Family Health Blog
Recent health news, buzzworthy medical blogs, and personal wellness advice curated by our PinnacleCare team and our CEO, Dr. Miles Varn.
Topic: Nutrition
In heart disease, genes are not necessarily destiny
Researchers have discovered that a number of genetic mutations are associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease, which is one reason why knowing your family history is an important part of building a personalized health and prevention strategy. If you have a father or brother who had a heart attack before age 55... Read More
Half of family doctors don’t follow prediabetes screening guidelines. Does yours?
The number of people with prediabetes has grown to 86 million in the U.S. That means 1 in 3 adults has blood sugar that’s higher than normal but not yet high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Of that 86 million, 9 out of 10 are not aware they have the condition. If left untreated, prediabetes... Read More
Disability: 4 steps to lower your risk as you age
As you age, your risk of becoming disabled because of a chronic health problem or an injury like a fall can increase. But studies have found that there are four proactive steps you can take at any age that can help decrease your risk of disability and improve your overall health, wellbeing, and longevity. Step... Read More
What is clean eating?
Clean eating has been the focus of a lot of attention lately, with celebrities and authors touting the health benefits of this approach to diet and nutrition. But what does it mean to eat clean? The answer to that question can vary, depending on who you ask. Some versions of clean eating require you to... Read More
Living with heart disease? How to be healthier
If you’re one of the more than 85 million Americans who are living with heart disease, there are several proactive steps you can take to improve your overall health and lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and other heart problems. The best advice is not to try to make all these changes at... Read More
Want to Lose Weight? Try an Evidence-Based Plan
There are many different ways to lose weight, but how do you know which ones will help you achieve healthy weight loss and maintain your weight for the long term? Rather than chasing the latest fad, the best approach is to find an eating strategy that’s backed by scientific evidence. When is a diet not... Read More
Sugary drinks increase your diabetes risk even if you’re a healthy weight
One sugar-sweetened soda, flavored water, or iced tea a day isn’t a going to cause any health problems if you’re slim or at a healthy weight, right? That assumption was recently found to be inaccurate by researchers in Britain. In fact, drinking just one sugar-sweetened beverage a day increased the risk of developing type 2... Read More
Eating trans fats may harm your memory in the prime of life
You probably know that eating foods high in trans fats can raise your “bad” cholesterol level, lower your “good” cholesterol numbers, and increase inflammation in the body. But a recent study uncovered another reason to cut trans fats from your diet—they could have a negative impact on your memory. The study, led by Beatrice Golomb,... Read More
5 ways to load up on antioxidants this Thanksgiving
Every Thanksgiving, conscientious eaters worry about foods that they should avoid. They may pass on the butter, opt for white meat or skip dessert altogether. However, healthy eating isn’t just about knowing what to skip. It’s also about picking out the things that are actually good for you. Given the variety of foods brought to... Read More
Survived a heart attack? Eat more fiber
Heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women in the U.S., which underscores the importance of cardiovascular research. Recently, a study published in the journal BMJ suggested that the mortality risk among heart attack survivors was lower for those who ate more fiber-rich cereal and grain sources after their heart attacks. Read More