Bringing wholesome healthy tips
I wanted to bring your attention to a couple of blood tests that everyone should have but most have never heard of, let alone undergone. I’m talking about Lipoprotein A and Apolipoprotein B. Lipoprotein A (LpA) is a genetically determined risk factor for earlier, more aggressive atherosclerotic disease. You can think of LpA as being an extra protein that attaches itself to LDL (bad cholesterol), making it much more toxic — almost like…
For many men in their 30s, a heart attack feels like a distant concern — something that happens later in life. Routine screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI) is often not emphasized until the mid-40s. But growing research suggests that coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in men may begin rising much earlier — sometimes as early as age 35. Understanding this early turning point could make…
I’ve always been a bit of a night owl. I’m always so busy with work and errands during the day that late evening is the only time I have to myself to watch TV, read or just chill out. I never considered what my late-night habits might be doing to my health. I figured as long as I was still getting eight hours of sleep every night, I was fine,…
One of the most frightening calls I’ve ever received was the one telling me my mom had suffered a stroke. Thankfully, she received immediate medical care and survived. But the days that followed were filled with uncertainty. She struggled to move one side of her body. Her speech was slow and slurred. Swallowing, coordination, and memory were all affected. Doctors warned us that some of these symptoms might improve —…
It happens every summer… Millions of women find themselves looking longingly at a pair of shorts or a new swimsuit wishing they could put them on. But instead, they throw on the same old beach cover-up they’ve worn for years. Why? They’re too embarrassed by their varicose veins. If you have varicose veins, this internal struggle is probably pretty familiar to you. You want to get into the spirit of…
When I was sick as a child, my mom would come marching into my room with a warm cup of tea. I don’t remember what kind it was, but I sure didn’t like the taste. She said it would help me get better quickly. Because I didn’t like it, she wouldn’t leave my room until I’d finished the last drop. Mom had the best of intentions, but as soon as…
Somewhere in our 40s, our health priorities begin to shift. We start thinking about the possibility of health changes that our 30-something selves didn’t give a second thought to. For women, one of those impending changes is menopause, which we’ve learned carries an elevated stroke risk. But there’s encouraging news: a major long-term study has found that women who most closely follow a Mediterranean-style diet have a significantly lower risk…
It seems like everywhere you go, someone is coughing or sneezing, spreading germs that your body might not be ready to handle. Fortunately, there’s a way to strengthen your protection against respiratory infections. It may also keep you from landing in the hospital if you do get sick. All you need is a little sunshine in the form of a vitamin. Let’s look at what the latest research says about…
Your gut does a whole lot more than digest the food you eat. It can affect your overall health. With age, however, the gut microbiome — the trillions of microbes that live primarily in the large intestine — changes. Emerging research suggests these shifts may influence how well the intestine repairs and renews itself. That begs the question: Could maintaining a more “youthful” microbiome support intestinal regeneration and healthier aging?…
Every cell in your body depends on energy. At the center of that energy production are tiny structures called mitochondria. When mitochondrial function is strong, cells perform at their best. When it declines, the body can suffer a cellular energy crisis, impacting cells directly involved in vital functions throughout the body, including metabolism, inflammation, immune responses, aging and more. So, supporting our mitochondria so they can keep our cells and…