Nutmeg adds more than holiday pizzazz
I recently made a Bourbon Pumpkin Pie (the recipe’s up on my website if you’re interested). I decided to grate some whole nutmeg right into it. Wow, what a difference! Freshly grated nutmeg brings a richer, deeper flavor than the powdered spice I usually use. It’s like comparing a string quartet to a kazoo. Nutmeg is well known as a holiday superstar. But did you know... READ MORE
Certain foods may protect brain function
Dementia — a loss of thinking, remembering and reasoning skills that affect everyday life — is a growing concern. It’s often preceded years in advance by memory and thinking problems, including cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment. Interventions that prevent or delay these problems might help to reduce the risk of dementia. Some studies have linked healthy... READ MORE
Natural strategies help lower cholesterol
If you’ve recently been told your cholesterol levels are creeping into unhealthy territory, it’s a wake-up call to embrace more holistic practices for heart health. As someone who understands both the conventional and natural sides of medicine, I want to empower you with actionable, natural strategies. Here are five of the top ways to lower LDL, triglycerides and... READ MORE
Ways to overcome medical test anxiety
Q: My adult daughter avoids going to the doctor because she fears any medical testing. How can I help her get the care she needs? A: It’s normal to be apprehensive about having a medical test, particularly one that can cause discomfort or pose some other risk. Even a simple blood test involves a moment of discomfort, and some people faint at the sight of the approaching... READ MORE
Meatless foods that are high in protein
Many people consider eating less meat, whether for health, environmental or animal-welfare reasons. But they sometimes hesitate because they are concerned about how they would replace all that lost protein. When Jennifer Anastasiou decided to go vegetarian after learning about the environmental impact of livestock, she worried at first about her protein intake. “It was kind of ... READ MORE
Causes (and solutions) for blurry vision
Do you squint at your phone or have trouble reading the labels or directions on items? Sometimes it’s the size of the lettering, to be fair. But sometimes the issue is visual impairment. Everyone has dealt with this at one time or another. Treatments change for blurry vision depending on the cause. Here are eight reasons for it: Refractive errors: This occurs when... READ MORE
Could back stiffness be spinal arthritis?
Dear Mayo Clinic: I am in my late 50s and have started having stiffness in my back. I have become much less flexible and sometimes even have a hard time looking over my shoulder. I remember my grandparents complaining about arthritis in their knees and hands — and the pain they had later in life. Could I be developing arthritis in my spine? Is there anything I can do? A:... READ MORE
Can a nicotine pouch help smokers quit?
A tiny Philip Morris product called Zyn has been making big headlines, sparking debate about whether new nicotine-based alternatives intended for adults may be catching on with underage teens and adolescents. Zyn is an oral pouch that contains nicotine powder and flavorings like mint, coffee and citrus. The pouches are the fastest-growing segment of the tobacco industry, which has... READ MORE
Boost your immunity during cold season
We all know that washing your hands is especially important when cold and flu season comes around. But so is what you put on your plate. “We can really boost our immunity through diet alone. Consistent intake of the micronutrients that help our bodies fight disease is a natural solution to infection prevention,” said Cassie Majestic, M.D., an emergency medicine physician... READ MORE
Starting a conversation about endings
Dr. Vanessa Rodriguez is no stranger to talking about death. As a palliative care doctor at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital, she works with families of patients at the ends of their lives. Many family members are hesitant to talk about death before the fact since it means imagining a future without their loved one. Talking about death is never easy, but doing so early... READ MORE
