Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Sulfites are commonly blamed as the culprit behind wine-drinking headaches. While that hasn’t been confirmed, sulfites can be the cause of some other serious problems. These food additives have long been used to preserve freshness and are ingredients in many foods, beverages, cosmetics, and medications. They also occur naturally in … Read More
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
The latest Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services came out in November 2021. The new guidelines add even more benefits from exercise, based on research done after the first guidelines came out in 2008. New benefits include reducing your risk for Alzheimer’s … Read More
Sudden deafness, also called sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a medical emergency. If you get diagnosed and treated right away, you have about an 85 percent chance of recovering your hearing. If you don’t, your chance of recovering drops to 50 percent. SSHL usually requires a referral to an … Read More
COVID-19 is a new version of an old virus called coronavirus. Most of the effects of COVID have been on people's lungs, but there have also been effects on the brain and nerves (neurological effects). For now, doctors and researchers have been busy creating a vaccine and finding the best … Read More
CBD, or cannabidiol, is an active ingredient of marijuana, but it is not the same as THC. THC causes the marijuana “high,” which CBD does not do. You may find CBD advertised as a treatment for anxiety, insomnia, or as a pain reliever. According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, … Read More
A regular stroke is a 911 emergency. It is an interruption of blood flow to part of your brain. Without blood, brain cells start to die. This stroke causes sudden symptoms like numbness and weakness on one side, loss of speech or the ability to understand speech, dizziness or loss … Read More
PPIs are medications used to reduce stomach acid and heartburn. Heartburn is the burning pain you feel when stomach acid rises out of your stomach and flows up into your esophagus. (more…)
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, iron deficiency anemia affects from 4 to 5 million Americans. It is most common in children and women. Worldwide, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency. [1] Iron is essential for health because it is needed to form proteins called hemoglobin … Read More
Vitamin B12 deficiency is best known as a cause of fatigue, but this vitamin is important for much more than keeping energy levels up. Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms include depression, sore mouth, memory loss, and dizziness. The vitamin B12 plays crucial roles in maintaining the health of your blood cells, … Read More
