Is a High Protein Diet Healthy?

Dr.Kristie Leong

Some fitness gurus recommend a high protein diet for building lean body mass. There’s little doubt that getting enough protein is important, especially if you’re doing resistance exercise to increase lean body mass – but is more really better? Is a high protein diet good for you?

The Amazing Health Benefits of Garlic

Dr.Kristie Leong

Eating garlic may not make you socially more acceptable, but it could make you healthier. There’s a reason why garlic is such a popular culinary herb. It adds incredible flavor to food – especially Italian dishes, but, unfortunately, the potent sulfur compounds leave a lingering mouth odor. Even so, garlic has its perks from a health standpoint. What are the benefits of eating garlic?

When Is the Best Time to Lose Weight?

By Dr.Kristie Leong

Losing weight can be a tough battle. It takes a certain mindset to change unhealthy eating habits and focus on eating more nutritious foods that are still low in calories. On the plus side, it can be done - and many people have succeeded in reaching their ideal body weight by changing the way they eat and exercise. If you’ve truly made the commitment to start losing weight, that’s half of the battle since it takes mental resolve to change bad eating habits. Surprisingly, you could have an easier time shedding extra pounds at certain times of the year. When is the best time to start losing weight?

Two New Health Benefits of Water

Dr.Kristie Leong

When the summer sun creates a powerful thirst, many people reach for a sports drink, soft drink, or a cup of fruit juice to replace lost fluids. Maybe they should reach for a glass of water instead. A recent study highlighted some newly discovered health benefits of drinking water. Are you drinking enough of this underappreciated liquid?

Do Topical Vitamins Improve Aging Skin?

Dr.Kristie Leong

More companies are adding vitamins to their skin care products – on the premise that they have anti-aging benefits. Consumers are buying into this promise too, by purchasing these “vitamin enhanced” skin creams and lotions in record numbers. But are these products really worth the money? Can topical vitamins improve the appearance of aging skin?

Is Bike Riding Good for Weight Loss?

By Dr.Kristie Leong

Not everyone enjoys the same type of exercise – and the key to sticking with an exercise program is finding an activity you love. For some people, taking a brisk outdoor walk is a way to see the landscape while burning calories. Another way to enjoy the great outdoors - and still get a workout - is to ride a bike. But, what if you’re trying to lose a few pounds? Is bike riding good for weight loss?

Does a One Day a Week Workout Work?

By Dr Kristie Leong

One of the most common reasons people give for not working out is lack of time. What if you can only fit in a workout once a week, say on the weekends – but you still want to build strength and lean body mass? Does a one day a week workout have any real benefit?

Is It Safe to Live Near a Cell Phone Tower When Pregnant?

By Dr Kristie Leong M.D.

Is it safe to live near a cell phone tower when you’re pregnant? There’s been concern about cell tower health risks for awhile now – and for good reason. Some small studies show that living near a cell phone tower could put a person at higher risk for cancer. Understandably, mom-to-be may have reservations about living too close to a tower, but according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal, living near a cell phone tower doesn’t increase the risk of an unborn baby getting cancer during childhood.

Warning! Some Protein Shakes Are Contaminated With Heavy Metals

By Dr.Kristie Leong

When you pop the top off a body building protein shake you don’t expect it to be contaminated with heavy metals – but don’t be too sure. When Consumer Reports magazine did an analysis recently of popular protein shakes that body builders use to boost their protein, they found that three out of the fifteen they looked at contained heavy metals – not exactly a glowing endorsement for body building protein shakes.

Does Depression Cause Weight Gain?

By Dr.Kristie Leong M.D

Adding a few unexpected pounds can make a person feel a little down, but what about the opposite scenario? Can feeling down make it more difficult to fight the battle of the bulge? Mood and eating habits are closely associated for many people, so it’s not surprising that emotional factors play a role in obesity. Does depression cause weight gain?

Five Habits That Help Stroke Survivors Live Longer

  By Dr.Kristie Leong

Image Credit:Glitzy queen00
Having a stroke is a life changing experience for most people and among those who survive a stroke there’s always the fear of a stroke recurrence. In a study published in the journal Stroke, researchers found that the combined risk of stroke recurrence or death among a group of inner city residents of various ethnicities was as high as sixty-five percent. Fortunately, a new study points out some simple lifestyle factors that lower the risk of a stroke survivor dying prematurely – not only from stroke, but from all causes. The good news? Almost anyone can do them.

What Does It Mean if You Have White Fingernail Lines?

Dr.Kristie Leong M.D.

Image Credit: Keitei
Does your doctor take a close look at your fingernails during a physical exam? This is a good practice since changes in nail appearance can be an early sign of health problems. If you look closely at your fingernails, do you see a horizontal white line or lines that extend across the nail bed? What causes white fingernail lines and should you be concerned if you have them?

Black Tea for Weight Loss?

By Dr Kristie Leong M.D.

Image Credit: Wikimol

When it comes to the health benefits of black vs. green tea, green tea usually takes center stage, while black tea gets pushed to the back burner. But, poor old black tea may soon get the attention it deserves. A new study shows that drinking black tea could rival green tea when it comes to fat burning and weight loss. Good news for black tea lovers who want to lose a few pounds!

Black vs. Green Tea: What’s the Difference?

Green tea and black tea both come from the Camellia senesis plant. The difference between them lies in the way they are processed. Green tea is dried and then steamed which preserves the polyphenols - EC, ECG, EGC, and the most important one, EGCG.

Do Isometric Exercises Build Muscle?

Dr.Kristie Leong

You’re probably most familiar with isotonic exercises – exercises that involve moving muscles against resistance. Weight lifters do this type of exercise all the time at the gym when they lift weights. But, there’s another type of exercise that’s done in a static position called isometric exercises. Are isometric exercises effective for building muscle tone and strength?

Resistance Exercise Improves Brain Health?

By Dr.Kristie Leong

Image Credit: Mysid
A resistance workout may be just what the doctor ordered for brain health. According to new research from the American College of Sports Medicine, doing a resistance workout regularly may improve brain function - and reduce the risk of brain degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

How does resistance exercise work its magic on the brain? Researchers found it increases levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF which stimulates the growth of new nerve tissue. Most human nerve cells are formed prior to birth, but there are a small number of stem cells that can develop into new nerve cells with the help of BDNF. Boosting levels of BDNF through resistance exercise training not only prevents damage to existing nerve cells, but stimulates the growth of new ones.