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Q: I know hydration is important, but how does dehydration negatively impact my strength training session? A: The importance of proper hydration is well known.  Proper hydration supports all bodily function.  Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work properly.  Therefore it is not surprising that dehydration can negatively impact performance [...]

Q: Can processed foods be part of a healthy diet? A: Most foods have some level of processing.  Even natural or organic foods may be processed.  The spectrum ranges from minimally processed (bagged beans, roasted nuts, frozen fruits / vegetables) to highly processed (snack foods, ready-to-eat meals, precooked meats). In fact, some processed foods can [...]

Q: With winter finally arriving, is it true that more people fall ill in winter vs. summer? A: The month with the most people sick is usually September.  The primary driver is kids going back to school and the mass spreading of germs.  Outside of September, it is generally true that the winter tends to [...]

Q: The holiday season is upon us.  It can be a happy and joyous time, but it can also be a frenetic, anxious, or depressing time.  What are some tips to help individuals manage the season? A: The holiday season can be wonderful and yet challenging time.  Below are some tips to make the season [...]

Q: Numerous Stump the Staff answers cite the importance of fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet.  A client asked the follow up question; “Does the color of the fruit or vegetables impact its health benefits?” A: Fruit and vegetables are always a great choice to improve your diet.  The color of the fruit or [...]

Q: “Farm-to-Table” is a current food trend.  What should you consider when deciding to purchase “Farm-to-Table” food? A: Farm-to-Table is generally regarded as a social movement that promotes serving/consuming locally grown food at restaurants through direct procurement from the producer.  It often incorporates a form of food traceability allowing consumers to know where the food [...]

Q: Recently, on a health radio show, the host commented that ~75% of all forms of cancer are preventable.  What can you tell me about this statement? A: There is debate about recent cancer prevention studies. 2008 research suggested that 5 to 10% of all cancer cases were attributed to genetic defects and the remaining [...]

Q:  What are the differences between veins, arteries, and capillaries?  What are varicose veins and what are the causes? A:  The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.  The blood vessels transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and cellular waste products throughout the body.  The three main blood vessels are arteries, veins, and capillaries.  [...]

Q: With summer upon us, I have started to apply sunscreen.  What does the SPF rating mean (e.g. SPF 30)? A: Not only are we well into summer, but May was also Skin Cancer Awareness Month.  So, it is a great time to understand the sunscreen ratings. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor.  It refers [...]