Get the facts about flax and stay healthy
Flaxseeds (flax), tiny and unassuming, may not garner a second glance, but this humble little seed is a big crowd pleaser. One of the oldest cultivated crops, flaxseed has been fully utilized by ancient civilizations. Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linen cloth made from the flax plant. Equally important was its use as food and medicine. Hippocrates, the Greek “Father of Medicine,”... READ MORE
Bright, crunchy Chinese chicken salad
With its juicy oranges, tender chicken and a crunchy topping, Chinese chicken salad offers an enticing variety of tastes and textures. But many versions seem to have lost their way, weighted down with gloppy sauces, lackluster chicken, sugary canned orange segments and watery greens. We saw the potential to recast this salad in a healthier role by incorporating wholesome ingredients.... READ MORE
What’s your core, and why strengthen it?
When most people think about core strength, they think about an abdominal six-pack. While it looks good, this toned outer layer of abdominal musculature is not the same as a strong core. What is your “core” and why is core strength so important? The core is a group of muscles that stabilizes and controls the pelvis and spine (and therefore influences the legs and upper... READ MORE
Tired? Four simple ways to boost energy
When I’m dragging and feeling tired during the occasional low-energy day, my go-to elixir is an extra cup (or two or three) of black French press coffee. It gives my body and brain a needed jolt, but it may not help where I need it the most: my cells. What we call “energy” is actually a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP), produced by tiny cellular structures called... READ MORE
Study will try to teach old ears new tricks
You meet an old friend for dinner, and she chooses a lively but loud new restaurant. Although you have a lot to catch up on, you can’t hear a word over the din of your neighbors. Or maybe you’re a BBC fan but can’t always decipher the actors’ accents. Hearing aids aren’t much help in those challenging situations, but a new study that involves training has the potential to... READ MORE
FDA to better police dietary supplements
The Food and Drug Administration announced plans last month to step up its policing of dietary supplements, which it said has mushroomed into a $40 billion industry with more than 50,000 products. At the same time, the agency warned 17 companies they were illegally making claims about their products’ ability to treat diseases. Here’s a look at what the FDA’s announcement... READ MORE
Palliative care services can help relieve pain
Dear Savvy Senior: What can you tell me about palliative care? My husband suffers from lung disease and is receiving radiation for prostate cancer but is not terminally ill. I’ve heard that palliative care can help him with his pain and discomfort. What can you tell me? — Searching Spouse Dear Searching, Palliative care is a very effective service that can help patients relieve... READ MORE
Body makes trade-off in fighting viruses
A Yale research team has revealed how cells in different parts of the human airway vary in their response to the common cold virus. Their finding could help solve the mystery of why some people exposed to the cold virus get ill while others don’t, said the researchers. Rhinovirus is a leading cause of the common cold, asthma attacks and other respiratory illnesses. When the cold virus... READ MORE
Protein powder can be useful supplement
Among muscle men, protein powders have been held in high regard for several decades. But now, protein powders are being marketed to more than bodybuilders and frat boys, turning it into a multibillion-dollar industry. The products are popular for a wide variety of reasons: Many users like that they are a convenient, dependable and portable source of protein to fit into busy... READ MORE
Celebrating 170 years of caring
Every day, the telephone rings at the home of Richard, a Richmond widower (who asked that his real name not be used). Since his wife’s death several years ago, he’s had trouble coping, he said, and the daily call makes his day. “Every morning I get to talk to people who actually care about how I am doing,” Richard said. “They make me feel like somebody.” Those phone calls... READ MORE
