Recent reports from the Health Department indicate that influenza rates are on the rise in Travis County and throughout the state. Though not as severe of a flu season this year as compared to last, it is still a cause for concern as we head into what has historically been peak flu season. If you have not had the flu shot yet, it is not too late as flu season can run through mid-March. The flu shot is formulated to
Read More...Did you know … Bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract (also known as the “gut microbiome”) play a very important role in maintaining good health and prevention of disease. The human gut microbiome is composed of hundreds of microbial species and a total microbial population in the trillions! These organisms play key roles in regulation of our immune response and thus many aspects of our health. Through recent research, we’ve learned how these organisms can be specifically altered – positively andnegatively
Read More...Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime with approximately 9,500 people diagnosed every day. What causes skin cancer? The greatest risk factor for development of skin cancer is exposure to UV light, of which there are two types; UVA and UVB. UVA rays, which can pass through glass, leads to premature aging of the skin. More importantly, UVA suppress
Read More...With the new year many of us are refocusing on our health and how to develop, improve, or maintain a healthy life style. A number of patients have asked about High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). A large amount of information is available (a Google search yields 25,600,000 results) so I felt it would be a good topic to discuss and summarize in this newsletter. Before getting into the specifics of HIIT, below is a review of current recommendations on physical
Read More...Most people know that physical activity is important in obtaining optimal cardiovascular health. It also may not be surprising that a majority of Americans do not get the minimum recommended 75 vigorous-intensity minutes or 150 moderate intensity minutes per week of aerobic activity. Nor do they engage at least twice a week in muscle strengthening activities for major muscle groups.(1) Studies have shown that an active life style can reduce cardiovascular disease by as much as 39% and stroke by
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