Daily Health News Blog

Think about protecting your vision, one of the vital five senses. Most Americans are health conscious when it comes to choosing foods, watching their calories and exercising, but few think about their eye health. That?s why the American Optometric Association started Save Your Vision Month way back in 1927. Professional eye care, through regular exams, they say is important at every age. * Foods. While shopping, think consciously about foods that are rich in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin (fatty acids essential for eye health, also available as supplements), vitamins C and E and the mineral zinc. Such foods include eggs, dark-colored greens, broccoli, corn, peas and brussels sprouts. * Family history. Be aware of any eye disease that runs in your family, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and others. Learn to recognize their symptoms, but don?t diagnose yourself if you experience any of them, because symptoms can be shared by seve

Did you know that at least half of the grains in your diet should be whole grains? For many adults, this means three to five servings of whole grains daily. (For children, make that two to three servings daily.) And yet the average American eats less than one serving of whole grains a day. In fact, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans reports that: Most Americans eat enough total grains, but the majority are refined rather than whole. And refined-grain foods tend to have more solid fats and added sugars. Less than 5 percent of Americans get the recommended minimum of three servings a day of whole grains. A serving is 1 slice bread; 1/2 cup cooked rice, pasta or cereal; 1 tortilla (6-inch diameter); 1 pancake (5-inch diameter) or 1 cup cereal flakes. This month is Whole Grains Month and the theme is "Whole grains at every meal." If you follow this theme, you'll meet the minimum recommendations. The best way to increase whole-grain intake is by replacing refin

I often tout the benefits of exercise. From reducing your risk of diabetes to helping you sleep better, exercise improves a wide array of medical conditions. Today, I am going to add one more thing to the already long list of ways exercise improves health. Many of my patients are surprised to learn that exercise can positively affect blood pressure in some surprising ways. If you currently have high blood pressure, or you are predisposed to this condition, you can use exercise to reduce or even eliminate your need for medication. The Connection Between Exercise and Blood Pressure Many people relate exercise solely to weight loss, but that is hardly its only benefit. When you are physically active, your muscles are trained to work more efficiently and become stronger. Your heart is a muscle, so as it grows stronger, it is able to pump blood with less effort. This reduces the force exerted on your arteries and lowers your blood pressure. Exercise also has a positive impact

In September, a widely publicized study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reported that organic foods are not more nutritious than conventional foods. This was not actually news, but rather reconfirms what we’ve said before about organic foods. The study—actually a review of more than 200 studies—is the most comprehensive to date. But there are other reasons to still buy organic foods, at least some of the time. The Stanford University researchers who conducted the review found no significant overall differences in nutrients between organic and conventional fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, eggs, milk and grains—or in people consuming them, such as in blood vitamin levels or immune markers. A few studies reported higher omega-3 fats in organic milk and chicken (minor sources, anyway, compared to fatty fish) and phenols in organic produce (what difference this makes to health is debatable). The study also confirmed that organic foods are not safer from bacterial c

Sleep is a foundation of good health. When I treat patients, I always emphasize the importance of sleep whether one is recovering from a common cold or from major surgery. Why is sleep so important? Your body requires 7 to 9 hours of rest every night in order to repair and renew all its systems. When you don’t get enough sleep, you feel irritable, lack energy and are less able to cope with stressors. You may have tried lifestyle modifications like spending an hour before bed relaxing and unwinding, getting more exercise, or giving up caffeine after 4 p.m. If sleep is still a problem, you might turn to sleep aids. While these prescription and over-the-counter medications can be helpful to many, there is the possibility of becoming dependent on these substances. What Sleep Aids Do Various sleep aids may be obtained by prescription from your doctor. They work by helping you fall asleep or by helping you stay asleep. The most popular brand name drugs like Lunesta, Rozerem, Sonata

Your feet take a pounding every day. With every step you take, they bear the weight of your whole body. Yet people are often shy about problems they have with their feet and toes. I see it all the time in my practice. For whatever reason, people think they should be embarrassed by their feet. In some cases, this might cause you to delay getting help with a problem you’re having with your feet. For example, many people silently suffer through  ingrown toenail  pain, unsure what they can do about it and reluctant to ask for help. If you find yourself living with an ingrown toenail, or if you get recurrent ingrown nails, there are things you can do that will help your feet. Imagine being able to slip your feet into your shoes without wincing. Imagine being able to go on a long walk with your spouse without that throbbing ache in your toe when you’re done. You can put an end to ingrown toenails. But first, let’s look at what causes them to start with. Understanding Why Ingrown To

Alzheimer’s disease affects over 13 million people worldwide. Many of my patients fear this most common form of dementia, and with good reason. The disease is not completely understood, and it is not possible to predict who will fall victim. With treatment costs for Alzheimer’s topping 100 billion dollars in the United States alone, the medical community is eager to unlock the mysteries of this disease. In my review of recent studies on Alzheimer’s, I found plenty of promising news. A handful of studies show that your eating habits in middle age can have an effect on your Alzheimer’s risk. Some of you may already be consuming the foods that researchers believe can ward off the disease, particularly antioxidant-rich fruits. Fruit: The Proven Alzheimer’s Foe Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease of the brain. Many scientists believe that plaque build up causes nerve cell damage from oxidative stress. This leads to the decrease in cognitive function that characterizes Alzheimer’