Blood Pressure Numbers: What Do They Mean?

On a recent beautiful morning while I was taking my two-mile power walk, I was surprised when one of my companions asked, “What’s the story with those blood pressure numbers, what do they mean?” And, in fact, the other walker chimed in that it was a mystery to her as well. Those are hugely important numbers, I explained, because when they’re consistently too high (hypertension), the result can be a stroke, a heart attack, kidney failure and even blindness. It’s also a “silent killer.”  You can be walking around ...

5 Tips To Avoid Recurrence of Breast Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, 190,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed last year. While genetics and other factors play a role, there is research to suggest some steps women can take to reduce the risk of recurrence, in addition to regular screening and treatment.

Read more to learn about five helpful tips…

Can You Fight Cancer with Fruits and Veggies?

Most people think a diet high in fruits and vegetables will prevent them from getting cancer. However a recent review of the research indicates that there might be less of an association than previously suspected. Just because broccoli may not be the veggie version of Superman–does not mean you should skip your greens. As the professor who wrote the review indicated, it might be difficult to truly assess this relationship because of other factors that could play a role, such as smoking, alcohol use, environment, how long the ...

Slow Carb Diet Tips

Slow-carb diet is the new craze, but is it crazy? The short answer is no. If you’re a veteran of low-carb dieting who's won the short-term weight loss battle but lost the long-term weight maintenance war, the so-called "slow carb" lifestyle may be a strategy worth considering. The slow-carb diet is based on the fact that not all carbs are created equal. Some have a low glycemic index, meaning they have a modest effect on blood sugar levels, whereas others have a high glycemic index, causing dramatic spikes in ...

Fact or Fiction: Does Glucosamine Relieve Joint Pain?

Glucosamine is now one of the top-selling dietary supplements in the United States. It is used by many older adults at risk for or suffering from osteoarthritis, a population that is exploding as baby boomers now enter their 50s and 60s, and as our expanding waistlines put more long-term pressure on our knees and hips. Glucosamine is used to treat joint pain and other symptoms of osteoarthritis. It is usually packaged by itself or in combination with chondroitin. Suppliers of glucosamine and chondroitin claim that they reduce osteoarthritis pain, promote ...

Could Melatonin Relieve Pain?

What Is Melatonin? Melatonin is naturally produced in the brain from tryptophan but can also be found in dietary sources such as tart cherry juice, tomatoes, grape skins and the seeds from fennel, celery, poppy and sunflower. Although dietary sources may not contain the dosage similar to the synthetic version, the natural hormone may act as an antioxidant protecting against free-radical damage. Have you ever been in pain? Chances are you’re wincing as you answer that question. Pain is the most common symptom of all medical conditions. Therefore, pain ...