Foods to avoid if you have high blood pressure

Foods to avoid if you have high blood pressure

by | Mar 20, 2026 | blog, blood pressure, diet, heart disease, nutrition

If you have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, there are some foods you should avoid. In this blog article on womansworld.com, Cailey Griffin asks Dr. Brynna Connor and other medical experts to weigh in on which foods should be avoided.

Some of the recommendations are unsurprising, for instance, sugary drinks and processed foods. Others are less obvious. For the full list of five foods to avoid, check out what Dr. Connor has to say in this article: High Blood Pressure? Doctors Say Avoid These 5 Foods for Better Health.

Foods bad for high blood pressure
Surprising Signs of High Cortisol

Surprising Signs of High Cortisol

by | Feb 19, 2026 | blog, diet, hormones, mental health, nutrition, sleep, stress, weight loss

One of the most important hormones is cortisol. Cortisol levels naturally rise and fall from day to day. When levels remain consistently high however, it may indicate a health issue. 

In this blog by Alyssa Sybertz, Dr. Brynna Connor Is interviewed and offers expert advice on signs of high cortisol, what causes it, and when to see a doctor. 

While some symptoms are well known, others may surprise you, such as muscle weakness and puffiness of the face. Read this blog, 5 Surprising Signs of High Cortisol to learn five lesser known signs of high cortisol, what leads to high cortisol, and when to see a doctor.

hydration
Dangerous vitamin combinations

Dangerous vitamin combinations

by | Feb 12, 2026 | blog, diet, digestion, natural remedies, nutrition, supplements, vitamins

Many of us turn to supplements to improve overall health; however, some supplements should not be taken in tandem. Certain combinations can cause the vitamins to be less effective, or can result in unpleasant symptoms.

In this blog article ‘Dangerous’ vitamin combinations Dr. Brynna Connor and other experts offer advice on which supplement combinations should be avoided.

Dangerous vitamin combos
Are calcium supplements unhealthy?

Are calcium supplements unhealthy?

by | Sep 22, 2025 | blog, cardiovascular health, nutrition, supplements

Calcium is normally associated with bone health, but is also essential for the proper functioning of your heart, muscles, and nerves. More is not always better, however. In a 2016 study, researchers found taking calcium supplements may risk heart damage.

“When in the blood in normal quantities, [calcium] helps carry electrical activity to the heart (along with the muscles and brain). However, when too much calcium is in the blood, it can alter the electrical activity of the heart, causing a change in heart rate,” says Brynna Connor, MD, healthcare ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com.

While calcium supplements are associated with heart risk, the same risk does not apply to calcium-rich foods—which all doctors agree are an important part of a healthy diet.

For more info and a list of calcium-rich foods, see what Dr. Connor has to say in this article.

hydration
Supplements for menopause

Supplements for menopause

by | Sep 16, 2025 | blog, menopause, natural remedies, nutrition

Menopause symptoms can be distressing. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the standard treatment, many women also turn to supplements* to help ease symptoms. So, how effective are supplements? Brynna Connor, MD, of NorthWestPharmacy.com, says supplements such as “vitamin D, vitamin B6, B12, B9 and magnesium … help ease the discomfort of mild to moderate menopause symptoms.” Further, “supplements may also be beneficial for women for whom HRT isn’t an option,” Dr. Connor adds. For more specific information on which supplements are worth trying and which should be avoided altogether, check out what Dr. Connor says in this article.

* Supplements are not FDA-approved and are not proven to cure any medical conditions.

hydration
How safe is tap water?

How safe is tap water?

by | Oct 19, 2024 | diet, nutrition

Is it safe to drink tap water? This Fox News article asks Dr. Brynna Connor to weigh in on the risks of drinking unfiltered tap water. According to Connor, as long as it’s from a public water system and there are no boil-water advisories, it is generally safe.

In some cases, Dr. Connor explains, there could be risks, including lead poisoning, hepatitis, nitrate contamination, and fluoride exposure. These risks, Dr, Connor explains, are greater for infants, elderly folks, and those with weakened immune systems.

While these risks are serious, Connor emphasizes the U.S. public water regulations are better than anywhere in the world. Importantly however, these regulations only apply to public water systems, not privately owned wells, which can contain greater contaminants.

One solution is to get a home-filtration system. If you decide to do so, Dr. Cherilyn Davis says, ensure that the system you get only filters out chemicals that are unwanted, as not all chemicals in the water are unhealthy.

Cortisol Face
Zinc for colds: Does it help the symptoms?

Zinc for colds: Does it help the symptoms?

by | Oct 2, 2024 | immune system, nutrition, vitamins

Zinc is a mineral that helps stimulate the body’s immune system. Because our bodies do not produce zinc naturally, it must be obtained by consuming plants and animals that do.

Can zinc help treat the common cold?

Several studies have found that taking zinc may reduce the duration of cold symptoms.

How can I take zinc safely?

In this article, Dr. Brynna Connor suggests taking no more than 40 mg of zinc supplements per day, orally – avoid zinc nasal sprays. Consult a healthcare provider to ensure that zinc does not interact with other medications you take.

Nutritious desserts for a healthy gut

Nutritious desserts for a healthy gut

by | Sep 12, 2024 | digestion, gut health, nutrition, weight loss

A healthy gut microbiome is not only important to promote proper digestive functioning, but essential to one’s overall health.

Foods with high fiber and protein content can help to cultivate a healthy gut microbiome, whereas most desserts offer little more than sugar and starch.

In this article, 12 High-Protein Desserts For Better Gut Health, Marium Qayum asks twelve experts, including Dr. Brynna Connor, for their recommendations for nutritious and gut-friendly dessert options.

Is green tea really better than coffee?

Is green tea really better than coffee?

by | Jun 13, 2024 | digestion, nutrition

While most people drink at least one cup of coffee every day, many believe that green tea is a better health and nutritional option than coffee.

Is it true? What about caffeine? Antioxidants? Anti-inflammatory properties? What is the impact on blood pressure, and which one can lower glucose and insulin levels?

Dr. Brynna Connor was interviewed in the Lifestyle section of aol.com in an article entitled, “Is green tea really better than coffee? Doctors and nutritionists weigh in.”

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