Ascites is the accumulation of fluid within the abdomen. While there are a number of conditions that can cause it, approximately 75 percent of patients with ascites also have cirrhosis of the liver. In addition, about 50 percent of patients with cirrhosis will develop ascites within 10 years. It is considered a frequent complication of…
Do you love your morning of cup of nutrition-rich coffee but find yourself worried about a caffeine overdose? Chicory root may be just the answer you're looking for. This popular coffee substitute does so much more than just take the place of your favorite breakfast beverage. In addition to providing a boost of extra dietary…
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, in the U.S. alone, osteoporosis and low bone mass affect approximately 54 million women and men over the age of 50. Believe it or not, that is the majority of all people aged 50 and older living in the U.S., which is why problems associated with low bone mass…
We all know sugary and fizzy drinks can wreak havoc on our health, and they are found everywhere. From TV commercials promoting diet soda to the enticing menu presented to us at our favorite restaurant, artificially sweetened drinks lie everywhere. The good news is there are healthy drinks out there, even if healthy beverage options…
Many adults suffer from gallbladder problems during middle or late adulthood, especially women — who develop gallstones much more than men do — and cholecystectomy, surgery to remove the gallbladder, is one of the most common operations performed on adults in the United States every year. Yet it's common for even those who have gallbladder…
The Western diet and lifestyle are linked to a growing number of digestive diseases. The health of your digestive system has a lot to do with lifestyle, since it's in part determined by the food you eat, the amount of exercise you get and your stress level throughout the day. By better understanding the digestive…
The meaning of macrobiotic is "great life." The core concepts central to the macrobiotic diet, including the Traditional Chinese Medicine belief balancing yin and yang both within the body and one's environment, date back many centuries in ancient Eastern traditions. Proponents of macrobiotic eating approaches have long encouraged people to eat natural, whole foods that…
Everyone feels bloated from time to time. Whether it's from eating too much, consuming the wrong types of food, hormonal issues or having a condition that affects the digestive system, bloating is a common occurrence, particularly in the U.S. As it turns out, however, it appears some people are more susceptible to feeling bloated than…
You’ve probably heard a lot about the health benefits of drinking tea, especially the benefits of green tea, considered by many to be the ultimate "anti-aging beverage." In Okinawa, Japan — one of the world's "Blue Zones" that's associated with longevity —drinking green tea daily is considered "essential." A popular practice is sipping on a combination…
The ketogenic (or “keto”) diet is a very high-fat, very low-carb diet that is best known for its weight loss benefits. The goal of the keto diet is to enter and then stay in a metabolic state called ketosis, in which you burn fat for energy, rather than carbohydrates (glucose). In the typical diet, our…
