When it Comes to Melanoma and Skin Cancer Screenings, Don’t Forget Your Feet

I recently got a call from a man in Arizona who found my name on the internet while he was researching some skin cancer facts. He had seen that I had a particular clinical interest in the early diagnosis of melanoma on the lower extremity, and the foot in particular.

He asked me if when he goes to his dermatologist, should he have his feet looked at. It is interesting that many people do not consider the foot as a place that skin cancer, or for that matter, any kind of cancer can occur. Nothing could be further from the truth.

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Fad Diets: Do They Really Work?

South Beach, Atkins, Blood Type, Zone, Low Fat, Low Carb, No Carb, Negative Calorie, Acai Berry, Cabbage Soup, All Juice, HCG, 3 Day, 17 Day…The list of fad diets goes on and on. Even as a dietitian, I find it challenging to keep up on the latest weight loss “craze.” Chances are, though, that you or someone you know has attempted one of these all-too-popular diets. The real question is, do they really work?

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May is National Osteoporosis Prevention Month

This guest post was written by Simone Walters, MS, RD.

Osteoporosis and low bone density (osteopenia) — conditions characterized by loss of bone mass — are major health concerns in the United States. Throughout our lifespan, bone is constantly broken down and rebuilt, usually in a balanced way that results in bone growth and mineral accumulation in bones (“bone mineral density”) that supports a strong skeleton. As we age, this accumulation reaches its highest point (“peak bone mineral density”) and gradually shifts towards bone loss. Osteopenia occurs when bone mineral density declines below a healthy value; osteoporosis is its more severe manifestation, and both increase the risk of bone fractures. (more…)

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