14 Things to Never Lie to Your Doctor About



Lindsay Tigar




How much you smoke, drink, eat, and exercise, whether you use protection during sex, how often you go out in the sun—it all matters
Your surgical history

When you first see a new doctor because you switched jobs and healthcare providers or relocated to a new town, you’ll be filling out tons of medical and insurance forms. A biggie in the long slew of “yes” and “no” checkboxes refers to your surgical history. From minor procedures to major operations, Manhattan plastic surgeon David Shafer, MD, says being honest about your past will help alleviate complications in your future. Though many of his surgeries are elective, every surgeon needs background info to minimize your risk for scar tissue, reactions, and more. “I always find it concerning when a patient tells me they have never had surgery, and when I examine them, they have what are clearly facelift incisions,” he shares

Your age

As you begin to approach middle-age, start menopause, or feel those aches and pains of getting older, you might be tempted to tell a little white lie about exactly what decade is on your birth certificate. While it’s likely not a big deal to fudge the truth to a bartender, grocer, or random stranger at networking event, your doctor needs to know the honest truth about everything, including how many candles were on your last birthday cake. Not only is your age a crucial element to how they prescribe a treatment, but it’s information they’re going to find out, no matter what. And lying could break that essential doctor-patient trust. “I know patients don’t like admitting their age, but it’s very important to be truthful,” Dr. Shafer says. “If a patient tells me they are 49 but then their insurance card shows a birthday indicating they are 57, I have to wonder if the patient is lying about anything else.”

10 Crucial Health Tweaks to Make by Your 50s



Kim Fredericks




Your half-century mark is more than just a milestone birthday celebration. Preventive steps now can help you roar into your 50s with a healthy body, a strong mind, and a happy outlook.


Get a colonoscopy
For most people, your 50th birthday is the signal that it’s time for a first colonoscopy screening—and you should know the best time to schedule your colonoscopy. During the procedure, your doctor will use a long, lighted tube called a colonoscope to examine your colon for polyps, which can be early signs of colon cancer. The procedure, which is done while you’re under sedation, is painless and the benefits are great. Discovered early, colon cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer—but it rarely has symptoms until it’s progressed to a deadlier stage. According to the Colon Cancer Alliance, colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. Nearly 90 percent of new cases occur in people over age 50. Colon cancer usually begins as a small, slow growing growth in the colon that, if left unchecked, can progress into cancer. “It is a disease that is 90 percent beatable if caught early,” says Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colon Cancer Alliance. For those fearful of the procedure, which requires sedation and taking a day off of work, other procedures are available, but the colonoscopy is the most complete screening method available because it can identify and remove polyps in a single session and there’s really nothing to be nervous about. Check out these colonoscopy prep tips from doctors. “If you are not doing it for yourself, do it for others—your family,” says Sapienza. While most adults have a first colonoscopy at age 50, those with risk factors such as a family history of colon cancer,

Visit the eye doctor


Needing reading glasses is the most annoying sign that says ‘yes you really are aging,’” says Ruth D. Williams, Clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “It’s the first irreversible sign of aging, while others—like weight gain—you can go to the gym to get rid of.” Age-related eye care starts with a baseline eye exam, usually done at age 40, and serves as an important first step because many signs of eye disease are subtle. “Glaucoma is one disease that can develop before the patient realizes it,” says Williams. Other diseases that crop up with age include early cataracts, decreased vision, trouble seeing when driving at night, eye pain, redness, and flashes and floaters in the eye. These are all signs that should prompt a visit to the eye doctor. “A sudden appearance of flashes and floaters can indicate retinal detachment, while trouble with driving at night can be an early indication of cataracts,” says Williams.

When it comes to caring for your eyes, the advice is similar to caring for the rest of our health—stop smoking, avoid second-hand smoke, and wear sunglasses that offer 100 percent protection from UV rays. “The bigger the sunglasses, the better,” says Williams. “Protection from the sun helps prevent macular degeneration and cataracts, and wearing big sunglasses also protects the fine skin around the eyes, reducing your chance of getting wrinkles.” Eating colorful fruits and vegetables is also a must for eye health. “Research has shown that eating leafy greens slows the development of glaucoma and decreases the risk of macular degeneration,” says Williams. “I believe the data so much that I put leafy greens in everything I eat.”

Foods That Can Help Protect Your Eyesight



George Miata



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New research reveals foods that help protect against three leading age-related vision thieves:

Healthy Vision and NutritionComstockCom plete
Reduce the risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.


Glaucoma. Just one serving a month of kale or collard greens or more than two servings of carrots a week reduced the risk of glaucoma by more than 60 percent in a UCLA study of 1,000 women. Scientists believe that high levels of vitamin A and other antioxidants in these veggies help protect crucial cells in the optic nerve.

Cataracts. Adults who regularly drink orange juice and also include C-rich foods such as red and green bell peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli in their daily diet are 45 percent less likely to develop cataracts, according to new research from Australia. Vitamin C may help counteract the lens-clouding effects of light and heat.

Macular degeneration. Eating oatmeal, high-fiber cereals, and whole-grain breads cuts the risk of macular degeneration by about 39 percent, shows a recent study. Complex carbs prevent blood sugar swings that can damage delicate cells in the center of the retina.

8 Ways Beer Is Actually Good for You



Vanessa Voltolina




Who knew?! From helping your heart to fighting cavities, a daily brewski (or two) can boost your health.




Move over, vino! Beer’s good for your ticker, too

Is beer good for you? Well, it’s good for your heart, and there is science to back that up. Wine often takes center stage during heart-health discussions. But don’t shortchange the health benefits of beer. According to a study done by researchers at the University of Cambridge and University College London drinking one pint of beer a day has been linked to a reduced risk of developing some cardiovascular diseases. The study analyzed the electronic health records of nearly 2 million healthy UK adults. People that were moderate drinkers were less likely to see a doctor for seven conditions including heart attacks and strokes caused by blood clots than those who were heavy drinkers or didn’t drink at all.

Beer may protect against rheumatoid arthritis

Alcohol, including beer, has anti-inflammatory properties, which is likely why it is linked with such positive implications for heart health, as well as other diseases triggered by inflammation. A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, which included 1.9 million participants from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), found that women who drank two to four times per week had a 31 percent decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis compared to their fellow teetotalers

Beer is an antimicrobial for your mouth

Beer and hops (as well as red wine and coffee) contain antimicrobial compounds that may help fight unwelcome oral germs linked to plaque and gum disease. While one of the benefits of beer is a healthier smile, that doesn’t mean you should skip brushing and flossing altogether. They’re still necessary to have good oral health.

Beer could protect your eyesight

Could drinking beer set you up for better long-term ocular health? Perhaps. A 3,654-person study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology found participants with moderate alcohol consumption had a 50 percent lower incidence of cataract surgery (versus non-drinkers and heavy drinkers) over a period of five to ten years. Antioxidants in wine and beer may be responsible for these benefits; a number of studies show that cataracts and macular degeneration are more prevalent when a diet is low in antioxidants. We’ll toast to that!

Beer could reduce your risk of kidney stones

Kidney stones are tiny, hard mineral deposits that form inside the kidneys, which may be a result of dehydration or certain food choices. If you’ve ever experienced them, you know that they can be very painful to pass. A Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology study following almost 200,000 participants found those imbibing about one beer a day had a 41 percent lower risk of forming kidney stones. Researchers believe this may be due to the diuretic properties of beer and other alcohols.

Beer may lower the odds of type 2 diabetes

You hear phrases like “beer belly” and wonder how on earth a brewski could reduce your diabetes risk. But a meta-analysis of 15 studies found that moderate alcohol consumption, including beer, may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 30 percent. There may be many factors at play, including the anti-inflammatory effects of alcohol, according to study authors. Other research in people without diabetes has found positive effects of moderate alcohol consumption on insulin and triglyceride levels. It’s important to emphasize that moderate consumption is key; overdoing it may actually increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Beer can help your bones

Beer is a rich source of silicon, which is a key part of bone formation and maintenance in the human body. A study done by the International Journal of Endocrinology found that incorporating silicon into the diet has the potential to prevent and treat osteoporosis, especially in post-menopausal women experiencing bone loss. Other foods that have silicon are whole grains, cereals, and some vegetables including green beans.

Beer can keep your brain healthy

The silicon found in beer can also help your brain. It protects your brain from compounds that can eventually cause cognitive diseases. There is also a study that says a compound found in hops, xanthohumol, supports neuronal cells which can help prevent neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Cheers to a long, healthy life! Now that you can answer the question, “Is beer good for you?” with a confident

8 Surprising Ways You Can Kick Your Sugar Addiction



Nicole Goehl




Here’s how to detox from sugar like a nutritionist, for fewer pesky cravings and mood dips—and possibly a little weight loss as a bonus.

Don’t cut out sugar (completely)
Quitting sugar cold turkey is too drastic—and a recipe for bingeing, or at least reverting to old habits. “Slow and steady wins the race,” says Tiphani Seibert-Martinez, MS, director of patient education at the Minnesota Center for Obesity, Metabolism, and Endocrinology. Making small, simple changes to your nutrition is easier to sustain, especially since you can train your taste buds to enjoy things that aren’t as sweet over time, Martinez says. Not to mention that the anxiety of trying to avoid “all sugar” creates stress. And stress turns on the “fight or flight” mechanisms, increasing production of hormones that can raise blood sugar levels and suppress immune function, both which can minimize the benefits of eliminating sugar in the first place

Take a drink

Of water, that is. Adina Niemerow, CN, a culinary nutritionist and author of Super Cleanse, is a true believer that “food heals.” According to Niemerow, sugar cravings could be a sign that you’re dehydrated. Before you hit the vending machine, drink a glass of water and then wait a few minutes to see what happens,” she says. These are the clear signs you’ve been OD-ing on sugar.

Learn all the names for sugar

goes by many names. Some terms to look for include lactose, brown rice syrup, molasses, and dextrose, to name just a few. What’s worse, sugar can hide in foods where you least expect it: Barbecue sauce, pasta sauce, reduced-fat salad dressings, breads, baked beans, and some flavored coffees can be packed with sugar

Chill out and go to bed




When tired or stressed, your body will crave energy—usually in the form of sugar. These cravings are often a result of being sleep-deprived, going to bed late, or waking up too early. Niemerow recommends trying to nab a good eight hours of sleep a night. “And if you have to burn the midnight oil and start craving sweets, other experts say, reach for a small snack. Here are the secrets people on a low-sugar diet swear by to avoid sugar bombs.

High-Protein Diet: How to Get Started



Alyssa Shaffer




From weight loss to building muscle, there’s plenty of evidence behind the power of protein. Here’s how to make it work for you.




Why you need protein

Whether you’re hoping to lose weight, build muscle, or just have more energy to power you through your day, a high-protein diet can help. “Protein plays a wide number of roles in the body,” notes Kelly Pritchett, PhD, RD, an associate professor in nutrition and exercise science at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. “From cellular growth and repair to creating enzymes, helping with fluid and electrolyte balances and forming antibodies, protein is crucial.”

The advantages of a high-protein diet

If you’re watching what you’re eating and trying to shed some extra pounds, making sure you have enough protein is key for both helping you reach your weight-loss goals and keeping you healthy. “You’ll shift more of your weight loss toward body fat and protect your lean muscle mass,” explains Roger E. Adams, PhD, a nutritionist and weight loss consultant based in Katy, TX and the owner of eatrightfitness.com. Studies have also shown that protein has a satiating effect. “It takes a longer time for your body to break down and digest most protein, so it delays your appetite and keeps you feeling fuller, longer,” says Adams.

Read on for why a high-protein diet is so important, whether it’s right

Why we need protein

Protein is a critical part of our diet—we need it to feel full, have energy, build and repair muscle, process nutrients, and boost immunity, among other vital roles.”Protein is made up of amino acids that are the building blocks of body tissues, including muscles, blood vessels, hair, skin, and nails. It’s also involved in the production of enzymes and hormones that help the body to function normally,” says Kaleigh McMordie, a registered dietitian nutritionist. Why are these amino acids so important? McMordie gives a quick anatomy lesson (in case you spaced out in 10th grade): There are some amino acids that the body can synthesize, but others, called essential amino acids, we must get through our diet. Animal protein sources, such as meat, fish, milk, and eggs, contain all nine essential amino acids while most plant-based protein sources don’t have the full complement of amino acids in the exact right amounts (there are some exceptions, like soybeans). “That’s why it is important to include a variety of protein sources in order to get all of the essential amino acids, especially for vegetarians,” McMordie says. And if you’re a regular exerciser, protein is especially important, according to diet and lifestyle dietitian and registered nutritionist, Keith Akoob, EdD. “Protein not only builds muscle, but it also repairs and maintains muscle,” he says. “Muscle cells, like all living tissue, have a life. They eventually need to be replaced, so repair and maintenance are critical roles for dietary protein.” Don’t miss 7 signs you might not be eating enough protein.