health-letter
Annual doctor visits should not be skipped. It’s a good time to discuss new and bothersome symptoms, which may reveal a previously undiagnosed chronic disease, and to get annual screenings for diseases.
Even modest amounts of red meat increase the risk for developing heart disease, colon cancer, and diabetes. Red meat should be an occasional food, no more than two servings a week, with a serving size between 1.5 and 3 ounces.
Many foods can hinder sleep. Spicy foods and some medications may cause heartburn. Foods with lactose may cause abdominal cramping. Products containing caffeine make it hard to fall asleep and cause sleep to be fragmented.
Vitamin is necessary for bone health, iron absorption, skin integrity, and immune function. Evidence shows vitamin C doesn’t prevent the common cold, but it may help reduce the length of a cold when taken preventively.
An overactive bladder (also known as urge incontinence) causes a sudden urge to urinate, even when the bladder isn’t full. Treatment includes Kegel exercises and vaginal estrogen creams for women, and medications and Botox injections for men and women.
Certain foods and medications can cause digestion problems, and low intake of fibrous foods can cause constipation. To improve digestion, aim for eight to nine glasses of water and 35 grams of fiber from food per day.
Meditation can be a useful part of cardiovascular risk reduction. It can lower heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, oxygen consumption, adrenaline levels, and levels of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) offer more relief than glucosamine and chondroitin for people suffering from osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. However, NSAIDs also have adverse effects that glucosamine and chondroitin do not have.
Foot and ankle health are key to maintaining mobility. Steps to prevent problems include weight-bearing exercise, stretching the muscles and tendons, quitting smoking, losing weight, and wearing comfortable shoes.
Vitamins and minerals in food may help prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. These include vitamins A, C, and E; the mineral zinc; the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin; and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).