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Food shortcuts for busy nights

On busy nights, a quick, healthy dinner can be pulled together from convenience items from the local grocery store.  Precooked protein, vegetarian foods from the freezer section, and quick-cooking seafood and grains are some options to try.  The best options are those without added sauces, and that are low in sodium and added sugar. Choose unseasoned options whenever possible, and season food at home to avoid unwanted additions.

Vegan and paleo: Pluses and minuses to watch

Strict vegan and paleo eating patterns seem to be at opposite ends of the diet spectrum. Both can offer health benefits, though it's wise to understand the nutritional gaps left by each approach due to excluded food groups and consider five principles that will make any eating plan you choose nutritionally sound.

Drinking sugary beverages associated with colon cancer risk

Drinking two or more sugary drinks a day appeared to more than double the risk of colorectal cancer in women.

I recently became vegan. Should I be concerned about iron-deficiency anemia?

Vegetarians can ensure they are getting enough iron in their diets by eating iron-rich foods such as beans, tofu, and dark leafy greens.

Can you recommend strategies to help me manage my posterior vaginal prolapse?

Lifestyle changes, such as adding fiber to the diet and increasing water intake, can help minimize symptoms caused by a specific type of pelvic organ prolapse called rectocele, where the rectum bulges into the vagina.

Can a daily scoop of collagen powder really improve your skin?

Manufacturers tout collagen supplements as a way to improve signs of skin aging and skin quality. There is some research that shows they may bring skin benefits, reducing wrinkles, speeding wound healing, and improving skin hydration and elasticity. But because supplements aren’t regulated, quality may be highly variable. While collagen supplements are believed to be safe, there aren’t any long-term safety studies to date.

Green leafy vegetables offer a leg up on muscle strength

Eating high amounts of nitrate-rich green leafy vegetables may improve leg muscle strength and increase walking speed and reduce fatigue.

Battle of the bulges

A majority of people over 60 have diverticulosis, a condition in which tiny bulges (called diverticula) appear in weak areas of your colon’s inner wall. The bulges themselves don’t cause symptoms, but they can lead to bleeding or diverticulitis, which occurs when a diverticulum becomes inflamed or infected. People can reduce their risk by eating more fiber and staying physically active.

Keep heart disease at bay with a salad a day?

Eating one cup of leafy green vegetables a day may help lower heart disease risk. Leafy greens are rich in nitrates, which the body converts to nitric oxide (a compound that helps reduce blood pressure).

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