Let’s take our heads out of the sand: What we are doing today may be increasing our risk for cancer

When it comes to cancer, what you don’t know can hurt you. And according to a recent survey from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), it seems there’s a lot more many of us need to know -- like which lifestyle choices contribute to cancer and what we can do to reduce that risk.

Carrie Fisher’s death a wake up call to help more women be proactive about heart attacks

Carrie Fisher, star of the beloved Star Wars franchise, died days after suffering a heart attack on a plane at age 60. Fans around the world were shocked, but should we really be so surprised? Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. In fact, heart attacks kill six times as many women as breast cancer! One in three women die of heart disease; that’s approximately one every minute, according to the American Heart Association.

Worried about when to introduce your baby to peanuts? New guidelines say earlier may be better!

You’ll never guess what we recently learned about peanuts! In a study where children and adults with a peanut allergy wore a patch exposing them to peanut protein, they actually increased their tolerance to the nut over time (read here!). The new study suggests recommendations for exposing babies to peanuts early on to stop allergies before they even begin.

Be proactive about lead exposure for babies and children

Parents have enough to worry about! Toxic metals shouldn’t be one of them. However, whether we like it or not, lead is all around us -- in drinking water, lipsticks, older paints, foods, soil, air and dust. Although it’s a naturally occurring heavy metal found in small amounts in the Earth’s crust, it can be toxic to your health and even more toxic to your little ones.

What health issue millions of Americans have in common with Kanye West and what to do about it

You may have heard about Kanye West’s recent hospitalization, reportedly for exhaustion and sleep deprivation. Some sources said it was a “mental breakdown,” following what’s been called “erratic behavior,” including controversial rants, ending concerts early, and even canceling the rest of his tour. While most of us aren’t living Kanye’s lifestyle, the Better Sleep Council has found that around half of Americans say they don’t get enough sleep, but many don’t do anything about it.

Pancreatic cancer symptoms: 16 things to look out for

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, having claimed the lives of thousands of people every year, including some notable public figures such as Steve Jobs and Patrick Swayze.

Be proactive about carbon monoxide poisoning at home!

Each year, at least 430 people in the U.S. die due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, and around 50,000 people visit the emergency department because of it, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. However, carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable! Being proactive about carbon monoxide (CO) could save your life.

Your quick guide to eating clean (don’t get groceries without this)

“Eating clean” is something you hear a lot. But what does it mean for food to be “clean”? And what’s “dirty” about food that isn’t so-called “clean”? Clean eating is all about eating more whole, nutritious, fresh foods -- as nature intended. Clean foods are unprocessed, or minimally processed, and are in their most natural, organic form, free of pesticides, GMOs, added sugar, unhealthy fats, preservatives, color additives, binders, stabilizers and emulsifiers. So if you've ever tried to eat clean or want to, here's a quick cheat sheet.

An alcohol-cancer link more people should know about

A drink after work, drinks with friends, drinks at yet another wedding -- it’s safe to say that there’s always an occasion to lift your glass. You know all about drinking responsibly, and you’d never dream of getting behind the wheel when you’re buzzed. But have you ever thought about the long-term consequences those drinks may have on your health?

Don’t let your beauty regimen damage your skin: Watch out for this ingredient

Looking for beauty products to even out your skin tone and provide a more youthful complexion? Be sure to check the labels before you buy! The FDA warns that certain products that are marketed as skin-lighteners and anti-aging treatments actually contain the metal mercury. People with mercury levels above what the body can tolerate can experience fatigue, numbness, nerve damage, atherosclerosis, heart attacks and high blood pressure.

How to form healthy habits and stop feeling guilty about slacking off

Do you suffer from health guilt? It’s that uneasy pit in your stomach when the latest headlines say your bad habits are setting you up for all kinds of diseases. Or when your oh-so-healthy friend posts yet another photo of her dramatic weight loss. Or when you “Netflix and chill” instead of going to the gym, again. You feel bad and think, “I should do something about this.” But hey, life gets in the way. We’ve all been there! An interesting NPR article calls out all this health guilt.

The best mosquito repellents for avoiding the Zika virus

Protect your family from the Zika virus by choosing an effective mosquito repellent! Consumer Reports’ testing shows not all repellents are created equal, especially when it comes to protecting against Aedes mosquitoes – the kind that transmit the Zika virus. The top performers?