Angela Newman of Biltmore Forest, North Carolina, remembers the “bizarre” symptoms she began experiencing almost a decade ago. Blurry vision, a stiff neck, hypersensitive skin, numbness and weakness that would come and go.
She saw a variety of medical specialists, undergoing an MRI, CT scan and psychiatric assessments. The doctors often dismissed her symptoms as anxiety or depression, Newman, 57, said.
Finally, at a college reunion she mentioned her illness to a friend who recognized the mysterious symptoms as a possible case of Lyme disease.
When she called her primary doctor for a Lyme disease test, he told her, “I don’t think you have Lyme. We don’t really have that around here,” Newman said. “I said ‘I don’t care what you think. I want you to test me.’”
The results were positive, a diagnosis that took five years to make. Within days of receiving antibiotics, her symptoms started to abate. It took nearly a year to feel like her usual, energetic self.
“I knew I wasn’t crazy,” she said. “It’s frustrating to have people basically say, ‘I think you need antidepressants.’”
Newman never found a tick but had noticed a welt on her leg that looked a little bit like a spider bite.
At the time Newman was infected in North Carolina with Lyme, the disease was believed to be largely limited to the Northeast. New research published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscores how the bugs have gained a foothold in unexpected places farther south.
“It was always thought that Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is caused by different bacteria, was our major tick-borne disease,” said University of North Carolina School of Medicine’s Dr. Ross Boyce, the CDC study’s author and a researcher who specializes in tick-borne diseases.
The new research “is the slam dunk,” he said, proving that Lyme disease should be considered a major threat to areas farther south than previously thought.
Boyce and his colleagues focused the research on Biltmore Forest, a small mountain town nestled along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. From November 2024 through August 2025, they canvassed 22 household lawns, collecting 373 ticks.
The majority, 76.9%, were blacklegged, or deer, ticks. Those are the ones known to carry bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease in humans.
More than a third, 39.6%, of the adult blacklegged ticks tested positive for the bacteria. “That is a number that you might see in places like Pennsylvania, New York, New England states where Lyme is common,” Boyce said.
The research also found, for the first time, North Carolina ticks with other types of disease-causing bacteria.
Four of the ticks were found to carry Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and four others carried Borrelia miyamotoi, a bacterium that causes hard tick relapsing fever and is almost always thought to be concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest. Both types can cause flu-like symptoms in humans.
The discoveries, particularly of the new bacteria in North Carolina, are “significant,” said Mark Soloski, senior adviser of the Lyme Disease Research Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Physicians and healthcare workers, especially in that region, need to be very mindful and aware that ticks infected with this bacteria have moved in.” Soloski was not involved with the new research.
Biltmore Forest is a small town, with just under 1,500 residents. While the new research found 17 Lyme disease cases in the area, Biltmore Forest town manager Jonathan Kanipe said he’d been hearing anecdotal reports of the illness for years.
The ticks that cause it were clearly abundant.
“We’ve had public works employees pulling ticks off of them at what I would call a pretty steady rate,” Kanipe said. He recalled a time when he was simply walking around a parking lot to survey where a planned trail would be built, and finding ticks on his hands. “It freaked me out because I wasn’t even walking in the woods. I was just next to grass,” he said.
Newman and Kanipe mobilized a community group to raise awareness of the tick-borne threat. The efforts caught the attention of UNC’s Boyce and led to the research published Thursday; Kanipe and Newman are citizen co-authors.
Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the U.S., with cases increasing dramatically since the mid-1990s. Most infections have been concentrated in the Northeast and the Upper Midwest, where blacklegged ticks are most prevalent. It’s estimated that nearly a half million people are diagnosed every year in the U.S.
As winters become warmer, deer, mice and other rodent populations move to different parts of the country. The ticks that feed on those animals go with them, expanding the tick-borne illness landscape and increasing infections nationwide.
An increasing number of communities are at risk “as infected ticks continue to expand geographically,” Lars Eisen, a research epidemiologist at the CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases in Fort Collins, Colorado, wrote in an email. “It’s important people understand the changing risks for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.” The Fort Collins lab provided testing for the ticks in the new research.
Another tick-borne bacteria that can cause Lyme called Borrelia mayonii was previously only ever detected in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but recently discovered in New York.
Alpha-gal syndrome, the tick-borne illness that triggers an allergy to red meat and other mammalian products, tends to be concentrated in the East and Midwest but is becoming more prevalent in the Great Lakes and the West. And Powassan virus, a rare but particularly deadly tick-borne disease that can cause brain inflammation, reached a record high number of cases in 2024.
Critical need for testing and awareness
The migration of ticks appears to have outpaced both awareness of the threats and the ability to test for the illnesses ticks cause, notably Lyme disease. Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses can be treated with antibiotics, but only if they’re accurately diagnosed.
A recent editorial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggested that many doctors rely on antibody tests that can take up to six weeks to generate results, delaying diagnoses and even missing early infections, according to the editorial’s author.
“Current tests are reliable once patients have been infected for several weeks and have long-term symptoms such as Lyme arthritis, a late-stage complication characterized by sudden, severe swelling in large joints,” the author wrote. “Improved tests could not only help clinicians identify Lyme disease earlier but also better characterize patients for clinical trials and biomarker research.”
Until such research is conducted, Johns Hopkins’ Soloski said emergency room doctors and primary care physicians may want to consider Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses in patients with otherwise unexplained symptoms, even in places where it’s not considered commonplace.
“The niches that these ticks can find that allow them to flourish,” he said, “is only increasing.”

The solution to everyday aches might be as simple as what’s on your plate. You’ve probably heard the phrase “anti-inflammatory diet,” but what does that really mean, and can it actually make a difference? We asked experts about the exact foods that reduce painful inflammation. Turns out, eating the foods on this simple grocery list can lead to big long-term health benefits, including less pain, less illness, more energy and improved weight management. Plus, these ingredients are simple to find and easy to enjoy.
What is inflammation in the body?
Inflammation can take different forms. Sometimes it shows up as visible swelling from an injury, part of your body’s natural healing response. Other times it can lurk below the surface and spread. This happens when chemical signals from your cells stay active longer than they should, which can trigger symptoms and illnesses. This body-wide inflammation can be the most harmful over time.
“Inflammation leads to pain, injury and chronic disease,” confirms dietitian Theresa DeLorenzo, RD, a nutrition science professor at Russell Sage College. But she offers hope for this sneaky health issue: “There are foods you can eat to reduce inflammation and reduce this risk.”
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The 7 best foods that reduce inflammation naturally
For starters, many experts recommend cutting back on foods known to fuel chronic inflammation, such as gluten-containing wheat, highly processed seed oils, refined sugar or artificial sweeteners, alcohol and dairy. Instead, make the following tasty foods part of your healthy diet:
Fish like salmon
One anti-inflammatory food topped the experts’ lists: fatty fish. “Salmon is rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which are involved in the regulation of inflammatory processes,” explains Johannah Katz, a registered dietitian specializing in preventive care. Those healthy fats work like natural medicine for your body, even helping to ease rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
In an eight-week study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, adults who ate salmon three times per week had significant reductions in the inflammatory markers that showed up in their blood work.
Katz recommends aiming for roughly 4 to 5 ounces (about the size of a deck of cards) of salmon two to three times per week. Or try other oily fish like sardines, trout and mackerel, which also boast an anti-inflammatory effect.
Blueberries
Love berries? Their vivid color is a sign of powerful anti-inflammatory compounds at work, repairing cellular damage. “Blueberries are particularly rich in anthocyanins, the blue-purple polyphenol pigments that have been studied for their effects on oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling,” explains Katz. Adults with metabolic syndrome who supplemented with blueberries decreased expression of inflammatory genes, compared to those who didn’t get berries, according to a Food & Function study. Their cells were literally producing less inflammation.
Katz suggests eating approximately 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries most days and making blueberries part of a polyphenol-rich diet. Other food sources of anthocyanins include green tea, dark chocolate and cloves.
Olive oil
You may be surprised to learn that the olive oil in your kitchen has all-natural pain-relieving powers. “Extra-virgin olive oil contains high levels of oleocanthal, a natural anti-inflammatory compound that has unique properties similar to ibuprofen,” says Dawn Menning, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist with Nutu.
After reviewing 30 studies involving 3,000 participants, scientists publishing in Nutrients found that people who consumed olive oil had significantly reduced levels of inflammation, compared to their oil-skipping peers.
Katz recommends using extra-virgin olive oil daily, “ideally in place of butter or other saturated-fat-rich fats.” Goal: 1 to 2 tablespoons.
Leafy greens or cruciferous vegetables
Your mom was right about eating your veggies. Dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale are rich in vitamins A, C and K, and antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation, says Menning. She adds, “Broccoli contains a compound called sulforaphane, which some researchers believe may slow the progression of osteoarthritis.”
Here’s proof: A study out of Spain found smokers eating broccoli every day for 10 days experienced a 45 percent drop in a key inflammatory marker. Katz recommends eating 1 cup of broccoli daily.
Beans
Researchers are uncovering more and more evidence showing that the health of your gut bacteria (or gut microbiome) directly impacts inflammation throughout your body. And fiber-rich foods like beans, lentils and chickpeas support the health of the gut microbiome, essentially reducing inflammation from the inside out.
“Legumes also provide plant protein, magnesium and numerous phytochemicals,” Katz adds. The proof of their anti-inflammatory benefits: Obese adults who ate four servings of cooked legumes per week had greater reductions in key inflammation markers than those without legumes, in one study.
How much to eat for yourself? Katz suggests reaching for up to 1 cup of cooked beans, lentils or chickpeas at least four times per week.
Fermented foods
Remember how we mentioned the importance of the gut microbiome? In a Stanford study published in the journal Cell, when adults consumed high-fermented foods for 10 weeks, their gut microbiome changed so favorably, it triggered a decrease in 19 different inflammatory markers in the body. “This is where the evidence surprised even the researchers,” says nutritionist Sarah Otto, co-founder of the gut-health company Goodness Lover. “Fermented foods did something fiber alone did not.” In other words, fermented foods offer unique anti-inflammatory benefits you can’t get anywhere else.
Otto recommends starting with one serving a day of fermented foods that reduce inflammation—like kefir, yogurt, kimchi or sauerkraut—and build up to two or three.
Healing spices
Don’t overlook spices, which are easy to layer into anti-inflammatory meals to boost health benefits. ”Culinary herbs are also medicinal,” reminds Bethany Tennant, a naturopathic physician and certified nutrition specialist, part of this year’s International Olympic Committee diploma of sports nutrition program. She calls out turmeric, ginger and cinnamon as stars in this category. She explains that the curcumin compounds in turmeric and the gingerols in ginger directly “impact inflammatory pathways.”
Tennant recommends using anti-inflammatory spices regularly in meals, multiple times a week. “Daily would be best.”
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How to maximize the benefits of foods that reduce inflammation
Now that you have a winning grocery list to work from, consider one more piece of advice: “The real secret is consistency over perfection,” says Anna Cabeca, DO, a triple-board certified physician specializing in women’s health. “Build these foods into your meals regularly, eat them whole—not juiced—and pair them together. That combination of protein, healthy fat and nutrient-dense vegetables is what creates real results.”
Looking for a simple framework to bring all these foods together? Consider adopting a Mediterranean-style diet, which emphasizes many of these tasty, anti-inflammatory superstars while avoiding things like fried foods and processed meats that can trigger inflammation.
How long does it take to feel results?
The time varies from person to person. “There isn’t a universal timeline, because inflammatory markers are affected by body weight, smoking, physical activity, sleep, underlying disease and the rest of someone’s diet,” explains Katz. “However, human dietary interventions have detected changes in inflammatory biomarkers in as little as 10 days and over approximately six to eight weeks.” That’s motivation to start today!
Keep reading for more information…
Research Reveals Whether Olive Oil Meaningfully Lowers ApoB and Cholesterol Risk Over Time
The Gokhale Method Relieves Back Pain in Less Than 60 Seconds—Even When Surgery Fails
4 Frozen Shoulder Stretches That Relieve Pain and Improve Mobility in Minutes
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

Nature’s most deadly predator isn’t a lion, a tiger or a bear.
The CDC has dubbed it “the world’s most deadly animal” because of the 700,000 deaths that occur each year.
It’s not necessary to go into the wilderness to locate it. You’ll probably find it right outside your door.
Mosquitoes, despite their small size and only a two- or three-week lifespan as adults, can cause a lot of harm in that brief time period.
One bite from these flying pests is enough to transmit serious diseases. A few infected skeeters are all it takes to start an epidemic in your community.
Malaria is the deadliest mosquito-borne disease. It causes more than 600,000.000 deaths per year in sub-Saharan Africa, with children being most affected.
Since the US eliminated malaria in early 1950s, the disease is largely a foreign-borne illness that Americans bring home. In a normal year, the country reports about 2,000 malaria cases. Most of these are linked to travel abroad.
But in 2023, malaria made an unwelcome comeback. In Florida, Texas and Maryland, ten locally acquired cases of malaria were reported in 2023.
The mosquito is also the main cause of dengue, which can lead to high fevers, joint pains, and headaches. It can cause organ damage, dangerous bleeding and even death in severe cases.
Dengue is estimated to affect 400 million people worldwide each year. About 100 millions develop symptoms, and 21,000 of them die.
The problem in the US is only getting worse. According to a CDC report released earlier this year, the number of cases expected in the US by 2024 is 359% more than what was reported annually from 2010-2023.
In the US, other mosquito-borne illnesses are on the rise. West Nile virus cases in this country have reached a record high of 22 years.
Usually, by the end of the month of June the CDC has received about 10 human West Nile reports. In the first half of this year, at least 48 cases have been reported.
Nearly forty of these cases were neuroinvasive infections, the most severe form of disease. West Nile can be asymptomatic, or cause flu-like symptoms. However, in rare cases it may progress into a life-threatening condition.
West Nile virus has no known global toll, but it claims the lives of more than 130 Americans every year.
Mosquito-borne diseases that do not currently circulate in the US still kill thousands each year around the globe.
Yellow fever. Yellow fever is a viral infection that can be found in Africa and South America. Travelers who are going to these high-risk regions should get the vaccine before leaving.
Yellow fever is usually a mild disease with few symptoms. In severe cases the illness can lead to high fevers, bleeding, and organ failure. According to the World Health Organization, it is responsible for up to 82,000 annual deaths.
The Japanese encephalitis, which is primarily found overseas, is also spread by mosquitoes. The virus is the most common cause of viral brain inflammation, which can be life-threatening. It affects much of Asia.
Japanese encephalitis can be fatal. Up to half of survivors can have permanent cognitive, neurological or behavioral issues.
As with yellow fever vaccines that are safe and effective can help to prevent this disease.
While mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on earth, they’re not all disease carriers.
More than 3700 species of mosquitoes are found around the world, but only a fraction can transmit diseases that are dangerous to humans. The majority of mosquitoes are annoying pests or feed on animals, leaving itchy red bumps after bites.

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Review by Dietitian Jane Leverich M.S. RDN
Important Points
It is important to eat the same foods over and over again.
For better heart health, cardiologists advise avoiding sugary drinks and processed meats.
Regular physical activity and a sodium-reduced diet can also support cardiovascular health.
The diet plays a major role in maintaining heart health. No single food can make or break it. Research suggests, however, that a more healthy eating pattern, rich in fruit, vegetables, beans, nuts, dairy and fish, is linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. What matters most for your heart is not what you eat occasionally, but what you consume repeatedly over time.
Heart-healthy foods include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They also contain a lot of nutrients. However, they are low in sodium, sugar and saturated fat. Cardiologists have shared four foods that they avoid or limit in order to promote heart health.
1. Processing Meats
According to research, consuming a diet high in processed foods is associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease. Randy Gould M.D. recommends that processed meats such as cold cuts, hot dogs, and bacon be avoided. Gould says that the potential health effects of processed food may be linked to sodium, saturated fat, and preservatives. He explains that sodium increases blood pressure, and can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. Preservatives such as nitrates can also cause arterial stiffness, and can damage blood vessels.
The nitrates used to preserve meat can increase blood pressure and cause arterial stiffness, causing blood vessels to become damaged. Saturated fats in processed meat may also raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and cause plaque to build up on arteries. Heart disease is associated with high LDL cholesterol.
2. Sweet Beverages
Gould says that even one 8-ounce glass of sugary drinks, such as sweetened teas, energy drinks, coffee drinks with flavors, or soda, can increase the risk of developing heart disease. “Sugary beverages have a lot of sugar added, and this leads to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and weight gain,” he explains. He adds that “each of these conditions puts additional stress on the hearts”. Sugar-sweetened drinks also raise triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, and increase blood pressure. This can lead to heart disease and atherosclerosis.
3. Carbohydrates refined
Baked goods, pastas, rice, and bread are all refined carbohydrates. Refined grains are stripped of their bran and germ, which can reduce the amount of fiber and nutrients in whole grains.
Refined carbohydrates are broken down more quickly by the body, which leads to higher fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Gould says that frequent glucose spikes can cause insulin resistance as well as arterial damage. Gould says that high consumption of refined carbs can also lead to an increase in triglycerides (bad cholesterol) and LDL levels. Researchers have found that switching from refined carbs to whole grains can improve several risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
4. The Ultra-processed Foods
Christina Michael, MD, says that ultra-processed food is often high in sugar, sodium, calories and refined carbs. They are also low in fiber, and have other nutrients. She adds that “as a consequence, these foods tend to encourage overeating” and they are linked with an increased risk of heart disease.
According to research, consuming more ultra-processed food is linked with an increase in cardiovascular disease. Not all ultra-processed foods may have the same effect on heart health. The fact that ultra-processed food is defined differently and foods which fall under this category are part of the problem. For example, some packaged cereals, dairy products and breads can still be considered to have been ultra-processed, while providing valuable nutrients. It’s therefore important to consider the overall nutritional profile of a product, rather than just its processing.
Heart Health: Other Ways to Improve Your Heart Health
Cardiologists suggest that you add these habits to your heart healthy diet in order to support cardiovascular health.
Regular exercise is important. Gould suggests that you aim to do 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week, which can include brisk walking or cycling. He adds that these activities help to improve cardiovascular health and strengthen the heart.
Incorporate omega-3-rich foods. Gould says that fatty fish rich in omega-3 acids, such as salmon, sardines and anchovies can help reduce cholesterol levels, and also slow the buildup of plaque in arteries. To support your heart, aim for at least two servings of 3-ounce fatty fish per week. ,
Limit sodium. Gould explains that excessive sodium intake can cause elevated blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease or stroke. The American Heart Association recommends that adults should limit their sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams a day.
Keep a healthy body weight. Maintaining a healthy body weight is one of the eight essential components for heart health according to The American Heart Association. Weight management supports blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood glucose.
The Experts’ Take
To support heart health, you should take stock of what your current diet is and see what adjustments can be made. Foods like ultra-processed food, processed meats and sugary drinks, as well as refined carbohydrates, are to be avoided. Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, include beans, nuts, seeds, fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, as well as legumes, beans, and whole grain products. Exercise, sodium control and maintaining a healthy body weight are all ways to support heart health.