Dec 18th, 2024 - Seed oils are making headlines, prompting fears around whether they can negatively affect your health.  Earlier this week, a study published in the journal Gut led to headlines likening seed oils to colon cancer fuel — but already some experts have said the headlines are misleading .  For a fuller picture of seed oils, here's what to know.  What are seed oils? Unlike other vegetable oils, which are derived from the fruit of a plant, seed oils are derived from the seed of a plant. For example, sunflower oil is made from sunflower seeds, making it a seed oil, whereas ... [Read More]

Dec 17th, 2024 - LIFE CAN GET in the way of your goals, particularly when it comes to fitness. Kids need raising, work gets busy, and all of a sudden, you realize you don't remember the last time you saw the inside of a gym. The struggle is real—and when you come to this type of crossroads, you're stuck with a difficult question: How can you get back into working out? This quandary can be especially frustrating for those of us who have fallen off the workout wagon. You're not exactly a beginner; you knew your way around a gym back in the day. It's just been a little since you've pushed any weights ... [Read More]

Dec 16th, 2024 - Can you reach down and touch your toes without bending your knees? Can you reach both arms overhead? If these sound like a struggle, you may be lacking flexibility. Flexibility is the ability to move a joint to through its full range of motion . It helps you perform most sporting activities and may prevent muscle injuries . And because most daily activities require a certain amount of flexibility (like bending down or twisting), it will help you maintain functional independence as you age. Although there are many types of stretching , static stretching is the most common . It involves ... [Read More]

Dec 16th, 2024 - Discover how a nutrient-packed breakfast, balanced in calories, can transform cardiometabolic health and reduce risks for heart and kidney issues in aging adults. Study:  Breakfast energy intake and dietary quality and trajectories of cardiometabolic risk factors in older adults. In a recent article published in The Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging , researchers investigated the impact of diet quality and energy intake during breakfast on cardiometabolic health among older adults. Both high- and low-energy breakfasts and low-quality breakfasts were found to increase triglyceride ... [Read More]

Dec 16th, 2024 - On a cold morning, a hot breakfast is a cozy way to start the day. But the time to prepare one isn't always available. Oatmeal and cereal-to-go cups allow for the best of both worlds — steamy breakfast in a matter of minutes. In addition, starting the day with oatmeal can fuel your morning with a head start on your daily fiber, protein, antioxidants, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Oats are often considered one of the original superfoods. They contain a unique fiber called beta-glucan. This fiber can help prevent blood sugar from rising after meals, lower total cholesterol and ... [Read More]

Dec 16th, 2024 - Starting a walking routine is simple because it requires so little: comfortable, supportive walking shoes and your own two feet. Unlike gym workouts, the initial expense is small and the schedule is flexible. "Walking's a great way to work out because we can integrate it into our daily lives," said  , an assistant professor in the department of kinesiology and Institute for Applied Life Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. "And if you can just fit it around your house or within your neighborhood, it's one of the most convenient options," Paluch said. 1. Walking benefits ... [Read More]

Dec 16th, 2024 - While high-intensity interval training ( HIIT ) has been all the rage in recent years, some people are now opting for "steady-state" cardio, like jogging. "While HIIT remains a powerful tool for those looking to improve performance, burn fat, or build strength, steady-state cardio is gaining popularity due to its lower intensity, easier recovery, mental health benefits, and sustainable long-term approach," said Ashlyn Muraco, exercise in medicine (EIM) specialist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. "It allows individuals to work out consistently without burning out, making it ... [Read More]

Dec 16th, 2024 - Most people don't need to consume this supplement, experts say, but it can be useful in certain situations. On TikTok, influencers tout protein powder as key to building muscle and nourishing their bodies — all in a quick, convenient scoop added to coffee or a smoothie. There's no question that protein is essential for making muscles, strengthening bones and maintaining your immune system, digestion and hormone levels. But most protein powders are considered dietary supplements, which raises the question: Do you really need a supplement to get enough protein? And if you do, what kind ... [Read More]