Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Sugar is not so sweet in the health and wellness world, now more than ever. Its bad reputation stems from research on added sugars, fructose in particular, in foods and beverages, linking it with chronic illness and disease, such as heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. But even so, … Read More
While the debate rages on about whether or not sodas should be banned in schools and major cities, one thing is for certain: Each individual can make a personal choice to limit or quit drinking sodas altogether. What about you? Are you ready to kick the colas and discover how to … Read More
Gout in foot, instep, and ankle areas is common, affecting up to 8 million Americans today. The condition has been recorded throughout history, affecting many famous people—the most notorious of whom was Henry VIII, renowned for his lavish diet of rich food and copious amounts of alcohol. What is gout? … Read More
The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans sanctioned a healthy U.S.-style diet, but more common is an unhealthy eating pattern characterized by oversized portions and too much sugar, “bad” fat, and salt. This overindulgence contributes to obesity in more than a third of the adult population; it also factors into a … Read More
Whether your goal is to lose weight or to improve your health as a result of a diabetes or heart disease diagnosis, you must begin with your diet. For complete nutrition, make sure your meal plan includes plenty of vegetables, fruit, lean protein, and whole grains. Unfortunately, however, we often … Read More
We’ve all hit that wall at work or during an important activity when we’re overcome with a tired, fatigued feeling but can’t take the time to rest. Legions of people who reach that point try for a burst by chugging down an energy drink rather than relying on natural ways … Read More
Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when there is too much uric acid in the blood, tissues, and urine. Accumulating uric acid crystallizes and takes on a needle-like shape, jabbing into the joints (usually the big toe, but also other joints, including those of the mid-foot, ankle, knees, … Read More
Many of us are walking around with chronic inflammation, and the reaction can be extreme, presenting as arthritis (inflammation of joints), colitis (inflammation of the colon), dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), or other inflammatory diseases. But inflammation can be chronic, low-grade, and the cause of vague symptoms like fatigue, runny … Read More
Gallstones are solid deposits in the gallbladder, a small pear-shaped organ that sits beneath the liver. The gallbladder has a simple function: to store and concentrate bile, a digestive enzyme made by the liver. In the United States, between 1 and 3 percent of adults develop gallstones each year and … Read More
Belly fat causes more than embarrassment at the beach. The latest research has linked belly fat, also called visceral fat, to several serious health problems. In fact, belly fat is so harmful that doctors are now encouraging their patients to focus on dropping extra weight around the waistline instead of … Read More
