Author: healthtost
With November recognized as National Military Fitness and Wellness Month, the Fit to Serve column here at M&F has highlighted the remarkable stories of those who defend freedom. November also marks four years since Fit to Serve officially launched, making it the perfect time to look back at just how impressive the column was. Both the month and the column were concepts of M&F military editor Rob Wilkins. A 26-year veteran of the Air Force and two-term member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. Wilkins’ efforts to advocate for military fitness are more than a passion. It…
As health care costs continue to soar in the US, a growing number of states are setting limits on how much hospitals can charge. These policies, known as hospital payment caps, aim to contain costs by tying hospital prices to Medicare rates, which are typically much lower than what commercial insurers pay. In 2019, Oregon became the first state to implement such a limit, applying it to the health plan that covers state employees. Under the policy, hospitals cannot bill the state more than twice what Medicare pays for the same service. For example, if Medicare pays $1,000 for a…
Let’s talk about dry skin. Chances are, if you’re over 40, your skin’s natural oil production has slowed and you’re now wondering what type of moisturizer is best for dry skin. Sound about, right? Most moisturizers for dry skin are packed with what are called “occlusives,” which are oils that give a thick, greasy feel, but does this type of moisturizer really fix your skin’s dryness? Well, let me start by saying this. Moisturizers have come a long way and your mother’s moisturizer of yesteryear didn’t work as well as the one made today. However, many product manufacturers haven’t innovated…
How the Prenatal Homeless Program helps moms-to-be We have officially started #SpreadTheGooda giving back initiative by The Spoiled Mama to support trusted non-profit organizations that care for pregnant women and postpartum families. Now, when you visit our online store for our toxin-free stretch mark solutions or breastfeeding essentials, you’re eligible to receive a $10 Mama Bucks coupon.On Giving Tuesday, get 25% off sitewide and our profits will go directly to HPP. You can donate your voucher to one of three reputable non-profit organizations: San Francisco Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP), Operation Showers of Appreciation for military momsor March of Dimes. Each…
People who carry persistently Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in their noses have fewer types of other bacteria, and some bacteria may help prevent it S. aureus colonization. These are the findings of the largest-ever study of the nasal microbiome, published today (December 2) in Nature communications. In the study, researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Cambridge, the University of Birmingham and Imperial College London analyzed nasal swabs from more than 1,000 healthy blood donors to explore the complex bacterial communities that live in the human nose. The research sheds new light on how interactions between different bacterial…
Cancer remains one of the most critical global public health challenges, exerting profound social, economic and clinical burdens while limiting gains in human life expectancy. Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, treatment failure and cancer recurrence are often driven by a subset of resistant cancer cells that evade conventional programmed cell death pathways. Thus, the scientific community is actively exploring strategies to utilize alternative intracellular “death switches” within malignant cells. In recent years, the discovery of new modes of immunogenic cell death—such as pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and chalcoptosis—has revitalized anticancer efforts. These mechanisms can remodel the tumor…
Surviving the holiday season while keeping your fitness goals in check can feel like running a marathon on an ever-accelerating treadmill. Between the invitations, the indulgent parties, and the whirlwind of year-end to-dos, it’s easy to let your healthy habits slip. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to choose between enjoying the holidays and staying on track with your fitness. With the right mindset and smart strategies, you can have both without guilt or burnout. First, let’s talk about mindset. The holidays come with so much pressure to be perfect, to fully indulge, or to say yes to every…
Excitement, anticipation, and endless planning—when navigating pregnancy, you’re likely to be affected by these three aspects. There’s always something to note, from diet and doctor’s appointments to choosing a crib and packing your hospital bag. But among all these important decisions, one necessary step is often overlooked: stem cell banking during pregnancy. Thanks to advanced medical technology, today’s parents have the opportunity to keep the most powerful and life-saving cells from their baby’s umbilical cord. Considering cord blood banking on your pregnancy checklist is no longer just a pipe dream. It is actually a wise decision to save the stem…
One of the largest MRI-based studies comparing knee injuries between men and women reveals surprising differences in injury patterns by gender and age. The findings, which can be used to improve risk assessment and develop early intervention strategies, will be presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). In recent years, we have become more interested in the differences in knee injuries between men and women. The majority of previous research has focused on men, but as we expand our focus to include women, the more we see that they have different risk…
Researchers have shown that white potatoes provide vital nutrients that Americans lack, yet swapping them for whole grains causes significant losses in iron, folate and other key nutrients, reshaping our understanding of “healthy carbs.” Study: Evaluating the unique nutritional contribution of the white potato to the diet and the nutritional implications of replacing refined and whole grains with starchy vegetables. Image credit: Lerner Vadim/Shutterstock.com In a recent study published in Frontiers in Nutritionresearchers investigated the contribution of starchy vegetables such as white potatoes to nutrient intake in the United States, particularly compared to whole and refined grains. White potatoes provide…