Avoiding alcohol, drug abuse can prevent bipolar disorders. File photo

Some nurses at the Psychiatric Department of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital have urged the public to consider making lifestyle changes that could prevent bipolar disorders.

They said avoiding alcohol, drug abuse, and thirty minutes of daily exercise amidst healthy eating were key to minimize the risk factors for the condition.

The nurses told the Ghana News Agency, that scientists were yet to know the exact cause of the condition as the world marked World Bipolar Day under the theme "Strength for Today, Hope for Tomorrow".

Usually, people with the condition have mood swings and may also suffer depression.

Ms Nelly Mensah, one of the nurses said the condition could disrupt a persons life significantly, as it hampers day-to-day activities, adding that, not just the one who suffers the illness, but bipolar condition could also affect mentally those who take care of people with the disorder.

Because stress and loss of loved ones can be triggers for bipolar disorder, dealing with the serious issues in your life can decrease your chances of immediate onset. A counsellor can help you gain perspective and insight, learn coping skills, and practice healthier patterns of thought and behavior, she said.

Mr. Yusif Mustapha another nurse, stressed the need to raise awareness among the people about what bipolar condition constitute and preventive measures.

He explained that World Bipolar Day is marked each year to make people understand the implications of this mental health issue and raise awareness about proper guidance and treatment.

For her part, Madam Gertrude Nkrumah mentioned depression as a major form of bipolar disorders and described it as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfered with a persons everyday activity.

She indicated that a family history of depression or any mood disorder, early childhood trauma and certain medical conditions may put one at a higher risk.

Link:
Adopt healthy living to maintain stable mental health - Public urged - GhanaWeb

SATURDAY, April 3, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- When it comes to guarding against colon cancer, what you eat is everything.

You can reduce your risk of colon cancer by eating five food types, an expert says. These include: vegetables; whole grains; legumes; nuts and seeds; and fiber-rich fruit.

"Vegetables contain cancer-preventing nutrients called carotenoids and flavonoids," said Amy Rosenfeld, program coordinator of community health, education and outreach and a registered dietitian at the Center for Healthy Living at Northern Westchester Hospital, in Mount Kisco, N.Y.

"Vegetables are high in fiber, bulking your stool and limiting the amount of time waste spends in your colon, reducing your risk for colorectal cancers," she added.

At every meal, you should try to cover half your plate with colorful vegetables, and that can include frozen vegetables, which are affordable and ready-to-eat, Rosenfeld said.

Whole grain foods have high levels of fiber. When shopping for bread and cereal products, select those that list whole grain ingredients first.

"Try replacing white grains -- like white rice -- with whole grains or mixing the two together. Eating three servings, or about three ounces of whole grains a day, will not only increase fiber, but also B vitamins and important minerals, such as iron, zinc, copper and magnesium," Rosenfeld said.

Examples of whole grain products include whole wheat bread, barley, oats, quinoa, buckwheat, corn, brown rice and wild rice.

Legumes have lots of fiber and help keep your digestive tract healthy. "By regularly eating beans and lentils, you lower your risk for cancerous colon polyps (small growths)," Rosenfeld said. "Try substituting beans or lentils for meat twice a week or reducing meat in your recipes and add in legumes."

Put navy beans, chickpeas, fava beans, kidney beans, lentils, lima beans, black beans and cannellini beans on your grocery list, she suggested.

The next category is nuts and seeds, which "are the perfect foods," according to Rosenfeld. "Their fiber, healthy fat, phytochemicals, and antioxidants all have cancer-fighting properties. Try snacking on nuts or seeds instead of chips or pretzels. Natural nut and seed butters make a great dip for your favorite fruit. Mix in ground flax seeds or chia seeds into oatmeal."

It's also important include fresh or frozen fiber-rich fruit in your diet, she said in a hospital news release.

"Eat the rainbow when it comes to fruits," Rosenfeld recommended. "Try to eat one to two cups of fruit each day and mix up the colors. Each color fruit has a unique combination of nutrients with cancer-fighting properties. Fruit also has fiber, vitamins and minerals, and its natural sweetness helps you resist refined sugary treats without nutritional benefits."

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on colorectal cancer prevention.

SOURCE: Northern Westchester Hospital, news release, March 23, 2021

Read more:
The 5 Foods That Cut Your Odds for Colon Cancer - HealthDay News

If they can afford it, Twin Cities area renters now have access to apartment buildings with the kinds of amenities and features typically found in high-end houses and luxury resorts: Spas for people and dogs, apps that control everything from lights to package delivery and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces with chefs kitchens, firepits and big-screen TVs.

With pandemic worries unlikely to subside anytime soon, developers are now trying to woo renters with a perk that can't be seen: fresh air.

Several Twin Cities apartment buildings are being built and retrofit with a range of features that aim to help ease concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. From wider hallways to expensive high-tech ventilation systems, a handful of rental owners are incorporating health-focused features that can cost tens of thousands of dollars, but give them a competitive edge over other high-end apartment buildings.

"Air has always been this unseen commodity," said Patrick Crowe, a Twin Cities-area developer. "But we've become hyper aware of it since the pandemic."

Crowe had long planned to make the Quentin, a 79-unit apartment building that's under construction in St. Louis Park, a showcase for the latest sustainability and energy-efficiency features. Since the pandemic, he's doing even more.

The five-story building was designed to enable residents to live "net zero," meaning they won't consume more energy than is produced on site or purchased through solar and wind credits from Xcel Energy. Strategic placement of operable windows enable residents to take advantage of as much natural light as possible. The building will have supplemental smart LED lighting, smart thermostats and additional insulation to help withstand extreme temperatures.

Crowe said that since the onset of the pandemic, he has added other features. Common spaces were also adapted to facilitate social distancing, including wider corridors and indoor and outdoor areas that enable residents to gather safely. For $850 residents can upgrade to a catalytic air-cleaning system that kills bacteria and viruses and he has added energy-efficient elevators with an air-purification system that kills bacteria and viruses. He has also increased the size of those elevators to enable residents who are sharing a ride more space to keep their distance and to maximize air volume in elevators. He has also added stainless-steel interior surfaces to make them easier to clean.

And this week crews are installing a rooftop system that will continuously supply fresh air to the building. That's in contrast to more standard techniques that bring fresh air exchange into the units only when the individual heating and cooling systems are operating. And soon, crews will begin installing 85-kilowatt rooftop solar panels.

Crowe said the upgrades will add about 10% to the cost of the $22 million project, which includes eight income-restricted units for people who earn 50% of the area median income. Market-rate rents start at $1,460 for a studio unit.

Developing a "healthy" rental building stems from Crowe's interest in a building that's more energy efficient and sustainable than what's currently available for the market. And while he said the marketing potential of such features wasn't his primary motivation, he and other developers are constantly looking for ways to make their buildings stand out in an increasingly competitive market.

"People really want to know about the quality of their spaces they're living and working in," he said. "And now people are way more hypersensitive about it."

That includes renter Lauren Strahan, who said the focus on air quality in the building played a significant role in her decision to sign a lease in the building, which is currently preleasing and will open this summer.

"Since we are still in a pandemic I wanted to choose an apartment complex that provided outstanding air quality in order to continue to be as safe as possible," she said.

She said she was initially drawn to the building by its fitness facilities including the yoga studio, Peloton equipment and year-round spa area where she can relax after workouts.

"Initially I wasn't aware of the air quality being something that I should be concerned about," she said. "This year has really shined a light on the importance of a healthy living environment."

At the Viridium (Latin for "green") Apartments in the North Loop neighborhood in Minneapolis, Twin Cities-based Schafer Richardson lists "antimicrobial surfaces and materials" and an "air-cleaning ventilation system" among its amenities.

The building, which opens next month, is also pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. That includes meeting higher standards for indoor air quality, materials and sustainability.

Katie Anthony, director of development, said that in response to the pandemic, the company has also installed ionizers in Viridium's common areas, and in all other common areas in the company's portfolio.

The same is being done at most of the buildings that are owned and managed by Kelly Doran. At the Mill & Main Apartments across the Mississippi River from downtown Minneapolis, the company is finishing the installation of ozone-free ionizers in all common areas and are making them available for residents who pay an upcharge to have them installed directly into their apartment's heating and cooling systems.

"They're not cheap," Doran said. "But if a resident wants one, we add a little to the rent to help pay for it."

He said the company has also hired its own on-site cleaning staff rather than outsourcing it in an effort to do more regular cleaning, and he's bought electrostatic sprayers, which are used several times a week throughout each building in all common areas.

Pat Huelman, coordinator of the Cold Climate Housing Program at the University of Minnesota, said that with some exceptions the apartment industry hasn't embraced cutting-edge building science technologies that are more common in other sectors of the construction industry.

To date much of the focus has been on preventing the transmission of sound and smells between apartments. Now, more research is being done on preventing viruses and other contaminants being shared from one unit to the next.

"It wasn't one of their top priorities. It's a little more challenging and more expensive," Huelman said. "Getting them up quickly and at a very competitive price point with enough pizazz to catch eyeballs is what it's been about."

Jim Buchta 612-673-7376

Read more:
Amid virus, developers woo Twin Cities area renters with fresh air - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Provided by Prince William County

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, local Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers have served in Prince William County and the surrounding areas. MRC volunteers supportCOVID-19 testing sites and vaccination clinics, and educate the community on the best ways to prevent spreading and contracting the virus.

The MRC is a group of dedicated volunteers, who donate their time and talents to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies and promote healthy living throughout the year. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources.

Jeff Scheulen has volunteered with the MRC since April 2020. He began helping with testing, then moved on to help with the vaccination clinics. Jeff said, Im retired, and when I heard about MRC, which I never heard of before COVID, I realized there was a path for me to help out and support the community. My past career as a paramedic, thats what I did. I helped people.

Anyone can join the MRC; no medical experience is needed. Volunteers receive free training and participate in drills and exercises to prepare for emergencies. Volunteers must be over 18 and pass a criminal background check.

See the article here:
If Youre Passionate about Public Health, Volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps! - Prince William Living

February is Black History Month, a time designated to celebrate achievements by Black Americans and recognize their central role in U.S. history. LMH Health honors Black History Month by focusing on health equity and acknowledging our role as a health care provider.

Health equity has been an important consideration for LMH Health since its inception more than 100 years ago. As a non-profit community hospital providing more than $25 million in charitable care each year, investments in this area are meant to ensure that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health, including discrimination and implicit bias, lack of access to quality education and housing, and health care.

Though health disparities are a nationwide issue, they also can be seen in our local community. The Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health 2018 Health Equity Report showed disparities in health by income and education. In Douglas County, racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately impacted by their social determinants of health, such as availability of resources like safe housing and food, and access to job opportunities and healthcare. Residents with low income are also affected.

Providing equality means providing an equal opportunity for everyone, said Erica Hill, LMH Health director for Health Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. Though we strive for equality and understand its importance, equity fills the gaps that equality might not. For example, if you give two people a book but one cannot read, you provided them with equal resources but one cannot gain the knowledge the other can. Similarly, when it comes to healthcare, it is important as an organization that we do our part to ensure health safety and equity to our patients and community every day.

The CDC reports that one in three deaths in the UnitedStates is due to cardiovascular disease. People of all ages, genders, races and ethnicities are affected. However, certain groupsincluding Black Americans and older individualsare at higher risk than others.

As part of LMH Healths commitment to better serve all populations in our community, the hospital named Erica Hill as the new director of health equity, inclusion and diversity.

Hill is currently the director of finance and strategic initiatives at LMH Health Foundation and will continue to serve in that role alongside her new position. Over the past few years, she has worked to increase education and programming around health equity, inclusion and diversity at LMH Health and around the community.

Hill leads the LMH Health Equity Advancement Team, which focuses on addressing health disparities.

LMH Healths purpose is a partner for lifelong health, said Hill. Through the work of our Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisors and the Health Equity Advancement Team, we are affirming our commitments to this purpose by providing the infrastructure needed to educate, innovate and advance efforts designed to eliminate health and healthcare disparities.

We continue intentionally collaborating with our LMH Health colleagues and community partners to ensure everyone in our community has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. We want everyone to feel a sense of belonging when they come to LMH Health, said Hill.

LMH Health and the LMH Health Foundation are building programs to help bridge the health equity gap. LMH Health President and CEO Russ Johnson believes this work is integral to the hospitals role as a partner in lifelong health.

Eighty percent of health is determined by social factorswhere you live, how much money you make, said Johnson. The single best predictor of life expectancy is zip code, and in Lawrence, adjacent zip codes have an eight-year discrepancy in life expectancy. As the largest safety net organization in our community, LMH Health must extend its work into more areas that can affect the health of our patients.

Race and ethnicity is central to health, as diseases like cancer can affect individuals differently. For example, Black women are nearly twice as likely as white women to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer and are much more likely than white women to die from breast cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Over the past two years, LMH Health has hosted several workshops on implicit biasthe unintentional, unconscious stereotypes or automatic assessments that we all make about people whose backgrounds differ from our own. These workshops, featuring Dr. Jabraan Pasha, discussed when implicit bias occurs among doctors, educators and other professionals, the results can have a direct impact on our community.

The LMH Health Foundation has provided funding to advance health equity and reduce disparities. In 2020, LMH Health Foundation created a new Health Equity Advancement Fund, which supports various health equity initiatives at the hospital. To contribute to this fund, please visit lmh.org/donate.

Working for the LMH Health Foundation, I see firsthand how philanthropy has an impact on health outcomes, Hill said. We have donors that are willing to bridge the gap and create an opportunity for others to be healthy. Because of their generosity we are able to provide mammogram certificates for anyone who cannot afford one. We also have our help and healing fund that helps support our patients who may not be receiving be able to afford certain medical expenses themselves, this fund also helps our providers ensure their patients stay on the path to healthy living and safe healing.

LMH Health Foundation, through funds raised via the oncology fundraiser Rock the Block Kick Cancer, offers mammogram certificate to cover the costs of mammograms, breast biopsies, and prostate screenings. To learn how you can receive a certificate, please call LMH Health Patient Accounts at 785-505-5775.

In order to advance health equity in our community we must work together, Hill said.

View original post here:
The Importance of Working Together to Advance Health Equity - LMH Health

A UK health agency has analysed cities across the world and come up with a definitive ranking of the top places to live.

Two Australian cities feature prominently in the list, coming in second and 11th place, out of 44 cities.

The Healthy Lifestyles Cities Report used ten markers to decide if a city lent itself to health living.

In each city, researchers looked at the cost of a bottle of water, the pollution index score, how many outdoor activities were available, the number of takeaway restaurants, the cost of a monthly gym membership, the number of sunshine hours and the annual average hours worked.

To get a better idea of the city, they also examined the obesity levels, life expectancy and happiness levels of the country as a whole.

Netherlands capital city Amsterdam was a clear winner, with manageable obesity levels, more than 400 outdoor activities and the third highest happiness index.

In second place came Sydney, almost topping the charts with its sunshine hours, at 2636 hours.

However, Sydney wasnt as good as Amsterdam in terms of its annual average work hours - Sydney-siders work around 33 hours per week, while Dutch citizens work around 27 hours a week.

Melbourne came in 11th place, with a small amount of pollution and a relatively cheap gym membership - $66 a month.

Other European cities ranked highly, with Vienna, Stockholm and Copenhagen ranking third, fourth and fifth respectively.

In last place was Mexico City, in Mexico, with a low life expectancy, at 76 years, and also with high rates of pollution.

The research did not take each citys handling of the coronavirus into account.

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Sydney and Melbourne named in international Healthy Lifestyles Cities Report among best cities in the world - 7NEWS.com.au

National Review

Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic representative from Hawaii, on Friday expressed concern that a proposed measure to combat domestic terrorism could be used to undermine civil liberties. Gabbards comments came during an appearance on Fox News Primetime when host Brian Kilmeade asked her if she was surprised theyre pushing forward with this extra surveillance on would-be domestic terror. Its so dangerous as you guys have been talking about, this is an issue that all Democrats, Republicans, independents, Libertarians should be extremely concerned about, especially because we dont have to guess about where this goes or how this ends, Gabbard said. She continued: When you have people like former CIA Director John Brennan openly talking about how hes spoken with or heard from appointees and nominees in the Biden administration who are already starting to look across our country for these types of movements similar to the insurgencies theyve seen overseas, that in his words, he says make up this unholy alliance of religious extremists, racists, bigots, he lists a few others and at the end, even libertarians. She said her concern lies in how officials will define the characteristics they are searching for in potential threats. What characteristics are we looking for as we are building this profile of a potential extremist, what are we talking about? Religious extremists, are we talking about Christians, evangelical Christians, what is a religious extremist? Is it somebody who is pro-life? Where do you take this? Gabbard said. She said the proposed legislation could create a very dangerous undermining of our civil liberties, our freedoms in our Constitution, and a targeting of almost half of the country. You start looking at obviously, have to be a white person, obviously likely male, libertarians, anyone who loves freedom, liberty, maybe has an American flag outside their house, or people who, you know, attended a Trump rally, Gabbard said. The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2021 was introduced in the House earlier this week in the aftermath of rioting at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month that left five dead. Unlike after 9/11, the threat that reared its ugly head on January 6th is from domestic terror groups and extremists, often racially-motivated violent individuals, Representative Brad Schneider (D., Ill.) said in a statement announcing the bipartisan legislation. America must be vigilant to combat those radicalized to violence, and the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act gives our government the tools to identify, monitor and thwart their illegal activities. Combatting the threat of domestic terrorism and white supremacy is not a Democratic or Republican issue, not left versus right or urban versus rural. Domestic Terrorism is an American issue, a serious threat the we can and must address together, he said.

Continue reading here:
2021 healthy living tips with DJ Blatner and ALDI - Yahoo News

Everyone wants to be well, however, many dont understand what it takes to be well, said Dr. Rocourt. I spend a lot of time with my patients educating them on the importance of a healthy dietand nutrition, combined with remaining active.

Making healthy choices is often made more difficult, culturally speaking, while so many of our family traditions how we eat and how we prepare meals are heavily influenced by how we were raised. However, the importance of making proper food choices cannot be overstated when treating or living with diabetes, she continued.

Dr. Charles Croft, a Melbourne interventional cardiologist affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, agrees that reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke requires controlling risk factors. This means choosing not to smoke, limiting alcohol consumption, eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise and sleep, working to control high blood pressure and diabetes, decreasing weight if needed, and monitoring cholesterol.

Regular checkups with the dentist and annual checkups with health care providers are another important tool in the fight to stay healthy.

Its encouraging to see that more and more African Americans are taking a proactive approach in their healthcare, while working to understand disease onset and how to manage life after a diagnosis.

While socioeconomic hardships still persist, through education and understanding how lifestyle choices and adjustments can positively influence health outcomes, we are seeing patients take an active role in their health, Croft said.

African Americans are widely insured, both through private and federal programs, and plans like the Affordable Care Act have opened inroads to access that previously did not exist.

Knowledge is strength and patients know this dictum. They are increasingly informed, intelligent and well-balanced with their treatment options and this contributes to better patient outcomes, added Dr. Croft.

See the rest here:
Addressing the Health Concerns of African Americans - SpaceCoast Living

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The start of a new year is often coupled with self-reflection and the desire to adopt healthy lifestyle choices, but this year prioritizing health takes on greater meaning as people look to boost their immune system and prevent illnesses. Holistic health and immunity against common colds go hand in hand according to U.S. National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine, healthy individuals should make sure to maintain their immune system to lower the incidence of infection, lessen severity of symptoms, shorten duration of colds, which suggests that regular supplementation could be encouraged for preventing and treating their colds. Nicole Avena, Ph.D., nutrition expert and author of Why Diets Fail, provides recommendations to boost immunity through nutrition, lifestyle changes, and supplementation which can easily be incorporated into ones daily health and wellness routine.

This year, functional nutrition and holistic health will be big whether it is using food as medicine or making diet and lifestyle changes for preventative wellness and increased immunity, says Avena. Depending on what those goals are, whether its fitness improvement or stress reduction, nutritional solutions are available through various foods, vitamins, and supplements that can specifically assist in attaining both holistic health and immune system support.

Below, Dr. Avena recommends ways to support the immune system and reveals how nutrients play a role in immune system functionality and mood regulation.

It is important to consult with your healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplement or changing your diet in a drastic way. Holistic health is a preventative measure and while specific goals can be important benchmarks to make implementing health and lifestyle routines that are manageable and promote overall wellness can help you achieve your goals while also making lasting changes to your overall wellness, adds Avena.

More:
Dr. Nicole Avena Shares Nutrition Tips for Healthy Living in 2021 - Business Wire

Here we are, a week into a new month in, thank goodness, a new year. As the buzz from the holidays, sugar, and time off wans, I have to say it feels good to get back in the swing of things. Im a creature of habit. I love structure, routine and schedules. I know, I know. Maybe youre getting back into the swing of things, or you started 2021 with guns blazing, resolutions in hand, ready to go.

While Ive certainly shared that Im a lover of lists, resolutions Im not so big on. I dont do well with setting goals for myself and not completing them. Because of this I like to set mini goals, intentions if you will. If you made grandiose goals for 2021, by all means go for it. If youre like me or those goals are already starting to lose their luster, I thought Id share a few of the things Im doing in this new month and year to regain focus and reinforce healthy habits.

I went on a good old-fashioned grocery store haul. I had spinach, carrots, avocados, apples, beets, grapefruit, peppers, kraut, bananas, almond milk, brown rice, sprouted grain cinnamon raisin English muffins just to name a few healthy items in my cart Saturday. After one too many holiday treats my body, and I suspect yours, is probably craving produce. Dont adopt that diet mentality of skipping snacks and meals, living off diet soft drinks and air. Stock your fridge and pantry with produce and healthy items. Opening a well-stocked fridge with lovely fruits and veggies within reach is often the push you need, that and getting rid of some of the overly processed junk thats crowding your pantry and fridge.

Speaking of produce, I love salads. I pack a salad most every day for my lunch. During the holidays with time off and an abundance of yummy leftovers I fell out of that habit. My go to and the recipe Im sharing below takes minimal effort. Something you can throw together in five minutes. I love my salads with a serving of yummy whole grain crackers, fruit and a little bubbly courtesy of kombucha.

Packable Crunchy Detox Salad with Sesame Ginger DressingFrom the blog Eating Bird Food

1 1/2 cups kale and cabbage mix (can find a premade option or DIY)

1/3 cup bite-size apple chunks (about 1/2 an apple)

1 1/2 Tablespoons rice vinegar

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Instructions: Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Package salad ingredients in a portable container until ready for lunch. Toss greens with the toppings. Add sliced avocado and drizzle on the dressing. Add a squirt of sriracha if you like to spice things up a bit and enjoy.

I am hitting restart on my training program. I run almost every morning. Ive explained in this little space before that its not only my daily exercise but often my therapy. With a new job in 2020, which meant an earlier wake up time, COVID-19, canceling not only my precious morning runs with my girlfriends and any races I was training for, I fell into a comfortable pattern of just jogging a few miles a day. I havent been doing long runs, cross training, or challenging myself. Im optimistic the races I was training for and looking forward to last year will happen in 2021.

With optimism by my side its time for me to focus on following a training plan. This is by no means meant to make you feel like you should be training for a race. If you like to walk, jog or run, youve decided 2021 is your year to take up one of these good for you physical activities, or its been a minute, Id encourage you to follow a training plan as well. There are so many wonderful, free resources out there. Couch to 5k and Hal Higdon are two of my favorites, both free and great for all levels, training programs.

I am saying no to post holiday food guilt. In the past, Ive spent many a holiday season stressing and attempting to out-exercise my favorite treats. Skipping meals, saying no to my moms homemade Christmas candy, which I love, really just being miserable. Why? One homemade chocolate covered cherry isnt going to make me gain a pound and I am certain that neither myself or you have ever looked back on a Christmas and thought I wish I wouldnt have had that slice of grandmas pie.

One thing I have learned is to focus on making reasonably healthy choices throughout the day. Eating a filling and produce-heavy breakfast and lunch, running not to burn off my meal from the night before but because I love it and it makes me feel good. That salad or run will always be there. Time spent with loved ones, enjoying a beautiful meal will not.

Jessica Barnett is a Southwest Virginia girl married to a Greeneville native, a mom, personal trainer, certified fitness nutrition specialist, runner, herbivore and ice cream lover. To learn about working with Jessica, prospective clients may email jcbarnett616@gmail.com.

See the article here:
Love Your Health: Living With Intention In 2021 - Greeneville Sun

Healthy Kingsport began several years ago with a group of committed community members who saw the urgency associated with our communitys adverse health trends. The trends showed our community was moving in the wrong direction regarding obesity, physical activity and tobacco use. So, the group dedicated themselves to changing our communitys direction.

Healthy Kingsport evolved over the next few years into a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a community that actively embraces healthy living by promoting wellness, enhancing infrastructure and influencing policy.

Our work is accomplished by the Collective Impact Modela best practice for solving complex, pressing social issues. This model is designed around a backbone organization (Healthy Kingsport), which serves as the convener of many organizations working toward a common agenda with shared measurements, mutually reinforcing activities and continuous communication.

HealthFitness employs more than 3,000 health professionals across all 50 states. Each day, they work directly with participants to educate, encourage and engage them in caring for their health, similar to Healthy Kingsports efforts. Today, HealthFitness has the privilege of serving 160 clients many of them are employed at Eastman Chemical Co. in Kingsport.

HealthFitness help clients

and their employees by:

Building comprehensive programs that span wellness, fitness, recreation and injury prevention and treatment.

Managing the program on the employers behalf, integrating all their wellness programs into one seamless experience.

Engaging employees and meeting them where they need us most (onsite and online) helps them navigate their wellness journey.

HealthFitness is proud to serve as a sponsor for Healthy Kingsport, which shares our mission of making people healthier where they work, play and live, said program manager Jessica Shutter.

Today, Sullivan County ranks 32nd out of 95 Tennessee counties in the category of Health Outcomes with 24% of adults using tobacco and 38% of adults physically inactive.

These percentages reflect cultural norms that are higher than the national average and cause great concern for our families, friends and neighbors. While these pressing social problems cannot be solved in the near-term, much work is being done to positively impact these percentages and increase the health and well-being of those living in our community.

Healthy Kingsport expresses great appreciation to HealthFitness for supporting the important efforts around health and wellness taking root in Greater Kingsport. The commitments made by this business are yielding positive results for our family members, friends, and neighbors. The focus on health and wellness is also helping our community prosper as existing companies expand and new businesses locate here.

Again, many thanks for working to create a community that actively embraces healthy living!

Healthy Kingsport is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a community that actively embraces healthy living by promoting wellness, enhancing infrastructure and influencing policy.

Link:
Healthy Kingsport and HealthFitness | Family | timesnews.net - Kingsport Times News

By Mariana Batista, For The Bulletin| The Bulletin

The year 2020 is now gone, but we will experience its effects for months to come. It may seem discouraging to make resolutions for the New Year when uncertainty is still ahead, but the end of a year and the start of a new one gives us the motivation to renew our hope and start over.

It was a year of change, many imposed by the restrictions to contain the virus that caught everyone by surprise and demanded flexibility and aptitude to adapt quickly. But we also had the opportunity to rethink our priorities and how much time we should allocate for each area to improve our quality of life.

Prioritizing self-care and mental health will help you prepare for the challenges of 2021, also improving our resilience and well-being. How to start? Here are a few suggestions:

If things are still difficult to manage and affecting your ability to function, it's OK to look for professional help. And, remind yourself of the ebb and flow of life. Nothing is permanent and this too shall pass.

Mariana Batista is practice manager atUCFS Healthcare's New London office.

Read the original post:
Healthy Living: Set priorities to cope with uncertain year - Norwich Bulletin

Community

Have you broken your New Years resolution yet? If you have, you are not alone. Research shows nearly 80% of resolutions will ultimately be broken by the second week of February. No one intends to break their New Years resolutions but most of us will because it is a challenge to maintain new and sometimes unrealistic goals beyond January especially in the midst of a pandemic.

One common resolution that consumers make each and every year is to improve their health.According to research, 84% of all consumers are limiting the amount of sugar in their diet, and more than 70% of adults say sugar is the #1 ingredient they are most trying to cut down or avoid completely.

What can be done to make sure that you stick to your resolutions and dont break them this year? Mia Syn, Masters of Science in Human Nutrition (MS) from Columbia University, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist(RDN), knows the importance of healthy living and has come up with a list of health hacks to help people stick with their New Years resolutions.She offered tips and tricks to enjoy your favorite indulgences while doing so in a healthier manner.

Mia Syn, Masters of Science in Human Nutrition (MS) from Columbia University, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), is a national on-air nutrition expert, host of Good Food Friday on ABC News 4 and one of the most recognized and trusted young dietitians in the media.With more TV appearances than any other young nutritionist in the country, she has helped millions of viewers, readers and clients learn healthier, sustainable eating habits.

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New Years Resolutions: Easy to make, easier to break - NMLiving

Betty Lin-Fisher|Akron Beacon Journal

Riley Ickes didnt used to like going to school, but now the 16-year-old cant wait until her school gets back to in-person sessions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Riley thinks a lot of her Ellet High School classmates may not recognize her.

Shes nearly 100 pounds lighter than last March when classes went online at her heaviest 324 pounds. As of this week, she has lost 94 pounds and is still going, thanks to drastic changes in her lifestyle, including nearly daily exercise, diet and bariatric surgery.

More: Summit County Public Health gives drive-thru COVID-19 vaccinations

In September, Riley was one of the first patients to undergo bariatric surgery in a new program at Akron Childrens Hospital. The surgery is not for everyone, but for some patients who have medical conditions that make it difficult for them to lose weight it can be an option, said Dr. Marnie Wagner Walston, a pediatrician who specializes in pediatric obesity medicine and adolescent bariatric surgery.

Walston oversees the hospitals Healthy Active Living program, which provides evaluation and treatment for children and teens who are overweight. The team includes a physician, psychologist, certified nurse practitioner, dietitian and exercise physiologist.

Theres a common misconception that surgery is a quick fix or an easy way out and a patient doesnt have to work, said Walston, who graduated from Firestone High School in 2004.

Patients who want to undergo bariatric surgery still have an eight-to-nine-month process before starting surgery plans, she said.

We're working on healthy lifestyle changes. That might help a patient lose weight without even needing surgery. Thats the ideal situation, Walston said.

But statistics show that for most teens with severe obesity, theyre not going to be successful with behavioral and lifestyle changes alone, she said.

Riley said shes always struggled with her weight.

I've always been a lot bigger than everybody, she said. My mom would take me to different doctors to try to figure out what was going on.

At around age 14, she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, an imbalance of hormones, which can also cause fertility issues and obesity. She also had high cholesterol and was pre-diabetic.

Renee Ickes, Rileys mom, said: Shes always been active and shes a good eater but she doesnt eat any different than anyone else. She struggled her whole life and we just tried everything including gym memberships, dieticians and dance classes.

After the diagnosis, they were referred to the Healthy Active Living program.

Everything changed. They're amazing, said Renee.

Surgery was not initially brought up.

She tried all the options and the struggle was there. She just couldnt do it," said Renee Ickes. "The doctor brought it up to us. It took us a while to research and convince everyone it was the right thing.

Adolescent bariatric surgery came about in the 2000s. As procedures have improved, they have become minimally invasive done laparoscopically with minimal incisions and a one- to two-night hospital stay, said Dr. Mark Wulkan, the new chair of Childrens Department of Surgery.

You dont do the operation to be pretty for the prom;it's really about the health benefits, said Wulkan. People think its a cosmetic operation. This is an operation to help reverse a disease [obesity].

There are the same advantages for the patient of doing bariatric surgery in an adult and a teen, which include reducing health risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and liver disease, said Wulkan. But studies have shown that those risks are easier to reverse the younger you do the surgery, he said.

That makes the argument that maybe its not a last resort. Maybe its something we should be looking at and it's just one of the tools in your toolbox to treat being overweight," Wulkan said.

He arrived from Atlanta in August. Childrens had already been working on starting the bariatric surgery program before his arrival, but Wulkan, a general surgeon, has a special interest and expertise in bariatric surgery, which he has been performing since 2004. He and Dr. Scott Boulanger will perform the surgeries.

In order for a patient to qualify for bariatric surgery, several factors are considered, including whether the operation outweighs the medical risks and the patients body mass index (BMI) the relationship between height and weight.In addition, the patient must actively participate in a weight-management program for six months.

Even with that, Walston said, not all candidates ultimately have the surgery. There have been three completed (COVID-19 slowed things down) and about 21 patients are working toward surgery. About a quarter of those patients may not pursue surgery, she said.

The patients have to make lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, before the surgery to make those changes stick after surgery, Wulkan said.

In most pediatric cases, the surgery is a gastric sleeve, where 80 to 85 percent of the stomach is removed. That decreases the capacity of the stomach, so the patient gets full with less. The stomach also produces a hormone that makes you feel hungry. After the surgery, there is less of that hormone, so it decreases your appetite.

It works mechanically and hormonally, Wulkan said.

But that means the body also doesnt signal that it is hungry, Walston said, so patients have to learn how to eat smaller, healthier meals more often. The patients work with experts to make sure theyre eating appropriately and taking vitamins and mineral supplements to make sure there are no nutritional deficiencies.

Surgery helps you reduce the appetite. It's not the fix, said Walston. The surgery itself doesnt remove any weight from the body, but it gives you tools.

The surgerys benefits can be defeated if the patients dont make the lifestyle changes, including exercise and diet, she said.

Candidates for surgery tend to be in their teens, the doctors said, but the team will discuss with a younger patient and family if there is a reason to have the surgery.

"You want to be really thoughtful about the patients emotional ability, ability to be able to live with the implications and understand, Walston said.

Walston is happy that Akron-area adolescent patients have an option for the surgery. Before the hospitals program started, patients had to go to an adult hospital or another region, she said.

Riley enjoys planning and cooking her own meals. She also goes to work out every morning before coming home for online classes while Akron schools are still remote. Riley also works at Walmart after school.

Renee said she doesnt even worry about Riley and her eating habits now.

This kid carries a cooler around with her with chicken. She has her produce and her proteins and she is like an expert in reading all of the labels," Renee said.

Riley is excited to go back to school in person, but concerned about how to keep up the good exercise schedule she's established before school and work.

Her goal weight is 165. Doctors told her shed lose about 75 pounds right after surgery. Shes already exceeded that, and as of this week has lost 94 pounds at 229 pounds.

Her close friends have seen her, but there are a bunch of friends I havent seen since school had let out last March. I dont know what theyre going to say. I'm kind of excited about that.

Shes also excited to get involved with school activities.

With my size, I wasnt comfortable to do anything. I didnt want to. But now if we were back in school, Id probably get into more activities and do more stuff, she said.This week, she ran into her high school band director, who had to do a double-take before he recognized her.

Overall, I feel great. I've never felt this happy with myself, said Riley. She also no longer has high cholesterol and is no longer considered pre-diabetic.

I dont stress out so much. I used to be so concerned when everyone would look at me when I would do something. Now I dont care, and I'm a lot more comfortable with myself.

Riley is especially excited for the day when she can go to Cedar Point and get on a ride. She had avoided until now because she was afraid she wouldnt fit.

Rileys weight-loss journey has changed her career desires. She had been interested in interior design, but now after I went through the clinic and what they do, it really inspired me to want to do that for the kids. She is interested in maybe being a child life advocate or some type of job to work with kids struggling with weight.

Rileys dad, Ron, said it was hard to watch his daughter struggle with her weight and not want to be involved in activities at school.

"With this surgery and the progress shes made, it just totally changed her mental state of mind. I'm starting to see that go-get attitude, he said. For her now to be able to jump in and commit to... taking a hold of nutrition and the routine of the gym, it blows me away to see that.

It's like I have a new daughter, he said.

Beacon Journal staff reporter Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or http://www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ To see her most recent stories and columns, go to http://www.tinyurl.com/bettylinfisher

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'I've never felt this happy with myself': Akron bariatric teen patient finds new lifestyle - Akron Beacon Journal

BALTIMORE (WJZ) The New Year is traditionally a time when people start to try living a new healthy lifestyle. In the middle of a pandemic, doctors say thats more important than ever.

Molly Bell is taking advantage of the warmer than average January temperatures.

Staying sane, trying to find a little fresh air, a little exercise, Bell said.

Something doctors said we all should be doing as we find ourselves stuck at home.

The quarantine 15 is not a joke. Its very, very real, said Dr. Elizabeth Dovec.

Dr. Dovec is the director of Greater Baltimore Medical Centers comprehensive obesity management program. She said the coronavirus is even more of a reason to get your health and weigh under control.

If you do get the virus youll have a better outcome with the virus, youll have a faster and easier recovery without the necessity of hospitalization for other respiratory support and that sort of thing, Dr. Dovec said.

But living a healthier lifestyle can be easier said than done, and the ever-changing world of fad diets and workouts only adds to the confusion.

There is a lot of misinformation out there online which makes it difficult to know what to follow and some of the things out there are dangerous, she said.

Dr. Dovec said its about starting healthy habits like eating three meals a day that are high in protein.

When you skip breakfast and lunch its going to make you crave things that are higher energy source which are higher in glucose and higher in sugar which is the reason we gain weight, she said.

Exercise is also important, and finding the right activity is key to sticking with it.

Right now with the gyms, I understand that a lot of people are still anxious but as you can hopefully you can just look at things online, do a virtual class. Take a walk with a friend just do something creative that you will actually enjoy and hopefully stick with, Dr. Dovec said.

Experts said the hardest part of starting a healthy lifestyle is getting the ball rolling. So, find an activity you like, do some meal prepping and get going.

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Though The Pandemic Can Make It More Difficult To Live Healthy Lifestyle, Doctors Say Its More Important Than Ever - CBS Baltimore

Is a houseshare the right choice? (Picture: Getty)

Trying to rent in London is hard enough, but having mental health issues makes things trickier.

There is a lot to consider. Is it better to live alone and not see people for several days on end when you are having a downward spiral, or to have a flatmate who can give you a gentle nudge to go out for a walk or who you can at least sit and watch TV with?

Do you crave contact or are you happy being by yourself? Is it good for those of us with mental health issues to spend so much time by ourselves?

One study found that those who live alone have an 80% higher chance of having depression than those who live with other people.

But it could be either that those who are depressed are more likely to want to live alone or that living alone isnt good for our mental wellbeing.

Psychotherapist Somia Zaman tells Metro.co.uk that it is indeed possible for issues to develop from solo renting.

She says: Many people respond to making decisions based on feeling and not need. For many the comfort of isolation and the known environment, despite perpetuating their loneliness, becomes a feeling of safety which is why building a routine is important and is practiced in some therapies as a possible way to move forward.

There is no one right way of living, whether its alone or with a group of friends, family or strangers that will cause mental health issues or exasperate them but humans are physiologically designed to live amongst one another so complete isolation isnt recommended.

Those who chose to live alone arent necessarily more emotionally stable, these people most likely have strong family and friendship support networks.

There is also a difference between living alone and being lonely but there is also a difference between being alone through choice or necessity. The latter weighs more heavily on many.

Katy James, Chartered Psychologist at Vita Health Group, says: The experience someone has living with others can depend on whether the person chose to live with those people, whether they are friends or strangers and also what mental health issues they struggle with.

For example, someone with social anxiety may prefer to live alone and feel better during the pandemic because they are relying on avoidance circles but as things start to become normal again, they will find it harder to break this cycle.

Its better to try not to avoid things youre scared of, managing them instead (potentially through therapy) is a better way to move forward.

Living with others while struggling with depression can help and be used as a motivator. However, it can feel like an added pressure to be social when you arent at a capacity to be. Living with others can come with expectation, our expectations of others and theirs of us which need to be managed.

But for those specifically living with depression, Katy says that generally they can benefits from living with others.

Tahmina, who in the past has struggled with anxiety, said: Ive lived alone and with people but prefer to live with people. When Ive been too anxious, I feel like Ive been pulled back by having to contribute to those around me whether its a casual conversation or house chores.

Sahina, who struggles with depression, anxiety and PTSD, added: Living with a housemate wasnt something I thought would help my mental health as in my head I sought solitude, and space to work through my issues.

In the last year, having a friend and housemate by my side when rock bottom hit, has actually helped in bringing me back up. In making me feel like Im not alone, in coping with the things I struggle with, and just lending support and strength and distractions when I needed it most, often when I didnt realise I needed it at all.

Others feel having their own space is much more beneficial, like Sarah, who says: I was extremely depressed and suicidal as a student, both during undergrad and postgrad.

Living alone helps me now as I can withdraw and give myself the care I need, but at the lowest point of my depression I was terrified of disappearing into myself, and clutched desperately at any company that would anchor me to life.

Rachel, 32, who suffers from depression, anxiety and complex PTSD adds: While living with flatmates I felt constantly on edge with people I didnt know and trust. I felt unsafe where I lived because there were strangers around this wasnt a reflection of the people I lived with but my mental health.

I felt like I needed to hide from them if I was having a bad time and struggled with things. I didnt want to disclose all my mental health stuff to justify not helping with chores.

When making decisions on living with others, Dr Rachel Sumner, from the University of Gloucestershire, says we should consider how we feel about ourselves and whether we can confront and address situations

Coping with these conflicts has been more difficult during the pandemic. People who would diffuse or disable the situation with an angry walk around the block to cool off or trip to the post office, lost this during lockdown.

Chloe, who struggled with severe depression and generalised anxiety says: I was living in quite cramped shared houses, and I found that when I was really low or my anxiety was really high I would shut myself in my bedroom and avoid being in communal spaces.

This had a significant impact on how I ate, and resulted in a lot of quick dinners, ready meals or takeout, which I dont imagine did my mental or physical health a great deal of help.

This was a big motivator for me in moving out on my own, which I did four years ago. I found the experience quite transformative, while living alone wasnt the only thing that helped me recover, it did help me to set healthy boundaries about being in my bedroom which in turn helped to improve my sleep and it helped me to take command over my nutrition by spending more time in the kitchen.

Its a really deeply personal thing. But for me moving out on my own was a really key part of recovery.

Ultimately, the decision is based on what works for each individual.While some crave company, others need space and we need to balance what helps each of us most.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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What is better for your mental health - living alone or with others? - Metro.co.uk

The Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) on Saturday organized an all-women cyclathon to promote a healthy lifestyle and creating awareness on breast cancer, with partnering civil society organizations, KRIAA Foundation and Commissionerate of Police.

The rally formed part of the observance birth anniversary of the father of the nation-Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

The cyclathon started at 7.05 am from Sishu Bhawan Square and culminated there at 7.50 am by passing through Janpath, Exhibition Ground Road, Sachivalaya Marg and Udhayn Marg. The participants are from Rama Devi Womens University and Kamala Nehru Womens College, respectively.

The event was presided by Director Acharya Harihar Post-Graduate Institute of Cancer, Cuttack Professor Dr Lalatendu Sadangi. Leading surgeon and Professor and HOD of Surgical Oncology in AIIMS Bhubaneswar Dr Madhabananda Kar joined as the guest of honour. General Manager Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited Kamaljit Das and founder of KRIAA Foundation Lili Jenamani also spoke on the occasion.I am very happy to participate in the event in which we all participants used the Mo Cycle and enjoyed the ride. With the city providing a beautiful atmosphere to the cyclists, we all enjoyed the event, said

The event was well-organised to provide a unique platform and the awareness of a prominent health issue of women. We also got an opportunity to check the cycling infrastructure of the city and found that it is very much citizen-friendly, observed another woman participant Muzda Taliha.

Bhubaneswar has developed a good city-wide facility for cycles and pedestrian ways so that the emissions are less and citizens enjoy a healthy environment to breathe in the fresh air with fewer pollutants and particulate matter in the neighbourhood air. The city has relied on its non-motorized transport (NMT) planning to make it more livable, the officials claimed.

We are committed to providing better and healthy living conditions and facilities for citizens so that the clean and green tag of Bhubaneswar would be seen translated to reality in every zone and subzones to make it a wonderful place to live in, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited Sri Sanjay Kumar Singh said while speaking on the occasion.

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All-women cyclathon to promote healthy lifestyle and breast cancer awareness - The Statesman

As a leader in the field of integrative medicine,Dr. Andrew Weil has mastered the secrets of living a good life.

By following his own five pillars of optimal health: eating right, exercising, neutralizing stress, maintaining social and intellectual connectivity and attending to spiritual well-being, at age 78 he is proof that healthy aging is possible.

To help others embrace healthier lives, Dr. Weil shares his philosophy on his website, drweil.com, which is the leading online resource for healthy living based on the principles of integrative medicine, and through his 15 bestselling health and wellness books.

On his website, Dr. Weil notes how he learned his family has some genetic factors that put him at an increased risk of heart disease. His father had a mild heart attack at the age of 49, and later two coronary bypass surgeries. He lived to the age of 81. Dr. Weils paternal grandfather died of a heart attack at 50, and his paternal grandmother also had coronary artery disease and angina.

Knowing he couldnt counteract his genetics, Dr. Weil chose to address the cardiac risk factors he could control, such as adopting a pesco-vegetarian diet (eating fish, along with a vegetarian diet), exercising daily, working to reduce stress, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He says that implementing these changes have resulted in good heart health.

And while Dr. Weil, who has graced the cover of Time magazine twice, endorses making healthy resolutions, he also cautions against setting unrealistic goals.

One of the biggest mistakes people make with New Years resolutions is trying to do everything all at once, says Dr. Weil. Rather than setting too many expectations, I encourage pursuing smaller, realistic goals.

While conventional medicine treats chronic conditions with prescription medications, Dr. Weil, who trained at Harvard Medical School in Boston, explains that integrative medicine combines conventional medicine with natural and less invasive treatments, and looks at the whole person while emphasizing nutrition, lifestyle, naturopathic therapies (including herbs, massage and acupuncture), spirituality, and the mind-body connection.

According to Dr. Weil, good nutrition plays an important role in integrative medicine. Since processed and manufactured foods can lead to chronic inflammation, a contributor to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer and other health conditions, Dr. Weil recommends following an anti-inflammatory diet consisting of lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, plant-based proteins, fatty fish and fresh herbs and spices.

An anti-inflammatory diet, basedon the Mediterranean diet, can help usall age gracefully and delay the onset of age-related disease and discomfort, Dr. Weil says.

For those who want to eat healthier in the new year, Dr. Weil recommends making one change at a time.

My top recommendation is to give up sweetened drinks of all kinds soda, sweetened teas and coffees, energy drinks and fruit juices, he advises. Consuming these sugary drinks can lead to weight gain, and an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

In place of sugary coffee or tea drinks Dr. Weil is a fan of traditional matcha, a powdered green tea known to have many health benefits that he discovered while on a trip to Japan. He went on to launch a company, MatchaKari with Andr Fasciola, selling high-quality matcha.

Matcha is a good anti-inflammatory coffee alternative and an important part of my morning ritual, Dr. Weil says, adding that it has been shown to help with anxiety, reduce cholesterol levels, and stabilize blood sugar.

In his book, 8 Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Bodys Natural Healing Power, he offers specific and detailed information on other ways that diet, supplements, vitamins, herbs and other integrative medicine practices can lead to better overall health.

Small dietary changes can have a big impact and result in lasting change, Dr. Weil says. The basic principles of following an anti-inflammatory eating plan arent hard, but they do require shopping and preparing your own foods.

In his cookbook, Fast Food, Good Food: More Than 150 Quick and Easy Ways to Put Healthy, Delicious Food on the Table, he shares recipes that incorporate anti-inflammatory foodsand are also easy to prepare, healthy,and delicious.

Some of the unhealthiest foods are the cheapest and the most readily available, Dr. Weil says. I work to show peoplethat healthy meals can taste good and be easy to prepare.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in Weils True Food Kitchen restaurants, where the seasonal menus are guided by his anti-inflammatory food pyramid. True Food Kitchen currently has more than 30 restaurants nationwide, including their Town Center at Boca Raton location.

Eating healthy doesnt mean giving up the foods you like, Dr. Weil says, citing his restaurants healthy pizza entrees, family meals and decadent desserts as evidence. It means reducing the percentage of animal foods in your diet and incorporating more fresh produce and healthy dietary fats, such as olive oil, into your meals.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle canbe challenging even during the best of times, but with the COVID-19 pandemic,Dr. Weil says the uncertainty of the virus has added a layer of anxiety for many.

When people are feeling stressedor anxious, I recommend practicing the4-7-8 breath, he explains. Taking these five simple steps will put you in a more relaxed state.

Dr. Weil starts his own morning with meditation, followed by this 4-7-8 breathing exercise:

In addition, Dr. Weil says regular exercise is also an important part of emotional wellness and can help prevent and ease depression. One of his favorite integrative exercises is walking. He also enjoys swimming and working in the garden at his Tucson home.

I recommend 30 minutes of brisk walking five days a week, he noteson his website. In addition, I alsorecommend a strength or resistance training program using free weights or weight machines to strengthen and tone your muscles and increase the density of your bones.

He also offers additional free tools to help people maintain their health and wellness, boost immunity, and manage anxiety and stress during the pandemic on his website for the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

The center, which opened in 1994,trains healthcare professionals in evidence-based, integrative medicine practices. Dr. Weil says his goal is to one day see integrative medicine taught as part of the standard curriculum at medical schools across the country.

Weve instructed over 2,000 physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in a wide variety of specialty areas and currently have a waiting list for our medical fellowship program, says Dr. Weil who serves as the centers director. Our website, awcim.arizona.edu, allows consumers to search our alumni directory to locate an integrative medicine practitioner in their area.

The center is currently in the process of constructing a new, 34,000-square-foot building that is expected to be completed by 2022.

Over the past 30 years, Dr. Weil has seen the practice of integrative medicine, which promotes prevention and the bodys natural ability to heal itself, evolve. Today, the practice has become more mainstream and continues to grow in popularity among both consumers and practitioners. He says he believes integrative medicine is the future of healthcare.

More people are taking prescription medications than ever before and this is cause for concern, Dr. Weil says. Americans now take 10 times as many prescription medications as they did in the 1950s and many are overused and misused.

All too often, Dr. Weil says, prescription medications simply reduce symptoms without addressing the root cause of disease.

Many other interventions exist that dont involve prescription drugs, but sadly, they arent taught in medical school, Dr. Weil notes on his website. When I write a treatment plan for a patient, my first recommendations always include food, what not to eat, what to eat more of, and what dietary changes to make to improve health.

According to Dr. Weil, an anti-inflammatory diet can improve health conditions such as allergies, asthma and other health conditions to the point where medication can often be reduced and in some cases, eliminated. In his book, Mind Over Meds: Know When Drugs Are Necessary, When Alternatives Are Better - and When to Let Your Body Heal on Its Own, he takes a deep dive into the problems of overmedication and integrative medicine approaches to treat health conditions such as high blood pressure, allergies, depression and more.

With integrative medicine, patients and practitioners are partners in their health and healing, Dr. Weil says. By working with a practitioner trained in integrated medicine, patients can develop a lifelong wellness practice.

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Living Weil - The Boca Raton Observer

Dr. Chris Mulvey, Special to The News-Press Published 3:46 p.m. ET March 29, 2021 | Updated 3:10 p.m. ET April 1, 2021

Dr. Chris Mulvey(Photo: Special to The News-Press)

National Doctors Day is Tuesday, March 30. Its traditionally a time when those within the health care community will recognize the physicians on their team. However, the holiday isnt largely celebrated outside of hospitals, clinics and medical offices.

After the past year, though, the entire nation the world, for that matter should honor those who keep us healthy and living longer.

Doctors sacrifice a large part of their 20s for college, medical school and their residencies. They often go deep into debt to pay for their training. They work long hours and weekends, understanding there is no such thing as being off duty. The field of medicine is constantly evolving, so doctors must continuously study new research, innovations and trends.

Throughout the pandemic, its been encouraging to see the community praise all health care workers. Doctors and nurses certainly deserve credit, along with physician assistants, paramedics, nursing assistants, radiology techs, billing clerks and others. The medical community works together to ensure our entire community is healthy and safe.

All doctors appreciate a simple thank you from patients, but praise isnt the goal. They want their patients to be healthy. In honor of National Doctors Day, I would love to see everyone make these three commitments going forward:

Follow-up: Many individuals see a doctor if theyre in pain or sick. Patients may need to undergo surgery, take prescription medication or see a physical therapist. When theyre done with the required treatment, though, few patients reconnect with their doctors. We assume youre OK, but never know for sure. Its important to know that your condition has improved, but we also use that information to help guide our recommendations for future patients.

Keep annual visits: Health insurance companies cover annual visits to primary care physicians and dentists because early detection and prevention are keys to good health. Its also important to visit an OBGYN or urologist, dermatologist, optometrist, otolaryngologist and physical therapist at least once a year. Just because you feel fine doesnt mean you have a clean bill of health. Our bodies are like vehicles we run through potholes, over speedbumps and constantly speed up and slow down. After a while, it begins to take a toll. A good mechanic, or doctor, can diagnose issues under the hood.

Treat yourself right: Continuing with the vehicle analogy, its hard to drive a million miles without getting some dents and scratches. We also cant expect to go through life without getting a few dings on our bodies. Its important to prioritize physical fitness, which includes strength and endurance exercises. Its equally important to eat healthy foods like vegetables, lean meats and fruits, and avoid junk food and saturated fats. A third component is a healthy lifestyle, which includes getting ample sleep, not smoking and managing stress levels.

Dr. Chris Mulvey, PT, is president for company clinics at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, which has more than 400 locations in 45 states. For more information, please visit FYZICAL.com.

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Guest opinion: Celebrating the doctors that keep us healthy, living longer - News-Press

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- G.O.A.T. Fuel today announces a new retail-partnership with GNC, who will be featuring the brand's line of health-focused energy drinks in select locations across the United States. G.O.A.T. Fuel , developed by NFL Hall of Famer and the greatest wide receiver of all time, Jerry Rice, is offered in four unique flavors and consists of a host of healthy ingredients, now available for purchase at the renowned health and nutrition mecca.

G.O.A.T Fuel, an organic energy drink developed by NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, is now available in select GNC stores

G.O.A.T. Fuel is a family-operated business co-founded by Rice, who serves as Executive Chairman. The drink is uniquely powered by cordyceps mushrooms, which provide athletes and beverage enthusiasts alike with increased oxygen performance and a clean boost of energy. Bolstered by natural caffeine and green tea to propel consumers, as well as BCAAs and 10 essential vitamins to improve recovery, the beverage features zero sugar and zero preservatives. The end result is sustained energy enjoyed by hip-hop mogul Snoop Dogg, NFL Legend Deion Sanders, NBA rising star Tyler Herro, and many more.

"GNC is one of the world's leading brands in sports nutrition (or health and fitness) which makes them the perfect partner for G.O.A.T Fuel," Rice said. "I'm very passionate about what I put into my body and share the same core values and beliefs as GNC to inspire others to Live Well by consuming health-forward products like G.O.A.T Fuel. We can't wait to bring G.O.A.T Fuel to the world and motivate our community to become the greatest of all time."

It hits shelves this week at GNC, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based American company selling health and nutrition related products since 1935. It has grown to encompass nearly 2,500 stores, and serves as a revered resource for athletes and health enthusiasts throughout the country.

"GNC is thrilled to partner with Jerry Rice and the G.O.A.T. Fuel team to provide our consumers with the clean boost of energy they need to reach peak performance and work towards their wellness goals. For us, it's not just about the results of a product, it's also about what's inside and we're confident through G.O.A.T. Fuel's unique, healthy ingredients that we're delivering the highest standards of quality and efficacy to our consumers. G.O.A.T. Fuel aligns with our commitment to help our local communities and help people around the world Live Well," said Josh Burris, President, GNC.

G.O.A.T. Fuel is available in Blueberry Lemonade, Tropical Berry, Peach Pineapple, and Pink Candy and can be purchased at GNC.com, goatfuel.com and in select GNC stores nationwide, visit goatfuel.com to find the store nearest to you.

###

About G.O.A.T. Fuel

Greatest of all time with health-living in mind developed by NFL Hall of Famer, Jerry Rice. Greatness is a lifestyle and our mission is to provide consumers with health-forward products and a lifestyle that fuels their pursuit of greatness in whatever they do. Our energy drink has a proprietary blend of cordyceps mushrooms, 200 mg of natural caffeine, green tea with EGCG, ginger, amino acids and 10 essential vitamins. Visit http://www.goatfuel.com.

About GNC Holdings, LLC

GNC Holdings, LLC is a leading global health and wellness brand that provides high quality science-based products and solutions consumers need to live mighty, live fit, live long and live well. The brand touches consumers worldwide by providing its products and services through company-owned retail locations, domestic and international franchise locations, digital commerce and strong wholesale and retail partnerships across the globe. GNC's diversified, multi-channel business model has worldwide reach and a well-recognized, trusted brand. By combining exceptional innovation, product development capabilities and an extensive global distribution network, GNC manages a best in class product portfolio.

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G.O.A.T. Fuel partners with GNC to bring health-focused energy drink nationwide - WFMZ Allentown