Spring is upon us and summer won’t be far behind. If you’re planning on losing weight to get ready to hit the (hopefully) re-opened beaches, make sure you’re doing so in the healthiest way possible.

The health of your gut affects the rest of your body, so how can you learn to identify problems with it and improve digestion as well?

THE STORY: Your digestive tract is the gatekeeper to your health. A highly complex system, your gut is responsible for breaking down the food you eat and assimilating the nutrients so your body can function properly. If you’re having stomach aches, trouble digesting food and other digestive issues, you likely have a health issue associated with your gut. Here’s how to identify common problems and improve digestion to avoid them in the future.

Did you know that most people in the United States consume less than recommended amounts of vitamin D?

THE STORY: Vitamin D - nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin” because of its ability to be absorbed via sunlight - has traditionally been known to be essential to the body because it helps the body absorb calcium for strong bones. Now research is showing that Vitamin D may be vital in protecting against a host of health problems. Unfortunately, too many people in the U.S. don’t get enough of this important vitamin.

HEALTH BENEFITS: So what kind of health benefits does Vitamin D offer? Here are just a few ways this vitamin can boost your health.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we take a look at the correlation between diabetes and heart disease when it comes to women’s health.

THE STORY: Diabetes is a disease that occurs when blood sugar levels are unable to be controlled and get too high (with Type 2 diabetes being the most common). Type 2 diabetes is considered a major risk factor for coronary artery disease and stroke. But how do these specifically affect women? Here we take a look at the risks of diabetes and heart disease in women and talk about how you can lower your risk for both.

A lot has been happening with the Covid-19 vaccines recently. Here’s what you should know.

THE STORY: Now that Covid-19 vaccines are becoming more widely available, there’s a lot of news about them to catch up on. How do the three vaccines work and is one better than the others? Plus, where and when can you sign up to get yours? Here’s a look at what you should know about the vaccines.

If you’ve been feeling down about your body or how you look after the past year, it’s time to start the journey to a healthy body image.

THE STORY: The past year has been full of stress and constant change that have made adapting more difficult. Factors such as these can affect all kinds of relationships - not just interpersonal - such as our relationships with our bodies, food, and how we see ourselves resulting in a negative body image.

Are you familiar with what a renal diet is?

THE STORY: People with compromised kidney function must stay on a renal diet, a diet designed to cut down on the amount of waste in their blood. But what exactly comprises a renal diet? Here’s the lowdown on the renal diet.

THE BASICS: It’s the kidneys job to filter blood, remove waste through urine, balance minerals and more. When kidney function is comprised, it means your kidneys cannot properly filter waste from your blood - if waste is left in the blood, it can mess up one’s electrolyte levels causing serious problems. If you’re experiencing this, you will need to follow a renal diet. What does that entail?

Are you one of those people who reaches for food when you’re stressed, bored or anxious?

THE STORY: Being stuck at home can lead to stress and boredom which in turn leads to unhealthy behaviors including overeating. Taking comfort in food is a normal thing to do, but do it too much and it can negatively affect your health. Don’t worry though! There are plenty of ways to prevent stress eating and get back on the path of healthy eating.

OVERCOMING EMOTIONAL EATING:

Happy 2021! It’s the start of a brand new year, so why not get back to being the best version of you there is?

THE STORY: 2020 is finally done and with the start of 2021 it looks like good things could be on the way - for example, the new covid vaccines. Why not start off the brand new year with a brand new mindset? Instead of worrying so much, try focusing on being your best self by eating healthy, exercising more, taking time to do what you love and practicing self-care.

Instead of grand resolutions you know you’ll end up dropping in a matter of weeks, commit to these healthy habits in the new year.

THE STORY: Most, if not all of us, will be happy to see 2020 gone. It was a year of chaos and illness that resulted in many of us picking up healthier habits. In fact, a study by Optiva found that 63% of Americans had adopted new healthy practices since March. But how many will continue into the new year? Whether you’ve been adopting a healthier lifestyle this year or are aiming to start one in the new year, here are a few habits you should consider.