Healthy Bites
In this post, you’ll find a collection of bite-sized bits of information on staying healthy. Use any or all of them to start a conversation on the subjects of these notes.
Close Relationships — with family, friends, or even pets — do seem to pay off in terms of good health and longevity. Although no one knows exactly how or why social ties affect health, studies have shown that social support is crucial and can even influence survival among patients with very serious diseases.
Researchers discover more and more the benefit effects of aspirin. It reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes by preventing platelets from clumping, thereby reducing the chances that blood clots will form and clog blood vessels. It reduces the risks of colon, esophageal, and lung cancers. It may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. A simple dose of 1/2 tab a day is all that’s recommended by doctors. Teens and children should not take aspirin.
Looking for healthy gift ideas for the athlete in your life? Try chocolate, and if it’s a good dark variety, with at least 70 percent cocoa, it really is a healthy treat. Chocolate is a source of polyphenols, the same kinds of antioxidants found in red wine and green tea. The fat it contains is mostly stearic acid, which doesn’t raise cholesterol levels. Other wonderful healthy gifts for that special someone are flowers, a massage, and music. Music is always a hit for the soul, either to revive or relax.
Are you getting enough water? Most people don’t. We all need 64 ounces daily - the equivalent of two quarts or eight 8-ounce glasses of water. If you find drinking that much water hard to do, substitute highly diluted fruit juice, herbal tea or a well-watered down sports drink. See our article about drinking water under training tips.
If you cut down on foods of animal origin, as it is recommend by doctors, you may need to take supplemental zinc, since vegetables and fruits provide little of this important nutrient. The best vegetarian sources are legumes (dried beans, garbanzos, lentils, peas, soy products) and whole grains. Check with your doctor if this is something important that you should be adding into your daily diet.
Getting rid of the fat. A quick list of ways to reduce to amount of fat that is consumed are avoid deep-fried foods, watch consumption of butter, cheese, and nuts, meat, chicken (with skin), whole milk, and switch to olive oil.