Focus on Health
Are Plant-Based Foods The Key To A Healthier Life?
The food pyramid was altered into a plate recently to change the portion perspective when calculating the foods we eat. The change may not be enough however. Some argue that the best health comes from plant-based foods. New research shows that cultures that eat less animal-based foods experience fewer cases of heart disease, cancer, and other diseases now linked to what we ingest. What is on the plate may be more important than the newly apportioned sections.
Branching Out With Olives
The Olive is an ancient fruit worthy of respect and acclaim, and it comes to us via Iran and Palestine through the Mediterranean basin. It is one of the oldest cultivated trees still in existence. Not only is it one of the most flavorful fruits, it is also one of the most versatile.
Not only a popular ingredient for salads and entrees; olives also make a great choice for a low-calorie snack. They add taste and variety with only seven calories per extra large olive. Although they do contain fat, you’ll be glad to know it’s the healthy, monounsaturated kind.
Racism’s Toll On The Mental And Physical Health Of Blacks
The negative impact and consequences that systemic racism wields on the human condition can be seen in obvious ways. One only has to look around them and see the gross disparities when it comes to educational achievement, employment, quality of housing, and other living conditions among white Americans and other minorities, especially blacks.
What is often less obvious are the other insidious and often unspoken acute and chronic health consequences that systemic racism breeds among racial minorities and ethnicities.
Beneficial Lifestyles Part III: Race And Ethnicity Factor Into Higher Health Risks
While there are a number of diseases that affect Americans every day, in some cases, higher health risks are prevalent in specific ethnic groups. That is not to say that everyone is prone to these identifiable diseases, but research shows for example, African-American’s tend to have a higher number of health risks with hypertension, Hispanics face health risks for Diabetes Mellitus Type II, and Caucasians with cardiovascular disease.
Beneficial Lifestyles Part II: Going Green For Your Health Minorities Face Greatest Challenges
We’ve all seen the consumer market push in recent years toward “going green,” but few understand its beneficial health implications for all ages, races, and ethnicities. In fact, those at the highest risk of cancer, Alzheimer, and heart disease are minorities, and they are the people who benefit the most from a more “green” lifestyle.
In the last decade, the amount of organic food items in supermarkets skyrocketed, and while organic food manufacturers do a good job getting the message out about the health factors of organic foods, not everyone understands.
Beneficial Lifestyles Part I: Across Race And Ethnicity
It’s always a good idea to think and live healthy, but with summer here let’s talk about the top five easiest and most efficient ways to jumpstart a healthy lifestyle or keep it going even when the thermostat reaches three digits in some parts of the country.
Jonathan Snead, M.D. and ObGyn practicing in Keller, Texas says his number one piece of advice for a healthy and beneficial lifestyle is to “stop the bad habits. “ You already know what they are,” he says. “Smoking in any amount, excessive alcohol intake, and over-eating. You know how bad those habits are for you. No excuses!
What You Don’t Know About Your Bone Density Can Hurt You
Preventative healthcare, championed as a cost savings for everyone, and a better alternative to a major medical emergency, it also allows for a longer healthier life. All the medical advertisements and many doctors tell people to take control of their health — check their blood pressure, begin exercise programs, eat a balanced diet, and take precautionary tests for cancer and other potential ailments. However, one test often neglected, and rarely discussed between medical professionals and the patient are the medical problems associated with deteriorating bone density.
Obesity And Race: Minorities Hardest Hit
To say that obesity is caused by merely consuming too many calories, is like saying that the only cause of the American Revolution was the Boston Tea Party,” said nutritionist and health pioneer Adelle Davis. Indeed, the problem of obesity in America may also be reflected upon from a political, social, and economic perspective.
Behavioral Addictions: Little Known Addictions That Create A Big Impact
Addiction is defined as being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming. This is a rather broad definition, as most of us immediately think of drugs or alcohol when we think of addiction.
But other addictions are just as harmful to an addict and their loved ones. Behavioral addictions are often harder to cope with than chemical addictions because these addictions include things done in everyday life.
Growing Addictions
Addictions these days are not limited to smoking, drinking, and gambling.
Instead, the tag of addict includes a variety of actions including excessive indicators of shopping, text messaging, overworking, or even over-exercising.
“All addictions start with the experimental stage,” says Pam Slater, MS, licensed professional counselor at Hickory Trail Hospital in Dallas, Texas. “Usually consequences follow, but if the pay off from the engagement is greater than the perceived emotional or physical pain, the participant continues despite any negative consequences.”
