Health and Wellness

Cell Phone Etiquette to Reduce Your Stress and Theirs

June 23, 2014 by Gail

It seems that everywhere you look, people are completely glued to their cell phones. From the moment they wake up to the time they try and fall asleep, they’re constantly texting, emailing, and calling people.

We’re all guilty of being stuck on our phones, especially because they really are very useful! We know we shouldn’t be using them all the time, and it can be a difficult habit to break, but here are some common cell phone guidelines to keep in mind:

Don’t text or email during meetings—and turn your ringtone off!

It’s hard to get away from your phone, especially at the office, but put it away, turn it off, or at least keep it on silent during work hours. Staying on your phone is very distracting to others and can disrupt your productivity.

If you absolutely need to use your phone, take it outside during your break or lunchtime and make your phone calls, text whomever you need to, and take that time to have fun on your phone. At all other times during the day, try to keep your phone away.

Keep your conversations quiet in public.

If you must use your cell phone in public places, such as on the bus, in restaurants, coffee houses, and stores, remember to stay as quiet as possible. Try not to broadcast your conversations, particularly if they’re stressful conversations, business-related, or very personal.

If you know your conversation won’t be quiet, leave the building if needed. Also, try not to use your cell phone when waiting in line. Everyone else is waiting with you, so why annoy them? Just turn your phone off completely in certain public situations because texting is even just as annoying.

Avoid texting while walking.

Try to avoid texting, emailing, or playing on your cell phone while walking. It’s dangerous to do, especially if you’re walking down the street or through a crowded area!

When you’re distracted on your phone, you can forget to avoid huge obstacles in your way, such as other people, cars, signs, doors, and more. Not only is texting while walking dangerous, but it’s also a nuisance to others as they have to avoid you when passing by.

Turn your phone off at parties.

There’s nothing more important than face-to-face contact, especially at parties with your friends and loved ones. We suggest either turning your phone completely off, or at least storing it in your purse or pocket (and not feeling tempted to reach for it!) while attending dinners, get-togethers, and when spending time with others.

Don’t even try putting your phone under the table while eating dinner or grabbing coffee with a friend! The interference will cause others to get distracted, and they’ll know that your mind and thoughts are elsewhere.

After work, put your phone away!

When the workday ends, it’s your time to unwind and decompress. It’s unhealthy to stay “plugged in” 24/7. Make sure you really cut down on your phone usage at home, most importantly during nighttime hours. If you’re still staring at your phone screen or dealing with work, your body will have a more difficult time trying to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Try turning your phone and email off during the weekend, too. That’s your time to enjoy life and do fun things with your kids, your spouse, and your friends. Relax, kick back, and enjoy your free time without the buzzing, ringing, and distractions from your cell phone.

What are your favorite tips for staying unplugged? Leave them below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: cell phone etiquette, cell phone usage, cell phones in restaurants, email during meetings, phone time after work, smartphones and texting

7 Great Ways to Support a Friend Who Has Cancer

June 16, 2014 by Gail

If you know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, it’s important to be there for her during the journey through treatment, recovery, and beyond. Your friend or loved one needs friends, supporters, a shoulder to lean on, and people around them that will keep their spirits high, keep fun in their lives, and take their minds off of their battle.

It’s important to help your friend have some fun, let loose, and keep her positive and happy during this difficult time. Here are some fantastic ways to support a friend with cancer during her journey:

1. Be a great listener.

This is a learning experience, not only for your friend, but for you, too. Most people want to give unsolicited advice to friends when they’re going through rough times, but the best thing you can do for a friend with cancer is to listen.

If she wants to talk about her diagnosis, her fears, her dreams, and her worries, then let her. It’s important to be a confidante and a trusted friend who will listen, no matter what subject may come to light. Let her talk out her decisions. Let her cry to you, laugh with you, and get frustrated with her cancer. Don’t give advice, rather sit there and let your friend talk out whatever is bothering her.

Consider taking notes for her and ask if she needs someone to come with her to appointments and treatments. You can help her document important information so she can focus on other things.

2. Create a Facebook page for her fight.

Social media is so powerful. Create a Facebook page that’s dedicated to your friend’s fight and her journey. Celebrate her milestones, gather support, and ask your friends to share their well wishes on the page. Take photos of your friend at different stages in her journey, having fun with her family and friends, trying new things, and doing whatever makes her happiest.

If you don’t want to create a Facebook page, there are dozens of websites that are created for cancer support, survivor networks, patient websites, and more. You can even start a blog, too! Be a cheerleader for your friend during this difficult time.

3. Send her daily inspiration and surprise her with gifts.

Sometimes the smallest gestures make the biggest impacts in someone’s life. While your friend goes through this journey, send her small gifts every week. Don’t just send her gifts on special milestones or goals; every day is a special day for someone who’s battling a disease like cancer. These gifts will take her mind off of the cancer and will boost her spirits.

Send her a vase of her favorite flowers. Write cards, send emails, and drop notes in her mailbox. Text her inspirational quotes when she wakes up and before she goes to bed. Create special gift boxes, such as spa gifts to pamper herself, a stack of classic novels, fun magazines to take to treatments with her, a handmade blanket, or a basket of wine and chocolate. Sending her favorite things will make her feel loved and cared for.

4. Throw a head shaving party!

If your friend is going through rigorous treatments and needs to shave her head, don’t let her do it alone. Do it together! Consider shaving your head in honor of her and invite your friends to do the same. Host a head shaving party so everyone can be together and celebrate the occasion.

Bake a cake, invite your friends, and ask them to donate to a fund in her name to support her treatment and medical costs. Host a potluck and ask everyone to bring one of your friend’s favorite dishes. Buy beautiful scarves and wigs you can all try on and take home as party favors. Snap some photos of the group and post to your Facebook page for support!

5. Take a cooking class together.

Grab a group of friends and attend cooking classes together with your friend who’s battling cancer. Don’t feel like going out to learn the art of cooking? Create your own home cooking party with your favorite ingredients.

You can help keep your friend’s strength up with healthy, hearty meals that are full of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Include as many organic, seasonal ingredients as possible. Help your friend plan ahead and create meals for the next few days or the week. Food prep will help keep her life less stressful, and when she’s hungry, all she has to do is heat up her meal and go!

6. Exercise with her.

Exercise is very important for those battling cancer. It’s important to keep your body—and your mind—strong and stress-free. Go for long walks together. Jog or run together around the neighborhood or in the park. Take yoga and practice meditation. Try a unique or one-of-a-kind fitness class, like paddle boarding or something that’s relaxing, fun, and a great workout! Whatever you choose, try to get your body moving, have some fun with your friend, and keep her mind in the present moment.

7. If she has kids or pets, help her out.

For someone battling cancer, it can be difficult to keep up with everyday tasks and help keep everyone’s minds off of cancer and her battle. If your friend has kids or pets, ask if you can help her with making life a bit more normal for her.

Take her kids out for meals or fun activities. Give her a “girls night out” and arrange for childcare for her. Take her pets for walks and to get groomed. Go with her kids to their appointments, pick them up from school, and get them out of the house when she just needs some time alone or needs to rest. Be her go-to person when she needs to make life more normal.

Have you helped out a friend with cancer? Share your favorite ideas to help someone who’s battling this disease below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: exercise, head shaving, inspiration, support ideas, supporting your friend who has cancer

Gluten: Concern or Craze?

June 9, 2014 by Gail

Everywhere you look—in the grocery store, on television, on the Internet—people are talking about gluten and gluten intolerance. We’ve also witnessed a surge in popularity of gluten-free diets and a myriad of competing claims of health benefits, or a lack thereof, when gluten is eliminated from our plates.

So, what is gluten? What purpose does it serve? Why has it become such a hot health topic? Here’s some information to keep in mind before you try going gluten-free:

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein that’s naturally found in grains, such as wheat and barley. This protein is highly abundant in many foods that we regularly consume in Western diets. Some experts believe that gluten is detrimental to our health and that we shouldn’t be eating it.

But, gluten is not bad for our bodies, rather many foods that do contain gluten are quite nutritious. Foods that are high in fiber, such as quinoa, whole grain products, brown rice, and buckwheat, have plenty of nutrients, vitamins, and essential health benefits that nourish our bodies and keep them functioning properly.

Do we need gluten in our diets?

Gluten is such a common nutrient and component of foods that we eat, but we don’t actually need to consume it. However, that doesn’t mean that you should go completely gluten-free right this second!

Before you start throwing out your bread and rice, keep this in mind: if you’re consuming gluten on a daily basis right now, your body is used to having gluten in it. If you completely cut it off, your body may take some time to adjust to the new changes in your diet. You can try going gluten-free, but make sure you ease into it. Make sure you read all nutrition labels, too, as many companies are jumping on the gluten-free bandwagon and label their less nutritious foods as “gluten-free.” Just because a box of cookies or junk food says it’s “gluten-free” doesn’t mean you should eat it all the time.

What is Celiac disease?

Some people suffer from a medical condition called Celiac disease. This disease is caused by gluten intolerance in the digestive tract. The body negatively reacts to gluten when consumed and sparks a negative immune reaction. People that suffer from Celiac are medically prescribed a gluten-free diet.

Some people also suffer from gluten sensitivity, which means that they need to be cautious of the amount of gluten they’re consuming, but they often times don’t have to completely eliminate it from their diets. Many people with gluten sensitivity do try gluten-free diets, with great success.

So, what’s the verdict?

Gluten isn’t completely bad for our bodies. It’s true that we don’t need gluten in our diets. It’s also true that many people suffer from gluten intolerance and sensitivity due to these proteins. However, the majority of us will be just fine eating, or not eating, gluten.

Either way, the bottom line is this: consume gluten in moderation, just as you would anything else in your diet. Make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, too. If you’re curious as to how a gluten-free diet will affect your body, then try one out! Get as many facts as you can, and listen to your body.

Have you tried a gluten-free diet? Do you suffer from Celiac? Share your stories below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: diet tips, gluten free, gluten-free diets, how to eat well, natural health and wellness, nutrition and gluten

Coverage and Photos from 2014 Komen Survivor Celebration

June 6, 2014 by Gail

It’s a late update, but what an exciting time we had at the Komen Survivor Celebration!

On Sunday, April 27, 2014 at the Charleston Marriott, we were honored to present and sponsor the annual Komen Survivor Celebration.

We celebrated survivors, friends, fun, and plenty of food, and we also honored those who have lost their battle with breast cancer.

As we said, we were humbled to be asked to join this special celebration. We hope you will be able to join us next year! We met some amazing women and heard truly some inspiring stories. We also shared the sorrow of those who lost the battle and rededicated ourselves as a group to “bag” breast cancer in 2014.

If you have a survivor story, please share it in the comments, and feel free to share your photos from the event on our Facebook page!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: breast cancer survivors, Komen survivors

Sunglasses: Different Shades for Different Needs

June 2, 2014 by Gail

Summer is here! That means it’s time for plentiful sunshine and fun in the sun. But, are you regularly protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays? Do you wear sunglasses, or do you have trouble finding a pair that fit your face, support your eyesight, and look stylish, too?

Choosing sunglasses isn’t as easy as you may think. There are different styles available for different face shapes. There are tons of options for lens color, prescription sunglasses, and various other types of glasses available for every style, personality, and unique need.

Here are some things to keep in mind before you buy your next pair:

Know the shape of your face.

Different glasses shapes fit different facial structures. If you’ve ever tried on sunglasses before, you know that some pairs just don’t fit properly or look great when they’re on your face. Some sunglasses will accentuate your best facial features, while others weren’t made for you—and that’s okay!

Most people have one of the following facial structures: heart-shaped, round, oval, or square. To find out your facial structure, try tracing the outline of your face—from your chin, all the way around your cheek bones, to your forehead, and back down. Keep your facial structure in mind and tell a professional what “type” you are: she can choose glasses that are perfectly suited for your particular face shape.

For example, people with heart-shaped faces are better suited wearing wayfarers and cat eye glasses, whereas people with oval faces can also wear wayfarers, but they can also sport a great pair of aviators, too! There are great, stylish glasses out there for every face shape.

Make sure they have UVA/UVB protection.

The sunshine has the potential to not only damage our skin, but it can be detrimental to our eyesight as well. When choosing sunglasses, make sure you’re picking a pair that has proper UVA and UVB protection.

To protect your eyes from UV radiation, cataracts, burns, and various types of cancer, be sure to choose glasses that have at least 99 percent UVB ray protection and 95 percent UVB ray protection. Steer clear from glasses that are labeled “cosmetic” or don’t have any type of UVA/UVB protection label on them.

Lens color is important, too.

The color of your sunglasses lenses is also an important factor to consider before making your next purchase. Different colored lenses affect the way we detect color contrast and separate colors in our line of vision. If you don’t choose lenses that are comfortable for your eyes, that strain your vision, or that make it difficult to do certain activities, you will be harming your eyesight.

Grey lenses are one of the most common types of lenses because they don’t drastically affect color, but they still reduce the intensity of light. Brown lenses are great for sports, especially skiing or snowboarding, and if you’re hiking or in the outdoors, because they enhance color contrast and block intense blue light. Yellow, red, and violet lenses are all used for enhancing particular objects and certain colors. They’re useful in driving, snow sports, hunting, and when you need to focus on a particular object.

Get your eyes examined before you purchase a new pair.

Sunglasses are fun, stylish, and useful, but before you invest in a new pair, consider getting your eyes examined by an optometrist. Sunglasses should be worn regularly, whenever you step outside, you’re driving, or your eyesight is affected by light.

Your optometrist will assess if you need corrective lenses for your glasses. There are countless styles, brands, and designer sunglasses available that support prescription lenses. Whether you need these special lenses for driving, working, or all the time, there are great solutions for all types of eyes.

Do you love sunglasses? Share your best tips for picking the right pair with us below!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: beach accessories, skin care, sun safety, sunglasses, types of sunglasses

Good Driving Practices that Keep You Safe

May 26, 2014 by Gail

Nothing gets on our nerves faster than bad driving. We all have our ideas on what good driving is, but do we know how to drive safely? According to AAA Foundation, aggressive driving accounts for more than half of all driving fatalities. Use the following tips to avoid becoming a statistic.

Slow down!

AAA says, “Although ‘road rage’ incidents provide some of the most shocking views of aggressive driving, many common behaviors, including racing, tailgating, failing to observe signs and regulations, and seeking confrontations with other drivers, all qualify as potentially aggressive behaviors. Speeding is one of the most prevalent aggressive behaviors. AAA Foundation studies show that speeding is a factor in one-third of all fatal crashes.”

Most of us speed sometimes, but driving too fast gives us less time to react if something happens on the road. Slow down and drive the speed limit.

Be courteous.

Courtesy is a lost art on the road today, especially in larger cities. It doesn’t hurt for you to yield the right of way at a 4-way stop if you and another driver reach it at the same time. Let other drivers merge into traffic, even if you were there first. Courtesy costs you nothing, and it could prevent an accident.

Honor road signs and follow traffic laws.

A stop sign is not a suggestion. We see so many drivers ignore stop and yield signs. They are there to keep you safe and help traffic flow, so follow them. Stop completely at a red light before turning right. In short, drive like you did when you were 16 and learning. Chances are you were a better driver back then!

Pay attention.

Get off the cell phone, quit looking around, and drive. Not paying attention is the cause of many accidents, and it upsets other drivers, which can cause road rage. When you take your eyes off the road, you can cause an accident if traffic slows, an animal or child runs in front of you, or a traffic signal changes.

Don’t be the cause of the snowball effect.

One driver doing something aggressive or unwise can trigger responses in several drivers, which can mean an accident or a road rage incident.

Are you a rude or inconsiderate driver? Please stop doing things such as…

Waiting until the last minute to merge into traffic or change lanes.
Insisting upon the right of way, whether it’s yours or not.
Not accelerating to the appropriate speed before merging onto the highway.
Acting angry with other drivers and using rude gestures.
Not using your turn signal to indicate where you’re going.

When you engage in unsafe driving practices, you can trigger the same in other drivers. Remember, we’re all simply trying to get where we need to go. If you’re in a hurry, that’s your fault, so try leaving 10 minutes earlier next time. If you drive more courteously and safely, you’ll notice others do too.

Which safe driving practices do you follow (or not)? Tell us below.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: drive safe, driving safely

Inspirational Books for Cancer Survivors, Part 2

May 21, 2014 by Gail

In the first post in this series, we highlighted some inspirational books from Barnes and Noble we thought you’d enjoy reading. We went to Amazon and found three books that we thought would inspire. Please enjoy the book descriptions as found on Amazon.

From Incurable to Incredible: Cancer Survivors Who Beat the Odds by Tami Boehmer

This book includes over 25 survivor stories and is sure to be one of your favorites. Read on to discover a few of the incredible stories told here.

“You’ll learn about Dave Massey, who in 1986 and again in 1997, was given six months to live. Today, he runs marathons and speaks at cancer centers nationwide to spread his message of hope.

Paul Falk, diagnosed 23 years ago at age 9 with acute leukemia, describes how his doctors wondered if he would survive two weeks. A year later, he wowed everyone by becoming the personal guest of then Vice President George H.W. Bush.

And then there’s Ann Fonfa, who was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in 1999. On Sept. 12, 2001, she learned she had no evidence of disease, as smoke billowed from the World Trade Center blocks away. Today she continues to be clear of cancer and leads the Annie Appleseed Foundation, a respected online clearing house for information on complimentary cancer therapies.

The book includes a list of common attributes these survivors share, thought-provoking questions for discussion and support groups and insights on survivorship from best-selling author Bernie Siegel, MD, and Doug Ulman, CEO and president of LIVESTRONG.

This book is not just for cancer survivors, but for anyone who wants inspiration for overcoming life’s challenges. As Bernie Siegel says in his introduction, “From Incurable to Incredible as ‘a book everyone should read.’”

Chicken Soup for the Cancer Survivor’s Soul: 101 Healing Stories about Those Who Have Survived Cancer by Beverly Kirkhart and more

With several authors including Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, this book carries the touching tales of over 100 survivors, all with incredible stories to tell. The brief description below tells all you need to know.

“More than 100 cancer survivors share their personal stories in this touching new collection of Chicken Soup. These heartwarming accounts of courageous people who found the power to battle cancer in their endless hope, unwavering faith and steadfast determination will inspire you to adopt a positive attitude, discover your faith and cherish every moment. Just what the doctor ordered for healing your body, mind and soul.”

A Survivor’s Guide to Kicking Cancer’s Ass by Dena Mendes

Dena Mendes is a yoga instructor, healer, and chef. She is also a cancer survivor. Her book tells it like it is with heart. You’ll see when you read about her below.

“It’s a ballsy move to look in the face of cancer and say, “I’m gonna kick your ass!” Yet Dena Mendes did just that, and now she’ll tell you how to do the same thing! This book is a crash course in learning how to be your own advocate. Empower yourself by using your intuition and newfound knowledge, and you’ll come through this difficult yet amazing health-awakening opportunity with flying colors. With this step-by-step guide at your side, your journey will turn into a beautiful dance. As Dena promises, “You’ll get to turn yourself inside out and become someone new. I guarantee that this is the best trip you’ll ever take!” This guide is a life preserver that has been created to support you on your journey back to perfect health. . . .”

What are your favorite books by and about cancer survivors? Tell us about them!

From Incurable to Incredible: Cancer Survivors Who Beat the Odds by Tami Boehmer

This book includes over 25 survivor stories and is sure to be one of your favorites. Read on to discover a few of the incredible stories told here.

“You’ll learn about Dave Massey, who in 1986 and again in 1997, was given six months to live. Today, he runs marathons and speaks at cancer centers nationwide to spread his message of hope.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: cancer survivors, stories of cancer survivors, survivor stories cancer

Inspirational Books for Cancer Survivors, Part 1

May 19, 2014 by Gail

For many of our patients, reading the stories of others who have fought cancer and won has given them the edge they needed to continue their fight. We thought a list of these books would be a good reference for anyone curious about or in a struggle with this horrible disease.

We titled this blog “Inspirational Books for Cancer Survivors” because we truly believe that your mindset is vital for beating cancer, and we are positive that anyone who reads even one of these books will dramatically increase her odds of surviving cancer.

While browsing for books that inspire, we found this video message from Stand Up to Cancer. We hope you find it as touching as we did. On the same page, we found a reading list put together for the September 5 Stand Up to Cancer Event. Please read on for our first blog of inspirational stories of cancer survivors, and please stay tuned for part two.

Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips by Kris Carr

Actress Kris Carr fought liver cancer with gusto and grace. Here is an excerpt from the overview on Barnes and Noble:

“She (Carr) entered trench warfare (wearing cowboy boots into the MRI machine, no less), vowing, “Cancer needed a makeover, and I was just the gal to do it!” She began writing and filming her journey, documenting her interactions with friends, doctors, alternative “quacks,” blind dates, and other women with cancer—sadly a growing group…

CRAZY SEXY CANCER TIPS gathers the lessons learned and advice offered from Carr’s own journey, as well as the experiences of her cancer posse… Chapters cover your changing social life, dating, sex, and appearance; essential health tips on how to boost your immune system; recipes; medical and holistic resources; and information on young survivor support groups.”

Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor by Kris Carr

We’ve included the sequel because Kris Carr is a survivor, and we knew her second book had to be as uplifting as the first. Another excerpt from Barnes and Noble:

“On the heels of Kris Carr’s acclaimed Learning Channel documentary and best-selling survival guidebook Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips comes this survivor’s companion. With this beautifully illustrated, go-anywhere resource, Kris redefines what it means to be a survivor. She invites all the Cancer Cowgirls (and dudes) out there to slide into the driver’s seat, turn on their own internal GPS, and become empowered participants in their own healing journey. Pairing her signature sass and smart, soulful, real advice with thoughtful exercises, new contributors, and space for writing and reflecting, Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor reaffirms that it is possible to live a real, fun, crazy, sexy life with cancer—that healing is about truly living.”

From the Heart by Robin Roberts

We’ve all watched Robin’s fight against cancer, and we were thrilled to hear she had written a book. We loved it and highly recommend it because the advice in it resonates with all of us and should be required reading for everyone. We couldn’t agree more with Ann Burns’ review, so we’ve included it here.

“Recently diagnosed with breast cancer, Roberts, co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America and former anchor of ESPN’s Sports Center, has written a compelling book revealing the secret to her success. She reflects on Hurricane Katrina, recounting her ordeal on the Gulf Coast; her 15 years at ESPN; growing up in Pass Christian, MS; her faith; and much more. As a young woman, tennis was her first true passion, but she didn’t realize her dream of becoming a professional. Roberts’s rules include ‘Position yourself to take the shot; never play the race, gender, or any other card; venture outside your comfort zone; and keep faith, family, and friends close to your heart.’ She concludes by advising her listeners to break her rules and write their own: ‘live your life, let it happen, enjoy the ride.’ With musical interludes and the author’s lively presentation, this moving program is highly recommended for most libraries.”

—Ann Burns

Do you have a favorite inspirational book? Please include it below.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: cancer survivors, stories of cancer survivors, survivor stories cancer

Should You Drink that Wine?

May 12, 2014 by Gail

Red wine has been shown to have numerous health benefits, and for many a glass of wine a night is beneficial. For others, however, a daily glass of wine may not be such a good idea.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) and protecting against artery damage.”

That sounds great, but the Mayo Clinic also says, “While the news about red wine might sound great if you enjoy a glass of red wine with your evening meal, doctors are wary of encouraging anyone to start drinking alcohol. That’s because too much alcohol can have many harmful effects on your body.”

How do you decide whether a daily glass of red wine benefits you?

Can you stick with just one or two?

Drinking in moderation means only one 4-ounce glass a day for women and men under 65, and up to two glasses for men under 65. As with any other alcoholic beverage, it’s far too easy to justify having more than one or to drink extra wine without thinking about it.

What does the research actually say?

The Mayo Clinic is cautious about interpreting the studies done on red wine. They note, “Resveratrol might be a key ingredient in red wine that helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and prevents blood clots…

Most research on resveratrol has been done on animals, not people. Research in mice given resveratrol suggests that the antioxidant might also help protect them from obesity and diabetes, both of which are strong risk factors for heart disease. However, those findings were reported only in mice, not in people. In addition, to get the same dose of resveratrol used in the mice studies, a person would have to drink more than 1,000 liters of red wine every day…

One study showed that resveratrol may actually reduce the positive effect of exercise on the heart in older men. It’s also important to know that resveratrol’s effects only last a short time after drinking red wine, so its effects may not last in the long term.”

Does only red wine offer health benefits?

Other studies have shown that alcohol in general, not just red wine, can raise HDL cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and reduce your risk of developing blood clots. If you prefer other types of alcohol, drinking them in moderation may be OK. However, please note that the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute do not recommend that you drink merely to improve heart health.

In short, if you already enjoy alcohol in moderation, you can continue to do so. If you do not, talk to your doctor if you wish to begin drinking to improve your heart health. The risk of developing alcohol addiction may be too great to risk it.

Tell us if you drink (or not), and why in the comments section below.

Drinking too much can worsen other health markers, such as blood pressure, obesity risk, and liver damage. Can you stop at just one? If you can’t, please don’t begin drinking wine daily to benefit your heart.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: burgundy, merlot, Red wine, wine health benefits

How to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

May 5, 2014 by Gail

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects millions of Americans every year and is one of the most frequently treated conditions. Scores of effective medications exist to treat hypertension, but we always advise that you try lowering your blood pressure naturally first. Medications have side effects, while these natural blood pressure (BP) treatments help you feel better.

Take some deep breaths.
Deep breathing helps oxygenate your blood, which keeps the heart from working too hard. Most of us breathe shallowly and don’t truly take in as much oxygen as we could. Breathe in through your nose, and try to fill your stomach with air. Exhale as much air as you possibly can. Try deep breathing at least 10 times four or five times a day. More often is even better.

Studies have also shown that stress hormones raise blood pressure, and activities such as yoga and tai chi reduce those hormones, lowering your BP.

Lose weight and exercise.
When you lose weight, your heart doesn’t have to pump as hard to send blood to your organs and limbs, which reduces your blood pressure naturally. Many people with slightly elevated BP can control it simply by keeping off extra weight. Watch what you eat (more information below) and exercise to sensibly and slowly reduce your weight and keep it off.

Exercising has been found to lower blood pressure by itself, but to sustain its effects, you need to be consistent. What you do is not as important as doing something physical that gets your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Find something you enjoy and just do it.

Eat foods as close to nature as possible.
Processed foods should play a small role in your everyday diet. Save those for the occasional splurge and eat real, whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, lean meats, and low-fat dairy. When you shop, walk the perimeter of the store and buy foods as close to their natural state as possible.

Eat plenty of potassium-rich foods such as bananas, melons, and potatoes. Potassium helps keep your fluids in balance, which keeps your BP low. Aim for at least 2,000 milligrams of potassium a day.

Avoid added salt.
We need a certain amount of sodium, but most Americans eat far more than they need. It’s not the salt you add to meals that causes problems, but the salt that food companies add to their products. If you read labels, you’ll find much more salt than you want or need in those packages.

Try eating no more than 1,500 milligrams per day, and buy some salt-free seasonings—you’ll be surprised at how good they taste. You won’t miss salt as much as you think you will.

If you’ve lowered your blood pressure naturally, please share how you did it below.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: How to lower blood pressure, lower my blood pressure