Courtney on Health

No question that most of us need to minimize our intake of sugar (white sugar or any other sugar for that matter regardless of what type or color it is) and ultra processed food in general.  Buried in that message is the 'don't eat white food' health statement that has been circulating for years.  Unfortunately this can confuse many people as it bundles some unhealthy foods with foods that have been consumed world wide for...

Are you familiar with the Blue Zones? These are the 5 areas of the world where people live longest and with lower rates of chronic disease.  On this Courtney on Health: Health Bites, Courtney will describe the common principles among these areas and how to apply them to this Thanksgiving (and throughout the holiday season).  The holidays shouldn't be about avoiding favorite holiday foods nor over indulgence. Listen for Cou...

On average, women gain about 1 1/2 pounds each year throughout menopause.  This episode of Courtney On Health: Health Bites will focus on frustrating menopause-related weight gain.  Courtney will explain some of the reasons why women gain weight during menopause, how sleep affects appetite regulating hormones, offers strategies to help lose the extra pounds and describes those foods and drinks that may increase metabolic r...

Diet and Exercise can play a vital role in alleviating short term menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and headache and reducing long term health risks like osteoporosis and heart disease.  On this week's Courtney on Health - Health Bites, Courtney describes nutrition and fitness strategies that may help if you are experiencing bothersome menopausal symptoms and how to fight post menopause weight gain.  Thank...

Winter is coming and poor weather is one of the most common barriers to maintaining physical activity.  Fall is a great time to evaluate your exercise routine to see if it's helping you meet your fitness goals.  On this episode of Courtney On Health - Health Bites, Courtney offers motivating strategies to keep active as the temperatures start to dip and to keep your fitness routine interesting and effective! She'll recomme...

Do you know your cholesterol numbers? Are eggs okay to eat? What about shellfish? Can coffee raise cholesterol levels? On this Courtney on Health : Health Bites, Courtney reviews the latest guidelines on ideal cholesterol levels, and how certain foods and exercise affect those levels.  Listen to learn about hereditary high cholesterol (where medication may be needed)  along with steps you can take to lower cholesterol leve...

So many of us are feeling stressed out and anxious.  There are several lifestyle factors you could (and should) try to help create more calm in your life including your diet, physical activity, and mindfulness. The role of adaptogens has come up a lot in recent years as one more tool to help reduce stress and feel energized. In this episode of COH Health Bites, Courtney explains what adaptogens are and the best approach to...

Powdered and freeze dried 'super' greens have been and continue to be popular among adults looking to bolster their athletic performance, immunity or overall wellness.  What are they and more importantly, do they do what they are promise to do? On the Courtney's Health Bites, I'll explain the overall category of  powdered vegetables, fruits, various phytochemicals, and adaptogens, what the research says, pros and cons.  Th...

On this week's Courtney On Health : Health Bites, my topic is sports drink usage among children and teenagers.  Sports drinks do serve a role among athletes but their use goes way beyond the child or teenage athlete and sports performance.  Sports drinks are big business!  Learn if your student would benefit from a sports what to look for and what to avoid.  The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated recommendations on...

We hear more and more about the benefits of probiotics but what are they really?  Are there people who shouldn't have probiotic supplements?  And what are prebiotics? In this episode of Courtney on Health, Courtney will discuss the difference between probiotics and prebiotics, dairy and nondairy sources of probiotics and tips on what to look for in yogurt to make sure you are getting the most live active cultures  (LAC).  ...

There are many types of ticks.  A bite from one type, The Lone star tick, can lead to a red meat allergy.  Also known as Alpha Gal Syndrome, this allergy occurs after consuming  beef, lamb, pork, bison, rabbit, goat, dairy and other mammal-derived products.  Sounds straight out of a sci-fi movie right?  On this week's Courtney on Health, Courtney will explain Alpha Gal Syndrome, which areas of the country are seeing more c...

No doubt acai bowls and smoothies have been and continue to be trendy.  What are they and why can't we find fresh acai in the Untied States? Are they any healthier than other berries like blueberries or cranberries?  How do you know if what you are buying is actually acai? For those trying to lose a few pounds, should the calorie load of some acai bowls be a concern? Listen to this week's Courtney on Health for the answers...

We see a lot of foods these days with the 'Gluten Free' label on it. What does that mean and can you trust it? This week on Courtney on Health, Courtney explains what gluten is, the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance, and the standard behind the 'Gluten Free' (GF)label.  She offers a list of gluten free grains to try if following a GF diet and cautions against choosing gluten free but crappy carbohydr...

If you have had one or more kidney stones, you would no doubt like to forget the discomfort and pain.  Kidney stones are more likely to recur if  you don't address the dietary and lifestyle changes that are known to cause them.  Dehydration, low calcium, magnesium and potassium intake and high sodium, protein, oxalate and supplemental Vitamin C intake can all lead to the formation of kidney stones.  On the week's Courtney ...

No denying it.  Frozen fruits and veggies have a bad reputation as having little flavor and lacking the vitamins and minerals  that fresh produce contain. However, studies show that both frozen fruit and vegetables are nutritious, affordable and actually help reduce food waste.  On this week's Courtney on Health, Courtney will discuss how the  frozen produce process, their nutrient profile, and best ways to include them fo...

Heterocyclic amines (HCA) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are chemicals formed when meat (beef, pork, fish and poultry) is cooked using high temperature methods. Animal studies using high doses of PAH and HCA have shown an increase risk of cancers and a most recent study in BMJ showed an increase incidence of rheumatoid arthritis with exposure to environmental PAHs.  BUT before you ward off grilling or smoking f...

Cranberries are packed with polyphenols including proanthocyanidins (PAC). As many as 60% of women (and 12% of men) experience a urinary tract infection within their lifetime.  Many women head right for the bottle of cranberry juice once the first symptoms of a UTI appear.  But is that helpful? In this episode of Courtney on Health, Courtney will discuss what the science shows regarding cranberry use for prevention and if ...