Peptide Therapy

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Xavia Malcolm

The use of peptide injection therapy has increased across the United States. According to the American Medical Association, public interest in injectable peptides is rising as more people see them promoted online for weight loss, anti-aging, and muscle recovery.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Peptides naturally occur in the body, acting as hormones, regulators, or messengers. They support important functions and processes such as digestion, regulating metabolism and appetite, regulating blood sugar, defending the body against injury and infection, promoting cell growth and tissue repair, and regulating blood pressure. Peptides can also influence mood, stress, and behavior.

Examples of peptides that occur naturally in the body are:

Insulin
Endorphins
Glutathione
Collagen peptides
Growth Hormone (GH)
BPC-157
Vasopressin
Glucagon
GLP‑1 (glucagon‑like peptide‑1)
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)

Peptide therapy uses synthetic peptides designed to mimic those naturally occurring in the body to improve or alter how the body functions.

Treatment can be delivered through supplements, topical creams, or nasal sprays. However, peptide drugs delivered by injection are one of the fastest‑growing categories. This growth is primarily driven by the demand for GLP‑1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutides used to treat diabetes and obesity, and non‑GLP‑1 injectable peptides, such as NAD+ used to improve cellular energy and metabolism, as well as sermorelin/ipamorelin to stimulate growth hormone release.

Safety should be considered when deciding if peptide therapy is right for you. FDA-approved treatments are generally safe when prescribed appropriately. Non- approved or compounded treatments may carry a higher risk due to possible dosing errors, unknown long-term health effects, contamination, or hormone disruption.

If you are interested in starting peptide therapy, speak with a licensed physician to learn if this form of treatment is appropriate for your health goals and overall condition. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

The New American Heart Association Dietary Guidelines

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Xavia Malcolm

The American Heart Association (AHA) recently released new dietary health guidelines that may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The 2026 guidelines emphasize a dietary pattern that is rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, prioritizes protein from plant-based sources, and is low in sugar, salt, and processed foods.

According to the AHA, this update is crucial, as about half of adults in the United States are affected by some form of cardiovascular disease, often resulting from chronic conditions like hypertension. These diseases are frequently associated with lifestyle choices, particularly insufficient physical activity and a poor diet. Additionally, over 60% of children and adults in the U.S. maintain unhealthy eating habits, which contribute to chronic health issues and negative health outcomes.

The new AHA dietary guidelines are built on decades of evidence that show following a lifelong healthy eating pattern may significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions. The updated guidelines outline nine key features of a heart-healthy diet:

Adjust energy intake and expenditure to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight: Try to balance how much you eat with how active you are, to reach and maintain a healthy body weight.
Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits and choose a wide variety: Include different colors, textures and types of produce, and remember, even canned and frozen can be nutritious and affordable.
Choose foods made mostly with whole grains rather than refined grains: Foods such as whole‑wheat bread, brown rice and oatmeal are better choices than refined grains including white bread or white rice.
Choose healthy sources of protein: Shift from meat to plant-based sources such as legumes, including beans, peas and lentils, along with nuts and seeds; regularly consume fish and seafood; select low-fat or fat-free dairy products; and if red meat is desired, choose lean cuts, avoid processed forms and limit portion size.
Choose sources of unsaturated fats in place of sources of saturated fat: Replace saturated fats with healthy unsaturated fats, including those from nuts, seeds, avocados and nontropical plant oils.
Choose minimally processed foods instead of ultraprocessed foods: Go with foods close to their natural state, with minimal added commercial ingredients, rather than those that are highly processed with additives.
Minimize intake of added sugars in beverages and foods: Limit the sugar-sweetened beverages you drink and the foods with added sugar you eat.
Choose foods low in sodium and prepare foods with minimal or no salt: Be aware of hidden sources of sodium in commercially prepared and packaged foods and season your food with healthier options such as herbs, spices or lemon instead of salt.
If alcohol is not consumed, do not start; if alcohol is consumed, limit intake: Alcohol can increase your risk for high blood pressure and other health conditions, so if you don’t drink, don’t start.

The AHA states that these healthy eating patterns should be sustained for a lifetime, and can be adapted to cultural and religious practices, different personal needs and budgets, and varying life stages.

If you have questions about your heart health or about managing a heart-healthy diet, please call 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Why Our Foot Health Matters More Than We Think

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Xavia Malcolm

The average person does not think about their foot health until there is an injury or other problem. However, we should pay closer attention, because the health of our feet is essential to our overall well-being.

Healthy feet support our full body weight; they are crucial to our mobility and balance.

Neglecting foot health can lead to significant problems. Our feet often reveal early signs of underlying health conditions, and ignoring these signals can have serious consequences. Symptoms such as slow wound healing, persistent tingling or numbness, stiffness, swelling, or pain in the feet may indicate conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, arthritis, circulatory problems, or nerve disorders.

Addressing these concerns early and maintaining good foot health can help delay or prevent certain health issues. We can promote good foot health by:

Paying attention to warning signs and following up with a healthcare professional
Wearing well-fitting and supportive shoes
Keeping our feet clean, dry, and moisturized
Staying physically active to promote circulation
Maintaining a healthy weight
Keeping feet strong and flexible
Trimming toenails straight across to avoid ingrown nails

Taking care of our foot health is important, especially for those living with chronic conditions such as diabetes or arthritis.

You should see a podiatrist if you are experiencing persistent pain; changes in your feet, such as swelling, discoloration, or stiffness; changes in balance or the way you walk; ingrown toenails; or fungal infections.

A podiatrist can catch issues early and provide timely treatment. They can help us improve mobility, prevent injuries and infections, relieve pain, and, in severe cases, help reduce the risk of ulcers and amputations.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center is dedicated to delivering high-quality care for all foot-related conditions and injuries. Our hospital provides comprehensive podiatric services, including wound treatment, surgical care, and custom brace and orthotic fittings. For patients with diabetes, we offer preventive foot care and diabetic footwear as needed. To schedule an appointment, please call 718-670-5486.

Misaligned Bite

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Xavia Malcolm

The alignment of your teeth and how your upper and lower teeth fit together is called your bite. A malocclusion or misaligned bite occurs when your upper and lower teeth don’t fit together properly when you close your mouth.

Common causes of malocclusions include genetic or hereditary factors such as jaw size; dental issues such as impacted teeth, early or late tooth loss, or jaw or facial injury; developmental conditions such as cleft palate; childhood habits such as thumb sucking or long-term pacifier use; and poor oral health.

Healthcare providers may use these terms when describing the different types of malocclusions:

Open bite, where the front or side teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed
Overbite, where the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower front teeth vertically.
Crossbite, where one or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth.
Underbite, where the lower front teeth extend past the upper front teeth.
Spacing, where there are excessive gaps between teeth.
Crowding, where there isn’t enough space for teeth to erupt properly

When left untreated, malocclusions can lead to a host of health problems, such as:

Gum irritation
Difficulty chewing
Lisping
Increased risk of cavities and gum disease
Jaw pain
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems
Mouth breathing
Sleep apnea
Tooth loss

Malocclusions should be treated as soon as possible to avoid these problems. Your dentist can diagnose misaligned bites by conducting an examination and using X-rays, dental impressions, and dental records. Your dentist may also refer you to an orthodontist for further evaluation and treatment.

Treatment may involve braces, clear aligners, jaw surgery, tooth extractions, prosthodontic treatments such as veneers, or orthodontic headgear. Treatment is based on severity, the patient’s age, the type of malocclusion, and functional and cosmetic needs.

To schedule an appointment with a dentist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call (718) 670-5521.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Xavia Malcolm

High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or “bad cholesterol,” are primarily caused by obesity and unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as a diet rich in saturated and trans fats, smoking, and a lack of physical activity. These are all controllable factors.

High cholesterol can also arise from uncontrollable factors such as genetics.

Some individuals inherit genes from their biological parents that predispose them to high LDL cholesterol levels. This condition is known as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the LDLR gene located on chromosome 19. This mutation affects the body’s ability to process cholesterol properly.

There are two types of FH:

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, which is the most common of the two types, occurs if one parent gives you the FH variant
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, which is rare and more serious, occurs when both parents give you the FH variant

While the genetic mutations that cause familial hypercholesterolemia are present from birth, symptoms may not appear until adulthood. They may develop earlier in childhood in people who inherit FH from both parents. Symptoms of familial hypercholesterolemia include:

High levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood
Corneal arcus- a white or gray ring around the iris of the eye
Cholesterol deposits in the eyelids (xanthelasmas)
Chest pain
Cholesterol or fatty skin deposits that form on the hands, elbows, and knees
Swollen or painful Achilles tendon
Cramping of one or both calves when walking
Sores on the toes that do not heal

Living with familial hypercholesterolemia increases the risk of a heart attack at an early age. The risk is also greater for premature cardiovascular disease and death at an earlier age.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is not preventable; however, it is very treatable. If your healthcare provider suspects that you have FH, they will perform a physical examination and may order a lipid panel or genetic testing to help confirm a diagnosis.

If you have familial hypercholesterolemia, your doctor will prescribe medications such as statins to control cholesterol levels. Practicing healthy lifestyle habits such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy weight may also help reduce the risk of complications.

To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

RSV and Asthma

Posted on March 3, 2026 by Xavia Malcolm

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus. It causes cold-like symptoms, but it can lead to more severe illnesses in young children (especially infants 6 months- 12 months), older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

According to the National Institutes of Health, “Infection with RSV at a young age is thought to increase the risk of developing asthma.”

Furthermore, RSV can be particularly concerning for people with asthma; an RSV infection can significantly increase their risk for more severe symptoms or trigger attacks.

If you have asthma, it is crucial to know the symptoms of RSV so that you can manage both illnesses. The symptoms of RSV include:

Trouble breathing
A persistent cough
Sneezing
Sore throat
Runny nose
Congestion
Fever
Wheezing

Managing RSV and asthma may involve preventing RSV, treating an active RSV infection, and controlling asthma. RSV can be prevented through vaccinations. Treatment for an active RSV infection can include supportive care, such as drinking plenty of fluids, getting adequate rest, taking over-the-counter medications, or using saline nasal drops or suction to relieve congestion. Asthma can be controlled by following the asthma action plan recommended by your doctor. Your action plan may include taking an inhaler or other prescribed medications, avoiding environmental triggers, monitoring symptoms, and seeking early treatment as needed.

To speak with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center about managing your asthma, please call 718-670-5486.

Fasting

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Xavia Malcolm

Fasting is intentionally abstaining from eating food or drinking for a period of time. People fast for various reasons, including religious, medical, or ethical reasons.

There are several types of fasting, including medical, intermittent, prolonged, detox, juice, and water fasting.

Fasting for health reasons is believed to have several benefits. When done safely, potential health benefits are:

Weight loss
Reduced inflammation
Lower blood pressure
Enhanced brain function
Improved sleep
Improved insulin sensitivity
Improved cholesterol levels
Improved digestion

While there are health benefits you may gain from fasting, you should also consider the following risks and side effects:

Malnutrition
Dizziness
Gallstones
Headaches
Constipation
Nausea
Fatigue
Dehydration
Low sodium and chloride levels
Low or high blood glucose
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Low blood pressure

Fasting may not be suitable for everyone. Certain people should avoid fasting or they should speak with their doctor first. Fasting can worsen symptoms or increase the risk of complications in those who:

Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Have diabetes
Have chronic kidney disease
Are under the age of 18
Are over the age of 65
Are taking certain medications that should be taken with food
Are struggling with an eating disorder
Are underweight
Are trying to conceive

Fasting safely is key to reaping the health benefits and reducing the risk of complications. This can be achieved by speaking to your doctor first, slowly easing into and out of fasting, trying shorter periods of fasting first, staying hydrated, doing light workouts, getting adequate sleep, listening to your body, and stopping fasting if you do not feel well.

Can You Breastfeed If You Have the Flu?

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Xavia Malcolm

New moms often wonder whether they can continue breastfeeding their babies if they have the flu. The answer is yes, you can continue breastfeeding your baby if you have the flu.

The flu virus is not transmitted through breast milk. However, it is important to take the steps needed to protect your baby from germs. You can do this by:

Wearing a mask while breastfeeding
Limiting face-to- face contact with your baby
Frequently washing your hands before touching the baby, or items the baby might touch during breastfeeding
Frequently disinfecting surfaces
Coughing or sneezing into a tissue and throwing the tissue away immediately after use

If you are uncomfortable breastfeeding when you are sick or worried about the risk of spreading germs to your baby, you can also pump your breast milk and follow the recommendations for cleaning the pump.

In addition to following precautions to limit the spread of germs, flu vaccination is strongly recommended for moms, as it provides added protection from the virus and for their babies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Flu vaccination is safe for breastfeeding women and their infants 6 months and older. Women who get the flu vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding develop antibodies that are shared with infants through breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding provides some flu protection for infants, including children younger than 6 months who cannot receive the flu vaccine.”

What Is “Power Peeing” and How Does It Affect Pelvic Floor Health?

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Xavia Malcolm

The term “power peeing” is used to describe the habit of forcefully pushing or bearing down on the abdominal muscles to urinate faster; doing this can contribute to a host of health problems.

Straining our abdominal muscles to expel urine faster is a common practice, often done when we are rushing. While power peeing appears to speed up the process and save us some time, it can do more harm than good. Habitually forcing out our urine can:

Weaken pelvic floor muscles
Lead to pelvic floor dysfunction
Lead to incomplete bladder emptying
Lead to incontinence
Lead to urinary leakage
Lead to constipation
Increase prolapse risk
Increase UTI risk

To avoid these problems, it is advisable to relax our pelvic muscles when urinating and let the urine flow. Here are some tips to help you do this:

Don’t hover over the toilet seat
Sit fully on the toilet seat with both feet on the floor and lean slightly forward.
Take a deep breath and relax the pelvic muscles
Breathe normally with full inhalation and slow exhalation
Allow urine to flow and the bladder to empty naturally without pushing
Practice double voiding (taking the time to pee twice to ensure your bladder is completely empty)

Practicing the proper urination technique is important because it can help promote good pelvic floor and bladder health.

If you are experiencing incontinence or bladder health issues, a urologist can help. To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Zone 2 Cardio

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Xavia Malcolm

“Zone 2 Cardio” has grown in popularity on social media and in fitness circles. The term describes moderate-intensity aerobic exercise that keeps your heart rate in the 60% to 70% range of your maximum heart rate. This intensity level measures how hard someone is exerting themselves during exercise.

Studies have shown that Zone 2 exercises may offer significant health benefits, including:

Improving heart health
Enhancing fat burning (In Zone 2, our bodies use fat as the fuel source)
Improving lung function
Placing less strain on muscles than high-intensity workouts
Enhancing overall cardiovascular fitness levels
Helping to build endurance
Improving energy levels

Here are a few examples of Zone 2 aerobic exercises:

Cycling at a relaxed and consistent pace
Walking briskly
Jogging slowly
Elliptical workouts
Stair climbing at a consistent pace
Hiking at a steady pace on a flat trail
Swimming at a slow and steady pace
Rowing workouts

There are two ways to determine if you are in Zone 2 cardio: you can calculate your maximum heart rate through this formula, 220 – Your Age = Your Max Heart Rate, or be able to carry on a light conversation while working out.

Experts recommend performing Zone 2 aerobic exercises at least twice per week for at least 20 to 30 minutes to reap the benefits.

While Zone 2 aerobic exercises are generally safe, it is advisable to speak with your doctor before making any changes to your exercise routine. To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.