ERSOY: Does intermittent fasting help for weight loss?

Fasting has increased a lot in popularity, especially for weight loss purposes. Fasting can offer many other health benefits though, such as improving metabolic health, brain function, gut health, physical performance, sleep, spiritual health, increasing the ability to handle stress by making cells more resilient, preventing many diseases, and much more. Of course the benefits depend on how long and how often you are fasting.

HI-EMA encourages disaster preparedness with ad, social-media campaigns

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) this week launched a new public outreach campaign to promote disaster readiness, asking “What’s In Your Go Kit?” to encourage keiki and families to talk about the supplies they would need if an emergency forced them to leave their homes.

Exercise may help aging brain

New research hints that even a simple exercise routine just might help older Americans with mild memory problems.

ERSOY: Salt‚ we can’t survive without it

Sodium is an essential nutrient, which means that it’s something that our body can not produce on its own, so we need to consume it. Sodium plays a vital role in the regulation of many of our body’s functions, including fluid balance and acid base balance.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Hawai‘i

HONOLULU — Here in Hawai‘i and across the nation, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, however survey data released today show that only 40% of people in the United States are concerned that they might get lung cancer and only about one in five have talked to their doctor about their risk for the disease.

Hawai‘i’s SB 2482 creates nation’s first Office of Wellness & Resilience

HONOLULU — Senator Donovan Dela Cruz (Senate District 22 - Mililani Mauka, Waipi‘o Acres, Wheeler, Wahiawa, and Whitmore Village) joined Kamehameha Schools, the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, and numerous community organizations to announce that Senate Bill 2482, now Act 209, was signed into law, creating the first statewide-legislated Office of Wellness & Resilience (OWR) in the nation.

Adult leadership training opportunity coming

LIHU‘E — A free training program from Hawai‘i Children’s Action Network is now accepting online applications from Kaua‘i residents who want the tools and knowledge to make positive changes in their communities.

Walmart Wellness Day is Saturday

LIHU‘E — The Lihu‘e Walmart store is joining more than 4,600 pharmacies across the nation in inviting communities to get healthy during the Walmart Wellness Day Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ERSOY: Are you too old to start exercising, part 2

When we think of exercise we may often think of going to some facility such as a community center or a gym. Although if you are not able (or do not want) to go somewhere like that then there is plenty that you can do at home. Even if you don’t have any equipment, just your furniture or even things like water bottles or canned food can be used for your some of the exercises.

Campaign to reduce fall injuries kicks off

HONOLULU — The state Department of Health and the Hawai‘i Fall Prevention Consortium are launching a statewide campaign to reduce kupuna fall injuries. The campaign runs through July 17, and features new public-service announcements, tai chi classes, a tai chi instructor workshop, medication reviews for seniors, “Fall Proof” workshops and community presentations that focus on preventing falls among older adults.

UH study: Native Hawaiians more at risk for gout

HONOLULU — An analysis of nearly two decades of data revealed that Native Hawaiian study participants had more than twice the risk of developing gout as older adults, relative to White participants, a University of Hawai‘i study found.

ERSOY: The most misunderstood diet

I’ve been a nutritionist for many years but I still don’t even know how many types of diet there are out there. Almost every day we are hearing of a new “magical diet”, maybe even one that is actually really healthy and good for you. However, there is so much confusing information that it’s hard to know where to start.