Nutrition and health

Features

Nutrition and health
Decreasing salt can decrease blood pressure

Sodium can contribute to high blood pressure and high blood pressure can contribute to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure and kidney disease. Read more

Make room for fruits and vegetables during grilling season

Move the meat over and make room for the fruits and vegetables. Why not try zucchini, eggplant, asparagus or portabella mushrooms? Read more

Walk while you work

Recent studies suggest that sitting at a desk all day can cancel out the health benefits of regular exercise. Watch the video. Read more

Organic produce — Is it the best choice?

Most of us would like to feed ourselves and our families the most nutritious foods we can. Read more

Chronic stress leads to health problems

Our lives can be very stressful and if we become accustomed to living with these feelings then we may not even realize how much it is affecting us. Read more

Walking is the best medicine

What a relatively simple and inexpensive 'pill to take' to make such a big impact on maintaining and improving our health. Read more

Ten ways to reduce health care costs

Good consumers take the time to understand the products and services they are buying. Read more

Women over 50 most at risk of heart disease

While we've all seen the image of a gray-haired, overweight man clenching his heart and gasping for breath, just as many women as men have heart attack. Read more

Ways to boost your brain power and prevent dementia

No one wants to lose their ability to reason, think and remember people and places. Read more

High blood pressure: You could have it and not know

According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as one of every three American adults have high blood pressure but only half of those are being treated for it. Read more

The power of protein

Everywhere we look we see new, great protein-boosted drinks and foods. But how much protein is really needed and do Americans get enough or too much? Read more

Are raw vegetables healthier than cooked?

There is some debate about whether cooked or raw vegetables are better to consume. The short answer is — don't choose, have both. Read more

Healthful travel advice

Too often, however, we return from our travels feeling exhausted and weary from an unfit vacation. Read more

Stay active to age gracefully

Ponce de Leon was right; he was just looking in the wrong place. There is a fountain of youth that can help older adults feel better and live longer. It's called staying active. Read more

Low-dose aspirin may lower risk of colon cancer

That's potentially good news for people who already take aspirin to reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke. Read more

Do you know your cholesterol numbers?

It is important to be aware of cholesterol numbers because high cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Read more

News

  • Thursday, May 16, 2013
    COLUMBIA, Mo.– Walk while you work. Work while you walk.
    Media available: photos; video
  • Wednesday, March 20, 2013
    HARRISONVILLE, Mo. – While we’ve all seen the image of a gray-haired, overweight man clenching his heart and gasping for breath, just as many women as men have heart attacks, notes a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist.
  • Friday, February 1, 2013
    BETHANY, Mo. – Judging from all the fat-free and low-fat foods available, you might consider fat a dietary evil. However, the body needs a certain amount of fatty acids to function properly. Choosing the right type of dietary fat can mean the difference between health and disease.
    Media available: photo
  • Tuesday, January 8, 2013
    COLUMBIA, Mo. - If you resolved to get fit in 2013, you’ll need an exercise program with lots of variety, says a University of Missouri Extension exercise physiologist.
    Media available: photo
  • Tuesday, November 20, 2012
    BUTLER, Mo. – The Thanksgiving turkey isn’t just a dish, it’s an event. Carving the holiday turkey before a table full of guests is an eagerly anticipated holiday tradition. Someone, however, has to prepare that large bird before the festivities can begin.
  • Friday, October 12, 2012
    COLUMBIA, Mo. – An animated talking tomato stars in an award-winning University of Missouri Extension video that follows the journey of fresh vegetables from the farm to dinner tables and school lunchrooms.
    Media available: photo; video
  • Friday, June 1, 2012
    COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Joel and the Garden Goddesses” had more than 37 ingredients to choose from and almost two hours to toss a salad together.
    Media available: photos
  • Tuesday, May 3, 2011
    BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Instead of tending to a garden that will only provide fruits and vegetables during the season, consider growing enough to preserve, suggests a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
    Media available: photo
  • Friday, February 11, 2011
    KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The local food movement is going back to school.
  • Friday, December 17, 2010
    JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Holidays mean abundant sweets and treats, but for those with diabetes the temptation of cookies threatens more than their waistlines.
    Media available: video
  • Thursday, August 5, 2010
    ST. LOUIS – It used to require a car trip or a bus ride, but now shopping for fresh produce in the inner city only requires a short walk for Nadia Russell and her children.
    Media available: video

Websites

The following are general-interest nutrition and health Websites from the University of Missouri. Browse the menu on the left for sites on more specific nutrition and health topics.

MU Extension near you