Living Well Blog

Processed foods can be a double-edge sword. On one hand, they’re easy, convenient time savers. But they are often made with questionable ingredients, from high fructose corn syrup, excessive salt and added sugars.But there are many… See more

In 1942, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals introduced the first hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women going through menopause. Over the intervening decades, doctors have gone back and forth on the safety and efficacy of using… See more

It’s not news that heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for more than a century. And despite public health efforts to lower heart disease rates in the U.S., it continues to lead in mortality causes. In fact, within the next 30 years, heart disease and stroke rates will rise… See more

Many of us take active measures to control our exposure to germs. This includes carrying hand sanitizer, cleaning public spaces with antiseptic wipes and stocking our homes with antibacterial soap.During the COVID pandemic, these tactics were strongly encouraged and became common. Before 2020, some… See more

Summer 2023 was the hottest summer on record, according to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (more commonly known as NASA). And summer 2024 is on track to beat it.You’re probably aware that… See more

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