Living Well Blog

Plant-based diets are credited with preventing, treating and even reversing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. For a dedicated omnivore, plant-based proteins probably don’t sound very appealing. Who wants to swap a T-bone steak for a mushroom-lentil loaf? But a… See more

High doses of vitamin D may quickly ease arterial stiffness in certain overweight, vitamin-deficient populations, according to a recent study conducted by the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Arterial stiffness can in crease your risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia… See more

Every so often I have a new patient and need to scour their medical record to prepare for their appointment. In all the years I’ve been practicing, I often notice that records are missing appropriate testing to assess risk of a heart attack. This also includes records from cardiology offices.Yes, I… See more

You may know that inflammation is an important aspect of health, but if you’re like most people, you don’t know exactly why. That’s understandable. Inflammation is a complex process. Sometimes inflammation is a good thing, like when you cut yourself shaving. Your body sends cells to the source… See more

You know too much sugar and artificial sweeteners are bad for you. Here are some tips to help you reduce their role on your diet:Become a label reader.
The best way to avoid added sugar and artificial sweeteners is to recognize the foods manufactures put them in. It also… See more

Artificial sweeteners are not as new as you might think. They date back to the 19th Century when saccharin was first discovered accidentally in 1879 by scientists doing an unrelated experiment. Since then, there has been debate across decades over the safety of artificial sweeteners.Fast forward… See more

If you think your diet soda habit of three, four, five or more cans every day helps keep your calorie intake down, think before you drink. Research shows that the sugar substitutes in beverages damage our diet and may be detrimental to our health. Studies have linked artificial sweeteners to an… See more

Added sugar is everywhere. It’s where you expect it – soft drinks, ice cream, cakes and cookies — and places where you might not — sports drinks, instant oatmeal, barbecue sauce and yogurt.Here’s a list of processed foods that probably contain more added sugar than you might expect:… See more

Don’t reach for a packet or box of sugar substitute for your coffee and cooking. Instead try these nature-made sweeteners. Unlike alternative sweeteners, in moderation they’ll sweeten your diet without damaging your health or sabotaging your weight management plan. Keep in mind, they do have carbs… See more

You probably crave salty food from time to time -- whether it’s crunchy potato chips or a slice of pizza. A wide range of variables can trigger a salt craving, throwing a monkey wrench into your diet. But there’s good news: Eating spicy foods can curb your salt cravings, according to a study… See more