Healthy Eating

Zinc is an essential mineral that your body needs for immune function, wound healing, and cell growth. The best food sources of zinc are oysters, beef, crab, and other animal proteins, which contain a form of zinc your body absorbs easily. Plant foods like beans, nuts, and whole grains also contain zinc, but your body … Read more

C-reactive protein, often called CRP, is a protein your liver makes when your body has inflammation. A normal CRP test result is typically under 3 mg/L, and for most healthy adults, it is under 1 mg/L. This simple blood test measures the level of this protein to detect the presence of inflammation somewhere in the … Read more

The food pyramid that most Americans grew up with is gone. It was replaced in 2011 by a plate icon, and the science behind healthy eating has shifted significantly since the pyramid’s heyday. The pyramid was not exactly “upside down” in a literal sense, but the proportions and priorities it promoted have been substantially revised. … Read more

Protein shakes are a convenient way to get more protein, but how you use them matters more than most people realize. The basic answer: drink one within two hours after a workout to help recovery, and use about 20-40 grams of protein per serving depending on your body weight and goals. For weight loss, a … Read more

Yes, bad breath after a tooth extraction is normal and very common. It happens because a socket is an open wound in your mouth, and wounds naturally produce an odor as they heal. The smell is usually mild and temporary. However, there is a difference between normal healing odor and the foul smell of a … Read more

Your kidneys filter waste from your blood every minute of every day. Creatinine is one of those waste products. It comes from the normal breakdown of muscle tissue, and healthy kidneys remove it at a steady rate. A creatinine blood test measures how much of this waste is in your blood. Normal creatinine levels for … Read more

Most babies are ready to start solid foods at around 6 months of age. This is the age recommended by major health organizations because it aligns with key developmental milestones. At this point, most infants can hold their head up steadily, sit with support, and have lost the tongue-thrust reflex that pushes food out of … Read more

You have a glass of wine to unwind, and a few hours later your heart is racing and your mind is spinning with worry. This is not in your head. Alcohol directly changes brain chemistry in ways that can trigger anxiety, both while you are drinking and especially the next day. The effect is so … Read more

Protein prices in the United States have climbed sharply over the past few years, and the reasons go far beyond simple inflation. The core drivers are a mix of supply chain disruptions, disease outbreaks in livestock, rising production costs, and a sustained surge in consumer demand. While the pandemic triggered the initial shock, the structural … Read more

Fatty liver disease is one of the most common liver conditions in the United States, affecting roughly one in three adults. The good news is that the liver has a remarkable ability to repair itself when given the right conditions. Weight loss through diet and exercise is the most effective, evidence-based way to reduce liver … Read more