Health

Eating healthy will drastically increase your chances of living a long, healthy life. Most of us are constantly bombarded with nutrition information, which can be quite overwhelming. Fortunately, there are a number of simple things that you can do to eat healthy. Below are some simple rules for eating healthy:   Follow A Plant-Based Diet Your diet should be composed mostly of fruits, vegetables and nuts. Numerous studies have confirmed that plant-based diets offer a number of health benefits. Following a plant-based diet can help you lower your blood pressure, cholesterol level and hel... more ...

It is safe to say that most of us have at one point or another forgotten someone's name or where we left the house keys. However, if this is happening to you on a regular basis, it may be a cause of concern. While the world is finding that it is becoming quite possible to achieve longevity if you stay healthy, some of us wonder if it is not our bodies we should be worrying about, but our brains. If you are looking for a way to help your brain keep up with your body, here is a list of dietary changes you can make in order to achieve a healthy brain.   Antioxidants Whether it be thro... more ...

As people age, exercise remains important. However, people may sometimes feel that if they were not physically active in their younger years, it's too late to start. This is not the case. Recent research has shown significant benefits for people from the age of 55 to 80, and while 80 was the cutoff point for the research, it's likely that even older adults can enjoy the same or similar benefits.     Memory Benefits This past year, the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois studied 120 people who had been sedentary and found that walking improved memory. The size ... more ...

You may have one of the most serious medical problems around and not even know it. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a grave medical condition that can cause stroke, heart attacks, and kidney failure and death. However, since hypertension has few visible symptoms, many times it goes undiagnosed. A little information goes a long way in preventing and treating this silent disease.     Understanding The Numbers Some patients don't realize that they have high blood pressure—until it's too late. If you see your doctor regularly, you have probably had yo... more ...

Nutrasweet, chemical name Aspartame, is an artificial sweetener used extensively in food products in Canada, the United States and around the world. As people became more conscious about weight loss and the bad effects of sugar consumption, the hunt for new and better artificial sweeteners went into high gear. Aspartame was approved for use as a sweetener in 1974, and since its introduction, there has been much controversy about its safety.     The Chemical Called Nutrasweet Nutrasweet is the brand name of a laboratory-made chemical called aspartame. It is a methyl ester of the d... more ...

Accidents happen, as we all know. But before they happen to you, take pains to protect your bones so that if you do take a fall, you might just bruise instead of break. As we grow older, many of us will develop weak bones. In fact, half of all women will develop osteoporosis or brittle bones that make them prone to fractures. Lifestyle changes in exercise and diet can lower the risk of osteoporosis and help you make your bones break-proof.     Strength and Balance If you lower your chances of falling, you lower the risk of breaking something. Strong muscles and good balance are e... more ...

Life is stressful. No one can deny that every now and then even the little problems in life seem like too much to handle. While you can't get rid of stress, you can limit its effect on you. Simple tools that you can use anytime, anywhere can help put things in perspective and give you the calm you need to carry on. You don't need to be a yoga expert or spend weeks at a meditation retreat to use these relaxation techniques. Grab a cup of hot tea and try some of the following strategies to help you deal with every day stress.   Meditation There are many different kinds of meditat... more ...

It's mid-afternoon and your energy is beginning to flag. Visions of a refreshing soft-serve ice cream cone flash before your eyes. A double mocha latte pumped full of sugar seems like the perfect solution to help you get through the pile of work on your desk. You need a little pick-me-up but what can you choose that won't turn into love handles the minute it hits your palate? Believe it or not, you can snack during the day without risking too many excess calories and unwanted pounds. If you think before you eat and plan ahead, you can stock your pantry with healthy snacks that will qu... more ...

Baby Boomers who have warned their children against the dangers of substance abuse and addiction may need to take a good long look in the mirror. A recent study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration found that drug abuse was on the rise among Boomers from 51 to 59 years old. The study showed an increase of a little over three percent during an eight-year period but experts predict that the need for substance abuse treatment for boomers may double by 2020.   What Sets Boomers Apart? Experts say addictions in older people may increase for several reasons. The Bo... more ...

Your house may look clean but health hazards can lurk in the very products you use to keep things spic and span. You may already know that many household cleaners are toxic and should be kept out of reach of children and pets. Environmental experts warn that many cleaning products also contain chemicals that pollute the environment and pose invisible health risks to the people who use them in their homes. Allergies, respiratory problems, cancer and birth defects have all been linked to chemicals in cleaning products. Detergents, window cleaners, disinfectants and other common products can be ... more ...