Bringing wholesome healthy tips
The rate of diabetes is now at epidemic proportion with an estimated 463 million adults worldwide already living with the disease. And another 374 million people are prediabetic, meaning they’re at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the coming years. The notion that pre-diabetes is “blood sugar that’s high but not high enough to be diabetes” has lulled us into a false sense of security. It can actually…
The number one modifiable risk factor for heart disease and premature death worldwide is high blood pressure. This means that while having out of control blood pressure puts you at high risk for heart problems, including heart attack and stroke, it’s also a factor that can be controlled to lower your risk. And while you may have already heard numerous recommendations on how to do that, like cutting back on…
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. This sneaky vision-stealer gives virtually no warning signs, not until peripheral vision starts to disappear. If left untreated, it can lead to complete blindness. But even with treatment, about 20 percent with the disease will still lose their vision in at least one eye. Individuals who have a family history of glaucoma, or who know they are genetically at…
Milk has been given a bad rap for a long time. I’m referring to good old-fashioned cow’s milk. When I was a kid, my mother served me a tall glass of milk at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But in recent years, we’ve become afraid of drinking too much milk. We’ve been told that the fats in milk will make us gain weight, which will make heart disease and other ailments…
By now you’re probably familiar with your gut microbiome, a collection of microorganisms that help maintain a balanced environment in your gut. But you may not be as aware that other parts of the body have their own microbiomes that are just as important to your health. One such environment that researchers have been taking a close look at in recent years is the breast microbiome. Investigators have found that…
“If there is a lack of blood flow to the brain, the brain is going to starve,” says Cemal B. Sozener, M.D., M. Eng., co-director of the Comprehensive Stroke Program at Michigan Medicine. That’s why stroke patients have little time to spare when symptoms arise. And it’s why they should rely on paramedics to provide fast transport and coordinated handoff to an emergency department. “Whether you’re having an ischemic or…
Exercise is pretty much essential if you’re looking to lose weight. In previous issues we’ve discussed the weight-loss benefits of interval training, weightlifting and walking or running outdoors, among other activities. But exercise gets more complicated as you get older, especially for senior adults who are overweight. The high-impact nature of interval training and other forms of cardiovascular activity can be rough on bones and joints. And workouts like yoga…
Normal blood pressure readings fall below 120/80 mmHg. And, by the way, no blood pressure reading is considered too low, unless you are feeling poorly with it. My blood pressure typically runs in the 96/60 mmHg range and I feel fine. What’s defined as high blood pressure, however, varies depending upon who you listen to… According to the American Heart Association, BP readings 130 or greater for the top number OR 80 or greater for…
It’s no secret that underlying health problems can increase your risk of suffering from severe COVID-19. In fact, conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer skyrocket your chances of landing in the hospital and on a ventilator if you get the virus. And a surprising offender when it comes to health conditions that lead to severe Covid infections is obesity. Simply carrying around too much weight has been shown in…
Exercise is good for you. But it’s not like you can just check off that box marked “exercise” on your daily to-do list, then sit in front of the TV or at your desk for the rest of the day and expect to stay healthy. Dr. Keith Diaz directs the exercise testing lab at the Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. “For decades,”…