Susan Whitaker

Spent years as a dental hygienist. Writes about oral health and the surprising ways it connects to the rest of the body.

Articles by Susan Whitaker

Latest Posts

Nutrition

Stress-Free Weekly Meal Plan for Burnout

Cooking Burnout Club Recipes If you’re feeling drained, overloaded, and utterly fatigued from deciding on dinner options each evening, you’ve found the perfect spot. The Cooking Burnout Club supports individuals who appreciate flavorful dishes yet lack the stamina for elaborate preparations, extensive prep work, or intricate cooking methods at this time. These dishes are crafted […]

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Science

Yellowstone Wolf Reintroduction: No Major Ecosystem Overhaul

The iconic narrative surrounding the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park, often celebrated as sparking a monumental ecological transformation, might be considerably overstated according to recent scientific scrutiny. This legendary “mega-cascade” effect, purportedly driven by the wolves, appears far less profound than previously portrayed in popular accounts and some research publications. Challenging the Dramatic […]

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Science

Prenatal Cannabis Alters Placenta Genes, Raising Schizophrenia Risk

Recent scientific investigations reveal that exposure to cannabis during pregnancy might induce specific molecular alterations in the placenta, potentially serving as an early indicator for elevated schizophrenia susceptibility in offspring as they mature into adulthood. Emerging studies indicate that the use of cannabis while pregnant could imprint distinctive molecular signatures within the placental tissue, which […]

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Nutrition

Boost Energy: Why Your Multivitamin Needs Iron

Most people recognize that iron plays a positive role in health, and many can quickly name foods packed with this mineral, such as premium grass-fed beef or nutrient-dense leafy greens like spinach. However, fewer individuals fully grasp the wide array of vital functions iron performs in the body on a daily basis or understand precisely […]

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Nutrition

Cocoa Flavanols Show Anti-Aging Benefits Against Inflammation

Might supplements derived from cocoa extract, packed with cocoa flavanols, help lower inflammation levels and thereby ward off chronic conditions linked to aging? Researchers from the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), conducted by experts at Mass General Brigham and their collaborators, examined shifts in five key inflammation markers associated with aging. Their analysis […]

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Science

Endoscopy vs Colonoscopy: Key Digestive Exams for GI Screening

Gaining a clear understanding of the distinctions between endoscopy and colonoscopy is essential, as these procedures serve as fundamental methods for evaluating the digestive tract, conducting thorough gastrointestinal assessments, and identifying polyps that could pose health risks. Digestive well-being is foundational to comprehensive health, and contemporary medical practices provide a range of effective techniques to […]

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Lifestyle

Make 2026 Your Best Year Ever

Transform 2026 into Your Best Year Yet While I don’t think transformation should be limited to specific dates like New Year’s, this time of year often sparks a unique feeling of possibility. It delivers a wave of fresh perspective, drive, and optimism that suggests real shifts might finally happen in our lives. However, as the […]

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Nutrition

My Go-To Remedies for Tight, Reactive Stomach Relief

If your stomach starts feeling constricted by midday and your pants become unbearably snug by mid-afternoon, rest assured that this sensation is very real and not just in your head. If you’ve tried countless approaches yet continue to experience gut reactions to foods that were once perfectly fine, know that you’re far from alone in […]

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Science

EPA Repeal of Endangerment Finding Jeopardizes Air Quality

In the midst of a severe wildfire season not long ago, I stepped into our neonatal intensive care unit and was hit by the unmistakable odor of smoke. The polluted atmosphere had saturated our hospital’s air filtration mechanisms beyond capacity. Our team rushed to deploy extra air purification units, modified patient care protocols as feasible, […]

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