Often when we think about leading a healthy lifestyle, we imagine certain benefits alongside. A healthier routine is bound to result in fitness and overall physical wellbeing,prevent diseases and positively impact mental health as well. But seldom does it occur to us that healthy living can also benefit us financially. Cultivating healthy living offersseveral financial benefits.

Read on to find out why health truly is wealth and three ways in which you can usher a financially sound 2021, by resolving to Be fit, be protected, be happy.

Day to day savings and lower medical bills

Research has found that, on average, a person who walks or otherwise exercises for 150 minutes each week spends less on medical expenses than those who fail to reach that threshold. Quite simply, this amount results in money that is saved from making fewer doctor visits, and less expenditure on prescription costs.

While there is a range of comprehensive and affordable financial solutions in the form of health insurance and critical illness riders available today to protect against the impact of a range of illnesses, a fitter routine, exercise, and healthy lifestyle can go a long way in preventing you from some of these diseases. Amongst the many financial benefits ofbeing fit, this is one that can make the most difference in your life.

Pay lower premiums on the policy

Life insurers pay distinct attention to your medical history when underwriting a policy because a person who is in excellent health is considered less likely to fall prey to life-threatening ailments. For example, premiums for smokers can often be higher than for non-smokers. Simply put, insurers stress on your health status when issuing a policybecause this is a premium-determinant, and the healthier you are, the lower premiums youre likely to pay.

Earn financial rewards to stay fit

Innovative companies across the globe are increasingly developing products that encourage healthy behavior among policyholders and in turn financially reward them withrenewal premium discounts.

To reinforce healthier living, many health and general insurance companies today offer discounts based on positive alterations you make such as physical exercises, running, swimming, and leading a fit lifestyle in general.

For instance, insurers today offer wellness app with features such as a step count, wellness assessment score, medicine reminder, daily health tips, digitized access to all health reports and a wellness calculator. They also offer renewal premium discounts based on health milestones accomplished. For example, recording a minimum of 50,000 steps on the app can accumulate one Healthy Week in a week and depend on the number of Healthy Weeks accumulated, the life insured is eligible for a discount (up to 10%) on rider premium at the time of renewal, contributing to both, their health and wealth.

While we may not know what course the pandemic is likely to take, we do know that taking care of our health and overall wellbeing is more important now than ever before. With these small but prudent steps, we can adopt a healthy lifestyle in 2021 for the win.

Originally posted here:
Three ways to reap financial benefits by staying healthy - know here - DNA India

(Photo by Ole Jensen/Getty Images)

ATLANTA, Ga. (CW69 News at 10)

PRESS RELEASE;

FIRST RACE SET FOR APRIL 11 Healthy Kids Running Series, a national inclusive and fun youth running experience, inspiring kids (ages 2-14) to believe in themselves and lead an active healthy lifestyle, is conducting a safe, five-week in-person spring running Series at Dupree Park, beginning on April 11. Our races are always kid focused with the ultimate goal of teaching children how to be active and healthy while creating meaningful relationships within our community, said Teresa McClung. We recognize and understand these are challenging times said Jeff Long, founder, Healthy Kids Running Series. We are offering our runners and their families a safe experience while social distancing that teaches kids effort, perseverance, persistence, sportsmanship, independence and grit. Organizers are implementing new measures, including limiting total number of runners on the course together to assure racers and their families have a safe and enjoyable experience. The Healthy Kids Running Series is a five-week program beginning on April 11 with age-appropriate race distances. Kids compete each week in their designated heat age group. Every participant will receive a T-Shirt and Medal. Registration starts at $35 for the five-week Series. Additionally, Healthy Kids Running Series is offering the Virtual World Race, a five-week virtual Series for families not yet ready to gather with other families in their neighborhood. Details are available at HealthyKidsRunningSeries.org. Healthy Kids Running Series impacts more than 60,000 youth runners in 300+ communities across the United States. Healthy Kids Running Series engages communities and families by providing an inclusive youth running experience, inspiring kids to believe in themselves and lead active healthy lifestyles. Learn more at http://www.HealthyKidsRunningSeries.org.

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Healthy Kids Running Series To Offer Five-Week, In-Person Race Series To Help Children Maintain An Active Healthy Lifestyle - CBS Atlanta

According to a new consensus document from European cardiologists, gynecologists, and endocrinologists, doctors should make much stronger efforts to detect high blood pressure in middle-aged women.

The study authors said that high blood pressure in women is often written off as either stress or menopausal symptoms, both by their doctors and by the women themselves.

When the diagnosis is overlooked, however, it can cause women to delay treatment, putting them at greater risk for conditions like heart failure and stroke.

Better recognition of high blood pressure is an important step to reducing womens cardiovascular risk.

Dr. Angela H.E.M. Maas, who was the lead author of the document, said that high blood pressure is taken more seriously in men and less well treated in women.

She said this is because we consider elevated blood pressure in women often as stress, and in men as hypertension.

This is partly because of bias by doctors, but also by women themselves, Maas said. Women often explain an elevated blood pressure as stress-related and are not always open to the hypertension diagnosis and treatment.

Maas said it can often take more time to convince women and to start and continue medical treatment.

The timing of onset of hypertension is often at the start of menopause and this leads to overlapping symptoms that are not always properly adjudicated, she said.

In the past, women were considered less likely than men to have heart disease, according to Dr. Maan Malahfji, a cardiologist with Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates, who was not associated with the consensus report.

This may have resulted in doctors being less aggressive in investigating its symptoms and controlling them.

Now theres growing recognition that women are at just as much risk as men after going through menopause, and there may even be more complications.

Elevated blood pressure can be manifested in different ways between men and women, but is very often without any symptoms, so screening is vital, Malahfji said.

Maas said one thing that leads to confusion in diagnosing high blood pressure in middle-aged women is the fact that its onset often coincides with menopause.

When symptoms occur that overlap with menopausal symptoms, people may simply dismiss them as being menopause.

Think of hot flashes, sleeping disorders, chest pain, pain between the shoulder blades, irregular heartbeats, headaches, symptoms of fluid retention, dyspnea (shortness of breath), etc., she said.

These are all symptoms that overlap with hypertension symptoms.

In addition, Malahfji pointed to symptoms like headaches, ringing in the ears, and changes in concentration as potential high blood pressure symptoms that might be attributed to menopause.

Estrogens are the most perfect vasodilators in young women, Maas said, but this reverses after menopause and estrogens cannot prohibit vascular aging.

Under the age of 50, the absolute risk for a cardiovascular event is lower in women than in men, but this changes between 50 and 70. After 70, women are at higher risk.

This means that the time frame 50-70 or, even better, between 40 and 70 years, is crucial to start early prevention, Maas said.

Malahfji added that while women are generally protected against heart disease during their youth, they can be vulnerable to high blood pressure around and after pregnancy,heart failure, and eclampsia, which are also impacted by their sex hormones.

According to the most recent Global Burden of Disease report, high blood pressure is the number one mortal risk factor for women globally.

It often starts around menopause, is less well treated because it is too often attributed to menopause, and then after 70 years it leads to heart failure, with a stiffened heart, atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease, and strokes, Maas said.

In addition, renal failure and heart attacks may occur.

If we compare cardiovascular disease risk factors in men and women greater than 70 years, hypertension occurs much more often in women, she added.

Malahfji agreed that the risks associated with long-term high blood pressure are tremendous.

These risks include heart attack, stroke, and, particularly for women, heart failure, he said.

Early treatment is key, Malahfji said.

All of these risks can be modified by treating high blood pressure and treatment is associated with better quality of life and a longer life.

While transgender women dont go through the same experience of menopause, they do need to take hormones throughout their lives.

As transgender women age, their risk for high blood pressure and blood clots will rise, according to Maas.

For them, healthy lifestyle measures will be even more important compared to cisgender women, Maas said.

Malahfji agreed, stating transgender women will need intensive multidisciplinary care to manage their medications and therapies, due to the fact that some of those treatments do place them at higher risk for developing high blood pressure.

Continued follow-up and regular screening is vital, he said.

Malahfji said that its very important to keep in touch with your primary physician, but self-monitoring your blood pressure at home is just as important.

He added that the measurements you take at home are more representative of your true blood pressure.

Below 120 mm Hg (top number) and 80 mm Hg (bottom number) is considered to be a normal blood pressure.

Anything greater than this is considered to be elevated.

Your doctor can advise you about steps you should take, which could include various lifestyle changes or medications.

If your doctor suggests medications, dont hesitate to take them if needed, Maas said.

Women often have an aversion to take medication, which can be really harmful, she said. I always say, if you do not have to take oral contraceptives anymore, just take a pill for your BP. You will live longer and healthier.

In addition, Malahfji suggested that avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol, excessive use of pain medications such as NSAIDs, and regular exercise are all very important to maintaining a healthy blood pressure.

See the rest here:
High Blood Pressure Often Misdiagnosed in Women - Healthline

A mainstay of many healthy diets, yogurt is a dairy product made through the bacterial fermentation of milk. It's known for its beneficial impact on gut health and the many nutrients it contains, but yogurt can also contain a lot of sugar and fats, so it's important to be aware of what's actually in that cup when you eat yogurt every day.

Below we've listed seven things that could happen to your body if you eat yogurt every day, and for more healthy tips be sure to check out the 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.

For some, the desire to lose weight can have people turning to every sort of option. Whether it's getting religiously into exercise or monitoring what you eat, or usually a combo of these things. In terms of eating healthier, it can be helpful to eat yogurt every day for weight loss as well.

"Regular intake of healthy bacteria, such as the kind from yogurt, has been shown to have positive effects on weight management and the GI tract," says Morgyn Clair, RD. "Eating yogurt daily can help you reach a healthy weight while still providing a satisfying snack."

Here are the 25 Best Yogurts for Weight Loss, According to Nutritionists.

Gut health might not be something you think about all of the time, but it's something that's very necessary to maintain in order to keep an overall healthy lifestyle. Our gut is responsible for digesting food and absorbing nutrients, so it's of the utmost importance to have it running smoothlyone thing that can help in that process is yogurt.

"Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are used in the yogurt-making process," says Melissa Schuster, RD and owner of Schuster Nutrition. "These bacteria help sustain a healthy gut microbiome, which is important in digesting fiber into short-chain fatty acids and synthesizing vitamins. A healthy gut microbiome can reduce inflammation."

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While yogurt can be beneficial for gut health, it can also harm more sensitive stomachs. If you have problems with lactose, or if dairy makes you sick, steer clear of yogurt, which is produced through the bacterial fermentation of milk, although there are yogurt alternatives for those who are dairy-free or lactose intolerant. Yogurt may also contribute to a condition called small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), according to Melanie Keller, a naturopathic doctor and an expert in gut health.

"The probiotics in yogurt may be too much for someone and contribute to a condition called small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)," Keller says. "The sugar and/or sugar substitutes in yogurt can feed the bacteria and make the overgrowth worse."

Heal your gut with these 20 Best Foods for Gut Health.

Your mom always told you to drink milk because it would build strong bones, and unlike some other things your mom always said, this one was true, but maybe she forgot to say that yogurt could build strong bones as well. Dairy products, including yogurt, are great sources of calcium, which is the main mineral in bones. Health expert Amber O'Brien, of the Mango Clinic, also said yogurt is beneficial for those who suffer from osteoporosis.

"Yogurt helps you in maintaining your bone health because of the important nutrients it contains," O'Brien says. "Consuming dairy foods including yogurt preserves the bone mass of people suffering from osteoporosis."

Between the pandemic, work stress, and any other thing that could bring someone down it's easy to find yourself down in the dumps from time to time. There are the classic ways to improve your mood that you've been told dozens of timesworking out, sleeping more, volunteeringbut eating yogurt is a surprising mood-booster that might be the simplest of all to try.

"Eating yogurt for breakfast improves mood because yogurt maintains the microbiome which in turn sends good signals to the brain," says nutritionist Hiba Batool from Marham.

Looking for even more mood boosters? Check out our list of13 Mood-Boosting Snacks to Make Your Day Better.

In this day and age, it's more important than ever to have an effective immune system to fight off diseases and infections, and one of the ways to boost an immune system is by eating the probiotics that are found in yogurt.

"Yogurt is full of probiotics, which are bacteria that improve our gut health," says Megan Byrd, RD from The Oregon Dietitian. "By eating yogurt every day, you continue to supply your GI tract with healthy bacteria. These healthy bacteria prevent 'bad' bacteria from taking over, which leads to improved gut and immune health."

Although Batool said that people with an already weakened immune system, including those who have received organ transplants or have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS, might react poorly to yogurt because of the bacteria. She added that this would only happen when large quantities of yogurt are consumed.

One of the downsides of store-bought yogurt is that certain brands are jam-packed with sugar, which is included in the flavorings and syrups added to create a wide range of flavors for different brands.

"Always buy plain yogurt and add in your own fruits to minimize the risk of taking in hidden sugars," says Dr. Amy Lee, who serves as the chief medical officer for more than 30 nutrition clinics.

Don't know what to buy? Check out our list of The 20 Best and Worst Greek Yogurts, According to Nutritionists.

Read more:
What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Yogurt Every Day | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

As I sat down to write this months column, I asked myself one question why is it important to celebrate American Heart Month?

Sure, we all know that a healthy heart is a key to a healthy life. We also know that once a year in February we see a lot of information about heart health floating around online, in stores, and on television but why is it important?

Well, lowering blood pressure, improving or managing cholesterol levels, and improving your bodys ability to manage things such as insulin, or blood sugar, are very good reasons. Embracing a healthy lifestyle and focusing on heart health at any age can help prevent many health issues, such as your risk of heart attack and stroke, from developing in the first place. Still, as I contemplated all those things, I asked myself why we should all feel the need this time of year to focus our attention on quite possibly our most important organ our heart.

For starters, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. A fact maybe many of you are familiar with. Not just for one race, gender, or age group but for all men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups. One person in America dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease. Thats about 655,000 Americans a year. The United States spends roughly $219 billion each year on heart disease health care services.

All for a disease that could be prevented if we all embrace a healthier way of living.

Taking it one step further, Kentucky has a higher heart disease death rate than the national average, and heart disease itself is the number one killer of Kentucky women. All of these are more than a few great reasons to dig deeper and find out how we can work to bring about the change we need to lower those statistics.

To help keep your heart healthy it all comes down to exercise and diet. A few things to take into consideration if you want to keep your heart in great shape is to cut down on salt. Eat less sugar. Limit your saturated fats and fill up on fruits and vegetables instead.

Try and eat more fish, and cut back on bad habits like smoking and alcohol. Sounds easy, right? Perhaps not, but if you work to incorporate at least one of these habits into your routine you will be assured your heart gets the help it needs to go on beating.

Getting more exercise is not always easy either, especially this time of year and in the ever-present face of COVID-19. However, there are some ways you can eat healthily and get your heart pumping with some great exercise too. One of which is simply just going for a walk. It might seem too easy, but walking is one of the best ways to strengthen your heart, get your heart rate up and keep it there while taking part in an activity that is easier on your joints.

Making lifestyle changes is not always easy, although by doing just a few of these things you can help a part of you that never stops working continue to do the best job it can for your body. Beat to beat, every second of your day, your heart is working for you. By adopting some of these tips youll give it the healthier life it needs to keep on beating this year and well into many more to come.

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Tips for a healthy heart, both this year & next - The Advocate-Messenger - Danville Advocate

A nutritious diet is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. When paired with regular physical activity, a nutritious diet can help people dramatically reduce their risk for various diseases, including heart disease.According to the World Health Organization, ischaemic heart disease and stroke claim more lives each year than any other disease, annually accounting for roughly 15% of all deaths across the globe. Many deaths caused by heart disease can be prevented, and eating a healthy diet is a great preventive measure that anyone can take.Though some people may associate healthy diets with bland foods that lack flavor, people can incorporate various heart-healthy herbs and spices into their favorite dishes to make them more nutritious and flavorful.Garlic: Garlic has long since earned its place on the kitchen spice rack. However, botanically, garlic is neither an herb or a spice but a vegetable.Regardless of how its classified, garlic is loaded with flavor and can be used to improve just about any recipe, all the while benefitting heart health. The United States-based health services provider Mercy Health notes that garlic can help lower blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol levels.Cayenne pepper: Few ingredients may change a recipe as quickly as cayenne pepper. The addition of cayenne pepper can instantly make dishes more spicy. But cayenne pepper brings more than a little extra kick to the dinner table.Healthline notes that various studies have shown that capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne pepper, can provide a host of health benefits. One such study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that adding capsaicin to a high-carbohydrate breakfast significantly reduced hunger and the desire to eat before lunch. Eating less can help people more effectively control their body weight, which in turn reduces their risk for heart disease.Turmeric: Garlic and even cayenne pepper may already be staples in many peoples kitchens, but thats not necessarily so with turmeric.A yellow spice often used when preparing Indian foods, turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties thanks to curcumin, the part of turmeric responsible for giving it its yellow color. Experts acknowledge that turmeric needs to be studied more to definitively conclude its effects on heart health, but WebMD notes that one small study indicated that turmeric can help ward off heart attacks in people who have had bypass surgery.Coriander: A popular herb made from the seeds of the plant and used across the globe. Cilantro comes from the same plant but refers to the leaves and stems. Coriander in recipes typically refers to the seeds. Mercy Health notes that coriander seeds may help reduce bad cholesterol and high blood pressure, both of which are significant risk factors for heart disease.Heart-healthy herbs and spices can be added to various recipes, proving that nutritious meals need not be void of flavor.

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Herbs and spices that can promote healthy hearts - StMaryNow.com

New dining options offered at the Polo Road Rec Center optimize the facilitys vision to inspire the lifelong pursuit of health and wellness.

Located on Bizzell Street beside the Emerging Technologies Building, Texas A&Ms second recreation center gives students access to a multitude of new dining vendors, including Salata and Shake Smart.

Facility Operations Director Oscee Wheatfall said Dining Services and Rec Sports are aspiring to help students prioritize their health and well-being with these new venues.

These new options aligned with our core values and ended up being a perfect marriage between Dining Services and the Rec Sports organization, Wheatfall said. The intention was to build off each other so students could fuel themselves before or after workouts. Shake Smart is a take on healthy protein shakes and aai bowls for pre- and post-workout, or even in-between for lunch. Salata is also very popular. We call it the Chipotle of salads, where you can make any salad you like.

A&Ms Department of Recreational Sports aims to create an inclusive environment that gives students easy access to health and wellness opportunities.

Our mission is to promote activity, wellness and development by providing high-quality, inclusive experiences and facilities for the students and community of Texas A&M University, Wheatfall said. For us, it is important that we provide different positive avenues for students to keep themselves healthy and have a balanced experience while theyre in college.

Wheatfall said even though some may not be ready to hit the gym right away, having accessible and nutritious food vendors at the new Rec Center is one step in the right direction toward students health journeys.

One of our goals is not only to provide a complete, healthy experience for everybody, but to provide a variety of experiences , Wheatfall said. Some people may not want to walk into the weight room, but they want to start eating healthy. These new options, like Salata and Shake Smart, will give them the opportunity to check off one box toward living a healthy lifestyle.

Nutrition freshman Shelby Leenhouts said she took note of the variety of options the new dining facilities offer, especially the modifications available for those with dietary restrictions.

It's nice that they have an accommodating menu for people who may be vegan, vegetarian or gluten free, Leenhouts said. By implementing these new, healthier options, I believe A&M is working toward having an overall healthier student body. It is also convenient that it is in the new Rec Center because it can bring new people to the Rec or provide those who are already working out a nutritious meal.

Registered dietician at Student Health Services Meghan Windham said nutrition affects students, and these new options allow students to make prominent, healthier choices to fuel themselves appropriately.

I think its wonderful to have healthy options, Windham said. Having some of these options more readily available is a great way to encourage healthy eating on campus. It also gives the students the power to know that there are options, and theyre not limited to one dining hall or facility.

A frequent topic Whindham said she discusses with students at Student Health Services is selecting nourishing food when dining on campus so they stay energized.

We can choose healthy options wherever we go, but it is important that students learn how to make healthy choices, Windham said. Just because something has a healthier name doesnt mean it will necessarily have less calories than another option on campus. However, I do believe that options like Salata and Shake Smart offer more healthy choices to choose from. At other locations on campus, their healthy choices are more limited and less prominent.

Windham said these new options will feasibly amplify students knowledge on nutritional choices.

We have to be a smart consumer and know what were choosing and why, Windham said. These new dining options are a great way in moving forward. Food is a personal choice, and we have to see food as fuel so we can function as a great member on this campus.

Read more here:
New, nutritious dining options offered at Polo Road Rec Center - Texas A&M The Battalion

Larry Slagle received a heart transplant in 1995. Without a new heart, doctors say he would not have lived to see 1996.

WASHINGTON Larry Slagle knew heart issues ran in his family. His father died from heart-related problems at just 62 years old. As an active cyclist living a healthy lifestyle, Slagle says he wasn't too worried about his own heart.

But it was around the same age, doctors diagnosed him with heart failure too. It was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited heart disease that causes the heart muscle to thicken, making it harder to pump blood.

Slagle was on the heart transplant list for about eight months before he got the call. A new heart was available after a tragic motorcycle accident in 1995.

"At the time I was transplanted you werent put in contact with the donor family. Ive never been able to thank them. But I just feel so incredibly grateful to them," said Slagle.

Dr. Samer Najjar, MD is Slagle's doctor at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He is the Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure Program.

"At the time of the familys grief, when they knew they were about to lose their loved one, they made the courageous decision to say you know what, were going to do something good out of this tragedy and were going to donate these organs," said Dr. Najjar.

That decision and generosity from the donor's family saved Slagle's life. Just 90 days after his surgery, he was back on a bicycle, continuing to lead the active lifestyle that came to a halt after his diagnosis.

"You cant waste a gift like that. Youve got to take advantage of it and theres not a day I dont feel gratitude," said the now, 86 year old.

Doctors said medicine has come such a long way, making it possible for heart transplant patients to live much longer lives.

"In 2021, on average, the life expectancy after a heart transplant is about 14 years. He would have not made it to 1996 without a heart transplant. So this is the definition of the gift of life," said Dr. Najjar.

There isn't one single thing that leads to heart failure. It can be anything from genetics, to a heart attack, to long-standing blood pressure, according to doctors. Experts said sometimes there aren't any signs or symptoms of early heart failure. That's why it is incredibly important to pay attention to any changes in your body, no matter how small.

"If someone is developing shortness of breath, if someone is developing swelling in their legs, those are the type of symptoms people shouldnt just ignore," said Dr. Najjar.

Doctors said the public knows quite a bit about hypertension, stroke and heart attacks. But there is not as much awareness about heart failure, even though it is a rapidly growing problem.

Slagle believes eating well and exercising has kept his heart going for the last 25 years.

"These patients really get to understand that we don't always get a second chance at life. And these people take it to heart, no pun intended, and they try to make the best out of it," said Dr. Najjar.

Read the rest here:
'The gift of life' | For 25 years, someone else's heart is beating in his chest - WUSA9.com

Sydney has been ranked the second healthiest city in the world in a survey that measured the lifestyle of 44 global destinations.

Amsterdam topped the list within the Healthy Lifestyle Cities Report 2021, which measured the sunshine hours, average hours worked per week, happiness levels and outdoor activities to determine its ranking.

It also took into account the cost of a bottle of water (city), obesity levels of the country, life expectancy (country), pollution index score (city), average annual hours worked, happiness levels (country), outdoor activities (city), number of takeaway restaurants (city) and costs of a monthly gym membership (city).

Picturesque Dutch capital Amsterdam boasted more than 400 outdoor activities while the Netherlands ranked the fifth happiest country in the world, as well as the sixth best country in Europe for obesity levels at just 20.4 per cent.

Sydney came in at second due to the Harbour Citys 2636 hours of sunshine per year and 1712 hours worked on average per year, which is almost 33 hours per week.

With happiness levels of 7.22/10 and 406 outdoor activities, Sydney also has a life expectancy of 82.1.

Austrian capital Vienna came in third, helped by one of the lowest pollution levels of all cities analysed at 17.33 (out of 100).

That is over four times lower than Beijings pollution score of 85.43 (out of 100) and three times lower than Barcelona, Paris and London.

Melbourne was the only other Australian city on the list and came in at 11th with 2363 hours of sunshine but only 243 outdoor activities.

The UK study collected data across 10 metrics for 44 cities. Each metric was awarded a weighted score and combined to give each city a total score out of 100. The score was then used to rank the 44 healthiest cities.

TOP 10 HEALTHIEST CITIES:

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands

2. Sydney, Australia

3. Vienna, Austria

4. Stockholm, Sweden

5. Copenhagen, Denmark

6. Helsinki, Finland

7. Fukuoka, Japan

8. Berlin, Germany

9. Barcelona, Spain

10. Vancouver, Canada

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Sydney ranked second, Melbourne 11th in worlds healthiest cities - NEWS.com.au

Editor's Note

This article is brought to you by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and the All of Us Research Program.

Tyra Banks grew up having a close relationship with her grandmother. They both did their best to lead a healthy lifestyle, manage their weight and incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diets. A few years ago, they became neighbors, living just two doors down from each other.

Within weeks, both Banks and her grandmother were diagnosed with tumors in their necks. Banks was not cancerous, but her grandmother learned she had breast cancer that had metastasized.

It really piqued my interest, Banks said. Why was her cancer so advanced and I didnt have it at all? It really took us by surprise because we were pretty healthy. I started wondering if the fact that we lived in the same environment had any impact because our other habits and lifestyles were very similar.

Banks grandmother would eventually pass away from cancer, prompting Banks to investigate health issues even more closely. Soon, she learned about the All of Us Research Program, a 10-year nationwide program with the goal to reach one million or more participants from backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in biomedical research. The goal is to close the equity gaps in medical research, which in turn can lead to treatments that are better aligned with a persons background and biology.

I wanted to get involved with All of Us because I had learned that there were not a lot of answers about cancer treatment in women of color, Banks said. There wasnt a lot of information about the environments and lifestyles of women of color. It made me wonder what else we might be missing.

Geno McLaughlin, a Baton Rouge community advocate and engagement specialist for All of Us, said he grew up with an innate sense that Black people are often more predisposed to conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as higher infant mortality rates. With an extensive background in both community work and health care, McLaughlin said he knew people of color needed to participate in more medical research. But he also understood that many minorities carry a strong suspicion about such research because of prior unethical practices.

Theres a very real need to undo that suspicion because health outcomes wont change unless we participate in this process, McLaughlin said. In the past, people have not acknowledged that truth or spoken to those concerns. I feel like the people with All of Us are acknowledging that and a big part of our work is building that trust.

Banks and McLaughlin are working with the local community on a daily basis to share information about All of Us, and about the importance of diverse representation in health research. Lack of representation in research means that the outcomes of research and resulting medical treatments may not benefit everyone equally. Forty percent of the American population are people of color, but medical research participants are 80% to 90% white.

All of Us is the largest, most diverse health resource of its kind. With the efforts of community members like Banks and McLaughlin, along with national partners and other local community organizations, All of Us aims to increase representation in research of groups that have been left out of research in the past. There are currently over 360,000 All of Us participants, and more than 80% are people who have previously been underrepresented in research.

Banks also has been heavily involved with All of Us and serves as a community advocate with the National Institutes of Health. Part of that outreach includes speaking to people in the community about how medical and clinical research affects their lives.

McLaughlin said other efforts have included community panels, conversations with members of the faith community, and educational events. Since those types of large group activities are on hold because of the pandemic, McLaughlin said All of Us is now hosting regular virtual conversations on topics like diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer and more.

We try to choose timely topics that are relatable, he said. Its also a way to tie in the All of Us program and explain how participation can help deliver precision medicine.

Community advocate Geno McLaughlin speaks to a local citizen about health research at an event before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Banks said shes also talked with community members about how their participation in All of Us can help break repetitive cycles of poor health outcomes. She noted that if medical professionals dont have information on how people of color are affected by certain treatments, they cant prescribe treatments that might be more beneficial, thus creating an endless loop of poor health outcomes.

My hope is that the new discoveries will provide our doctors, researchers and the pharmaceutical industry with more knowledge, she said. I hope it helps them better understand how to prevent and treat chronic diseases. This is about precision medicine. Everyone who needs glasses gets a different prescription. Imagine if we could do that with cancer treatment.

McLaughlin said he hopes the All of Us research will not only mean better health outcomes, but help researchers and people in the community better understand the relationships among health, housing, education, transportation and more.

All of these things play a part in a persons health, he said. All of Us is a way to connect those dots, if people are being honest and sharing information in a way in which we can learn from each other. All of these things are connected and this is a way to study all of those factors.

If you are interested in participating inAll of Usresearch, visitwww.joinallofus.org/la. If you have questions about the program, advisors are available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central time, excluding public holidays. To reach an advisor, call 844-842-2855, emailhelp@joinallofus.orgor start a live chat on the website.

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How BR community members are helping close the gap on medical research among minorities - The Advocate

If yourea gamer, youve likely been lumped with the "Dorito-crusted,slouching in their chair, powered byMonster energy" stereotype thatseems toget thrown aroundevery time you tell someone youchill with video games. Weve all been there.

That same stereotype pervades eSports too. Despite many healthy and active professional gamers on the scene, many still believe these players live off junk food and rarely get exercise. However, new research from the German Sport University Cologne presented on February 3, suggests this may be little more than a myth; in fact, eSports players may behealthierthan the average person.

"The energy drink is indeed part of the diet for many," says Professor IngoFrobse, head of the Institute of Movement Therapy and movement-oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation at the University, in a statement. "But overall, eSports players actually eat better than the general population."

The research was part of an ongoingseries of surveys on the overall health of eSports players. This was the third annual study and involved a look into the lives of 820 eSports athletes, who were predominantly male, and recorded their eating, drinking, and exercise habits of an average week.Due to theongoing pandemic, the data was self-reported and online through interviews.Once the interviews concluded, the data was compared to the general population to determine how healthy eSports professionals were in relation to the average person.

The results showed that in contrast to their public perception,eSports players actually consumed less sugar on average than the general population. That isnt to say gamers dont love their energy drinks 40 percent of interviewees said they drink one regularly, likely due to the tight relationship between energy drink manufacturers and eSports teams. However,consumption of sugary drinks was offset by a reduction in sugar elsewhere in their diet.

Next, the researchers took a look at the participants' meat-eating habitsand how many vegetables the players ate regularly. Although the players were disproportionately vegan and vegetarian when compared to the rest of the population, just 15 percent of the men and 25 percent of the women got their vegetable and fruit 5-a-day. In contrast, those that ate meat rarely passed up the opportunity, with most of the players eating meat almost every day.

Impressively, the average weekly physical activity of eSports players was higher than theWHO recommendations on average, the players clocked 9.5 hours of physical activity a week. The study compared this to a report on aerobic activity in Germany from 2017, and thegamers appear to do almost four times the amount of exercise of the highest responding group.

The study carries its own limitations, with the largest being possibility of bias from self-reporting. Surveys such as these generally see many people overestimate theiraverage activity, but they are also the best method of large-scale data collection on health available right now.

As a result of the study, the researchers have made recommendations of increased vegetable consumption and a decrease in energy drink consumption for the players, which would further benefit their health.

It does, however, provide clear evidence that people can partake in eSports and still live a healthy lifestyle so take care of your health and game away.

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Esports Gamers Are More Healthy Than The Average Person, Study Suggests - IFLScience

There are three hormones in your body specifically important for healthy aging and longevity. Although for many it seems we shouldnt focus on healthy aging when we are in our 20s and 30s but before you know it, the daily decisions that you are making matter and have a long-term impact on your health.

Many age-related conditions appear out of nowhere. They silently grow inside you before they are apparent and hard to ignore. Thats why regular check-ups and looking underneath the hood once in a while is important.

Well, all hormones matter for healthy aging but here we are going to focus on the three most important hormones for longevity and a healthy lifestyle.

Three Hormones to Focus on for Longevity and Healthy Aging: Which Hormones Matter for Healthy Aging?

Many experts would agree that cortisol is one of the most important ones. Its crucial for your health to keep the level of cortisol low. When your cortisol level is constantly high, it can have many causes namely inflammation, chronic stress, poor sleep, weight gain, and many other reasons. A high level of cortisol is an indicator that you are in a vicious cycle of issues and problems that are accumulating daily.

Cortisol can affect our muscle mass. The important part of healthy aging is keeping your muscles and bones strong. When the level of cortisol is high, it can have an impact on your muscles and bones as well as your overall health.

There are many ways of lowering the level of cortisol. You need to get enough sleep, exercise, learn to relax through methods that suit you from meditation to walking, and learn how to deal with stress. The most important thing is to have more fun in life, less stress. You can also lower the level of cortisol by taking certain supplements such as fish oil but overall healthy lifestyle habits will take you to longevity, healthy aging, and low cortisol levels.

This hormone is crucial for building muscles. When the level of testosterone is low it can be linked to age-related diseases. Older men with a low level of testosterone can have a high risk of death from heart disease. Its important to stress there is a link between testosterone and age since every man loses anywhere between 1% and 2% of testosterone during his life span. If your testosterone level stays higher with age you are in theory younger compared to your peers.

Most of the research on testosterone has been done on men since women naturally have a lower level of testosterone. However, testosterone is important for both genders especially in link with cortisol.

We need to find a way to keep a level of testosterone high as much as possible while keeping the level of cortisol low. In that case, you have better chances to build your muscles and stay healthy.

It seems like a logical question to ask, especially if you are a woman. How to have a higher level of testosterone without growing a mustache? Well, you can start with exercise and lift weights, eat more proteins, carbs, and fats. If you minimize stress and have a low level of cortisol, you will have a higher level of testosterone.

Vitamin D is essential for almost any function from regulating the production of thyroid hormones to helping the immune system and managing inflammation. When we talk about the immune system, some research has been done indicating that vitamin D can help manage the risks of COVID 19. However, we need more research to find a clear connection.

Vitamin D is so easy to take. Sometimes all you need is one supplement a day. Other things that can help include spending more time in the sun or consuming more seafood and fatty fish such as tuna, oysters, sardines, and mackerel. Your diet matters for vitamin D, so eat more eggs, mushrooms, and seafood. The majority of vitamin D supplements come from animal sources so if you are vegan opt for D2 supplements to get enough vitamin D.

There is much that can be done to keep healthy and to optimize your health over the years and keeping track of these hormones is a crucial part of it.

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Three Hormones to Focus on for Longevity and Healthy Aging - Gildshire Magazines