More and more today we are consuming excessive amounts of simple carbohydrates and sugary foods that are causing an epidemic of inflammation and disease. Bread, cereal, pasta, cookies, crackers, bagels, muffins, croissants, donuts, pizza, rice, and highly processed packaged foods all break d…

When most people think of public health, they may conjure images of doctors and nurses or vials of vaccines.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among kids and teens. “According to the most recent data, about 5,000 children and adolescents die by suicide – and those numbers are before the pandemic, which with the pandemic is exacerbating mental health concerns,” said Ravinderpal Singh, MD,…

As fall approaches, coffee shops abound with pumpkin-spiced everything. There are pumpkin-flavored muffins, bread, pies, and the OG pumpkin spice latte (PSL).  But, have you ever looked on the website of a coffee shop and viewed the ingredients, let alone the sugar grams in one of those beve…

When Anailys Allones returned home from her two-week vacation to visit family, she did not expect to arrive home to a nightmare. It was the culmination of a months-long struggle to get the attention of the management at Residences at Government Center. The nightmare was mold, covering her co…

This fall, we recognize National Cholesterol Education Month - a time to reflect upon the importance of heart health and highlight the impact of high cholesterol on cardiovascular disease (CVD). As a cardiologist and physician researcher who feels passionately about diseases of the heart, mo…

Local fathers share experiences on generational health

Are you bloated after meals? Gassy, tooty, burping? These are all signs of digestive dysfunction. The most common problem is a LACK of hydrochloric acid or HCl. As we age, the amount of stomach acid we produce goes way down. Stress, a higher carbohydrate diet, sodas containing phosphoric aci…

A new survey from Inova found that stigma prevents many from seeking help when suffering from addiction. 

Life is messy and full of distractions. How many of us planned to go to bed early only to stay up streaming our favorite shows? What about scheduling time to work out, then getting caught up in work and running out of energy? Even when you’re highly motivated, it’s easy to get sidetracked. T…

Candida is one of those trendy new things that gets blamed for a lot of health issues today. But, to be honest, yeast overgrowth can have profound impacts on our health if not diagnosed and treated properly. 

Many people are fearful of developing Alzheimer’s disease, especially those with a family history of the condition. Researchers are investigating innovative treatments for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, but no cure exists right now.

Screening more patients and saving more lives

The kiddos are heading back to school or perhaps even you may need some fresh new ideas for building a better lunch. Make sure you and your child get enough protein for those powerful amino acids, fiber from vegetables to feed your gut flora and keep you fuller longer to a healthy fat that k…

Do you live in Fairfax County and have a well, spring, or cistern? Learn about your water quality through the statewide Virginia Household Water Quality Program. The Fairfax County Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), within Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood & Commun…

The last thing Harmony Vasquez expected was to receive an award from  Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) for collecting data. That is just her job as the outcomes measurement coordinator of cardiovascular service line quality for Reston Hospital Center. She is unassuming, and dedicated to the work. 

Getting health care for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility, especially if you are starting with Medicare, need services like nursing home care, have to find a new doctor or get home health care.   

I’m not a big fan of snack bars or granola bars because they’re mostly densely concentrated sugars that provide little nutrition to the body and often spike blood sugar. But, if you want a quick go-to portable food to take to school or work or have for emergencies in the car – a protein bar …

Whether you make your own smoothie or order out, you could be making some simple mistakes that can turn an otherwise very healthy drink into a disaster for your blood sugar and long-term health. With just a few swaps and tips, you can make this a healthy way to start your day or create a hea…

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You have likely seen many headlines about monkeypox, a disease similar to smallpox but much less lethal, with case numbers slowly rising in the United States. Unfortunately, it has made it here to Fairfax County, but there is no reason to panic. With the right information, you can take the a…

If you eat proper meals that each contain a lean protein, fiber from vegetables, and a small amount of healthy fat, you should stay satiated for hours. However, if you find yourself a little hungry in the afternoons, this is one of my favorite snack treats. 

Now that summer’s heat is in high gear, let’s talk about how to stay safe and healthy while you’re working up a sweat— or even if you are just out for a leisurely walk with the dog. The main way your body cools itself is through sweat and in order to sweat, we need to use our reserves of wat…

Summer brings sunshine and plenty of exciting opportunities to head outdoors for fun with family and friends. While those joyous moments make the season special, all that sun exposure can wreak havoc on the skin without the proper precautions.

Do you provide care or support for a stroke survivor in your household? You aren’t alone.

For the last five years, I have had the pleasure and privilege of working at the prestigious Amen Clinics as their integrative nutritionist. I have learned so much about the absolute need for preventative health when it comes to preventing cognitive decline and other brain health issues like…

Insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes have reached epidemic proportions. In the U.S. today, someone dies from diabetes-related causes every 10 seconds, and recent reports suggest that one-third of people born in 2010 will develop diabetes at some point in their lives. N…

Fairfax County Health Department has announced a partnership with Curative to provide no cost COVID-19 PCR testing at six sites around Fairfax County. 

In the summer months, I like refreshing smoothies for breakfast. It’s really the only time of year that I like to have them. They are too cooling to the body in the colder months. But it’s important to build your smoothie in a way that nourishes your body on a cellular level. You can make a …

When a couple welcomes a new baby into the family, everything changes. The parents tend to focus on the new baby’s needs and on the new mom’s physical and mental health. Family, friends and support systems tend to focus on mom and baby as well. But what about dads and partners? It’s a challe…

When I think of my favorite sweet treat, I think of brownies. You too? However, most boxed brownie mixes have sugar as the first ingredient and this makes them a blood sugar-spiking horrible treat. This recipe uses dates as the sweetener and you can even use less if you like. The beans add f…

Zinc is an essential trace element that plays an important role in growth and development, immune health, neurological function, and reproduction. Research has also found that zinc may have significant therapeutic benefits in age-related degenerative diseases. 

Longer days and lighter schedules make summer perfect for relaxing, having fun outdoors and spending time with loved ones. However, more physical activity and time spent in the sun can also translate to increased health and safety risks.

It’s time to start thinking and taking action on preparing yourself and your family for hurricane season which began June 1 and lasts through November 30. 

Despite their tiny size, limes have a number of surprising health benefits. And with summer here, they are a perfect addition to drinks, desserts, and meals. 

Food insecurity isn’t a new problem in the United States, but the economic upheaval created by the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the problem.

Whether you call them iGen or Generation Z, today’s adolescents and young adults are connected online more than ever. Over the past few years, we have seen a significant spike in social media use among teenagers – and we have also seen a dramatic increase in teenage anxiety, depression and s…

This is my favorite dairy-free Tzatziki recipe. It’s deliciously creamy, refreshing and, best of all, even though it’s dairy-free, it tastes just like the original! Why no dairy? For some, they can have lactose intolerance or even an undiagnosed dairy allergy (that was me!). For others who m…

When it’s super hot and a glass of water just doesn’t cut it when it comes to cooling off, you may something a bit more refreshing. I’m all for drinking tons of filtered water in the summer months, but when you want more, this drink hits the spot!

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As families across the nation continue to experience challenges finding formula to feed their infants, the Fairfax Health District and Virginia Department of Health share safety and resource information with residents.