Health Insurance Archives - Page 41 of 52

How to Cut Down Salt in Your Diet

Usually we are unaware of how much salt we consume in a day. Around 75% of the things we eat already have salt in it, even things like bread, and cereal. It is important to keep an eye on our salt intake in order to prevent any serious health conditions. High sodium intake can cause high blood pressure, water retention, and can lead to heart disease. Everything is good in moderation, and salt is no different. The problem is that most of us do not realize exactly how much salt we consume or what to do about it. We have compiled a few helpful tips to help you keep track of how

*A lot of everyday foods that you consume conatin salt. Try to keep track of how much salt foods contain, and minimize large salt intake for better health.*

much salt you are actually eating, and how to cut down if you realize you’re getting way too much!

Cooking

When cooking, we throw in a handful of salt or a pinch here and there out of habit. Sometimes the amount of salt we add is a lot more than needed and in the long run will hurt our bodies. There are many different seasonings that can be used to bring flavor to our food that are not as harmful to your health and help cut down on salt. Fresh herbs can be used on vegetables and meat such as garlic and ginger, both are beneficial to your health. Ginger and garlic can lower your blood pressure, fight infections, help you lose weight, and is anti-inflammatory.

Shopping

When you are out shopping for foods, it is important to check the milligrams of sodium on label. Compare labels and try to cut the salt by choosing cereals, condiments, and snacks that have lower salt. Ham and packaged meats can be high in salt, as well as fish, so try to stay away from them as much as possible, go for the fresh options instead. Canned foods and sauces can be high in sodium too, so keep an eye on those as well. Buying products with less salt doesn’t necessarily mean less taste. Fresher ingredients give you the opportunity to adjust ingredients, try new flavors, and experiment with new cooking styles introducing you to meals you may not have tried before, and giving you body a much better balance of nutrients.

Eating Out

A lot of food that is made at restaurants or fast food places can be full of sodium because they are made of frozen and ready made ingredients. When eating out try to opt for a fresh salad, this is much better for your digestive system, has less frozen ingredients, and will cut down on the amount of unnecessary chemicals and sodium you are taking in. Even salads can have unnecessary amounts of salt if you are not careful, be mindful of salad dressings, and extra toppings they can be full of salt and fat. If you feel the need for pasta or a burger, there are ways to make it healthier. You can limit the condiments on burgers that are full of salt, and stick to cheese and vegetables. With pasta, choose a healthier tomato sauce instead of alfredo, and add vegetables to the pasta. If ordering a sandwich, go for something

*If you choose to go out to eat, opt for less condiments on a sandwich. This will save you from eating too much salt. Less is more!*

other than ham because it is generally full of salt, try something like grilled chicken with vegetables.

Our kidneys have a hard time trying to keep up with the amount of salt we take in on a daily basis. The body ends up holding the water in, increasing blood volume, which in the end forces our hearts to pump harder. Over time, the work the heart has to put in can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. High blood pressure is the leading cause of heart disease. It is very important to examine the our salt intake every day to avoid these issues. All it takes are a few simple switches to turn a high sodium meal into a healthier choice, and we do not have to miss out on flavor while doing so. We only have one heart, so we should try to keep it as healthy as possible.

Foods Proven To Prevent Cancer

Helping prevent cancer is so easy it might surprise you. It is as simple as adding the right types of food to your diet to decrease your chances! While there is no magical fruit or vegetable that will cure cancer or completely prevent cancer, there are foods you can eat to lower your risk of getting cancer. Certain foods can help boost your immune system, and protect your body to fight off diseases and cancer. Research has shown there is a link between cancer and your diet. The other factors are your environment and genetics, but you can change the chances of getting cancer up to 70% by improving your diet. A lot of Americans have an unhealthy diet, and would rather eat a cheeseburger than vegetables. However, foods such as garlic, broccoli, and fruits can not only lower your risk of heart disease, but also lower your risk of cancer. It is definitely worth adding to your diet as often as possible.

There is no secret that how we treat our bodies, and what we put into it, is what we get back from how it functions. Making small changes to your diet can make a difference to your health long-term. Antioxidants are key to boost your immune system and protect against cancer cells. Here are some nutritious foods to eat and what they provide your body with:

*Many vegetables such as carrots, garlic, and brocolli have antioxidants that help fight cancer cells. Some can even shrink current cancer cells.*

Broccoli

Broccoli is considered a superfood that prevents cancer due to containing sulforaphane. Sulforaphane was tested and has shown to reduce the size and number of breast cancer cells up to 75%. Hundreds of studies in mice have shown that broccoli also reduces prostate, colorectal and colon cancer. Be sure that when you cook broccoli to add to your meals, that you do not microwave it. Microwaving broccoli kills almost all of its cancer-protective nutrients. It is best to eat it raw, or boil it over the stove for 6 minutes to reduce losing too much of the good stuff.

Garlic

Not only can garlic help lower your blood pressure and risk of heart disease, but it has been shown to kill off cancer cells. Multiple studies have shown that the active component in garlic named allicin lowers the risk of stomach cancer and prostate cancer. Add garlic to your meals when you cook, the fresher the better. You may have stinky breath, but you will have a healthier body!

Carrots

Carrots contain beta-carotene which is an antioxidant that may protect cell membranes from the growth of cancer cells. It has been reduced to lowering lung cancer, and cervical cancer. Eat carrots when they are cooked to benefit its antioxidants properties more. Steam or boil the carrots for most nutritional value.

Tomatoes

Not only are tomatoes yummy, but they have the potential to help your body fight off prostate cancer and heart disease. A phytochemical called lycopene gives tomatoes their red color, and its anticancer properties as well. Several studies have shown that the increased intake of lycopene lead to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Add fresh tomatoes to your sauces, salsa, and sandwiches.

Olive Oil

Adding olive oil to your diet can reduce a woman’s chances of breast cancer by almost 70%. Studies have shown that around the world, countries who used olive oil more, had decreased rates of colorectal cancer. Try to swap other oils for olive oil when cooking, and for drizzle on salads and marinades.

Berries

Berries carry so many antioxidants and vitamin C, which aids in the destruction of cancer-causing cells. Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries carry a lot of antioxidant power. Not only can berries prevent the growth of cancer cells, but studies have shown that people with cancer who eat berries such as blackberries slowed cancer progression and reduce the growth of the cells. Grab some berries at your local store and find ways to incorporate it in your day as a snack, or added to salads and smoothies.

Nuts

What is yummy and goes well with berries? Nuts! Eating nuts regularly can decrease the risk of colorectal, pancreatic, and endometrial cancers. Brazil nuts are high in selenium which protects your body from lung cancer, and walnuts were studied to decrease breast cancer cells by 80%. Add some nuts to your salads, cooked meals, and in some homemade trail mix.

There are so many benefits to eating healthier, especially when it comes to fighting off cancer. Research is conducted everyday, and has shown that your diet has a large impact on your overall health and risk of cancer. Some foods will not only reduce the speed and growth of cancer cells, but they can prevent it all together. Incorporate the foods mentioned more often into your diet, and not only will you begin to feel better, but your body will have a higher chance of beating cancer cell’s butts.

Warning Signs & Symptoms Of An Eating Disorder

An eating disorder is a mental illness that involves abnormal eating, whether not eating at all, binging and purging, or overeating. Eating disorders impact a person’s mental and physical health negatively. According to the National Eating Disorder Association, over 30 million Americans have some sort of eating disorder. It affects people of all ages, sizes, and race, and can be heritable. Every 62 minutes someone dies from a result of an eating disorder, making it the highest death rate among mental illnesses. People may display a combination of symptoms, or only one

*Eating disorders affect millions of Americans. Knowing and spotting the symptoms and signs can help you seek help before it worsens.*

symptom, while some people may not show any signs at all. Find out the warning signs and symptoms of an eating disorder so you can get the proper help for yourself or a loved one before it worsens, possibly leading to death.

Anyone can develop an eating disorder, including children. Kids are 7-12 times more likely to develop an eating disorder if a parent, sibling, or relative has an eating disorder. Other stressors such as bullying, and chronic illnesses make people more at risk. Eating disorders not only make a person deficient nutritionally, but it can bring on depression and anxiety. Sometimes an eating disorder can disguise itself as other things. So what are the signs of an eating disorder?

Signs of Eating Disorder

The earlier you detect the signs, then the higher your chance is of treating the disorder. Signs to look for are:

Physical Signs

Dramatic weight loss
Fainting or dizziness
Not sleeping well
Low energy
Feeling cold all the time, even when it is warm out
Stomach cramps (constipation, acid reflux, etc.)
Difficulty concentrating
Dry skin
Dental issues such as erosion, cavities and tooth sensitivity
Weakness of muscles
Disturbance or loss of menstrual cycle in women
Decreased libido in men
Wounds take longer to heal

Psychological/behavioral Signs

Expressing excessive body dissatisfaction
Dressing in layers or baggy clothes to hide weight loss
Preoccupied with eating food, weight, calories, and dieting
One of the signs of an eating disorder is the constant need to exercise.
Feeling irritable around meal time, or denies feeling hungry
Using food for comfort
Using food as a punishment
Vomiting frequently
Using laxatives, enemea, diuretics, and appetite suppressants
Compulsive need to exercise
Comments a lot about feeling fat
Binge eating
Eating in private
A need for control
Obsessive rituals with food such as eating slow, and cutting food into small pieces

While a lot of these signs may seem normal, it is something to consider if you or someone you know exhibits one or more of the mentioned signs. If so, seek medical and professional help for yourself or a loved one. If you have an instinctive “gut” feeling that someone might have an eating disorder, then chances are you are probably right. Follow your instincts and seek help. The quicker you recognize the signs of an eating disorder, the more success you have of treating it.

Is Flossing More Important Than Brushing?

“Have you been flossing regularly?” The question a lot of people dread hearing from the dentist, and never really answer truthfully. A survey conducted around the U.S. resulted in the truth- that a lot of people lie to their dentist about flossing. Everyone is told that flossing is important and that it should be done, if not after every meal, then at

*Studies show that a lot of people across the country lie to their dentist about flossing.*

least once a day. This just doesn’t happen, and why? The answer is simple, people do not like to floss. People would rather brush their teeth than have to pull out a piece of floss. However, brushing your teeth only cleans the surface of your teeth, and does not always reach the gap between the teeth. As much as you dread it, flossing will help prevent diseases and cavities. Besides, what’s worse, dealing with that painful needle to numb you before filling a cavity, or a piece of floss in between your teeth?

Prevents Tooth Decay & Gum Disease

This is probably the most important reason to floss your teeth. When you brush your teeth, you can only remove so much from it, leaving behind the plaque stuck in between those hard to get places. When that plaque is not removed, it will lead to tartar buildup, which if not removed and taken care of, leads to gum disease.

Your mouth naturally has a lot of bacteria in it. When plaque builds up, the bacteria in the mouth creates a toxic byproduct that causes tooth decay and gum disease. So this bad bacteria begins to inflame your gums, causing disease. From personal experience, not flossing in between two specific teeth that are tight, and where food gets

Sometimes brushing your teeth does not get all the food stuck in between teeth. — *Brushing your teeth does not always get the food stuck in between some teeth. Flossing helps get it before it turns into something as serious as tooth decay and gum disease.*

stuck constantly, has caused me to receive cavities followed by fillings, not once but twice. Since then, I started flossing, mainly because I hate getting fillings.

Help Get Rid of Bad Breath

Let’s talk about stinky breath. One in four people experience bad breath, and it is most likely caused by an oral hygiene issue. When food gets stuck in between your teeth and do not get removed, the bacteria in your mouth begins to break down the food particles into sulfur compounds. Have you ever smelled sulfur? It smells like rotten eggs, sometimes worse. Definitely not something you want your mouth to smell like. One way to prevent this is to floss.

You may be too tired at the end of a long day to think about flossing, but it does not have to happen at the end of the day. You can floss at any time, and to make it easier, try keeping floss handy in your purse, car, or on your nightstand by your bed. Having easy access to floss can help remind, and even encourage you to use it. Think of the benefits! Also when your dentist asks you if you have been flossing, then you won’t have to lie.

Apple Watches Are Saving Lives!

In recent news, Apple watches have been the reason for saving some lives by monitoring their heart rates. WatchOS 4 was installed in Apple watches which when enabled; the feature tells the owner if their heart rate beats per minute is elevated after 10 minutes of inactivity. HeartWatch app will track your resting heart rate and notify the user of their heart rate elevating when resting.

*Apple Watches have been gaining recognition for saving lives.*

These Apple watches have gained popularity over the years and with the ability to alert users of elevated heart rates, potentially saving their lives, it improves over time. Several accounts of people talking about how these watches saved their lives have been reported.

A high school football player was training and after several hours after, he noticed his heart rate was still at 145 beats per minute. After going to the hospital with concerns, he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a syndrome linked to muscle injury when muscle tissue s broken down and releases protein into the bloodstream. The doctors told the young man that if he went to practice the next day he could have lost muscle control and could’ve died.

Another account was a lawyer who used the Apple watch to track his sleep schedule a couple of nights a week. Scott Killian bought the watch because it alerted him of tasks, meetings, and important things, but was surprised when the watch is the reason he is alive today. Scott recently had a stress test done and was cleared without issue by doctors. One night at 1 am Scott’s watch woke him up alerting him his heart rate was elevated around 121 beats per minute, so he went to the hospital. He was very reluctant to go since he had the stress test done, but when he got there he was given unexpected news.

Scott was hooked up to an EKG machine, and when the results were in, he was told his Apple watch was accurate with his beats per minute being high. After a blood test, it was revealed that his enzymes were high signaling a heart attack was happening or about to happen. They tested Scott some more, only to find out he had four blocked arteries and needed stents in all four of them. Scott was surprised to find this it after he paid so much to get the stress test done because had he kept sleeping he could’ve died in his sleep.

*The Apple Watch monitors the users heart rate, and alerts them of abnormal activity.*

The same account happened to a man in China, where his watch alerted him and after tests done at the h

ospital showed he had 3 arteries completely blocked, and the fourth was 90% blocked. If ignored, he would have died of a major heart attack. These men have shared their stories grateful for a second chance at life.

Technology continues to advance every day and hopefully it will lead to a future where we can save people’s lives and help them make healthier choices. Apple Watches have shown that it is possible and with time, anything is possible.

Texas Judge Rules Obamacare Unconstitutional- What This Means For The Future

Just before Christmas, a federal Texas judge, Reed O’Connor, ruled that the entire Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was unconstitutional. This all began December 2017, when President Trump eliminated the individual mandate from Obamacare. The individual mandate was the penalty people had to pay during tax season if they did not get health insurance for the year. When the mandate was officially gone, many states decided to take action against the ACA, filing a lawsuit deeming the ACA unconstitutional. Texas is the first state to rule against the ACA’s validity. Obamacare may now face some challenges. However, as of now the ACA open enrollment will still take place for 2019, and people will still get coverage.

*Texas judge ruled Obamcare (ACA) unconstitutional, making it invalid.*

If the ACA is completely dismantled, then this means that other provisions would go away as well. This includes pre-existing conditions, young adults staying on their parents’ insurance until the age of 26, and the coverage of “essential benefits” such as mental health, prescription drugs, and maternity.

The ACA Holds Up For Now

In response to the judgement from O’Connor, Obama wrote “it’s so important for you to know that last night’s ruling changes nothing for now. As this decision makes its way through the courts, which will take months, if not years, the law remains in place and will likely stay that way. Open enrollment is proceeding as planned today. And a good way to show that you’re tired of people trying to take away your health care is to go get covered! A lot of good people are fighting to ensure that nothing about your care will change. The ACA protects your pre-existing conditions, no matter how you get your insurance. Young people can stay on their parents’ plans until they’re 26. Preventive care like checkups, mammograms, and contraceptive care are still covered. Mental health care is still covered. Women can’t be charged more just for being a woman. All of that is guaranteed by the ACA as long as it’s the law.”

Trump on the other hand was happy of the judgement stating in a tweet, “It was a big, big victory by a highly respected judge, highly, highly respected in Texas, and on the assumption that the Supreme Court upholds, we will get great, great health care for our people. We’ll have to sit down with the Democrats to do it, but I’m sure they want to do it also.”

*As of now, Obamcare will be available for 2019. The future of the ACA is unkown, especially not until 2020 after the high court hears Texas’ case.*

What The Future Holds

While legal experts predict that the decision will be overturned by the high court, it will not be likely to take place until 2020. Until then, the ACA law is not yet invalidated, even though enrollment has taken a hit. Enrollment is down by 12% compared to the previous year. The ACA has withheld a lot over the years, and only time will tell it’s future, but as for now, it is here to stay.

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