Modern research is constantly revealing more about the amazing world of the human microbiome and its implications on health. The microbiome is the community of “good” and “bad” tiny microorganisms that live in our skin and mucus membranes—including the gut and mouth. While many of these microbes are innocuous, some may be harmful to our health, and others we depend on to protect us from … [Read more...]
Today is the last day of Heart Health Month, but there is no less need for greater awareness. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men and women in the country. Yet according to a recent Heart Health Survey by Cleveland Clinic, 74 percent of Americans do not believe that they will die of heart disease. The survey also found that 32 percent are not doing anything to prevent heart … [Read more...]
A recent study published this Tuesday, Jan. 26, in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that number of women ages 25 to 39 developing metastatic breast cancer, the most advanced stage of cancer when it spreads to vital organs and threatens life, has tripled between 1976 and 2009. While the number of cases were still relatively small, these women had cancer that spread before they … [Read more...]
Focusing on nutrition and lifestyle, we know that the causes of the rise in obesity include the overconsumption of processed foods and sugar, too few nutrient-dense foods and too-large portion sizes, as well as stress, a sedentary lifestyle, sleep disturbances, not getting enough exercise, metabolic factors, and even environmental toxins. Now, a new study by researchers from Yale University School … [Read more...]
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than a third of U.S. adults are obese, driving a number of the leading causes of preventable death, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer. In addition to lack of proper physical activity and higher calorie intake of less nutrient dense foods, nutritionists have long suspected a causal relationship … [Read more...]
On Wednesday, the Connecticut Public Interest Research Group, (ConnPIRG), released the findings of its report Apples to Twinkies 2012, which showed that more of Connecticut taxpayer dollars go toward subsidizing junk food ingredients than fresh vegetables and fruits, like apples. At a gathering outside city hall in New Haven on Wednesday, the impact to taxpayers of funding junk food and the … [Read more...]
A plethora of studies have been published in recent months linking inadequate sleep to obesity, diabetes and stroke. Now, a recent review by the American Medical Association found research that suggests disruptions of the circadian rhythm due to nighttime light could also play a role in the risk of breast cancer, as well as of ovarian, prostate and colorectal cancers. The work of University of … [Read more...]
Hartford often gets a bad rap for crime, poverty and the quality of its education, but it recently received high praise for its level of health and fitness. Among the nation’s 50 fittest largest metropolitan areas, the Hartford area recently was ranked 5th. Only the San Francisco, Calif. Boston, Mass., Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis, Minn. areas ranked higher. The ACSM (American College of … [Read more...]
Ten metropolitan areas across the U.S. can stake claim to being the least obese in the nation for 2011. The Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Conn. metropolitan area is one of them, ranked second least obese with a rate of 14.5 percent. A recent report by Gallup identified the least and most obese metropolitan areas in the country. Among the 190 metro areas surveyed, Boulder, Colo. came in number one, … [Read more...]
by Renée Canada Few who consumed public school lunches in their distant childhood remember them being models of stellar nutrition, yet there was no pretense that they were. Friendly’s Sundae Cups were sold next to buttery mashed potatoes drenched in artery clogging gravy, wilted string beans and fatty, mystery meatloaf. Many of us played it safe by bringing a bag lunch every day. With the Obama … [Read more...]