Marla Ahlgrimm: Put Down The Granola

If you believe the television, there are plenty of foods out there that are super healthy. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, women are especially targeted by food manufacturers hoping to capitalize on our body insecurities. But before you start filling your pantry with yogurt and granola, read this. Here, will take a quick look at foods that aren’t as healthy as the voice over on that commercial might lead you to believe.

Flavored yogurt

To be fair, it Greek yogurt is one of the healthiest foods in the dairy aisle. But when you start adding sugars, Marla Ahlgrimm says you negate most of the health benefits. A small package of fruit-flavored yogurt may contain 20 or more grams of sugar.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Flu Season Is Almost Over

While attention to the coronavirus has been hot and heavy in the news, Marla Ahlgrimm says the US remains in the grip of an unusually long flu season. Ahlgrimm explains that flu started making its way through back in October, and doctors continue to see cases, especially in pediatric clinics.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, there are three different types of flu. These are A, B, and C. The former two are what we think of when we think of the flu, and they are the ones that easily make their way between students and other groups of people in close contact with one another.

All three flu viruses cause fever, stuffy nose, coughs, and body aches. There are only a few subtle differences. Type A, explains Marla Ahlgrimm, is usually the most severe, and is the one that doctors say can change quickly. This makes it extremely difficult to formulate a foolproof flu vaccination each season. Type A is also unique in that it can spread between humans and animals.

Flu type B is usually not widespread. However, it does tend to become more prevalent toward the end of the flu season. Although usually less dangerous than type A, flu B can also cause high fevers and can linger for up to two weeks.

Marla Ahlgrimm | 4 Pharmacists Whose Names You Should Know

Pharmacists are some of the most important people in our medical history, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Unfortunately, many people never get to hear the names of the men and women whose contributions have helped to save countless lives in the US and abroad. Here are four whose names you should know.

Dora Akunyili

Dora Akunyili was a Nigerian politician and the Director General (from 2001 to 2008) of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration in Nigeria. Her educational credentials include receiving a Bachelors of Pharmacy from the University of Nigeria in 1978. She won numerous awards for her work in both human rights and pharmacology, and was a staunch advocate of fighting against counterfeit drugs. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, Dora Akunyili took up this cause when her sister died after receiving counterfeit insulin injections.

Chemist or Pharmacist: What’s The Difference?

Many young students interested in a career in science and medicine often choose between chemistry or pharmaceuticals. But what, exactly, is the difference between a chemist and a pharmacist? Marla Ahlgrimm explains.

Q: What is a chemist?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A chemist is an individual who has gone to school to study chemicals, chemical compositions, and how they affect the world around them. They are required to have exceptional mathematics and research skills.

Fun Facts About The History of Pharmaceuticals With Marla Ahlgrimm

When you look at the pharmacy, you likely think it’s one of the most boring places in town. However, according to retired pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm, the history of your local pharmacy is filled with lots of fun facts that might make you change your perspective. For example:

Paracelsus (A Swiss alchemist born in the 15th century) was originally named Philippus.

This pre-pharmacy-era professional changed his name because “Paracelsus” roughly translates to “better than Celsus.” Celsus was a then-famous Roman doctor who Paracelsus wanted to overshadow.

Marla Ahlgrimm | What Is HPV?

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a sexually transmitted infection. Although it rarely causes significant health problems, a lingering infection can lead to genital warts and, even more alarming, cancer. Keep reading as Marla Ahlgrimm answers a few questions about this uncomfortable subject.

Q: What is HPV?

Marla Ahlgrimm: HPV is a virus. Like HIV and the herpes virus, it is spread through sexual contact. Thankfully, unlike its more alarming counterparts, HPV infection usually clears on its own. It is the most common STD, with nearly 80 million people currently infected.

Marla Ahlgrimm: Too Much Food?

Humans need around 2000 calories each day to maintain their overall health. This is actually quite a bit of food, says Marla Ahlgrimm. However, we often eat the wrong ones, and during the holidays, we might consume four times this amount of calories in just a few hours.

But what happens to the body when we overeat? According to Marla Ahlgrimm, one of the first things is that your stomach expands well beyond its normal size. As your belly gets bigger, it can push against other organs, which is what makes you feel uncomfortable after a large Christmas dinner, for example. Many people also report feeling tired or just plain lazy after eating more than their fill.