Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Vitamin B12, sometimes called the “energy vitamin” or the “longevity vitamin,” is found in significant amounts only in the animal-protein foods. B12 is also manufactured by bacteria in our intestines, but it is not known how much we can naturally absorb and utilize from that source. In general, digestion and absorption must be good for adequate B12 to be obtained. Many laxatives and overuse of antacids can reduce absorption and deplete stores of B12. Sources Best sources of B12 are organ meats, most fish, crabs, oysters, egg yolk, yogurt and other milk products Supplements, tempeh and sprouts can be used…

The holiday season typically means additional parties, expected guests and occasional “stop by” visits from friends who are in town and just want to say hi. Most of us enjoy the opportunity to gather with others, but many of us fear being unprepared! Here is your holiday survival list to be ready for almost most any guest situation”planned or impromptu! Essentials: Have one room that is designated as “usually” clean and one place you can stash any last-minute clutter out of sight. Keep a portable “guest bathroom” bucket of quick-access items. You can always excuse yourself for just a minute…

Symptoms of dementia can vary greatly and can be troublesome enough that they  interfere with day-to-day life. People affected face issues with memory, communication and language, ability to focus and pay attention, reasoning and judgment, and visual perception. Often times they face problems with short-term memory. As we read various health-related articles, we come across a few that are just a good read. This article from  The Atlantic  is one of them. It’s a true story of a woman in Amsterdam who worked at a nursing home and raised money during a  20-year period to make “nursing homes more livable…

Sometimes managing diabetes feels like a numbers game. Counting everything from carbs to calories, glucose to pounds adds up quickly ““ and it’s a lot to keep track of. People with diabetes need to track one more number to make sure they’re keeping they’re diabetes as controlled as possible: A1C levels. What is the A1C test? The A1C test can be used to gauge how well you’re controlling your blood sugar, and to help guide your diet and medication. It can also be used to help diagnose diabetes and pre-diabetes. People with diabetes are supposed to check their blood sugar…

Free radicals are unstable molecules that are naturally formed when you exercise and when your body converts food into energy. Your body can also encounter free radicals with environmental exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollution, sunlight, certain medications and treatments, and eating an unhealthy diet. Free radicals can cause “oxidative stress,” a process that can trigger cell damage and is believed to play a role in a variety of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. The science Antioxidant molecules have been shown to counteract oxidative stress…

If you’re like me, you’ll spend some time on the road or in the air this month. While I love traveling to see family and friends ““ and maybe a quick trip to the Caribbean! ““ luggage always weighs me down. It can be especially difficult when my husband insists there are no circumstances in which checking baggage is appropriate. Whether I’m dragging my wheely bag through the airport or jamming everything into a shoulder bag, my back needs a break. Here are nine tips I use to make sure my luggage doesn’t create back pain before I arrive at…

A member of the ginger family, turmeric is easily identified by its yellow color and often used in Indian food. But, this tasty spice isn’t just used to give your food an extra kick. Turmeric is being actively researched for use in Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment, as well as treating autoimmune, cancer and heart diseases. Here is what we know about turmeric so far: It’s a natural anti-inflammatory It increases the body’s antioxidant capacity, blocks free radicals and stimulates the body’s own antioxidant activity It increases the growth of new brain neurons and fights the degenerative process that occurs in…

Ah, Thanksgiving. The food holiday. But we are, after all, Smart ” Health ” Today. Which makes writing about Thanksgiving kind of challenging. Why let that stop us? Here are 10 tips to a healthy (kind of) Thanksgiving. Get moving. Take a walk in the morning. That way you have exercised. When someone suggests you’ve had enough sweet potatoes, you can say, “Yea, well, I walked 3 miles this morning and burned 1,000 calories, so I can have some more.” It might be an exaggeration, but who’s going to call you out in front of everyone? Control your eating during…

Are you planning to join the masses on the biggest shopping day of the year? We’re here to help you live a better life ““ that includes helping you win Black Friday. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, we have eight tips you can use to conquer Black Friday: 1. Forget wearing “comfortable shoes” “” wear running shoes. Your shoes will be your best friend Friday. They’ll support long-distance treks, endless hours waiting in line, sprints through the stores and hurdles ““ also known as your fellow shoppers. Leave the heels and boots at home ““ or you’ll…

Forget the presents, forget the decorations, forget the snow. For some of us, the holidays are all about food. For people with diabetes, all those treats add up to a hefty challenge as they try to navigate the holiday atmosphere and manage their health. Julie Shapero, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with the Northern Kentucky Health Department, said there are no forbidden foods – except for regular soda – regardless of the time of year. “It’s all about the portion sizes.” But just because it’s a holiday, that doesn’t mean people with diabetes can stop counting carbs and…