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Alyssa Gonzales

Articles by Alyssa Gonzales

Too Much Rest After Exercise Could Impact Cognitive Decline in Older Latinos


enior couple jogging in the summer park

Physical activity is an important key to overall health. For example, studies have shown that dance can improve memory retention and even 10 minutes of physical activity can help destroy cancer cells. But what happens after you are physically active? Studies also found that increased physical activity was often followed by extended rest, which may reduce long-term benefits. Now, a recent study has found that replacing rest between exercise sessions with additional ecologically relevant physical activities may help improve cognitive decline among Latino adults. Let’s dig deeper into this study and how it impacts older Latinos and all people. What is Ecological Momentary Intervention? Dr. Ulf G. Bronas at the Columbia School of Nursing and his research team developed an ...

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How Does Alcohol Contribute to Cancer Risk?


Man holds beer

Alcohol use is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, behind only tobacco and obesity, contributing to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths each year. Consuming alcohol increases the risk of developing at least 7 types of cancer including: Mouth (oral cavity) Esophagus Breast (for women) Liver Throat (Pharynx) Voice Box (Larynx) Colon and Rectum Let’s dig deeper into this issue and what actions can be taken to decrease the risk! Warning Labels on Alcoholic Beverages With the many health risks that come with alcohol consumption, the U.S. Surgeon General has called for updating alcoholic beverage labels to include a warning about the risk of cancer associated with alcohol consumption. “Pursue changes to label ...

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Comment Now: FDA Wants to Require Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels!


Nutrition facts, added sugar, healthy lifestyle, balance of ingredients in daily ration, food product label, groceries

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new proposal to require front-of-package nutrition labels on most foods that have a Nutrition Facts label on back. The proposal would require a compact informational box, also referred to as the “Nutrition Info Box,” with nutrient information on the front (or principal display panel) of products. The box would also contain information on saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars content in a simple format showing whether the food has “Low,” “Med,” or “High” levels of these nutrients. The aim is to give consumers nutrition information to help them quickly, easily identify how foods and drinks can be part of a healthy diet. “Nearly everyone knows or cares for someone with a chronic disease that is due, in part, to the ...

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103 People Commented to Prioritize Plant-Based Proteins in 2025 Dietary Guidelines


Colorful vegan bowl with quinoa, sweet potato, avocado, hummus and variety of veggies

Scientists are recommending more plant-based protein sources – beans, peas, and lentils – in the upcoming 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The guidelines, which provide national nutrition recommendations, will be updated this year. A big contributor to the update is the Scientific Report from the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which was submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Dec. 10, 2024. The scientific report proposes to remove beans, peas, and lentils from the “vegetable” category, leave them solely in the “protein” category, and list them as prioritized proteins. “The protein section has pretty much always said lean meat, then chicken, fish, eggs, beans, ...

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Smoking One Cigarette Can Slash 20 Minutes Off Your Life


The impact of smoking cigarettes.

Did you know that smoking one single cigarette can burn 20 minutes off of your life expectancy? This is according to a UK-based study, which also found that smokers lose about the same number of healthy years as they do total years of life. “Thus smoking primarily eats into the relatively healthy middle years rather than shortening the period at the end of life, which is often marked by chronic illness or disability,” according to the study. While the study focused on the UK, life expectancy and smoking are big issues in the US, too. Today, there are over 480,000 US deaths each year caused by smoking and smoke exposure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Let’s dig deeper into this issue and learn more about how this impacts ...

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Make Quitting Smoking Part of Your New Year’s Resolutions



The 2025 New Year brings about new resolutions for many hoping to adopt a healthier lifestyle like eating healthier or exercising more. Quitting smoking could help, too. With several health problems stemming from smoking including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory infections, why not quit smoking as a resolution? Let’s dive into the facts and benefits of leaving smoking behind in 2024! Rates of Latino Smokers 49.2 million (19.8%)—or nearly 1 in 5—U.S. adults reported current tobacco product use in 2022, according to the CDC. How does this impact Latinos? About 1 in 13 (7.7%) Hispanic or Latino adults in the U.S. smokes cigarettes, according to the CDC. Cigarette smoking also is more common for Latino men than Latinas. Latino youth can also be targeted ...

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Webinar: Empower Your Health and Thrive with Rheumatoid Arthritis


women on computer taking notes

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) impacts some people more than others. In fact, about 70% of people living with RA are women, according to the World Health Organization. That makes it critical to promote education, resources, and support for women when it comes to treating and managing RA. With this in mind, you’re invited to watch “Thriving with RA: Essential Tips for Women’s Health and Wellness,” an online educational session that will empower women with RA to take control of their pain and health, helping them understand treatment options and know when and how to speak up to get the care they deserve. Join us to learn practical ways to improve pain, fatigue, and depression and find support tailored to you—because no one should have to face RA alone. Panelist Victoria ...

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Why Millions of Texans Are Losing Medicaid Coverage


Medicaid eligibility

Two million Texans lost their Medicaid health insurance coverage in part due to state errors after federal funding to Texas ended after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent article from ProPublica and The Texas Tribune. Many who feel “wrongly removed” are struggling to regain their coverage. “Texas’ zealousness in removing people from Medicaid was a choice that contradicted federal guidelines from the start,” according to the article. “That decision was devastating in Texas, which already insures a smaller percentage of its population through Medicaid than almost any other state and is one of 10 that never expanded eligibility after the passage of the Affordable Care Act.” If you’re struggling with a Medicaid application in Texas, you can share your story ...

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