Health News
- Conflicting Health Stories Can Cause Confusion
Conflicting headlines involving the dos and don'ts for how to stay healthy were discussed by a panel in Louisville late last month, The Courier-Journal's Darla Carter reports. "In January, I heard that if I eat fish, it's good for my heart...
- Don?t Skip The Sunscreen!
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Now that we?ve entered the winter holiday season, you might think it?s an odd time to talk about sunscreen. Most of us are mindful in the heat of summer to slather on sunscreen at the pool or beach, since the sun ?feels? so strong....
- Should Women Be Taking Vitamins?
By Dr. Madelyn Fersntrom You might have heard about a recent study reporting that women taking vitamin/mineral supplements died at slightly higher rates compared to women who did not rely on supplements. Can this be true? This study, and the surrounding...
- Proper Nutrition For Lung Health
by Jason Bosley-Smith, CSCS, Live Well @ LifeBridge Studies abound that support the benefit of healthy dietary measures and their positive influence on respiratory health, but can a lack of healthy nutrients lead to respiratory illness and disease? It's...
- Healthy Eating Tips
When looking for healthy foods, here are some quick tips to keep in mind: Love fish but worried about mercury levels? Fish with the lowest levels of mercury include tilapia, freshwater trout or whitefish. For a complete list, and guidelines on how much...
Health News
The Debate on Fish Oil
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
Fish oil continues to be a hot health topic, and it?s front page news yet again. A new study suggests that fish oil supplements provide no ?value-add? to your health.
This study, called a meta-analysis, accumulated the information from multiple single studies, and compared the results of all of the studies. The analysis documented that, overall, people taking fish oil supplements did not live longer, nor have fewer illnesses, compared to individuals who did not take fish oil supplements.
When this study came out, many cardiologists and health experts were quick to point out that fish oil in the form of FOODS ? fish (like salmon) and walnuts ? both rich sources of dietary omega-3-fats were an important part of a healthy diet. The addition of supplemental pills/capsules of fish oil does not seem to provide the same kind of health plus as the dietary sources, as a general guideline.
Does that mean that fish oil provides no health benefits? No! It is important to read beneath the headlines for a little more information. If you currently take fish oil, be sure to include dietary sources of the heart healthy omega-3-fats. There is no harm in taking the supplements, but they do not replace a healthy diet.
Because population data do not always apply to what an individual should do, it?s important to have a talk with your doctor about whether fish oil supplements should be part of your heart-healthy tool box.
- Conflicting Health Stories Can Cause Confusion
Conflicting headlines involving the dos and don'ts for how to stay healthy were discussed by a panel in Louisville late last month, The Courier-Journal's Darla Carter reports. "In January, I heard that if I eat fish, it's good for my heart...
- Don?t Skip The Sunscreen!
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Now that we?ve entered the winter holiday season, you might think it?s an odd time to talk about sunscreen. Most of us are mindful in the heat of summer to slather on sunscreen at the pool or beach, since the sun ?feels? so strong....
- Should Women Be Taking Vitamins?
By Dr. Madelyn Fersntrom You might have heard about a recent study reporting that women taking vitamin/mineral supplements died at slightly higher rates compared to women who did not rely on supplements. Can this be true? This study, and the surrounding...
- Proper Nutrition For Lung Health
by Jason Bosley-Smith, CSCS, Live Well @ LifeBridge Studies abound that support the benefit of healthy dietary measures and their positive influence on respiratory health, but can a lack of healthy nutrients lead to respiratory illness and disease? It's...
- Healthy Eating Tips
When looking for healthy foods, here are some quick tips to keep in mind: Love fish but worried about mercury levels? Fish with the lowest levels of mercury include tilapia, freshwater trout or whitefish. For a complete list, and guidelines on how much...