If the number of failed New Year’s resolutions are any indication, eating healthy in a fast-paced world still isn’t all that easy.

In a previous column I discussed the PACER, a test of cardiovascular fitness that is part of the national youth physical fitness test battery (FITNESSGRAM). FITNESSGRAM, was developed at the Cooper Institute in Dallas and is now offered as a cooperative program with the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (PCFSN) and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD). In addition to assessing cardiovascular fitness, the FITNESSGRAM Test Battery includes tests of muscle fitness, flexibility, and body composition.

We are all familiar with the fact that chemicals, particularly pesticides and herbicides, have negative side effects. The United States and international government agencies have acknowledged that different pesticides have been linked to a variety of health problems including hormonal disruption, skin, eye and lung irritation, birth defects, weight gain, nervous system toxicity and cancer. Many times, the negative effects of pesticides can take a long time to show, and by the time symptoms are clear, a lot of damage may have already been done.

Insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and obesity (diabesity) are global epidemics that continue to rise and come with major health consequences. Type 2 diabetes is commonly associated with poor diet and inactivity. However, there is now evidence of autoimmunity in Type 2 diabetes.

Getting enough calcium is an important part of everyone’s diet, and that is especially true during pregnancy. In fact, the need for calcium is even greater during gestation, particularly in the second and third trimesters.

September is National Menopause Awareness Month

Ever meandered through the pharmacy aisles of Whole Foods, Sprouts, or even Trader Joe’s and wished you knew more about the various supplements and which ones could possibly benefit you? Herbal/dietary supplements (also called botanicals) are plants used for their therapeutic properties, and the roots of herbalism go back to the beginning of humanity. The following list contains some of the more popular herbs that are generally accepted to have psychoactive and/or medicinal properties with positive effects in humans:

Active Health, 1011 S. 48th St., Suite 108, an Ahwatukee Foothills chiropractic and physical therapy office, will be hosting a free seminar on osteoporosis at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13. This seminar is for residents of all ages, especially mothers who want to help prevent osteoporosis in their children.

We hear a lot of back and forth these days about the Affordable Care Act — aka the federal health reform law — but not much about how it affects people with Medicare. When you sort through all the rhetoric, one thing is clear: the 2-year-old reform law contains some real benefits for those who get their coverage through Medicare.

Most Americans are aware of the health benefits of physical activity. The evidence indicates that regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, various forms of cancer, and depression.

Most Americans are aware of the health benefits of physical activity. The evidence indicates that regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, various forms of cancer, and depression.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the No. 1 cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. The top risk factors: hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity and smoking, are poorly treated, oftentimes with pharmaceutical drugs. 

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the No. 1 cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. The top risk factors: hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity and smoking, are poorly treated, oftentimes with pharmaceutical drugs. 

Insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and obesity (diabesity) are global epidemics with major health consequences. Nearly two thirds of Americans are now medically classified as overweight or obese. What's crazy is that 30 percent of overweight individuals believe they're at a healthy weight, and 70 percent of obese individuals feel they're simply overweight. This excess weight costs our nation $93 billion in annual medical bills.

Insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and obesity (diabesity) are global epidemics with major health consequences. Nearly two thirds of Americans are now medically classified as overweight or obese. What's crazy is that 30 percent of overweight individuals believe they're at a healthy weight, and 70 percent of obese individuals feel they're simply overweight. This excess weight costs our nation $93 billion in annual medical bills.

Recently, I attended the AANP (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians) Convention, which was here in Phoenix at the Biltmore Resort.

Recently, I attended the AANP (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians) Convention, which was here in Phoenix at the Biltmore Resort.

You may have heard, "You are what you eat." Actually, you are what you absorb and assimilate. Hippocrates quotes: "All disease begins in the gut." Your second brain is through the gut.

You may have heard, "You are what you eat." Actually, you are what you absorb and assimilate. Hippocrates quotes: "All disease begins in the gut." Your second brain is through the gut.

Sun Citian Jubie Ellen Hughes lost 21 pounds and won $500 through her health clinic and had a lot of fun in the process, even though she made some major lifestyle changes to achieve her goals. But she’s not quite there yet, so she reinvested the money she won from Renovare Wellness by Design’s Greatest Loser Contest into a boot camp program to continue working to improve her health.

Sun Citian Jubie Ellen Hughes lost 21 pounds and won $500 through her health clinic and had a lot of fun in the process, even though she made some major lifestyle changes to achieve her goals. But she’s not quite there yet, so she reinvested the money she won from Renovare Wellness by Design’s Greatest Loser Contest into a boot camp program to continue working to improve her health.

Life Line Screening is dedicated to providing affordable, reliable, preventive health screenings to the people in our local communities.

Life Line Screening is dedicated to providing affordable, reliable, preventive health screenings to the people in the communities. They partner with doctors to help detect health problems as an effective way to improve quality of life. Each Life Line Screening is a community based event that is staffed by highly trained healthcare professionals committed to promoting a proactive approach to the health and well-being of each individual. Educational material to support the fee based screening service is supplied by Chandler Regional Medical Center.