Your News For Healthy Living

One of the first things you should do before sitting down to any meal is read. We’re not talking about the text or email you just got, we’re talking about labels. There’s a lot you can learn about the things you eat and it’s right in the palm of your hand. The nutrition facts label is packed with information.

The nutrition facts label can be a good guide if you’re trying to put together a healthy meal plan.

You can start by checking the USDA's dietary guidelines and the FDA's recommended daily values of vitamins and minerals. The nutrition facts label will also tell you things about your food like:

• Calories
• Fats
• Sodium

The label will help you track how much you’re getting compared to how much you should be eating. So, let’s take a look at some of the important things you can learn from the nutrition facts label.

Cholesterol can do a lot for your body. Despite its negative reputation, your body actually needs this waxy substance to perform optimally. Get too much of it from food sources though, and you could run into unwanted health effects.

Here’s a shocking statistic: 73 million Americans have high cholesterol, but only one in two are being treated.

You made the proactive decision to get blood work done, but now your lab results are in and you’re more confused than ever. Even if your doctor takes the time to explain them, you might find yourself forgetting the details as soon as you leave the office. Interpreting what each score means and why it matters to your overall health can seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.

Closing your eyes for a quick afternoon nap can feel all too tempting some days. However, if you’re a woman who frequently experiences daytime sleepiness, your heavy eyelids might be symptomatic of something more serious.

A recent study completed at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University collected data from more than 84,000 women in the United States to draw their conclusion. The information was collected from information provided for the Nurses Health Study II from 2001-2009.