If you’ve ever wondered whether you might be genetically predisposed to a particular disease, you’ll soon be able to find out right at home. This month, the Food and Drug Administration authorized 23andMe, a genetic testing company, to market tests for 10 diseases or conditions directly to individuals. (1) 23andMe's Personal Genome Service Genetic Health…
Some foods out there are just a mystery to most people, with popcorn making one of the top slots on that list. Various sources tout popcorn as a low-calorie, healthy snack, while others refer to it like it’s simply poisonous. So is popcorn healthy? The answer, like most things, is not as straightforward as a…
In a breakthrough study, scientists found evidence that using tea for Alzheimer's could drastically lower your risk of developing the condition. It's true, sipping tea could help ward off Alzheimer’s disease, according to a 2017 study out of the National University of Singapore says. (1) Most of us don’t give a second thought to brewing a…
A growing body of research continues to show that osteopathic care has real benefits for a variety of patients of all ages and fitness levels. According to the American Osteopathic Association, "Osteopathic manipulative treatment, or OMT, is hands-on care. It involves using the hands to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. Using OMT, your…
I’ve written before about toxic bedding and how to choose the right pillow (is your pillow toxic?), but now I want to share how to choose the right mattress. Getting sufficient, high-quality sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health. Sleep allows the body to reset after a long day, balances…
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that most commonly affects infants and young children. Adolescents and adults with a weakened immune system are also susceptible. The hallmark of the most common impetigo diagnosis is blisters with a honey-colored crust that typically starts around the mouth and nose. It eventually spreads to hands, feet and the trunk.…
Can you measure happiness among a population? The World Happiness Report thinks so. The report, first published in 2012 by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, ranks 156 countries according to happiness and well-being levels. Each year, researchers release the report in conjunction with the International Day of Happiness. This year, along with its…
Beef stroganoff originated in Russia during the mid 1800s, and since then, it has become a popular dish around the world, taking on many variations of the original recipe. Today, you often see beef stroganoff served in a sour cream sauce with strips of beef filet, but this gluten-free beef stroganoff is a little different.…
Did you know that breathing radon for prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to you and your family? According to the Surgeon General's National Health Advisory, millions of homes have an elevated radon level and more than 20,000 Americans die of radon-related lung cancer every year. (1) And what's really scary is that there…
Different types of hernias develop inside different parts of the body, causing an abnormal bulging of one area into another. A hiatal hernia, also known as a hiatus hernia, forms inside the diaphragm, the muscular area that lays between the chest and the lower abdomen. It's the most common diaphragmatic hernia, with the prevalence rate of hiatal hernia is between 13 percent…
