Whole Foods blazed the trail of the organic food movement 35 years ago with its first store in Austin, Texas. Over the decades, it has successfully convinced many Americans that going organic is worth the extra cost. Even as the earnings it reported this week disappointed Wall Street, the company "first and foremost, stands for the highest quality," co-CEO John Mackey told analysts. The organic industry grew to nearly $40 billion in U.S. sales last year, according to the Organic Trade Association. Demand has ballooned, and so have supplies, creating challenges for the USDA organic … [Read more...] about What Whole Foods’ ‘Responsibly Grown’ Label Really Means
How to get blood pressure down to 120
Doctors have long known that systolic blood pressure below 120 was considered normal and meant a lower risk of heart disease and kidney problems. But they would often only treat patients if that top number crept above 140, the threshold for officially having high blood pressure. Recent findings from a large National Institutes of Health study now suggest that it's worth treating patients in that prehypertension gray area of 120 to 140, in order to bring them down into the normal range. The findings, which have not yet been published and are still preliminary, found lower rates of … [Read more...] about How to get blood pressure down to 120
How Sick Is Too Sick to Exercise?
Tell fitness enthusiasts to sit still, and they'll scoff. Tell sick fitness enthusiasts to sit still, and their response will likely be the same. But should you really exercise when your body doesn't feel 100 percent? Medical professionals hear this question a lot and, with the flu season not too far away, it's a topic worth addressing. Most clinicians recommend that if your symptoms mirror a common cold without a fever – in other words, the illness remains above the neck – you can exercise moderately by doing activities like walking. The American Council on Exercise supports … [Read more...] about How Sick Is Too Sick to Exercise?
Americans spend the most on health care, but have the lowest life expectancies
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
High protein foods boost cardiovascular health, as much as quitting smoking or getting exercise
Eating foods rich in amino acids could be as good for your heart as stopping smoking or getting more exercise -- according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA). A new study published today reveals that people who eat high levels of certain amino acids found in meat and plant-based protein have lower blood pressure and arterial stiffness. And the magnitude of the association is similar to those previously reported for lifestyle risk factors including salt intake, physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking. Researchers investigated the effect of seven … [Read more...] about High protein foods boost cardiovascular health, as much as quitting smoking or getting exercise