Lifestyle and Wellness
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53 articles in Lifestyle and Wellness
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53 articles in Lifestyle and Wellness
Transforming Our Food System to Combat Chronic Disease: Strategies for Health and Sustainability
The Global Burden of Chronic Disease Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer, have become a global epidemic. According to a recent study, the Global Burden of Disease Study, which examined populations in 195 countries over a 27-year period, 11 million people die every year from eating too much of the wrong…
Reimagining Our Food System to Heal Health, Economy, Climate, and Society
The Heavy Burden of Ultra-Processed Foods Over the past several decades, the modern industrial food system has promoted the proliferation of addictive yet nutritionless ultra-processed foods high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and inflammatory vegetable oils. These foods now make up a staggering 60% of the average American's daily caloric intake. Evidence clearly links high…
Optimizing Sleep for Better Health
The Importance of Quality Sleep Getting enough good quality sleep is absolutely vital for overall health and well-being. Yet many people do not prioritize sleep, instead seeing it as something to sacrifice. Sleep experts stress that sleep should be viewed as the foundation for good health rather than an optional extra. Numerous studies demonstrate that…
The Intricacies of Heart Rate Variability and Alcohol
Understanding Heart Rate Variability Heart rate variability (HRV) refers to subtle variations in the time intervals between heartbeats. It is typically measured in milliseconds using an electrocardiogram (EKG) or other chest-based heart rate monitor. HRV provides insight into the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic system controls…
Optimizing Health and Performance through Proper Hydration
The Body's Water Compartments Water makes up around 60% of the human body by weight in adults. This water is divided into fluid inside cells, called intracellular fluid, and fluid outside cells, called extracellular fluid. Intracellular fluid accounts for about 40% of total body water. This is the fluid within the body's tens of trillions…
The Science Behind Elite Cycling Performance
Assessing Capabilities Through Physiological Testing Understanding the physiology of professional cyclists provides insight into the extreme capabilities of elite human performance. Critical metrics like lactate levels and watts per kilogram output at threshold power quantitatively demonstrate overall fitness and race readiness. Measuring blood lactate levels across a range of power outputs categorizes a rider's…
Preventing and Managing Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Why ASCVD Matters Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the number one cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for over 18 million deaths per year. It is incredibly common, affecting a staggering number of people to some degree over their lifetimes. Alarmingly, ASCVD does not just impact the elderly – over 50% of men and 33% of…
Navigating Common Plastic Surgery Procedures and Risks
Understanding the Differences Between Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons and Other Physicians Up to 95% of cosmetic procedures in the United States are performed by non-plastic surgeons. This poses considerable risks, as physicians without formal training in plastic surgery may not have the requisite knowledge or experience to perform complex procedures safely. Vetting a surgeon's credentials is…
Unraveling the Complex Web of Metabolic Health
The Elusive Nature of Insulin Resistance Defining insulin resistance precisely has proven difficult, with significant debate around diagnostic criteria. The reality is that there are likely multiple phenotypes of metabolic dysregulation, driven by an intricate web of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. For some, carrying excess weight appears protective, while others develop concerning metabolic abnormalities…
Understanding Blood Pressure: Definitions, Risks, and How to Optimize Yours
What is Blood Pressure and How is it Measured? Blood pressure refers to the force that blood exerts on the walls of arteries as it is pumped from the heart throughout the body. It has two components – systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and…
A Path to Emotional Balance: Understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy
The Origins of DBT Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed in the 1970s and 80s by psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan, who struggled with severe mental health issues herself as a teenager. DBT builds on the techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by incorporating a focus on dialectics – recognizing inherent tensions and seeking balance between…
Improving Cardiovascular Health and Slowing the Aging Process Through Lifestyle, Diagnostics, and Emerging Science
Introducing a Renowned Preventative Cardiologist Dr. Ethan Weiss, a prominent cardiologist focused on prevention, joins the show. Weiss trained at prestigious institutions like Johns Hopkins for medical school and residency before a fellowship at UCSF, where he still practices. His lifelong immersion in medicine stems from his father, also a longtime cardiologist. Originally intent on…