The Folklore. Sweet potato or yam? Most likely, it’s a sweet potato. The most common varieties of sweet potato in the U.S. have smooth orange or red skin, orange flesh, and a sweet flavor. Yams, which are rare in American grocery stores, have rough brown skin, starchy white flesh, and … Read More
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
Ibuprofen is in a family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen is the most common over-the-counter (OTC) NSAID. You probably know this drug by its two common brand names Advil and Motrin. Other OTC NASIDs include aspirin and naproxen (Aleve). Side effects of ibuprofen are like the other … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Pumpkins mark the fall season with decorative flair on front porches and tabletops as well as in our favorite fall flavors—pumpkin spice has quite a following! It’s boosted pumpkin’s pizazz beyond pies and lattes to hummus, pasta, and even facial scrub. The most popular winter squash—pumpkin and pumpkin seeds—has a … Read More
If you monitor your blood pressure at home, you may notice that your pressure is usually higher in the early morning. This is normal because your blood pressure has a normal variation that follows your body’s biological clock, also called your circadian rhythm. Blood pressure is higher a few hours … Read More
As we get older, our cells sustain damage from the physical and mental stresses of life. These damaged cells can proliferate in older adults, and have been linked to a range of health issues. Now, scientists are investigating whether these cells may be a target for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) drugs. … 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
Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family. The Latin name is Curcuma longa. Turmeric has been used for centuries in both Chinese and Indian medicine to treat diseases of inflammation like arthritis, allergy, respiratory, and digestive disorders. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric that may give it anti-inflammatory … Read More
XP eyelid bumps are cholesterol deposits in the skin of your eyelids. There may one or more than one and they may occur on both sides. They usually occur in the inner, upper eyelid area, although they can also occur in the lower lids. XP eyelid bumps are not painful … Read More
You may be tired of reading that we need more studies before we can say that this supplement or that nutrient is good for certain health benefits. That is not the case with coffee. There have been lots of studies and there is little doubt that coffee is good for … Read More
