an iceberg, signal a bigger problem. It may take some sleuthing, though. Many people with uncontrollable ice craving may have no idea that they need to be tested for …
Will Grape Juice with Certo Make Feet Feel Bette…
Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tough tissue on the sole of the foot, is a drag. The heel pain, though persistent, is especially strong in the morning and can make it difficult to exercise o…
What Can You Do For Arthritis Pain If You Can…
Roughly one out of five Americans takes an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) regularly. That includes medications like celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, meloxicam and naproxen …
Are There Foods That Affect Xarelto?
People at risk for dangerous blood clots frequently need to take anticoagulant medication to prevent clots from forming. Perhaps the best-known of these is warfarin. It is inexpensive, and its side ef…
How Helpful is Lymph Node Removal During Breast …
The history of breast cancer surgery is a tale of woe and intrigue. It is a story of strong personalities and procedures that were based more on beliefs than on science. Old ideas die hard. It took ye…
Show 1094: Does It Matter When You Eat?
For decades, epidemiologists have noted that people who eat breakfast seem to weigh less and live longer. But it hasn't been clear if eating breakfast helps people stay healthy, or if healthy people t…
Are Menopausal Women Taking a Big Risk with HRT?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) does not appear to increase the risk of death from either heart disease or cancer. That's what researchers concluded by analyzing data from the long-running Women's H…
How Much Does It Really Cost to Develop a New Dr…
New cancer drugs have become extremely expensive. It is not unusual for immunotherapy treatments to cost between $100,000 and $200,000 per year. Often, the pharmaceutical industry justifies such a pri…
Why You Should Get Up from Your Chair
If you want to stay healthy, don't just sit there. Make sure you get up from your chair every half hour or so. Why Should You Get Up? A new study of approximately 8,000 people shows that those who get…
Can You Dream Away Dementia?
Any link between a dream and dementia sounds far-fetched, to be sure. Nonetheless, one possible interpretation of findings from a recent study is that people who dream more are less prone to dementia.…
Can You Avoid Blood Clots on a Long Flight?
Blood clots in the veins of the legs can be serious. Not only do they cause swelling, inflammation and pain in the affected leg, but they can also break loose and lodge in the lung. Blood clots in the…
Will Your Pain Pill Boost Your Blood Pressure?
People in pain are caught in a terrible bind. When you hurt, it is common for your blood pressure to go up. That's hardly a surprise. Pain is extremely stressful for your entire body. But taking nonst…
Mint Tea Lowers Her Sex Drive to Match His
What can a woman do when her sex drive is more powerful than her partner's? We have heard from innumerable women with this problem. Sex and desire are still sufficiently taboo topics that there are ve…
Can Acupressure Arm Bands Help with Sleep Proble…
Many individuals who have sleep problems from time to time would rather solve them without resorting to sleeping pills. After all, prescription sleeping pills can be habit-forming. Even OTC sleep aids…
How to Stop an Antidepressant Without Difficulti…
Have you ever tried to stop an antidepressant abruptly? We have heard from many people who have found that this can trigger an extremely unpleasant experience. They report a discontinuation syndrome t…
Just How Scary Is Saturated Fat?
Have you ever heard the saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"? It's not true. Many old dogs learn new tricks with the right training and motivation. It turns out that it could be a lot harder…
If Metformin Causes Diarrhea, Will Kefir Help?
One of the most useful-and widely used-medications for type 2 diabetes, metformin, is known to cause digestive distress for some of the people who take it. One reader found, however, that drinking the…
Are Rage and Depression Side Effects of Chantix?
No question about it: smoking is terrible for your health. Heart disease, strokes, lung cancer and other malignancies and premature death are all more common among people who smoke tobacco. That is …