A nice departure from smoothies and eggs, this pudding is almost like eating dessert. Make it ahead of time for a quick, delicious breakfast. Chia seeds add protein, fiber, healthy omega-3 fats and important minerals.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups full-fat coconut milk 1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk ¾ cup chia seeds 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 cups fresh berries ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts, for garnish Optional: ¾ teaspoon grated nutmeg
Directions
Place all the ingredients, except the fresh berries, walnuts and nutmeg into a large mixing bowl and stir until everything is incorporated. Pour the mixture into four 10-ounce serving bowls or ramekins. Cover and refrigerate overnight to allow the pudding to set and become creamy.
To serve, top each bowl with ½ cup of the berries and garnish with 1 tablespoon of the chopped walnuts and the nutmeg.
Nutritional information (per serving)
Makes 4 servings.
Calories 430 Fat 31 g Saturated Fat 12 g Cholesterol 0 mg Fiber 15 g Protein 9 g Carbohydrate 28 g Sodium 95 mg
— Recipe courtesy of Functional Medicine Physician, Mark Hyman, MD
Avocados are jam-packed with nutrients and vitamins and can make a delicious, nutritious addition to your diet.
Millenials may get flak for being the “avocado toast generation,” but honestly, they may be onto something! Avocados are as nutritious as they are delicious, and they’re jam-packed with vitamins and nutrients.
Avocados include vitamins C, E, K1, B6 and folate, plus essential minerals like potassium and copper. They’re low in sugar, loaded with fiber and high in monosaturated fats, aka “good” fats. Oh, and did we mention that they taste great and they’re super versatile?!
Registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD, shares a few more good reasons to give these wrinkly green fruits a second look — plus, how to add them to your regular rotation.
Are avocados good for you?
“Avocados are a great addition to a healthy diet,” Zumpano confirms, “and there are hundreds of varieties to choose from, ranging from big to small and wrinkly to smooth.”
What they have in common: A big round pit, creamy green flesh and a whole lot of nutrients crammed into a handy, pear-shaped package.
Just don’t go overboard. Avocados are packed with nutrients, but they’re also packed with calories. A 50-gram portion — about a third of a medium-sized avocado — has about 75 calories. And an entire large avocado can add upward of 400 calories to your daily diet.
Like most things, Zumpano says, moderation is key. “As long as you’re paying attention to portion sizes, avocados are very healthy foods to include in your food repertoire.”
Benefits of avocados
Whether you’re adding a slice to a salad or sandwich or using them as an ingredient in a more complicated recipe, Zumpano says avocados have a lot going for them health-wise.
Here are some of the many nutrients and vitamins packed into just a single avocado:
High in ‘good’ fats
You might’ve heard that avocados are high in fat — and that’s true, but it doesn’t mean you should avoid them! A medium avocado has 22 grams of fat, which includes 15 grams of monounsaturated fats, aka “good” fats.
“Avocados are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which help lower your LDL, or ‘bad’ cholesterol,” Zumpano says. “Low LDL levels reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.”
The American Heart Association says most of the fats you eat should be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated, confirming that avocados fit the bill as part of a healthy diet.
You can even swap avocado in for less-healthy fats in your home cooking. Here are some additional ways you can add this smooth, creamy fruit to your diet.
Spread avocado on a sandwich in place of mayonnaise.
Instead of dunking veggies into dips made with cheese or sour cream, try guacamole.
Forego shredded cheese on your salad and add avocado slices instead.
In baking recipes, replace butter or oil with mashed avocado, like in these chocolatey avocado brownie bites.
“If you use avocado to replace other fats, you can enjoy the flavor and nutrients and also cut down on saturated fats,” Zumpano says.
Lots of vitamins
Let’s talk vitamins: In simple terms, avocados have a lot of them! Here are the vitamins that are most abundant in avocados and what they do for your health:
Vitamin K1, or phylloquinone, is important for blood clotting, which helps stop wounds from bleeding. It also plays a role in strengthening your bones. For most adults, the daily recommended amount of vitamin K ranges from 90 to120 micrograms. Half an avocado has about 21 mcg.
Vitamin C, aka ascorbic acid, helps keep your immune system healthy. It also plays a role in the health of your tissues, blood vessels, bones and more. Depending on your age and sex, you need anywhere from 75 to 120 milligrams of vitamin C per day; half an avocado has about 10 mg.
Vitamin E, or alpha-tocopherol, is a powerful antioxidant that prevents cell damage and helps maintain muscle function. Most adults only need 15 mg of vitamin C per day, and half an avocado will give you about 4 mg of it.
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, helps your body convert food into energy. You only need a small amount of vitamin B6 each day (just 1.2 to 2 mg, depending on your age and sex), but half an avocado has about .25 mg, putting you well on your way to that daily goal.
Folateis a B vitamin that’s important for normal cell function and tissue growth. It helps your body form red blood cells and DNA, which is especially critical when you’re pregnant (but still important if you’re not). Half an avocado has about 20% of your daily recommended amount.
Low in sugar
Though most fruits are high in natural sugars, avocados rank very low on the sweetness scale. “A whole avocado has under 1.5 grams of sugar, while one medium apple, by comparison, has about 19 grams,” Zumpano points out. (Psst: It’s important to note that not all sugars are created equal! Fruit is still super-healthy.)
High in fiber
Avocados are a good source of fiber, which is a type of carbohydrate that your body can’t break down. You need both soluble and insoluble fiber — and lucky for you, avocados have both.
“Fiber can lower cholesterol and blood sugar, keep you regular and help you feel full and satisfied after a meal,” Zumpano states. Most adults need 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day, depending on your age and sex. Half an avocado provides about 7 grams.
Packed with potassium
Surprise! “Avocados actually contain more potassium than bananas,” Zumpano reveals. Half a large avocado provides about 485 mg of potassium, while a whole banana provides about 420 mg. (Most adults need 2,600 to 3,400 mg per day.)
This essential mineral is beneficial for blood pressure control and heart health. Low blood potassium can increase your blood pressure, raise your risk of kidney stones and even pull calcium out of your bones.
Increases your copper intake
Think past pennies: Copper is actually an essential trace mineral that your body needs in order to function correctly. Most Americans don’t get enough of it in their diets, but half an avocado will get you 20% of your daily recommended amount.
“Copper helps your body metabolize iron, and it plays a role in a healthy immune system and nervous system,” Zumpano explains.
Tips for enjoying avocados
“A perfectly ripe avocado is slightly firm but not rock-hard,” Zumpano says. “If it’s not ripe but you can’t wait to eat it, store it in a paper bag on the counter until it gives a little when you squeeze it.”
A ripe-but-not-too-ripe avocado is a time-limited treasure, so dive right in and get creative with your avocado creations, or embrace the millennial method and enjoy some avocado toast.
But if you need to store it for a couple of days, just be sure to keep it in the fridge — not submerged in water, as some TikTokkers recommend. Some people call it a “food hack,” but it can easily lead to foodborne illness.
“You can even freeze avocado slices if you’re worried you won’t use them in time,” Zumpano suggests. “Then, you can easily throw them into a smoothie.”
Shoulder pain, stiffness or weakness can make it difficult to carry out everyday tasks, like reaching for something on a high shelf, driving a car or brushing your hair. If you have pain that won’t go away, it’s time to see a doctor.
There are a number of possible causes of shoulder pain, but the most common causes of shoulder pain are rotator cuff injuries, rotator cuff tears and osteoarthritis, says orthopaedic surgeon Mark Schickendantz, MD.
1. Rotator cuff injuries
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint, and connect the shoulder blade to the upper arm bone. Bursae, small sacs near the joint, provide lubricating fluid that decreases friction among the bones, tendons and ligaments.
Rotator cuff problems occur through overuse, and they include tendonitis, strains and partial and complete tears of the tendon.
Tendonitis is when the rotator cuff tendon becomes inflamed and irritated; bursitis is when the bursae swell. Tendonitis and bursitis cause pain in the front and side of the shoulder, and you might also feel some stiffness.
“These two conditions can occur with activities that involve using your arms overhead, like tennis, yoga or painting a room,” Dr. Schickendantz says. “Often the pain will be worse at rest and improve with activity.”
Treatment involves rest, applying ice, and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, which is sold under the brand names Advil and Motrin, or naproxen, which is sold under the brand name Aleve. After a few weeks, most people with tendonitis recover, Dr. Schickendantz says.
2. Rotator cuff tears
If you experience shoulder pain at night that makes it difficult to fall asleep or awakens you, you may have a tear in one or more of the rotator cuff tendons.
“Night pain is the hallmark of a rotator cuff injury,” Dr. Schickendantz says.
You also may have this type of injury if you feel pain when lifting your arm overhead and weakness in the shoulder when trying to lift anything above shoulder level.
A rotator cuff tendon can tear from a single event, like falling down on an outstretched arm. It also can happen from a motion that is repeated over time. For example, a plumber who frequently uses his or her arms overhead can develop a rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff also can weaken with age.
Treatment is rest, avoiding aggravating activities, physical therapy, applying ice, and NSAIDs. Some people with more severe pain may be helped with a corticosteroid injection, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication.
“I usually reserve the use of corticosteroids for someone who has severe night pain and is not responding well to oral medications,” Dr. Schickendantz says.
Surgery to repair the rotator cuff tendon is an option if these measures don’t give relief.
3. Osteoarthritis
Osteroarthritis happens when cartilage, which is the cushioning material that covers the ends of your bones, deteriorates, which leads to pain and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis causes a deep ache in the back of the shoulder. As osteoarthritis worsens, stiffness in the shoulder develops. People with osteoarthritis typically lose the ability reach behind their back.
“Patients often say they are unable to scratch their back or thread a belt,” Dr. Schickendantz says.
Osteoarthritis symptoms develop over time. For some people, an old shoulder injury from sports or some other activity, may kick off the degenerative process that years later results in osteoarthritis. But many people have no specific cause — it’s just wear and tear over time.
Treatment for osteoarthritis of the shoulder is similar to treatment for a rotator cuff tear, involving physical therapy, NSAIDs and ice. If the condition is severe, you can undergo shoulder joint replacement surgery, which is similar to joint replacement for hips and knees.
Strengthening your pelvic floor can help you avoid incontinence issues and sexual dysfunction
You do bicep curls to keep your arms strong. Crunches to keep your core in shape. Squats to build lower-body stability.
But there’s another muscle group that you may not be giving the attention you need. It’s your pelvic floor, a network of muscles in your pelvis that’s critical to your quality of life.
How do you do pelvic floor exercises? And do you really need to?
Gynecologist Amy Gee, MD, shares advice about how to strengthen your pelvic floor and why it matters.
Benefits of pelvic floor exercises
Your pelvic floor sits in the lower part of your torso between your abdomen and legs. It forms a kind of bowl that supports your bladder, bowels, rectum, urethra and other pelvic organs. Exercising your pelvic floor helps maintain strength and integrity so those vital organs can work their best.
Exercises that target your pelvic floor can help you avoid troubles like:
Bladder problems, including leaking urine and an overactive bladder.
Prolapse, which happens when your vagina, urethra, uterus or rectum sags or slips out of position. That can feel like a fullness or pressure sensation in your vagina or bottom.
Because of the nature of the female anatomy, pelvic floor exercises are more commonly recommended for women.
“The vaginal canal is an open space. And that void can lend itself to issues for females if your pelvic floor becomes weakened,” Dr. Gee explains.
But people of any sex can benefit from a strong pelvic floor.
How do you know if your pelvic floor is weak?
The muscles in your pelvic floor tend to weaken as you age. Pregnancy and vaginal births can speed that along. And if you’re carrying extra weight (particularly around your midsection), it can put added pressure on your pelvic floor muscles.
Urinary incontinence is one of the most common signs of a weak pelvic floor. That can look like:
Peeing when you cough, laugh, sneeze or exercise
Difficulty starting to pee
Leaking urine
Having an urgent need to pee
Waking up several times a night to pee
Dr. Gee recommends pelvic floor strengthening for most people starting in their 20s. But it’s worth pointing out that, while many of us can benefit from exercising our pelvic floor, it may not be for everyone.
Some people have particularly tight muscles in their pelvic floor. It’s called pelvic floor dysfunction and can cause issues like trouble releasing pee or poop. And it can cause pain during intercourse if the muscles in your vagina can’t relax.
In that case, exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles can exacerbate your troubles. Talk with a healthcare provider about options for pelvic floor relaxation exercises.
Finding and engaging your pelvic floor muscles
It’s not especially difficult to engage your pelvic floor muscles, but it can take some practice to identify the right muscles to squeeze.
To start, pretend you have to pee. Now, squeeze the muscles you’d use to hold it. Those muscles are your pelvic floor.
Still not sure you’re getting the right spot?
“Sometimes, it can help to place a finger in your vagina and squeeze until you feel those muscles activate,” Dr. Gee advises.
Still not finding it? A pelvic floor physical therapist may help.
Physical therapists sometimes use extra tools to help you target the right muscles.
That can include things like biofeedback techniques, which use sensors to monitor your muscle activity as you engage your pelvic floor. That feedback can help you target the right muscles to perform the exercises correctly.
Some people also try vaginal weights, which are special weights shaped like cones or teardrops that can be inserted in the vagina and used to train your pelvic floor. It’s not about adding weight in the same way you would if you’re bench-pressing. Think of these tools as less about pumping up the resistance and more as a way to help you identify the correct muscles so you can make sure you’re engaging your pelvic floor properly.
Best exercises for the pelvic floor
Before we jump into the exercises, let’s set some expectations.
For starters, there are no quick fixes to strengthen your pelvic floor. Like any other muscle, it takes some time to build up.
“I always tell patients to equate it to trying to increase your cardio; it takes time and dedication,” Dr. Gee shares. “And like with any other exercise program, you want to start slowly and build up.”
She recommends these exercises.
Kegels
Kegel exercises are the most widely recommended pelvic floor exercises. And for good reason — they’re the only exercises that specifically target your pelvic floor.
“There is a lot of different advice about how to best do Kegels,” Dr. Gee notes. “But there’s no data that shows any specific regimen that’s best for everyone.”
That said, here’s one way to get started:
Sit or lie down.
Squeeze your pelvic floor muscles (remember, like you’re trying to stop a stream of urine) for a second.
Relax for a second.
Repeat four more times.
Repeat for two cycles a day.
Easy? Try a set of four one-second Kegels and then hold the fifth for five seconds.
“Holding a Kegel for several seconds can be pretty challenging,” she recognizes. “But the more you try, the more stamina you’ll build. I try to tell patients to work toward a five-second hold. If you can get there, you’re doing really well.”
Here’s a pro tip for people dealing with stress incontinence — a tendency to leak urine when you sneeze, cough, laugh or lift things: Do a quick, strong Kegel right before the activity that causes you to leak. (It’s called “the knack.”)
And another tip: Tickle in your nose? Squeeze before you sneeze.
Cat-cow pose
Learn how to do a cat-cow yoga pose from exercise physiologist, Katie Lawton, MEd.
If you’re up for a bigger challenge, you can incorporate Kegels into other stretches and exercises, like cat-cow pose.
Here’s how:
Start in a tabletop position on the floor. That means kneeling on the floor with your hands down in front of you, about shoulder-width apart. Your back should be in a straight line from your tailbone to your head.
Inhale as you drop your tummy toward the ground, allowing your back to dip as you lift your bottom and your head toward the ceiling. That’s the “cow” part of cat-cow pose.
As you exhale, release your pelvic floor muscles, as you arch your back and drop your head to look at the ground. Engage your pelvic floor muscles, as you do with a Kegel. This is the “cat” pose.
Repeat for several rounds alternating between cat and cow as you engage and relax your pelvic floor.
It’s important to remember that, while cat-cow and other exercises are good for things like building flexibility and strength in your body, holding the Kegel is the part that targets your pelvic floor. If you’re not squeezing your pelvic floor muscles, you’re not targeting that muscle group.
“You have to be cognizant about purposefully engaging your pelvic floor if you want to get the benefit. Think to yourself, Am I just clenching my butt? Or am I actually contracting my pelvic floor?” Dr. Gee advises.
Bridge
Bridge pose can help strengthen the muscles in your back and legs. And with some extra effort, your pelvic floor, too.
Here’s how to do it:
Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor and arms at your sides.
Lift your hips to raise your pelvis toward the ceiling. Engage your pelvic floor muscles.
Hold for a few seconds.
Slowly lower your hips to the ground and relax your pelvic floor.
Repeat for several rounds.
Squats
You can also exercise your pelvic floor while doing squats. Squeeze as you lower and release as you stand. Up the ante even more with squat variations, like jump squats, sumo squats and using barbells.
Seeking support
Kegels and other pelvic floor exercises are typically safe to do at home. But many people benefit from working with a physical therapist trained in pelvic floor dysfunction.
“Learning the appropriate technique is important, and it’s helpful to have a trained professional guide you through it,” Dr. Gee states.
Seeing a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor problems is especially important if you experience pelvic pain or signs of prolapse.
“Underlying back and hip pain can contribute to pelvic pain. A specialist can make sure you’re addressing all of the issues,” she adds. “For pelvic pain, physical therapy is really a mainstay of treatment.”
Talk with a healthcare provider about your concerns and whether pelvic floor therapy could be right for you.
The best choices are high in omega-3s and protein and low in mercury
Fish has earned its reputation as one of the healthiest proteins you can put on your plate. But with so many options in the seafood case, it can be hard to know which ones deserve a spot in your shopping cart.
“It can get overwhelming sometimes with so many choices,” says registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD. “The key is choosing fish that give you the most nutritional benefit while limiting your mercury exposure.”
The 5 best fish to eat
Fish is packed with lean protein, but its biggest nutritional advantage is omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats can help support heart and brain health and lower inflammation, among other benefits.
Zumpano’s top choices for fish are all high in omega-3s and protein, as well as other vitamins and nutrients.
They’re also low in mercury, a toxic metal that brings health concerns in high amounts.
Here are five fish choices to search out at the market.
1. Sardines
Don’t let their tiny size fool you: “Sardines offer big health benefits,” says Zumpano.
A 3-ounce serving provides about 2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids — one of the highest amounts of any fish. They’re also a good source of calcium and vitamin D, essential nutrients your body needs to work right.
Another perk? They’re inexpensive and easy to keep on hand. You can buy sardines packed in olive oil or tomato sauce and add them to:
Salads
Pasta dishes
Grain bowls
Toast
If you’re watching your sodium intake, compare nutrition labels and choose lower-sodium varieties when possible.
2. Herring
Herring is another oily fish loaded with omega-3s. While it contains slightly less omega-3 than sardines, herring still delivers plenty of heart-healthy fats. It’s also swimming in vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
Depending on your preferences, herring can be eaten:
Cooked fresh
Smoked
Pickled
Canned
“Herring has a stronger, fishier flavor because it’s rich in those healthy oils,” Zumpano notes. “If you’re trying it for the first time, using mustard and dill is a traditional preparation that’s a great place to start.”
3. Mackerel
Mackerel is another excellent source of omega-3s and lean protein, but there’s one important catch: Not all mackerel is created equal.
It’s best to choose the smaller Atlantic or Spanish mackerel, which are relatively low in mercury, clarifies Zumpano. And pass on king mackerel, a larger predator fish that contains much higher mercury levels.
Mackerel is tasty grilled, baked or poached. The fish pairs well with vegetables, salads and whole grains for a balanced meal.
4. Salmon
No list of healthy fish would be complete without salmon. Popular with diners for its rich and meaty texture, salmon is another excellent source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and key vitamins.
When it comes to nutritional value, wild salmon holds a slight edge over responsibly raised farmed salmon, notes Zumpano. But both are excellent choices.
“If you have the opportunity to choose wild Pacific salmon, it’s a great option,” she adds. “But don’t be afraid to eat farm-raised Atlantic salmon if that’s what’s available or fits your budget.”
5. Rainbow trout
Rainbow trout is another option in the seafood case that checks a lot of good-for-your-health boxes. It’s rich in lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids while also providing important key vitamins and nutrients.
“Rainbow trout has a mild flavor and soft texture, too, so it’s easy to work into meals,” says Zumpano. Try it baked, grilled or pan-seared. It goes nicely with veggies, salads or whole grains for a balanced plate.
Fish to limit
No fish is completely “bad” for you, given the protein and other nutrients they offer. But some are worth eating less often because they’re lower in omega-3s or potentially higher in mercury or other contaminants.
This list includes:
Tilapia: While tilapia is a lean source of protein, it lacks the omega-3 content of other fish. “Most people don’t get enough omega-3s in their diet, so if you’re going to enjoy fish, try to choose fish that are highest in that nutrient,” suggests Zumpano.
Tuna: Both fresh and canned tuna provide protein and omega-3s. The concern is mercury. Larger fish tend to accumulate more mercury over time, so Zumpano recommends limiting tuna to about 6 ounces per week. If you buy canned tuna, chunk light varieties generally contain less mercury than albacore.
Imported catfish: Most catfish sold in the United States is imported, which brings concerns about potential contaminants, cautions Zumpano. If catfish is a favorite, look for farm-raised fish from the U.S.
Larger fish: Mercury concerns typically rise with the size of the fish. The reason? Big fish (like marlin, shark and swordfish) eat smaller fish and absorb the mercury that accumulates in their bodies over time.
Final thoughts
While fish consumption in the United States has risen in recent years, most Americans still don’t eat from the seas often enough, says Zumpano. That adds up to a lot of people missing out on an important source of omega-3 fatty acids.
In general, health experts recommend that adults eat two 4-ounce servings of fish per week as part of a healthy and balanced diet. (Pregnant or breastfeeding women should limit it to one serving per week, given the mentioned mercury concerns.)
Zumpano recommends adding a variety of seafood to your meals. If you’re looking for choices other than the fish cited here, check out the “best choices” list put together by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Fish is one of the healthiest sources of protein you can eat,” reiterates Zumpano. “When you choose fish that’s high in omega-3s and lower in mercury, you’re getting the greatest nutritional benefit.”
We all want to protect our kids whether it be from falls, bumps and bruises — or avoidable infections and diseases. To help your child avoid illness, it’s important to encourage good habits and take steps to boost their immune system from an early age.
“Most of what makes a child’s immune system strong is common sense,” says pediatrician Adriane Lioudis, MD. If you keep these five tips in mind, you’ll stack the deck in your child’s favor for a healthier life.
1. For newborns, consider breastfeeding
While it’s a very personal decision (that isn’t always possible), if you are able to exclusively breastfeed your child for at least six months, it may have benefits. Some research shows that breastfeeding your child might possibly reduce allergies, Dr. Lioudis says.
2. Promote regular hand washing
Eighty percent of infections are spread by touch. Teach your little one to take the time to wash their hands after sneezing, coughing and going to the bathroom. Washing hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds can remove bacteria and viruses and can reduce the chance of lung infections by up to 45%.
“Get the flu shot for your child yearly, as well,” Dr. Lioudis says. This is particularly important for children with asthma and other chronic health conditions.
Also, if your family will be traveling internationally, it’s important to seek advice from your child’s healthcare provider about any needed vaccinations.
4. Make sleep a priority
To maximize immunity, children must get enough sleep.
Babies between 0 and 3 months need 14 to 17 hours of sleep. Those between 4 and 12 months need 12 to 16 hours of sleep.
Children between the ages of 1 and 2 need between 11 and 14 hours.
Kids between the ages of 3 and 5 should get from10 to 13 hours.
Children ages 6 to 12 should get between 9 and 12 hours.
Teens between the ages of 13 to 18 need 8 to 10 hours.
Not getting enough sleep limits the body’s ability to produce proteins called cytokines that help fight infection and reduce inflammation.
5. Encourage a healthy diet
A healthy diet is also important for your child’s immune system.
Dr. Lioudis recommends encouraging your child to “eat the rainbow” when it comes to fruits and vegetables. A good selection of whole grains should be part of their diet as well. Keep processed foods to a minimum. Proper food choices can help ensure that your child gets enough vitamins — such as vitamin A and E. These vitamins are needed to maintain good health and a strong immune system.
You can’t avoid all illness, but some kids need extra protection
“Even if you follow these tips, your child might still get between seven and 11 colds each year,” says Dr. Lioudis. She adds that you can expect each one to last up to two weeks.
Also, keep in mind that some things billed as common “remedies” aren’t effective in boosting immunity. For example, there’s no definitive proof that large amounts of vitamin C or echinacea help prevent colds or shorten them, she says.
However, if your child has a compromised immune system, work closely with your pediatrician to find ways to improve his or her immunity. Each child needs a personalized approach because their individual immune system varies, Dr. Lioudis says.
“There’s generally a different protocol with immunocompromised children. There are some vaccines we have to add in on top of what most children have, but it’s something that we must determine on a case-by-case basis.
You know exercise builds muscles, strengthens bones, keeps your heart healthy and your mind sharp. But it also does something that you might not think much about: It helps keep your immune system — your internal defenses against infection — in tip-top shape.
If you take time for some physical exertion each day, it helps get your body ready to attack bacteria, viruses and toxins that can sneak in and make you sick.
But how much exercise is effective? Do too little or too much, and it won’t have the best effect on your immune system.
Clinical immunologist Leonard Calabrese, DO, answers common questions about how exercise can impact your immunity and how to use your workouts to shut out a world of would-be invaders.
Q: How does breaking a sweat boost immunity?
A: If you exercise moderately on a regular basis, it tunes up the immune system in many ways. It enhances your broad-based defenses against viral infections, such as those causing upper respiratory infections.
Working out regularly also reduces the risk of many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory illnesses and metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.
Q: How much exercise do you need?
A: Fortunately, you don’t have to push yourself to the limit to rev up your immune system. In fact, your immune system needs less of a workout than you get with your average cardio routine.
Focus on getting 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise, five days a week, and your immune system will thank you.
Q: What types of exercise are most helpful?
A: Moderate exercises, including biking or walking briskly in your neighborhood, are good ways to get your blood flowing. Swimming is also a good option for non-weight-bearing exercise for your joints.
Also try mind-body exercises such as Tai-Chi, Qi Gong and yoga, which are all options that help keep your joints flexible. These exercises also reduce chronic stress, which in itself is a powerful immune booster. These exercises can also help alleviate osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia symptoms.
Q: Can too much exercise set your immune system back?
A: Yes, though, the level to which it can slow your system down is still up for debate.
Research shows that exercising for more than 1.5 hours without refueling your body or giving it enough time to recover suppresses your immune responses for up to a few days. During that time, your cortisol levels rise, your white blood cell count drops and you’re more likely to develop a respiratory infection.
This problem usually affects elite athletes, such as marathon runners, most.
On the flip side, staying sedentary also increases your risk of infection, inflammation and chronic disease.
Q: Can exercise make an illness worse?
A: Yes, it can. This is a complex issue, but I like to tell my patients to do a “neck check.” If your symptoms are mostly of a mild cold without fever or lower respiratory symptoms, such as a productive cough, wheezing or shortness of breath, mild exercise can actually reduce congestion and may make you feel better.
If your symptoms are primarily in your lungs or you have a significant fever its better to rest until things settle down. Regardless, good hydration is important.
If you hear the term “longevity” and think only about living longer, you’re missing half the point.
“What we actually want is both more years and more of those years lived in good health,” says Dr. David Barzilai, a longevity physician and the medical editor of Harvard Health Publishing’s Special Health Report Pathways to Longevity. “Almost no one wants additional years of frailty and dependence; they want more years of feeling well, moving freely, thinking clearly, and staying engaged with the people and work they love.”
To that end, recent years have seen an explosion in interest in longevity and healthy aging, largely driven by “science that’s genuinely more exciting than it was a decade ago,” says Dr. Barzilai, also a lecturer at Harvard Medical School.
Lifestyle integral to longevity
While it’s clear that genetics play a role in living longer and staying healthy, lifestyle appears to be just as important. Five lifestyle patterns consistently show up in longevity research: movement, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and social connection.
“Good health is surprisingly unglamorous,” Dr. Barzilai says. “What matters most are the basics people already know about but rarely execute consistently over decades. There is no magic to it.”
Here, Dr. Barzilai expands on each of the five pillars of longevity.
Movement
Movement is the closest thing people have to a “master signal,” he says. “It improves nearly every system at once, from insulin sensitivity to brain health to bone density. And cardiorespiratory fitness is one of the strongest predictors of mortality we have ever measured.”
Dr. Barzilai recommends combining various forms of movement to maximize health, including twice-weekly resistance training and 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each week. “And everyday movement counts on its own,” he says. “Breaking up long stretches of sitting with two to three minutes of light activity measurably improves glucose and blood-pressure responses.”
Nutrition
Nutrition shapes the metabolic environment our cells live in day to day, governing blood glucose, inflammation, and the raw materials for muscle and repair, Dr. Barzilai says.
Healthspan vs. Lifespan
We’re living longer than ever—but are we living well?
Harvard Medical School’s Special Health Report, Pathways to Longevity, looks beyond “anti aging” hype to share what science really says about extending your healthspan—the years you stay strong, independent, and mentally sharp.
From nutrition and movement to sleep, stress, social connection, and the latest longevity drugs, this report turns complex research into clear, practical steps you can start now.
“The principles that have held up across decades of research are unglamorous and durable: build meals around whole foods,” he explains. “Get enough protein, which becomes more important, not less, as you age. And avoid the large blood glucose spikes you get from refined carbohydrate eaten on its own, which in practice means anchoring meals with protein, healthy fats, and fiber.”
Sleep
Sleep is fundamental to longevity because that’s when the body takes care of essential maintenance — clearing metabolic waste from the brain, consolidating memory, and resetting the hormones that govern appetite and stress, Dr. Barzilai says.
Experts recommend adults get seven to eight hours each night. Research also shows that consistency matters more than quantity. “That is encouraging,” he says, “because a steady wake time, weekends included, is something most people can actually manage.”
Stress reduction
Stress itself isn’t a problem, since our body’s acute stress response — which sharpens focus and fuels energy levels — can protect us from genuine threats.
“The trouble comes when it never switches off,” Dr. Barzilai says. “Chronic stress holds the body in a low-grade alarm state that, over years, wears on the cardiovascular and immune systems, disrupts sleep and metabolism, and appears to accelerate several of the underlying processes of aging.”
The most dependable ways to regulate stress are physical and social rather than purely mental, he says. “People reach for a relaxation app and overlook that movement, sufficient sleep, exposure to daylight, and time with people they trust are often the more powerful levers. Regular exercise in particular is one of the best-validated stress and mood interventions we have.”
Social connection
Social connection is probably the longevity pillar people neglect most, Dr. Barzilai says. “People will track their macros and their step count to the decimal and never think to protect their friendships with the same intentionality, even though the survival data on relationships rival the data on much of what they are measuring,” he says.
If you’re feeling isolated, try to make connecting with others a regular commitment rather than a grand gesture, he says. “Begin with one recurring, low-pressure point of contact: a standing weekly call with one person, a class or volunteer commitment that puts you in the same room with the same faces again and again, a daily walk somewhere you will see neighbors. Pick one recurring contact and protect it like an appointment, and treat a few real relationships with the same seriousness you would give your blood pressure or your exercise.”
Which pillar of longevity is most important?The habits most strongly linked to living a longer, healthier life are also some of the simplest: move regularly, eat well, sleep sufficiently, manage stress, and stay connected to others. But which one counts most? It’s impossible to gauge, says Dr. David Barzilai, a longevity physician and lecturer at Harvard Medical School.“How much each pillar matters depends heavily on where a given person is starting from,” he says. “For someone sedentary, adding movement is transformative. For someone running on five ragged hours of sleep, fixing sleep will do more than another workout. For someone isolated, rebuilding connection may be the highest-yield change of all.”“What I can say with confidence is that the most underrated pillar is social connection, and the most foundational day to day are sleep, physical activity, and nutrition, since they are the ground the others stand on,” Dr. Barzilai adds. “But the useful question is not which pillar wins in the abstract. It is which one you are personally weakest in right now, because that is where your next improvement will pay off most.”
