Anxiety in the general population has been increasing for years. Add the fear, social isolation, economic impact, and disruption to our routines that go along with a global pandemic, and we have a real problem on our hands. And then there's the comfort food we're eating. Ultra-processed diet is associated with anxiety and depression. The systemic inflammation is thought to at least partially involve the microbiome.
Read MoreMost Americans don’t eat enough fiber. And most Americans don’t drink enough water. Staying hydrated to regulate body temperature helps maintain body weight, prevent infections, and keep organs functioning properly. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood.
Read MoreSleep, Movement, and Mind-Body practices are all essential pillars of wellness.
I'm interested in the Quantified Self Movement. I'm using a device that gives me daily insight into the efficiency of my sleep, meditation, and exercise. The tool, called the Oura Ring, has an array of sensors that measure heart rate, body temperature, movement, and more.
Read MoreThe New York Times published the story, Plant-Based 'Meats' Catch On in the Pandemic back in May. On the surface, eating plant burgers seems like an excellent idea for the planet, better for animals, and better for your body. That is what the food industry wants you to think.
Read MoreObesity is a global epidemic and is far more prevalent in countries that adopt Western patterns of eating. Western patterns of eating include highly processed foods with lots of sugar and fat and the removal of fiber. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines processed food as one that has undergone any change to its natural state
Read MoreDariush Mozaffarian is one of the key voices in food policy reform. Rather than extracting information, I've posted the article in its entirety (under a Creative Commons License).
As the article states, in order to fix healthcare, we must first fix food policy.
Read MoreCautionary Tales, by Tim Harford, is another fantastic podcast from Malcolm Gladwell’s Pushkin Studios. The episode, The Spreadsheet of Life and Death, covers the historical background of placing an economic value on human life. Although some may find the concept distasteful, these types of calculations are critical in determining how and where limited resources (such as in a National Health Service) are spent.
Read MoreHere are some of the Wellness-related podcasts I listen to regularly. I will keep a running list on the "Learn" page of HealthHippieMD
Read MoreAn article in the New York Times called attention to a recent study that investigated the biochemical / molecular changes of the body with exercise. The study, published in Cell, used multi-omics to catalog and quantify over 9000 different molecules that changed with exertion.
Read MoreMark Hyman's podcast, The Doctor's Farmacy, featured Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology, and the Head of Silliman College at Yale University. Dr. Santos is the host of the critically acclaimed podcast, The Happiness Lab, and the faculty member who developed "Psychology and the Good Life," the most popular course in Yale's history.
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