Herbals & Plants

Finding Fitness at 50       Improve your overall health with these age-appropriate tips As we age, the body naturally begins to lose muscular strength, balance and flexibility. Metabolism slows and the immune system weakens, but this doesn’t mean wellness is beyond reach. In fact, a fitness routine, fueled by a heart-smart diet, may help rejuvenate and inspire you to make 50 the new 20. GETTING STARTED If you are starting from scratch — you haven’t exercised in years or ever — then safety should be your top priority. Don’t rush to the gym without some guidance from your doctor and then a trainer at whichever fitness center you choose. No pain, no gain is a myth. Exercise patience as well as your body to avoid injury. FINDING BALANCE A 2016 study published by the  Gerontological Society of America  showed an age-related decline in balance for both men and women in their 50s, 60s and 70s. One exercise had participants attempt to...

All about anti-aging ingredients Find the formula that works for your skin’s specific needs Science has come a long way in developing and formulating ingredients that can be added to creams and serums to help slow and sometimes even reverse signs of skin aging. While there’s no true “facelift in a jar,” there are many products available that can help replenish and restore the skin’s texture and appearance. Keep the following ingredient terminology in mind when you’re shopping for the best combination of products for your skin type and specific concerns: Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA):  Water-soluble acids that include glycolic, lactic and malic acids, among others. These chemical exfoliants help remove dead skin cells and smooth skin texture. They have a moisturizing effect and can be a good choice for dry or sun-damaged skin. Antioxidants:  A broad term for a wide variety of beneficial ingredients meant to fight the damaging effects of free radi...

Ask the Doctors By  Dr. Andrew Ordon Can nasal surgery help solve breathing problems? To understand how undergoing surgery of the nose can help with better breathing, it helps to know a little bit about the physiology of the nose and how air moves through it. Our nasal cavity has a wall or partition in the middle that divides it into two equal air passages, which helps air flow better and also serves to filter and warm the air as it goes in and out. You want that partition, called the septum, to be as straight as possible because that makes breathing more efficient. The septum is made up of both bone and cartilage, and either one or both of those components can be crooked, making it difficult to breathe through the nose. When we do septal surgery, typically we’re manipulating and straightening the cartilage, the bone or both. There are two other parts of the nose we also address in surgery: the turbinates, which are like little shelves on the outer wall of the nasal cavit...

Superfood Spotlight: Artichokes Although artichokes have been around since ancient Greek and Roman times, they aren’t  necessarily a staple in many households. However, given their versatility, powerful nutritional  profile and mild, delicious taste, it’s time for them to take a place on the table! Artichokes are actually the bud of a plant from the thistle family. Inside the bud is the pale green heart, topped by the “choke,” a fuzzy section that is not eaten. Covering these are deep green petals, which protect the heart while the artichoke grows. When raw, the petals have tiny thorns at the top — these can be trimmed, if desired, but soften during cooking. Baby artichokes, which are not a different variety but simply a smaller version of a regular artichoke, are grown on the lower part of the plant. They don’t grow the choke portion, so they are fully edible. Artichokes are low in calories and have almost no fat. They have one of the highest total anti...