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Brain or Liver

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

New research suggests that in up to 10% of cases where a patient is diagnosed with dementia, the problem is actually undetected liver disease, which can cause similar neurological symptoms, such as cognitive impairment and changes in mood and motor skills.

The condition is called hepatic encephalopathy, a complication of cirrhosis. There are ...Read more

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On Nutrition: A spoonful of sugar

Health Advice / Nutrition /

Our horses don’t adjust well to the water when we take them away from home. So I’ve experimented with some advice from seasoned horse travelers. Common guidance is to add something that will make the strange water taste more palatable.

Horses often refuse to drink when they are away from home, according to horse specialists at the ...Read more

Chip off the Cold Tuber

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

Potatoes cannot be grown year-round, but the makers of potato chips and similar snacks nonetheless require a constant supply of fresh spuds to meet demand. They cannot preserve potatoes in cold storage because low temperatures trigger a process called cold-induced sweetening, which converts starches into sugars.

Processing CIS-affected tubers...Read more

Dorothy Merrimon Crawford/Dreamstime/TNS

Diabetes Quick Fix: Sicilian Swordfish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Potatoes

Health Advice / Health Advice /

Tomatoes, olives, and garlic are staples of zesty Sicilian cooking. Raisins add sweetness giving the sauce a tantalizing sweet and sour flavor.

Make the sauce in a microwave oven and use frozen baby Brussel sprouts for a quick and easy dinner. Look for small baby Brussel sprouts in the freezer section.

Helpful Hints:

This sauce also goes ...Read more

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On Nutrition: Granola and probiotic questions

Health Advice / Nutrition /

We’re out horse camping in the Hill Country of Texas. And since this is our second year here with horses and dogs in tow, we are officially what locals here call “Winter Texans.” At least for the next few weeks, we’re off the grid…but not really.

We have electricity and running water, woo-hoo! And we are surviving without television ...Read more

My COVID Diet

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

It's not time to go grocery shopping yet, but a new published study suggests that a plant-based diet might protect people against COVID-19 infections.

The authors surveyed 702 adults, nearly half of whom has previously had COVID. Those who ate an omnivore's diet (meat, plants, everything) were more likely to have caught COVID (52%) than ...Read more

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On Nutrition: Food for a happy heart

Health Advice / Nutrition /

It’s only about the size of your fist. Yet it pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood throughout your body every day. If you could stretch out the complex network of blood vessels in your body through which your heart pumps oxygen and nutrients, it would extend over 60,000 miles.

Pretty amazing, these hearts of ours. And pretty sad when they get ...Read more

Male Gel

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

Currently, male birth control consists of two approaches: condoms and vasectomies. The search for something more effective than the former and less drastic than the latter has produced a possible third option: injectable gel.

The gel, which recently went through a small Phase 1 clinical trial with encouraging results, is inserted into the ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Diabetes Quick Fix: Southwestern Buffalo Sliders with Taco Salad

Health Advice / Health Advice /

Enjoy earthy Southwestern flavors with these spicy buffalo sliders and taco salad.

Ground chipotle powder adds a spicy and smoky flavor to the burgers. The powder can also spice up many other foods—salad dressings, vegetables, potatoes, rice, and other meats.

HELPFUL HINTS:

These burgers have a hot kick. If you’re sensitive to hot spices,...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

On Nutrition: Sugar-phoria

Health Advice / Nutrition /

I wish everyone could have the same airport experience we get each time we fly out of our hometown (population 8,000). Mind you, we only have two flights a day and the plane only seats nine people. So the service we get is first-class.

Recently, when we arrived for our early morning flight, we got our usual friendly greeting from TSA agents.

�...Read more

Hearts and Minds

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

Suffering a heart attack or other severe cardiac event is a life-threatening and life-changing event. It happens a lot. Every year, roughly 805,000 people in the U.S. have a heart attack -- that's about one every 40 seconds.

Physical recovery can be arduous and lengthy, but there's a mental toll as well. One in three heart patients, according...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

On Nutrition: Hearts and valentines

Health Advice / Nutrition /

Historians credit Richard Cadbury, son of chocolatier John Cadbury, with the invention in 1861 of heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates. The box—after the candy was consumed—was intended to store sentimental love letters or locks of hair, which were common practices in the Victorian era.

Of course chocolate has been around much longer ...Read more

Muscular Mitochondria

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

Exercising (or doing more of it) is a popular New Year's resolution, though usually for naught. Various studies have found that nearly one-quarter of people quit their resolution(s) by the end of the first week and almost half by the end of January. Only 8-9% stick with them for an entire year or to completion.

But if you're still busily ...Read more

Kamil Zablocki/Dreamstime/TNS

Diabetes Quick Fix: Baked Parmesan Scallops with Spinach Linguine and Carrots

Health Advice / Health Advice /

Baked scallops are luscious served with linguine. Scallops are readily available. I like to use the frozen ones in this recipe so you can buy them to have on hand for a quick meal. You can use any type of scallop for this recipe. If you buy small bay scallops, then cut the baking time to 10 minutes.

Fresh spinach linguine is available in the ...Read more

DREAMSTIME/TNS

On Nutrition: Brain boosters

Health Advice / Nutrition /

Call it brain freeze. These past weeks of painfully cold weather seemed to freeze my mind as well as my feet. I shouldn’t have complained. The frigid weather gave us time to get projects done in the house. But it also made me feel a bit grouchy…for no particular reason.

Once the weather warmed so my nose hairs didn’t freeze when I went ...Read more

Personality Versus Dementia

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

A new study, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, investigated whether any of the so-called Big Five personality traits (conscientiousness, extraversion, openness to experience, neuroticism and agreeableness) impacted risk of cognitive decline.

The scientists looked at data from 44,000 people from eight longitudinal studies, of ...Read more

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On Nutrition: More on probiotics

Health Advice / Nutrition /

A column on probiotics brought this response from Don S. in Arizona: “One of my docs thinks supplements are important, the other thinks they are worthless. A continuing mystery until I read your quiz. My question: How do I know my (probiotic) supplements are alive? The capsules are kept at room temp for up to 4 weeks and the predelivery ...Read more

Homeopathy for Eczema: Natural Remedies for Healthy Skin

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. While conventional treatment options exist, many people seek natural alternatives to manage eczema symptoms. Homeopathy offers a holistic approach to eczema treatment, addressing the underlying causes and supporting the body's ...Read more

Homeopathy for Ear Infections: Natural Remedies for Ear Health

Ear infections can be painful and uncomfortable, especially for children. While it's important to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis and treatment of ear infections, homeopathy offers natural remedies that can support ear health and alleviate symptoms. Homeopathic treatments are tailored to each individual, taking into account ...Read more

Homeopathy for Digestive Disorders: Natural Remedies for Gut Health

Digestive disorders can significantly impact our quality of life, causing discomfort, pain, and disruption to daily activities. While it's important to seek medical advice for diagnosing and managing digestive disorders, homeopathy offers natural remedies that can support digestive health and alleviate symptoms. Homeopathic treatments are ...Read more