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
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
We live in a diet culture, one in which we are constantly exposed to the “next best way to weight loss.” If you’ve toyed with trying one of these trends on for size—Keto, Vegetarian, Atkins, Whole30—or if you’re the type who just dives right in, you likely already know that … Read More
In the quest for effective natural supplements to lower cholesterol, many people turn to supplements like fish oil, niacin, plant sterols, and red yeast rice. While these are often effective, sometimes they are not tolerated or an additional supplement is needed to optimize lipid levels. Berberine-containing products are moving to … Read More
Cumin may well be my favorite spice. It is a staple flavor in my favorite quinoa salad, I use it in all my Mexican-inspired cooking, and it is also delicious in Indian cooking. I was thrilled when I learned that cumin isn’t just a tasty addition to flavor a dish, … Read More
The Mediterranean diet, centered around fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts, legumes, and whole grains, is good for everything from your brain to your bones. Learn the benefits of the Mediterranean diet—and how to use it to reduce the risk of cognitive decline, heart disease, depression, and even cancer. A wide … Read More
You’ve probably heard high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol described as the “good” cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) as the “bad” cholesterol. But when it comes to which type of cholesterol is most important to control, who wins the HDL vs. LDL matchup? If only it were that simple. There's considerable debate … Read More
Finding out what your cardiovascular risk is requires that you see your physician periodically to have your cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight checked. From there, your health-care team may recommend a variety of tests and investigations to determine your level of risk and develop a plan to minimize … Read More
Any woman with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) knows that the symptoms of this complex disease involve much more than its name implies. Numerous small cysts on the ovaries, which can sometimes cause lower abdominal or pelvic pain, are only part of the picture. In fact, these cysts are rarely the … Read More
High cholesterol can have wide-ranging effects—both direct and indirect—on your heart and several other organs served by your vascular system. As cholesterol builds in the arteries of your heart, brain, and throughout your body, it usually does so silently. In some cases, the first signs of atherosclerosis may be a … Read More
Are you still being fooled by avocado’s bad rap as a high-fat food? It’s time to let go of old assumptions and embrace the fact that rich, creamy avocado benefits your health in a dizzying array of ways. Move over apples! Avocado benefits include improving your cholesterol, lowering your risk … Read More
