Living Well Blog

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

Sugar is toxic. No, it won’t kill in seconds like cyanide does, but it does kill—in a slow, insidious manner. Sugar is linked to a wide variety of conditions, including heart disease, the… 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

You’re sneezing, coughing and long for your bed. Is it a cold, which will probably clear up in a couple of days? Or is it the flu, which will sideline you for weeks?As many as 20 percent of Americans catch the flu annually, leading to about 200,000 hospitalizations and between 3,000… See more

The American diet is notorious for processed meals, salty foods and sugary drinks. In fact, more than 80 percent of Americans eat too many refined grains and sugars and not enough fruits and vegetables, according to an NPR poll conducted in 2016.Baby boomers are no exception. While they have been… See more

Travel Immunizations by Country

Check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website’s Traveler’s Health section for a complete A-Z of destinations and the required and recommended vaccinations needed by type of traveler – from… See more

Depending on factors including age, health conditions, lifestyle and whether you travel internationally, adults need immunization protection against these diseases.  Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) if you have not had a Tdap vaccineShingles (50 yrs. and older)Hepatitis B –… See more