Research-based articles on weight management, joint health, gut health, and natural wellness to help you make informed health decisions.
If you have diabetes or prediabetes, you have probably been told to eat more vegetables. That is good advice overall. But not all vegetables affect your blood sugar the same way. Some starchy vegetables can raise blood glucose as much as a slice of white bread. The vegetables that spike blood sugar most are starchy … Read more
Yes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause hair loss, but it is not a direct effect of the ovarian cysts themselves. The hair thinning is driven by the hormonal imbalances that come with PCOS, particularly elevated androgen levels. This type of hair loss, called female pattern hair loss or androgenic alopecia, is common in women … Read more
If you have pelvic pain and suspect endometriosis, you want answers fast. An ultrasound is often the first test a doctor orders. But does endometriosis show on an ultrasound? The short answer is yes, sometimes, but not always. A standard ultrasound cannot definitively rule out endometriosis. It is best at spotting ovarian cysts caused by … Read more
You notice a dark purple mark on your arm and have no idea where it came from. For many older adults, this happens all the time. The skin becomes thinner, blood vessels get more fragile, and even a light bump that you barely feel can leave a bruise that lasts for weeks. The good news … Read more
You get winded running up stairs. That might just mean you’re out of shape. But if your chest tightens, you cough, or you feel like you can’t catch your breath after a few minutes of exercise, it could be something else. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) — often called exercise-induced asthma — is real and underdiagnosed. Testing … Read more
High blood pressure affects nearly half of all adults in the United States. Most people are told they need medication to control it. That is not always true. Many people can lower their blood pressure significantly without ever filling a prescription. The key is knowing which lifestyle changes have real evidence behind them and which … Read more
You notice a small bubble on your skin that looks like a blister filled with clear fluid. These water bubbles, or vesicles, form when the top layer of skin separates from the layers below and fills with fluid. The most common causes include friction, burns, allergic reactions, and viral infections like herpes or chickenpox. Understanding … Read more
Blood sugar is the main sugar found in your blood. It comes from the food you eat and is your body’s primary energy source. A normal blood sugar level for most adults without diabetes is below 100 mg/dL when fasting and under 140 mg/dL two hours after eating. These numbers are not random guesses. They … Read more
Every cell in your body needs oxygen to make energy. Without a steady supply, your organs would stop working in minutes. The process of getting oxygen from the air you breathe all the way to your tissues is a remarkable chain of events. It starts in your lungs, moves through your bloodstream, and ends deep … Read more
Lipids are fats that your body and skin need to function. The body uses them for energy, cell structure, and hormone production. The skin relies on them for its barrier, which keeps moisture in and irritants out. Things that remove or deplete these lipids include harsh cleansers, certain medications, health conditions, and natural aging. On … Read more