October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While breast cancer is a complex disease with many contributing factors that cannot be controlled, there are some things you can control, which research shows may significantly reduce your risk: Maintain a healthy weight: Excess body weight and postmenopausal weight gain are associated with breast cancer. Exercise: Women […]
When you think of starchy foods, chances are things like white bread and pasta come to mind. Unfortunately, these simple starches are rapidly digested, raise your blood sugar, contribute to weight gain and increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease. But there is another less well-known type of starch, one that functions similarly to […]
People who are more physically fit are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent study. The study involved 649,605 military veterans with an average age of 61 who didn’t have Alzheimer’s disease at the start of the study. The participants were divided into five groups, from least fit to most fit. When […]
September is National Cholesterol Education Awareness Month. As you are probably already aware, high cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is the number one killer in the U.S. Treatment for high cholesterol usually includes a cholesterol-lowering diet, changes in levels of […]
Whether it’s unwanted weight gain, the loss of lean muscle, bone health concerns, or other issues, there are many challenges facing women during the years leading up to menopause and beyond. Weight Gain Hormonal changes increase the rate at which women store fat and diminish their ability to burn fat. It also causes changes in […]
For most pregnant women, even those who pay little attention to their diet, pregnancy is a major “aha” moment – a time when you fully grasp the meaning of “you are what you eat.” But you don’t have to wait until you’re pregnant to start eating well for your baby. Following a healthy diet before […]
Both men and women require many essential vitamins and minerals for health. While your diet should in theory provide you with all the nutrients you need, there are many reasons why it may not. Stress, poor diet, processed and convenience food, activity level, and genetics can all affect nutrient levels. In addition, variables like alcohol […]
July is UV safety awareness month and while you probably already know the importance of protecting your skin from the sun’s UV rays, you may not have considered the effect of the sun’s harmful rays on your eyes. Research shows that UV-A and UV-B rays can result in long-term vision problems and damage to your […]
The weather is warmer and the sun is setting later. This means that summer is finally here! The gloomy winter days are a thing of the past (for now!) and when the sun is shining, your skin is exposed to solar UVB radiation, which is then converted to pre-vitamin D in your skin, and then […]
Losing weight is a simple equation, right? Burn off more calories than you consume, and you’ll lose weight. Turns out this may not always be the case. Research has found there is something lurking in your body that can sabotage your best efforts to lose weight – inflammation. Not the good kind that helps you […]