While grapefruit is praised for being a low-sugar, beneficial fruit with plenty of vitamin-C, potassium, and fiber – if you’re taking certain medications, this seamlessly healthy fruit, can become rather dangerous. Why are the natural components of grapefruit so risky? While grapefruit does not directly alter your medication, it does interact with an enzyme in...
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from your heart to the rest of your body, while their counterparts, the veins, carry blood back to the heart. This is known as our circulatory system, which supplies essential oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to your organs, muscles, and tissue cells. Ischemic heart disease, also known as...
Everyone has that one friend whose face goes bright red after just a couple of drinks. Maybe that friend is actually you. Either way, this seemingly harmless condition can be frustrating. You can’t have even one glass of wine without turning into a bright red tomato, and in every picture, you take during a night...
High blood pressure and hypertension is far too prevalent in the United States. Nearly half of all American adults have hypertension. Of those people, only one in four have theirs under control. Though it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions if you have high blood pressure, there are foods you can use to help...
We know the basic steps to keeping a young, healthy brain: eat healthy, exercise, and get a good night’s sleep. Our brain health may also be influenced by an unexpected source — our second brain. Within the walls of our digestive system is the gut, or the “second brain,” which contains bacteria that could help mold our brain...
Poor circulation is a common problem caused by a number of conditions. Peripheral artery disease (PAD), diabetes, obesity, smoking, and Raynaud’s disease are some of the many causes of poor circulation (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Reduced blood flow can cause unpleasant symptoms, such as pain, muscle cramps, numbness, digestive issues, and coldness in the...
Hate them or love them, beets are being hailed as one of the newest popular superfoods. Gone are the days of the humble roasted beetroot, nowadays people are putting them in anything from salads and smoothies to desserts! But why the sudden attraction to beets? As it turns out, people not only love them for...
Much of the conversation surrounding fitness and health focuses on muscles and organs, but what have you done lately to support your tendons, ligaments, and joints? The health of these tissues is very important to the overall function of your body, and keeping them healthy becomes increasingly important as you age. As you get older,...
Gut bacteria, also known as the microbiome, refers to the trillions of microscopic organisms that reside in our digestive tract. These organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, play a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. If these bacteria are out of balance, it can cause illness and disease. These are the...
For some people, a slight tipping of the head can trigger vertigo. They tilt their heads to look down or up, or simply roll over in bed, and suddenly the room is spinning. Accompanied by symptoms of dizziness and nausea, this condition can call a halt to regular day activities. “Episodes of BPPV can last...
Dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a decline in cognitive and behavioral abilities. While memory loss is commonly associated with dementia, several behavior changes can be early signs of the condition. Recognizing these changes early on can help seek appropriate medical care and support. Knowing the early signs can also help you learn how...
Butter has been a staple in our diets for centuries. It is a rich source of flavor and adds a creamy texture to our favorite dishes. However, there has been ongoing debate about whether butter is good or bad for our health. Some say it should be avoided because of its saturated fat content. Others...
