8 Ways to Increase HDL Cholesterol
There are two main types of cholesterol in the body: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. HDL is often called the “good” cholesterol because it helps move LDL (or “bad” cholesterol) away from the arteries — where it can build up and cause a heart attack or stroke — and to the liver, where it gets...
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services — Now What?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a leading voice of the Make American Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, was confirmed today by the Senate to serve as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the second Trump administration.As HHS secretary, the nation’s top health job, Kennedy will have the ability to steer the direction of medical research for...
Key Diet Tips for Managing Polycythemia Vera
The ongoing treatments for polycythemia vera (PV) can sometimes interfere with appetite. But if you’re getting regular blood withdrawals or undergoing chemotherapy, there’s no understating the importance of eating a healthy diet.In particular, “Eating a well-balanced, Mediterranean-based diet” can help minimize some of the complications from PV, says Stacy Morig, RD, an oncology dietitian with Dartmouth Cancer Center in...
4 Ways Polycythemia Vera Can Affect Your Quality of Life — and What You Can Do About It
Just like any chronic health condition, polycythemia vera (PV) can have a negative impact on your everyday life. Research has shown that PV is associated with a lower quality of life in measures, including health, cognitive, emotional, and physical functioning.Symptoms such as fatigue, itchy skin, and mental health issues can make it difficult to function, but they can be...
Diabetes and Sweating
Diabetes-related excess sweating can also be managed or prevented with good diabetes management.Monitor Your Glucose Levels“The most important way to help reduce nerve damage that’s causing the excessive sweating is to understand your glucose levels, especially if they are staying above your personalized target range or goal,” says Shetal Desai Rautela, RDN, CDCES, a diabetes coach in private practice.If...
Can Tea Boost Your Immune System? 5 Teas Linked to Stronger Immunity
The bulk of tea’s immunity-boosting and overall health benefits are tied to a group of antioxidants known as polyphenols. “A significant amount of epidemiological data has shown that a diet rich in polyphenols is protective against chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes,” says Megan Meyer, PhD, the Durham, North Carolina–based senior director of science...
Unplanned Weight Loss May Signal Later Dementia Risk
“While intentional weight loss can be beneficial for health, unintentional weight loss, especially in older adults, may reflect underlying neurodegeneration or other health conditions,” says lead study author Zimu Wu, PhD, a research fellow at Monash University in Australia.Brain changes that start years before dementia symptoms appear may affect metabolism, appetite, mobility, and daily function, Dr. Wu says. All...
What Are Net Carbs and Should I Count Them?
Both dietary fiber and sugar alcohols are thought to have little or no impact on blood sugar, which is why those numbers aren’t included in a net carb count.FiberDietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the human body does not digest. It’s considered extremely healthy, and is mainly found in fruit, grains, legumes, and vegetables, especially when they...
NIH Spending Cuts on ‘Indirect Costs’ Could Halt Lifesaving Research
A push by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to slash funding for “indirect” research costs like lab equipment and computers could delay or end lifesaving medical studies all over the country, scientists say.“These funds keep the lights on — literally and figuratively,” says Harlan Krumholz, MD, a professor and the director of the Center for Outcomes Research and...
Ankylosing Spondylitis: Manage Heart Disease Risk
Ankylosing spondylitis is characterized by inflammation in certain joints, mainly the sacroiliac joints (where the spine attaches to the pelvis), the spine, and the hips. This inflammation causes symptoms such as low back pain and stiffness.The same inflammation that causes this pain may also be responsible for the elevated heart risks seen in people with AS. Specifically, the inflammation...
