Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes or sometimes insulin-dependent diabetes, can shake up a family’s routine. Managing diabetes ““ there’s no sure cure yet ““ is a complex, sometimes seemingly impossible, juggling act involving diet, physical activity, medication and the very real dangers that come with not keeping blood sugar levels as close to optimal as possible. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), a national non-profit foundation based in Cincinnati and dedicated to raising funds to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes, has identified these myths and facts about the disease: Myth 1: My child will outgrow…

Summer means warm weather, lazy days – and even better – tasty, fresh fruits and vegetables available at local farmers markets. The Central Ohio River Valley food guide is the best place to start looking for food grown nearby. Download and print the guide for free then plan the ultimate farmer’s market trip for your family. You’ll also find sustainable restaurants, and breweries, information for growing your food, and, a harvest schedule. If you want to stay in the Greater Cincinnati region, the Cincinnati Enquirer narrowed the 2015 food guide down to the spots closest to Queen City Many benefits to eating…

When you think of weight training, you may imagine large, intimidating men in the gym picking up heavy barbells…just to set them back down… But, that doesn’t have to be the picture in your mind. Lots of athletes use weight training to get better at their sport of choice. Beyond muscle gain, strength training improves your cardio speed, movement control, resistance to injuries, cognitive abilities, and confidence. It may also help you lose weight. Your future self will thank you, too. Lifting weights regularly is linked to lower blood pressure, denser bones, better cardiovascular health, and a reduced risk of…

If you’re like us, the couch is a central part of your at-home time. Whether we’re sitting down  to watch TV, read a good book or get a little work done, we spend many hours on the trusty piece of furniture. But could our couch be a source of cancer? Susan Kasper, Ph.D. and associate professor at the University of Cincinnati, says yes. Since 2008, Kasper has been studying the effects of Firemaster 550, a common flame-retardant chemical used in couches, on human prostate cancer cells. What did she discover? Here’s the four findings  you need to know: Firemaster 550…

Stroke is the third-leading cause of death for women in the U.S., but most women may not know the stroke symptoms and risk factors that are unique to females. Researchers at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center in Columbus surveyed 1,000 women about stroke. Among the findings: Only 11 percent knew birth control pills, migraine headaches, lupus, pregnancy and hormone replacement therapy increased their risk for stroke. Only 10 percent knew that hiccups with unusual chest pain were a stroke symptom experienced only by women. Nearly half of all women said they don’t know what problems females face after stroke.…

Researchers recognized some time ago that there’s a link between sleep deprivation, weight gain and the onset of Type 2 diabetes. A new study from the University of Chicago may have identified the mechanism tying those three conditions together. Researchers led by Dr. Esra Tesali, a physician at the University of Chicago Medical Center and lead author of the study, found that sleep deprivation led to elevated levels of certain fatty acids in the blood and pre-diabetic conditions in healthy young men. “At the population level, multiple studies have reported connections between restricted sleep, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes,”…

Happy Memorial Day! We hope you’re enjoying a day off at home with your family or friends. Since Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off to summer each year, here are a few reminders to keep your skin safe while you’re outside. As we shake the dust off our shorts, t-shirts and summer dresses and spend extra time outside, our skin is being exposed to more UV rays. And trying to get a “base tan” before you hit the beach will  overexpose your body’s largest organ to deadly radiation before the summer even begins. Before you think you aren’t at risk…

If you’re like us, Memorial Day weekend means  Taste of Cincinnati. From Oreo Cheesecake  to the spinach and Ham Souffle with Mushroom Veloute Sauce (yum!), it’ll be easy to cheat on your diet this weekend. But, you can enjoy the three-day festival without packing on the pounds. Here are three  tips from Betsy Oriolo, registered dietitian with the  St. Elizabeth Weight Management Center, to enjoy a healthier Taste of Cincinnati. 1.  Plan ahead. Use the best bets below and view the restaurant website for possible nutrition or more detailed meal information before you head downtown. 2. Watch out for desserts…

The best way to stay cool in  the hot summer sun? Ice cream, of course! Unfortunately, the cold treat is often filled with calories, fat and sugar. You can cut some of the  fat and the still enjoy a sweet treat with these raspberry lemonade yogurt ice pops. This recipe  combines the refreshing taste of lemonade  with plain yogurt and fresh raspberries. Pro tip: This  recipe contains granulated sugar, but you could try using a natural sweetener, such as Stevia, to make it even healthier.

Your kids are likely picturing all the fun  activities  they’ll do in your backyard this summer, so why shouldn’t you? Plan ahead with a few of these 37 ideas from Buzzfeed.  If you’ve always dreamed of being the coolest parent on the block, now is your chance. And if you haven’t, you’re sure to at least get some smiles and laughs from your own kids.  You can make  the entire list kid-friendly by substituting juice or sports drinks for the suggested beverage in #27. Now excuse us – we’ll be in the sunflower fort.