Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is a general term to describe all diseases related to the heart and circulatory system, has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for the past century. Each year, nearly 1 million Americans die from CVD. Two of the most common types of CVD are coronary heart disease and stroke. Because abnormal blood cholesterol level is a major risk factor for both coronary heart disease and stroke, the discovery of statin drugs in the late 1980’s was a major breakthrough for the prevention and treatment of these two conditions. Statin drugs have powerful lowering

Do you or someone you love perform shift work? If so, you know how challenging it can to your lifestyle from sleep disturbances, to finding it hard to exercise regularly or eat properly, to feeling isolated and separated from your friends, family, and the rest of the world! But in addition to this, it can be harmful to your health. Researchers have found that shift work increases the risk for developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and depression just to name a few. There are probably several contributing factors to this, one being the disruption to circadian rhythm or,

What are you doing with your time? Are you a super-parent taking care of children and earning a degree at the same time? Are you going to college and working a part time job? Are you working two to three jobs to make ends meet? Many of us have family scenarios like the ones listed above and we can’t imagine how we would make time to exercise.  In fact the number one reason given for not exercising is “I don’t have enough time.” For many this is a real barrier, not just an excuse as they try to reason out

Happy Valentine’s Day! On this day celebrating love I thought I would share with you some of my “loves” in regards to healthy living. These make my heart happy (in more ways than one!). In no particular order: Love # 1: Arugula Mmm Mmm Mmmmmm! This peppery green leafy vegetable always brings me such joy and satisfaction (yes, all from a leafy green!). Not only does it taste great, but it is packed with a ton of vitamins and minerals. It is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, calcium, manganese, phosphorus and phytochemicals all of which are

If we were to ask you what you think the biggest factor standing in the way of weight loss is, what would that be? Fast food? Not enough time in the day to exercise? Hidden sugar in food? Reliance on cars? According to a group of licensed psychologists, it’s your EMOTIONS. In September of last year, The Consumer Reports National Research Center in partnership with experts provided by the American Psychological Association designed an online poll where they surveyed 1,328 licensed psychologists on how they dealt with clients’ weight and weight loss challenges (1). Here is how they responded: 44%

Healthy body weight is the new skinny. Seriously! For example, as of January 2013, Israel banned male and female models with documented body mass indexes (BMIs) below 18.5 (underweight classification) from media, catwalks, and Israeli websites in an attempt to encourage healthy eating behaviors/habits (1). In addition United States companies have begun utilizing images of “real women” such as Dove whose recent advertising shows women confidently posing to show “real; beautiful; soft; skin.” These are just a few examples of the influential changes that are occurring to promote healthy body weight. BMI is calculated by taking weight (in kilograms) divided

The dramatic rise in the obesity rate in this country is strongly associated with the overconsumption of calories and lack of physical activity—probably not a big surprise to you—but there are other environmental factors at play as well making obesity a very complex condition. Many are quick to blame genetics for their weight control issues and while it is not likely that genetics should bear the full blame, this week, two studies were released that provide further evidence that  genetics do in fact play some role. The first study was performed at UCLA (1). Researchers looked at the effect of

Yes, you get to choose.  Another year, another resolution for change.  Like so many resolutions from years past, we may be focusing on our failures as we consider making resolutions for a new year.  If you have the right tools and support, a solid plan and are really committed to accomplishing your goals, you can do it.  Here is a checklist of steps to get you started.  Although you have probably heard these before, you might have missed a step here or there which got you off track.  Print off this list and use it to help you approach that

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 12 Tracks for Walking 11 Gyms for Lifting 10 Ropes for Leaping 9 Ladies Dancing 8 Hours Sleeping 7 Pools for Swimming 6 Greens for Eating 5 Apple Rings 4 Trainers Training 3 Roasted Hens 2 Drinks for Men And a Fruit Arrangement from a Pear Tree!!! A classic song revamped to pass along an even more classic, yet at times neglected message—“Move More and Eat Btter”. Unfortunately holiday seasons are not the exception. Let’s review the 12 “gifts” listed above and discuss their benefits. 12: Tracks for

Making healthier choices is a struggle.  We are faced with the decision to exercise, eat right, and refrain from alcohol, tobacco, etc. every single day.  What we don’t realize is that a lot goes into the choices we make. Previous theories of what influences the decisions we make about our health suggested that we, as thinking and rational human beings, consider the consequences and then make a decision based on if the benefits outweigh the costs.  What this theory boils down to is that we make decisions based on how much we might gain or lose because of the decision.