Author: healthtost
Plan a kid-friendly cookout that the whole family will love. 5 easy tips from a nutritionist + mom of four, plus a simple menu and kid-approved drink ideas. Planning a kid-friendly cookout this summer? Whether it’s a 4th of July party, a backyard birthday, or a random Tuesday when half the neighborhood ends up in your backyard, feeding a crowd of little ones (and their grown-ups) doesn’t have to be complicated.I’ve hosted my share of cookouts as a registered dietitian and mom of four, and here’s what I’ve learned: the secret isn’t a perfect Pinterest spread. It’s a little planning…
T cells are an elite fighting force of the immune system, seeking out and destroying diseased cells. But in a prolonged campaign against a chronic condition—such as a viral infection or cancer—the body needs a steady supply of these killer troops. Where and how these armies of killers are created has been a mystery. That led a team of scientists from Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) to dig deeper. They found that a small subset of T cells, called T stem cells, are responsible for generating new T cells and for their continued replenishment in…
The researchers found that while maternal BMI influences birth weight, genetics accounted for most of the parent-child BMI similarities throughout childhood, challenging the idea that obesity risk is largely programmed before birth. Study: Parental Body Mass Index and Body Size and Offspring’s Childhood Eating Behavior: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis of the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study. Image credit: NDAB Creativity/Shutterstock.com A recent study published in the journal PLoS Medicine suggests that maternal obesity affects birth weight more strongly than childhood BMI, whose association with parental BMI is better explained by shared genetics. Large family study explores the…
More than four in ten older Americans take five or more prescription drugs, and this study shows obesity may account for millions of those cases. Researchers say reducing obesity could help reduce drug burden in later life. Study: Contribution of obesity to polypharmacy in older US adults. Image credit: Kotcha K/Shutterstock.com A recent one Journal of General Internal Medicine The study examined whether obesity was associated with polypharmacy using a nationally representative sample of US older adults. Obesity burdens medication in later life Polypharmacy, broadly defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications by an individual, is particularly…
With Sam Page Tobacco has long been the leading cause of oral cancer. Estimates range from smokers being six to ten times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-smokers. The introduction of e-cigarettes provided a method of consuming nicotine with health effects that are not as well understood. A review from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, however, has linked vaping to both oral and lung cancer. Marisa Buchakjian, MD, Ph.D., surgical oncology and microvascular surgeon in the Division of Otolaryngology in Head & Neck Surgery at Michigan Medicine, answered questions about oral cancer risk factors…
TL;DR Sometimes the vagina or pelvic area can suddenly contract, flutter, or tighten out of nowhere, and honestly, it can feel pretty weird when it happens. Many times the pelvic floor muscles are overstretched by stress, anxiety, workouts, hormones or even posture. Occasional cramps are usually harmless, especially after sex or exercise, but if they keep happening or start to hurt, it’s worth getting checked out. Things like relaxation, breath work and pelvic floor therapy can really help calm everything down. Why do vaginal spasms happen? You know when you’re just chilling on the couch, scrolling through your phone, and…
With a glance Men’s skin needs three things: a good cleanser, a non-pore-clogging moisturizer and a weekly recovery treatment The right cleanser prevents oiliness and congestion created by daily shaving and exposure to the environment A lightweight moisturizer with antioxidants and skin-rejuvenating ingredients is essential, even for oily skin A face mask used two to three times a week extends the results of the professional treatment at home All four products below are available at joannavargas.com Do men really need a skin care routine? The honest answer is no, it is not a routine in the traditional sense. You don’t…
Some recipes make sense in a busy family kitchen, and this Raspberry Lemon Loaf is one of them. It’s simple enough that my kids can help bake it. The bright lemon flavor, sweet blueberries, and soft, tender crumb make this one of those recipes that disappears quickly in our house (and we always make a double batch to freeze!). As a registered dietitian and mom of three, I’m always looking for recipes that are realistic for everyday family life, and I know you are too. I like to slice it once it’s completely cooled, wrap individual pieces and freeze them…
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is leading a new multicenter clinical trial to evaluate a multidisciplinary rehabilitation model for military veterans and first responders with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and co-occurring disorders such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sponsored by Avalon Action Alliance, the Veterans Interdisciplinary Care Rehabilitation Trial for TBI and co-occurring disorders (VICTORY-RCT) is one of the most rigorous rehabilitation studies of its kind to date. The researchers believe the findings could help shape future standards of care not only for veterans and first responders, but also for citizens around the world living…
Although not listed as an essential nutrient by the Institute of Medicine until 1998, choline is essential for human health.1 Adequate choline intake is highest during pregnancy and lactation.1-4 What is Choline? Choline is an organic, water-soluble compound that promotes good health.1 The liver can produce small amounts of the nutrient, but ultimately, choline must be consumed primarily through diet.1 The joint is vital to our normal bodily function.1 It is linked to liver function, brain development, muscle capacity, neurological health and metabolism.1 And while it’s not a vitamin or mineral, choline is often associated with the B complex of…