You Need to Know About the Flu

What’s the difference between a cold and the flu? The common cold and the flu may seem similar at first. They’re both respiratory illnesses and can cause similar symptoms. But…

BRAIN HEALTH TIP : Replace Trans Fats with Brain-Healthy Choices

Switch from fats that cause brain inflammation to ones that protect your brain from damage.
Trans fats are harmful to every cell in your body, and especially to your brain. They do not
occur naturally, but rather are made in laboratories and manufacturing plants in which these oils
are heavily processed. This processing involves adding hydrogen atoms to a healthy fat to
saturate the fat molecule, thereby turning unsaturated oil into saturated oil. The result is a
hydrogenated fat, or trans fat—a type of fat that your body was never intended to ingest or
digest. These fats are industrial creations made to extend the shelf life of fats without regard for
the effect on human health. Even a few generations ago our ancestors were never exposed to
these brain toxins.

Eat Your Way to Brain Health

The research is clear: What you eat has a big impact on your brain. In fact, the right foods — and combinations of foods — can enhance memory, build new brain cells and even help ward off Alzheimer’s.

Scientists are increasingly examining whole food groups — and diets — to determine which ones contribute to better cognition and which seem to hinder it. They’ve found that certain eating plans — including the Mediterranean diet , the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet and a hybrid of the two, dubbed the MIND diet — can help stave off cognitive decline and protect the brain against disease. The MIND diet, developed by researchers at Rush University in Chicago, slashed the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by as much as 53 percent. (MIND stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay.) Even those who followed the diet moderately had a 35 percent lower risk of Alzheimer’s

Constipation

That stopped-up feeling of constipation is uncomfortable, but you’ll likely encounter it at some point in your life. In fact, up to 113 million Americans say they’re often bothered by…