Type in “How to lose weight” and page after page of all sorts of weight loss articles pop up. Some will contain valuable, scientifically-based advice that can provide the information you are looking for. But then there are the rest – the ones providing bad advice on weight loss that is questionable at best and is not based on any actual science.
Read MoreKids love their screen time. But more than 3 hours a day could be harming their health by possibly increasing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Read MoreThe term metabolic syndrome is used a lot within the medical community. But as a patient, what exactly does it mean? Think of metabolic syndrome sort of like a doctor telling you of a condition you have that if you don’t make certain lifestyle changes, than there will be serious health consequences in the future.
Read MoreHave you ever wondered “what is the fountain of youth?” Is it found in a bottle of skin cream, eating just the right foods or obtaining sufficient sleep each night? Even though all those things can certainly help in the quest for eternal youthfulness, probably one of the best known explanations is staying active throughout our lives.
Read MoreThe spontaneous act of dropping pounds unintentionally may seem like a dream for many but not for those who are not deliberately trying to lose weight. Anytime a person’s weight goes down without trying, it could be a sign of something more serious and should be addressed by a doctor. The sooner a person with unintended weight loss sees their doctor, the quicker they can figure out why weight loss is occurring and then work on getting back to a healthy weight.
Read MoreUreteroscopy may not be the most familiar procedure many of us know of but if you are having a urinary tract problem, it may be a necessary plan of action to treat whatever the concern is.
Read MoreNothing beats an all-day long surplus of energy. Wait a minute, did you say you don’t experience that – ever? Don’t worry – there happens to be a surplus of supplements claiming to fulfill the promise of relieving fatigue and providing a shot of an energy boost. But before you head out the door to go spend good hard-earned money on their supposed guarantee, here’s what you need to know.
Read MoreAnyone who has ever attempted weight loss has also attempted to find some way to boost or speed up the rate at which they burn calories. Metabolism, defined as the sum of all physical and chemical changes taking place in living cells in order to maintain life, can either make or break our ability to be successful at weight loss. Think of your body like an engine with your metabolism the rate at which your engine runs. By making a few adjustments, you can cause your engine to rev up a little higher burning a few extra calories.
Read MoreNothing beats the ability to look in the mirror and accept yourself as you are. The ability to say, “Hey I look good. I like my current weight as I feel healthy and full of energy.” Yet how many people say this to themselves - particularly women?
Read MoreThe last thing you want to do when attempting weight loss is to have to do it all over again if you gain the weight back. Think about it. You put in all that time and effort losing pounds. Then when you reach your goal, suddenly you find yourself going back in reverse with the scale creeping back up again.
Read MoreWalk into any pharmacy, grocery store, or giant retail store, head to the section selling supplements and there will be plenty of supplement makers marketing pills for split and brittle nails. Many of us – up to 20% - at one time or another have had nails that may be weaker than we like and most of us are familiar with vitamin/mineral supplements promising to cure that.
Read MoreBefore you rush out to buy apple cider vinegar believing it can “do it all,” take a deep breath and think it through. Regarded by some as a natural miracle cure for just about anything from soothing a sore throat, reducing your blood sugar, fighting cancer, preventing heartburn , banishing belly fat or removing warts, how can one product live up to that reputation and what does science say.
Read MoreMuscle loss does not have to be inevitable. Consistent weight training for both men and women is important to helping building and maintaining muscle mass.
Read MoreIn fact, 1.74 trillion sticks are sold each year. So does it just look bad, or is it actually bad for you, as well?
Read MoreDo you ever feel too busy to be able to actually sit down to eat, let alone eat a healthy meal?
Read MoreHas there ever been so much fear, uncertainty and doubt about something filled with so many bubbles? Carbonated water has been accused of turning drinkers acidic, leeching the enamel off their teeth, and eroding their bodies from the inside out.
It's not that it's some miracle elixir – it's only bubbly water, after all – but neither is it going to send your health into a tailspin, either.
First of all, don't confuse the many varieties. Carbonated water is just regular H20 shot through with carbon dioxide. In and of itself, the process does not add any sugar, sodium, caffeine or calories. However, different brands may add their own “secret sauce” to the mix, which may include small amounts of artificial flavoring, salt and other minerals.
Tonic water, used most commonly as a mixer in adult beverages, is carbonated water that contains quinine, a bitter alkaloid once used to treat malaria.
The so-called “natural sparkling mineral waters” such as Perrier and San Pellegrino may be “naturally sparkling,” but they will be re-injected with carbon dioxide before they make it to the supermarket shelf. They will also contain a variety of minerals naturally occurring in the springs of their namesake. Will these kill you? No. But neither are they the Elixirs of Life their proponents and marketing teams espouse them to be.
If you are a purist and want your carbonated water with nothing added except carbon dioxide, seek out seltzer – you know, the stuff The Three Stooges would spray down everyone's pants at fancy parties. It is available in most every grocery store. The soda guns used by your friendly corner bartender also produce pure seltzer.
Because water and carbon dioxide combine chemically to create carbonic acid, sparkling water is slightly acidic (3 to 4 on the pH scale). However, your grandmother's fears that it will “turn your body acidic” did not take into account the outstanding job that your kidneys and lungs do at removing excess CO2 from your bloodstream. These organs keep your body at a slightly alkaline pH of 7.35 to 7.45 no matter what you eat or drink. Carbonated cola drinks are a different matter, however. The phosphorus they contain can significantly lower your bone density, but the carbonation is not to blame.
Another of your grandma's fears was that carbonated water would “rot your teeth.” The science to which she was alluding has to do with the effect of acids on your teeth's enamel. The truth, according to scientific research, is that sparkling water is only slightly more damaging to your teeth than pure water. Sparkling sugar water – soda pop – on the other hand, is 100 times more damaging than carbonated water alone.
On the up side, carbonated water has been shown to improve the swallowing ability in both young and older adults. It stimulates the nerves responsible for the swallowing function, especially when it is served cold. It can also improve satiety – the feeling of “being full” after a meal – and so contribute to you eating less. One study on the effects of carbonated water on older women showed how drinking 1 liter of sodium-rich sparkling water for 8 weeks led to better calcium retention and no negative effects on bone health, compared to drinking just plain mineral water.
So enjoy your seltzer, preferably not down your pants. It won't erode you from the inside out, and you may even enjoy a few healthy benefits from it.
1.74 trillion sticks are sold each year. So does it just look bad, or is it actually bad for you, as well?
Read MoreDr. David B. Samadi's blog is the top online destination for everyday health tips, world health news, health technology, health investing, business of medicine, alternative medicine, health politics, and health pop culture. SamadiMD.com is also your go-to curated online source for the best health care and prevention tips, better sex life, healthy food, and men's health. Read the latest prevention news for all types of cancer such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, testicular cancer, colon cancer and more. SamadiMD.com provides latest information on surgery techniques, how to pick the right surgeon, what to know before and after surgery and latest surgery industry news and information.
