Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, is a frustrating condition that can disrupt and negatively impact the quality of daily life. The normal, everyday movement of simply standing up triggers rapid heart rate, dizziness, or a drop in blood pressure that usually resolve upon laying down. Although the cause isn’t … Read More
Erythritol is a natural sugar substitute made by fermenting corn, called a sugar alcohol. Other sugar alcohols are sorbitol and xylitol. Because they are all natural, the FDA does not consider them to be food additives. Other artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharine are made from chemicals in a laboratory. … Read More
According to the National Library of Medicine, caffeine is the number one stimulant used by people around the World. A little caffeine can make you more alert and less tired. Too much caffeine can make you irritable and shaky. Although coffee is the main source of too much caffeine, a … Read More
To understand what antioxidants do, you have to start with a little molecule called a free radical. Free radicals are naturally made in your body when your cells make energy from foods you eat and when you use energy during exercise. Free radicals can also occur when your cells are … Read More
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
Guaranteed, quick energy in a can or bottle? Sounds too good to be true, right? That’s where energy drinks often come into play, but not without significant potential health risks. These beverages might be tempting when you’re tired but need to keep yourself alert. But are they safe? Are energy … Read More
Before you reach for a Monster energy drink, consider this: Are energy drinks bad for you? A growing number of studies are finding that products like Monster, Red Bull, and 5-Hour Energy can result in a variety of health dangers without offering any unique benefits. The extreme acidity, high caffeine, … Read More
If you're suffering from the pain and discomfort of gout, foods containing high levels of purine—among them organ meats and certain seafood—should be avoided. But what about foods that are safe to eat and might even help improve your condition? Gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals … Read More
It's not a promising trend: Between 34 and 51 percent of young adults are regularly using energy drinks, as reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Although this topic rarely gets mentioned when medical researchers report on the dangers of energy drinks, consuming them daily—or using energy "shots" … Read More
If you’re looking for a food that lowers cholesterol naturally, is exceptionally nutritious, packed with protein and phytochemicals, and will boost your immune system and give you energy all while tackling your cholesterol and triglycerides, Spirulina is it! A rich, deep-green powder, Spirulina is an ancient food source that is … Read More
