Author: healthtost

A strong, healthy heart is the engine that drives your lifestyle and supports every vital function in your body. However, the reality for many is discouraging: 1 in 6 South Africans die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) each year, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The good news? Your fork is one of the most powerful tools you have to change those odds. When your heart is working at its peak, it does more than keep you alive—it fuels your daily vitality, sharpens your mental focus, and ensures that every cell in your body receives the oxygen-rich blood it needs…

Breakfast is an essential meal for everyone, especially for an expectant mother. The body works through the night, breaking down complex carbohydrates, proteins and fats, while using glucose to repair tissues and support the development of the fetus as the mother sleeps. When she wakes up, a pregnant mother’s body requires an optimal morning meal to stabilize blood sugar and meet the need for nutrients for the developing fetus. This blog post aims to explore the foods that should be part of your pregnancy breakfast plan, while rounding up the ones that should be avoided. Breakfast ritual during pregnancy Balanced…

Menopause changes your body, but that doesn’t mean you stop feeling strong, energetic and confident. In fact, this stage of life is one of the most important times to move your body with purpose. As a 60-year-old trainer who has worked with women for decades, I can tell you this: workouts that worked in your 20s and 30s may not work the same way for you now. Hormonal changes affect muscle mass, bone density, metabolism, sleep, recovery, and even balance. That’s why a smarter, more balanced approach is important. The good news? You don’t need punishing workouts or hours in…

Exercise may provide smokers with a simple but effective additional tool when trying to quit, according to a new systematic review led by researchers from the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA) at the University of Adelaide. The review found that structured exercise programs can modestly improve smoking cessation success, while even a single exercise session can rapidly reduce nicotine cravings. Smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, yet many people struggle to successfully quit. Existing quit approaches such as counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, and medications can help, but long-term quit rates remain…

This Mental Health Awareness Month, a recent Forbes article highlighting the growing burnout among psychologists feels less like news and more like confirmation. Even professionals trained to help others cope with trauma reach a breaking point. They are overbooked, emotionally taxed, and have navigation systems that demand more than they can sustainably deliver. The article points to a larger truth that we can no longer ignore. Care is collapsing under the weight of constant demand. What becomes clear very quickly is that it’s not just psychologists. This is an entire ecosystem of care that is under pressure. From mental health…

Low energy after 35? Learn how eating patterns, stress, and hormones affect sleep and blood sugar—and what to do about it.In my work as a dietitian with women through Cultivatei keep seeing the same pattern.Many women come in thinking they have a weight problem.But as we speak, it becomes clear that they are also dealing with:low energybad sleepfeeling “wired but tired”increase in blood sugar levelsAnd almost always, it’s also:eating lessskipping mealstrying to stay “on track”These are not separate issues.They are all connected.If you haven’t read it yet…Before we go deeper, it’s helpful to understand because eating less often stops working…

A new research paper was published in volume 18 of Aging-USA on April 24, 2026, entitled “The BHARAT study: a multi-modal, multi-omics research of aging signatures in the Indian population”. The study was led by first author Suramya Asthana and corresponding author Deepak Kumar Saini from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). The authors present the BHARAT Study (Biomarkers of Healthy Aging, Resilience, Adversity and Transitions), India’s first large-scale discovery-driven multi-homics cohort focused on understanding biological aging in the Indian population. The initiative was developed to address a significant gap in aging research, as most existing biological age models and…

Make no mistake: menopause can affect your sex life. Arousal and orgasm are like a delicate dance between your mind and body. And anything that messes with your libido can also mess with your ability to get in the mood and experience that amazing climax.Understanding the ChangesWhen menopause approaches, it can bring some not-so-fun changes. Blood flow to your nether regions can take a hit, making it a little harder to get aroused and reach orgasm. It’s important to recognize these changes and explore ways to maintain intimacy and pleasure during this transformative stage. Menopause does not mean the end…

Basic Takeaways Correcting customer misconceptions can be difficult, but using motivational interviewing skills, including question-offer-ask, can empower customers through evidence-based coaching. Consider this five-step process: Step 1: Make a statement of appreciation. Step 2: Recognize that there is conflicting information. Step 3: Please permission to provide additional information. Step 4: With permission, offering the right information in a factual, unbiased manner. Step 5: Please an open-ended question to invite the client’s feedback on the information shared. Click here to become one ACE Behavior Change Specialist. You’ve probably been in this situation…

In this interview, News Medical he talks to me Dr. Katie BarberClinical Director, GP, and Registered BMS Menopause Specialist at Oxford Menopause Ltd., re menopauseits impact vasomotor symptomsand his role non-hormonal therapies such as Fezolinetic in improving patient care. Image credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.com Hot flashes and night sweats are often dismissed as a routine part of menopause. What do people misunderstand about these symptoms and how can effective treatment change patients’ daily lives? One of the biggest misconceptions is that hot flashes (vasomotor symptoms) and night sweats are just “inconvenient” and don’t significantly affect daily life. In fact, for approximately 25-30%…