This year marks 250 years of American independence. For two and a half centuries, we’ve celebrated the freedoms won by those who came before us. Every July 4th, we gather with family and friends, enjoy parades and fireworks, and reflect on what it means to be free. But while we celebrate freedom as a nation,…

There are forty-five million estimated contact lens wearers in the United States according to the CDC, and almost all of them practice at least one behavior that puts their eyes at risk. Contacts are very convenient. You don’t have to worry about them jiggling around on your face, falling or breaking when you’re going about…

When was the last time you cleaned your fridge and threw out all of the old, or questionable, food? If you’re like most people, it’s probably been a while. Deep cleaning the refrigerator is a task most people dread, which is why many of us don’t do it as often as we should. The average…

55% of Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis or low bone mass. That’s more than 40 million people! Osteoporosis is a condition that makes bones brittle, greatly increasing the risk of fractures. It is, therefore, no surprise that about 75% of hip, spine and forearm fractures occur in older adults, especially post-menopausal women….

The only thing worse than being in pain is being told that “it’s all in your head.” Sadly, people who suffer from chronic pain are often surrounded by family, friends and physicians who don’t believe they’re in pain. Since pain is invisible, it’s quite common for these people to appear “normal” even when in pain….

  Modern life is extremely demanding. More people that ever before are being stressed beyond their limits. We are working exceptionally long hours and putting extreme pressure on ourselves to succeed in all areas of our lives. Between work and family, there’s very little time left for self-care; and many of us are so physically…

There’s no shortage of nutrition experts who believe that late night snacking is bad for your health and causes weight gain. According to them, all late night snacks are a complete no-no, even healthy ones. On the flip side, some experts believe that late night snacking increases your metabolism and helps burn calories. To them,…

You’ve probably heard about the raw food diet, which involves eating mostly raw and unprocessed foods. Refined and pasteurized foods are completely out of the question, so the diet is made up of mostly fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts. Those who support this diet claim that the process of cooking food destroys enzymes and nutrients….

Most of us spend our workdays indoors under artificial lights in front of a computer screen. Then we go home and plop down in front of the TV continuing to bask in the glow of yet another screen. Unfortunately, so much time spent inside is having a negative effect on our physical and mental health….

There’s so much confusion surrounding dietary cholesterol. Some people believe it’s harmful and should be avoided at all costs, while others believe it’s totally fine. Cholesterol is essential for good health. The liver actually produces cholesterol, which aids in the production of essential hormones, bile and vitamin D. So, why does cholesterol get such a…

Millions of people suffer from chronic back pain. In fact, it’s the leading cause of disability among young Americans. Back pain doesn’t just happen; it’s usually triggered by certain things such as lifting heavy items, poor posture, extra weight, smoking, bad diet and fatigue. Overworking Your Back Muscles Why does your back hurt after a…

When people “quit sugar” they often switch to an artificial, calorie-free sweetener. Today, these sweeteners are widely used in soft drinks, chewing gum, candy, jellies, dairy products and many other foods and drinks. There are six FDA approved calorie-free sweeteners: acesulfame, aspartame, neotame, saccharin, Stevia and sucralose. Any product that is labelled “sugar free” or…