The term “gut microbiome” refers to the microorganisms living in your intestines. Each person has about 200 different species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in their digestive tract. Some microorganisms are harmful to our health, but many are incredibly..
Bone structural changes affect about half of the adult population over 50 years and the loss of density and osteoporosis increase with age. Obesity exacerbates the effects. Excess weight adds disproportionate stress to bones and causes soft tissue damage.
Obesity has been thought to be a protective factor against osteoporosis in women, though this theory has been challenged. Some studies find that fat mass, specifically abdominal obesity, may actually be a risk factor...
Many nutrients play a role in bone health, such as calcium, vitamin D, protein, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. If you eat a healthy diet (with lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins)...
Prevention is the best approach to avoid the serious ramifications from having a stroke. Weight is a modifiable stroke risk, and weight loss and exercise are among the key preventive measures that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of stroke.
“I’ll always suggest a goal for weight loss,” says Dr. Dominica Costello, DO, founder and medical director of NorthShore Weight and Metabolism in Amesbury. “Anyone that carries excess weight—if they lose just 7 percent of their body weight...
The pinpoint focus on COVID-19 has shifted attention from other critically important public health issues that continue to affect the population, including obesity. As another unimaginable year ends, COVID-19 remains in the spotlight...
Western diets are inextricably linked to obesity, which continues to rise and is expected to affect a staggering 50 percent of Americans by 2025.
As the weather gets cooler and daylight hours become shorter, people spend more time indoors. This can pose challenges, when “comfort food” may seem like the only bright spot on long, dreary days. This can lead to weight gain, which can be hard to avoid...
It’s easy to get caught up in counting calories and grams of added sugars, fats, proteins, and carbs when you’re trying to eat well. But there’s one nutrient that too often gets thrown to the wayside: dietary fiber.
Did you know pumpkin is actually a fruit? Maybe that’s what makes it so delicious in a pumpkin pie or pumpkin spiced latte. It’s also a treat for your body, because pumpkin is packed with health benefits. It’s bright orange color comes from beta-carotene..
As we age, the foods we eat can greatly affect our fitness, appearance, quality of life, and disease risk. Our bodies rely on various nutrients to support the natural aging process. Some nutrients may help slow signs of aging, such as by promoting health
As we move closer to the holidays, weight gain increases—with the greatest gain occurring in the 10 days after Christmas. As the weather gets cooler and daylight hours become shorter, people spend more time indoors. This can pose challenges, especially for
Generally, having a meal or snack tends to refuel your tank, helping you feel more energetic. However, some foods may actually zap your energy. This article lists seven foods that have the potential to drain your energy.
Your body runs off what you feed it. The best way to get the most energy from your food is to make sure you’re giving yourself the best food possible.
Micronutrients are one of the major groups of nutrients your body needs. They include vitamins and minerals.
In a previous article we discussed generational obesity and the risks inherent to children when their parents have obesity. The most impactful factor on children’s weight is the weight of their parents. However, addressing weight issues from birth can have
As advancements in technology and medical care continue to proliferate and Baby Boomers’ transition to their next decade of life, the population category experiencing the greatest growth is among individuals over 85 years old.
The medical benefits of aerobic exercises are well-established and frequently recommended as the means to increase physical activity for people with obesity. Though less frequently discussed, incorporating anaerobic exercises into a fitness program also pr
It seems like summer has only just arrived, but Memorial Day is fast becoming a memory as Labor Day looms. A silver lining to the turn of the calendar is that temperatures should start cooling, hopefully putting the seemingly nonstop heat waves in the rear
Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the body and include both simple sugars and larger complex carbohydrates. Your body can use carbohydrates right away or convert them into a storage form called glycogen.
Each January, many people start the year with resolutions to lose weight, with gym owners generally the greatest beneficiaries. A few months later, spring offers new beginnings as the lure of summer acts as an impetus to lose weight.
Prostate cancer is the second most common and most dangerous cancer in men; and for 43 percent of adult men with obesity, the risks can be great.
It’s such a great feeling to step on a scale and find that you’ve met or (dare we say it?) exceeded your weight loss goal. All the healthy choices and decisions to get up and exercise instead of pulling the covers over your head paid off!...
Because women are more likely than men to try and lose weight, it may be surprising to learn that more men are overweight or have obesity than women, regardless of age.
As we head into summer and in recognition of Men’s Health Month, we shift focus to health issues that affect men, specifically. Although women are more likely than men to attempt to lose weight, overweight and obesity impacts more men than women...
Certain types of exercise can increase muscle mass, which in turn enhances strength, muscle control, balance, and coordination. Good balance and coordination can mean the difference between falling—and suffering a fracture—and staying on your feet.
The first wave of Baby Boomers will turn 75 this year and even the youngest members of this group are edging ever closer to becoming sexagenarians. This generation represents more than 20 percent of the population and the wear-and-tear...
A walk along a beach, through a park, or around a neighborhood can be the perfect start to the day, or a way to relive the midday stress of the job or having to monitor stay-at-home school activities.
May is Women’s Health Month and serves as a reminder for women of all ages to make their health a priority. Among the health challenges many women face is obesity.
In the United States, roughly one in eight women develop intensive breast cancer during their lives, and women are also at risk for cervical, endometrial, skin, colorectal and ovarian cancers.
Since added sugar is unhealthy, various artificial sweeteners have been invented to replicate the sweet taste of sugar. Virtually calorie-free, they are often marketed as “weight loss friendly”.
The link between obesity and cancer is well-established. Attributable to anthropometric and lifestyle factors, people with obesity often have comorbidities and other conditions that predispose them to cancer.
I’m a big advocate for learning how to make food work for you and not against you and that’s part of what we’re going to be talking about today. The basics are two terms known as macros and kilocalories.
Ingredients 4 onions (medium-sized) 1/2 lb ground chicken breast or ground turkey breast or 97% lean ground beef 1 egg Italian seasoning to taste 2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese Worcestershire sauce to taste 2 ounces cheddar cheese quartered
A Mediterranean-style diet can help you achieve the American Heart Association’s recommendations for a healthy dietary pattern that: emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and legumes; includes low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fish, poultry
