Improving Health

How many of us have calendars with more “To Do's” and events than hours in the week? I know this is how my calendar appears more weeks than not. I feel myself trying to juggle my calendar, my spouse’s, and my kids. Add to that managing school assignments for children in this new blend of virtual and "in-person" schooling, socializing on the many web based platforms, and attending doctor appointments. I feel like I can’t catch my breath. Am I alone?

Don’t reach for the TUMS just yet, instead, sit tall and take a breath. Prolonged sitting and the notion of gripping or tightening the abs can create a hypervigilant compressive force on the pelvic floor contributing to tight hip flexors, a painful back, urinary stress incontinence, constipation, painful sex, and even heart burn. Pelvic floor dysfunction for men and women is does not just include weakness or laxity according to www.health.harvard.edu.

We have all heard the saying "two are better than one." It’s often used in reference to a team or some kind of support system, but have you ever thought about that phrase in reference to food?

If your New Year’s resolutions are beginning to fade as January turns to February, do not despair. We have some simple, plant-centered, nutrition hacks that will help you stay on your plan to eat healthy and nourish your heart - without breaking the bank!

Give comfort food a whole new meaning. Winter months call for a hearty soup that nourishes your body and soul. Try this delicious dish packed with nutrients featuring the ancient grain farro.

It’s probably safe to say that everyone is done with 2020. What a year it has been! Most people are welcoming 2021 with open arms and hoping for a better year ahead. For many, the new year comes with a newfound resolve to get healthy. This desire to reset habits may be more applicable than ever as we say goodbye to an unprecedented year of stress and uncertainty. Stress may have contributed to unhealthy coping strategies, like overeating, too much alcohol or smoking.

Marissa Beck, MS, RDN – Corporate RDN for CareATC at Nintendo Inc

A virtual holiday season might have felt odd a year ago, but after months of socially distanced birthdays, graduations, and celebrations, it seems par for the course. Whether gathering small or online, the holidays still come with indulgent traditions that can still be embraced and enjoyed, but they don’t have to disrupt a healthy lifestyle. Stay well physically and mentally this holiday season by implementing these six tips.

Prediabetes, a condition characterized by elevated blood sugar, is a precursor to diabetes. It affects 1 in 3 Americans, and more than 84% of those affected are unaware that they have the condition. (1) If gone undetected, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes and lead to many health complications in the body, affecting the heart, kidneys and blood vessels.

More than half of all cancers are preventable (1). What you eat matters and can impact your risk. Certain foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains and nuts can do a lot more for you than just deliver your basic nutrients. These foods are “functional foods,” meaning, they deliver health benefits that go beyond basic nutrition. Research suggests that these foods may help protect us against diseases like cancer. So make a point to include these stellar seven foods which can help you fight cancer with your fork!

The immune system is our body’s defense against germs, viruses, and other diseases. In many ways it functions much like our military. When a threat is identified, the troops are sent out to fight. It’s a complicated system with many parts that require several resources to keep it strong. Nutrition plays an important role in keeping the immune system strong and ready to fight. Here are five foods and a select list of healthy habits that have been shown to play an important part in our immune system.