Bringing wholesome healthy tips
I’ve been a fan of smoothies before there was even a name for them. That’s how “old school” I am. But after all these years, and numerous smoothie variations, a raw cacao powder and banana smoothie is still my favorite. Every time I have one, I feel supercharged. It’s not all that surprising, considering cacao has 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries. (However, blueberries and their brain-boosting benefits are nothing…
Microplastics are now everywhere — in our food, water and even the air we breathe. Frighteningly, studies have confirmed that not only do these microplastic ‘magnets’ deliver poisons to your bloodstream, but they’ve also been linked to heart failure and found to build up in both blood clots and artery-clogging plaques. Up until now, scientists considered them an equal opportunity threat. However, that’s all changing. A biomedical team at the University of California has revealed research that…
As we age, our skin changes in ways that can have a direct impact on our health. The skin produces less collagen and elastin, and its cells reproduce more slowly and less efficiently. This results in skin that’s thin, fragile and prone to injury. As the epidermis (skin’s outer layer) thins, skin barrier function is greatly reduced. That doesn’t just mean loss of moisture. We lose the ability to heal,…
The kidneys are vital organs, and unfortunately, two of the most common modern-day scourges, diabetes and high blood pressure, are putting a lot of Americans at risk for kidney failure. When the kidneys begin to fail, the body does not properly filter waste products from the blood and excrete them in urine. Over time, this build-up of waste can cause permanent damage to the kidneys, reducing their effectiveness. Once the…
When my mother first started taking statins for her high cholesterol, she was blindsided by absolutely crippling pain deep in her leg muscles. It was so bad that she stopped taking the medication without talking to her doctor first (never a good idea). Yet, when my husband had to start taking a statin because of his cholesterol, he didn’t have any muscle pain at all. I wondered what the difference…
How old is your brain? That may seem like a simple question. After all, isn’t it just the number of years you’ve lived? However, the truth is, your brain may be younger or older than you think, depending on your health and lifestyle. In fact, it’s well known that chronic pain actually accelerates brain aging, increasing your risk of cognitive decline. But the reverse is also true: certain lifestyle factors…
According to doctors at Northwestern Medicine, “Most U.S. adults have a ‘heart age’ several years older than their chronological age — sometimes by more than a decade.” Sadly, this epidemic of advanced cardiovascular aging leaves many struggling as their heart cells give out and the organ struggles to pump efficiently. Daily tasks, like going up a flight of stairs, become more difficult, dizziness and shortness of breath set in, and…
Think cavities aren’t a big deal? Think again. As someone who had a bunch of cavities as a kid, I’m dealing with the consequences now. Some of my older fillings are breaking down, leading to the installation of a couple of crowns, the occasional root canal and, in one case, complete tooth loss. And this is even with being extra-rigorous about my dental care since reaching adulthood. I only wish…
Circadian rhythm is an internal time clock or pattern that influences processes throughout the human body. Along with the sleep-wake cycle, our circadian rhythm affects changes in blood pressure, basal body temperature, hormonal release and organ function. Daylight and darkness greatly influence these rhythms and the 24-hour cycle it follows. And when our circadian rhythm is off, it can result in a world of hurt. Case in point… Because…
When you smell freshly baked cookies or get a good hug from a friend, the “feel-good chemical” dopamine is released in your brain. Without dopamine, you wouldn’t take much pleasure from those wonderful sensory experiences. But dopamine is more than just our “feel-good” chemical. It regulates all of our voluntary movements. Without dopamine, you couldn’t pick up a pencil or walk across the room without stumbling. It’s no surprise then…