HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
Keeping tabs on your oral health is
critical for warding off bad breath and
poor health. It is important to brush at
least twice a day, floss, eat a healthy diet,
replace your toothbrush 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
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WOODLAND HILLS
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WINTER 2018
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