Our interest in plant-based diets goes way back. Buddhism’s beginnings in the 5th Century BCE extolled the benefits of a vegetarian diet. In Ancient Greece, the philosopher Pythagoras advocated for a plant-based diet, proselytizing about the immorality of slaughtering animals and its health benefits.

All about hearing health

Fifteen percent of Americans suffer from some kind of hearing loss, the risk of which increases with age and has been linked to dementia, diabetes and heart health. Not hearing well can have a broad detrimental impact on overall health. People suffering from auditory loss not only struggle to hear, but they can also experience health issues including vertigo, communication difficulties, increased emotional and mental health issues and a decline in social skills and self-esteem.

Understanding Menopause 

Menopause is the biological process marking the natural decline of reproductive hormones that ends a woman’s menstrual cycles and prime fertility years for having children. It signals the time when the ovaries lose follicular function, which is the ability to release eggs. 

Spring has sprung, and I have sprung into action. Okay, that was a weak pun — forgive me, I’m excited. This is my favorite season because it means I can get out of the stuffy gym and get into the fresh air. You probably already know that regular exercise is crucial for our overall health and wellness.

When you think of summer, do you picture vacations, barbecues, outdoor fun and sunshine? I know I do.

Sunshine, in particular, has many benefits for our physical and mental health. Among other things, the sun enables our bodies to produce vitamin D (which improves the strength and overall health of our bones and helps our immune system fight off infections) and promotes good mental health by naturally boosting serotonin levels. For humans, the sun is a crucial part of maintaining our health and wellness.

Lately, there’s been a lot of media coverage about dengue fever, a mosquito-transmitted virus. Every summer there’s an uptick in this virus, mostly in tropical areas, but this year is different. On any given year, dengue infects about 400 million people worldwide, of which 100 million become ill and 21,000 die. However, this year, there’s already been twice as many cases reported as last year -- and we’re only halfway through the year.

Menopause is a significant psychological and physiological transition in a woman’s life. As women go through perimenopause, they can experience hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, mood swings and insomnia. And while many women expect the typical signs and symptoms of perimenopause, they don’t anticipate higher cholesterol levels, especially when they’re eating healthy and exercising regularly.

Currently, glaucoma affects around 3 million people in the U.S., but the number is expected to rise as the population ages. In fact, experts warn of a potential blindness epidemic if we don’t raise awareness of this disease. Glaucoma has no cure; however, early detection and careful monitoring can prevent significant vision loss.

Most of us slow down as we age. We schedule fewer activities, relax more and get more rest. After raising children and retiring from careers, taking it easy can be a welcomed change. But slowing down also can be more literal like walking at a slower pace. This type of slowing down suggests your body is aging.

“How long it takes us to walk a specific distance on a level surface is an indicator of your overall health and life expectancy,” says Bernard Kaminetsky, MD, medical director, MDVIP. “Technically, it’s called gait speed and it’s often included in the MDVIP Wellness Program.”

We all know we’re supposed to “eat healthy.” But what the heck does that even mean? Ask five different people and you’ll get five different answers: paleo, keto, vegan, Mediterranean, low carb. Which is the “correct” diet?