The Endocrine System—A Brief Overview
The endocrine system is involved in regulating different functions and communication between organs in the body through the release of hormones, which are the chemical messengers of the body. Hormones are secreted into the bloodstream by ductless endocrine glands and transported to their target cells, where they bind to receptors inside or on the surface […]
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a condition in which hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, occurs during pregnancy in patients without a previous diagnosis of diabetes,1,2 and it is present in about 2 to 10 percent of pregnancies in the United States (US).3 Placental and local hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, placental lactogen, leptin, and placental growth hormone, […]
Tips on Coping with Anxiety and Depression During the Holiday Season
While the holiday season is often a time of celebration, it’s also easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed during this time of year. In fact, a 2014 survey from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that 64 percent of people with mental illness reported that the holidays made their illness feel “somewhat” […]
Know Your Nutrients: Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that plays an essential role in the growth and development of the human brain in utero and throughout infancy, as well as in the ongoing health of the skin, eyes, and, in particular, the brain throughout one’s life.1 DHA is primarily used for cell membrane […]
Yoga Poses to Counteract the Effects of Prolonged Sitting
Sitting for long periods of time has been shown to have a negative impact on our health, increasing the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.1 Unfortunately, for those of us with desk jobs, sitting for hours at a time may seem unavoidable. But there are things […]
Veterans Corner
VA continues aggressive hiring push to deliver PACT ACT care and benefits The Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring qualified individuals to join the benefits team as VA begins processing PACT Act claims starting in January 2023.These new VA employees will help ensure Veterans and survivors get the PACT Act-related benefits they’ve earned in a […]
10-minute Exercises You Can Do Throughout the Day to Meet Your Fitness Goals (even at work!)
The US Department of Health and Human Services’s “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition” recommends a minimum of two hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise OR a minimum of one hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity OR an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity […]
Adopting Adaptogens—Plants That May Improve Your Health and Well-being
Adaptogens are synthetic compounds or plant extracts that may help improve the body’s response (i.e., help you “adapt”) to stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Traditionally used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, these types of medicinal herbs have been making their way into mainstream grocery and health food stores in North America and elsewhere. Modern interest in […]
The Muscular System
The muscular system is composed of different types of very specialized fibrous cells, all with the ability to contract. Muscle contraction is responsible for nearly all movement in the human body. The muscular system also plays an important role in circulation, digestion, posture, balance, heat production, and many other functions. There are three main types […]
Essential Amino Acids
Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both an amino group (-NH2) and carboxylic acid group (-COOH). When linked via peptide bonds, they function as the basic blocks used to construct a variety of different proteins. Hundreds of amino acids can be found in nature, but only about 20 to 22 are necessary to make […]
Superfood Spotlight: Yogurt
Yogurt: we’ve been eating it for centuries, and for good reason. It can be eaten on its own as a snack, added to a breakfast smoothie, or used to make delicious dip or dressing—the possibilities seem endless! Yogurt is made by combining heated milk with certain bacteria, then letting it sit for several hours at […]
Turn up the Heat! The Benefits of Spicy Foods
Over the years, research has shown that consuming spicy foods has a myriad of beneficial effects on health. Many of these health effects are attributed to capsaicin, which is the compound responsible for making peppers spicy. One study from 2015 found that eating spicy food everyday reduced the risk of death by 14 percent; the […]
