As we age, our risk for certain diseases and medical conditions becomes higher. For women, menopause may be an independent risk factor for some of these conditions. Cardiovascular disease, in particular, accelerates in women after menopause. Women who experience menopause before the age of 45 are at an increased risk … Read More
When it comes to choosing healthy fats, confusion abounds. More than likely, you’ve heard of those miracle fatty acids, omega-3s. These essential fats reduce inflammation in the body and can help lower the risk of chronic degenerative conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and even certain types of cancer. Along … Read More
The one supplement most experts recommend to almost everyone—no matter your age, height, weight, or gender—is omega-3 fatty acids. Because of their wide-ranging health benefits, omega-3 supplements are the closest thing we have to a miracle pill. But why? Simply put, omega-3 fatty acids are essential. The body can synthesize … Read More
Your total cholesterol and your LDL cholesterol have traditionally been considered the most important predictors of your risk for cardiovascular disease and are therefore most doctors’ primary focus when interpreting your cholesterol test. In addition to these numbers, your HDL and triglycerides are becoming more and more recognized as important … Read More
You’ve probably heard high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol described as the “good” cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) as the “bad” cholesterol. But when it comes to which type of cholesterol is most important to control, who wins the HDL vs. LDL matchup? If only it were that simple. There's considerable debate … Read More
Whether they were scrambled, fried, boiled, poached, or beat into an omelet, chances are that you had eggs for breakfast this morning. They’re an easy, filling, and affordable way to start the day. And even if you don’t like their taste, eggs often are the main ingredient in some of … Read More
Is it ever a good idea to eat high cholesterol foods? What about foods that are “otherwise” healthy, like eggs? Regardless of the high amount of cholesterol in eggs, research supports arguments both for and against eggs in the diet. In part 1 of this article, we looked at the … Read More
Winter produce can be a bit drab in comparison to the fresh blueberries, raspberries, peaches, and nectarines of summertime. But each winter, I eagerly wait for one of my favorite foods of all time to appear on grocery store shelves: pomegranates. I’ve always loved the task of removing the seeds … Read More
Pantethine, the metabolically active form of vitamin B5 (or pantothenic acid), offers a host of benefits. To start: It is vital for dozens of enzymatic reactions that require coenzyme A, including those involved with processing fats and carbohydrates. It helps the cells’ tiny energy factories, the mitochondria, turn fatty acids … Read More
Coconut oil has certainly carried a bad rap in the past—an artery-clogging, cholesterol-raising, heart-attack-causing saturated fat worse than butter or lard. Then it started getting promoted as the latest health food super-oil—an ideal cooking oil that enhances the flavor of foods. But coconut oil is a saturated fat, and since … Read More
