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Monthly Archives: July 2015

Are you having trouble with your vision?

31 Friday Jul 2015

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African-Americans, blind, blindness, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, elderly, Glaucoma, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, laser surgery, loss of vision, vision

eye-problems-wp

It could be Glaucoma. It’s a common eye condition in which the fluid pressure inside the eyes rises. If untreated, it can damage the optic nerve and other parts of the eye, causing the loss of vision or even blindness.

The people most at risk are the elderly, African-Americans, and people with a family history of the disease. There are no symptoms in the early stage of glaucoma; that’s why glaucoma is often called “the sneak thief of sight.”

Often, by the time the patient notices vision loss, glaucoma can only be halted, not reversed.

The treatment of glaucoma may include medication, surgery, or laser surgery.

So when should you be concerned? If you’re seeing halos around lights. That can be a sign of glaucoma. Also, if you’re having any thyroid trouble, see your eye doctor too – because that can lead to glaucoma. And after age 40, the risk of glaucoma goes up – so it’s important to have eye exams every year.

Here’s some intelligence designed to help you celebrate your 100th birthday…

30 Thursday Jul 2015

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100, 100th birthday, celebrate, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, dementia, depression, Health Day News, healthy, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, live long, live longer, stay healthy, volunteer, volunteering

100th-birthday-wp

Setting goals helps you live longer! These details are from Health Day News.

Researchers surveyed older volunteers about their daily activities. They were asked to rate statements like, “I sometimes feel like I’ve done all there is to do in life” or “Setting goals is a waste of time” and “My daily activities seem trivial and unimportant to me”.

Five years later, the researchers looked at the health of each participant. Turns out, the people who consistently agreed with those kinds of statements were twice as likely to have died by the end of the follow-up period. Which means that having a purpose is crucial to staying healthy.

But you don’t need to set out to cure cancer or travel the globe. Something as simple as wanting to finish a series of books, or visit a local tourist attraction, is enough.

But if you really want to get the most out of your goal – pick one that requires volunteering.

In a study, people who volunteered just 2 hours a week lived longer, recovered from illness faster, and had lower rates of depression and dementia.

What’s better than watermelon on a hot day?

29 Wednesday Jul 2015

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bacteria, beta-carotene, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, couche, hot day, hydrate, hydrated, hydration, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, low carb, ripe, summer, summertime, watermelon

watermelon-hot-day-wp

Not only is it sweet and delicious – one slice of watermelon has the hydration equivalent of 10 ounces of water, that’s over a glass! And a slice of watermelon only has 85 calories! It’s the lowest carb fruit you can eat! How can you tell if a watermelon is ripe? Roll it around and check for the ‘couche’ — that’s the spot the melon rested on the ground while growing. If it’s white or yellow, it’s ripe. There should also be very little contrast between the stripes.
Also, you want to store watermelons at room temperature to bring out the most nutrients. One cup of watermelon has more lycopene and beta-carotene than a medium-sized tomato. Lastly, ALWAYS WASH the rind before slicing. It can be harboring bacteria which gets transferred into the fruit when you cut it.

Parents, if you make a lunch for your kids each day using processed meats, I have a warning for you:

28 Tuesday Jul 2015

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bologna, brown bag, children, children's lunch, colorectal cancer, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, deli counter, Dr. Marie Savard, fruits and vegetables, ham, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, kids, leftovers, nuts, packed lunch, parents, processed meats, prostate cancer, risk of cancer, sandwiches, school, school lunch, sliced bologna, sliced ham, sliced tukey, stomach cancer, The World Cancer Research Fund, turkey

kids-packed-lunch

You may be raising their risk of cancer!

The World Cancer Research Fund is now recommending that parents avoid making sandwiches using pre-packaged lunch meats… Things like sliced bologna, ham, or turkey.

That’s because of several recent studies that have linked eating large amounts of processed meats to an increased risk for prostate, stomach and colorectal cancers.

Processed meats also contain high levels of salt and saturated fats, which may boost a child’s risk for other health problems. For example: An average ham sandwich, made from processed slices, contains a full day’s worth of salt.

So, what should you serve for lunch instead? Dr. Marie Savard is a medical contributor for ABC News… And she recommends taking a “back to basics” approach when it comes to your child’s lunch. Ideally, she says it should include:

•Fruits and vegetables… which provide vitamins and fiber, as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants.

•Also a handful of nuts, which provide healthy protein.

•And as far as meat goes, Dr. Savard recommends using leftovers from last night’s dinner – including chicken, beef or pork. Those usually contain less salt and fat, compared to processed meats. If you can’t do that, get your meat sliced from a whole breast or roast at the supermarket deli counter.

If you’re on your cell phone all the time, you’ll want to read this:

27 Monday Jul 2015

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allergies, British Association of Dermatologists, cell phone, cellphone, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, corded headset, Dermatologist, headset, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, mobile phone dermatitis, nickel, outbreak, rash, skin allergies

cell-phone-acne

If you notice a rash starting to form on the side of your face where you hold your cell phone, that’s no coincidence. Dermatologists have dubbed the condition “mobile phone dermatitis.”

According to the British Association of Dermatologists, an outbreak on your ears or cheeks could be caused by the nickel surface on your cell phone. It happens wherever the skin touches the cell phone for too long. Nickel is a common metal, and is found in everything from belt buckles to coins. It’s also one of the most common causes of skin allergies.

To avoid this from happening, try using a corded headset.

Cancer concerns all of us.

24 Friday Jul 2015

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American Cancer Society, breast cancer, cancer, cancer risk, cell phones, cellphones, cigarettes, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, lung cancer, MRI, pollution, smoking

MRI-cancer-wp

A study from the American Cancer Society finds that many people are misinformed about their cancer risk… Here are some facts:

•39% of people think that living in a polluted city puts them at greater risk for lung cancer than smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. But in fact, smoking is BY FAR the leading cause of lung cancer – it’s behind 90% of all cases.

•30% of people believe cell phones cause cancer. While the vast majority of research shows no link between cell phones and cancer, a few studies DO show a small risk. It’s really too soon to tell. So the American Cancer Society recommends going hands-free whenever you can to keep the phone away from the side of your head.

•And finally: 6% of people believe underwire bras can cause breast cancer. But there’s no evidence to support this.

Want to lose weight and feel great?

23 Thursday Jul 2015

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calories, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, diet, healthy, healthy foods, In Defense of Food, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, lose weight, losing weight, Michael Pollan, weight loss, weightloss

lose-weight-feel-great-wp

Here are a few easy tips to help you eat healthier right now – from Michael Pollan, author of “In Defense of Food”:

#1: If you can’t grow it, or can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it. Potatoes obviously come from the ground, and eggs come from hens… But where do Pop-Tarts come from? If your best guess is “Aisle 7,” pass ‘em up!

#2: Don’t buy food where you can buy gas. It’s tempting to save time by grabbing groceries at the gas pump, or at a store where you can get a giant box of cereal and a lawn chair. But a survey by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that convenience stores charge a lot more for nutritious food than supermarkets do, like fresh produce and milk… Which means, if you “multi-shop” at one location, you’re more likely to buy cheaper, less-healthy foods.

#3: Remember, there’s no fruit in “fruit flavor.” On food packages, the word “flavor” means it was stripped of its real taste, and something artificial was substituted.

Finally: Don’t drink your dessert. Vitamin waters and energy drinks may sound healthy, but they’re really just sweetened water packed with calories. Bottom line: If it’s not skim milk, plain water, or regular coffee or tea, consider it a treat.

Are your kids staying hydrated?

22 Wednesday Jul 2015

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Charlie horse, children, Cleveland Clinic, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, cramps, dehydrate, dehydration, dizzy, electrolytes, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hot and humid, hydrated, hydration, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, kids, light-headed

kids-exercise-wp

Be aware of how much your kids are exercising this summer. Young athletes are at risk of dehydration in hot, humid weather. An emergency room physician from the Cleveland Clinic says not getting enough water can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Kids should be familiar with the signs they’re becoming dehydrated.

If they feel a Charlie horse in their legs, tingling fingers, dizziness, light-headedness, or cramps that won’t go away – those are all signs they aren’t getting enough water and are losing electrolytes. Kids produce more heat and sweat less than adults do. And they’re also less likely to drink enough water while exercising outside. So make sure your kids stay hydrated.

Do you know someone who suffers with Gout?

21 Tuesday Jul 2015

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aches, chicken livers, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, flare-up, gout, high-fructose corn syrup, inflammatory arthritis, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, organ meats, pain, purine, shellfish, turkey gizzards, uric acid

gout-elbow-wp

Gout is a condition characterized by abnormally elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, and it’s currently the #1 form of inflammatory arthritis. More than 3 million North Americans already suffer from gout, but the numbers are climbing fast! There was a 23% spike in diagnoses last year! Why? Because of our diet!

Gout is marked by a build-up of crystal-like deposits between joints – mainly in the big toes, ankles, elbows or shoulders. Researchers have found that foods high in a compound called purine are the most likely cause of gout build-ups. Purine’s common in organ meats – like chicken livers and turkey gizzards – as well as in shellfish, beef and alcohol. Also, new studies have found a link between gout and high-fructose corn syrup, a common ingredient in sugary sodas and processed foods.

The pain of gout can be so bad that the weight of a bed sheet feels excruciating – and a single flare-up can last a week or more. Fortunately, gout is treatable with medication, but the #1 factor in controlling gout is diet.

Let’s bust some summertime myths…

20 Monday Jul 2015

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American Red Cross, bacteria, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, digestion, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, Journal of Food Protection, leg cramps, mayonnaise, picnic, raw eggs, salmonella, summer, summertime, summertime myths, swimming, swimming pool

swim-eat-wp

• How about this one: You can’t swim after eating. That’s false. Years ago, medical experts thought it was dangerous to swim within an hour of eating… Because they believed digestion diverted blood away from muscles, and could lead to dangerous leg cramps. But today, even the American Red Cross says it’s OK to swim after eating.
• One more summer myth: Mayonnaise causes picnic poisoning. Again, that’s False. Mayo earned its bad rep back when people ate mayo they made at home… Because it contained raw eggs, which can be full of harmful bacteria. But today’s store-bought mayonnaise is pasteurized and sterile, so that’s not an issue. In fact, a recent study in the Journal of Food Protection found that professionally-made mayonnaise actually slows the growth of salmonella and other bacteria on food… Just keep in mind that all perishable food can spoil if it sits out for more than two hours.

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