Credit: iStock More than half of all people in the U.S. are living with at least one chronic disease. Fortunately, physical activity and exercise can help manage symptoms and improve overall health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults living with chronic conditions engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity … Continue reading Want to Improve Your Health? Try Pedaling with One Leg Instead of Two
Disease Risk
Spotlight On: Stroke
Credit: iStock Every year about 800,00 people living in the U.S. have a stroke. Stroke is a public health concern that costs the U.S. billions of dollars and remains one of the leading causes of death. A stroke is sometimes called a “brain attack” because it interferes with oxygen and glucose (sugar) delivery to the … Continue reading Spotlight On: Stroke
Screening the Sun: The Science of Sunscreen
Credit: iStock Fireworks, concerts, barbecues, picnics, parades, sandy beaches and swimming are just a few of the many ways we celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. Each of these fun outdoor activities increases our sun exposure, which can increase our risk of melanoma or skin cancer. Sunlight consists of infrared, visible and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. … Continue reading Screening the Sun: The Science of Sunscreen
Climate Change Affects Our Health by Changing Air Quality
Credit: iStock Earth is a special planet for having an atmosphere that enables life to thrive. Our atmosphere surrounds our planet, which keeps us warm and contains oxygen for us to breathe. The atmosphere has different layers with different qualities and is where our weather happens. Weather refers to the state of the air and … Continue reading Climate Change Affects Our Health by Changing Air Quality
Physical Inactivity: We Got To Move It, Move It
Credit: iStock Did you know that some data suggest physical inactivity increases your risk of dying from any cause more than smoking? Although this argument is still debated, in theory, you could go for a run and have a cigarette and be less likely to die than someone who does neither (you still shouldn’t smoke). … Continue reading Physical Inactivity: We Got To Move It, Move It
How COVID-19 Affects the Gut Microbiome
Credit: iStock COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is known as primarily a respiratory disease. However, between 11% and 39% of people diagnosed with COVID-19 report having gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting or belly pain. GI symptoms are associated with a high risk of hospitalization and disease severity. As our understanding of the … Continue reading How COVID-19 Affects the Gut Microbiome
How Your Body Reacts to Being Stressed Out
Credit: iStock Have you ever felt the weight of an upcoming deadline? Are family or relationship issues a constant worry? If this describes you, know that you’re not alone. According to the American Psychological Association’s “Stress in America” survey, 67% of adults in the U.S. said their stress level has increased during the coronavirus pandemic. … Continue reading How Your Body Reacts to Being Stressed Out
Holiday Time: Not So Good for the Heart
Credit: iStock With the holiday season coming up, you may be rejoicing about much-needed time off from school or work. For many of us, the winter holidays mean great food and an opportunity to see friends and family. For many researchers, however, the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day represents a spike in cardiac … Continue reading Holiday Time: Not So Good for the Heart
Can Exercise Combat Your Sweet Tooth?
Credit: iStock Having a sweet tooth is nothing to be ashamed of. But 39% of people in the U.S. are obese, and 10% have diabetes. That means public health efforts to reduce sugar consumption could benefit millions of people. Eating too much processed sugar isn’t just bad for our teeth. Sugar can cause insulin resistance, … Continue reading Can Exercise Combat Your Sweet Tooth?
Cutting Back On Added Sugar: Your Brain Will Thank You
Credit: iStock I spy too much sugar in the foods we eat and the beverages we drink. Unlike naturally occurring sugars in foods such as fruit, added sugars and syrups are included during the preparation or processing of our food and drink. While sugar does provide our body with energy, the problem is that too … Continue reading Cutting Back On Added Sugar: Your Brain Will Thank You