Bringing wholesome healthy tips
When it comes to keeping consumers safe from potentially harmful food additives, Europe is way ahead of the United States. As soon as an additive is linked to health issues, European regulators tend to err on the side of caution. For example, you may remember when I wrote about five food additives they’ve banned across the pond and beyond, but are still being fed to us in America — chemicals…
We all know that exercise is good for us. And that’s an understatement. Regular exercise is preventive medicine. It can lessen your risks of ending up with heart disease, diabetes, even cancer. Not getting even a modest amount of exercise, like walking, is why “couch potatoes” do not fare well when it comes to living a long, healthy life. But did you ever wonder exactly what it is about exercise…
Your pancreas is a hard-working organ. After a meal, your blood glucose — or blood sugar — levels rise, and your pancreas responds by producing insulin. Insulin helps glucose gain entry into your cells where it’s used as the body’s main source of energy. This also helps the blood sugar levels in your bloodstream normalize. Some is also stored in the liver to be released into the bloodstream between meals.…
Is alcohol a friend or foe? We’ve been asking that question for a while. And while alcohol does have some health benefits, so far the evidence tips the scale toward “foe.” Alcohol consumption is associated with higher risk of atrial fibrillation, dementia, and seven different types of cancer. It’s also been linked with accelerated muscle loss and aging of the brain. Now there’s another reason to avoid alcohol — especially certain kinds… …
There’s a fungus that lives in our bodies called Candida albicans (C. albicans), and is commonly referred to as Candida. This fungus is usually present in small amounts in our gut, skin and mouth. At this level, candida is harmless. It’s when it starts to grow out of control that it becomes a problem. This happens when the balance of healthy bacteria and yeast is thrown out of whack. Mild…
Have you ever wondered why some people don’t seem to get sick? My husband is a good example. While I seem to catch every bug that’s going around, he shrugs them off almost every time. The key likely lies in the immune system. This complex network of cells and organs protects the body from infection by recognizing and destroying “intruders” like the bacteria, viruses and fungi that cause disease. The…
It’s easy to overeat during the holiday season. And it’s even easier to overindulge in the worst foods — rich, starchy, sugary dishes that contribute to seasonal weight gain. But there’s one holiday dish that can help you burn off those extra calories — candied nuts. I know what you’re thinking… “Don’t those contain a ton of sugar? How’s that going to help me burn calories?” Well, you can easily…
The American Heart Association has a running list of recommendations on how to achieve optimal heart health. Known as Life’s Essential 8™, it is a checklist of eight lifestyle behaviors (like exercise) and health factors (like controlling cholesterol) that are key factors for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health. The first study using this new measurement tool showed that heart health in the United States is less than ideal, with 80…
Plenty has been written about the power of blueberries to support health… so much, in fact, that blueberries have come to be known as a “superfruit.” They’re reported to keep blood pressure in check, mangle metabolic syndrome and build muscle mass. In large part, it’s the compounds known as anthocyanins that are believed to be responsible. Studies have linked anthocyanins with beneficial effects on cardiovascular function, risk of Parkinson’s disease, lung function, a strong immune system, slower aging, improved control…
There’s some good news on the smoking front — a lot of people are quitting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking has fallen to historically low levels in the United States, with 11 percent of respondents to a 2022 survey saying they were current cigarette smokers. That’s down from 12.5 percent in 2020 and 2021 and 15.5 percent in 2016. People quit smoking for various…