ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday issued a written order of the coronavirus suo moto case and urged the government to take urgent measures for tackling risks crisis from the virus.

It is obvious that this coronavirus (Covid-19) has come as an additional burden on the government of Pakistan and the manner in which this virus has started spreading in Pakistan, has set the alarm bell ringing. This virus being new, there was no readiness of the government to deal with the same, nor the necessary medical equipment were available to face the growing number of infected cases, read the written order issued by the five-member larger bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed during the hearing of the suo motu case related to the coronavirus crisis in the country.

The written order further stated that the government did take immediate steps to tackle this virus and mitigate its effects on the people of Pakistan, and in this regard, a colossal amount of money was diverted and utilized.

We admit that Pakistan has a struggling economy and coronavirus (Covid-19) made it more staggering. However, we note that the people of Pakistan have a fundamental right, namely, right to life, under which Government of Pakistan is required to provide to the people of Pakistan safe and healthy living conditions, it added.

Referring to Article 149 (1) and (4), the order further stated that the executive authority of all the provinces are mandatorily required to be exercised so as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive authority of the federation and the executive authority of the federation shall extend to giving directions to provinces, as may appear necessary to the government.

The executive authority of the federation shall also extend to giving of directions to provinces as to the manner in which the executive authority of the provinces is to be exercised for the purpose of preventing any grave menace to the peace or tranquility or economic life of Pakistan or any part thereof.

Obviously, the coronavirus (Covid-19) is a grave menace to the peace, tranquility and economic life of Pakistan, and thus, the executive authority of the federation shall stand extended to giving of the directions to the provinces to prevent the menace, the order maintained.

The court also directed that salaries of all the sanitary staff should be paid by all the governments and local governments including, HDA.

The pension of the sanitary staff shall also be paid. The salaries and pensions shall be released and paid in full within two days. The conditions of sanitary staff, employed by the contractors, shall also be examined. The sanitary, being a core work of the government, we fail to understand as to how this work is being done by awarding contracts. Apparently, such contracts are mere sham contracts and this court on the next date of hearing will examine this issue.

All government departments are further directed in the order to file copies of the contracts with the contractors employing sanitary employees before the court. All their dues shall also be paid by the contractors positively within two days and if not done so by the contractors, the same be done by the respective governments. Let a compliance report in this regard be also submitted to the court, the order added. The court will resume hearing of the case on June 8.

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Safe, healthy living conditions to citizens is right to life: SC - The Nation

Being stuck indoors during the lockdown has been bad for our waistlines, so it is time to lace up your tekkies, put on those sweatbands, and get ready for the best 30-minute workout!

South Africas fittest family of CrossFit champions is hosting the ultimate quarantine workout onWorld Move for Health Day on Sunday, 10 May.

Husband and wife duo, Glen and Yael Finkel, will be hosting a workout session on Facebook.

Their teenage children, Reegan,Ashton, and Brady who all boast impressive fitness resums will also join in on the fun.

The family has developed a full-body training routine that the entire family can enjoy at home.

They have teamed up withPharma Dynamics, an advocate for healthy living, for Sunday's sweat session which will take place on Facebook.

Glens passion for fitness began at an early age. He has always enjoyed competitive sports, which taught him to be a disciplined athlete from adolescence into adulthood.

Yael and I have devoted most of our lives to exercise and healthy living. As a family we train together several times a week and compete in numerous CrossFit competitions. Sharing this passion has enriched our lives and cemented our bond. If, through this initiative we get to inspire but one individual or another family, it wouldve been worth it," he said in a statement.

Glen adds that healthy living is second nature for the family.

... my message to others who are struggling to make exercise a part of their lives, would be to start now and make it a habit. Taking charge of your fitness may be one of the best decisions you will ever make. The choice is yours,so take it."

Glen and Yael areshifting gears onSundayto make their workout routineeasier for everyone to enjoy at home where space is limited and no equipment is needed.

Well also include more challenging variations for people who are at an intermediate or more advanced fitness level. Well bring all our enthusiasm and energy onSundayand are super excited to be exercising with everyone," Yael says.

Nicole Jennings, spokesperson for Pharma Dynamics, says the aim of Sunday's workout is toget as many South Africans off the couch and moving as possible.

Lack of physical activity is among the biggest risk factors for chronic diseases of lifestyle, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 40% of all deaths in SA.

The majority of South Africans dont do anywhere near the recommended amount of exercise to stave off non-communicable diseases. The most recent study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that a whopping 38.2% of South Africans are inactive. Women are the least active (47.3%) when compared to men (28.5%).

Participating in 30 minutes of exercise every day reduces your risk of hypertension by almost one fifth, while incorporating four hours of physical activity a week could make the difference between a healthy blood pressure and having to take medication for life.

The WHO recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, such as brisk walking or cycling, which is now allowed outside during stage 4 of the lockdown. Exercising vigorously for 75 minutes weekly, would have a similar effect.

Catch theFinkelfamily's 30-minute family workout session on Sunday at 10am sharp onfacebook.com/PharmaDynamicsSA/.

ALSO READ:Vegan fitness expert Adrian Naidoo shares his journey

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Get fit on World Move For Health Day with the Finkel family - Jacaranda FM

SEATTLE, Wash., While we remain under coronavirus-related restrictions in Washington state, we have never been so tethered to our screens whether it is for work, to connect socially, to unwind or just for a distraction. Dr. Drew Oliveira, the Senior Medical Executive Director with Regence says we are getting in about 13 hours of screen time in a day and while there is no evidence of long-term eye damage from extended use of devices,we wanted to make sure all that time spent isnt compromising our vision.

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Dr. Oliveira says when you spend a prolonged period of time looking at a screen, it can lead to blurry vision and headaches.

He says follow the 20-20-20 rule, Every 20 minutes, take a break. Look outside, look somewhere far away at least 20 feet away so you let your eyes rest a little bit and do that for about at least 20 seconds. Just like if you were washing your hands for at least 20 seconds. So 20 minutes, 20 feet away, 20 secondsgive your eyes a break and then you can go back to the work that you were doing.

Dr. Oliveira says we also need to be practicing good screen hygiene, Is the screen at the right height? So it should be at eye level. Is it far enough away from you? You dont wanna be to close to the screen, but not too far. So 18 to 30 inches is about the right amount, you will have to judge for yourself.

Finally, blue light and its tendency to keep us awake is also an issue when it comes to screen time.

Dr. Oliveira says be sure to power down with time to spare, Blue light is what we see when we go outside. Skies are blue, that actually wakes us up. And where it becomes more problematic is in the evening when our brains think we should go to sleep and yet we have blue light coming from our smart phones and our tablets that are actually making our brain think that its the middle of the day and we should stay awake.

We were also curious if it safe for kids to be staring at these screens for an extended period of time? Dr. Oliveira says there doesnt appear to be a downside to it right now. He says he actually recommends kids spend a couple of hours daily on a device connecting with friends and family. Just be sure to set that 20 minute timer, to give their eyes a 20 second break.

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Healthy Living: How to prevent vision issues as we rely on screens - Q13 News Seattle

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold, flattening the curve has become the driving imperative for governments, public health officials, hospitals, health care workers, and citizens across the globe. Amid warnings from an official at the World Health Organization that the United States could become a pandemic epicenter, worst-case scenario projections at the time of writing forecast the country could experience a staggering 1.1 million deaths from the novel coronavirus. New guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) calling for continued social distancing, frequent handwashing, and cloth face coverings in public are certainly effective habits to adopt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. But what about our most vulnerable populations? Can healthy habits reduce their risk?

Obesity increases COVID-19 risk. Are Americans more vulnerable?

Early findings from hospitals in Wuhan indicate that 48 percent of COVID-19 patients had a comorbidity, with hypertension and diabetes being the most common. Given that more than one in four Americans live with obesity a complex disease associated with a number of chronic medical conditions including diabetes and hypertension it would be unwise to ignore the unique risks facing this rapidly growing segment of the countrys population.

More research is needed into the impact of COVID-19 on specific populations, such as patients with obesity. However, the emergence of H1N1 in 2009 offers some insight into what we might expect. During that pandemic, patients with obesity experienced greater severity of illness and patients with extreme obesity saw increased rates of hospitalization.

The continued spread of COVID-19 should raise flags of concern for health care professionals and citizens alike.

How can patients with obesity reduce their COVID-19 risk? Adopt healthy habits.

The CDCs guidelines are an excellent starting point for reducing COVID-19 risk during a global health crisis. However, the sheer volume of comorbidities and complications associated with obesity make the adoption of broad lifestyle changes within this vulnerable population both necessary and potentially life-saving during a widespread pandemic. After all, healthy lifestyle habits are associated with a significant decrease of mortality, regardless of BMI, but people with obesity experience the greatest benefit.

Key healthy habits that can help fortify patients with obesity against COVID-19 include:

Proper nutrition: Like other states of malnutrition, obesity causes inflammation, called adiposopathy, that reduces immune function. Research suggests that many foods, nutrients, and non-food nutrients modulate inflammation acutely and chronically.

Physical activity: Patients with obesity are often advised to eat less and move more to lose weight. Our understanding of obesity treatments is much more nuanced than this bit of conventional wisdom, but there is no denying the influence of physical activity on overall health and well-being just 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise has a positive impact on the immune system.

Stress management: We now understand that the strong link between stress, obesity, and inflammation can inhibit the bodys natural defense system. Stress management techniques, such as exercise, meditation, and talk therapy can help patients living with obesity strengthen their immune systems.

Certainly, starting a new healthy habit is different than sticking to one. And research suggests that it can take at least two months, or 66 days on average, to form a new habit.

What can health care professionals do? Access obesity medicine resources.

We all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the dedicated health care professionals on the frontlines of this devastating pandemic. Health care professionals who are not currently stationed in hospitals or emergency departments may be wondering how they can help during a time of great uncertainty. Pursuing advanced knowledge of obesity medicine can empower health care professionals with tools and resources to better meet the needs of their patients within this vulnerable population.

The Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) offers a trove of resources including continuing medical education, American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) exam preparation, Obesity Treatment Proficiency Badges, and The Obesity Algorithm, which offers comprehensive clinical guidance on the latest obesity management trends and evidence-based medical approaches to treatment. To become an OMA member, visit: https://obesitymedicine.org/join/.

The COVID-19 crisis has revealed the vulnerability of certain populations, including people living with obesity, to emerging public health crises. As we all look to do our part to flatten the curve, promoting healthy lifestyle habits alongside the CDC guidelines is an easy, proactive way for clinicians and other health care professionals to reduce coronavirus risk among our patients.

For more obesity medicine resources, visit: http://www.obesitymedicine.org.

Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA, Diplomate, American Board of Obesity Medicine, is the newly-elected President of the Obesity Medicine Association. He is board-certified in internal medicine, pediatrics and obesity medicine. Dr. Primack has been named Top Doctor by Phoenix Magazine since 2008. He is also the author of the book, Chasing Diets.

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COVID-19 and Obesity: Reducing Risk with Healthy Habits - Medical Economics

Just days into the stay-at-home order, the flood of jokey posts and memes began.

Featuring characters from Baby Yoda to a less-slender Ariel the mermaid, many speculated that this time of snacks, stress and stretchy clothes would cause us to gain the Quarantine 15.

While some of the posts simply celebrated the comforting power of carbs, others were fat-phobic, a trigger for those with eating disorders. All of them, however, reflected a surge of collective anxiety and out-of-control feelings about gaining weight during the pandemic worries that, at least so far, seem misplaced.

Despite the very real changes to our routines and diets that the pandemic has caused, we seem to be holding steady.

Data from hundreds of thousands of internet-connected scales found that the average American user gained less than a quarter-pound between March 22 and April 18, according to a study by the connected-device company Withings.

An April survey of about 1,000 Americans by the communications company Hunter found that a majority say they are maintaining their weight, in part because they are cooking at home and eating together as a family more often.

Of course, home cooking isnt a panacea. On its own, it isnt necessarily healthier. Popping a frozen pizza in the oven counts as a home-cooked meal.

In addition, the pandemic and subsequent lockdown have hit households unevenly. Those who have been furloughed or laid off may be struggling to afford to put food on the table, while others may have more time to cook the plentiful groceries they get delivered to their door.

And we are indeed eating between meals more often. According to the Hunter survey, 46% of respondents said they were snacking more. That number climbed to 50% among households with kids.

Still, cooking and eating at home may prove to be beneficial to our health.

Eating out is generally associated with increased calorie intake, said Dr. Donald Hensrud, director of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program. When were not making the food, we dont know exactly what goes in it.

In addition, many restaurants focus on quantity, he said. When people go out to eat, they may be less inhibited when presented with a supersized meal.

In comfort and health

In response to the coronavirus, many people are grocery shopping less frequently, which means what were buying has shifted toward more shelf-stable foods and frozen, canned or dried fruits and vegetables.

While we tend to think of these foods as less healthy than fresh, they may not be. The taste may be different, but fresh doesnt always mean more nutritious, Hensrud said.

Frozen vegetables are often, from a nutritional standpoint, healthier than fresh, especially if fresh vegetables sit on the shelf for longer, he said, because frozen veggies are preserved as soon as they are picked, holding onto their nutrients.

Canned beans, dried beans, frozen fish, whole grains, all those things have a long shelf life and are relatively healthy, said Hensrud.

Thats why Hensrud said there might be a silver lining in staying at home.

If you have more time to cook and you are around family, you can turn this into a positive experience, he said.

We dont know the impact dietary changes during the pandemic will have on our health, but Hensrud said past research shows that major events can cause dramatic health shifts.

During World War II, in some countries, there was a marked decrease in heart attacks, he said, likely because people ate less fat and smoked less.

For the duration of this pandemic, Hensrud suggests creating your own at-home food schedule to avoid what he calls mindless eating.

Other experts suggest simply trying for a natural balance.

Christy Harrison, a registered dietitian who calls herself anti-diet and hosts the Food Psych podcast, sees all pressure around weight or body size as harmful.

Instead of dieting or restricting certain foods, she suggests trying to take the guilt and shame out of eating in general, to create what she calls a peaceful, balanced relationship with food.

That can include comfort foods, she said.

I think the fact that were in a sort of disrupted routine, where a lot of us are eating more processed foods and shelf-stable foods and things that diet culture tends to demonize brings up a lot of anxiety, she said.

But if there ever was a time to let go of the pressure to lose weight, its now, Harrison said.

This is a time of unprecedented stress for most of us, and you know, its really adding to our stress and anxiety to be worrying about food and our bodies, she said. Its just not necessary.

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Here's why you probably won't gain the 'Quarantine 15' - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Many of us do not even realise we have become dehydrated, but your body knows when it needs more fluids and you become thirsty.

Mild dehydration symptoms can include, amongst other things, a headache, feelings of fatigue and a darker colour to urine. According to health experts, an average of two litres of water a day is beneficial. The amount of water necessary depends on a few factors like age, gender, level of activity, weight and even where you live. Living in a hot and humid environment makes you sweat more and therefore your body requires more hydration than average.

Our bodies need fluids to function properly, lets have a look at a few reasons.

Making sure you stay hydrated can also help to prevent certain health problems.

To stay hydrated doesnt mean you have to stick to water alone. You can also get fluids from beverages as well as from food itself. Here are some ideas that may help you with your daily intake.

Think about getting yourself a water bottle, preferably stainless steel or glass. You can carry the water bottle around with you and sip throughout the day. Dont just focus on water, you can drink tea and other juices. The main thing to remember with this is that you must take note of the amount of sugar consumed. Try to water down fruit juices a little and use the minimum amount of sugar in tea and coffee. Drink coffee in moderation.

Oatmeal is a great way to start the day, as it can be hydrating. Cooked oats absorb a lot of water and can help you feel full for longer. You can also add healthy foods like blueberries and other fruits to your porridge.

A tasty way you can stay hydrated is to make yourself smoothies. Simply combine some yoghurt and fruits with a blender. You can also add your chosen health shake powder or anything else that is healthy.

Winter is almost upon us and one of the best and nutritious ways to stay hydrated is to make yourself some soup, which can be eaten for lunch or dinner. In the summer months creating fruit popsicles is both a hydrating and cooling idea. You can simply add lemon slices or other fruits to a jug of water and pour yourself a glass ever so often. Try and use a smaller glass and drink more often. A larger glass can be difficult to finish but go ahead if this works better for you.

In conclusion, it will only benefit your overall health if you make sure you remain hydrated all year round.

This content has been created as part of our freelancer relief programme. We are supporting journalists and freelance writers impacted by the economic slowdown caused by #lockdownlife.

If you are a freelancer looking to contribute to The South African,read more here.

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Healthy living: The importance of staying hydrated - The South African

COVID-19 has unleashed two competing emergencies in the U.S. -- we face both a health crisis and an economic crisis. While stay-at-home mandates are slowing the spread of the virus, they're also causing millions of Americans to lose their jobs as businesses remain shuttered. Unfortunately, job loss usually also means loss of health insurance, which is problematic in the midst of a pandemic.

As states start to reopen and economic activity resumes, it's critical to maintain your health coverage. COVID-19 will continue to be a threat; the CDC is even predicting a stronger, second wave next winter. As well, the stress of losing your job and having to make ends meet in unconventional ways can also compromise your immune systemand increase your risk of getting sick.

Image source: Getty Images.

As to how you should maintain your health coverage, you do have three options. You can stay on your former employer's health plan through COBRA, you can purchase a plan on the healthcare marketplace, or you can join your spouse's workplace plan.

COBRA is a federal program that allows you and your family to continue on your employer's healthcare plan after you leave your job. Any employer who had more than 20 employees on its plan in the prior year is legally required to offer COBRA insurance to recently separated workers.

A major point of confusion about COBRA insurance is cost. You'd think that continuing on your employer's healthcare plan would cost you the same as it did while you were working. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The health insurance deductions taken from your pay only covered a portion of your premiums, usually less than half. If you elect to use COBRA, you are responsible for the entire premium plus a 2% fee.

Those premiums can be shockingly high. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation reports that average annual individual healthcare premiums in 2019 were $7,188. Family coverage premiums were $20,576. Add 2% to those numbers, and that equates to monthly COBRA costs of $610 to $1,750.

You should receive notification in the mail detailing your options under COBRA within 30 to 45 days of your last day of work. If you choose to accept the coverage, it will be retroactive to that last day. You'll owe premiums back to that date, too.

Thankfully, the healthcare marketplace should have more affordable options. The marketplace was developed after the enactment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010to provide a range of health insurance options for individuals, families, and small businesses. Normally, you can only enroll in a marketplace plan between November 1 and December 15 of each year. But leaving your job, voluntarily or otherwise, qualifies you for a special enrollment period. That special enrollment period lasts for 60 days from the date you parted ways with your employer.

You can preview plans and estimated premiums by providing your zip code, along with some demographic and financial information. In my zip code, full-priced plans for an individual aged 35 have monthly premiums ranging from $335 to $610. The lower-priced plans have deductibles as high as $8,150 and coinsurance as high as 50%. Coinsurance is the portion of the bill you're responsible for after you reach your deductible.

Don't write off those premiums as too high, however. Your income may qualify you for lower rates. When you apply, you'll also find out if you're eligible for free or low-cost Medicaid coverage.

Employer plans should offer an enrollment period of at least 30 days for spouses who've lost coverage. If you're married and your spouse works, reach out to your spouse's plan administrator for a cost estimate and the enrollment deadline. You might need to supply some documentation of your marriage and job loss to your spouse's employer. But it'll be worth the paperwork. Of your three coverage options, this one should be the cheapest.

Keeping your health insurance in force is an important self-care step, but there are other actions you can take, too. For example:

These healthy living habits can help minimize your out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Unfortunately, there isn't much to be done about the cost of healthcare premiums. Enrolling in your spouse's plan is the cheapest option, while COBRA will be the most expensive. The healthcare marketplace should have mid-range options, although the deductibles and coinsurance may be less appealing.

Whatever you do, don't ignore the issue of health insurance. Enrollment periods for COBRA, the marketplace, and spousal plans usually end within 30 to 90 days after your last day of work. If those deadlines pass, you'll have to find a private healthcare plan, at least until the marketplace enrollment period opens again in November.

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How to Handle Health Insurance If You're Now Unemployed Due to COVID-19 - Motley Fool

Windward is for adventurers, athletes and those who are committed to protecting the natural world, and the breakthrough brand takes its name from the freedom found in the mountains, oceans and wild places. Whether climbing, surfing or spending time in the backcountry, the adventures that invigorate us and instill balance often bring physical wear and teareveryday routines also take a toll on the body and mind. Under the guidance of Ph.D. chemists and master herbalists, Windward's tinctures and salve are custom-formulated to provide fast-acting, targeted support so you can more fully enjoy an active, productive and well-balanced life.

"Working in the outdoor industry and embracing the time we spend outdoors has shown us what it truly means to build a business that respects and protects the natural environmentyou do it right the first time, sustainably and in full respect of nature," notes Jennifer Sullivan McBride, Windward co-founder. "CBD has saturated numerous markets with white-labeled products that make false promises, compromising the health of people and the planet. Windward is changing that paradigm by setting new standards of responsibility and providing athletes and adventurers with what they need and deservepure, effective, all-natural products that are ethically sourced and produced. We're proud to be a California Benefit Corporation and a member of 1% for the Planet."

Windward sources their USDA certified organic Hemp from a family-owned farm in Colorado, and they partner with farms and foragers around the world that utilize organic and sustainable practices to source their botanical ingredients. Using organic cane alcohol, Windward's non-toxic extraction method yields the highest amount of safe, pure and potent plant actives available. The company does not use toxic solvents such as butane, propane or hexane, which are commonly used in the industry. All products are packaged in Miron Violetglass, a sturdy, high-quality glass that extends the effective lifespan of a product while protecting ingredients from damaging light. Committed to sustainability at every level, Windward's boxes are made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper manufactured with a chlorine-free process using 100% renewable electricity and are printed in the USA with soy-based inks.

Based in California, Windward was founded by Jennifer Sullivan McBride and Dawn De La Fuente alongside Joey Benaron and Matt Rose. The Windward team has 25+ years of combined experience in the outdoor industry and beyond, hailing from brands such as Patagonia, Burton, Red Wing Shoes and more.

For more information about the company, including the benefits of Hemp CBD and Windward's commitment to sustainability, please visit http://www.windwardgoods.com, or join the adventure on Instagram @windward_goods.

Product + lifestyle press images can be found here. (Product and hemp photo credit: Windward; lifestyle and sport photo credit: Donnie Lloyd Hedden Jr.)

About Windward

Founded in 2018, California-based Windward makes organic Hemp CBD and botanical products to support physical and mental wellbeing. Windward believes healthy living should be accessible to everyone, and its mission is to better your health, planet and adventures. Combining USDA certified organic Hemp with organic and wild-harvested health-supporting botanicals, Windward products are designed for athletes, adventurers and everyday wellness, with custom formulations that help enhance performance and recovery, increase stamina and focus, and support stress relief and sleep. A California Benefit Corporation and member of 1% for the Planet, Windward is deeply committed to social and environmental responsibility, while leading its industry in a more ethical and sustainable direction. To learn more, visit windwardgoods.com.

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https://windwardgoods.com/

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Announcing Windward, A New Collection Of Organic CBD Products Made With Health Benefiting Botanicals - PRNewswire

The Covid-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down, bringing about an unprecedented new world order. We are all plagued by uncertainty, knowing that things will never be the same as they were before. However, there are things we can do to stay in control.

The World Digestive Health Day 2020 is a reminder for us to take care of our gut. We have all heard of the saying health is wealth. If the body is a temple, then the gut is the foundation of that temple.

Hippocrates once said that all disease begins in the gut. Housing trillions of both good and bad bacteria, the composition of bacteria in the gut environment, known as the microbiome, greatly affects both physical and mental well-being.

Understanding Gut Bacteria

The good bacteria known as probiotics, work with our cells to keep us healthy. Apart from discouraging and fighting off harmful, invading organisms, the good bacteria also work to support our digestion, nutrient absorption and immune system.

Studies have also indicated that mental health and emotions are closely linked to gut health. We have already established that good gut health is the cornerstone of good health, but what is the key to good gut health?

Just as how Malaysians have adapted to the new normal of social distancing and the wearing of face masks, we need to take the necessary steps to maintain good gut health. Photo: Cotra Enterprise Sdn Bhd

The term probiotics is nothing new today. Thanks to its function of restoring gut bacteria to healthy levels, probiotics have increased in popularity in recent years.

In 2017, a local landmark clinical research conducted by Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia titled Modulation Of Intestinal Dysbiosis In Patients With Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using Lactobacillus-Containing Cultured Milk Drink and published in Clinical Gastroenterology in 2018, demonstrated the efficacy of two probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus paracasei which are found in Vitagen, to have a positive impact on gut health and the immune system.

Statistically speaking, 96% of respondents showed significant improvement in relieving constipation while 45% of respondents required a shorter time to defecate. The study also showed that by consuming the probiotics contained in Vitagen, the body produces less pro-inflammatory chemicals, which reduces inflammation and enhances the immune system.

Reality Check To Managing Our Lifestyles

It goes without saying that living a healthy lifestyle is our single best defence against harmful bacteria and viruses. Every part of the body can benefit from a healthy diet, sufficient sleep and a positive, stress-free environment all of which help promote a stronger immune system that stems from the gut.

Malaysians are constantly surrounded by unhealthy food options, so it is crucial to boost gut health with probiotics and foods that will naturally help build up our immune systems. Photo: Cotra Enterprise Sdn Bhd

However, it is not always easy to stay healthy. We are all guilty of excessively eating unhealthy foods, sometimes on a regular basis. Add a sedentary lifestyle to the mix and it is likely that you are increasing your risk of developing various digestive disorders or diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and many non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and heart disease.

For many, the pandemic is a wake-up call to start taking health seriously. We need to stop abusing our bodies and start boosting our gut health with probiotics and foods that will naturally help build up our immune systems.

Daily consumption of probiotics is easy with Vitagen. It is delicious to drink and contains billions of live probiotic cultures that are clinically proven to be beneficial to gut health. It is recommended that you take at least two bottles of Vitagen daily for best results.

Vitagen contains two beneficial probiotic strains to boost gut health and help prevent disease. Photo: Cotra Enterprise Sdn Bhd

This new normal that we are facing may last for quite some time. We have all been inundated with enough information on the seriousness of this pandemic, but how many of us are actually doing something about it from a health standpoint? We need to ponder this question.

In every crisis, there is opportunity. We have two options: one is to go back to our old, unhealthy ways and take life for granted. The second is to re-evaluate our habits and cultivate new, healthy ones that will stay with us for life. Without our health, we are nothing, and that is something that should never be taken for granted.

For more information, visit vitagen.com.my.

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Taking Care Of Your Gut Is Key To Stronger Immunity - The Star Online

World Oceans Day, which took place on Monday, is marked by hundreds of beach cleans andevents globally. Despite Covid-19 restrictions, environmentalists and readers from around the world shared how they are continuing to work to protect the ocean, and told us about the local marine issues that matter to them.

Steve Trott,58,projects manager at Watamu Marine Association

Our association is based in one of Africas oldest marine protected areas: the Watamu National Marine Park. One of our major concerns is plastic pollution. Plastic bags and materials are ingested by endangered sea turtles, which mistake them for jellyfish. Plastic also pollutes the sand, making it unsuitable for turtles to nest on the protected marine park beaches, which are some of the most important nesting sites in Kenya.

Over the past 10 years in Watamu we have created a circular economy, employing local people to clean beaches and providing work for plastic recyclers. On World Ocean Day we cleaned our marine park beach with the Kenya Wildlife Service and 100 local community members, who will receive an income to help them support their families during these difficult Covid-19 times. We collected just under 1,000kg of waste in one day.

Volunteer, 25, working with Anam Prem Parivar group

Our group Anam Prem (which means Anonymous Love) has been carrying out activities with local fishing communities. Commercial fishing has caused major shockwaves to traditional fishing communities in India. Most members of our group are based in Mumbai, which still houses traditional fishing communities in the midst of bustling trade and commerce.

On account of Covid-19, restrictions are in place for group gatherings. But on World Oceans Day our members living near the sea visited in small numbers and offered prayers, at the same time spreading awareness about the oceans and involving local fisher communities.

Gill Williams, 58, underwater photographer

I spend almost every day in the waters around Skye, photographing what I see, good or bad. I spent World Oceans Day painting a picture of one of my images. For me, this peaceful kingdom needs protection from the human race who are doing so much damage to it. The oceans are the planets controlling factor: you lose the health of the oceans, you lose our planet.

I worry about the fish farms around the coast of Scotland. I was in the water only a few days ago and was immediately faced with a wall of green slurry as a result of practices at the nearby fish farm. We have a seal colony here. How are these creatures being affected by toxic waste and the underwater crow scarers going off all the time?

Richard Marsh, 59, retired scuba operation manager

Jamaica was made from coral, it is what made the beaches, the white sand. The reefs are still damaged from Hurricane Allen in 1980. Algae-eating fish have been over-caught, theres not many left, and the algae is overgrown. I am concerned about deforestation, a lot of which is caused by agriculture, especially young trees being cut down to make yam sticks (yams grow on a vine which is supported by the sticks). This causes the soil to erode and flow into the water, which kills the corals.

I grew up near the ocean and studied marine ecology before working in the scuba industry. I stopped diving after I had a car accident, but it would be depressing to go back to it now: theres less fish, more algae, less coral, less life. I am about to start a land-based coral nursery in a tank to help rehabilitate the reef nearby, at the White River fish sanctuary. Is there a global movement to protect the oceans? Id like to think so.

Kyoko Harukawa, 52, eco-tour guide and co-founder of Miyakojima Sea Environmental Network

The amount of coastal garbage is terrible on the north-east coast of Miyako island, Okinawa. Most of the marine garbage here drifts from overseas from China, Korea, Taiwan or south-east Asian countries due to the Kuroshio current. Therefore, local people blame foreigners for bad behaviour.

However, in fact, local people are throwing a lot of rubbish into the sea and they dont know this garbage flows to the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean. As the sea has no borders, it connects people all over the world. Both treasures and trash flows along the coast. We organise marine observations on Ikema island or at a mangrove area to mark World Oceans Day each year to raise awareness.

Marion Casey, 66, English teacher at Austevoll Vidaregande Skule

I work in a maritime school, an hour by catamaran ferry from Bergen. Most of the students are between 16 and 19 and the school trains them for work on fishing boats and supply boats. Some will eventually become captains and ship officers, others are doing qualifications to work on fish farms. For me the sea is a place to relax, a means of travelling round the country, and a way of earning a living for my students.

Usually on World Oceans Day the school borrows many small boats and the 140 or so students are distributed among them and each boat cleans a series of beaches and inlets. It is horrendous what we find.We couldnt have the whole school out because of Covid-19 restrictions this year, but some students went out to clear rubbish from the little islands near our school.

Ana*, 30

During the war years in 90s Croatia, the sea was a reliable source of nutritious food for my family and, equally important, a source of an awful lot of fun for us kids. I will always be thankful for that. There are fishermen in my family. I saw first-hand how sustainable fishing, with small wooden boats and rudimentary equipment, works. I grew up swimming and diving on Makarska Riviera and as a child I used to regularly see lots of fish, starfish, seahorses, seagrass, corals, crustaceans, sea cucumbers.

Unfortunately, there is nothing to see now. The extension of beach areas by throwing soil, building material and stones into coastal waters has been going on for years along the entire Dalmatian coast and has led to the disappearance of sea life in shallow underwater areas. Its a treatment known as dohrana plae (feeding the beach). I pity younger generations who most probably will never have the joy of enjoying the sea the way I did. Wherever I go, I always miss the Adriatic.

Dennis Kimberley, 78, retired professor

I live on iceberg alley. I see first-hand the large increase in the loss of sea ice and what it means for humanity. I see first-hand the loss of polar bear habitat. I see the arrival of birds and sea animals that arent native to our environment. Very scary. We use the term snowmageddon to refer to the recent exceptionally dangerous and record-breaking snow falls. The ocean here is a source of life and employment, as well as of striking beauty. I celebrated it by visiting the ocean at the weekend and thanking my close fisher friends who fish sustainably.

Elke Sauter Ortiz, 32, geo-data specialist at Space4Good

Together with the Mothership team, we just finished the Big Blue Mission, a coding project dedicated to exploring the worlds coastal ecosystems and fragile ocean environments using satellite technologies and AI. Coder teams developed solutions for: spotting ocean sedimentation on coral reefs, developing a monitoring system to detect sand theft on beaches or dredging by boat, and improving flood prediction mapping.

Playa Samara, Costa Rica, is a second home for me and my family. Being able to bring groups of people together to contribute their coding skills to conserve to a space close to my heart is as rewarding of a job as it can get.

Lani*, 29, conservation coordinator

My biggest concern for environmental protection is the inequality in society. We can not effectively engage with global communities and ask for their help in this fight to save our planet when many wake up every day worrying about their basic human rights. I live in a place where the natural resources are exploited by visitors and left degraded and unusable for the native people of these islands. Subsistence fishing is their birthright; the degradation of the marine environment is a violation of this right.

On World Oceans Day my organisation took part in an in-water scuba clean of our reefs. The debris collected will be counted and catalogued. I also took part in a dawn patrol, which is a fancy way of saying I walked the beach really early in the morning to look for evidence of nesting turtles in an effort to ensure the safety of the nests and maximum return of turtles to the sea. Its weird to see it so empty here on the island because of the lack of tourism right now.

Jos Truda Palazzo Jr, 56, marine conservation writer and consultant

I am deeply concerned that Brazil is abandoning its responsibility as steward of an immense area of the south Atlantic Ocean. Over the last few decades, and thanks mainly to civil society mobilisation, Brazil has taken an active role in ending whaling, supporting protection for endangered marine species, promoting the concept of a global agreement for biodiversity conservation beyond national jurisdiction and establishing several marine protected areas (MPAs).

The current government, unfortunately, has abandoned all these gains. It sees environmental issues as a globalist plot and has halted proper implementation and enforcement of our MPAs. The world needs to wake up to this as well as to the destruction of the Amazon. I celebrated World Oceans Day by continuing to raise hell for policymakers. I want my grandson to be able to enjoy a healthy, living ocean as part of his generations well-being and natural heritage.

Andr Amaro, 50, artist

My art studio looks over Lisbon to the north and the mighty sandbanks of Tria to the south. I collect ocean plastics and make clothing, interiors and art pieces. My artwork is about the profound choice we as humanity make for comfortable living, with no regard to the Earth we live on. I collect the waste in Tria, and on the amazing beaches on the peninsula just south of Lisbon their beauty is astonishing. On World Oceans Day I worked on a new art piece made from ocean plastics.

Asma Hamad, 34, assistant biology lecturer at the State University of Zanzibar

The major concern here is mangrove degradation mangroves are targeted by local people for production of charcoal and firewood. Many people think of the consumptive value of mangrove, they are forgetting that there would be no fish or crabs without them.Mangroves protect us from strong waves, storms and erosion. We are vulnerable to the rise in sea level the impact is already evident in many places of the island.

To me the ocean is an identity, you cannot talk about islanders life without touching on the role of the ocean. I volunteer with Zanzibar Volunteers for Environmental Conservation and wecleaned Uzi beach on Monday to mark World Oceans Day.

Gerard Neil, 49, social enterprise manager

Our activism focuses on synthetic fishing rope used in industry. There are 75,000 people employed in fisheries in Canada and almost all use synthetic plastic rope, which breaks down to micro-particles and is the greatest pollutant in local waters. We advocate a return to natural fibre rope to greatly reduce ocean micro-plastics and to limit modern fishing methods and the weight that monster trawlers can pull (natural rope would break at those weights), promoting sustainable practices.

We hand tie and sell wits (rope formed into a circle, used to hold oars to boat thole-pins or to form the entrance to lobster pots), using the money to direct attention to our cause. On World Oceans Day we once again made an effort to focus attention to this cause.

*Names have been changed

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'I raised hell': how people worldwide answered the call of World Oceans Day - The Guardian

Mental health: Depression can affect your overall health in various ways. This mental health issue can worsen the symptoms of several health issues and also increase the risk of certain diseases. Here's the effect of depression on your health in different ways.

Depression is a serious mental health condition that needs medical attention

Depression is a mental health condition that can affect your body and overall health in various ways. It is a persistent feeling of sadness and lack of interest. Depression can make you feel worse at times. Many are not aware of the different adverse effects of depression on the body. Not just your mental health, depression can affect your physical health too in various ways. This mental health issue can worsen the symptoms of several health issues and also increase the risk of certain diseases. Here you will understand how depression is harmful to your overall and just your mental health.

The effect of depression is different on every person. Some might experience increased hunger while others may notice reduced hunger. Weight gain and weight loss are two possible consequences of depression.

Depression may lead to weight lossPhoto Credit: iStock

Research published in 2010 suggests that depression is linked with inflammation and change in immunity. Some may also experience unexplained pain and aches.

Also read:Know What To Eat And Avoid To Fight Inflammation Effectively

Depression affects the factors which can lead to heart disease risks like poor lifestyle and diet. Someone with depression is more likely to follow an unhealthy diet and lifestyle.

Also read:Breakfast Options You Must Try For A Healthy Heart

Stress, depression and low mood can worsen the symptoms of chronic health conditions. You must talk to your doctor and explain the symptoms you are experiencing.

Depression may worsen symptoms of chronic conditionsPhoto Credit: iStock

People with depression also report digestive issues like diarrhea, nausea, constipation and vomiting. These can happen sure to change in daily schedule and eating habits due to depression.

Depression is a serious mental health condition that requires timely treatment. You must seek medical health before it starts affecting your life.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.

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Its summertime! Lots of folks are heading to the lakes, rivers, and the beach for fun on the water.

Boating is a great way to have fun and spend time with your children or grandchildren. Its important to establish some boating safety rules and procedures that will help reduce the chance of trouble or injury during your excursion.

Also, if youngsters are joining you, there are a few features to consider for your boat:

Also, the U.S. Coast Guard warns about a condition called boaters fatigue, which means that the wind, noise, heat, and vibration of the boat all combine to wear you down when youre on the water.

Finally, stay aware anytime you are even near the water, especially with children. Its amazing how fast a child can get away from you and get themselves into a dangerous situation. When preparing this column, I was told of a family that lost their child due to it falling between the dock and the boat and getting caught under the boat. Dont let a fun outing turn into a tragedy. Be prepared, stay vigilant, but by all means, enjoy yourself, your family, and your boat.

Summer is here, have a great time with family and friends. Stay safe and stay healthy, my friends.

Jody Holton writes about health in The Port Arthur News. She can be reached at jholton3@gt.rr.com.

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HEALTHY LIVING Ahoy! Summer fun boating on the water - Port Arthur News - The Port Arthur News

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | Published: June 9, 2020 8:50:37 pm The study also found that children and adolescents fain more weight during the summer vacation than during the school year. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

Ever since coronavirus took over the world, mankind has been living under a lockdown. For almost two months, countries have gone under strictly restricted movement phase-wise, disrupting the normal lifestyle of people and this has impacted the health of many children negatively. The tragic COVID-19 pandemic has collateral effects extending beyond direct viral infection, said Myles Faith, PhD, childhood obesity expert and co-author of the study.

According to a study published in University at Buffalo research, they have examined 41 overweight children under confinement throughout March and April in Verona, Italy. They studied the behaviour pattern of children during the lockdown and compared it with their previous pattern. According to the study, the children slept an extra half hour per day, spent nearly five hours per day in front of the screen and dramatically increased their consumption of red meat, sugary drinks and junk foods. Their physical activity decreased drastically,

The study was led by Steven Heymsfield, MD, professor at the Louisiana State University Pennington Biomedical Research Center; and Angelo Pietrobelli, MD, professor at the University of Verona in Italy. Children and teens struggling with obesity are placed in an unfortunate position of isolation that appears to create an unfavourable environment for maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviours, added Faith.

The study also found that children and adolescents gain more weight during the summer vacation than during the school year. The researchers surveyed around 41 children and teenagers with obesity in Verona, Italy. Recognising these adverse collateral effects of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown is critical in avoiding the depreciation of hard-fought weight control efforts among youths afflicted with excess weight, commented Faith, chair and professor of counselling, school and educational psychology in the UB Graduate School of Education.

Reportedly, this lifestyle data of children and teenagers regarding diet, activity, and sleep was collected three weeks into Italys mandatory national lockdown and compared to data on the children gathered in 2019. School environments provide structure and routine around mealtimes, physical activity and sleep three predominant lifestyle factors implicated in obesity risk, said Faith.

Depending on the duration of the lockdown, the excess weight gained may not be easily reversible and might contribute to obesity during adulthood if healthier behaviours are not re-established. This is because childhood and adolescent obesity tend to track over time and predict weight status as adults, said Faith.

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The Lund Report is offering this coverage for free to better inform the public at this difficult time. But we need your support to help us stretch our resources. Please sign up for a tax-deductible premium subscription or consider making a donation. That is also tax deductible because we're a 501(c)(3) organization.

Eastern Oregon Healthy Living Alliance (EOHLA) announced today that it has been awarded a $24,000 grant from the Oregon Community Recovery Fund to support a regional response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). This funding supports the work EOHLA, Nutrition Oregon Campaign, Oregon Food Bank, and Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization (EOCCO) have under way to support food access during the pandemic by expanding available fruits and vegetables through existing Veggie Rx programs in Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Harney, Wallowa, and Malheur counties; increasing the local volunteer base by developing and maintaining an Eastern Oregon Mutual Aid Network; and supporting local food pantries in need.

Philanthropic partners, businesses and individuals across the state have taken quick action with contributions to the Oregon Community Recovery Fund. The fund, established by many partners throughout Oregon, and hosted by the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF), was established in March to rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations at the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak. Resources are prioritized where and when they are critically needed, with a focus on Oregons most vulnerable populations.

Eastern Oregon Healthy Living Alliance (EOHLA) is part of the Nutrition Oregon Campaign, a statewide campaign grounded in the science of the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) that shows the relationship between early life environment, including nutrition, and lifelong chronic disease risk, and how that risk is passed from one generation to the next. The campaign, which is a program of OHSUs Moore Institute, uses education, advocacy and capacity building to address chronic disease risk at the community level. DOHaD research has shown us the long-term, multigenerational health impacts of a dramatic change in nutrition access among populations, as well as the health impacts of poor nutrition before and during pregnancy and in the earliest years of life.

We are at a moment when we can see access to food quickly slipping away from many in our communities, including those who were already living on the edge said Kent Thornburg, Ph.D., Director of the OHSU Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition & Wellness.Now is the time to find strategies to mutually benefit all organizations dedicated to improving the health of our communities. EOHLA is an example of an organization who cares enough to take action. More than ever we cant do this work alone.

Prior to the pandemic, Eastern Oregon communities struggled with food access. A community health assessment conducted by the EOCCO indicates that there are 26,180 people in Eastern Oregon who are food insecure with higher food insecurity rates than Oregon statewide in eight of twelve Eastern Oregon counties including Grant, Baker, Harney, Lake, Sherman, Union, Wallowa, and Wheeler counties. Food insecurity, a social determinant of health that can impact overall health, including obesity and chronic disease, is a regional health priority within EOCCOs Regional Community Health Improvement Plan. The 2010-13 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) indicates an average of 31.1% of adults in Eastern Oregon are obese as compared to Oregon 26.9%.

Anyone may contribute to the Oregon Community Recovery Fund. Donations are accepted online. Nonprofit organizations working to respond to this crisis can review funding guidelines and apply for grants on the OCF website.

Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) puts donated money to work in Oregon more than $100 million in grants and scholarships annually. For more than 45 years, OCF grantmaking, research, advocacy and community-advised solutions have helped individuals, families, businesses and organizations create charitable funds to improve lives for all Oregonians. Impactful givingtime, talent and resources from many generous Oregonianscreates measurable change.

For more information about OCF, please visit: http://www.oregoncf.orgFor more information about the EOHLA, please visit: http://www.eohla.org

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Press Release: Eastern Oregon Healthy Living Alliance Receives Oregon Community Recovery Fund Grant - The Lund Report

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SEATTLE -- We are finally reaching a point where we are seeing counties reopen. We are able to get back to some of the activities we enjoy. Some people may feel the changes are coming too late, while others think it is too soon.

Dr. Jim Polo is the Behavioral Health Medical Director with Regence, and he says change creates stress, and because this kind of change is complex as we go through phased recommendations, there is still a lot of uncertainty.

The pandemic isnt over. Theres still the risk that you can get infected and if you do get infected we dont know if that gives you immunity and we still dont quite have a vaccine," he says.

So what are some of the things you can do to handle uncertainty?

Dr. Polo says stay up to date on the recommendations and remember that the recommendations in your city or county may not be the same for somebody else.

Next, dont try to make sense of the recommendations. Dr. Polo says you may not like them, but follow them. the recommendations were made with your health in mind.

Next, set reasonable expectations.

Remember that there are going to be slow changes with phased recommendations over time. It will be a while before restaurants are fully operating at full capacity and you may not be enjoying the movies like you used to before. It might be some time before we can go to live football games or baseball games or basketball games, so set realistic expectations that there are still gonna be some things that you wont be able to enjoy.

Finally, Dr. Polo says its OK to grieve that you have lost some of your freedom. It is okay to recognize that youre disappointed and that you are going to be adjusting to a new reality.

You can take advantage of some things that will help you adjust into that new normal," he says.

Dr. Polo says routine is really important, as a routine can help create structure. Next, focus on the things you can control. You can also setup time to connect with people you can fully engage with like family and friends. Maybe you fill some of your time by taking up a new hobby.

Finally, Dr. Polo says there are the standards they recommend for good health, and that is to eat well, exercise and get adequate sleep.

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Healthy Living: Its OK to be anxious about things reopening - Q13 News Seattle

Healthy snacks provide a boost of energy, anytime and anywhere.

SALT LAKE CITY (PRWEB) May 20, 2020

Global Employee Health and Fitness Month (GEHFM) is observed every May throughout the world to raise awareness of and promote health and fitness in the workplace. Employers and employees everywhere are encouraged to show their commitment to healthy living by participating in GEHFM.

Since the founding of the initiative in 1989 by the National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF), there has been increasing evidence of the value of investing in employee health. Employers realize that investing in workplace wellness programs is essential to managing health care costs, improving productivity and boosting employee morale. Indeed, its a critical component of any organizations human capital management.

Employers and employees can sign up to participate in this years GEHFM by visiting the programs website. Participants are asked to prepare a healthy meal, organize walks and bike rides or get involved with a clean-up day in their community. And these workplace initiatives shouldnt be exclusive to the month of May. Rather, people are asked to carry the healthy habits gained during the month throughout their lives.

According to the website, 28,575 people across 6,621 companies and organizations have participated in GEHFM. Along with a commitment to exercise and eat right, participants are asked to get involved on the initiatives Facebook and Twitter accounts to show their progress and encourage others to take action.

Anyone, regardless of participation in the event, can get resources on the GEHFM website to help them live healthier lives. Available information includes resources to get enough sleep, ways to improve overall health, tips for exercising and more.

Healthy YOU Vending helps provide convenient access to wholesome snacks, drinks and entres. And there has never been a more important time than now to offer healthy choices to busy employees. During the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, having convenient access to healthy options in the workplace can keep employees safe and productive.

Healthy eating is such an important part of living a wholesome lifestyle, said Healthy YOU Vendings Director of Operator Services, Jill Navidomskis. Were happy to be a part of providing healthy options that are convenient, safe and sought after in this increasingly health-conscious world. And some of our operators are now offering those essential pieces of PPE to navigate our new normal such as face masks, hand sanitizer and gloves in their machines.

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Healthy YOU Vending is the world leader in the healthy vending industry. With corporate offices in Kaysville, Utah, the Healthy YOU Vending team is dedicated to making healthier snacks, drinks and food products more accessible to people across North America. All company vending equipment is privately manufactured in the United States at a state-of-the-art facility. Owner/Operator opportunities for serious-minded and health-conscious entrepreneurs are currently available in most states.

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AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - The Peter Alfond Foundation has made a $48 million investment to support community health in the Kennebec Valley region.

A $40 million endowment will allow MaineGeneral Health to support preventive health programs, including the expansion of services for the newly renamed 'Peter Alfond Prevention and Healthy Living Center.'

The center provides free and low cost classes on healthy cooking, physical activity, and more.

It will also provide for a team of community health workers who will go to worksites and other locations to provide services.

MaineGeneral Health administration noted the funding comes at a critical time, allowing them to focus operational dollars on COVID-19 response without neglecting community health initiatives.

Another eight-million dollar endowment will go to the Alfond Youth and Community Center in Waterville.

Barbara Crowley, MD, Peter Alfond Foundation Endowment Leader for MaineGeneral Health says it's a gift that will continue long into the future.

"We'll take five percent a year, and if we're good stewards of this money, it will go on for generations. So what we start here today will matter for three and four and five generations. So I feel very lucky to have this opportunity. This community is very lucky, and we are very grateful to the children of Peter Alfond."

Ken Walsh, CEO of the Alfond Youth & Community Center says the endowment is going to make a huge difference."This gift will continue to cement our relationship with MaineGeneral Health and bring the best practices of wellness to central Maine."

The Peter Alfond Foundation also provided ten million dollars in endowments to the Boys & Girls Club of Puerto Rico and two million dollars to the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative in Massachusetts.

Read more:
Peter Alfond Foundation endows $48 million dollars for community health in the Kennebec Valley - WABI

(WEHT) Seeking comfort in junk food is common, but its not the best way to fortify your body to fight off COVID-19. Dr. Jason West is an integrative medical physician and fourth generation owner of the West Clinic in Idaho.Dr. West joined Eyewitness News Brandon Bartlett to talk about vitamins and healthy food options for your immune system.

Transcription

Brandon Bartlett: Dr. West, thanks for being with us tonight. First off when it comes to staying healthy, should we be focusing on our immune system? And if so, are there any supplements that we should be taking?

Dr. West: Absolutely, there are. I think this is a wake up call for everyone to get your immune system dialed in. And I think the most important ones are the ones that grandma and your mom tell you about, you know, vitamin C, about 3000 milligrams is some recommendations, vitamin A, vitamin D, about 10,000 units, 30 milligrams of zinc. I mean, if we just could focus on those, and dont forget essential fatty acids because they protect the cell. Theres a lot we can do besides just social distancing.

Brandon: And of course, eating healthy also plays a very big role. Lets say that Ive had fast food most days this week, if Im going to the grocery store this weekend, and I do want to buy some healthy items, what should I be putting in my cart?

Dr. West: Well, the first thing thing I tell people is you should eat healthy and alive foods and only eat foods that spoil, just eat it before it spoils. So anything plant based vegetables, fruits, I think are so good for you the best source of vitamins and minerals are your knife and fork.

Brandon: We should be having vegetables every day. Is that right?

Dr. West: Absolutely. You know, I tell people just hold up your hand. Theres about a serving size right there in the back of your hand. Just try and get, you know, four to five of those a day of healthy plant matter. And youre beating the curve, youre so much healthier than most people that dont eat very well.

Brandon: Well, for those of us who work and want to bring healthy lunches to work, what are some easy lunches that we can make to bring to stay healthy?

Dr. West: Well, just you know, celery, carrots, raw nuts. I tell people all the time pecans are great. Walnuts are great. And really just fruits, oranges, apples, bananas. I think animal protein has a place for it. Although most Americans eat too much meat. But if you could just focus on healthy, alive, colorful foods, it cant be Skittles or Starburst, it has to come from a plant, youre going to be doing really well.

Brandon: Well, theres a lot of buzz about probiotics, are they helpful? And what should we look for when choosing one?

Dr. West: Well, probiotics help to synthesize vitamins that you cant make from the foods that you put into your system. And so theyre incredibly important. Theyre good bacteria for our system, and fermented foods, sauerkraut, kimchi, buttermilk, yogurt are all really, really healthy to keep your gut healthy, and it helps your gut to make vitamins that you cant make yourself.

Brandon: Are there any foods that we should be avoiding? You mentioned Skittles, which is kind of disappointing.

Dr. West: It is and I have to say as a former Skittle addict that Ive recovered from that, but foods that you shouldnt eat are inflammatory foods. And so I tell people that you know, theres a reason why sugar and high fructose corn syrup tastes so good because its not good for us. But that doesnt mean you cant have healthy foods that tastes good. Honey, fruits, stevia, theres lots of things that taste good but avoid inflammatory foods and white sugar because it decreases your immune systems response to bad guys.

Brandon: So the bottom line with everything thats going on right now, should we be focused on our health?

Dr. West: Absolutely, I mean, and its so simple, get your body on a schedule, get lots of water in your system. water helps to lubricate your mucous membranes so viruses cant attach, healthy and alive foods, some green, some red, some yellow, eat foods that spoil, just eat them before they spoil, I mean, just really good rules of health. Itll really protect your system because eventually were all going to get exposed to this virus. I mean, if the data is correct, its coming our way. If your immune system is healthy, youre not going to have problems.

Brandon: So we need to fight back?

Dr. West: We got to fight back. Its time to go on the offensive and say, look, Im taking back my health. Eat healthy and alive. Get your body on a schedule with vitamin D, vitamin C and zinc. Good things are going to happen for you.

Brandon: All right, great information. Thank you so much for joining us tonight. I appreciate it. Thank you. See you later.

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Healthy Living Expert offers advice on diet, vitamins to stay healthy - Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW)

Lets go look in your refrigerator. Is it packed so full that to put one more thing in you have to rearrange at least two shelves? When is the last time you cleaned it out? Has it been more than three months, or more than six months? I knew a woman that would either cook or buy food and then eat from it until it was gone, and sometimes that might take a week or more. Yes, even potato salad. UGH!

Healthy living includes putting fresh, high quality fuel into your body. Lets take a peek inside your fridge and see whats in there. Food poisoning and foodborne pathogens like listeria, salmonella and E. coli are real risks, but knowing how long to keep and when to throw away food can be tricky. Make sure you arent throwing good food away, but make very sure you arent putting yourself at risk by keeping something around too long.

For starters, its important to understand what the dates on the food labels really mean.

EXPIRATION: These are safety dates that are usually found on fresh foods like deli meats, or even dry goods like infant formula. If you use food past that date, there is a risk for foodborne illness.

BEST IF USED BY: These dates indicate when a foods quality or freshness may start to deteriorate. The product may not taste as good as it did earlier but its not necessarily going to be unsafe.

SELL BY: Manufacturers put these dates on products so stores know how long to display a food. Never buy food if the sell by date has expired, but if you have it at home past the date, its probably OK. What really matters is if the food was properly stored and at the right temperature in the store and at home.

For fruits and vegetables, always look for mold, bruises or damage. You can usually keep uncut produce for a few weeks, but once its been cut, refrigerate it and eat it within three to four days.

For milk, cheese, eggs and yogurt, discard these after the date on the package and dont store them on the door where its warmer. Milk should be OK to drink 7 to 10 days after the sell-by date as long as you keep it cold. Soft cheeses are OK to eat up to a week, while hard cheeses can stay good for three or four weeks. You can also freeze cheese for up to six months. Uncooked eggs can be refrigerated for three to five weeks.

For meat and chicken, raw, ground meat and fresh poultry can stay in the refrigerator for one to two days, while other cuts can stay three to five days. Ground meat can stay frozen for one to two months, while chicken, steak, or roasts can be frozen six months or more. You can defrost meat up to a day in the refrigerator.

Fish and seafood should be cooked within one or two days and can be frozen for three to six months. Fatty fish like salmon have a shorter freezer life than lean fish like cod.

Discard leftovers within three to four days or freeze them up to three months. Keep them for only three to four days in the fridge. No exceptions.

A funny smell isnt always a true indicator. Bacterially compromised food doesnt always look or smell bad.

I know what you are going to say: But using leftovers past a week has never made me sick! Really? That is quite a gamble, and is it really smart to gamble with your health?

Now, go clean out that fridge!

Jody Holton writes about health and wellness for The Port Arthur News. She can be reached at jholton3@gt.rr.com

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HEALTHY LIVING How long is too long in the fridge? - Port Arthur News - The Port Arthur News

If youve gained weight during the COVID-19 pandemic, you arent alone. The Quarantine 15 referring to weight gain some people have experienced since stay-at-home guidelines went into effect is likely due to a disruption in daily routine and habits.

Peoples habits have changed quite a bit since were spending more time at home, said Dr. Donald Hensrud, medical director of Mayo Clinics Healthy Living Program. And those changes in habits can lead to health and medical issues down the road.

Now, I want to make a point, for some people getting enough food, getting enough calories and maintaining weight may be an issue, Hensrud said. Some people may have to worry about maintaining their weight not unintentionally losing weight. But for many of us, our habits have changed.

Change in movement

For example, people think about exercise right away, and they should, Hensrud said. Fitness centers are closed, people may be doing less exercise and burning less calories through activity that way. What people dont think quite as much about though is low-level activity throughout the day. Even if we have a desk job, we have to walk at least to our car to get to work. We may walk throughout the day; we may walk to lunch. And, so, for spending time at home, that low-level activity may be causing us to burn fewer overall calories.

Consuming more calories

We may be consuming more calories. On the good side, were eating out less at restaurants. Sometimes that can be high-calorie. We still may be taking takeout at home, so there might be a little bit of a good thing there, a decrease in calories. However, many people are stocking up frozen foods and processed foods that have a long shelf life. Many times, theyre higher in calories and less healthy. On the flip side, for example, fruits and vegetables. They dont last as long, and we may be consuming less of them. There are a number of reasons why we might be at risk for weight gain through our habits that have changed, both in burning activity and in consuming more calories, Hensrud said.

Why weight gain matters

A few pounds short term may not make a difference. It could be fluid. It might be just a little weight gain while we establish new routines. Obviously, the more weight we gain and the longer its maintained, the more it affects our health, Hensrud said. For children, for example, its been shown that childrens weight tracks to some extent. If children establish those habits, or lack of healthy habits when theyre young and they gain weight, that might persist as they go into adolescence and adulthood.

Similarly, with adults, as we maintain those habits, if we can establish a new routine, the longer this goes on, then we can arrest that weight gain and try and maintain a normal weight. Its more important for some people than others. For example, people who have diabetes or high blood pressure. Just a modest amount of weight gain in some people, if theyre sensitive to that, can increase their blood glucose and blood pressure, and they wont have as good control over these factors, over these conditions. So, it depends on the individual, it depends on their health conditions, and it depends on long-term habits or routines, Hensrud said.

Establish new habits

With all habits, it takes time to establish them, so everybody is getting accustomed to this new normal. Id encourage people to establish those new healthy habits now. You have to be a little proactive about this, and thatll make it easier in the long term. Break out of your comfort zone, Hensrud said.

Instead of giving in to large amounts of comfort food, this can be an opportunity to take foods that we may not think of as healthy you can make burritos, bean burritos or even pizza. If you make it in the correct way, it can be a healthy food. Invest some time. Planning is a real key here if you plan ahead rather than just grabbing something at the last moment. Try and raise your culinary skills and do a little bit more cooking. Its an opportunity for that, too. So, if we can embrace this, embrace our new normal, look for opportunities to establish new healthy routines.

Eating healthy and eating well dont have to be drudgery. It can and should be an enjoyable way to live. And if we can do that, then we can better manage our weight and our overall health during this pandemic, Hensrud said.

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