Recent Blog Posts

  Osteoporosis: The Top Tactics to Prevent Low Bone Mass & Osteoporosis   Osteoporosis, a disease that leads to frail bones and an increased susceptibility to fractures, is a major U.S. public health threat on its way to reaching epidemic proportions on par with obesity and diabetes. Already, 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, but another 34 million have low bone mass, which puts them at an increased risk of developing the disease, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). Eating a healthy diet, including plenty of green leafy vegetables, is one of the best ways to build bone health and prevent osteoporosis. Although the disease can affect men, 80 percent of those inflicted are women. That means that of the 10 million people who have osteoporosis in the United States, 8 million are women and 2 million are men. This "silent killer" causes bone loss with no symptoms, and often people don't know they have it until their bones are extremely weak and prone to fractures. Why is Osteoporosis Increasing? Osteoporosis often manifests in those over the age of 50 [...]

  Papaya: The Delicious Powerhouse Fruit that Can Help Prevent Heart Disease, Cancer   Papaya is a sweet, tropical fruit that originated in Central America. Today, though, its popularity has made it easily accessible throughout the United States (which, along with Mexico and Puerto Rico, is now one of the biggest commercial producers of the fruit). Papaya is delicious eaten as is, or you can enhance its flavor by adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice. Aside from bringing a delectable taste of the tropics to your table, papayas are one of the healthiest fruits out there. They're rich in vitamin C (one serving will give you close to a three-day supply!), folate, potassium, fiber, and vitamins A, E and K, along with antioxidant flavonoids. Papaya's peak season is early summer and fall, so right now is an ideal time to enjoy this nourishing fruit. Plan ahead to maximize this heart health food in this years meals. Top Health Benefits of Papaya Why eat papaya? It's delicious, refreshing and will support your health in the following ways. 1. [...]

  Volatile Organic Compounds: The Health Dangers of VOCs, Where They are Hiding & How to Avoid Them   Products that you use in your home and office every day emit gases that can harm your health, both right away and after extended exposure. These gases are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and they're emitted from a whole slew of items so much so that there's a pretty good chance your new home, office, car -- even that shiny new airplane you took your last business trip in -- are literally bathing you in a chemical cocktail. Building a new home? VOCs in the indoor air of new buildings is on average 20 to 40 mg per m 3. Adverse health effects may be felt at 10 mg per m 3. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, concentrations of VOCs are consistently up to 10 times higher indoors than outdoors. Other studies have found that certain organic compounds average levels two to five times higher in indoor air than outdoor air. What is most shocking, however, is that immediately [...]

  Epigenetics and Your Child’s Teeth Why Giving Your Child the Best Smile Requires More than Just Brushing With the development of modern technologies, parents these days have much more influence on the health of their unborn babies. Where just over 50 years ago, there were no ultrasounds and many mothers still drank and smoked regularly, our 21st century knowledge now allows us to have an inside look into everything from the types of ailments our children are predisposed to, to computer-generated images of what they’ll look like even before they are born. What you eat while you’re pregnant (along with other factors) may prompt epigenetic changes that influence your child’s dental and overall health. Still, even with the most advanced science in the world, the general rule of thumb remains that our children will be born with the DNA that we give them – and that is one constant that will never change. Or can it? Ensuring that our children are born healthy and strong is a big concern for many expecting parents, and luckily, there are many studies, [...]

  Proanthocyanidins: Why this Tannin Keeps Your Arteries Flexible and Blood Pressure Low, and the Best Sources of It   Proanthocyanidins, a polyphenols extracted from grape seeds, has scientists and nutrition buffs excited. Why? They are antioxidant powerhouse that also appears to provide major heart-healthy benefits. Certain types of red wine (low alcohol, highly astringent varieties) are rich in proanthocyanidin, but it's also found in a host of other foods. All polyphenols, in fact, are great for your health. They work by scavenging harmful free radicals in your body, and evidence is emerging that these compounds prevent the spread of a number of degenerative conditions, including cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. But there's something special about proanthocyanidins that even trumps the much talked-about resveratrol (the grape skin compound that's been found to extend the lifespan of yeast cells by up to 80 percent). What Makes Proanthocyanidins so Health-Promoting and Unique? Proanthocyanidins are, in essence, condensed tannins (the compound in wine that gives it a bitter flavor). They've been found to: Boost good cholesterol Help prevent blood clots Promote healthy [...]

  How to Recognize and Treat 7 Different Bug Bites To Avoid Skin Damage and Even Scarring   Summer is just around the corner, and with all of the backyard BBQs, picnics and outdoor festivals comes one of the season's inevitable nuisances: bugs. Fortunately, most bug bites are harmless, so you can enjoy your time outdoors in peace. Most insect bites cause only minor irritations, but it's possible to have a more serious reaction, such as an allergic reaction or Lyme disease. So, knowing how to recognize different bites can save you a lot of unnecessary worry, or let you know that it's time to seek help. Here we've listed some of the most common bug bites you may encounter this summer, along with how to best treat them. 1. Mosquito After a mosquito bites you, some saliva remains in the wound, causing an immune response to occur. The bite will typically swell and itch until your immune system can break down the saliva. Mosquito bites are generally itchy red bumps that can range in size from very small to [...]