SPECIAL SECTION: HEALTHY LIVING
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 being done 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
digestive problems are:
u Food Intolerance – Often confused with a food allergy, food
intolerance allows you to eat a small amount of the offending food
without any issues (a food allergy could be life-threatening).
Causes include celiac disease, sensitivity to food additives, food
toxins, and absence of an enzyme needed to fully digest a food.
u Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
(GERD) – A chronic digestive disease, GERD is defined as
experiencing acid reflux and heartburn at least twice a week.
GERD affects 20 percent of Americans and can cause persistent
bad breath, tooth erosion, nausea, pain in chest or upper
abdomen, or it can make swallowing and breathing hard to do.
u 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.
u 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!
Wear sunscreen.
Get a full night’s sleep.
u Exfoliate to shrink pores.
u Hydrate your face, neck, and chest.
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