HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
every three to four months, and avoid tobacco use to maintain a
healthy mouth. Visiting your dentist for regular cleanings can also
ensure that oral hygiene is at its best.
Heart Health
We are all aware that it is important to eat healthy and stay fit
for heart health. A diet rich in plant foods and low in processed
food and animal products lends itself to a happy heart. Paired
with cardiovascular exercise, you’ve got it made for a healthy
body. But have you ever thought of staying positive as a way to
keep your heart healthy? A research study at the University of
Illinois shows that people with optimistic attitudes have higher
odds of having ideal cardiovascular health when compared to
pessimistic people. The study analyzed “the mental health, levels
of optimism, and physical health of 5,100 adults ranging from 45
to 84 years of age. Heart health scores—based on American Heart
Association-approved metrics, including blood pressure and body
mass index—increased right alongside optimism levels.” So when
you’re feeling down, remember that staying positive affects more
than just your day, so keep your head up and your heart happy.
Digestion
Digestive issues affect all of us at one time or another. From
upset stomach, gas, and heartburn, to constipation and diarrhea,
digestive problems are painful and embarrassing. Some of the
most common are:
• Food Intolerance – Often confused with food allergy, food
intolerance likely allows you to eat a small amount of an
offending food without any issues (while a food allergy could
be life-threatening). Causes of intolerance include celiac
disease, sensitivity to food additives, food toxins, and absence
of an enzyme needed to fully digest a food.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – A chronic
digestive disease, GERD is defined as experiencing acid reflux
and heartburn at least twice a week. It affects 20 percent of
Americans and can cause persistent bad breath, tooth erosion,
nausea, and pain in the chest or upper abdomen, or it can make
swallowing and breathing hard to do.
• Hemorrhoids – Hemorrhoids are inflamed blood vessels found
at the end of your digestive tract. Often painful and itchy, they
are caused by chronic constipation, diarrhea, or a lack of fiber in
your diet. Seventy-five percent of Americans over the age of 45
suffer from hemorrhoids. Staying hydrated, eating more fiber, or
over-the-counter creams may provide relief from hemorrhoids.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – Affecting 15 percent of
Americans, IBS is characterized by stomach pain or discomfort
at least three times a month for several months. Symptoms vary
widely with IBS, making it hard to determine the exact cause.
Treatment focuses mostly on diet, eliminating common trigger
foods such as dairy, alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners
and beans. Doctors also recommend a diet high in fiber and
consumption of probiotics found in yogurt.
Skin
Most likely, if you are unhealthy on the inside, it will show
on the outside. Your skin often mirrors your body’s true overall
health, so a healthy diet, exercise, and drinking lots of water will
do wonders. But keep in mind: there are other ways to make your
skin shine bright!
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