General Health Archives | Valley Medical Weight Loss

Heart Health: How Stress Affects Your Heart

February is American Heart Month. Although you should be living in a way that contributes to heart health all year long, this month is a time to really spread the word. Heart disease is the leading [...]

By Lindsay

February 21, 2019

Stress Relief, General Health

Is a Calorie a Calorie? Not According to Research.

For years, nutrition experts have been saying that “a calorie is a calorie” – that as long as you were staying within your allotted calorie goals and exercising enough, you’d lose weight. But [...]

By Lindsay

May 1, 2018

Weight Loss, General Health, Health Tips

Self Love for Weight Loss: The Importance of Being Nice to Yourself

Would you look at your best friend and tell her that she’s not good enough? Not pretty enough? Not thin enough? Would you tell your mom or sister or cousin that she’s terrible for veering off of [...]

By Lindsay

May 10, 2018

Weight Loss, General Health, Health Tips

B12 Injections: Benefits Beyond Weight Loss

The body relies on a constant internal balance of vitamins and minerals to function at its best. Unfortunately, today’s standard American diet is high in everything we don’t need and low [...]

By Lindsay

May 21, 2018

MEDS, Weight Loss, General Health

Ditch the Candy: Tips for Getting Through Halloween

Halloween is quickly approaching and we’re not sure what’s scarier: the ghosts and goblins running through the streets or the sheer amount of Halloween candy overcrowding the shelves. Everywhere [...]

By Lindsay

October 1, 2018

Weight Loss, General Health, Health Tips, Uncategorized

Does Gluten Free Mean Healthy? Let’s Break It Down

Gluten free is all the rage right now. Although it’s estimated that only one percent of Americans have celiac disease – an autoimmune disorder that results in immune attacks that damage the small [...]

By Lindsay

March 14, 2018

General Health, Health Tips

Sleep and Weight Loss: What’s the Connection?

When you’re feeling sleepy at the office, you might be tempted to reach for a cup of coffee and a sugary snack from the vending machine for a little pick-me-up. When the clock strikes five, you [...]

By Lindsay

March 30, 2018

Weight Loss, General Health

Got Heartburn? Apple Cider Vinegar May Help.

When you have chronic heartburn or GERD, one of the first things your doctor will do is put you on a proton-pump inhibitor – or PPI. These medications “work” by reducing the amount [...]

By Lindsay

January 17, 2018

General Health

Your Guide to Eating Healthy Out at a Restaurant

In a perfect world, every meal available at your favorite restaurants would be flawlessly tailored to your weight loss plan. Portions would be precise and chefs would only use fresh, ingredients, [...]

By Lindsay

January 9, 2018

Weight Loss, General Health

5 Health Benefits of Gratitude

November is a time when we focus on gratitude, but did you know that means more than just giving thanks? When practiced regularly, gratitude can improve your health in profound ways. So what if we [...]

By admin

November 11, 2017

Lifestyle, General Health, Health Tips

Midday Naps: Should You or Shouldn’t You?

Spain is well-known for its siestas: a period of time when businesses close to allow business owners (and patrons) to take some time off to go home rest. In America, our afternoon naps typically end [...]

By admin

April 30, 2016

Lifestyle, General Health

Binge Watching TV is Bad for Your Health.

These days, the opportunity to binge-watch your favorite TV shows is literally at your fingertips. There’s Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Fire Stick, AppleTV, Roku, OnDemand – I could continue, but I [...]

By admin

August 7, 2016

Lifestyle, General Health, Health Tips

Avocados: The Good Kind of Fat

Ever since fat has been exonerated as the sole cause of weight gain (and other health problems), avocados have boomed in popularity. For many, they’re a go-to healthy fat source; for others, they [...]

By admin

March 23, 2016

Nutrition, General Health

5 Habits that Guarantee Long-Term Weight Loss

There’s a problem with the way the world looks at weight. For many, weight loss is considered a short-term thing. You have a big event coming up, or summer is creeping up on you, so you have to [...]

By admin

February 21, 2016

Lifestyle, Weight Loss, General Health

Sitting Too Much? How to Counteract Negative Effects with Exercise

In this modern age of technology and indoor jobs, we do a lot of sitting. We’ve touched on this issue before and discussed how recent reports are describing too much sitting as the new smoking. [...]

By admin

July 21, 2016

Lifestyle, General Health, Health Tips

The Power of the Compliment

Recently, we’ve noticed a trend. We don’t think this is a new thing. In fact, we think this is something that has been going on for quite some time, but when we say “recently”, we mean [...]

By admin

June 30, 2016

Lifestyle, General Health

Beat the Bloat: How to Get a Flat Tummy

Bloating can affect anyone of any size. Even if you don’t have weight to lose, you may experience bloating in the tummy that leaves you with a rounded abdomen instead of a flat one. This is a [...]

By admin

June 20, 2016

Lifestyle, General Health, Health Tips

Beat the Bloat: Common Causes of Bloating

Bloating, which is generally caused by the buildup of gas in the digestive tract, is a common complaint; but just because it is common doesn’t mean it’s normal. Many people think that bloating is [...]

By admin

June 13, 2016

General Health, Health Tips

Need Help Sleeping? Melatonin Has Your Back.

Insomnia – or an inability to fall asleep and/or stay asleep – is being recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a major public health concern. It’s estimated that a [...]

By admin

May 21, 2016

Lifestyle, General Health, Health Tips, Supplements

The Age of Sitting: How to Move More at Work (and Why You Want To)

In recent months, there was an article headline that proclaimed that sitting has become the new secondhand smoking. Most of us know that there’s a recommendation to exercise at least 30 minutes at [...]

By admin

February 12, 2016

Lifestyle, General Health, Health Tips

Is Weight Loss the Answer for Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)?

Right now, it’s estimated that 2.7 to 6.1 million people have atrial fibrillation, or AFib, a type of irregular heartbeat. When someone has AFib, the beating of the upper chambers of the heart, [...]

By admin

November 10, 2015

Weight Loss, General Health

Use Caution: Halloween Safety Tips for You and Your Family

You know us for being all about weight loss – but did you know that we’re also all about family? Tomorrow is Halloween. It’s a time for fun, candy, tricks, and treats. The night is full of [...]

By admin

October 30, 2015

General Health

Say Goodbye to Dairy: How to Make Coconut Milk

If you’ve been paying attention to the health industry at all, it’s highly likely that you’ve seen that non-dairy milks are all the rage right now. Everything from coconut milk to almond milk [...]

By admin

September 30, 2015

General Health, Recipes

Not So Natural: Why You Should Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup

A lot of people, especially those who work for food manufacturers who use a lot of high fructose corn syrup, will say that high-fructose corn syrup is just like any other sweetener – that there is [...]

By admin

September 28, 2015

Nutrition, Weight Loss, General Health

Beyond Green: Other Weight Loss Tea That Can Help You Shed Pounds

You’ve probably heard by now that green tea – which is one of the most popular teas in the world – can help promote weight loss and reduce belly bloat. This is largely due to one of the main [...]

By Lindsay

August 24, 2019

Nutrition, Weight Loss, General Health

Beyond Weight: Why Soda Is Bad For You

This sentence is probably not going to come as a big surprise: soda is bad for you. Most people are aware of this fact, and yet it’s estimated that nearly 50 percent of Americans still drink soda [...]

By admin

January 31, 2016

Nutrition, Weight Loss, General Health

Bottoms Up! Why You Should Drink Water All The Time.

You’ve been told time and time again that water is important for your health; that you should be drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses per day (even though this general advice may not be entirely [...]

By admin

January 8, 2016

Weight Loss, General Health, Health Tips

Tips for Making Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick

Tomorrow starts a brand new year. That means it’s time to make big, lofty goals to completely transform yourself as a person, right? Hmmm, not so fast. A new year is a time for a fresh start, but [...]

By admin

December 31, 2015

Lifestyle, General Health, Health Tips

Maintaining Weight Loss May Come Down To Your Traits

For many people, losing weight is the easy part; it’s keeping it off that’s the struggle. That’s why fad diets or weight loss trends don’t have much staying power. Sure, they’ll help you [...]

By admin

December 20, 2015

Weight Loss, General Health, Health Tips

Beyond Your Breath: Health Benefits of Peppermint

December is the season to be jolly – it’s also the season where peppermint pops up all over the place. Sure, mint is a delicious addition to your favorite treats, but did you ever stop and think [...]

By admin

December 11, 2015

General Health

Five Fall Spices That Boost Your Health

People always talk about the change in weather when fall rolls around; but have you ever noticed that fall seems to have it’s own flavor? As summer comes to an end, citrus and watermelon move [...]

By admin

October 7, 2017

General Health

Childhood Obesity: Is Technology to Blame?

Our last post during National Childhood Obesity Month is all about technology and how that contributes to a more sedentary lifestyle than children in the past were used to. If you read our earlier [...]

By Lindsay

September 27, 2019

General Health

Collagen: America’s Next Superfood?

Nutrition is a science; but it’s a dynamic science. Things are constantly changing as experts learn about new foods, or about how old foods affect the body in ways that we may not have previously [...]

By admin

April 7, 2017

Nutrition, General Health, Supplements

Always Up at 3 AM? Your Blood Sugar May be to Blame

We talk about sleep a lot, but that’s because its importance cannot be overstated. Not just for weight loss, but for your health in general. Sleep is nourishing and restorative and when you don’t [...]

By admin

March 25, 2017

Stress Relief, Lifestyle, General Health

Magnesium: a Mineral that Could Change Your Life

When you hear the word “magnesium”, what comes to your mind? You may know that it’s a mineral and one that you’re supposed to be eating, but do you know how incredibly important this one [...]

By admin

March 5, 2017

Nutrition, General Health, Supplements

5 Morning Habits to Start Your Day Off Right

It’s been said that what you do in the morning sets the tone for your entire day. If that is, indeed, true (and based on our experience, it is), that first hour after waking up is crucial time [...]

By admin

February 19, 2017

Lifestyle, General Health, Health Tips

Watermelon: Five Reasons to Eat the Summer Fruit

Watermelon has become an unofficial mascot of summer. It’s almost impossible to go to a picnic or a barbecue without seeing the juicy red fruit as part of the spread. You might choose [...]

By admin

June 11, 2017

Nutrition, General Health

Probiotics Versus Prebiotics

Last week we discussed the role certain bacteria in the gut play in helping you lose weight where we briefly touched upon the subject of prebiotics. Many of you asked us to clarify what prebiotics [...]

By admin

September 12, 2017

General Health

The Secret to Weight Loss May Be in the Gut

For years, health professionals claimed that the only thing you have to focus on when it comes to weight loss is calories. If the calories you eat total less than the calories you burn through [...]

By admin

September 7, 2017

Weight Loss, General Health

The Types of Body Fat — and Why They Matter

When you think about fat, you might not think about the types as much as you think “I just want it gone!”; but recognizing the different types of body fat is important in determining your [...]

By admin

August 6, 2017

General Health, Uncategorized

Intermittent Fasting: The Basics and Benefits

If you’re immersed into the weight loss/health world (and if you’re reading this, chances are that you are), you’ve probably heard a little bit (or a lot) about a movement that’s [...]

By Lindsay

October 11, 2019

Weight Loss, General Health

Your Lymphatic System: Part 2

Last week, when we talked about your lymphatic system, we gave you some quick tips about what you can do to keep this vital system thriving. We didn’t get into detail about the [...]

By admin

October 17, 2016

General Health, Exercise, Health Tips

Your Lymphatic System: Part 1

You’re probably familiar with the terms “lymphatic” or “lymph”, but how much do you know about this important, yet under-loved body system? The lymphatic system is arguably one of the most [...]

By admin

October 11, 2016

General Health, Health Tips

Make Time for Turmeric: A Super Spice with Enormous Health Benefits

Turmeric is nothing new. In fact, the ancient spice dates back nearly 4,000 years to the Vedic culture in India. Indians have been using turmeric from everything to flavoring food to relieving gas to [...]

By admin

November 16, 2016

Nutrition, General Health, Health Tips, Supplements

Ashwagandha: Nature’s Stress Reliever

Last week, we discussed adaptogens and how they help your body respond to stress. We got a lot of questions about ashwagandha, a specific type of adaptogen that’s been getting a lot of press [...]

By admin

January 30, 2017

Stress Relief, General Health, Supplements

Adaptogens: Your Secret Weapon Against Stress

What if we told you that 75 to 90 percent of all doctor’s visits are due to stress-related illnesses? Even worse, what if we told you that stress is a factor in five out of the six leading [...]

By admin

January 25, 2017

Stress Relief, General Health

Apple Cider Vinegar: 2017’s Hottest New Superfood?

Okay, so maybe it’s not exactly a “superfood”, but the year just started and there’s already been a lot of talk about apple cider vinegar, or ACV, as the regulars are calling it. For years, [...]

By admin

January 19, 2017

Weight Loss, General Health

Emotions and Weight Loss: How Meditation Can Help You Shed Pounds

When it comes to weight loss, diet and exercise get most of the credit. However, according to research, the key player in the game is actually psychological well-being. When you embark on a weight [...]

By admin

January 6, 2017

Weight Loss, General Health, Health Tips

Vitamin D: Your Defense Against Winter Weight Gain

If there’s one thing you need to pay attention to this winter, it’s vitamin D. The vitamin has a wide range of benefits from improving your bone health to decreasing your risk of heart disease to [...]

By admin

December 8, 2016

General Health, Supplements

Couple giving two young children piggyback rides smiling

Immune Booster: Your First Line of Defense This Flu Season

October is winding down, which means we’re going from tricks and treats to “tis the season”. We wish that just meant it was the season to be jolly, but unfortunately, it also means [...]

By Lindsay

October 31, 2018

General Health, Health Tips

Busted: Metabolism Myths (and What’s Really Going On)

Your metabolism is the cornerstone to your weight loss success. Because of this, people are often quick to point the finger at their metabolism for stalls in weight loss or try metabolism-boosting [...]

By Lindsay

September 13, 2018

Weight Loss, General Health

Need Help Losing Weight? There’s an App for That.

Has anyone ever told you that you should write down everything you eat? Did you listen? If not, you should. Food journaling is not just a futile recommendation; studies have shown that people who [...]

By Lindsay

January 31, 2019

Nutrition, Weight Loss, General Health, Exercise, Health Tips

Motivation: The Most Important Factor in Your Weight Loss Plan

Motivation is one of the most crucial factors involved in any successful weight loss program. You may have all the tools you need to succeed – the right diet plan, the help of a successful weight [...]

By admin

August 4, 2014

Weight Loss, General Health

Getting Enough Sleep — The Secret Weapon for Weight Loss

A few weeks ago we discussed how important a good’s night sleep is to reaching your weight loss goals. In today’s modern lifestyle, getting a good night’s sleep is getting more and more [...]

By admin

April 4, 2015

Stress Relief, Lifestyle, Weight Loss, General Health, Health Tips

Labeling Series Part 2: Finding Hidden Trans Fats

For part 2 of our labeling series, we’re talking trans fats! Did you know that a food manufacturer can boldly claim that a food is “trans fat free” if it contains fewer than 0.5 [...]

By admin

March 26, 2015

Nutrition, General Health, Health Tips

Labeling Series Part 1: What Do Egg Labels Mean?

We get asked a LOT about labels on food – what the labels mean and what to look for when you’re trying to get healthy. Labeling can be extremely confusing and there’s actually a reason for [...]

By admin

March 22, 2015

Nutrition, General Health, Health Tips

Childhood Obesity: An American Epidemic

September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. So, we’re here to call attention to a problem that’s increasing at an alarming rate in America. It’s so alarming, in fact, that the [...]

By Lindsay

September 13, 2019

Nutrition, Weight Loss, General Health, Exercise

Bugs in your Gut: The Benefit of Probiotics

It was Hippocrates – who is often coined as the “Father of Medicine” – who said that all disease begins in the gut. The gut has become an increasingly popular topic over the past year or so [...]

By admin

July 26, 2015

Nutrition, Weight Loss, General Health

Things that Make you Go “Hmm”: Common Food Myths (Part 2)

Earlier this week, we addressed some common food myths that have gained traction in the mainstream despite evidence to the contrary. We want to you to be fully informed and armed with all the right [...]

By admin

November 20, 2014

Nutrition, Weight Loss, General Health

Things that Make you Go “Hmm”: Common Food Myths (Part 1)

There are some food myths that are so ingrained in our culture that everyone – including physicians and health care professionals – seem to accept them as fact even though there is no evidence to [...]

By admin

November 10, 2014

Nutrition, Weight Loss, General Health

Sugar: Nutrition’s Bad Guy

You’ve probably heard this before, but just in case you haven’t: added sugar is not good for you. Fat gets the flak for many health problems, like obesity and heart troubles, but it’s really [...]

By Lindsay

October 15, 2018

Nutrition, General Health

The Carbohydrate Manifesto: Are Carbohydrates Good For You?

In the 1990s, fat was the black sheep of the nutrition family. Once the early 2000s rolled around, fat was given some slack (although not too much) and the blame for all things evil was put on [...]

By admin

December 15, 2014

Nutrition, General Health

How to Make Your New Year’s Resolution Last

Ahh, the New Year is quickly approaching and you know what that means – it’s time for a resolution! A lot of people poke fun at the New Year’s Resolution because many tend to throw in the [...]

By admin

December 28, 2014

Lifestyle, General Health, Health Tips

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