What Are Whole Foods and Why Are They Nutritious?

Whole foods are natural, minimally processed foods free from artificial additives. They retain most of their original nutritional value. Whole foods include fresh produce, like apples or leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and beans. SolStock / Getty Images SolStock / Getty Images Whole vs. Unprocessed vs. For example, a freshly picked apple is a whole food. Whereas a whole apple is eaten as it’s picked, a processed apple is sliced and packaged....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 325 words · Kevin Garcia

What Are Whole-Body Deodorants, and Are They Safe?

Do Whole-Body Deodorants Work? Whole-body deodorants are thought to be safe and, generally speaking, effective, Green said. However, the degree to which theyre effective depends on the individual, Massick added. AtlasStudio / Getty Images Your body odor can be influenced by certain conditions, she explained. Its also important to use the products only in areas where youre trying to prevent odor or sweat. They shouldnotbe treated as a body lotion applied all over the body....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 237 words · Bailey Edwards

What Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) Measures

The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the number of calories your bodyburns at rest. Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health What Is My Basal Metabolic Rate? “Basal” means the base or the bottom layer. Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health “Metabolic” is the body’s process of turning the food eaten into energy it can use. The BMR is the energy (calories) the body needs to power its basic needs....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 493 words · Matthew Harvey

What Benign Moles Look Like

Benign moles have the potential to develop into a pop in of skin cancer called melanoma. Moles are benign tumors formed frommelanocytes(cells in the skin that make the pigment melanin). Moles come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health They can appear in a range of colors, shapes, and sizes. Skin moles fall under three types: common nevus, spitz nevus, and atypical (dysplastic) nevus....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 548 words · Corey Solis

What Blood Pressure Level Increases Risk of Stroke?

A stroke triggers when blood supply to the brain is blocked or interrupted by a burst vessel. Recent data indicates that 1 in 6 deaths from cardiovascular disease was due to stroke. Hypertension(high blood pressure) is a modifiable risk factor for stroke. Busakorn Pongparnit / Getty Images Over time, high blood pressure can damage the body’s blood vessels. Approximately 80% of strokes can be prevented, especially by managing high blood pressure....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 279 words · Kevin Davila

What Blue Light Glasses Do and Don’t Do

You may have heard that you should avoid blue light emanating from electronic screens. Some people use special blue spectrum glasses or coatings for lenses that can block it. Compared to the other visible colors, blue light has the most energy per photon of light. FreshSplash / Getty Images The concern is that, in large enough amounts, it may damage the retina. It may also keep you from falling asleep by disrupting your sleep-wake cycle....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 338 words · Jimmy Farley

What Can Affect Your Period

This article explains how life stages, health, and other issues affect your period. Life Stages and Menstruation Your menstruating years can be broken down into stages. At each of these, yourperiodsmay change. Lewis Mulatero / Getty Images For example, you might have yourfirst periodand then not have another one for a few months. Or, you might have a few periods and skip one a few months down the road. Premenopause Premenopauseis a phase that you may enter some time in your 40s....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 281 words · Tara Knox

What Can Antibody Tests Really Tell You?

And they often begin with an at-home blood test that you might then mail back for analysis. Take a new testing service bySerimmune, for example. It works by using a blood sample patients collect at home. Researchers analyze the sample in a lab to identifyantigensand epitopes associated with various diseases. Months after youve recovered, your antibody level might dropbut that doesnt mean you have zero protection. Your immune response is more than just antibodies....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 179 words · Karina Fox

What Can Be Mistaken for Shingles?

Psoriasis This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. Lipowski/ Getty Images Psoriasisis an immune disorder that lasts for a persons entire lifetime. With psoriasis, an immune system problem causes skin changes. pixfly / Getty Images The symptoms involve an itchy, sometimes painful rash that is much different than the one triggered by shingles. It can manifest at any time during a person’s lifetime, however. Treatment strategiesfor eczema and psoriasis are often similar, and may even be the same in some instances....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 392 words · Ashlee Adams

What Can Cause a Rash Around the Eyes?

A skin rash around your eyes, oreyelid dermatitis, can signify various conditions. People with eczema have persistent symptoms, which go through active and dormant periods. Common signs include: Though more common in infants and children, eczema affects people of all ages. Pawel Kacperek / Getty Images Your age can also influence the appearance and location of atopic dermatitis and its associated symptoms. It most often appears on the elbows, inside of the knee, neck, or ankles....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 452 words · Raven Clark

What Can Cause Blood in Urine With No Pain?

This article explains the potential causes of blood in the urine without pain. Symptoms It is possible to have hematuria after exerciseor “exercise-induced hematuria. Exercise-induced hematuria is typically painless. Pramote Polyamate / Getty Images The majority of renal AMLs have no associated symptoms.They are often found incidentally during ultrasound or CT imaging. Various kidney diseases can cause hematuria: Treatment for each disease varies. Cancer Hematuria is one of the early signs ofbladder cancer....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 192 words · Ashley Wilson DDS

What Can Cause Dizziness and Sweating?

People say they “feel dizzy” to describe a variety of different sensations. You may experience other symptoms when you feel dizzy, such as sweating. But sometimes dizziness with sweating can be a sign of a serious medical condition. Getty Images / VioletaStoimenova This article explores the potentialcauses of dizzinessaccompanied by sweating, and when to seek medical attention. The most common causes are listed below. Hypoglycemia often comes on suddenly. Dizziness and breaking out into a cold sweat can also occur....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 344 words · Terry Thomas

What Can Cause Flushed Skin?

Emotions can also cause facial flushing, referred to as blushing. This article looks at seven possible causes of facial flushing, bothbenign(harmless) andmalignant(cancerous). When epinephrine is spontaneously released, dilated blood vessels cause the overlying skin to turn red and hot. mheim3011 / iStock / Getty Images Changes in Body Temperature When the body becomes overheated, it responds by dilating blood vessels. The dilation allows heat to be dispersed into the environment while triggeringsweatingto cool the body down....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 451 words · Zachary Griffith