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 published in Hypertension.

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.

Depending on factors including age, health conditions, lifestyle and whether you travel internationally, adults need immunization protection against these diseases.  

Nobody likes getting vaccines. But the conditions they protect against can be really nasty. Consider pertussis (also known as whooping cough). Although most people think of whooping cough as a disease affecting young children and infants, it can affect adults, causing pneumonia and hospitalization.

As the days shorten during the winter time, the longer spans of darkness may leave you feeling a little down, even gloomy. This is known as the “winter blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

What’s seasonal affective disorder? Psychology Today sums it up as a type form of episodic depression that affects people during specific times of the year and estimates that about 10 million Americans struggle with it.

Have you seen What the Health? It’s a Netflix vegan documentary that critiques the meat and dairy industries. I've gotten a lot of questions about it lately and I thought I’d share some of my insights.

Keep in mind that What the Health? is a movie produced to promote veganism. And like other movies, it doesn’t require the same level of “proof” that scientific publication needs to show before it’s published. 

For years high blood pressure was defined as a reading of 140/90 or higher. Now 130/80 or higher is considered high or hypertensive, according to new scientific guidelines released by the American Heart Association. Although 120/80 remains normal, systolic readings (top number) between 121 and 129 are now elevated. The American Heart Association graphic below summarizes the changes.

Giving the gift of health to your family and friends can be expensive. But this year, you can be a “Healthy Santa," with our list of wellness gift ideas that won’t break the bank.    

An Herb Mill is a thoughtful gift for someone who cooks or is trying to cut down on salt. Herb mills quickly and safely chop fresh herbs without bruising or crushing them. They’re easy to use, usually dishwasher safe and generally run between $10 and $20.

1. Extra virgin olive oil: 
Get in one to two tablespoons daily of cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil. (Why olive oil? Here are my reasons.)

If you pay attention to nutrition news, you’ve probably heard just about everything about eggs. The good, the bad and the half-boiled! Here’s the latest: Eggs aren’t the pariah they once were. 

In January 2020, the journal Circulation published a science advisory from American Heart Association Nutrition Committee that states eggs may be included as part of a healthy eating pattern.