When you think of dieting, do you automatically think of calories? Reducing them, counting them, recording them, obsessing over them… News flash: A new study published yesterday in JAMA (Journal of American Medicine) supports the idea that diet quality, not quantity, is what helps people lose and manage their weight in the long run. The study found that people who cut back on added sugar, refined grains and highly processed foods while concentrating on eating plenty of vegetables and whole foods — instead of counting calories or limiting portion sizes — lost significant amounts of weight over the course of a year. These exciting findings also suggest that health authorities stop pushing ca
Did you know that 80% of cardiovascular disease can be prevented and managed by living a healthy lifestyle? That includes those of us who have grim genetic risk factors. In fact, by “living right” (exercising moderately, eating a healthy diet heavy in fruits, vegetables and grains, and not smoking) people can tamp down even the worst genetic risk. Our DNA is not our destiny. It’s Valentine’s Day (and National Heart Health month), so it only seems appropriate to lavish a bit more love on our hearts. Below are a few pleasant, lesser-known things that you can do to boost your heart health. And — to be honest — I included one that isn’t as pleasant as it is important. Take a Forest Bath The
It’s February. Also known as National Heart Health Month. In honor of Heart Health Month, let’s give our heart some extra love. You know, the kind of love that comes from eating good-for-you food. Heart Health Month was first proclaimed back in 1964 by Lyndon B. Johnson in order to raise awareness of the number one killer of Americans at that time: Heart disease. And guess what? Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States. While it’s disappointing that we’re still battling these same demons, it’s important to understand that most forms of heart disease can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices and managing existing health conditions. In the spi
