HealthyLife Articles

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Magnificent Magnesium

HEALTHY EATING

Magnesium plays a role in more than 300 functions in the body. It is needed for muscle and nerve function, bone health, blood sugar control and regulating blood pressure. We also need magnesium to release energy in our body.

Long-term low levels of magnesium could be linked to certain health problems like migraine headaches, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. This doesn’t mean magnesium can cure these diseases. It also doesn’t mean that low magnesium is the only cause. Many factors are involved with these health conditions. Researchers are still working to learn how magnesium is connected to these health conditions.

Today’s foods & magnesium

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for magnesium is 320 mg for women and 420 mg for men. Most people get their magnesium from food.

But, some researchers believe that levels of magnesium in foods may be getting lower. Also, magnesium is not found in most processed or packaged foods. That’s why it’s recommended to get the magnesium your body needs by eating healthy foods.

People with type 2 diabetes or digestive diseases may have a higher risk of not getting enough magnesium. In addition, certain medicines can cause depletion of magnesium. These medicines include:

* Loop diuretics, including furosemide and bumetanide

* Thiazide diuretics, including hydrochlorothiazide and ethacrynic acid

* Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), including esomeprazole magnesium and lansoprazole

If you take these medicines, your doctor may talk to you about your magnesium levels and whether you need extra magnesium.

Should I take a supplement?

There are many different types of magnesium supplements. Some do not absorb in the body very well. High doses of magnesium supplements can cause diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. Extremely high doses can also be toxic.

Magnesium can also interact with certain medicines. If you take any of the following medicines, do not take magnesium supplements within two hours of taking your medication:

* Biophosphonates like alendronate, which treat osteoporosis

* Antibiotics including tetracyclines and quinolones

However, getting magnesium from healthy foods does not cause these side effects. If you’re interested in a supplement, always ask your doctor first to be sure it’s safe for you.

Source: National Institutes of Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Popcorn: A Healthy Corn Option

HEALTHY EATING

Fresh corn is healthy, but there’s another great way to enjoy corn: popcorn.

When you think of popcorn, you might think of movie theatres and lots of butter. But popcorn is a naturally healthy food without all the extra butter, oil and salt.

Popcorn is whole grain corn. It’s made from a specific type of corn that pops open when it’s heated. It can be a healthy alternative to higher-calorie snacks like potato chips and crackers. One cup of air-popped corn has just 31 calories and over one gram of fiber.

To keep it healthy, go light on the butter, oil and salt.

Source: United States Department of Agriculture

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Potatoes & Chicken

HEALTHY EATING

To introduce a new vegetable, try serving it with something you already enjoy. Pairing Brussels sprouts with potatoes and chicken is a good way to try them out.

Ingredients

3 cups Brussels sprouts (fresh or frozen halved vertically, about 3/4 pound)

4 small red potatoes (cut into chunks)

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic (minced)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup non-fat ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)

1/4 cup Part-skim mozzarella cheese (shredded)

2 tablespoons nonfat milk

1 pound boneless chicken breast (4 portions)

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary sprigs and pomegranate seeds

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray, toss Brussels sprouts, potatoes, onion and garlic with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper.

3. In a small bowl, mix cheese with milk.

4. Coat chicken breasts with remaining olive oil.

5. Nest chicken among vegetables in baking dish.

6. Top with cheese mix.

7. Cover with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes or until chicken is done. Optional: Garnish with fresh rosemary and pomegranate seeds.

Nutrition per serving: Servings 4. Calories 400; Total Fat 12 g; Saturated Fat 3 g; Sodium 370 mg; Total Carbohydrate 40 g; Dietary Fiber 6 g; Protein 35 g

Source: Produce for Better Health Foundation

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Vegetarian Alternatives To Turkey

HEALTHY EATING

Your vision of a traditional Thanksgiving feast may have a giant roasted turkey as its centerpiece. But, increasingly, people are turning to vegetarian or low-meat diets as a healthy and environmentally friendly option. Whether you’re hosting a vegetarian holiday meal or just want to have vegetarian options available alongside your turkey, don’t worry. Vegetarian dishes are just as plentiful, easy to prepare, and satisfying. Try these four ingredients as vegetarian features at your holiday meal.

Winter Squash

A baked winter squash filled with delicious vegetables or stuffing mixture is delicious and will add an impressive fall display to your table. Here are a few types of winter squash that make the best holiday meal main dish:

* Pumpkin

* Acorn squash

* Butternut squash

* Spaghetti squash

Tofurky

The name says it all – tofu plus turkey makes tofurky. There are a variety of brands available, and you can even find it made into traditional turkey shapes.

Remember that plain tofu itself doesn’t have a lot of flavor. If the brand you choose isn’t seasoned, find a recipe that is big on spices and flavorful ingredients.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms provide a big, savory taste. It’s easy to make them the star of the show. So many main dishes are enhanced with mushrooms, and they can even take the place of meat in some classic dishes.

* Stuffed mushroom caps

* Mushroom risotto or casserole

* Mushroom soup

* Mushroom with pasta

Lentils

Lentils have a deeper, meatier flavor and texture compared to other beans. Their savory profile makes them an easy feature for the main dish. They also pair well with cheese or nuts for added flavor.

* Lentil soups or stews

* Lentil meatloaf or meatballs

* Lentil salads

* Cheesy lentil bakes or casseroles

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Filing For A Tax Extension

FINANCIAL HEALTH

A federal tax extension allows you extra time to file your taxes. You can request an extension for any reason and receive an additional six months to complete your return. Here’s what you need to know.

* You must request an extension before your filing deadline. Don’t delay or you risk a penalty.

* Submit the form via mail or electronically by your regular tax return deadline, usually April 15th.

* To avoid any potential penalties, pay estimated taxes at the time you submit the form.

* If you cannot pay what you owe, you can request a payment plan. Visit the IRS website to learn more.

* Use the extra time to file your return. The IRS does not allow a second extension, so don’t let the time slip away.

* Fill out the Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return available atirs.gov.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Why You Should Check Your Social Security Statement

FINANCIAL HEALTH

If you’re not close to retirement, you may not think much about your Social Security statement. But you can – and should – check it once a year. Here’s why:

* There could be errors in your wages that need to be corrected.

* You can see how much you’ve paid into Social Security.

* You can get an estimate of your future Social Security payments.

* You can make sure your address or direct deposit information is correct.

Check your statement for free online at the official Social Security website atssa.gov. Make sure you are on a website that ends in “.gov” or it’s not the official website.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Colorectal Cancer: Don’t Wait For Signs

MEDICAL NEWS

Colorectal cancer is cancer in the colon or rectum. And, it kills thousands of people each year. But getting screened can prevent many of these deaths. Plus, screening can catch colon cancer in the early stages when it’s easier to treat.

Many people don’t have any signs or symptoms of colon cancer at first. If you wait until you have symptoms, the cancer may be more advanced.

Polyps and the cancer link

Polyps are clumps of cells that form on the lining of the colon or rectum. Having polyps does not mean you will get colorectal cancer. Some polyps are harmless, while others can turn into cancer.

Polyps usually don’t hurt. People don’t know they have them until they have a colon cancer test.

Screening matters

Colorectal cancer may not have any signs, especially at first. That’s why many people should get screened for colorectal cancer even if they don’t have any symptoms.

Ask your doctor about colorectal screening. Your doctor can talk with you about whether you need a test and which test to get. This depends on many factors, such as:

* Your age

* Family history of colorectal cancer

* Any risk factors you have, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

* Lifestyle risk factors, like smoking or being overweight

There are several different screening tests for colorectal cancer. Some tests will check for blood or other signs of colon cancer in the stool.

Other tests use special tools to see directly inside the colon and rectum. During these tests, a doctor uses a thin, lighted tube and a special camera. The test may be:

* A colonoscopy, which looks inside the entire colon and rectum

* A flexible sigmoidoscopy, which looks inside the rectum and lower part of the colon

During a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, the doctor gives you medicine to help keep you comfortable. In most cases, you will go home after the test, but will need someone to drive you.

If you see any changes with your stool, talk to your doctor.

Sources: American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The Latest On Mammograms

MEDICAL NEWS

Our understanding of cancer has expanded rapidly in recent decades. As a result, cancer treatment continues to improve. However, prevention and early detection are important steps to fight cancer.

Identifying breast cancer before it has the chance to spread is one of the best ways to improve breast cancer survival. In general, the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the prognosis. Mammograms are a critical tool for early detection.

How a mammogram works

A mammogram is an x-ray specially designed to look at breast tissue. The amount of radiation exposure from a mammogram is low, and the benefits usually outweigh any risk.

While the images from a mammogram cannot tell you if you have cancer, they can show if there is abnormal tissue in the breast. The presence of abnormal tissue could indicate the need for further testing.

When used as a routine screening tool, a mammogram may detect breast cancer before it presents any symptoms and while it is too small to feel.

When to get a mammogram

A woman’s risk of breast cancer increases over their lifespan. Past a certain age, a mammogram should be a regular part of routine healthcare.

If and when you should get a mammogram is a decision to be made in consultation with your doctor. The general guidelines for women are:

* Women who are 50-74 years of age and at average risk of breast cancer should have a mammogram every two years.

* Women between the ages of 40-49 may benefit from early screening if recommended by their doctor.

* Women at high risk of breast cancer should talk to their doctor about how often to get a mammogram.

Recent Advances in Mammography

The FDA recently approved a computer-assisted and detection (CAD) program to aid doctors in identifying and diagnosing breast cancer using data from mammographies. The advances in CAD have the potential to improve the early detection of breast cancer. This could mean a big step forward in the fight against breast cancer.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Understanding Crohn’s Disease

MEDICAL NEWS

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that impacts the entire digestive tract. Most commonly, it causes inflammation and dysfunction of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine.

While there is no cure, effective treatments can manage symptoms.

Symptoms

Symptoms may vary depending on the part of the digestive tract affected and the degree of inflammation. Common symptoms include:

* Diarrhea

* Abdominal pain and cramping

* Weight loss

* Anemia

* Fatigue

* Fever

* Nausea and loss of appetite

* Joint pain

* Eye redness

* Skin changes

Causes

The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. In some cases, it may be caused by an autoimmune reaction in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the cells of the digestive tract.

Risk factors include:

* Family history

* Smoking

* Medications such as birth control, antibiotics, aspirin, and ibuprofen may slightly increase risk.

* High-fat diet

* Age. Those in their 20s are more likely to develop Crohn’s disease.

Treatment

Treatment aims to decrease the inflammation in the intestines and prevent complications. A doctor is the best resource for treatment options and an individualized plan. They may recommend:

*Medications:These may be used to decrease inflammation and reduce the activity of the immune system. Some medicines can also relieve symptoms, such as antidiarrheals and pain medication.

*Bowl rest:If the digestive tract is very inflamed, it may need time to rest and heal. Avoiding solid food and drinking only liquids may be required for a brief time. To maintain nutrition, a doctor may recommend liquid supplements or IV nutrition.

*Diet:Specific foods may cause discomfort or pain during a flare-up. Following a healthy diet and paying attention to foods that cause trouble can help manage symptoms.

*Surgery:If other treatments are ineffective, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove a part of the intestines that has become damaged. This is not a cure but may improve quality of life.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Do Cell Phones Cause Cancer?

WELL-BEING

Many people have their phones in pockets or purses all the time.

Is this safe?

Cell phones and RF waves

When they are turned on, cell phones give off radiofrequency (RF) waves. When a person holds a cell phone up to their ear, they are exposed to the RF waves from the phone.

At very high levels, RF waves can cause heat. This is how microwave ovens heat food. But the energy given off by a cell phone isn’t enough to cause a person’s body to heat up.

Most stuides say “NO”

Studies on rats have found that exposing their entire bodies to RF waves for long periods of time may increase the risk of a certain type of tumor. The levels used in this study were much higher than what a person would experience from normal everyday cell phone use.

Most studies on humans have found that people who have brain tumors do not use cell phones more than people who don’t have tumors. Other human studies have found that brain tumors don’t happen more on the side of the head where people hold their cell phones. Both results seem to suggest that cell phones do not cause brain tumors.

But a few studies have found an increased tumor risk on the side of the head where a person usually holds their cell phone.

Researchers believe we need more studies to find out for sure whether cell phones could be linked to cancer.

What should I do?

The American Cancer Society says RF waves are not as strong as different types of radiation like x-rays and UV light. X-rays and UV light can damage DNA. RF waves from cell phones are much weaker and don’t cause DNA damage. This means they would not make changes that could cause a tumor to form.

But, if you want to avoid exposure to RF waves, you can:

* Keep your phone away from your body. Don’t keep it in your pocket when it’s turned on.

* Use the speaker function or an earpiece when talking on the phone.

Source: American Cancer Society

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026