Why do some women grow mustaches while some men start crying at movies? You may be surprised to know these embarrassing traits are typical high blood sugar symptoms. High blood sugar is caused by a diet high in sweets, soda, and starches (breads, pasta, rice, corn, potatoes, etc.) This diet … Read More
Your feet and ankles can attract a frightening array of diseases, and they can develop almost as many painful non-disease conditions. However, one of the most common causes of foot pain is not a disease, a deformity, or an injury. It’s shoes: those that are too tight or too loose, … Read More
Potassium deficiency is the result of hypokalemia—the medical term for blood serum potassium levels that are below normal. Normal blood potassium levels are typically between 3.6 and 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A potassium level that is very low (less than 2.5 mmol/L) can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical … Read More
Calcium is an essential component of a person’s body chemistry. Almost all of it is in our bones and teeth, providing both with strength. The rest is present throughout tissues, organs, and cells. Almost every cell in our body uses calcium in some way. But collections of these tiny crystals—calcium … Read More
Nearly one-third of Americans have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)—now the most common chronic disease of the liver.[1] Although rarely discussed in conventional medical offices and even less in the media, NAFLD is epidemic. This stealthy condition can go undetected for years—with deadly consequences. Once advanced, NAFLD cannot be reversed. … Read More
A number of factors—some preventable, others not—can cause abnormal cholesterol levels, or dyslipidemia, in the blood. Here are the factors that you can control: A Poor Diet Diets high in saturated fat and trans fat are linked to higher LDL cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in animal products, especially fatty red … Read More
If you're looking for just the right diet plan for your health, you might consider the alkaline diet. It's based on the theory that some popular foods—including meat, dairy products, eggs, grains, and processed foods—cause your body to produce more acid. The aim of the alkaline diet is to avoid foods … 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
Today’s popular eating plans—among them the ketogenic diet—often focus on reducing carbohydrates, limiting sugar intake, and eliminating processed foods. These diets are typically high in fat, so if you follow one, it’s important to understand the difference between healthy fats and those you should avoid. A diet low in carbohydrates … Read More
Change is inevitable, especially in medicine. As new evidence emerges, clinicians often must respond in kind by adjusting their recommendations for treatment and altering the advice they give to patients. Sometimes these shifts in direction are slight, while other times they mark a sea change. And so it goes for … Read More
