Privacy rules described in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) prevent disclosure of certain health information to unauthorized people without your permission. Here are the basics on what HIPAA does and doesn't allow –– including whether it's legal to ask and answer questions about COVID-19 vaccination status.
Research published online March 1, 2021, by the journal Circulation suggests that eating five servings of fruits and vegetables per day is associated with lower risks of many health conditions and even premature death, compared with eating two servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Researchers believe this could be because fruits and vegetables are major sources of nutrients linked to good health, including potassium, magnesium, fiber, and polyphenols. The most effective combination of fruits and vegetables appears to be two servings of fruits plus three servings of vegetables per day.
Some air pollution levels have inched up in recent years, and accumulating evidence suggests that higher levels of particulates in the air are linked with increased levels of hospitalization for many serious health problems. But we can make choices to help both the environment and our health.
Vegetarians can ensure they are getting enough iron in their diets by eating iron-rich foods such as beans, tofu, and dark leafy greens.
Eating one cup of leafy green vegetables a day may help lower heart disease risk. Leafy greens are rich in nitrates, which the body converts to nitric oxide (a compound that helps reduce blood pressure).
Melons have a high water content and are fairly low in calories, making them a good choice for people watching their weight. Watermelon contains lycopene and citrulline, two nutrients thought to benefit heart health.