The Mediterranean diet has been popular for decades. It’s recommended by doctors and dietitians, sustainable, and includes lots of delicious and heart-healthy foods. It’s not like other restrictive diets that say you can’t eat this or that. Rather, it’s a flexible approach to eating that emphasizes healthy foods—like fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and healthy… Read More »
Measles outbreaks can cause serious health complications and even death, especially in children under the age of 5. Measles is a highly contagious airborne viral infection that affects only humans and is one of the leading causes of mortality in children under the age of 5 worldwide. The virus, which can lead to severe complications… Read More »
While it’s not technically part of her job description, Dina Dugan, RD, a clinical dietician at Baystate Noble Hospital, finds herself regularly defending dietary fat. “For years, fat has gotten a bad rap,” she says, “which is unfortunate as dietary fats are a necessary part of body composition. They provide energy, support cell function, and help… Read More »
According to Dina Dugan, MS, RD, LDN, a clinical dietitian with Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield, MA, “The Mediterranean diet is more than just a meal plan. It’s a lifestyle rooted in the traditional eating habits of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Italy, Greece, and Spain—all countries with historically low rates of chronic disease and… Read More »
If it seems like there are more people with runny noses, coughs and other cold symptoms during the winter, you’re not imagining things. Can you catch a cold by going outside without a coat on? Truth: Being cold doesn’t make you catch a cold. So, wearing a coat doesn’t protect you from the virus. You… Read More »
Breast cancer is known to have existed at least 3,500 years ago in ancient Greece and Egypt based on knowledge from the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus, dating back to 3,000–2,500 B.C., which provides authentic accounts of breast cancer referring to “bulging tumors of the breast that has no cure.” The only “so-called” medicine at the… Read More »
Today, women have a 1 in 8 risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. For men, that risk is much lower at about 1 in 800. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a time for everyone to get to know their risk factors and what they can do to minimize their chances of… Read More »
Anyone can get the flu, no matter how healthy they are. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all people (with some exceptions) ages 6 months and older get a flu shot to protect themselves and others from the flu. When is Flu Season? Flu season typically strikes the U.S. beginning in October and lasts… Read More »
Are you letting your body get run down with all the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and late-night parties? Overindulging in food and drinks with alcohol and caffeine? These holiday celebrations can really put a stress on your immune system, right at the time when respiratory illnesses are at their worst. You owe it to… Read More »
Pregnancy. Childbirth. Aging. What do all of these have in common? For women, they can all contribute to the weakening of their pelvic floor, which can cause urinary incontinence and stool leakage. However, regular Kegel exercises can help reduce accidents. What are Kegel Exercises? Kegel exercises help strengthen pelvic floor muscles by squeezing them, which, in… Read More »