Did you know that Americans are spending more on health care than any other industrialized nation? While this may not be a surprise to all people, what is a surprise is that simultaneously Americans also have one of the lowest life expectancies. In 2014, health care spending hit $3.8 trillion. The average life expectancy for an American is about 79 years old. This is much greater than ever before, when the life expectancy used to be about 60 years old. The life expectancy for people living in Japan is 83, for people living in Western Europe is 82, and for people living in Great … [Read more...] about Americans spend the most on health care, but have the lowest life expectancies
Fixing women’s fitness: Strength training for a healthier body image
Look at the fitness section of any magazine rack and you'll find men's publications splashed with words like "get more" and "gain" and "build," while women's magazines feature directives like "fix" and "slim" and "lose" and "tone." Notice the difference? My interpretation is that, if I don't look like the ultra-thin or impossibly curvy Photoshopped cover model, I am somehow broken, overweight or flabby -- requiring "fixing." This may seem extreme, but countless studies point to the media's impact on body image for women. n 2008, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison … [Read more...] about Fixing women’s fitness: Strength training for a healthier body image
How to end your sugar addiction
It's 3 p.m., and the sugar cravings are relentless. I've tried satisfying them with a handful of fresh blueberries and some chocolate-covered espresso beans that I found in the back of my desk drawer. But I'm still struggling not to sabotage my withdrawal progress with a chocolate shake from In-N-Out Burger. I fantasize about the sugar hitting my bloodstream and soothing my nerves. Instead, I stand in my pantry brainstorming possible alternatives: A pinch of coconut. A spoonful of raspberry jam. A swig of maple syrup. I'm in really bad shape. We all know about the negative effects of sugar. … [Read more...] about How to end your sugar addiction
Pass the Butter and Pour on the Olive Oil, Experts Say
People who lay off butter and cheese and pour olive oil onto their salads instead live longer and lower their risk of heart disease, researchers reported Monday. It's one of the longest and most detailed studies yet about what, precisely, to substitute for artery-clogging fats and the answers are clear: although most Americans substitute sugary treats and white bread, the better path is to go for vegetable oils and whole grains. While the advice is nothing new, this study done by the Harvard School of Public Health puts numbers on it. It doesn't take much to cut the damage done by … [Read more...] about Pass the Butter and Pour on the Olive Oil, Experts Say