Sugar has become a pervasive part of the modern diet. From sugary beverages to processed snacks and desserts, even seemingly healthy breakfast cereals and yogurt contain large amounts of added sugar. The average person’s sugar intake has surged because of this. There are a plethora of health issues that result from high sugar consumption and there are identifiable telltale signs of this. Here are a few important ones. Health issues caused by excessive sugar intake Type 2 Diabetes Elevated sugar consumption may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. The body responds to this sugar intake by releasing insulin to help transport sugar into cells for energy. Fatty liver disease Excessive sugar intake could lead to fatty liver disease, where the liver accumulates fat, potentially progressing to more severe liver conditions if left unaddressed. Erectile dysfunction Excessive sugar intake may contribute to impotence (erectile dysfunction) by damaging blood vessels and reducing blood flow. Weakened immune system High sugar consumption can suppress the immune system’s function, making one more susceptible to infections and illnesses. Heart Disease High sugar intake is associated with increased levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, both known risk factors for heart disease. This could lead to atherosclerosis, a condition in which arteries narrow and harden, raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease of the lungs. It occurs when the lung tissue gets damaged and scarred, causing shortness of breath, dry cough, fatigue, chest pain, appetite loss, and other discomforts. Unfortunately, there’s no complete cure for pulmonary fibrosis. However, proper nutrition can help manage the condition. This article lists the foods patients must eat and avoid, along with a few medications, including Esbriet®, as treatment options for pulmonary fibrosis. Foods to eat The following foods can help manage pulmonary fibrosis: Whole grains Whole grains like oats, quinoa, and brown rice are packed with fiber. They also have nutrients that can help lower cholesterol levels and decrease inflammation, improving the quality of life among pulmonary fibrosis patients. Lean protein Protein helps strengthen the chest and abdomen muscles, reducing breathing issues. One must choose high-quality lean proteins like skinless chicken breasts, eggs, and fatty fish. Some excellent plant-based protein sources include beans, peas, nuts, legumes, and tofu. Fruits and veggies Fresh fruits and vegetables like carrots, celery, spinach, berries, kiwi, and pineapple are loaded with a slew of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help support lung health and ease pulmonary fibrosis symptoms. Plus, they’re high in fiber and can boost digestion.

Migraines develop with a throbbing pulsating pain on one side of the head. People with such headaches also experience nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Migraine is the third most diagnosed condition in the world, with roughly 39 million people suffering from such headaches in the United States. While migraines cannot be cured, making changes in daily meals and lifestyle and including prescriptions can manage the symptoms. Here are four useful tips that help Get prescribed treatments Excedrin® belongs to a class of painkillers that counter inflammation and provide relief from severe pain. Nurtec® ODT is a fast-acting migraine relief oral prescription that is effective within the first two hours. Ubrelvy® belongs to a class of CGRP receptor antagonists prescribed for people with acute migraine with and without aura. And Qulipta® is mainly suggested for patients with episodic migraines; it works by actively blocking CGRP proteins known to trigger severe chronic headaches. Have the right foods Hypoglycemia, commonly known as low blood sugar, can trigger headaches due to a sudden decrease in metabolic activity. In this case, eating ripe bananas provides the body with energy and is beneficial for a quick recovery. Black beans help regulate blood sugar levels, and watermelon is an excellent choice that helps prevent dehydration from triggering migraine attacks.

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative condition that affects the movement of the individual. It affects the brain and the nervous system and leads to symptoms such as uncontrolled movement, stiffness, tremors, and loss of balance and coordination. Approximately one million people in the country have Parkinson’s disease. Read on to learn more about the effective ways to manage this condition. Here are the treatment options, foods to eat and avoid, and lifestyle changes to manage Parkinson’s. Treatment options Although Parkinson’s disease is not curable, there are many treatment options. These help slow down the progression of this degenerative condition and tackle the various signs and symptoms. Here are some of the common treatment options prescribed for Parkinson’s disease: Levodopa One of the most potent treatment options for Parkinson’s disease is levodopa. It can often cause nausea and vomiting. This is why it is usually prescribed or available in combination with carbidopa. Levodopa is a precursor of dopamine, and it is used to control the bradykinetic symptoms that affect movement. Carbidopa Carbidopa is a class of treatments called decarboxylase inhibitors. It focuses on preventing the breakdown of levodopa into dopamine before it reaches the brain. RYTARY® RYTARY® is an extended-release carbidopa/levodopa oral capsule.

The lymphatic system is part of the body’s germ-fighting network, comprising lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, and bone marrow. When cancer begins in the lymphatic system, it is called lymphoma. Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin are the two main types of lymphoma, the latter being the most common. Both types are often treatable, especially if detected in the initial stages. Here are some treatment options, foods to eat and avoid, and other ways that help manage lymphoma: Treatments Treatment options for all types of lymphoma usually include a combination of therapies. One of the most common therapies is an oral therapy, such as IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib). IMBRUVICA® is used to treat mantle cell lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, and other types of cancers. The active substance in IMBRUVICA®, ibrutinib, inhibits the enzyme Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), which is linked to lymphoma. IMBRUVICA® is typically taken once a day and can work alone or together with other treatments. Common side effects include diarrhea, tiredness, rash, bruising, muscle pain, and bone pain. Other treatment options for lymphoma include chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplantation. Foods to eat and avoid Although no specific food or meal plan can cure lymphoma, eating and avoiding certain foods can help ease symptoms and reduce the side effects of treatments.

It’s common to share your food with your cat. But, many do not know that this gesture of love and affection could actually be harmful to them. Most human foods contain elements that could be toxic to cats and cause serious medical conditions. So, you need to ensure that you do not accidentally feed your cat human foods. To help you, here are a few human foods that you should not give your cats. Chocolate Chocolates are one of the most harmful foods for cats, as they contain methylxanthines that are toxic to most animals. This can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and in worse cases, can even prove to be fatal to cats. Dark chocolates contain the most amount of methylxanthines, whereas white chocolate contains the least. Despite these varying proportions of harmful substances, chocolate as a whole is best left off your cat’s meal plan. Dairy and dairy products There is a huge misconception that dairy and dairy products are great for cats. But, in reality, most cats are lactose intolerant, which means consuming dairy could lead to digestive problems and make them ill. Of course, the best thing to do is avoid dairy completely, but you could also ask the vet for a lactose-free alternative.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the esophagus. This condition can make it difficult to swallow and easier for food to get stuck in the food pipe. People with EoE develop allergic reactions to certain foods, causing their esophagi to swell up and become narrow. Doctors may recommend an elimination method to understand which foods trigger EoE in patients. The most common foods that trigger Eosinophilic Esophagitis are: Eggs: Apart from whole eggs, also avoid any foods that contain eggs, such as eggnog, mayonnaise, meringue, surimi, and egg substitutes. Beware of egg content in baked goods and puddings. Ingredients to watch out for in packaged goods include albumin, lysozyme, ovalbumin, lecithin, globulin, and ovovitellin. Wheat: Avoid foods rich in wheat, such as bread, couscous, crackers, most flours, pasta, and pizza crusts. Wheat ingredients to look out for are bulgar, durum, einkorn, emmer, farina, Kamut, matzoh, semolina, spelt, and triticale. Instead, opt for gluten-free foods made from potato, rice, or tapioca. Soy: Soy-rich foods to avoid include edamame, miso, natto, shoyu, soy sauce, soybean, tamari, tempeh, tofu, and Quorn. Soy ingredients can be found on packaged goods under the name of soy, soy flour, soy fiber, soy protein, and textured vegetable protein.

Research indicates that one in eight people in the country, aged 12 years or older, lives with hearing loss in both ears. Thus, loss of hearing is a prominent issue that needs to be addressed. Recent technological advancements have resulted in several interventions to enhance hearing, including hearing aids, brainstem implants, and other assistive devices. In addition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding certain types of food can contribute to healing from hearing loss. Red meat Red meat is high in saturated and trans fats, which can cause plaque to generate in the arteries and impede blood circulation. Sometimes, poor blood circulation can contribute to hearing impairments, such as tinnitus. Baked foods Baked foods contain large amounts of refined sugar and carbohydrates, especially store-bought products like cakes, pastries, and puddings. High glucose levels in the blood can damage the small blood vessels and nerves present in the inner ear. Monosodium glutamate Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is an excitatory neurotransmitter that can cause neurological damage, tinnitus, and hearing loss. Thus, it is advisable for individuals at risk of or grappling with hearing loss to avoid or limit foods from restaurants or ready-to-eat foods, which usually contain MSG. Caffeine Excessive intake of caffeinated beverages such as tea and coffee can increase one’s blood pressure, triggering a ringing sensation in the ears and conditions like tinnitus.

With a migraine, anything one eats can be a trigger. But that does not mean that one needs to skip out on desserts and other foods they enjoy. Swapping out certain ingredients can help create a migraine-friendly meal plan and boost one’s health. Gluten and sugar, the main ingredients in most desserts, are also the biggest triggers for people with migraine. Try these five updated dessert recipes to continue enjoying one’s favorite foods even with a migraine: Carrot muffins Made with migraine-friendly ingredients like carrots, gluten-free flour, and cinnamon, carrot muffins are loaded with magnesium and antioxidants to help keep migraine headaches under control, making them a great dessert or snack option. “Chocolate” pudding For many people, the phenylethylamine in chocolate has been linked to migraine headaches. Try switching cocoa with carob powder and sweetening it with dates to create a chocolate-free “chocolate” pudding that tastes like the real deal. Using cooked millet instead of flour gives this dessert an added dose of magnesium. Almond-orange cake with cream cheese frosting Prepare a delicious almond-orange cake with almond flour, oranges, and eggs. It comes together quickly and is a delicious gluten-free low-carb option for migraine sufferers. Frost it with cream cheese to give it a birthday cake that looks perfect for any party.

Reproduction is a complicated process. Men and women must equally be healthy and fertile to start the process of conception from a single-cell embryo to a fully grown baby. That said, daily nutrition and lifestyle choices also impact an individual’s fertility process, blood flow, gut, and overall health. So, nutritionists recommend including certain fertility-boosting foods that increase the chances of getting pregnant. Here are ten superfoods to try and achieve successful conception. Pineapple Several studies are indicative of the benefits of eating raw pineapple. It is rich in vitamin C and bromelain, a plant compound that counters inflammation that affects fertility and prevents the body from suppressing ovulation. Eggs Egg yolks contain omega-3 fatty acids, a compound that promotes anti-inflammatory responses in the body. In addition, eggs are loaded with iron, calcium, vitamin B, zinc, and other fertility-enhancing nutrients. Citrus-rich fruits Oranges and grapefruits are the two most potent vitamin C-rich fruits that also boast potassium, calcium, and B vitamins content. The nutrients help regulate ovulation, create a suitable environment for the eggs, and increase sperm production. Pomegranates Studies done on men to test sperm motility showed the group that included pomegranates or its extract in daily meal plans had better chances of producing sperm that can conceive.