Improving Health

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3 Good Mood Foods to Try at Home

Posted by Heather Leger, MS, RD, LD on June 2, 2022


Food can be medicine for your brain health.  Although food should not replace a medication prescribed to treat your mental health condition, it can be used as part of a balanced, multi-faceted treatment plan.  Read on to learn more about certain foods can improve your mood.

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Best Ways to Beat High Blood Pressure

Posted by Jessica Walker on May 2, 2022


Facts:

  • 47% of American adults have high blood pressure
  • Only 1 in 4 adults diagnosed with high blood pressure have it under control
  • High blood pressure puts you at risk of heart disease and stroke
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What Triggers IBS and How to Prevent It

Posted by Katrina Christianson on April 1, 2022


Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habit in the absence of a specific and unique organic pathology. Since treatment is complicated, it’s important to work with your doctor and a dietitian.

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Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy

Posted by Jill Berg, R.N. on March 1, 2022


Facts:

  • 1 in 3 Americans are at risk for Kidney Disease
  • 37 M American adults currently have Kidney Disease…and many do not know it (Nat’l Kidney Foundation)
  • Kidney diseases are a leading cause of death in the United States. (CDC)
  • In the United States, diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure, representing about 3 out of 4 new cases. (CDC)
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Inflammation: Is Your Diet Putting You at Risk?

Posted by Sarah McDougal on January 31, 2022


For many, the word “inflammation” conjures an image of a swollen body part or injury, but there is inflammation that occurs within the body that you cannot see. Many common diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and even certain cancers, are precipitated by or accompanied by chronic low-grade inflammation.

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Is Your Thyroid Functioning Properly?

Posted by Katrina Christianson on December 29, 2021


Have you been feeling unusually cold? Have unexplained hair loss? Extreme fatigue and lacking energy? These signs and symptoms may indicate your thyroid isn’t functioning properly.

The thyroid gland plays a critical role in your health by producing certain hormones. Problems can develop when this gland isn’t functioning correctly. Disease can develop in men and women and can occur from birth until advanced age. Risk factors for developing thyroid problems include genetics, gender (women), age, and having an autoimmune disease, Turner syndrome, celiac disease, Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, lupus, pernicious anemia, thyroid cancer, or thyroid radiation.

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Blood Donation

Posted by Sarah McDougal on December 1, 2021


National blood donation awareness month is coming!

Since 1970, January has been recognized as National Blood Donation Awareness Month. The combination of recovering from the holiday rush, unpleasant weather, and seasonal illnesses has a strong negative impact on donations and blood drives. In this article, you will learn why blood donation is necessary, how to donate, and how to maintain adequate iron stores when donating.

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The Healing Benefits of Deep Breathing

Posted by Sarah McDougal on November 3, 2021


“For breath is life, so if you breathe well, you will live long on earth.” - Sanskrit Proverb

You take 25,000 breaths every day. While these breaths don’t require conscious effort or thought, the way you breathe impacts everything from your psychological well-being to your physical health.

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Cancer Awareness

Posted by Sarah McDougal on October 1, 2021


Next month is family health history month – a perfect time to discuss health history with your relatives! While discussing health and disease may not be a typical dinnertime conversation for you, arming each other with the power of knowledge can have huge impacts on your whole family’s health. Your family health history includes any chronic disease or condition suffered by blood relatives such as parents, siblings, grandparents, and your parents’ siblings. Specific conditions to note can include diabetes, cancer, heart disease, psychological disorders, kidney disease, and gastrointestinal disorders.

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Food Safety

Posted by Sarah McDougal on September 1, 2021


To Eat or Not to Eat … Organic!
Have you ever stood in the produce section at the grocery store, wondering if those organic blueberries are really worth the extra $2? If so, you’re not alone. Many consumers have questions about organic foods. Others just have general concerns about the presence of pesticides in our food, or the health impact of genetically modified foods (GMO’s).

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