D.L. the Administrator

Fiber may not have the powerhouse reputation of protein or the allure of healthy fats—hello, almonds and avocados—and yet it’s one of the most important nutrients you need for optimal health.

From promoting sound digestion to staving off dips in your blood sugar, this often-overlooked essential is crucial towards feeling, and looking, your best.

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Your hormones have a dramatic effect on your wellness—and life—but the symptoms of a hormone imbalance can shift just as radically: At times, hormonal fluctuations may seem subtle, from feeling fatigued or emotionally a bit off. Other times, a lack of hormonal equilibrium practically screams at you, arriving in the form of hot flashes, severe mood swings and inexplicable weight gain.

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Since the invention of baby formula in 1865, the question has often been, what’s best for a growing newborn: Breast milk or liquid infant food?

While it’s a profoundly personal matter—and one that can only be determined by you and your child’s healthcare professional—the benefits of breastfeeding are far-reaching and wide. Indeed, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that newborns ought to breastfeed for the first six months of their lives before solid foods are woven into the mix, all the while continuing to nurse until one to two years of age.

Why?

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No matter your age, moments of forgetfulness are as common as times of clarity. But as you enter midlife, however you might define this era, you may question: Is my absent-mindedness and brain fog indicative of dementia—or even Alzheimer’s disease?

It’s a solid—and valid—question.

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Menopause has historically been more synonymous with “mood swings” than “mental health”—until recently.

While a dearth of data exists on the topic of menopause in general—research reveals that only one in five OBGYNs are trained in menopause—more and more current studies confirm what women of a certain age have known for…well, ever: The transition out of their reproductive years is defined not only by hot flashes and night sweats but also by inexplicable depression, crippling anxiety and the sudden inability to recall where they put their keys.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

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Spring fever may be shrouded in myth but it’s as factual—and relevant—as its antithesis, seasonal affective disorder. If you feel a natural rise in your mood the moment the winter weather warms, trust that it’s not all in your head—or, rather, it’s mostly in your head, but in a completely different way than the cliché suggests: The longer days, shorter nights, clearer skies and balmier temps impact everything from melatonin production to energy levels, giving many a whole season of more pep in their step and pure, unfettered happiness.

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From muscle strain to a sore stomach, pain is often an inescapable part of life. Chronic pain, however, can drastically change a life.

Whether your chronic pain is due to an injury or an illness, it can wreak havoc on nearly every major domain of your existence. Not only can it render simply getting through the day a challenge, but it may also prevent you from performing the activities you love, take a toll on your ability to work and function, test your interpersonal relationships, and lead to poor sleep, prolonged stress and depression.

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Inflammation has gone from a relatively unknown issue to a trending topic, popping up everywhere from IG feeds to food labels. For good cause too: A mounting body of research reveals that chronic inflammation is at the root of several critical conditions, from Alzheimer’s and atherosclerosis to obesity and osteoporosis.

And yet, did you know that inflammation can also impact your mood?

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As strenuous as caregiving may be, ultimately, it’s a gift—to the one you’re caring for, of course, but also for yourself. Not only does it allow you additional, intimate time with someone in need (and often someone you love), but it also fosters strength and compassion—qualities of character that will see you through even the most tumultuous of times.

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Yoga blocks may conjure thoughts of novices fresh to the practice, but that’s hardly the case: Whether they’re cork or foam, bamboo or birch, yoga blocks are a terrific tool to help you enhance your poses. From Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) to Virasana (Hero’s Pose), yoga blocks aid with improving the integrity of an asana—or functional posture—while also encouraging more profoundly felt sensations. Intrigued? Read on.

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