Author: healthtost
For many of us, the holidays are filled with sweet treats, heavy meals and maybe a drink or a dozen. Now that the holidays have come and gone, we may be feeling crappy or just that some of our health habits have fallen by the wayside. Maybe it’s time then for a refresher after the holidays to get back on track and hold ourselves accountable. As you know, I am not a fan of the nutritional mindset and the work I do focuses on: However, I recognize that at the beginning of the year people are extra motivated to create…
The average life expectancy of people diagnosed with dementia ranges from 9 years at age 60 to 4.5 years at age 85 for women and from 6.5 to just over 2 years, respectively, for men, finds a systematic review the latest on The BMJ today. The results also suggest that a third of people with dementia are admitted to a nursing home within three years of diagnosis. Nearly 10 million people worldwide are diagnosed with dementia each year, but survival estimates vary widely and few studies have assessed prognosis (the likely course of the condition) in terms of time to…
Feeling drained and lethargic is common: A 2022 national survey found that 13.5% of US adults said they felt “very tired” or “exhausted” most days or every day for three months. Women aged 18 to 44 had the highest rate of fatigue – just over 20%. Being tired is connected to something deeper than overwork or a sign of the times. I am a registered dietitian and nutritional neuroscientist. My research, along with the work of others in the field, shows that your diet and lifestyle choices may be contributing to your struggles. These two factors are closely related and…
Male depression: A closer look As a men’s therapist in Chicago, I see firsthand how men experience depression in ways that are often unrecognized or misunderstood. Depression doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. When we hear the word ‘depression’, most people imagine someone sad, withdrawn or crying. While this can certainly be the case, depression in men can take different forms, making it harder for them and those around them to spot it. It is not uncommon for men to dismiss their own feelings or for their depression to manifest in ways that at first seem unrelated.…
Sharing is caring! Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea, also known as Honey Citrus Mint Tea, is meant to boost the immune system as well as soothe a sore throat during flu season. It contains two different types of tea, honey and lemonade and is served hot. I’m making my own version of the medicine ball and mine will be a little healthier but just as soothing for cold symptoms. My Starbucks Medicine Ball recipe is made with simple ingredients, much less sugar than the original, and a must-have hot drink on those days when you just don’t feel so good. What…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… for colds and flu. With the holiday season approaching, stressors such as travel, large gatherings, excess sugar and alcohol, late nights and busy social schedules can all affect our immune systems, making us vulnerable to infections. If you start to feel a cold coming on, look for these 5 immune-boosting herbs to nip it in the bud so you can enjoy your holidays and the rest of winter (spoiler alert: one of these herbs is actually a tonic and includes a delicious DIY recipe you won’t want to miss!). Read on to…
Split Squat Exercise: Build Strength and Improve Form Guide and Video Certain exercises help you build muscle mass. Others improve your balance or coordination. And some can increase your endurance by getting your blood pumping and heart racing. But what if there was a movement that did it all? As it turns out, there is: the split squat exercise. Split squats are like a secret weapon in your training arsenal. They are effective in working many muscle groups, quick to get used to and quite simple in the gym or at home. Ready to learn how to do them right?…
Considerable variation in the prevalence of depression was found in a multi-region sample of community-dwelling older adults in the United States, reports a study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Until now, few studies have examined the incidence of depression in community-dwelling older adults in the US. The study is published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Of the 2,900 participants studied, 6.2 percent had depression. Seniors who had a negative history of depression or had an annual household income of $50,000 or more had significantly reduced odds of depression. Volunteering was a factor in reducing the…
Do you live in an arid or desert climate and is it drying out your skin? If you’ve ever wondered what happens to our skin when there’s a lack of moisture in the atmosphere, we’re here to explain. Whether you live in such an environment or notice skin changes when you travel, there are good reasons for your skin to rejuvenate. We’ll also look at the best products and ingredients to use when your skin is adjusting to a dry climate. What a dry climate does to your skin Dry skin occurs when the skin does not retain enough moisture.…
Sharing is caring! “Pump and dump” is a phrase that most nursing mothers have heard, thanks to the consumption of alcohol or other drugs. But do you really need to? There are many myths out there that can make it more confusing than it needs to be. To clear things up, we’ll go over the real reasons why pumping and dumping might be necessary, when it isn’t, and share tips on how to handle these situations safely. What does “Pump and Dump” mean? “Pump and dump” refers to expressing milk and dumping it, rather than feeding it to a baby.…