Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Food allergies are quite prevalent and affect more than 32 million people in the U.S. As a result, it’s now common practice to take precautions with common food allergens, such as wheat, peanuts, or tree nuts, to avoid a potential allergic reaction. But what about less familiar food allergens, like … Read More
Intestinal infections tend to hit at the worst times. Five years ago, my husband, two children and I were cruising from one Croatian Island to the next when it happened—gut-wrenching cramps doubled me over while sweat dripped down every crevice. I had gone from feeling slightly nauseous to wanting to … Read More
You’re going about your day as normal when you suddenly start to feel nauseous, weak, and slightly warm. You decide to drink a glass of water or a cup of tea for relief and when that doesn’t help, you lay down for a quick rest to regain your strength. Before … Read More
Romaine lettuce contaminated by E. coli caused dozens of illnesses and five deaths between November 2017 and June 2018. Just before Thanksgiving 2018, we received news of another E. coli outbreak traced to romaine lettuce. No deaths resulted, but 43 people fell ill with a strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. … Read More
Tricyclic antidepressants were one of the original drugs prescribed for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. "Tricyclic" refers to the presence of three rings, or atoms, in the chemical structure of these drugs. Tricyclic antidepressants also are used for anxiety, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain. Physicians may prescribe tricyclic antidepressants for diabetes, shingles, … Read More
Physicians have been prescribing beta blockers for decades. Discovered by Scottish pharmacologist Dr. James Black, who earned a 1988 Nobel Prize for his work, beta blockers revolutionized the treatment of angina (chest pain). Today, the drug is used successfully for far more problems, including other cardiac abnormalities, high blood pressure, … Read More
On Nov. 16, 2017, the food chain Stop & Shop issued a recall of Own Brands Frozen Whole Kernel Sweet Corn due to possible listeria contamination. Listeria is the third-leading cause of death from food poisoning in the United States. Each year, it's blamed for approximately 1,600 illnesses and around … Read More
Gasteroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, is an intestinal infection that causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, and fever. It is often the result of contact with an infected person, or by ingesting contaminated food or water. Most healthy people can recover from gasteroenteritis without serious problems, but … Read More
