HEALTH & WELLNESS SPECIAL SECTION
HEART HEALTH — SKIP THE SUGAR !
Heart disease is the number-one killer of all Americans , but awareness of the disease and its causes has allowed for a decrease in the number of deaths associated with it in recent years . Eating well and exercising are obvious ways to prevent the onset of heart disease , but a recent study by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology looks at another culprit that has damaging effects on your heart : sugar ( fructose ). According to the study , one to two servings of sugary drinks per day raises a person ’ s risk of heart disease by 35 percent . It is important to be cognizant of sugar intake , as it can often sneak into your diet unnoticed . Men should only consume about 37.5 grams of added sugar ( think coffee drinks , sodas , yeast breads , cereals , fruit drinks ) per day , while women should stay around 25 grams . Starting out the day with a latte , frozen beverage , or soda could add anywhere from 20 to 63 grams of sugar in just 12 ounces ! Make sure to stop and think before you consume added sugar for the sake of your heart health , because sugar isn ’ t as sweet as it seems .
BEST FOOT FORWARD
After hours of physical abuse from constant pounding and tapping , your feet deserve a break ! Feet take a constant beating every day , and we often blame foot pain on a long day on our feet or shoes with poor support . Foot pain may be caused by other problems in your body that shouldn ’ t be ignored .
Keep tabs on your feet by :
• examining your feet regularly
• wearing comfortable shoes that fit properly and offer plenty of support
• keeping your toenails trimmed straight across
• allowing your feet to air out after being in shoes .
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing :
• joint stiffness
• tingling or numbness
• swelling
• discoloration or bruising
• inability or limiting of physical tasks due to foot pain . ■
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