Fructose is a sugar naturally found in fruit. When consumed in whole foods, the amount of fructose is relatively small and fiber in the food slows down how quickly the fructose is absorbed into the body and bloodstream. But in the last several decades, fructose has become a ubiquitous, inexpensive sugar used to sweeten packaged foods. A new study links fructose consumption and Alzheimer’s disease.

Someone in the US dies from heart disease about every 37 seconds, making it the number one killer of adults. Unfortunately, women are often at a disadvantage compared to men when it comes to getting the proper evaluation and treatment. One challenge is that the unique symptoms experienced by women aren’t recognized as heart-related. Women also tend to wait longer than men to get medical attention.

But that’s only part of the story. Even when women report their symptoms to their healthcare provider, more than half the time their concerns are dismissed as not related to their heart. As a result, women are less likely than men to get a proper workup. Knowing the symptoms, insisting your concerns are taken seriously, and getting a cardiac evaluation can save your life.

One of the saddest things I can think of would be to look back on my life and lament the person I could have been. That level of unfathomable regret is something I hope none of us ever experience. Most people do the hokey pokey with their health. They commit for a while and then go back to old ways and old habits. As they get older, they become more and more out of shape, more tired, and heavier. And they get sick. Learn how to leverage your brain’s natural tendencies to create life-changing habits.