HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the "good" cholesterol carrier that helps remove excess cholesterol from arteries and deliver it to the liver. Lifestyle changes - exercise, quitting smoking, and healthy fats - help improve HDL; overall heart risk depends on the full lipid profile.
Water remains essential. Use simple, updated guidelines: drink regularly, increase intake during heat or exercise, limit high-sodium foods, and rely on thirst for most everyday hydration needs.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic bacterium that helps maintain mucosal microbial balance and can limit yeast overgrowth. It's available in fermented foods and supplements, but effects depend on strain and health status.
Modern diets are heavier in processed foods, added sugars, and convenient snacks, while fruits, vegetables, and home-cooked meals have declined. Small, consistent changes - whole foods, regular meals, and simple home cooking - can reduce long-term health risks.
Fats are essential: they provide energy, protect organs, and support brain health. Favor unsaturated fats and omega-3s, limit saturated fats to under about 10% of calories, and avoid industrial trans fats.
Low-carb diets reduce carbohydrate intake to help with weight loss and blood sugar control. Variants include Atkins, ketogenic, and Mediterranean-style low-carb patterns; safety and long-term success depend on adherence and medical supervision when needed.
A balanced diet is the best source of vitamins, but targeted supplements - like folic acid in pregnancy or B12 for vegans and older adults - can fill gaps. Routine multivitamins do not reliably prevent chronic disease for well-nourished adults; consult a clinician for personalized advice.
Practical, up-to-date guidance on managing acid reflux (GERD) with diet and lifestyle changes, plus when to seek medical care.
Supplements can help fill predictable nutrient shortfalls caused by modern diets, life stages, or absorption issues, but they are not a substitute for a balanced diet and should be chosen with attention to quality and safety.
Practical, up-to-date habits - eat whole foods, move regularly, sleep well, avoid tobacco and risky drinking, and build small routines you can keep.
Acid reflux (GERD) results from stomach contents rising into the esophagus. Key causes include LES dysfunction and hiatal hernia, excess acid or bile, delayed stomach emptying, reduced saliva or swallowing, and lifestyle factors. Nighttime reflux worsens because gravity and saliva clearance are reduced.
Adopt a sustainable, whole-foods approach to lower cholesterol: prioritize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and soluble fiber, limit saturated fats and sweets, and pair diet changes with about 150 minutes a week of activity.
Hypothyroidism often raises LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk. Causes include autoimmune disease and some cancer therapies. Treatment with levothyroxine usually lowers cholesterol, but persistent dyslipidemia may require statins and lifestyle changes.
Junk food refers to calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods - high in added sugar, salt, refined fat, or calories and low in fiber and essential nutrients. This update explains the term, health concerns, labeling and policy responses, and practical steps to reduce consumption while making informed choices.
A modern low-fat, low-cholesterol approach focuses on fat quality, whole grains, lean or plant proteins, unsalted nuts and regular fish while keeping saturated and trans fats low.