For some, summer marks the season for showing off all the exercise and healthy choices they’ve committed to this year. On the other hand, for many others, the season can represent an ongoing struggle to reach their fitness goals. There are many variables involved in weight loss, muscle gain and overall physical health: lifestyle choices, age, hormones, genes, thyroid issues, … [Read more...]
Why we need sunshine.
Many of us enjoy sunshine. Most public health messages of the past century have focused on the hazards of too much sun exposure. UVA radiation (95–97% of the UVR that reaches Earth’s surface) penetrates deeply into the skin, where it can contribute to skin cancer indirectly via generation of DNA-damaging molecules such as hydroxyl and oxygen radicals. Sunburn is caused by too … [Read more...]
Could a Gluten-Free Diet Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes?
An old proverb attributed to Benjamin Franklin holds that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When applied to chronic disease, prevention is far more desirable than the “cures” offered by contemporary medicine. In the case of diabetes, that standard may be attainable. The prevalence of diabetes has skyrocketed in recent decades. Consider the following: An … [Read more...]
The Truth About Gluten
If you were a visitor from another planet who wandered into a modern-day supermarket, you'd eventually wonder about this weird substance called gluten - and why everyone seems to be avoiding it. After all, the label "gluten-free" is everywhere. Annual sales of gluten-free products are estimated to be $20 billion. and that number is expected to continue to grow. What Is … [Read more...]
The Best Diet Type?
Robb Wolf was the son of perpetually sick parents, both of whom suffered numerous health problems. "From an early age, I was steeped in ‘fun' things like gallbladder surgeries, high triglycerides, pacemakers, asthma, emphysema, and arthritis," he writes. "Memories of my parents include a dizzying combination of medical worries, doctor visits, and medications." Like many … [Read more...]