When it comes to weight loss, I see it all the time. Frustration — especially when one of my patients works hard and sacrifices only to end up staring at the same number on the scale. They count calories, change their diet and increase their exercise but don’t lose weight.  

It’s frustrating for them, and it’s frustrating for me. I know how hard it is and also how important reaching a healthy weight can be for their health.  

Back pain is a major public health issue and one of the most frequent complaints to doctors. About16 million Americans struggle with chronic back pain and another nearly 65 million people report recent back pain.  

Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, according to a report from the American Heart Association. High blood pressure stiffens the arteries, decreasing the flow of oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the heart, raising the risk of heart disease and dementia.  

Do you take a multivitamin? What about supplements or protein powders? B12? Fish oil? Vitamin D?
Most importantly: Does your doctor know what you take?

For more than a century, scientists and doctors have known the role that certain substances play in our body and how those substances, which mostly come from foods we eat, can help prevent disease and keep us healthy. When a Polish scientist coined the term “vitamins” (short for vital amines, a kind of organic compound), he was looking to combat diseases of nutritional deficiency like rickets and pellagra.

There was a time – especially in the 1980s – where antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E were popular. Scientists thought these nutrients might be the key to lowering cancer and heart disease risks.

Unfortunately, the research didn’t pan out — and higher doses of these supplements led to problems for consumers in these studies. Vitamin A was linked to an increased risk of hip fractures and prostate cancer. Higher doses of vitamin E also increased prostate cancer risk as well as heart disease, respiratory infection and overall mortality risk. 

Red meat has consistently had a bad rap. Research has shown high consumption can lead to heart disease and some cancers. But that’s the issue: a typical American diet includes too much red meat. 

Lean red meat eaten in moderation and cooked healthily can have a place on your plate, especially as it provides heme iron, which is vital for hormone production and oxygen transportation.

Have you ever stopped in the grocery aisle to contemplate whether something you were about to buy was healthy? A lot of the foods we love have gotten bad raps over the years from research. They may contain ingredients that contribute to chronic conditions from diabetes to dementia to heart disease and some cancers.

Over the years, red meat, salt, eggs, bread, potatoes, peanut butter, coffee and dairy have all been on the ‘don’t eat’ list when it comes to a healthy diet. But has science got it wrong? The answer is yes … and no. Research is increasingly pointing to the benefits of these and other ‘unhealthy’ foods demonized over decades as bad for us due to the increased risk of chronic disease when overindulged. 

While many of the medical elements of Alzheimer’s disease remain a mystery for researchers, it’s increasingly obvious that lifestyle choices heavily influence our risk for this debilitating disease.  

Knee pain can interfere with your ability to move, workout and perform daily activities. It also can affect your overall quality of life. While therapies are available to manage and treat knee pain, some of the most effective ways to address arthritis-related knee pain and stiffness are knee braces, hydrotherapy and exercise, according to a study published in PLOS One.