Author: healthtost
Dealing with constipation can be difficult and the struggle intensifies during pregnancy. The struggle is real and I know it first hand! I have struggled with constipation since I was a teenager. But once I started college, the stress of my daily life exacerbated my symptoms leading to chronic constipation. Once I found out I was pregnant, I knew it was only a matter of time before I experienced the discomfort, pain and bloating again. But I knew that, while this may have been frustrating, I wasn’t alone. Up to 38% of pregnant women experience constipation in the first trimester…
Is fat good for you? Are there types of fats you should be eating? Are there types of fats you should avoid? So many people express their concerns about the topic of healthy fats in the diet. That’s why I’m answering your top questions about how to get fats into your diet in a healthy way. The idea that fats are something to be afraid of is common. Many people have the misconception that fat in the diet automatically leads to weight gain, high cholesterol levels and heart disease. But it’s not that simple. While unhealthy fats can have negative…
largeOks can be deceiving when it comes to Pilates. Getting in a workout—which generally involves lying on a mat—may seem easier than, say, a HIIT sesh. But just wait. There’s a good chance the classic moves, from teasers to swan dives, will leave you sweating. This is why Pilates training for beginners at home can be beneficial: You will be able to activate all the muscles needed to master the basic exercises before jumping to a more advanced class. Every beginner Pilates workout will be a little different. Some focus on perfecting your form. Others teach you how to master…
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), is a spectrum of diseases ranging from non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH ). Invasive liver biopsy continues to be the gold standard for the diagnosis of NASH through histopathological evaluation of hepatic steatosis, ballooning, and lobular inflammation. However, this method has its limitations, such as sampling bias, low patient acceptance, and potential complications. Clinical imaging techniques such as ultrasound and MRI can detect or quantify hepatic steatosis, but are unable to differentiate between NASH and NAFLD. Therefore, there is a need to identify non-invasive…
Today, we’re tackling a topic that’s often a bit murky – tracking the macronutrients in your favorite alcoholic beverages. Whether you’re enjoying a simple glass of wine or celebrating with a margarita, it’s important to understand how these drinks affect your health and wellness journey. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to track your alcohol macros, with examples for different types of alcoholic beverages. Why Track Alcohol Macronutrients? Macro tracking is a useful tool that allows us to feel good and lose fat or build muscle based on our individual goals. However, alcohol is like the fourth macronutrient. Unlike…
Wendy Ouriel Last year I was gifted a bag that cost $7000 in the store. I’ve moved it less than 20 times and yet the corners are already worn, the red coating is fading and the seams are coming apart. It’s from a haute couture brand that claims to uphold the highest quality standards, but the wear and tear on this bag after minimal use suggests otherwise. What’s more obvious is that the $7000 was less about the craftsmanship inside the bag and more about showing off their famous logo. A few weeks later I visited my tailor to be…
There’s nothing like the feeling of a good night’s sleep: you feel energized, refreshed, refreshed and ready to take on the day. When we sleep, our bodies repair and recharge, which helps us thrive. Getting eight hours of rest every night isn’t just about counting the hours on the pillow. It’s about embracing the key life-enhancing benefits of quality shut-eye. Often, this requires more than a comfortable bed – it involves cultivating a calm atmosphere and a consistent routine that signals your body and mind that it’s time to relax. As someone who has struggled with sleep issues in the…
Not since the advent of the lunar walk has such a moment been walking backwards. Tik Tok and Instagram are filled with videos of physical therapists and fitness influencers touting the benefits of walking backwards, also known as retro walking. You may also have noticed people at the gym (and not just that attention-seeking weirdo) walking backwards on the treadmill, or seen runners and walkers change direction during exercise. Despite its seemingly unprecedented popularity, walking upside down is nothing new. It’s actually a well-studied practice that movement professionals have been using for years. Depending on your health history and fitness…
When Kristy Uddin, 49, went for her annual mammogram in Washington state last year, she assumed she wouldn’t incur any bills because the test is one of several preventive measures guaranteed to be free for patients by law on Affordable Care Act of 2010. The ACA provision made medical and economic sense, encouraging Americans to use screening tools that could solve medical problems in the first place and keep patients healthy. So when a bill arrived for $236, Uddin — an occupational therapist familiar with how the health care industry works — complained to her insurer and the hospital. He…
It used to be that simple. You went to your gynecologist once a year. Your breasts would be checked, you’d have the dreaded pelvic exam that included STD testing and a pap, and then you’d be on your merry way. Phew, check that off the list until next year! But in recent years things have gotten a little more confusing. When to get your pap smear has changed (and continues to change). There’s even growing research that says you may, in fact, not need to get that dreaded pelvic exam at all. These changes, while based on solid science, can…