In 1513, the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León arrived in Florida to search for the fountain of youth. If he got any benefit from his quest, it was due to the exercise involved in the search.

Few men today believe in miraculous waters, but many, it seems, believe in the syringe of youth. Instead of drinking rejuvenating waters, they inject human growth hormone to slow the tick of the clock. Some are motivated by the claims of the "anti-aging" movement, others by the examples of young athletes seeking a competitive edge. Like Ponce de León, the athletes still get ...

Everyone feels "blue" or "low" from time to time. It's a normal, healthy reaction to the disappointments, losses, and separations that occur in every life. But it's one thing to be down in the dumps, quite another to be depressed. Sadness is normal, but depression is a major illness.

Depression prevents pleasure, saps energy, and interferes with daily life; it can also lead to heart disease and other medical problems. Because depression has many faces, it can be hard to recognize, especially in men, who often make the mistake of thinking of it as a "woman's problem." It's a shame ...

Coronary artery disease causes heart attacks, angina, and many cases of heart failure and sudden death. Because these illnesses are so prevalent in the U.S. today, many people assume that coronary artery disease is an inevitable consequence of human biology, particularly for men. That's wrong; in fact, at least eight of every 10 cases are preventable.

As recently as 1900, heart attacks were uncommon. But in the first decades of the 20th century, they began to increase. By 1921, heart disease was the leading cause of death in the U.S., and it has retained that dubious distinction ever since.

What ...

Q. My last two blood tests showed that my cholesterol is too high. My doctor wants me to take a statin drug, but I'd rather use a natural remedy. I saw an ad for red yeast rice that says that it's as effective as the statins, and I can get it without a prescription — but should I?

A. "All-natural" products have an obvious appeal. Remember, though, that natural products are composed of chemicals — and in the case of red yeast rice, these chemicals may surprise you.

Red yeast rice is formed by a chemical reaction between rice and ...