Improving Health

Facts:

• 47% of American adults have high blood pressure
• Only 1 in 4 adults diagnosed with high blood pressure have it under control
• High blood pressure puts you at risk of heart disease and stroke

The immune system is our body’s defense against germs, viruses, and other diseases. In many ways it functions much like our military. When a threat is identified, the troops are sent out to fight. It’s a complicated system with many parts that require several resources to keep it strong. Nutrition plays an important role in keeping the immune system strong and ready to fight. Here are five foods and a select list of healthy habits that have been shown to play an important part in our immune system. 

We have all heard the saying "two are better than one." It’s often used in reference to a team or some kind of support system, but have you ever thought about that phrase in reference to food?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habit in the absence of a specific and unique organic pathology. Since treatment is complicated, it’s important to work with your doctor and a dietitian.

Stress can manifest itself in many ways in our body. Take a minute to focus on your shoulders: are they relaxed, stiff or strained? How about your jaw – is it loose or clenched? Tight or tense muscles, headaches, increased heart rate, uneven breathing, or a rise in body temperature are all common physical responses to stress. Stress may also be felt in the mind in the form of racing thoughts, worrying, sadness, irritability or anger. Chronic, unmanaged stress can lead to serious health issues, that’s why managing stress is essential to healthy living and improving your quality of life. Here are nine things you can do in your immediate environment to create a stress-free zone and manage stress effectively.

How many of us have calendars with more “To Do's” and events than hours in the week? I know this is how my calendar appears more weeks than not. I feel myself trying to juggle my calendar, my spouse’s, and my kids. Add to that managing school assignments for children in this new blend of virtual and "in-person" schooling, socializing on the many web based platforms, and attending doctor appointments. I feel like I can’t catch my breath. Am I alone?

Facts:

• 1 in 3 Americans are at risk for Kidney Disease
• 37 M American adults currently have Kidney Disease…and many do not know it (Nat’l Kidney Foundation)
• Kidney diseases are a leading cause of death in the United States. (CDC)
• In the United States, diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure, representing about 3 out of 4 new cases. (CDC)

“For breath is life, so if you breathe well, you will live long on earth.” - Sanskrit Proverb

You take 25,000 breaths every day. While these breaths don’t require conscious effort or thought, the way you breathe impacts everything from your psychological well-being to your physical health.

To Eat or Not to Eat … Organic!
Have you ever stood in the produce section at the grocery store, wondering if those organic blueberries are really worth the extra $2? If so, you’re not alone. Many consumers have questions about organic foods. Others just have general concerns about the presence of pesticides in our food, or the health impact of genetically modified foods (GMO’s).

For many, the word “inflammation” conjures an image of a swollen body part or injury, but there is inflammation that occurs within the body that you cannot see. Many common diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and even certain cancers, are precipitated by or accompanied by chronic low-grade inflammation.