When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, it’s one thing to be told what you’re supposed to do and quite another to know exactly how to do it. One recommendation that is commonly made by doctors and nutritionists is to eat more dietary fiber. According to The National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, men under the age of 50 should consume an average of 38 grams of fiber per day. Women in the same age group are supposed to strive for 25 grams. These figures are slightly lower for individuals above the age of 50, but they still far exceed what most people typically consume. Today’s column provides some new evidence that will hopefully nudge you into eating more fiber-rich foods, as well as a very simple way to meet your daily fiber quota. Read more »

I was recently reminded of one of the most important tools available to us as patients: awareness. The quality of care we receive can be greatly influenced by the feedback we provide to our treating physicians. A seemingly insignificant change in how we feel such as headache, muscle pain or an occasional “racing heart beat” could identify whether a new medication or therapy is working or life threatening. Likewise, it’s important to be mindful of any minute or substantial signs of positive changes as well. In short, we need to understand what we should expect from any new treatment and then pay close attention to any potentially related reactions. Read more »

Tomorrow we’ll celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States. It’s a time when many Americans reflect on countless blessings that are often taken for granted. The most fortunate among us will have the opportunity to spend this holiday catching up with family and friends. During these joyful gatherings tradition dictates that there be a feast that is shared by all. As the meal concludes, most households consider it customary to include a delicious dessert known as pumpkin pie. Read more »

Keeping up with medical news is a lot like keeping track of the stock market. New information is continuously being released and must be considered in order to have a well rounded picture of what’s really going on. I try to present an accurate assessment of each subject that I write about. However, the accuracy of the information is only current at the posting date. A week or two after I publish an article, there’s frequently something new that I could add. That’s why I regularly post updates on topics that I’ve already covered. Read more »

Most nutritionists agree that a hearty breakfast is an integral part of a healthy diet. But many people avoid morning meals either because of a lack appetite or a scarcity of time. I can’t personally relate to the absence of hunger, but I can understand not having the time to prepare and eat a proper meal on the go. That’s why I’ve devised a few simple recipes that help me to sidestep these pitfalls. These “breakfasts on the go” are dairy-free, low in sugar and nutrient dense. I also happen to think they’re quite delicious. Read more »

Some people like to play board games, watch sporting events or knit in their spare time. Me? I like to browse around the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site. I sometimes search around there for statistics that help shape the content that ends here. The other day I found a few interesting facts and figures. I already knew that heart disease is the “leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States”. But I was still stunned by a few other statistics. In 2005, 7.6 million people’s lives ended prematurely due to coronary heart disease. In 2003, almost 40% of adults exhibited two or more of six risk factors for heart disease and stroke (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity and smoking). These figures have probably only gotten worse in the time since they were compiled. This is evidenced by the most recent figure available: “In 2009, heart disease is projected to cost more than $304 billion dollars, including health care services, medications and lost productivity.” Read more »

Some types of foods are easier to incorporate into one’s diet than others. If your doctor advises you to eat more fruits or vegetables, you can quite easily select the varieties that you like best and up your intake. The same can be said for other commonly recommended health foods such as fish, nuts and seeds. But adding more fiber into your daily routine requires some planning because not all fruits and vegetables contain much and animal based foods are completely devoid of it. In my opinion, being reminded of the importance of fiber, while becoming more aware of foods that are abundant in this dietary component is the key to making it a priority. Read more »

One of the best types of testimonials I often hear about are from people who are able to stop using medications by adopting a healthier lifestyle or by utilizing a natural alternative. From my perspective, medications should only be used as a last resort. Unfortunately, my view may be in the minority. These days, medications are frequently used because they successfully mask bothersome symptoms and do so in a way that requires little to no effort from those using them. The problem with this philosophy is that every medication has the potential for side effects. Read more »

How do bad economic times affect our diet? There are two ways that are of particular concern to me. The first is a tendency to eat “comfort foods” that calm our increased sense of uncertainty and stress. Secondly, we often try to get the most “bang for our buck”. We choose higher calorie foods that are cheaper so that we can better manage our budget. Both of these options are not only ill advised for their effects on our health, but also for what they’ll do to our pocket books in the long run.
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