Author: Health Coach

Chronic pain affects millions of Americans and ranges in its origin and severity. Alternative medicine as a means for pain management has become increasingly popular in the Western world. One source of which is the Cannabis plant, which has been cultivated and used for medicinal purposes since ancient times (Shannon, Lewis, Lee, & Hughes, 2019). While the Cannabis plant contains more than 80 different chemicals, known as cannabinoids, the two most abundant are tet­rahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The former of which is known for its psychoactive properties, whereas the latter is known for its non-psychoactive properties (Shannon et al., 2019).

When we think of high-risk jobs, oftentimes hospital employees, police officers, and firefighters are thought of immediately. However, office workers are faced with an invisible danger, prolonged time spent sitting at their desk. This extended time spent sedentary may lead to poor posture, resulting in an increased risk for musculoskeletal injuries, cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and obesity. This article will focus on one of the more common forms of musculoskeletal conditions, with a prevalence of around 75%, neck pain is a major cause of morbidity and disability in many countries; affecting an individual’s daily life and work habits (Genebra, Maciel,, Bento, Simeão, & Vitta, 2017; Straker, Burgess-Limerick, Pollock, Murray, Netto, Coleman, & Skoss, 2008).

Normal digestion typically takes 36 hours from ingestion to excretion. Within the first six to eight hours, food goes from the stomach to the small intestine (Mahan, & Raymond, 2017). However, that is not always the case, as sometimes there is a delay in gastric emptying (emptying of the contents in the stomach to the small intestine). Gastroparesis, which means paralysis of the stomach, is a condition characterized by damaged nerves and muscles not functioning properly or adequately (Mahan, & Raymond, 2017; Kumar, Chapman, Javed, Alam, Malik, & Azmi, 2018). The stomach either cannot or moves the food very slowly from the stomach to the small intestine, the next part of the digestive process. These complications can occur as a result of an obstruction within the stomach and/or intestines, diabetes, post-surgery, idiopathic (no known cause), or some neurological disorders (Camilleri, 2016; Haans, & Masclee, 2007; Homko, Duffy, Friedenberg, Boden, & Parkman, 2015; Kumar, Chapman, Javed, Alam, Malik, & Azmi, 2018).

Those experiencing hip fractures are typically more prone to comorbidities, postoperative complications, and protein-energy malnutrition (Bell, Bauer, Capra, & Pulle, 2014; Foss, Jensen, & Kehlet, 2007). Many individuals fail to meet the appropriate amount of energy and protein during postoperative care. As a result, muscle wasting can occur and contribute to further deterioration of nutritional status and health outcomes (Bell, Bauer, Capra, & Pulle, 2014; Foss, Jensen, & Kehlet, 2007; Mahan & Raymond, 2017).

This article will review how the consumption of meat (unprocessed and processed) affects your health, examining both the risks and benefits. It’s important to note that this article’s purpose is to surmise and present the information from the research available for both risk and benefits.

August 28th is National Red Wine Day; red wine is a drink that’s been consumed for thousands of years. The process of making red wine is by crushing whole grapes and leaving it to ferment. There are myriad of types of red wine, which vary in taste, color, and alcohol content, typically 12–15% (Bjarnadottir, 2017). Many believe that in moderation, red wine can be part of a healthy diet.

Vitamin B3, more commonly known as niacin, is a precursor of the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) (Kevin Comerford, 2015). They serve a multitude of functions in the body, and are required in most metabolic redox processes in which substrates are oxidized and reduced (“Niacin: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals,” 2020). Numerous studies have explored the effects of niacin supplementation on cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life as it has numerous benefits to both the mother and baby (About Breastfeeding). While breastmilk provides all the nutrients that babies need, it is just as important to ensure the mother is getting proper nutrients as well. Nutrient requirements during lactation are increased to cover both the volume and concentration of breast milk (Bo Lonnerdal, 2016).

Many regional cuisines have developed throughout the culinary scene across China and its provinces. Chinese cuisine is uniquely different in each region and sometimes borrow from each other’s styles and neighboring countries. Additionally, in Chinese culture, food is seen as something more than to just satisfy hunger. Food is meant to strengthen relationships among friends and family and sometimes purport health and medicinal benefits (Li & Hsieh, 2015)

Turmeric is a popular Eastern spice grown throughout India, Asia, and Central America. It has been historically used in Ayurveda medicine for many chronic conditions, such as rheumatism, pain, and fatigue. Turmeric contains an active group of polyphenolic compounds, of which curcumin is the most well studied. Curcumin is thought to have potential benefits by reducing inflammation which is the body’s response to infection or injury. The Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kB) pathway serves as a pivotal mediator in the inflammatory response and is usually deregulated in chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis and diabetes. The result is prolonged inflammation that increases tissue damage. However, initial studies have explored the therapeutic benefits of curcumin, which serves as a potent mediator in NF-kB pathway reducing inflammation in varying disease states. As for the health and safety of consumption, curcumin is a generally recognized as safe compound by the Food and Drug Administration. Overall, it seems that a dose as low as 80 mg/day of curcumin can provide health benefits for a generally individual. Although gastrointestinal upset has been seen among individuals in studies consuming large quantities, further research is needed to determine the full extent of benefits, bioavailability, and dose-response of turmeric. As with any trending topic in the nutrition field, it is important to consider one’s diet rather than focusing on a single nutrient when trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.