From crooked to crowded teeth, children need braces for a variety of reasons, says KidsHealth. Because it’s so easy for food to get stuck in braces, children need to take extra steps to keep their teeth clean. To care for braces, KidsHealth encourages: Brushing after meals and flossing daily. Scheduling regular dental cleanings and checkups.… read on >
All Food:
Mummy’s Curse: Heart Disease Is an Ancient Scourge
Scientists are taking the wrappings off an age-old malady. Clogged arteries are a heart problem that’s dogged humanity for millennia, finds a new imaging study of mummies. Mummified arterial tissue shows evidence of cholesterol plaque buildup in people who lived anywhere from 2000 BC to 1000 AD, said lead researcher Dr. Mohammad Madjid. These weren’t… read on >
A Cool-Season Comfort Food Without Lots of Calories
If you’ve been relegating parsnips to the stock pot (their sweetness enhances both chicken and vegetable broth) or have been skipping over them altogether, you’re missing out on a hearty side-dish choice for fall evenings and winter holidays alike. Think of parsnips as a healthy comfort food, because cooking them brings out their naturally creamy… read on >
Can Your Eating Habits Keep Alzheimer’s at Bay?
When you hear the word diet, you might think only of weight loss. But a lifestyle diet can bring even greater benefits. One option that belongs on your radar is the MIND diet created by researchers at Rush University in Chicago. MIND stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. It’s a hybrid of those two… read on >
Overcoming Your Artichoke Anxiety
Love those artichoke appetizers you get at restaurants but stop in your tracks when you see them on display at the store? Yes, artichokes look intimidating, but once you know the secret of artichoke prep, you’ll look for opportunities to prepare them at home. Artichokes, a plant in the thistle family, are one of the… read on >
Just a Little Weight Loss Can Put Diabetes Into Remission
British researchers have good news for people with type 2 diabetes — you don’t need to lose a ton of weight to make a difference in your health. In fact, they found that losing just 10% of your body weight during the first five years you have the disease can lead to remission of type… read on >
Buffalo Cauliflower: A Better Bar Food
Love the taste of hot wings, but looking for something healthier? If you’re a fan of this game day favorite, you’ll go wild over Buffalo cauliflower. Making the simple swap from chicken wings to cauliflower gets more veggies into your diet and adds a world of nutrition. Cauliflower is a superfood rich in a long… read on >
Butter or Margarine? The Latest Round in a Long-Running Debate
Thanks to a federal ban on trans fats — commonly listed on labels as partially hydrogenated oils — margarine makers have taken steps to remove them from their ingredients. Does this mean margarine is once again a better choice than butter? Not necessarily. That’s in part because some studies have given the saturated fat in… read on >
Health Tip: Electric or Manual Toothbrushes
Both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective for brushing your teeth, says Mayo Clinic. For people with arthritis or other conditions that make brushing difficult, an electric toothbrush may be the better option. The bristle movement of an electric toothbrush may remove more plaque and help improve gum health. For those using an electric… read on >
Overweight Dog, Overweight Owner?
Most dogs and owners share an unbreakable emotional bond. But can they also share expanding waistlines? Yes, said Danish researchers, who found that Fido is twice as likely to be heavy or obese if his owner is as well. Why? “Based on our findings, it seems that the way owners give their dog treats is… read on >