The battle against heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions is on the minds of millions of Americans. About 600,000 people die from heart disease in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making heart disease the leading cause of death for both men and women. Simple steps to a healthier heart
Registered dietician Elizabeth Somer, author of “Eat Your Way to Sexy” believes there are clear steps a person can take to turn around his or her heart health.
“Many people with heart disease may be able to improve their heart health by making a few changes to what they eat, how much they move and their lifestyle,” Somer says. “There are four key things to think about for heart health: keep your blood fat levels down, keep your blood pressure in check, promote healthy blood flow and circulation, and keep inflammation down.”
Here are five simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and improve your overall health.
1. Take control of cholesterol with oat fiber: Numerous studies spanning a decade or more of research support the claim that dietary fiber from whole grains, as part of an overall healthy diet, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower the risk of heart disease. The fiber in oats is a soluble fiber called beta glucan. This fiber works by flushing cholesterol out of the system. Additionally, fiber-rich foods such as whole grains help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories and so may help with weight management.
2. Better your blood pressure: Nearly one-third of all American adults have high blood pressure and more than half of them don’t have it under control, according to the CDC. The risks that accompany uncontrolled high blood pressure are serious. However, taking easy steps will lower that risk. Exercising and maintaining a healthy body weight, in addition to eating a low-sodium diet, can all contribute to a healthier blood pressure. Also, if you smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, you have more than twice the risk of a heart attack than people who’ve never smoked.
3. Keep your blood flowing: Products are now available that provide a natural way to help promote healthy blood flow by supporting normal platelet function. A tomato-based concentrate made from select Mediterranean tomatoes called Fruitflow is a natural, healthy and safe ingredient that has been proven through clinical research to keep platelets smooth, thereby promoting healthy blood flow. Try products with this ingredient like Langers Tomato Juice Plus or L&A Tomato Juice with Fruitflow as healthy daily beverage choices.
4. Decrease inflammation: Research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA may help reduce inflammation and may also help lower risks of chronic diseases such as heart disease. Load up on heart-healthy foods like colorful fruits and vegetables, salmon, mackerel, nuts and foods fortified with EPA/DHA Omega-3 fatty acids such as certain milks, snacks and even cooking oils.
5. Shed the layers: It’s nothing new. We know that being overweight puts us at risk for numerous health problems, including an increased risk of both heart disease and stroke. The change in seasons can serve as the perfect springboard into a new exercise routine. Take advantage of extended daylight hours by sneaking a sweat session into your evening routine and take control of your diet, making sure to cut back on foods with saturated and trans fats.
Jeff Dailey
No two people are the same when it comes to salt in the diet. Studies around the world have repeatedly shown that, regardless of total calories consumed, men consume significantly more salt than women do. Women And Men Process Salt Differently
The medical authorities claim that we only require 500 mg sodium per day, based upon the amount of salt lost throughout the day. Knowing that no one can eat so little salt, the general advice is Americans should consume between 1,500 to 2,300mg sodium per day.
Policymakers have focused on the processed food industry to reduce the salt content of foods to help Americans keep their sodium consumption to the recommended limits.
According to a study in the Journal of Chronic Diseases, when salt in the diet is significantly reduced, about 30 percent of the population experiences a tiny reduction in blood pressure, 20 percent will actually experience a small increase in blood pressure and the remaining 50 percent will show no effect at all. When the entire population is considered as a single homogeneous mass, individual genetic, physical, gender and cultural differences are ignored and resulting policies end up benefiting some while harming others.
Depending on where in the world you live, women consume 800 to 1,500 mg less sodium per day than men do. In the U.S., this difference amounts to about 1,160 mg less sodium per day. While the plasma concentration of men and women are identical, men consume and excrete far more salt than women do. The salt content of processed foods doesn’t account for this since the amount of processed foods in the diet varies significantly around the world and men and women eat from the same food supply. Can salt have specific physiological functions beyond maintaining blood pressure?
Studies have shown that pregnant women with a decreased salt intake give birth to low-weight babies who have a significantly increased salt appetite throughout their lives. Low salt intakes also stimulate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system causing a cascade of potential negative consequences including metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Additional risk of hyponatremia can lead to decreased stress management, impaired sleep function, cognitive disorders and, in the elderly, falls, unsteadiness and attention deficits. To learn more about salt and health, go to www.salthealth.org.
Although the specific risks associated with a population-wide policy on salt reduction will vary, women will not respond equally to men because no policy can supersede the biology of gender differences. This means women can be at a greater risk of health concerns if statistics don’t take gender into consideration. Women And Men Process Salt Differently
Provided by: ARA
“Bad Credit repair” is a common term often used to describe a systematic process of rehabilitating an individual’s creditworthiness, or financial credit reputation. 5 Tips for Repairing Bad Credit
It is a process that you can carry out yourself, and sometimes the steps you can take are simple. However many people find credit repair a difficult and discouraging procedure.
If you are worrying too much about your credit, conquer that feeling! No matter how bad your credit is, you can take the following steps to make it better: 5 Tips for Repairing Bad Credit
1. Pay all of your bills on time. Decide if you have the income to meet all of your obligations. Remember, late payments (payments that are 30 days late or more) have a negative effect on your credit rating.
2. Lessen the number of credit cards that you have. This will reduce the tendency to overspend. Contact your creditors about your plan and close your other accounts.
3. Avoid bankruptcies. Bankruptcy may not the end of the world but it will be with you for years. It will stay in your credit report for at least years and hamper your ability to get credit in the future.
4. Request in writing that your creditors reduce the credit limits on your accounts to lower your amount of available credit.
5. Monitor results and stick to your plan. Review your file every few months to make sure that any errors that you have disputed have been corrected. After a period of time inquiries will no longer count against you provided you haven’t been applying for credit.
These steps can help anyone with bad credit. If you are in that situation, don’t be troubled. Bad credit can almost always be improved or corrected. JUST:
- avoid overspending
- establish a realistic budget
- get out of debt now
- build a financial cushion
- read and understand your credit report
- get mistakes on your credit report fixed
- get positive information added to your credit report
- negotiate with creditors
Set up your plan and stick with it! 5 Tips for Repairing Bad Credit
A debt consolidation loan is a loan used to repay several other loans or other debts. A Debt Consolidation Loan is a low cost loan secured on collateral in the form of any securable property, your home, your vehicle or any valuable asset. Debt consolidation loans consolidate all debts incurred through bad credit loans guaranteed approval, credit cards, overdrafts, or any number of unpaid bills that have built up over time. These loans can give you a fresh start, allowing you to consolidate all of your loans into one – giving you one easy to manage payment, and in most cases, at a lower rate of interest. A debt consolidation loan can reduce both your interest costs and your monthly repayments, putting you back in control of your life. Debt Consolidation Tips
1. GO WITH A DEBT CONSOLIDATION COMPANY THAT HAS A GOOD REPUTATION
Don’t assume that every non-profit company is necessarily going to look out for your interests more than for a profit. Shopping around will give you the means to decide on the one that best suits your circumstances and your budget. Spend time researching different lenders and get quotes from a handful before deciding on one.
2. DO THE MATH YOURSELF
Take the time to work through the expenses yourself and see how much you will be paying, how long it will take to pay off the loan, etc. Look for hidden costs, creditor charges, etc. Many lenders add payment protection insurance to their loans without the borrowers’ knowledge, which is often more expensive than those available elsewhere. People keen to consolidate their debts, take the first opportunity available, unaware of lower rates and other available options.
3. IS IT COST EFFECTIVE IN THE LONG RUN?
Paying off an existing debt may incur charges for early settlement and there may also be a fee for arranging your consolidation loan. A debt consolidation loan should be cheaper than the individual loans and debts since that’s its purpose. Otherwise how is it different from any other secured loan? Also, by taking a new debt consolidation loan, you will be extending the period in which you are paying off debts – and that might mean a greater interest cost in the long run. So read the fine print on your credit agreement statement before signing it.
5. INTEREST RATES:
Make sure you understand the difference between variable and fixed rate loans. If you sign up for a variable rate loan, you may get a lower rate initially, but within a few years it may go up. On the contrary, a fixed rate option does not fluctuate with any changes in rates. However, you do not gain when the interest drops either.
6. DEBT CONSOLIDATION COUNSELING:
Debt consolidation with debt counseling can provide you with expert debt advice for financial planning. This would help you sort out your present debts as well as prevent you from getting into future debt. Debt counseling services can talk to your creditors about reducing your interest rate, eliminating late fees, altering repayment options and extending your loan term. Look up an agency that is the member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA).
Secured on your collateral low interest debt consolidation loans can sweep away the pile of repayments to your credit and store cards, loans and replace them with one, low cost, monthly payment – one calculated to be well within your means. Never take a loan that is over the top, take something that suits your needs.
It has been found that a significant number of residents are not aware of the benefits of the debt consolidation options and are suspicious about how it works. There is a need to increase the awareness of the debt consolidation solutions and evolve new varieties and features for debt consolidation loans. There is a great potential to increase the benefits of debt consolidation loans.
Even though they happen all the time, slip and fall accidents can result in legal proceedings where the harmed party looks for damages from the proprietor of the premises. This occurs when that person is hurt during the accident. Usually, injuries are suffered when elements such as oil, water, ice and snow can contribute to hazardous walking conditions. In addition, sudden changes to walking surface, for example concealed hazards, lack of proper lighting and unseen holes. These mishaps are categorized under personal injury. Legal Guide for Slip And Fall Accidents
If any of these happens to you when you are in another persons property, then you can file a claim for compensation on the injury sustained. This also means that if you are a property owner, you should be prepared in case a person is injured within your property.
Anyway, what are the steps to take when you suffer an accident? Firstly, you must report the accident immediately. Your report should include details of what transpired and if there are eyewitnesses who saw what happened. If it happened outside, you must also include pertinent details such as the weather, if light was good or poor and concealed hazards. Bear in mind that a well-timed report of such events is not required by the law but it is good practice, which helps all relevant parties.
A crucial measure is to get medical care at once in the event you suffered a considerable injury. This will substantiate your personal injury claims. Should you defer seeking medical care, the premises owner might use it in his defense in that the injury was not inflicted while you were at their property but instead after you had left their property.
Although most simple cases can be handled personally, it is important to hire lawyer to help you in case you have to go to court. Remember there is no exact way of determining that the property owner should be the one to compensate you for an injury that occurred at his premises. Legal Guide for Slip And Fall Accidents
The lawyer can do a better job defending your case as both parties are liable to a certain extent, for the injury. As much as it is the responsibility of the owner to preserve safety in his property, you should also be attentive.
In general some hazards leading to slip and fall accidents are very hard to anticipate. This means that having a lawyer to asses your case fully, you can be sure whether you stand any chance of compensation or not. Remember, most will take the cases by contingency fee meaning that even if you lose, you will not suffer additional losses in terms of lawyer fees.
Provided by: Article Resources
Legal Guide for Slip And Fall Accidents
If you have a dog you may wonder which is the best food for your dog: dry food or canned food? That’s the great debate. There are pros and cons to both, so… let’s make a list: Wet or Dry Dog Food?
Dry Dog Food Pros Wet or Dry Dog Food?
- Helps keep dogs teeth clean from tartar
- More nutritious
- Dogs have better breath
- Easier to store
- Easier to handle
- More cost effective
- Less likely to spoil
Wet Dog Food Pros Wet or Dry Food for Dogs?
- More proteins included
- Contains fewer preservatives
- Contains less grain and more moisture keeps a dog hydrated and benefits the urinary tract
- Is very flavourful, often the preferred taste for dogs
- May be better if your dog has certain health issues
Dry Dog Food Cons
- Not all dry foods are quality foods
- Usually has more preservatives
Wet Dog Food Cons
- Sticks on dogs teeth causing tooth problems
- Requires more dental treatments
- Gives dogs bad breath
- More expensive
- Less healthy because it contains a higher fat content and more water
- Once opened canned food can spoil quickly
Now that we’ve gone over the list of pros and cons, let me say that absolutely nothing is carved in stone. Your dog may have a health issue that requires him to eat canned instead of dry. For example, dogs that have lost their chewing teeth or have dental disease may not be able to chew dry dog food, and may only be able to eat canned food. I fostered a dog once that would only eat her dry dog food with 2 tablespoons of canned food mixed in.
You will find that some experts promote canned food for puppies and switch to dry food for adult dogs. The obstacle with this is that it’s difficult to make the switch.
You may have a dog that is a really picky eater or one that gulps his food with the speed of light and then throws up. These dogs need your help. Work out a plan with your Vet. This article was not meant to have all the answers. It was intended to give you some things to think about. It’s not as simple as “grab a bag of dog food from the store” and we’re good to go. As a responsible pet parent, you’ve got some things to think about. Now, talk to your Vet, ask your questions (be sure to ask for the rationale behind the thought), and together build your strategy. Wet or Dry Food for Dogs?
Above all else, remember to hug your pet today. Wet or Dry Dog Food?
Gardening is a wonderful hobby that provides joy as you see it flourish and change in the seasons. However, gardeners know insects can be a big issue as you tend to your plants and nurture flowers, fruits and vegetables to maturity. One of the few things that can make that bliss turn into annoyance is an infestation of bugs. While many insects are beneficial to the garden, others can be very destructive. Arm yourself with the facts for handling insects in your garden this growing season. Protect your Garden
Beneficial pollinator bugs like bees may be welcomed guests, but their destructive cousins can have devastating effects on even the healthiest garden. There is nothing worse than having a cucumber vine wither just before harvesting the first crop, or picking a breath-taking rose just to find it covered with aphids. Don’t Let Insects Destroy your Garden
Aphids, mealy bugs, mites, thrips, slugs, snails and cutworms are some of the most problematic garden insects across the country. Keep these and other pesky insects from “bugging” you and destroying your garden this summer.
Know the enemy:Protect your Garden
Having the ability to identify problem insects in the garden is a big step toward overcoming them. Proper bug identification is key to protecting your plants and veggies. Also check your plants for symptoms to help identify the visitors to your garden. Is something eating seedlings at night? Maybe you have cutworms. Are plants’ leaves looking like lace? Sounds like Japanese beetles. Look around and see what is there. Finding an effective treatment is easy once you know what you are actually dealing with.
Plant wisely: Don’t Let Insects Destroy your Garden
Sometimes the simplest bug prevention is using a few smart tips when planting or caring for a garden. Remember to clean up all plant debris at the end of the growing season to discourage insects from wintering over in the veggie patch.
Another easy tip is to consider planting flowers among fruits and vegetables. Flowers look great and will attract beneficial bugs that pollinate, like bees, but will also attract bugs that will eat pests, like ladybugs.
Rotating crops can also prevent recurring insect problems. This will discourage last year’s insects that may have wintered over from sticking around because the crop they found so delicious is no longer present.
Seek advice: Protect your Garden
Do not be afraid to ask for help. Local gardeners and extension agents make great resources. Ask around and see what others have used that worked.
Your grandma may have used cans to keep cutworms from eating the seedlings in her garden. Simply cut both ends off of some cans and place them around seedlings when transplanting to create a protective barrier from cutworms, slugs and snails while plants are getting established.
If your neighbor has had success using row-covers placed on crops that are targeted by certain local pests, then that may also work for you. Just be sure to leave the covers off for part of the day to allow for pollination.
For more information and to find solutions quickly, download the Ortho Problem Solver App from the iTunes store.
Fight back:
When nothing else seems to be working, take serious action by finding the appropriate pest control for your garden and your situation. Home remedies, organic solutions or more conventional means of insect controls in the flower or vegetable garden are all options available.
Ortho Flower, Fruit & Vegetable Insect Killer kills over 100 garden insects without harming plants or blooms. For your organic garden, try Ortho Elementals Insecticidal Soap to kill some of the most bothersome bugs, like aphids, leafhoppers, mealy bugs, mites and thrips – along with a long list of other bugs. For snails and slugs invading an organic garden, try Ortho Elementals Slug & Snail Killer, or Ortho Bug-Geta Snail & Slug Killer 1. Both options are effective on a wide variety of snails and slugs.
Now that you are armed with all the right information, get out there and defend your garden, lawn and home from invasive insects.
Protect your Garden
We all know the importance of exercise, but an exercise routine can seem daunting if you’re plagued by joint stress or heel pain. Although these can be frustrating and difficult to deal with, did you know that something as simple as wearing the proper footgear can help improve those symptoms? Best Walking Shoes for Seniors
Luckily, there are in fact some of the best walking shoes for seniors out there – you just need to know what to look for!
Why Walk?
Walking is considered to be one of the best exercises for seniors. Why? Walking lowers your blood pressure and your risk of heart disease and diabetes. It even helps strengthen your bones and improve your balance. While walking certainly isn’t the only exercise that provides these benefits, walking is especially beneficial for seniors as you have a very low-risk of injuring yourself when compared to more complex activities. It’s also a great way to enjoy the outdoors and socialize!
Finding the Right Shoe
So what are the risks involved if you get the wrong shoe? If you get thin-soled shoes that don’t offer enough support, this will cause you heel pain since we lost the fat pad protection on the bottom of our feet as we age. If your heel gets irritated or inflamed, see a podiatrist right away because if left untreated, this can lead to a heel spur.
Below are tips for finding the best walking shoes for seniors:
- Skip the bargains. Familiar with the phrase, “you get what you pay for”? This is especially true for walking shoes. Dr. Cary Zinkin from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) recommends spending about $75 to get a supportive walking shoe.
- When in doubt, get a running shoe. Even if you just use them for walking, running shoes provide the best support over any other kind of shoe – hands down. This extra support for your feet and joints also helps prevent injuries.
- Know the top feature to look for: motion control. Shoes with motion control (also called stability shoes) support your arches, provide cushioning and accommodate your heel’s movements. It may also help if you purchase extra-soft inserts for your shoes. Spenco is an example of a brand approved by the APMA.
- Know what not to do: walking in backless shoes. Backless shoes, such as Crocs, may be comfortable, but walking for too long in backless shoes will only result in heel pain.
- Go to a specialty running store. These kinds of stores will have salespeople readily available to help you determine which shoe is right for you. Unsure about which stores to go to? Runner’s Edge, Sports Authority, Runner’s Depot, Fleet Feet or other similar stores will guarantee you a shoe that fits properly and supports you.
- Always get measured. You may think that you no longer need to have your feet measured before purchasing shoes, but each brand is different. To get the perfect fit, measure your feet first before purchasing.
- Buy shoes at night. When it comes to buying any kind of shoe, the time of day does in fact matter! Since our ankles and feet swell throughout the day, buy your shoes at night so you can get the perfect size.
Just follow these tips and you’re sure to find the best walking shoes for you!
-Meghan Orner
Medical Guardian
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Links:
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Best Walking Shoes for Seniors
Spouse Eligibility
In order to receive benefits from Social Security, spouses do not need to have worked and paid SS taxes. The reason for this is that they qualify for the benefits on your record. At their full retirement age, a spouse can receive benefits equal to ½ of the full amount of benefits you receive. A spouse can start receiving benefits as early as age 62, but the amount will be permanently reduced by a percentage based on the number of months until his/her full retirement age. If your spouse is working but his/her benefits are lower than yours, SS will formulate a combination of the benefits to equal to the higher amount. In addition to receiving benefits on your record, your spouse can also qualify for Medicare when he/she reaches the age of 65. Social Security Spouse Eligibility
As long as you are receiving Social Security benefits, your spouse will be able to receive benefits at any age as long as he/she is caring for your child. Your spouse will be entitled to these benefits until the child reaches the age of 16. At that time, the benefits will be discontinued until your spouse reaches the age of 62.