Let it go: The health benefits of leisure time

So many articles harp on how much TV Americans watch, and how we should better spend our time exercising. And, while there is no question that exercising is important because it improves your physical health and reduces stress, studies show leisure activities – including watching TV – also have health benefits.

Keep your sodium and potassium in check

Sodium and potassium are electrolytes. They drive many of the chemical reactions that occur in the body, causing everything from heartbeats to nerve impulses to digestion of food. And although both sodium and potassium are important, too much of one isn’t a good thing. While the body can usually balance these electrolytes itself, it doesn't take much to disrupt their balance and cause health problems.

Quick facts on vitamin D

Vitamin D: You know you need it, but where do you get it? Here’s your “sunshine vitamin” cheat sheet with quick facts you need to know about sun exposure, vitamin D-rich foods, recommendations and signs that you have too much D.

Constipation is on the rise

Many of us are living in a sedentary world. We spend prolonged periods sitting in front of a computer screen at work or at home. Add in the ever-increasing stress, poor dietary choices, lack of fiber, inadequate fluid intake and lack of exercise, and you have the perfect storm for constipation. Unsurprisingly, an article in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found an increased number of emergency room visits for constipation between 2006-2011. To understand why this problem seems to be on the rise, let’s take a look at what constipation is and what you can do.

Chromium: A promising mineral for diabetes treatment

Chromium is a mineral that your body requires in small amounts. It can be found in certain foods as well as IN many supplements. Studies suggest that it is involved in normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. But that’s not all. There is a growing interest in the possible beneficial role of chromium in the treatment of diabetes.

What are the dangers of weight loss pills?

You step on the scale in your bathroom, hoping your weight hasn't gone up again. You know all your clothing has become a little tighter, but lately, you've been way too busy, and at the end of the night, you are exhausted. To your dismay, the number has gone up. You've tried joining a gym, but that only lasts a month. And you've tried diets, but you just don’t have the time or energy. If this sounds like you, perhaps you have considered giving weight loss pills a try. Here’s what you need to know.

Butting heads? What to do when you disagree with your doctor

Have you ever disagreed with your doctor—whether silently or out loud? Either way, it’s an uncomfortable situation. You're putting your trust in him or her as a professional, yet you have a problem with how the doctor wants to proceed with your treatment. Read on to find out what some of the most common disagreements are, and for ways to effectively convey your decision to your doctor.

Campus stimulant abuse: Paying for perfect grades with pills

Parents are expressing growing shock over the frequency of drug use on American college campuses. And we are not talking about illegal drugs, but legal, prescription ones. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for attention-deficit disorder, are finding their way into the hands of students with perfect mental health. A recent study titled Under Pressure: College Students and the Abuse of Rx Stimulants found that 1 in 5 college students (20 percent) report abusing prescription stimulants at least once.

What are processed foods, exactly?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a processed food has undergone a transformation to extend shelf life or to make it more palatable. Examples include dehydrated fruits, frozen vegetables, and sausages. Frozen produce would be considered “minimally” processed, while the sausage, especially if it is filled with nitrates and flavorings, fits our more common perception of processed food.

Why did you pass out during the blood draw?

Fainting – It can happen to otherwise healthy people! You may feel faint and light-headed and then suddenly lose consciousness or pass out. The most common cause of fainting (especially among children and young adults) is neurally mediated syncope, which is also commonly referred to as vasovagal syncope or a vasovagal response. In a vasovagal response, your blood pressure drops and the heart does not pump a normal amount of oxygen to the brain. The response is often triggered by anxiety or emotional distress, sometimes even from the sight of blood during a blood draw. This type of fainting can lead to minor injuries, like cuts or bruises from falling, but it is considered to be relatively harmless in most cases.

What is metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome, also called syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome or dysmetabolic syndrome, is a “cluster of conditions” that increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes (Mayo Clinic). Having just one of the conditions does not mean you have metabolic syndrome; typically, it is defined as having three or more of the five common traits: large waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol and elevated fasting blood sugar.

Diabetes: What’s your ‘type’?

Diabetes is described as a metabolic disorder in which the body cannot properly store and use glucose (a type of sugar) used by the body for energy. To use glucose, the body needs insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. Insulin stimulates the removal of glucose from the blood and its uptake into muscle, liver and fat cells where it can be stored for energy. In other words, insulin is important for regulating blood glucose levels.

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