In a world that often feels heavy with headlines of crisis, it’s vital to remember that good news still blooms — quietly, resiliently, and...

Many popular diets we see trending today actually have roots in medical traditions designed to heal and restore health. What began as targeted therapies for specific conditions have since woven their way into mainstream culture and cuisine — and with good reason. When chosen thoughtfully, these diets can support your health goals while offering flexibility to fit your lifestyle and tastes. Here’s a look at five specialty diets, their origins, and when they might be right for you. 1. Keto: Beyond Weight Loss — A Therapeutic Legacy The ketogenic diet, or keto, is probably the most recognized medical diet turned lifestyle trend. It traces back to the 1920s, originally created to treat epilepsy — especially in cases where...

By all accounts, Cindy Smith’s 92-year-old father was a man of humor and dignity. A World War II veteran and retired county planner, he had lost some of his eyesight and needed a walker, but his wit remained razor-sharp. So when an aide in his California assisted living home chirped, “Let me help you, sweetheart,” he quipped back with deadpan brilliance: “What, are we getting married?” The moment was funny — but revealing. It’s a striking example of a widespread communication habit that too often diminishes older adults: elderspeak. What Exactly Is Elderspeak? You may not know the term, but you’ve likely heard it — or even used it without realizing. Elderspeak is a pattern of speech used...

Just a decade ago, holistic medicine was still considered by many to be an outlier — a fringe interest reserved for yoga enthusiasts, herbalists, and alternative thinkers. But today, the tide has turned. Hospitals welcome Reiki practitioners into operating rooms, universities host “Food as Medicine” seminars, and patients are reclaiming their health by demanding care that addresses not only the body, but also the mind and spirit. The rise of holistic medicine is not a wellness trend or cultural rebellion — it’s a necessary course correction for a healthcare system overwhelmed by chronic disease, ballooning costs, and emotional burnout. From the Margins to the Medical Mainstream In 2022, nearly 37% of U.S. adults used some form of complementary...