Author: healthtost

A 20-year study of more than 65,000 postmenopausal women found that higher adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was associated with a lower risk of total cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. The findings showed that women whose diets followed the Planet Health Diet most closely had about a 28% lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to women in the group that scored the lowest for adherence. However, even moderate adherence to the diet was associated with a lower risk. The Planetary Health Diet emphasizes foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and unsaturated fats,…

When people hear the term bowel dysfunctionthey often think it just means constipation.In fact, bowel dysfunction is much broader. It describes a group of conditions that affect how your bowels work, including how stool moves through the digestive tract, how your pelvic floor muscles coordinate during bowel movements, and how well you can empty your bowels.While these symptoms are incredibly common, they are not something you have to live with. With the right diagnosis, many bowel disorders can be successfully treated.What is Bowel Dysfunction?Bowel dysfunction refers to conditions that interfere with normal bowel movements or bowel control.Symptoms may include:Chronic constipationDifficulty…

From Mellara Gold What my two pregnancies taught me about strength, trust and listening Photo source: Victoria Dodge When I became pregnant with my first child, I had already taught yoga for several years. I assumed pregnancy would become just another chapter of my practice. Instead, it completely changed my understanding of yoga. Like many first-time mothers, I was full of excitement. But underneath that excitement I was experiencing something I rarely talked about. Fear. Not because someone had told me something was wrong. It didn’t exist. I just became deeply aware that I was responsible for this tiny life…

As a plant-based dieter, this is one of the breakfasts I make repeatedly during the summer, especially after a long hot run. It’s thick, creamy and naturally sweet from frozen mango and banana, so no added sugar is needed. With four simple ingredients, this high-protein smoothie bowl comes together in minutes and helps replenish energy while keeping me full. Top with granola, chia seeds, or hemp seeds for extra fiber, healthy fats, and crunch. Every bite tastes like a tropical vacation. Because you’ll love this Smoothie Bowl Like all my recipes, this one is delicious and easy. Here are some…

Hiii! Happy Friday! What are you doing this weekend? We’re enjoying some pool time after lots of rain this week, Pilot is home (wahoo!) and we have an NCL event. I hope you have a fun and relaxing weekend ahead! When do your kids go back to school? We’re just over a week away and I can’t even believe it. Liv will go to HIGH SCHOOL. How;! (This week’s gorgeous flowers from Trader Joe’s. The entire bouquet was only $15 to put together.) It’s time for our weekly Friday Faves roundup! Here I share some of my favorite finds from…

Prebiotic drinks have become more popular in recent years, with a wave of new products promising gut health benefits and low-calorie indulgence. According to a new analysis, however, many of these drinks contain relatively little prebiotic fiber and more sugar than their marketing claims suggest. Many products include nutrition and functionality claims that may overstate their nutritional quality. For example, some labels say “no added sugar,” yet the product may contain about 10 grams of total sugars from sources such as juice. This raises concerns that such claims may create a ‘health halo’, leading consumers to believe that the…

In case heat waves and smoky skies weren’t enough, this July, more than 30 US states are currently experiencing an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes watery, “explosive” diarrhea, cramps and fatigue. In the latest news, the CDC announced today that the outbreak has been linked — in part — to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. This contaminated lettuce has been traced to a single supplier, per the FDA. While identifying a source is an important step (and Taco Bell said yesterday that it has “voluntarily removed[d]…

Because pregnancy + celiac disease is a unique skin care challenge Pregnancy and celiac disease are connected in ways that go beyond skin care. Active, uncontrolled celiac disease has documented associations with adverse pregnancy outcome—including recurrent miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, and low birth weight—through mechanisms such as reduced nutrient absorption (folate, iron, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B12), systemic inflammation, and thyroid autoimmunity. Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet greatly reduces these risks, making pregnancy the most clinically motivated time for celiac patients to be absolutely strict about eliminating gluten. In the skin context, pregnancy creates hormonal changes —…

The gestation period is a critical phase in which environmental exposure can affect the development of the unborn baby. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy exposes the fetus to more than 7,000 chemicals, including the neurotoxin nicotine and the respiratory toxin carbon monoxide. These chemicals can easily cross the placenta and damage the fetal nervous system and lungs by disrupting normal cell differentiation. This article aims to describe the effects of smoking on the baby. Disturbance of fetal brain structure and function Cigarette smoking by the mother and passive smoking during pregnancy can seriously harm the health of the fetus. There is…

Have you ever sat in a restaurant, looking forward to the burger you just ordered, only to feel a sudden wave of guilt wash over you when your friend orders a salad? Or maybe you’ve found yourself scrolling through social media, scrutinizing a fitness influencer’s “What I Eat in a Day” video, and quietly judging your own breakfast choices in response. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I see it all the time and hear it from my clients. It’s known as the food comparison trap, and it’s one of the most common — and draining — roadblocks to…