Welcome! Here you’ll find information on a wide range of wellness topics including nutrition, healthy aging, supplements, exercise, and more - all to help you improve your health. We’re constantly adding new articles, so please bookmark this page and visit us often.
Paying attention to your heart health is incredibly important whether you are a man or a woman, as heart disease is the leading cause of death for both sexes. Despite this fact, many still mistakenly believe that heart disease is mostly a “man’s” burden … when in reality the disease does not discriminate. In the past, most research on heart disease involved men only, but more recent studies are focusing on women as well -- and revealing some important distinctions you should be aware of.
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Your adrenal glands secrete nearly 50 hormones, including adrenalin, cortisol, estrogen and testosterone, which help to regulate your body’s response to stress, among other things. The problem is that in today’s 24/7 lifestyle, many of us are under stress virtually all the time, and in a nutshell this means our adrenals rarely get a break. Over time, this exposure to chronic stress often wears your adrenals out, leading to adrenal fatigue -- a collection of symptoms that results when your adrenals are no longer functioning optimally. By recognizing these warning signs and following these stress-reducing tips, you can recover your adrenal health.
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Once the excitement of the holidays is over, the rest of the winter can feel rather anti-climactic -- especially when faced with the coldest days of winter ahead. If you feel a little blue, you’re not alone. There are, however, many steps you can take to boost your mood and even enjoy the remainder of the winter -- with bells on
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Unfortunately, holiday travel has become a sort of rite of passage -- a dark tunnel through which you must forge your way -- before you can start to relax and enjoy time spent with loved ones. At best it is a necessary inconvenience, at worst it can sour your holiday spirit altogether -- but it doesn’t have to be this bad. In fact, with a bit of preparation and a few insider tips, holiday travel can be relatively stress free.
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If you’re of the mindset that sometimes less is more when it comes to the true spirit of the season, it’s not too late to bow out of the madness and embrace the simpler side of the holidays. Often, this translates to a greener, healthier holiday season too, and may very well make 2011 a year to remember.
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Winter needn’t be a thorn in your side. In fact, it can be quite lovely when you embrace its softer side. But enjoying the winter is much, much easier when you’re doing so in good health, and this can take some extra effort on your part. Fortunately, staying healthy all winter long is well within your reach, once you learn the ground rules for winter well-being …
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By now you've probably heard of bisphenol-A (BPA). And if you haven't -- it's time you did, because it's probably circulating in your body right now. This is concerning because BPA has shown reproductive, developmental, and systemic toxicity in animal studies, and there is growing concern about its impact on pregnant women, infants and young children. With more than 8 billion pounds of BPA made per year, what can you do to limit exposure to BPA? Fortunately, there are many simple steps you can take now to keep yourself, and your family, out of harm's way.
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Lack of sleep impacts your body directly in many ways including influencing your immune system, hormone production, weight gain, tumor growth, mood, and memory. And while we’ve all heard that establishing a relaxing bedtime routine and going to bed and waking at the same times each day are conducive to restful slumber, what if that just isn’t enough? Chances are there may be other steps you can take to encourage your body to fall asleep, steps that you may be inadvertently overlooking.
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Impacting about 12 percent of women at some point during their lifetimes, breast cancer is the most common cancer among U.S. women (except for skin cancer). But breast cancer is often very much a disease that can be overcome, and in many cases prevented entirely. Getting the facts straight about the real risk factors of this disease is one of the best ways to be proactive about prevention.
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If you’re one of the many thousands who get sick without fail every fall and winter, this article is for you. Getting sick doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of the change in seasons. You surely know a handful of people who seemingly never get sick -- maybe they work in your office or even share your home. These people are able to avoid illness not because they aren’t exposed to germs, but because their immune system is able to keep them healthy. These 5 natural tips can help you stay healthy -- no matter what the season!
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New research in the last two decades has proved that your body can, in fact, create new brain cells through a process known as neurogenesis. There are numerous ways to help support this process and give new cells the best chances of surviving and becoming a part of your working brain. Exercise and learning new things are two of the primary ones, but a third, and also important, strategy is your diet.
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As uncomfortable as menopause can be, it’s important to remember that it’s a natural phase of life -- not a disease. As such, it may not require any treatment whatsoever. Of course, if you’re suffering from repeated hot flashes, insomnia and uncontrollable mood swings, waiting it out may not be a practical option, especially since perimenopause can last for years. When you need relief, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may seem like a viable option, but it’s not without significant risks. Fortunately, there are natural, side-effect-free options available.
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One of the biggest safety questions surrounding cell phone use is their potential to cause cancer, particularly in the brain and tissues near where the cell phone is held. Even though many countries are already taking a precautionary approach to cell phones and EMFs, there is still much controversy on this issue. So we've compiled some of the most compelling science to help you sort through the debate. And for those of us who are not ready to ditch our cell phones, we've included some easy precautions to reduce any potential risks.
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Genetically modified (GM) foods are now common in the United States. Given that corn and soybeans are found extensively in the U.S. food supply, particularly in processed foods and fast foods, GM ingredients have heavily saturated the market. You may be surprised to hear that you and your family are, most likely, already eating GM foods, and, understandably, may want to learn more about this new type of technology. So we're spilling the beans on the real risks of GMOs.
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Ayurveda is an ancient healing system that originated in India at least 5,000 years ago. Perhaps the oldest medical system in the world, Ayurveda is a form of holistic medicine that encompasses a broad range of therapies to restore balance in your body in order to prevent illness and promote wellness. Ayurveda is being embraced among Americans looking for a healing system that addresses the whole person and seeks to treat disease by identifying and addressing the underlying, foundational causes of illness. Find out if Ayurveda right for you.
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Men don't have to worry about breast cancer. Wearing a baseball cap increases the risk of male pattern baldness. Too many six packs is the reason men lose their six pack. There’s a good chance you’ve come across these widely circulated wives' tales (among others) surrounding men’s health. Find out what the latest science has to say about some of today’s popular beliefs about men. The findings may surprise you!
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The idea of growing older is a terrifying thought for many women. Billions are spent annually on cosmetics and surgeries that promise to turn back the hands of time, but to what avail? You can’t prevent getting older and why would you want to when women over 40 today are living longer and more fulfilling lives than ever before. But when it comes to making health decisions, there are many popular myths that continue to misinform, frighten and even endanger women. In this article, we tackle some of this misinformation, and offer proof that for many women… aging may be a good thing!
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Your liver's primary job is to filter the blood that comes from your digestive tract, thereby metabolizing nutrients, drugs, alcohol and other substances consumed while helping to detoxify. Your liver will either convert these harmful toxins into less harmful ones or ensure they're eliminated from your body entirely. However, inevitably some toxins get left behind, hiding in certain liver cells or creating free radicals that can damage your liver and your overall health. This is why it's so important to support your liver health in every way you can. By following a few simple tips, you can keep your liver in top working form.
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Composed of two Japanese words -- “Rei,” which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and “Ki,” which means “life force energy” -- Reiki can be translated as “spiritually guided life force energy.” Discover how this gentle, energy healing technique works and why it is becoming increasingly practiced in U.S. hospitals, hospices and other health care settings.
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Food intolerance is incredibly common, impacting a far greater percentage of the population than true food allergies do. While a skin prick test or a blood test designed to detect IgE antibodies can determine if you have a food allergy, linking your symptoms with a specific food in the case of a sensitivity can require some detective work on your part.
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Virtually all fruits and vegetables are a great choice for a cancer-preventive diet, but there are certain foods that are veritable all-stars when it comes to keeping cancer away. If you want to give your family’s diet some extra cancer-fighting punch, try to incorporate some of the following “superfoods” into your meals.
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Cancer is a complex illness caused by numerous factors. Some, like those related to genetics, are out of your control but many, such as your diet, can be tweaked to help lessen your risk of developing cancer. In fact, of the nearly 569,500 cancer deaths that occurred in 2010, it’s estimated that one-third were related to physical inactivity, poor nutrition, obesity or being overweight (also often diet related), and therefore could have been prevented. You’ve probably already heard the advice to eat lots of fruits and vegetables to help fight chronic illnesses like cancer. But, just as important as knowing which foods to eat to help prevent cancer is knowing which foods to avoid.
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The average American spends nearly 9 hours a day at work. Sitting at a desk, working on a computer or answering phones can quickly take a toll on your body if you’re not careful. Adopting these top tips for safe and healthy office ergonomics can help you avoid unnecessary pain and injury.
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it’s a chronic condition that is often preventable by making healthy choices throughout your lifetime. In fact, eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to keep your heart in tip-top physical condition… but you may be wondering what a “heart healthy diet” actually entails. The foods and nutrients that follow are ideal for keeping your heart strong, especially when combined with other heart-healthy habits like regular exercise, not smoking and not drinking too much alcohol.
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Unfortunately, many food labels are incredibly misleading, leading you to think you’re choosing healthy foods when you’re really not. From undefined words like “natural” to deceptive serving sizes, reading food labels can be tricky -- and the more you know about what to look for -- and what to avoid -- the better choices you’ll be able to make.
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Surveys suggest that up to 88 percent of people who make a New Year’s resolution fail. So what’s the answer? Instead of making a New Year’s resolution to exercise, a better choice is to design a plan for year-round fitness, one that fits into your lifestyle and addresses your specific needs. Rather than associating your fitness goals with the New Year, the tips that follow will help you to view fitness as a lifestyle choice that will stay with you for all of 2011, not just the first month or two, and beyond.
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As common as these illnesses are -- virtually everyone has had a cold or the flu at some point in their life -- there’s still a lot of misinformation out there. Here we’ve compiled a list of some common myths and facts about colds and flus to help clear up the confusion and offer you some tips for getting, and staying, well this season.
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According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times higher than outdoor levels and at times may be more than 100 times higher! Given that the majority of the air you breathe is coming from your indoor environment, it’s important to take your indoor air quality into account when looking out for your, and your family’s, health.
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It’s not unusual for men and women to use 10-20 different cosmetic items on a daily basis, an amount that exposes you to considerable amounts of the chemicals lurking therein. Using cosmetics on a daily basis is all it takes for your body to absorb nearly five pounds of makeup chemicals a year, chemicals that include carcinogens, pesticides, endocrine disrupters and reproductive toxins -- often remaining on the market despite known toxic effects. Considering that your skin is easily penetrated, and many of the cosmetics you apply to its surface will be absorbed right into your bloodstream, it’s important to know what you’re putting on your body -- and the reality may surprise you.
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Your immune system is an amazingly elaborate system designed to protect you from foreign invaders. When bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses and other pathogenic microbes enter your body -- via your nose, mouth or eyes, in food, water, or air, or through sores or cracks on your skin -- your immune system launches its attack.
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Functional beverages are all the rage and if you visit your local grocery store you’ll no doubt come across more than a few. With promises like “Immune Booster,” “Stimulates Metabolism,” and “Packed with Antioxidants,” these trendy, eye-catching drinks are attracting lots of attention. But are the promises on the labels really all they’re cracked up to be? Is it really healthy to get your daily vitamins, energy and antioxidants in a drink?
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Your thyroid, a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in your lower neck, has enormous responsibility for your body’s metabolic processes. But for an estimated 27 million Americans, the thyroid produces either too much or too little hormone, which causes an array of health symptoms, some severe. But because thyroid disease is often misdiagnosed or simply overlooked, it’s estimated that more than half of affected Americans don’t know they have a problem.
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From air pollution and food additives to pollutants in our drinking water, homes and even personal care products, the truth is that your body is literally bombarded with toxins on a daily basis. And no matter how “clean” a life you lead -- healthy eating, exercise, regular stress relief -- your body is likely to show evidence of accumulated toxicity. In fact, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted the Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, the most comprehensive assessment yet of Americans’ exposure to environmental chemicals, they found some very shocking results …
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Except for sugar and fat, few foodstuffs have been demonized more than humble table salt. For decades now, Americans have been urged to cut back on their sodium intake in order to lower their risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. But before you set the salt shaker down for good, it’s wise to identify where the vast majority of the salt in your diet comes from. Despite your best intentions, you could do yourself more harm than good.
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When you’re in pain, seemingly nothing else matters. Whether it’s a dull ache or a stronger sensation, pain easily interferes with your ability to enjoy life and even function normally from day to day. What makes chronic pain even more difficult to deal with is often a lack of effective, long-term solutions. There are, however, many pain relief options out there, some that you may not yet be aware of. Best of all, the following options are completely safe and natural, which means they can be used successfully by just about everybody.
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You can survive for weeks without food but if you lack access to water for just days, it can be deadly. This is because water is a crucial element to your survival and your ability to thrive. While public health experts vary on just how much water you need to stay healthy, no one will argue with the fact that access to clean water is a cornerstone of human health. What may surprise you, however, is that securing pure water may not be as simple as turning on the tap or even opening a bottle.
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If you describe yourself as a die-hard grill fanatic ... or even if you just like a nice grilled steak now and again, you should know that by making small changes in your grilling habits you can drastically' alter the health and safety of the grilled foods you feed your family.
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Few human attributes signal health and youth like a clear, glowing complexion. We all start out with a similarly clean slate skin-wise, but by the time you reach your 20s, and definitely in the decades that follow, your skin will start to reveal what type of lifestyle you've lead. Fortunately, there are plenty of steps you can take to get healthier, more even, younger looking skin -- without resorting to plastic surgery or chemical peels. Some of the best solutions for healthy skin come from leading a healthy lifestyle and improving your skin's appearance from the inside out.
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About 50 million Americans, or one in five, suffer from allergies, making it the fifth leading chronic disease among all ages, and the third most common among children under 18. Whether your allergies are seasonal or present year-round, there are simple steps you can take to keep your home as allergy-free, and therefore as comfortable and healthy, as possible for you and your family.
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Nuts earned a bad reputation during the low-fat craze of the ‘90s. It was during this time that many Americans shunned nuts simply because of their relatively high fat content … amid false fears that these nutritional powerhouses would make us fat. Fortunately, the low-fat craze has ended, and it’s now becoming common knowledge that healthy fats are not only okay to include in your diet, they’re essential for keeping you well.
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Inside your home the dust, dirt and grime of a long season spent indoors are probably at their peak. This is why spring is an ideal time for doing a deep cleaning. The tips in this article will help you to get your home truly clean using inexpensive and non-toxic products you probably have on hand already.
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Supplements have grown increasingly popular in recent years - from 4,000 dietary supplements on the market in 1994, to about 75,000 in 2008. Sifting through today’s massive number of supplement options is no easy task, and there are some important facts you should know to not only protect your health but also make sure you’re getting the best return on your supplement investments.
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Only one-quarter of Americans eat fruits and vegetables five or more times a day, which is unfortunate because within these foods are some of the healthiest nutrients you can put in your body. This article focuses on the sweeter side of functional foods - spotlighting seven fruits that offer outstanding advantages for you and your family.
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Vegetables have earned a gold medal in the functional food arena because study after study shows that those who eat generous amounts of veggies are likely to have a reduced risk of chronic diseases ranging from stroke and heart disease to cancer and cataracts compared to those who eat only a small amount. So if you’re looking for a simple way to boost your family’s health and well-being, adding more of these six “super veggies” to your diet is a wise step.
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Little in the world of nutrition has been more surprising than the meteoric rise in the reputation of chocolate from the candy store -- perhaps, the most indulgent, no-no food of them all -- literally to the health food store.
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The benefits of pet ownership extend far beyond having a loyal friend to curl up at your feet. As even ancient humans may have sensed, and new research is continuing to reveal, owning a pet can be wonderful for your health. Numerous studies have shown that owning a pet can lower your blood pressure, relieve feelings of depression, loneliness, stress and anxiety, and even boost your self-esteem.
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Should you decide to improve your diet and eat the foods doctors and dieticians recommend for better health, would it be enough? Actually, there is some evidence that the fruits and vegetables available to most people today don't contain the nutritional value they had about 40 or 50 years ago.
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I spent the summer of 2005 doing one of the hardest -- and best -- things I've ever done in my short adult life: being a primary caregiver to my best friend. For many of you, there's not enough hours in the day to take of yourself, much less someone who is very ill. What can you really do? Here's a few life lessons learned along the way, plus some suggestions from valuable sources.
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Long gone are the days when vitamin D was something you took only to enhance calcium supplementation for bone strength. While it remains true that vitamin D and calcium have important interactions in the body, evidence from peer-reviewed medical journals continues to mount in support of a much greater role of vitamin D in maintaining health and longevity than was previously known.
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Despite all the advances in modern medicine, prevention is still the best cure for cancer. A large body of research suggests that many types of cancer can be prevented with a healthy diet and lifestyle (e.g., regular exercise, not smoking)…
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In Part 1 of our Supplement Savvy series, Jeremy Appleton ND, CNS uncovers little-known truths behind food and supplement labeling.
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When you take a 500 mg tablet of acetaminophen, you expect the tablet to contain 500 mg of acetaminophen. Federal regulations require pharmaceutical manufacturers to adhere to rigorous standards of quality assurance and quality control. Supplements manufacturers should also adhere to these same “pharmaceutical” standards, but federal regulations do not require them to do so. This article will take a look at the on-going challenges of supplement potency.
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Many herbal products are safe and effective. However, the DSHEA guarantees neither their safety, their efficacy, nor even that the products are what they say they are. If the Food and Drug Administration discovers that an herbal product does not meet its label claims, it has the authority to pull the product; however, there are no pre-market requirements for potency or authenticity for any herbal product. So how can you tell if you are getting the real thing?
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People who buy nutritional supplements are often unaware of the many critical factors that affect product quality and purity. Their purchases are more often dictated by product cost, packaging, advertising, and recommendations. However, any product may fail to meet its label’s claims for the content of its active ingredients. Worse still, there may be adulterants or contaminants present that are not ever tested for. In this article, you'll learn about important issues that affect product quality and purity.
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Getting a handle on all things emotional during the holidays is easily within your grasp. With the Holiday Season kicking into high gear, all you really need are 10 reminders to keep your emotions and expectations into perspective and to be generally more mindful about your overall health.
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For whatever reasons -- be they be lax oversight or long out-of-date environmental regulations -- unseen and health-harming toxins are frighteningly pervasive in our homes and our world, which begs the question: What can you do to protect your family from harm?
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As men progress past the age of 50, the majority of them experience varying issues related to prostate health. In this article, Jeremy Appleton, ND, looks at natural options that lack the incidence of adverse events common with conventional prostate care.
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One of the best and easiest things you can do over the long haul to improve your health is to get the right amount of restful sleep every night. What follows is a common sense list of tips, tricks and pointers you can use to regularly achieve the amount of sleep you need to feel your best every day.
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The Recommended Daily Allowance was, until 1997, the official word on how much of any nutrient you were supposed to be eating each day. But most people don't realize that RDAs were geared not towards promoting health but towards preventing overt nutrient deficiencies. The new recommendations in effect today are called the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI). Find out why DRIs are a much better yardstick for maintaining health than RDAs.
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With some smart planning and shopping, you can begin to improve your health and save some money right away with a trip to your local farmers' market. Here are some tips that'll better help you find healthy, locally grown foods at a farmers' market near you or the corner grocery store.
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Healthy habits of fifty-somethings -- or lack thereof -- reliably predict how Baby Boomers feel heading toward age 80. The key to maintaining a successful exercise program is all in the preparation. What follows are some simple, common sense tips that can make this healthy transition a much smoother one.
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Some believe the jury is still out on the merits of memory food -- all the preventative measures seniors can use to protect their brains from the ravages of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Here's a list of common-sense recommendations that may bolster the health of your brain and body, all without taking a single drug.
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