You may have noticed collagen being sold in supplements, in protein powders, and taken as a boost to
We’ve all heard the recommendation: eat no more than a teaspoon of salt a day for a healthy heart. But there’s one big problem with this: the vast majority of us don’t need to eat low-salt diets. In fact, for most of us, more salt would be better for our health, rather than less — not to mention, much tastier. Now, Dr. James DiNicolantonio’s new book, The Salt Fix: Why the Experts Got It All Wrong—and How Eating More Might Save Your Life, reveals the incredible, often baffling story of how salt became unfairly demonized—a never-before-told, century-spanning drama of competing […]
Extended use of acid-reflux medications such as Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid is linked to an increased risk of kidney disease, according to a new study led by a resident doctor at Bassett Medical Center. These heartburn pills, known as protein pump inhibitors, are among the most widely prescribed medications in the world, and several are available over the counter. They work by reducing stomach acid production so the esophagus can heal, and are intended for short-term use. “I think the awareness has not been made public so patients will know,” said Dr. Raquel Rosen, head of nephrology at Bassett Medical Center. “When you’re […]
You spend about half of your waking hours at your job, which means making your workplace—whether that’s a traditional office, shared space or home office—work for your wellness can aid immensely in your health journey. Stand Up for Yourself What’s one of the biggest modern-day obstacles to better health? Sitting. The average American adult sits for nearly eight hours each day, which exacerbates a chain of problems from head to toe. For example, when you slump in a chair, your abdominal muscles go unused and become mushy. That—combined with tight back muscles—makes for a posture-wrecking alliance that exaggerates the spine’s […]
Could you be low in essential vitamins and minerals? Learn how to spot nutrient shortfalls in your diet based on chronic symptoms. Symptom: Symmetric low-back pain. Possible deficiency: Vitamin D. Sun exposure generates less vitamin D in darker-skinned people and the elderly. Obesity increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency, too. What to eat: Salmon, egg yolks, vitamin D-fortified milk, and vitamin D-enhanced mushrooms. Supplement with: 6,000 IU vitamin D3 daily for eight weeks for deficiency, then 1,500−2,000 IU daily to maintain levels. Symptom: Swollen and/or bleeding gums. Possible deficiency: Vitamin C. About 6 percent of U.S. adults are […]
Antioxidants are one of the 8 age-defying benefits we look for in the foods we highlight in my cookbooks and on FoodTrients. My goal is to create delicious dishes packed with the nutrients that help us look and feel younger, and antioxidants are an important part of many of my recipes. So what exactly are antioxidants? Virtually every fruit and vegetable contains antioxidants, and antioxidants are powerful phytonutrients that help our bodies fight free radicals. Free radicals damage the body’s cells and are a major contributor to loss of cognitive function and the diseases of aging. When we eat antioxidant-rich […]
Fiona Hunter, one of the UK’s leading nutritionists, takes a look at the possible correlation between the emerging mental health crisis in teenagers and how this could be linked to the lack of vital vitamins and minerals in teenagers. This week, research found that young people aged 16 to 25 are the unhappiest generation in a decade, with one in four feeling ‘hopeless’ on a regular basis, and nearly half having experienced a mental health problem. Eating a healthy balanced diet is not usually high up on the ‘to-do’ list for most teenagers and young adults – one reason is […]
Most people you talk to about high blood pressure say, “I know, I know. I need to cut back on salt.” That’s correct. Few, however, are aware that potassium also plays a key role in the fight against high blood pressure. Who cares? We should, says the American Heart Association (AHA). High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke — sometimes called a heart attack in the brain — that can lead to serious disabilities or death. We could prevent 80 percent of strokes, says the AHA, primarily by keeping our blood pressure in check. A normal blood pressure (now […]
These ribs get their boost of flavor from a sauce made with baobab—an African fruit with a rather dry but antioxidant-rich pulp. I think baobab may be the next most exciting superfood. The dry, powdery fruit pulp has a tangy, lemon-like flavor that goes very well with barbecued ribs. You can use lemon juice or lemon zest (1 Tbs.) in place of the baobab powder, but it won’t have the same health benefits. Serves 4–6 Ingredients 2 lbs. pork baby back ribs 1 cup barbecue sauce 1 Tbs. baobab powder 2 Tbs. olive oil 1 Tbs. minced garlic ¼ tsp. […]
Summer is a time of abundance, everything from fresh vegetables in your garden to long hours of sunshine. The abundance of sunshine will provide our bodies with vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin”, which supports healthy bones, our immune system and our nervous system. But the long hours of daylight affect people in other ways, such as limiting hours of sleep. There are about 15 hours of daylight between sunrise and sunset during June and July, and when you factor in the twilight and dusk hours, that leaves only about 8 hours of darkness. The long daylight hours can affect our […]