Social well-being is another important pillar of health. Feeling prepared and confident in social settings can reduce anxiety and improve...
Photo by Mary Eineman on Unsplash[/caption]
Author: Courtney Garner | WellSpot Functional Medicine
Chronic illness affects nearly 60% of American adults, and for millions of patients, conventional medicine offers only partial relief. Prescriptions manage symptoms. Referrals multiply. Yet the root cause — the why behind the illness — often goes unexamined. That's precisely why a growing number of patients and clinicians are turning to functional medicine as a more comprehensive alternative.
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Life gets busy, and it’s easy to push your health to the bottom of the to-do list. Many people believe that if they feel fine, there’s no reason to see a doctor. The fact is, serious conditions often go unnoticed because symptoms don’t appear until much later. High blood pressure, diabetes, and hearing loss are just a few examples of problems that can go unnoticed for years. That’s why regular health checkups are such an essential part of staying well.
These visits aren’t only about treating illness, they’re about prevention, early detection, and giving you peace of mind. Today, healthcare providers focus on making routine exams more personal and accessible, from primary care visits to specialized services that check your hearing, heart, or overall wellness. Knowing that these resources are available in your community makes it easier to stay proactive about your health. That’s where the value of trusted clinics comes in, offering professional care that keeps you on track.
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Have you ever grabbed a bottle of something labeled “natural” and then flipped it over only to find ingredients that look like they belong in a chemistry textbook? You’re not alone. In today’s world, being healthy isn’t just about eating greens or hitting the gym. It’s about knowing what you’re putting in, on, and around your body. And that starts with a single thing: paying attention.
Wellness used to be about quick fixes. Drink this. Take that. Burn calories. But now, people are looking deeper. They want to know what’s in their food, their shampoo, even their laundry detergent. And the more we learn, the more we realize how much we never really questioned.
It’s not about paranoia. It’s about clarity. And once you see the connection between everyday choices and how you feel, you can’t unsee it. That’s why awareness is now at the center of the wellness conversation.
In this blog, we will share how modern wellness begins with awareness—what that means, why it matters, and how it’s quietly changing the way we live.
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In recent years, yoga has expanded far beyond the boundaries of the studio. It has become a holistic practice that supports mental clarity, emotional well-being, and physical strength—all from the comfort of home or while traveling. While many people are drawn to yoga for its physical benefits, an increasing number are also turning to it for stress relief, self-reflection, and inner calm. As digital learning tools continue to grow, two platforms stand out for their commitment to integrating movement with mindfulness: The Merrymaker Sisters and All Yoga Training. Each provides a distinct approach that reflects the diversity and depth of yoga as a lifelong practice.
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Getting healthier doesn’t have to mean strict diets or intense workout routines. Sometimes, the biggest improvements come from small, everyday changes in your home and lifestyle. The products you use, the air you breathe, and even the lighting in your space can affect how you feel, sleep, and function throughout the day.
Making simple adjustments doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Getting rid of certain products, reorganizing your home, and paying attention to what goes on your skin and into your body can make a real difference over time. A few smart changes can help reduce stress, boost energy levels, and support overall well-being without feeling like you’re overhauling your life.
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With the rapid emergence of new diseases and the challenges of developing medications to combat them, protecting your health is more critical than ever. While advanced treatments are a marvel of modern medicine, prevention often remains the most effective tool against illness. By adopting a few practical, healthy habits, you can greatly reduce your risk of chronic conditions and infectious diseases.
This article will explore nine steps you can take to safeguard your well-being, helping you live a longer, healthier life.
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In this blog article, we’ll explore a few of the main ways you can boost your overall health and wellness by following these few health trends.
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Have you ever wondered why achieving a flat stomach seems so elusive? Many people struggle with this goal, often feeling frustrated by the lack of results despite their best efforts. Understanding that a flat stomach is not just about aesthetics but also about health can make the journey more meaningful. In this guide, we'll walk you through practical, achievable steps to help you get a flatter stomach.
Understanding the Anatomy and FactorsTo work towards a flat stomach, it's important to understand the muscles involved. The main muscles to focus on are:
• Rectus Abdominis: Often referred to as the "six-pack" muscles, these run vertically along the front of the abdomen.
• Transverse Abdominis: Located underneath the rectus abdominis, these muscles help stabilize the core.
• Obliques: Located on the sides of the abdomen, these muscles are crucial for twisting and side- bending movements.
Being fit is very important. It's not just about how we look but also about how we feel. When we are fit, we have lots of energy and can do lots of things. We can run, jump, and play without getting tired easily. Being fit also helps us stay healthy and strong. When we care for our bodies, we can do our best and feel happy daily!
This guide will help you understand fitness in a simple and fun way. We’ll talk about why fitness is important, how to get started, and some cool tips to keep you motivated. Let’s jump in!
Dr. Silverstein[/caption]
Dr. Michael Silverstein M.D., M.P.H
Professor of Pediatrics
Director of the Division of General Academic Pediatrics
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Pediatrics
Boston University School of Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Vitamin D is an important nutrient for keeping bones healthy, and it may also have a role in other aspects of good health. However, we do not have enough evidence to understand what levels of vitamin D people need to keep them healthy or what levels are too low.
As a result, the Task Force determined there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against screening for vitamin D deficiency in adults who do not have signs or symptoms. It is our hope that with more research, we will be able to make a strong, evidence-based recommendation on screening for vitamin D deficiency in the future.
Dr. Frame[/caption]
Leigh Frame, PhD, MHS
Director for the Integrative Medicine Program
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
George Washington University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: As food consumed in the U.S. becomes more and more processed, obesity may become more prevalent. Through reviewing overall trends in food, we concluded that detailed recommendations to improve diet quality and overall nutrition are needed for consumers, who are prioritizing food that is cheaper and more convenient, but also highly processed.
When comparing the U.S. diet to the diet of those who live in "blue zones" - areas with populations living to age 100 without chronic disease - the differences are stark. Many of the food trends we reviewed are tied directly to a fast-paced U.S. lifestyle that contributes to the obesity epidemic we are now facing.
Dr. Clarke[/caption]
Robert Clarke MD, FRCP, FFPH, FFPHI, MSc, DCH
Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine
Clinical Trial Service Unit (CTSU)
Nuffield Department of Population Health
University of Oxford
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Approximately 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men aged 50 years or older will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture in their remaining lifetime. Hip fracture is the most serious type of osteoporotic fracture with an approximately 30% risk of death in the year following a hip fracture. Vitamin D is essential for optimal musculoskeletal health by promotion of calcium absorption, and mineralisation of osteoid tissue formation in bone and maintenance of muscle function. Low vitamin D status causes secondary hyperparathyroidism, bone loss and muscle weakness. Observational studies have reported that lower blood concentrations of vitamin D are associated with higher risks of falls and fractures.
Combined supplementation with 800 IU/day vitamin D and 1200 mg/day calcium has been recommended for prevention of fractures in older adults living in institutions and in those with low vitamin D status. However, previous trials and meta-analyses of vitamin D alone, or in combination with calcium for prevention of fracture in either community-dwelling or general population settings reported conflicting results, with some reporting protective effects against fractures, but others demonstrated no beneficial effects. However, most of the previous trials had only limited power to detect differences in risk of fracture predicted by the observational studies, largely because of a combination of small sample size, relatively low equivalent daily doses of vitamin D, intermittent dosing regimens (>1 month), and short duration of follow-up. In addition, interpretation of the results of previous meta-analyses of such trials is complicated by use of variable inclusion criteria, inappropriate statistical methods, inclusion of multiple small trials with very few fracture events, in addition to failure to report achieved differences in blood 25(OH)D concentrations.
We summarised the available evidence to guide clinical practice and future research, by conducting parallel meta-analyses of:
Julie Reiff[/caption]
Julie Reiff BA
Researcher
Health Care Cost Institute
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Prior studies have attempted to define primary care spending and quantify such spending. Using definitions from the Milbank Memorial Fund, we used Health Care Cost Institute data to calculate primary care utilization and spending among those age 0-64 with employer-sponsored insurance.
Dr. Wei Bao[/caption]
Wei Bao, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology
College of Public Health,
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
and Yang Du
University of Iowa
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: In 2008, the US Department of Health and Human Services released the first federal Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which recommended that people should do at least 150 minutes moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. This key recommendation has been reaffirmed in the 2018 recently updated Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. In addition, the new 2018 Guidelines for the first time discussed health risks of sedentary behaviors.
Insufficient physical activity and long sitting time have long been recognized as risk factors for major chronic diseases and mortality. Therefore, we were curious whether there have been a significant changes in adherence to the Physical Activity Guidelines in US adults since the release of the first edition of the federal guidelines in 2008 and whether sedentary behavior in US adults changed during the same period.
Prof. Wai-Man (Raymond) Liu, PhD
Associate Professor
Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies & Statistics
College of Business & Economics Building
The Australian National University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: In our study, we studied survey responses of over 26,000 people from the largest Australian household survey over a period of 14 years. The survey was funded by the government called “The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey”. The survey was conducted by the Melbourne Institute.
In the survey more than 9,500 of these respondents had experienced the death of a close friend.
Dr. Manuel[/caption]
Dr. Doug Manuel MD, MSc, FRCPC
Professor and Senior Scientist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute | L’Institut de Recherche de l’Hôpital d’Ottawa
Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa
Départment de Médicine Familiale
Université d’Ottawa
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: A lot of people are interested in healthy living, but often we don't have that discussion in the doctor's office," says Dr. Manuel, who is also a professor at the University of Ottawa. "Doctors will check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but they don't necessarily ask about lifestyle factors that could put you at risk of a heart attack and stroke. We hope this tool can help people — and their care team — with better information about healthy living and options for reducing their risk of heart attack and stroke."
"What sets this cardiovascular risk calculator apart is that it looks at healthy living, and it is better calibrated to the Canadian population," says Dr. Doug Manuel, lead author, senior scientist at The Ottawa Hospital and a senior core scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES).” 
Sonia Duffy, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor, College of Nursing
The Ohio State University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Prior to conducting a tobacco cessation study with Operating Engineers, I conducted a survey of 498 Operating engineer and found that many of them were at risk for sun burning, which can lead to skin cancer. So as a follow up study, I conducted a study to prevent sun burning, which randomized 357 Operating Engineers to were randomized to four interventions: education only; education and text message reminders; education and mailed sunscreen; and education, text message reminders, and mailed sunscreen.
Stacy L. Andersen, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Project Manager
New England Centenarian Study
Long Life Family Study
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston Medical Center
Boston, MA 02118
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Exceptional longevity appears to run in families. Previous studies have found that people who have siblings who live into their 90s or who reach 100 years of age have a greater chance themselves of living longer than the general population. Yet it is supercentenarians, those who reach the age of 110 years, who represent the true extreme of the human lifespan. We wanted to determine whether the parents and siblings of supercentenarians were more likely to reach very old ages than family members of younger centenarians.
We collected family tree information for 29 participants of the New England Centenarian Study aged 110-119 years. Proof of age documents and familial reconstruction methods were used to validate ages and dates of birth and death of the supercentenarian as well as his or her parents and siblings. Mean age at death was compared to birth year and sex-specific US and Swedish cohort life table estimates conditional on survival to age 20 for siblings to omit deaths due to nonheritable factors such as infectious disease or accidents and survival to age 50 (the approximate age at which women are no longer able to reproduce) for parents. 
Nathan E. Cross PhD, first author
School of Psychology.
Sharon L. Naismith, PhD, senior author
Leonard P Ullman Chair in Psychology
Brain and Mind Centre
Neurosleep, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence
The University of Sydney, Australia
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Between 30 to 50% of the risk for dementia is due to modifiable risk factors such depression, hypertension, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes and smoking.
In recent years, multiple longitudinal cohort studies have observed a link between sleep apnoea and a greater risk (1.85 to 2.6 times more likely) of developing cognitive decline and dementia. Furthermore, one study in over 8000 people also indicated that the presence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in older adults was associated with an earlier age of cognitive decline, and that treatment of OSA may delay the onset of cognitive impairment.
This study reveals important insights into how sleep disorders such as OSA may impact the brain in older adults, as it is associated with widespread structural alterations in diverse brain regions. We found that reduced blood oxygen levels during sleep are related to reduced thickness of the brain's cortex in both the left and right temporal areas - regions that are important in memory and are early sites of injury in Alzheimer's disease. Indeed, reduced thickness in these regions was associated with poorer ability to learn new information, thereby being the first to link this structural change to memory decline.
Dr. Roffman[/caption]
Joshua L. Roffman, MD
Department of Psychiatry
Mass General Hospital
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Autism, schizophrenia, and other serious mental illness affecting young people are chronic, debilitating, and incurable at present. Recent public health studies have associated prenatal exposure to folic acid, a B-vitamin, with reduced subsequent risk of these illnesses. However, until this point, biological evidence supporting a causal relationship between prenatal folic acid exposure and reduced psychiatric risk has remained elusive.
We leveraged the rollout of government-mandated folic acid fortification of grain products in the U.S. from 1996-98 as a "natural experiment" to determine whether increased prenatal folic acid exposure influenced subsequent brain development. This intervention, implemented to reduce risk of spina bifida and other disabling neural tube defects in infants, rapidly doubled blood folate levels among women of childbearing age in surveillance studies.
Across two large, independent cohorts of youths age 8 to 18 who received MRI scans, we observed increased cortical thickness, and a delay in age-related cortical thinning, in brain regions associated with schizophrenia risk among individuals who were born during or after the fortification rollout, compared to those born just before it. Further, delayed cortical thinning also predicted reduced risk of psychosis spectrum symptoms, a finding that suggests biological plausibility in light of previous work demonstrating early and accelerated cortical thinning among school-aged individuals with autism or psychosis.
Jessica Wood[/caption]
Jessica Wood, MSc
PhD Candidate, Applied Social Psychology
Department of Psychology
University of Guelph
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: We are at time in history where we expect more from our romantic partners than at any point in our recent past (e.g., love, emotional and financial support, sexual excitement/fulfillment, friendship etc.). This can place pressure on relationships and make it difficult for each person to have their needs fulfilled. Some choose to opt out of of relationships altogether to avoid disappointment, and some even purchase a real sex doll for fulfilment. Another option is consensually non-monogamous (CNM) relationships, where sexual and emotional needs are dispersed among multiple partners, potentially decreasing pressures placed on a primary relationship. However, CNM relationships are stigmatized and often viewed as less stable or satisfying. In our study, we assessed the legitimacy of this perception by comparing relational outcomes among CNM and monogamous individuals. We also examined whether the motives a person reports for engaging in sex was important to how fulfilled a person was in the relationship, and how this was linked to relational outcomes (such as relationship and sexual satisfaction). That is, having sex for more intrinsic/autonomous motives (e.g., pleasure, intimacy, valuing sex) has been associated with higher relationship quality. In contrast, having sex for more extrinsic reasons (e.g., feeling pressured, wanting to manage feelings of guilt or shame), has been linked to lower relational quality.
This 1967 photograph, which was captured in Accra, Ghana, depicts the face of a smallpox patient.[/caption]
Dr. Dennis E. Hruby PhD
Chief Science Officer of SIGA Technologies
Corvallis, OR
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Naturally occurring smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980 following coordinated decades-long global vaccination campaigns. However, there is a significant concern that smallpox, which is both highly contagious and highly lethal, could be used as a potential bioweapon.
DNA synthesis technology and the possibility of unaccounted for smallpox stocks pose significant risks. While there are two publicly acknowledged stocks of smallpox virus held by the United States and Russia, some believe that additional stores of the virus could be in the hands of governments or organizations that might use them to cause harm. The DNA sequence of the smallpox genome is in the public domain and could potentially be synthesized in a laboratory from scratch or created by genetically modifying a similar virus.
Currently, there are no therapies approved for the treatment of smallpox infection. A smallpox bioterror attack could be especially damaging because the majority of today’s population is not immune to the virus, as routine vaccination ended in the 1970s. It is estimated that without vaccination or treatment, each person infected with smallpox would infect 5 - 7 others. Rapid spread from person-to-person can occur through speaking, breathing or touching. Smallpox also can be transmitted by direct contact with infected fluids and contaminated objects. Furthermore, vaccination must occur within 3-5 days of exposure to smallpox, when patients are still asymptomatic, to be effective. These limitations underscore the need for an effective smallpox antiviral therapy, in addition to any available vaccine.
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_42890" align="alignleft" width="199"] Dr. Ugiliweneza[/caption] Beatrice Ugiliweneza, PhD, MSPH Assistant Professor Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center Department of Neurosurgery, School...
Enzalutamide significantly delayed the time to metastases development by almost 2 years compared to placebo with a 71% reduction in...
Dr. Panettieri[/caption]
Reynold A. Panettieri, Jr., M.D.
Professor of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Vice Chancellor, Clinical & Translational Science
Director, Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine & Science
Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Child Health Institute of New Jersey
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Severe asthma is characterized by Type 2 inflammation manifested by increases in IL-13, IL-4 and Il-5 levels in the airways that promotes airway hyperresponsiveness and in part irreversible airway obstruction. These clinical manifestations profoundly increase asthma morbidity and mortality.
To address an unmet therapeutic need, Tralokinumab was developed as a monoclonal antibody targeting soluble IL-13 with the goal of improving lung function and patient reported outcomes while decreasing annual exacerbation rates. Stratus 1 and 2 represent two identical randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 clinical trials in severe asthma. These international trials enrolled approximately 2000 subjects with severe asthma and examined whether Tralokinumab decreased annualized exacerbation rates (AER) as compared with placebo (primary outcome).