Author: News Room

6 min readChronic inflammation can be incredibly damaging, contributing to unpleasant symptoms as well as more serious health conditions. Fortunately, it’s easy to lower inflammation levels with the right smart strategies—and filling your plate with tasty foods to reduce inflammation is one of the best ones.That said, not all inflammation is inherently bad—it’s part of the body’s natural immune response that kicks in when you’re injured, sick, or fighting off harmful pathogens. While acute inflammation, like the redness around a cut or the swelling from a sprained ankle, may be a good thing, chronic inflammation is an entirely different story.…

2 min readBefore treating your tummy troubles with your go-to gas medication, check its box or label. Multiple lots of Gas-X Extra Strength Softgels—a medication intended to break up gas bubbles in the digestive tract and relieve pressure, bloating, and discomfort—have been recalled by Haleon, a health and wellness company.According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the pills were recalled due to contamination concerns. Affected lots may have been tainted with a diluted propylene glycol-based coolant, which leaked from a machine during the packaging process.Ingesting Softgels contaminated with coolant could result in nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, per…

5 min readDrinking water every day to stay hydrated is essential for our overall health. But if you’re getting bored with plain old H2O, it turns out that squeezing some citrus into your daily dose doesn’t just add flavor. In fact, there are several unexpected benefits of drinking lemon water that span almost every aspect of your health.You might be wondering what that bright burst of lemon actually adds to your water. According to Melissa Ann Prest, D.C.N., M.S., R.D.N., founder of Kidney Nutrition Specialists, a powerhouse lineup of vitamins and minerals. “Lemons, being citrus fruits, have a high amount…

4 min readKey PointsNew research reveals how alcohol use can affect the risk of developing certain types of cancer.Even very small amounts of alcohol can raise risk.The findings add to growing data on alcohol use and cancer.Although most Americans aren’t aware, there’s a growing body of research tying alcohol consumption to increased cancer risk. Now, a robust new study suggests that it doesn’t take much alcohol at all to raise the risk of diagnosis.The study, which was published in the journal Nature Health, analyzed results from 843 studies on the impact of alcohol consumption, evaluating associations with 10 types of…

4 min readTea is a beloved beverage around the world, not only for its soothing nature but also for its numerous health benefits. While all teas offer a host of perks, if you’re concerned about your heart health you may be wondering about the best teas for heart disease. Which should you choose?“Tea is a great healthy beverage option for my patients,” says Cheng-Han Chen, M.D., an interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA. “It is rich in polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can improve…

6 min readThere are many strategies that can help you stay mentally sharp as you age. While regular exercise, staying social, and getting plenty of sleep all support cognition, filling your plate with the best foods for brain health is a simple and powerful place to start.According to Maggie Moon, M.S., R.D., an LA-based registered dietitian and author of The MIND Diet: 2nd Edition, there are a variety of nutrients that help support better brain health. At the top of this list are omega-3s. Found in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, “omega-3s are essential fatty acids that the body…

10 min readIf you’ve suddenly noticed vertical or horizontal ridges on your nails, it’s natural to wonder why. We tapped experts to explain the most common causes of fingernail ridges and what you can do about them.“The most common reason that people have vertical ridges on their fingernails is normal aging, which is a normal physiologic process,” explains Shari Lipner, M.D., dermatologist and director of the nail division at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. “When lines in the nails are horizontal, they are actually grooves (indentations), not ridges. If the groove involves one nail, it is likely from local trauma.…

4 min readFor optimal heart health benefits, the United States Department of Health and Human Services currently advises that adults get between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise (i.e. cycling, swimming, brisk walking) or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise (i.e. running) per week. According to a new study, those recommendations may not be so universal. It all depends on your baseline fitness and the health goals you want to meet. For instance, if you’re looking to slash your cardiovascular-related risks by up to 30% (which is pretty significant), the findings say you’ll want to be…

4 min readStaying hydrated is crucial for your overall health and wellness. But while you’ve probably relied on regular old tap water for ages, there’s been a lot of chatter on social media recently about the alleged perks of alkaline water.Generally, this buzzy beverage is usually sold in bottles at the grocery store alongside “regular” water—but it’s definitely pricier than your standard bottled water. So, is it worth the cost?Although alkaline water is different from tap water and spring water, dietitians say it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Here’s why.Meet the experts: Sandra Zhang, R.D.N., L.D.N., registered dietitian…

4 min readWhether or not eggs are a heart-healthy food has been a topic of discussion among doctors for decades. These debates tend to revolve around the yolk and if the nutrients it contains are bad for your cholesterol levels and your heart health overall. But as more and more data rolls in, the debate of whole eggs vs. egg whites for cholesterol seems to finally have a clear result.Meet the experts: Cheng-Han Chen, M.D., an interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, Calif.; Vicki Koenig, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.,…