Tomato juice protects bones

A new study shows that lycopene, a substance that makes tomatoes and other fruits red, reduces the bone resorption linked to osteoporosis.
At the University of Toronto’s Calcium Research Laboratory, researchers say lycopene from tomatoes has previously been shown to have a protective effect on bones. Their new finding suggests that lycopene can be used as a natural complementary or alternative supplement for the reduction of bone absorption. It is  especially recommended for women who are age 50 or more.
The doctors say it’s possible that drinking a couple of glasses of tomato juice a day could keep osteoporosis away.
Other foods with high levels of lycopene include pink grapefruit, watermelon and guava. Among prepared foods, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce and paste, and ketchup are loaded with lycopene.

Have faith in yourself, a positive outlook

Want to live a longer, healthier and more successful life? An optimistic outlook can help you achieve all three.
Researchers at Yale University say people who think positively live 7.5 years longer than those who don’t. The effect was more important than lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
An optimistic outlook is not something you are born with. It’s a character trait that can be achieved.
If your outlook is generally gloomy, changing it to positive isn’t easy. It takes work and repetition. When you are aware of your feelings, decide to be positive instead of negative. It might feel as if you are faking optimism, but after a while the optimism will be real.
Motivational author Charles Kovess says it’s important to remember that you are bound to meet negative people. Don’t let them throw you off course. He recommends being grateful for all experiences because we grow stronger by getting through the negatives.
Our actions are the results of our beliefs. If we have positive beliefs, we will take positive actions.
In his ground breaking book, The Power of Positive Thinking, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale says: “Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”

In honor of National Eye Care Month, schedule family checkups

The month of January is dedicated to the promotion of healthy vision. We can start by protecting our eyes with sunglasses when we’re outdoors, goggles whenever we’re mowing the lawn or using machinery, and, yes, by eating carrots. Carrots contain beta-carotene that helps guard night vision and protection against macular degeneration.
Even if you don’t need glasses, an eye exam can help the doctor suggest treatment for problems like eyestrain and headaches. Staring at computers, TV screens and handheld devices intensifies these symptoms.
Early AMD: Signs of age-related macular degeneration can be seen many years before vision is affected. Doctors may recommend vitamins C, A and E, or lutein, to slow or prevent AMD.
Presbyopia: the slow loss of ability to see close objects or small print, usually beginning at about age 40. A correct eyeglass prescription is important at this point.
Floaters: tiny spots that float across our field of vision. Although they aren’t usually a sign of trouble, in rare cases they can be a warning sign of retinal detachment.
Dry eyes: occur when our tear glands don’t make enough tears; can cause itching, burning, or some loss of vision. Eye drops may help, but an exam may reveal Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that has white blood cells attacking moisture-producing glands. Four million Americans have it.
Cataracts: cloudy areas in part or all of the eye lens that keep light from passing through the lens, causing loss of eyesight. They form slowly and can usually be removed by surgery.
Glaucoma: too much fluid pressure inside the eye. The cause is unknown, but it can often be controlled and blindness prevented. There are no early warning signs.
Conjunctivitis: occurs when tissues that line the eyelids and cover the cornea become inflamed, causing itching, burning, tearing, or a feeling of something in the eye.
Vision checks often cost less than $40 and may be covered by insurance. Clinics may provide free checkups in January.
Another route to healthy vision may be considering Lasik or Laser Surgery. The process of Laser Surgery incorporates reshaping the cornea of the eye to a different shape, resulting in better vision.
Depending on the severity of your prescription and whether or not you have an astigmatism, you may be a great candidate for Lasik. Consider the benefits of freedom from glasses, contacts and solution – and the financial cost doesn’t seem so high. Many vision centers offer sales in the month of January, check your local Lasik Centers today!

Easy, healthy tips:

Avoid the afternoon slump
Why not just drink some water in the afternoon if you begin to feel tired? You could be dehydrated, which can cause fatigue. In addition to drinking water, experts quoted in Health give this advice:
Have a high-energy snack like celery with peanut butter or some dark chocolate.
Walk. It will raise your energy level.Go outside, especially into the sunshine, to perk up your energy and mood. The idea of doing the recommended 30 minutes of exercise every day keeps some people from doing any at all. But how about 10 minutes?
10 minutes instead of 30…
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Centerin Baton Rouge, La., say every bit of exercise helps. Studies show that just 10 minutes a day of low-impact exercise, such as walking, can improve your general health and reduce the size of your waistline.
That’s an important benefit because belly fat can surround your vital organs and that’s linked to higher levels of disease-causing inflammation.

You can lose weight without going hungry: Here’s how

To achieve a healthy weight, and maintain it for the rest of your life, don’t think about losing weight fast. Do it slowly and steadily.
You won’t have to make intricate calculations about how many calories you should eat, then write down the value of every morsel you consume. And you won’t have to buy a diet book that calls for recipe ingredients you’ve never heard of.
Instead, reduce calories by making better food and drink choices.
Drinks: Rather than drinking a latte with 500 calories, have a cup of black coffee. Instead of drinking sugary soda pop, choose diet pop or water.
Planning: Plan your meals and snacks for a week. Make a shopping list that includes low-fat meat, fish, chicken, vegetables, fruits and whole grain bread.
Snacks: If you want to snack on chips, nuts, crackers or candy, put the amount you intend to eat in a bowl. Stash the bag away so you won’t eat more without thinking about it.
Prepare foods wisely: Broil or bake your chicken, fish and red meats. Frying adds calories. Battering and deep frying can double the number of calories.
Skip the butter when you make mashed potatoes. You won’t notice it’s missing after you add low-fat gravy.
Salads: Use fat-free or low-fat salad dressing. Two tablespoons of blue cheese dressing have 150 calories. You might use three or four tablespoons, depending on the size of the salad.
When to eat: At three meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus an evening snack. Studies show that people who eat breakfast will eat less the rest of the day. Include protein, like cheese or an egg, fruit, and whole grain bread. Drink a glass of water before each meal.
How much to eat: At home and at restaurants, eat a reasonable portion of food. Relax and take your time. If you eat fast, you’ll eat more.
You may not want to do all of these things, but doing some of them will result in weight loss!

Live a Longer & Healthier Life

By Tony Dole
You should balance your activities with the proper amount of rest. Some of the leading experts in the field of aging now believe that regular exercise along with the proper amount of rest may actually add years to the life span. Results from a number of tests indicate that speed and muscular strength of many of the elderly can be extended.
Leading authorities agree that this new data is going to shatter many of the myths about aging and physical performance. The conclusion now is that the performance and ability of the elderly has long been underestimated, diet, proper sleep and exercise along with rest and relaxation are all important factors in preserving our bodies.
Laughter is one of the best things for your mental and physical state. (Guess we’re doing okay by running Funnies in the Bugler, eh?) People are naturally attracted to someone who has a good sense of humor. You can develop a good outlook and a good sense of humor by associating with and surrounding yourself with pleasant happy people.
Recognize that stress is a killer. A life filled with stress can really wreak havoc on your body causing a number of illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma, gastric problems, menstrual disorders, ulcerative colitis, angina, irritable colon, increased blood pressure, ulcers, headaches, etc.
There are different types of stress such as mental, emotional and physical. Emotional stress seems to take the greatest toll on everyone. All stress is not bad; in fact, life would not be very interesting if it were not met with challenges. However, too much stress, too often with no effective and appropriate outlet, does not allow the body and soul to recuperate.
You might review a typical week to see if you can identify things that might be making you anxious or causing you stress. Once identified, stressors can be attacked and eliminated.
Are you a worrier? Chronic worriers don’t have more serious problems than others – they just think they do. Many worriers try to cope by trying not to think about their problems, but this just makes things worse. Doctors say that chronic worriers feel less anxious if they actually spend a half-hour a day thinking specifically about their problems.
Get plenty of exercise. People who are physically fit look good and feel good. A good exercise regimen will lengthen your life. Improve your appearance, build self confidence and help delay the aging process.
Remember that you need to do something physical every day. If you don’t use your joints, quite simply they’ll tighten up with age to create the stooped, bent and worn out appearance we so often associate with old age. Studies have shown that people with arthritis experience less pain if they continue to keep their joints flexible.
As one gets older, the bones tend to get brittle which is why it is common for senior citizens to break bones and especially their hips when they fall.
Eating right, getting proper sleep and learning to relax are all very valuable in maintaining a healthy body and mind.
And keep in mind that eating healthy foods and avoiding those high in fats, sodium and cholesterol will help to decrease your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and associated problems.
So – laugh with people, or at yourself, exercise with people or with yourself, drink your eight to ten glasses of water every single day, and eat healthy to live a longer, more satisfying and healthy life!

Alternative Healing isn’t so ‘alternative’ any more

All one needs to do is ask someone around them, whether they are acquaintances or not, this simple question: “Have you seen a chiropractor lately?”
The vast majority of people will probably answer something like, “Oh no, I haven’t been able to get in to see mine this week”, or something similar. Chiropractic isn’t so alternative any more.
Especially with insurances covering more and more “alternative” or natural styles of healing, including massage and chiropractic. Some are even covering certain acupuncture treatments and homeopathic remedies.
Mainstream supermarkets have even greatly expanded their organic produce and natural healing sections to accommodate the rapidly growing requests from customers.
If you haven’t considered giving ‘alternative’ healing a try – you really must give it a go. Natural and non-invasive, as well as drug free – you really will be benefiting from the positive healing involved for your body.
Gather and listen to testimonies from your friends, and decide.

Fiber is Fabulous

For better health, put more fiber into your diet
New studies show that fiber benefits more than the digestive tract. It prevents weight gain, and it reduces blood pressure and type 2 diabetes risk. The best advice: eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans every day.
The Institute of Medicine recommends eating 14 grams of fiber for every 1000 calories we consume, typically about 20 to 35 grams a day.