Heidi Borst

Contributor

Heidi Borst is a freelance journalist, healthcare content writer and certified nutrition coach with a love of all things health and wellness. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, Good Housekeeping, MSN, Yahoo and more. Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, Borst is a lifelong runner and general fitness enthusiast who is passionate about the physical and mental benefits of sleep and self-care.

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  • Are Lectins Bad For You? 5 Foods To Avoid

    Lectins, also known as hemagglutinins, are a type of protein found in several types of organisms, most abundantly in plants. While the function of lectins within the body is a point of controversy, with some experts claiming lectins can potentially...

  • Magnesium For Sleep: Does It Work?

    If you struggle to get enough sleep, you’re not alone—according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three adults report not getting the recommended amount of sleep every day. Whether you’re skimping on sleep due to...

  • A Guide To The Best Diets For Hypothyroidism: Foods To Eat And What To Avoid

    Hypothyroidism, a condition caused by an underactive thyroid, can create a wide variety of symptoms, such as fatigue, weight gain, trouble tolerating the cold, and joint and muscle pain. If you are currently living with hypothyroidism, medication is usually recommended,...

  • 70 Foods To Eat If You Have Anemia (And What To Avoid)

    Iron is a mineral that’s essential for growth and development. It’s also a crucial component of red blood cell production. Red blood cells help supply the body with oxygen, keeping it alive. Sometimes, red blood cells don’t function as they...

  • 5 Science-Backed Sauna Benefits For Your Mind And Body

    Many people find the sauna invigorating, and getting your sweat on has real health benefits. A sauna’s dry heat promotes sweating, increases circulation and enhances relaxation. You may have also heard that sauna therapy increases metabolism, assists with weight loss...

  • Best Vitamin B Complex Supplements Of 2024

    B vitamins, which encompass eight different types, are water-soluble vitamins that are essential for a variety of bodily functions. A few of the functions B vitamins support include red blood cell formation, brain function, energy production and metabolism. B vitamins...

  • Rybelsus vs. Ozempic For Weight Loss: What’s The Difference?

    With the help of celebrities and social media, type 2 diabetes drugs containing semaglutide—a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that helps with blood sugar management and satiety—are becoming increasingly popular for weight loss. Although Ozempic (a brand-name, injectable form of...

  • 5 Ways To Straighten Your Teeth Without Braces

    Straight teeth can not only enhance your smile, but they’re also easier to keep clean, making you less likely to develop issues like cavities, gum inflammation and gum disease. Your bite matters, too—when the upper and lower jaw are misaligned,...

  • What Is The Ice Hack For Weight Loss? Does It Work?

    Weight reduction is a common goal, with about half of American adults trying to lose weight each year. And while consuming fewer calories and getting more exercise are proven weight loss methods, they take time. It's no surprise that clever...

  • A Guide To The Best Vitamins And Supplements For Stress

    Stress is an ever-present reality in the U.S., from health and financial concerns to work and relationship challenges. Stress, especially when chronic, can do more than make you feel irritable and tired. It can increase your risk of physical and...

  • 9 Best Weight Loss Tips For Women, According To Experts

    Nearly two-thirds of American adults have overweight or obesity, placing them at risk of serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. However, losing as little as 5% of your body weight can reduce these health...

  • Best Foods For People With Diabetes, Plus What To Avoid

    Among the 10% of Americans living with diabetes, up to 95% have type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This chronic condition, which causes blood sugar levels to rise, is linked to serious health...

  • Herbalife Review 2024: Does It Work?

  • 10 Best High-Protein Snacks, According To Dietitians

    Like carbohydrates and fats, protein is a macronutrient and an essential part of a healthy diet, serving as one of the body’s primary energy sources. Foods containing protein—like meat, poultry, seafood, legumes, nuts, seeds and soy products—are broken down into...

  • A Guide To The Best Nootropics, Recommended By Experts

    If you’re looking for a way to combat procrastination and mental fatigue, sharpen your mind or boost your memory, you may have done some research into nootropics. Sometimes marketed as “memory enhancers” and “brain boosters,” nootropics are substances (such as...

  • How To Lose Back Fat: Is It Possible?

    Everyone has body fat—we need it to survive. Fat provides energy, keeps us warm, supports the immune system and plays an essential role in brain and heart health. But if you have extra fat in one area, like your back,...

  • L-Arginine: Benefits, Side Effects And Everything Else You Need to Know

    Amino acids, the building blocks of protein, play an essential role in critical functions like growth, tissue repair and the breakdown of food. One amino acid that’s gaining attention for its health-promoting effects is L-arginine. From enhanced athletic performance and...

  • What Happens Mentally and Physically When You Stop Drinking, According To Experts 

    It’s no secret that excessive drinking is bad for your health—it can increase your risk of some cancers, heart disease, liver disease, depression and more. But even moderate drinking, defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as...

  • Trauma Dumping: Signs, Effects And Strategies For Overcoming It

    Having strong social connections is essential—they’re associated with better physical and mental health, and even longer life expectancy. Supportive relationships make it easier to cope when life throws challenges our way. While talking out difficulties with a trusted friend can...

  • Bromelain: Dosage, Benefits And Side Effects

    If you’ve ever eaten a pineapple, you’ve consumed bromelain. Also available over-the-counter as a supplement, bromelain is promoted as a natural therapeutic agent to reduce pain and swelling, improve symptoms of osteoarthritis, relieve digestive issues and more. Here’s what you...

  • Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT): Is It Right For You?

    Testosterone is an androgen, or reproductive hormone, produced by the gonads—a male's testicles or a female’s ovaries. The adrenal glands also produce small amounts of testosterone. While present in both sexes, far greater levels of testosterone are produced in men...

  • How To Increase Libido: 7 Ways To Boost Sex Drive

    It’s normal for your sex drive to ebb and flow over time, but if you’re never in the mood for sex, you might be wondering what you can do about it. Just as there are many reasons behind why people...

  • Progesterone Cream: Benefits, Risks And Alternatives

    During menopause, a woman’s reproductive hormones decline, causing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and irregular bleeding. For relief from severe forms of these menopausal symptoms, some may opt for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). One form of HRT is progesterone...

  • Vegan Diet: Health Benefits, Foods And Tips

    Plant-based eating plans are increasing in popularity, from Meatless Mondays to veganism. If you’re considering a vegan lifestyle in an effort to be healthier, for animal welfare reasons, or simply to decrease your carbon footprint, it’s important to consider how...

  • MyHeritage DNA vs. Ancestry DNA: How They Compare

    If you’re on the quest to discover more about your genealogy or health, you may decide to try out an at-home genetic testing kit. AncestryDNA and MyHeritageDNA are two companies that provide direct-to-consumer (DTC) DNA testing. The services have similarities,...

  • Thyroid Supplements: Safety, Tips And Recommendations

    The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine (hormone-producing) gland located on the front of the neck. It produces hormones responsible for vital functions including metabolism, energy level, breathing, heart rate and mood regulation. Nearly 12% of Americans develop a thyroid condition...

  • Semaglutide For Weight Loss: Risks, Side Effects And More

    Semaglutide is an injectable drug formulated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it’s since become increasingly popular as a weight loss treatment. While the drug—commonly known by brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy— helps reduce blood glucose...

  • Best Invisible Braces And Teeth Aligners Of 2024

    If you’re on the quest for a straighter smile, metal and wire braces are no longer your only option. Widely available at dentist’s offices, invisible braces and teeth aligners can offer convenient and discreet at-home treatment options, often at a...

  • Best Hiking Apps To Try In 2024

    Whether walking at a local park or backpacking the Appalachian Trail, hiking has something for everyone. In fact, according to research published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, hiking outdoors offers immediate health benefits—such as lowered blood pressure and...

  • Mounjaro For Weight Loss: Safety, Side Effects And More

    If you have type 2 diabetes, one medication your doctor may prescribe is Mounjaro. Mounjaro is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for treating type 2 diabetes, a condition in which not enough insulin is produced or used by the body,...

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