Living Well Blog

American interest in gut health began rising about 15 years ago. But research on gut microbiome dates back to the 1840s when European scientists studied the role of bacteria in the breakdown of food, the effects gut microorganisms have on health and the importance of probiotics.Almost a century… See more

Sleep is still a little bit of a mystery. While we don’t know everything about sleep, we think it does several important things.Sleep helps us conserve energy. When we sleep, our metabolic rate drops. We use about 35 percent less energy than we do when we’re awake.That doesn’t mean our body is at… See more

Here’s a little secret about your heart: Your ticker loves it when you sleep.Good, consistent sleep is great for our heart. Poor sleep, not so much.Sleep helps everything from our immune system to our mental health. But our heart also benefits.Let’s start with blood pressure. When we sleep, our… See more

Will the bird flu be the next pandemic? The answer is probably no. In fact, only one mild case has been found in humans in 2024.But that hasn’t stopped it from being front-page news.Yes, public health officials are on high alert: Bird flu has a high death rate. However, the rate of transmission to… See more

More than 50 percent of the world’s population relies on rice. It’s a staple in more than 100 countries because it’s affordable, convenient and versatile, lending itself to many different dishes and types of meals.Generally, rice is gluten-free, high in carbohydrates, with some fiber and protein… See more

It’s not news that eating junk food can raise the risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, gut health issues, heart health… See more

Joining a fitness center is probably the easiest, most convenient way to get a well-rounded workout. But exercisers sneeze, cough and breath hard (expelling airborne droplets of germs), leaving most gyms and studios teeming with bacteria and viruses. In fact, the average treadmill, exercise bike… See more

Metabolic syndrome is the term used to describe a cluster of risk factors – obesity (particularly excess abdominal fat), high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low good cholesterol (HDL), and insulin resistance -- that raise the risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes,… See more

If you have trouble sleeping, you’re not alone. Around 35% of adults have a sleep disorder. If you head to bed tired at night but can’t go to sleep — including not being able to fall asleep, restless sleep, waking up… See more

At the masters last year, plantar fasciitis sidelined Tiger Woods. But plantar fasciitis isn’t just an athlete’s problem. It’s a common problem that can develop in anyone, anytime of the year. However, many people are more susceptible to it during the warmer months as they participant in outdoor… See more