Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Pumpkins mark the fall season with decorative flair on front porches and tabletops as well as in our favorite fall flavors—pumpkin spice has quite a following! It’s boosted pumpkin’s pizazz beyond pies and lattes to hummus, pasta, and even facial scrub. The most popular winter squash—pumpkin and pumpkin seeds—has a … Read More
Epstein Barr virus is a virus that infects almost everybody by the time they are adults. Most people never have symptoms or only have mild cold-like symptoms. Some children or young adults have a more severe infection called mononucleosis. Once infected, everybody has EBV living in their white blood cells. … Read More
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition that can increase your risk for a lot of other conditions that you really want to avoid. Complications from sleep apnea can include heart attack, dementia, glaucoma, diabetes, and even some types of cancer. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the best and … Read More
Throat cancer is not one type of cancer. It is an area where cancer can occur and it includes six types of cancer. Three types can occur in your upper throat, called your pharynx, and three types can occur in your lower throat, called your larynx. Treatment for throat cancers … Read More
There are many reasons why a diet that includes whole grains benefits your health. Nowadays, you can find the label “whole grain” almost everywhere. This overused label can be confusing. Is it really a marker of a healthy product? How do you know which products actually contain true, healthy whole grains and … Read More
Don’t you love a juicy fruit platter, a refreshing berry smoothie, or adding fresh berries to yogurt or cereal? Berries are not only a naturally sweet treat, but they are loaded with nutrients. Polyphenols, such as flavonoids and anthocyanins, and other potent antioxidants account for the vast health benefits of … 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
CoQ10, or coenzyme Q10, is a naturally produced enzyme found in the mitochondria in every cell of your body. CoQ10 benefits include the making of ATP—the major energy source needed for cell growth and maintenance in powering several of the body’s biological processes. CoQ10 also functions as an antioxidant, which … Read More
If you browse the web or walk into your local health food store, you’ll no doubt see an abundance of omega fatty acid products. These days, among the most popular supplements are fish oils; everyone is boasting over the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. But not so long ago, … Read More
