Dr. Jennifer Hollywood, MD

07/08/2025

I warn my patients to limit their processed foods. Many brands use questionable ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, excessive salt and added sugars. There's also
a wide range of preservatives used -- some are deemed safe, while others should be avoided. Here are five preservatives that may have ties to cancer.

Processed foods can be a double-edge sword. On one hand, they’re easy, convenient time savers. But they are often made with questionable ingredients, from high fructose corn syrup, excessive salt and added sugars.

07/03/2025

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!

06/19/2025

Extreme heat can be problematic for your health, especially if you’re active outdoors. At the beginning of each summer, I tell my patients how important it is to prevent heat-related issues. Here’s what I tell them.

Summer 2023 was the hottest summer on record, according to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (more commonly known as NASA). And summer 2024 is on track to beat it.

06/10/2025

Many of my patients are very conscious about germs, regularly using hand sanitizers, wipes and cleaners at home and while on the go. But do these precautions help prevent illness? Not necessarily. Here’s what you need to know.

Many of us take active measures to control our exposure to germs. This includes carrying hand sanitizer, cleaning public spaces with antiseptic wipes and stocking our homes with antibacterial soap.

06/03/2025

Weight loss is a top concern in my practice. Many patients can drop some weight after making some simple lifestyle changes. But sometimes, lifestyle changes aren’t enough. There’s a deeper issue involved, for example, gut health. Here’s how your gut biome can affect your weight.

You’ve cleaned-up your diet, cut your calories and ramped up your workouts, but the scale still hasn’t budged. We all know that managing weight can be a difficult, complex process. And experts still don’t have all the answers. But a new weight management variable has caught the attention of re...

05/19/2025

Rice is staple in many countries, but it can be controversial in the U.S. because it's so highly processed. But rice also is gluten-free, and rich in vitamins, minerals and flavonoids – plant pigments with possible anti-cancer properties. There are many varieties, and some are healthier than others. Here are some tips I share with my patients on choosing healthier rice.

More than 50 percent of the world’s population relies on rice. It’s a staple in more than 100 countries because it’s affordable, convenient and versatile, lending itself to many different dishes and types of meals.Generally, rice is gluten-free, high in carbohydrates, with some fiber and prote...

05/14/2025

Many of my patients admit they eat junk food. While I encourage you to limit unhealthy foods as much as possible, the truth is I also indulge from time to time. In fact, most Americans do, and it’s often triggered by cravings. But there are some tips you can try to help control these cravings. Here’s what you need to know.

It’s not news that eating junk food can raise the risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, gut health issues, heart health issues, depression, some cancers and dementia.

04/08/2025

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/lower-ldl-critical-importance-reducing-dementia-risk-2025a10007yb?ecd=WNL_tp54u_JRNE_pos2_250408_etid7347005&uac=4756MR&impID=7347005

For all you statin haters, here's a study that shows lower LDL decreases your risk for dementia. It also shows that statins lower that risk even further. Statins do something that not even diet and exercise can accomplish. Goal LDL is under 70.

LDL levels below 70 mg/dL are tied to a lower risk of developing dementia in general and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia in particular.

04/07/2025

Artificial sweeteners have been associated with increased risk of obesity and weight gain. Here is one possible explanation.

Research involving 75 young adults suggests that sucralose, a noncaloric sweetener, may increase hunger signals in the brain, potentially leading to overeating. The study found that sucralose heightened blood flow in the hypothalamus, a region associated with hunger, compared with sugar and water.

03/17/2025

I regularly preach to my patients the importance of whole foods. Yes, I realize most people don’t have the time to make homemade bread and pasta. But keeping your diet as minimally processed as possible can make a difference in your health. To motivate you to limit your processed foods, here’s a detailed look at what’s in them.

Explore the pros and cons of processed foods and how they can affect your health. Learn what to look out for in your packaged foods and what to avoid.

03/11/2025

I have a handful of patients who frequently sleep in during the weekends to catch up on sleep lost during the week. While it sounds like a good idea, it’s been linked to a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Here’s what you need to know.

Do you like sleeping in on the weekends? Many of us look forward to staying under the covers on our Saturdays and Sundays, especially after a late night or a long week. The extra shuteye helps us recover from missed sleep during the week. Or so we think. Unfortunately, this kind of inconsistent slee...

01/15/2025

You don’t have to call them New Year resolutions. You don’t have to do them every day. You don’t even have to follow all of them to have an impact. But if you want to live longer and live younger, these five steps are proven and can help you do it.

Discover lifestyle tips that you can use to work towards increasing your lifespan. Read about daily habits that allow you to live longer and take charge of your health.