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
Despite all their best efforts, some people still can’t keep their lipids and cardiovascular risk at acceptable levels. If you’re one of them, you’ll need a medication to help control your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Statins are known scientifically as 3-hydroxy- 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A … Read More
Many people stay up late and head to bed past midnight for only a few hours of sleep. Maybe you have a habit of catching up on work, reading, or watching T.V. until 1 a.m., having a late night snack before you fall asleep. Or maybe you work the graveyard … Read More
In our post Chocolate Benefits for Your Brain, you learned about the phytochemicals in dark chocolate and cocoa and their impact on your mood and cognitive performance. Here, we’ll continue with an overview of cocoa benefits (from cocoa powder and dark chocolate) on heart health. Chocolate’s polyphenols, particularly its flavanols, … 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
If you’re like most people, you feel nervous whenever you visit your physician’s office. After all, it’s only natural to be a little anxious about any tests you’ll have to undergo or the news your doctor will deliver. Add to that the stress you experience from traffic problems on your … Read More
The best time to detect coronary artery disease, or atherosclerotic heart disease, the number one cause of death in the Western world, is in an early stage long before there are any of the well-known symptoms. And the one and only way to do this is by finding out your … 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
