Author Archives: Zuzanna Walter

Chronic Inflammation and Cognitive Impairment

Chronic inflammatory diseases are the most significant cause of death across the globe and their prevalence is projected to rise persistently over the next few decades in the United States. Although inflammation occurs naturally in the body and the majority of the population will experience acute inflammation at some point in their lifetime, it may trigger the beginning of a disease process if left untreated. Tissue death and the thickening or scarring of connective tissue are just some of the detrimental outcomes related to ongoing inflammation. Prolonged or chronic inflammation can lead to long-lasting damage of the heart, brain, and other organs, increasing the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality rates.

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The Truth Behind Fish Oil Supplements

Fish oil supplements have long been promoted as an easy addition to the diet for individuals looking to protect their heart health, ease inflammation, improve mental health and even to increase longevity. They are one of the most commonly consumed dietary supplements, taken for their rich levels of omega-3 fatty acids and widely believed health benefits. Americans are estimated to spend more than $1 billion a year on over-the-counter fish oil products and companies nationwide are incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into dairy products, cereal, juice, and hundreds of other food items.

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The Connection Between Meal Timing and Weight Gain

With obesity rates on the rise, researchers continue to examine potential factors affecting body weight and BMI other than caloric intake and physical activity. Currently, there is a range of options for targeting obesity including surgery, medication, and even psychological interventions however, the majority are costly or invasive endeavors. The development and prevalence of wearable monitoring technologies has dramatically increased the data available to researchers and clinicians, providing an opportunity for improved personalized patient care, prevention strategies, and treatment methods dependent on individual lifestyle habits. Stemming from extensive personal monitoring, recent research implicates the power of small lifestyle changes such as sleeping habits and meal times and their effects on weight gain.

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