A gout attack can cause sudden and very severe joint pain. It frequently starts in the joint of a big toe and may wake you up at night. Even having a sheet resting on your toe can be painful. A gout attack can make you miserable. It may last from … Read More
Almost half of Americans have high blood pressure (HTN), and one in five adults don’t know they even have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Taking medications as prescribed is a problem for many patients, and it’s estimated that nearly 30 percent of patients who have … Read More
Looking for a diet that might help you preserve your brain function as you get older? You might consider the so-called MIND diet. "MIND" stands for "Mediterranean-DASH-diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay." Scientists developed it by combining features from those healthy dietary patterns—the Mediterranean-style diet and DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to … Read More
Fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains and low-fat/fat-free dairy products, are cornerstones of the heart- and blood-pressure-friendly DASH diet. Not only are they generally low in sodium, but many of them are good sources of other nutrients that are associated with lower blood pressure: Potassium: Good dietary sources include … Read More
Healthy eating is essential to keeping your brain in peak condition. Brain cells need a rich and varied supply of vitamins and nutrients to grow and function properly, and to resist and repair damage. Important elements supplied by foods help protect your brain from free radicals (unstable molecules that damage … Read More
If you want to learn how to lower blood pressure, your lifestyle is one of your best weapons. By eating with your heart and blood pressure in mind, you might prevent hypertension or, if you already have it, help get your blood pressure under better control. When it comes to … Read More
As the old adage goes, you are what you eat, and when it comes to hypertension, your diet is a major driver of your blood pressure. If salty foods have a familiar place on your dinner plate, chances are you’ll see your blood pressure numbers rise. Conversely, a low-sodium diet … Read More
Every year in the United States, 1.5 million people are diagnosed with diabetes, and it's the seventh-leading cause of death, according to the American Diabetes Association. Can diabetes be cured? Let's first consider the two main types: Type 1 (or juvenile) diabetesaccounts for 5 percent of all cases. Type 2 … Read More
The human immune system works miracles every day. If a bacteria or virus sneaks in, the immune system can recognize it and dispatch special hunter-killer cells (and other cells to get rid of the bodies!). Over a lifetime, the immune system helps defend us against cancer. Cold and flu season? … Read More
Gout, a form of arthritis, occurs when uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints. Uric acid forms when the body metabolizes substances called purines, which are found in a variety of foods. In further answering the question "What is gout?" we should describe the impact food can have. Gout … Read More
