Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Many of us get a caffeine fix each day, either through a morning coffee jolt, a revitalizing cup of tea in the afternoon, or through any number of the usual suspects—soda, energy drinks, chocolate. The question is, do we NEED it to get us through an otherwise groggy morning, to … Read More
Insomnia is now at epidemic levels. Up to half of Americans are wondering how to beat insomnia and suffer from at least one of the four cardinal insomnia symptoms: Difficulty falling asleep Inability to stay asleep Waking up in the early morning Experiencing nonrestorative sleep Almost a quarter of the … Read More
“Excessive anxiety is a common response to situations like this and we need to manage our own anxiety as best as we can,” says Maurizio Fava, MD, Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Massachusetts General Hospital and director of the Division of Clinical Research at the Mass General Research Institute. Dr. Fava is also … Read More
The human brain is a truly remarkable and highly complex organ. Neurons are the brain cells that carry messages throughout the brain, nervous system, and body. It’s estimated that healthy adults have around 100 billion neurons, each connecting to 10,000 other neurons—an impressive network indeed! Brain atrophy "is a common … Read More
If you’ve been feeling down in the dumps for an extended period of time, you may be suffering from depression. You’re not alone, as millions of other Americans experience this common disorder. The bright side is that there are a number of effective lifestyle strategies you can take to fight … Read More
Spring arrived early this year in my hometown, and so did allergy season. The sounds of sneezing and sniffling are everywhere, and allergy medicines are flying off the drugstore shelves. Fortunately, I no longer suffer from seasonal allergies as an adult the way I did as a child, and even … Read More
Whether you’re working nights or binge-watching Game of Thrones, skimping on sleep is bad for your health. The consequences of sleep deprivation extend far beyond midday yawns and drooping eyelids (think diabetes and stroke). No wonder so many people are asking, “How can I catch up on sleep?” Should you … Read More
As we get into the annual flu season (it runs from October to May), we no doubt will see advertisements for flu shots at every pharmacy we visit. But the flu shot is just one of several immunizations available to older adults, and even though we may associate routine vaccination … Read More
Do you want to stay flu-free? Are you curious about immune system supplements, wondering if any of the hundreds available are really effective? Many naturopathic and integrative doctors recommend effective, immune system boosters that can be safely taken long-term during the flu season to help lower the likelihood you’ll get … Read More
Your immune system is like a home security system. When you suffer an injury or infection, it sets off an alarm—what we know as an inflammatory response—by sending immune cells to neutralize viruses, bacteria, and other intruders that breach your outer defenses, thereby protecting healthy cells and tissues from damage. … Read More
