Heart disease has remained the leading cause of death in the U.S. for nearly a century now. Over time, we’ve accumulated a great amount of knowledge on the main risk factors and behaviors that contribute to poor heart health — from inactivity and diet to smoking and stress. But these aren’t the only causes of heart disease. In this blog post, we’re highlighting three lesser-known contributing factors of cardiovascular disease and tips for using them to promote heart health.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the large intestine that causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. With a typical age of onset between 20 and 30, IBS is estimated to affect up to 15% of the US population. The good news is that lifestyle changes can often relieve IBS symptoms and act as a first step in treatment. Keep reading to learn about the roles of food, stress, sleep, and exercise in IBS management.

Today, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s — which is just one form of dementia or memory loss. So it’s not surprising that brain health has become a popularized health topic. As part of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, we’re taking a look at some of the most common notions about brain health and determining whether they’re rooted in fact or fiction.

1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, and while Melanoma accounts for only 1% of skin cancers, it is the leading cause of death related to the disease. This May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and we urge everyone to learn more about this disease and the ways in which we can prevent it.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and while there isn’t a single cure to brain changes while aging, there are many ways to protect your brain’s function over time. Like other muscles in our bodies, the brain can rebuild itself and make new connections with repeated use and exercise. Mental, physical, and social exercises can help promote healthy brain development.