Green bananas: a diabetes-friendly snack

Bananas are one of the most popular fruits around. In fact, they seem to be America’s favorite fruit, according to the USDA. The average American eats 27 pounds of bananas a year, and it’s no wonder! They're high in potassium, dietary fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins B6 and C. But what you may not know about bananas is that you don't have to wait for them to turn yellow to enjoy them.

Reasons your blood pressure reading may be off

Have you ever been in a situation where your blood pressure reading sounds way higher than you expected? Something seems off, but after multiple measurements, it seems obvious the numbers aren't budging. You go fill a prescription and faithfully take meds for a condition you’re still not entirely convinced you have. But hey – the numbers don’t lie, right? Wrong.

Read my lipids: Prostate cancer risk greater with high cholesterol, triglycerides

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among American men. This year, approximately 233,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 29,480 will die from it. It is estimated that prostate cancer affects 1 in 7 men – so how can you be more proactive?

Burdock: A soother, purifier, free radical fighter all in one?

Often known as an herbal detox remedy in alternative medicine, burdock is in the daisy plant family and grows as a weed in the United States and several other countries. In Japan and some parts of Europe, burdock is eaten as a vegetable.

Slow and steady wins the race! Losing weight too fast can be dangerous

If you’ve watched certain TV shows, then you’ve seen some pretty astronomical weight loss numbers, with many contestants dropping upwards of 10 pounds a week! Or perhaps you’ve witnessed pretty dramatic weight loss in real life -- that aunt who looks unrecognizable at the family reunion after following a rigorous diet, or that co-worker who found his stride at the gym and seems noticeably thinner each week. They might look better, feel better, and think they’re getting healthier. But did you know that if you lose weight too quickly, you may actually be putting your health in jeopardy?

What you can learn about ‘love hormones’ from a prairie vole

Are humans like prairie voles? Yes, according to scientists at Florida State University. Prairie voles share with humans a pair bond, or “a stable relationship between a breeding pair of animals that share common territory and parental duties.” These animals go “steady” only six hours after mating. Even without sex, they pair up after 24 hours of living together! They protect each other from strangers, and avoid mating with amorous new prairie voles. What’s more, they are together for life.

Put trans fat on your naughty list

Trans fat – Your taste buds may love it, but your heart and blood vessels don’t. So what are trans fats? Trans fats form when ordinary vegetable oil is hardened by treatment with hydrogen at high temperatures and pressures. They give foods a desirable taste and texture, and oils with trans fats can be used many times in a commercial fryer. As a result, trans fats are often used because they are cheap and last a long time.

What you need to know about Crohn's disease

In a group of diseases known as inflammatory bowel diseases, which includes ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease distinguishes itself by its autoimmune attack on the full thickness of the intestine. That is, the body turns against its own delicate tissues, resulting in bleeding, swelling, abscesses, fistulas (abnormal connections between internal organs), perforations and more.

A dangerous link: Toxic chemicals and depression

Depression is a serious mental illness associated with decreased work productivity, greater risk of suicide and physical health conditions such as heart disease and low thyroid functioning. An estimated 1 in 10 U.S. adults suffers from depression, and no one knows what exactly causes it, with theories ranging from biochemical imbalance, to stress, to genetic predisposition.

Are cancer-causing chemicals lurking in your toothpaste and soaps?

A chemical that has been linked to cancer cell growth is being used by millions of Americans in toothpaste every day. It’s called triclosan, and it is an FDA-approved antibacterial ingredient. Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antibacterial antifungal agent that is added to many cosmetics and personal care products, including some toothpastes, soaps and cosmetics. But should you be worried?

Does eating breakfast really help control your weight?

It may seem like skipping a meal would help you lose weight, but it turns out the opposite is true. Eating breakfast actually helps with weight loss and long-term weight management. Eating breakfast is a daily habit for members of the National Weight Control Registry. These people have maintained a 30-pound (or more) weight loss for at least a year, and some as long as six years. 78 percent of them ate breakfast every day, and almost 90 percent said they ate it at least five days a week, showing that starting your day with breakfast may be an important part of losing weight and keeping it off.

Simple tips for managing diabetes at work

If you have diabetes, you know it can seem like you have two jobs — your regular one, and all your duties managing medications and blood sugars, not to mention doctor’s appointments. But your paid work might be causing you to take two steps forward and one step back in your diabetes care. Think about it. How often have the following scenarios applied to you?

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