Author: Richard C. Trotter

A new subvariant of COVID-19 that has been spreading throughout Europe recently made its way into the United States, and experts believe it may drive another wave of infections in the coming months. The XEC subvariant was first identified in Germany in June and has since spread to three continents and dozens of other countries, including the UK, Denmark, Poland, Ukraine, and now the United States. Eric Topol, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and the director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, told the Los Angeles Times XEC is “just getting started.” Dr. Topol took to X to offer his insight…

A lot of things go into facilitating a smooth air travel experience—like gathering your necessary documents, packing within appropriate weight limits, and beating traffic (and those insanely long security lines) to make it in time for your flight. But just as crucial as knowing what to do is what not to do so that you arrive at your destination feeling fab (instead of foggy) and rested (instead of reeling). As such, there are a few foods and drinks you may want to avoid as you take to the skies, and few people would know better about what those are than…

If you regularly work out, you probably already have a good sense of if you prefer short, high-energy sweat sessions or more gentle, long workouts. However, when it comes to improving your cardio, it can be difficult to tell which gives you a better bang for your buck. Two main categories of workouts are high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and low-intensity steady state (LISS). Both can improve your cardio fitness, but with different pros and cons. That said, you don’t have to exclusively opt for one over the other. In fact, including both in your workout schedule may help you reap…

It can be easy to become stuck in a rut with weekly lunches – and I personally think there’s nothing worse than eating a boring, bland or soggy salad! Your meals should energise, nourish and inspire you – they should be quick to put together and leave you feeling satisfied.I love the versatility of salads, and how easily they can be adapted to incorporate your favourite protein. Once you learn how to incorporate satiating bases (rice, quinoa) with your favourite veggies and seeds/nuts for texture – it becomes so easy!I’ve put together 4 of my favourite salads to weave into…

Do you remember the first skincare product you used as a teen? My first foray into skincare was a cocktail of exfoliating pads and Neutrogena toner my mom picked up from the drugstore (millennials, IYKYK). Those products introduced me to the concept of taking care of my skin, and—now that I reflect— they definitely served their purpose. Today’s teens are hugely dabbling in skincare, and their options are more abundant than in generations past. A survey released earlier this year by Piper Sandler revealed that teen beauty spending is up eight percent from last year, with favorite skincare brands amongst them…

Kourtney Kardashian Barker’s supplement company Lemme launched a new product today called Lemme GLP-1 Daily, which claims to be a “natural alternative” to prescription GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. The supplement joins Lemme’s line of weight-loss-adjacent products, which includes Lemme Debloat and Lemme Burn (a “metabolism and fat-burning” supplement). According to a press release from the brand, the new supplement is supposed to “boost the body’s GLP-1 levels, reduce hunger, promote insulin sensitivity, and support healthy weight management.” The capsules are meant to be taken once daily for three to six months for best results, per the brand’s website.…

Across many Asian cultures (spanning China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, and beyond), September’s full moon marks one of the most significant days of the year: the Mid-Autumn Festival. “It’s right before the traditional harvesting season and the date coincides with a full moon, making it an ideal time for gathering with loved ones to give thanks, eat good food, and admire the moon together,” says Cindy Chou, RDN, a dietitian, chef, and the founder of The Sound of Cooking. One such delicacy that’s integral to the festivities is the mooncake, which varies in style across different countries and regions. For instance,…

It’s that time of year again, folks. The time where you always seem to ask yourself: Why are my allergies so bad right now? The itchy, sneezy, watery-eyed mess you become with the change of the seasons is often tied to whatever is blooming outdoors. In spring and fall, for example, pollen and ragweed counts are high, which can make your allergy symptoms worse during these times of year. But what does it mean if your allergies feel worse this year than ever before? Truth is, allergy symptoms can vary a lot from one year to the next, says Jen Caudle,…

Plant-based diets—whether that be strict veganism, vegetarianism, or flexitarianism—have been common for so long that it’s safe to say they’re no longer a fad. In fact, various surveys show that between 4 to 6 percent of U.S. adults are vegetarian or vegan. But sticking with that eating pattern can be challenging for many people. A 2014 survey from Faunalytics (formerly the Humane Research Council) found that 84 percent of vegetarians and vegans abandon their diet, with a third of those ditching the diet after three months of less. People might assume that dietary choices come down to willpower. But that’s…

Growing up as a dancer, I always thought that the more flexible I was, the better I would be. In an art form that values how high your leg can go or how far backward you can bend, there was some truth to that. But probably not enough truth to justify just how much I was stretching: before dance class, during lulls in rehearsal, after dance class, at home watching television. At some point, I learned I shouldn’t be holding all those static stretches before exercising or dancing. But my near-constant stretching continued—after the boutique fitness classes I took nearly…