Linda Quirk, a 56-year-old marathon runner who recently completed a marathon on each of the seven continents in 11 months, understands the importance of running younger for longer. Linda ran around the globe to raise $1 million and awareness for Caron Treatment Centers — a network of addiction treatment and recovery facilities . To help her complete her mission of raising funds and with the support of BP and BP gasoline with Invigorate – an additive which helps cars run younger for longer, Quirk is now training to attempt to become the first woman to complete the “4 Deserts” in under a year – a series of four, seven day and 155-mile footraces across some of the most daunting deserts on Earth.

“For me, running these extreme missions helps me stay younger for longer,” says Quirk. “Running fuels my life and keeps me feeling my best. For others, it may be swimming, yoga or walking. Whatever the case, you have to find time to do the exercises and activities that you’re passionate about.”

To keep your body running younger for longer, Quirk recommends these tips:

Partner up: Find a friend to be your training buddy or sign up for fitness classes to help meet your fitness goals and keep you on track. It’s easier to stick to your fitness schedule if you have someone to join the experience and helps you stay accountable if you miss a class.

Fuel up with the right nutrients: Simply because your cardio workouts are increasing your body’s metabolism, that doesn’t mean you can eat whatever you want. Eating a balanced diet of carbohydrates, protein, good fats and fiber is always going to be the best way to fuel your body – no matter how hard you are working out.

This same principle should be applied to your car. In fact, filling up with a high-quality fuel like BP gasoline with Invigorate can help cars run younger for longer. BP gasoline with Invigorate is a unique formula that helps clean and protect vital engine parts to help restore fuel economy lost to a dirty engine, so your car could get a few more miles per tank.

Embrace your age: As your body ages, it’s important to pay attention to how it responds during any new physical activities. The older your body gets, the more you need to ease it into any new fitness regimens. This will help you reduce the risk of over-training. Be sure to incorporate the use of gentler exercises – when necessary – like swimming or the elliptical machine.

Post-workout care: After completing a workout routine, remember to keep moving to allow the blood in the body’s muscles to circulate back to the heart. If your leg muscles experience soreness after a lower body workout, take an ice bath to instantly reduce any inflammation in the legs. Finally, be proud of your achievement.

To keep track of Linda’s “4 Deserts” mission and to learn more about BP gasoline with Invigorate, visit www.bpinvigorate.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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DHA is an important nutrient in promoting good health; nerve cells in the brain and eyes need it to function normally. DHA is particularly important during the first two years of life and early childhood. Between birth and 5 years of age, the human brain increases approximately 3.5 times in mass. It is important that children consume adequate amounts of DHA in their diet to support this period of rapid brain and eye growth and development.

When it comes to DHA, a good diet is crucial. You must get DHA through foods since your body cannot make enough of it on its own. To understand this healthy fat better, nutrition and wellness expert, Monica Bearden, answers some common questions.

Why do we need DHA?

DHA is important to both adults and children for healthy nerve cells in the brain and eyes. In adults, DHA can protect against the development of a number of chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In infants and children, DHA is essential for visual and cognitive development.

How much DHA do we need?

Adults should get a minimum of between 160 to 300 mg of DHA each day, according to the Dietary Reference Intakes and clinical studies. But American adults typically fall short, getting less than 50 percent of the recommended DHA intake each day. And while in the U.S. there are no formal guidelines established for DHA in children, some estimate that children should get at least 100 mg. Children also fall short and on average only get 40 to 50 mg per day.

Why are we not getting enough?

While the number of fortified foods available with DHA is increasing, it is sparse in our food supply. Children are especially at risk of a shortfall because when they are weaned from DHA-rich breast milk or infant formula, the foods and beverages that replace breast milk and formula are low in DHA, if they contain any at all. The main dietary source of DHA, fish, is not a staple of most kids’ diets, and concerns about contaminants, as well as the rise in food allergies, have reduced children’s fish intake even more.

Why should parents be concerned?

More than likely their child is not getting enough. Aside from needing DHA for normal brain and visual development, there is data to suggest that DHA deficiency is linked to learning difficulties and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Making sure their child has adequate DHA intake from before birth on into childhood is one small thing parents can do to help their child’s growth and development.

What are good sources of DHA?

Good sources of DHA are cold-water fatty fish like canned salmon, canned tuna, wild Alaska sockeye or Alaska pink salmon. If you’re not a fish lover, there are many foods on grocery store shelves that are fortified with a vegetarian form of DHA made from algae called life’sDHA. For example, you can now find yogurt, milk, juices, breads, soymilk and nutrition bars with this vegetarian DHA. Make sure to look for “DHA” on the labels of your food choices to make sure you are getting the right kind of omega-3. In addition, certain eggs now contain higher levels of DHA. Interestingly, the chickens are fed a specially fortified DHA diet, which results in DHA-rich eggs. You can also take and give your children DHA supplements, but talk with your family doctor before taking any supplements or giving them to your children.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – It may fly in the face of everything your mother taught you about health, but not all bacteria are bad. Some can actually improve your immune and digestive health. Eating foods enhanced with probiotics, or taking supplements, are a great (and delicious) way to make bacteria work for you and to fight germs.

The latest nutritional trend, “probiotics,” has spawned a frenzy of interest from consumers and food manufacturers alike. According to the New York Times, “In the year since the Dannon Company introduced Activia, a line of yogurt with special live bacteria, sales in the United States have soared well past the $100 million mark. Now other food makers are scrambling to offer their own products with special live microbes that offer health benefits, known as probiotics.”

The word ”probiotic,” means ”for life” in Latin, and has come to characterize a large family of bacteria and microbes that are beneficial for healthy immune and digestive function. While probiotic use is relatively new in the United States, Eastern Europeans have included these friendly bacteria in their diets for hundreds of years.

In countries like Russia, Ukraine and Bulgaria, probiotics are consumed in fermented foods like yogurt, cheese and pickled vegetables and are also found in unpasteurized milk. Russian medical research has focused on the thousands of strains of these healthy bacteria, defining what different strains do in the human body.

Researchers have found that these bacteria assist the body in everything from digestion to healthy immune function. But what is the best way to include these friendly bacteria in your diet, and how much do you need for good health?

Live probiotic cultures are available in health food stores in several forms — capsules, powders and liquids that may be added to juice or water. Probiotic culture content is measured in the billions per dose — many health care practitioners recommend taking five to 10 billion per day. Prescription antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria in the intestinal tract, so many doctors suggest taking probiotics after a course of antibiotics. Probiotics are safe and non-toxic with no side effects.

For those who want probiotics for digestive support, there are several brands on the market. The Web site www.buyprobiotics.net carries brands such as Primal Defense, Culturelle, Natural Defense and Spectrabiotics. Do not buy probiotics unless they are refrigerated at the store, and always refrigerate the product at home to preserve freshness.
Some people prefer to get their daily dose of friendly bacteria in yogurt, but check the product package for information about “live culture” counts — not all commercial yogurts have these live cultures after manufacturing and the addition of sugar or corn syrup. The Dannon Activia brand contains a strain of probiotic intended to aid bowel regularity, and has had many positive customer reviews.

For immune function, Eastern European researchers took the friendly bacteria a step further and broke it into tiny fragments. The researchers found that the microscopic cell pieces stimulated an immune response and helped protect the body from foreign invaders like flu and cold germs. These cell fragment products, sometimes called “immunobiotics,” are emerging in the United States as a new type of dietary supplement.

One product, Del-Immune V, (www.delimmune.com) was discovered by a retired Colorado pharmacist and brought to the U.S. from Russia in 2002. The product is popular with doctors and consumers. Because of its immune system-supporting properties, “School teachers are the product’s biggest fans,” says Dr. Elin Ritchie M.D., Taos, NM.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Enjoy a fresher morning routine

(NC)—How do you go from 0 to 60 in the morning? Dove (www.dove.ca) shares the secrets of early birds and night owls for an energized morning.

Many sleep experts recommend a combination of two strategies for maximum sleep enjoyment. First, go to bed when you’re tired and your body tells you to. Second, wake up at the same time every morning. When the alarm clock goes off, turn it off, stretch and get up. Don’t let your head start a conversation about sleeping in – get up and get moving.

If you’re waking up groggy, consider purchasing these sleep-conducive items: An allergy-free mattress cover, heavy curtains or an eye mask to block out light, herbal teas and bubble bath to relax you before bed. Sounder sleep means less morning drowsiness.

If you need a cup of java first thing to shift you into high gear, program your automatic coffee maker to start brewing 10 minutes before your alarm clock. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee can help lure your out of that comfy nest.

Even if you never make it out to a yoga class, you can benefit from the energy released while stretching at home. Stretch your arms, wrists, toes, feet, ankles and legs for 15 minutes and the flow of blood and the extra shot of oxygen will get your joints jumping.

Whether you prefer rock, jazz, classical or hip-hop, music can make the difference between a lacklustre start to your day and a spirited one. Consider books-on-tape or motivational speaker CDs and enjoy the added benefit of a good story or encouraging word before you start your day.

Ask more from your anti-perspirant, body wash, beauty bar and shampoo. When you’re moisturizing, bathing and even applying deodorant choose products that are energizing or refresh the spirit. Experiment with mint, citrus, lemongrass and rosemary.

-News Canada

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When someone is faced with diabetes, it is important that they are able to reach out and gain support from doctors, friends, and family, as this is something that not everyone can manage alone. While there is not currently a cure for this illness, there are many diabetes treatment options that can be explored in order to make the best of the situation. While diabetes will definitely change the way you eat and exercise, it does not have to ruin who you are or how you feel about your life. If anything, it is an opportunity to take a closer look at how you live life.

There are many people who are using only the conventional methods of diabetes treatment and they work wonders for them. The diabetes treatment that most people with serious cases of diabetes receive, include either pills or injections of insulin in order to maintain a healthy body. This method, along with maintaining a move active and physical lifestyle is a way that many people find as a beneficial diabetes treatment along with a proper diet. But just because this works for some, does not mean it works for everyone.

Natural Diabetes Treatment

There are actually some people who do not react well at all to the insulin type of diabetes treatment and they are left looking for alternative methods. They are many products on the market that are said to help and even cure diabetes although these are not generally regulated by the FDA so you would always want to do your research and speak with your doctor before starting anything. Although there is no official cure for diabetes, there are many individuals who swear by natural remedies and state that this is the best and only way to approach diabetes treatment.

While most of what is on the market is not harmful, it is important not to stop the current medicine or treatment that your doctor has you on as this may result in terrible outcomes. It is important though to find what works best for you when it comes to diabetes treatment, as it is your life and just because the FDA doesn’t yet approve it does not mean that it won’t someday be as more research goes into the different diabetes treatment options. So by exploring your different options, you are giving yourself a better chance of finding what works for you and once you find it, stick with it in order to achieve long term success.

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With diabetes on the rise in this country, it is no wonder that many more people are starting to take a better look at the way they live their life, even right down to what foods they eat. Eating the right foods and using different types of diabetes recipes is not only good for those currently suffering from the disease but also a way to help you avoid it. Using diabetes recipes for all of your meals is an excellent way of keeping tabs on what you are bringing into your body as it can be so easy to forget how much sugar there is in some of the store bought, already processed foods.

Using diabetes recipes is also a great way to get your family involved in practicing a healthy lifestyle. Most of the diabetes recipes that can be found are just as tasty as something more fattening and the only way anyone would really know it was geared towards those with diabetes is if you told them. And with having picky eaters in your house, this may be a secret you want to keep and they will never be the wiser. Your body and your family will thank you for providing them with healthy alternatives to what dinner options you may be already serving them.

Where To Find Diabetes Recipes

There are many places that you can find different and interesting diabetes recipes including from your doctor. Your family doctor may already have a nice list of meals that can be prepared for those with this illness. Also, there are many recipes that can be found all over the Internet and just by doing a simple search in a search engine, you are likely to come up with hundreds, if not thousands, of different diabetes recipes. Asking friends and family may be of some help to as you may be surprised as to how many other people are starting to be more careful in what they eat.

There are also Internet based newsletters that you can subscribe to in order to receive all kinds of different diabetes recipes.  These newsletters are often free or cost very little and are well worth the cost as every month you would be introduced to something new and exciting. There are also a lot of magazines, which are completely geared towards diabetes research, health, and diabetes recipes. These magazines also make the prefect present for someone in your life suffering from diabetes.

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Most of us have taken a prescription medication for one condition or another at some point. While we may get a brief explanation from our doctor about the drug, most people will not take the extra steps to ensure they are using the medication as safely or effectively as they can be. In fact, by taking a few simple steps — and asking some basic questions — patients can greatly reduce the chance of harm that may be caused by drug interactions, allergies, or other potential problems.

The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) — an official public standards-setting body for prescription and over-the-counter medications in the United States — recommends the following “things to know” about any prescription medications you are taking:

Know Why You Are Taking a Medication — Although it sounds obvious, many people do not fully understand their diagnosis or condition — the reason they’re taking the medication in the first place. Ask your doctor to explain your condition in detail to you, and how he or she expects the medication to improve the course of your illness or its symptoms.

Know What to Expect — Ask when you should expect to start feeling better or see an improvement, as well as potential side effects that may occur. Find out what you should do if you are not seeing the expected results within a certain timeframe or are experiencing side effects.

Know How to Take the Medication — Your doctor or pharmacist should give you instructions for taking your medication. These are also listed on the bottle. However, it may require some extra vigilance to ensure you’re getting the most out of your medication. For instance, if you are supposed to take a medication three times a day, ask if this means with breakfast, lunch and dinner, or every 8 hours. This can impact how effective the medication is. You should also ask whether you should get a refill; whether you can stop taking the medication once you start to feel better; what to do if you miss a dose; how to minimize any side effects; and whether there are any special blood or other tests required while you are taking the medication, e.g., a liver test if you are on a “statin” drug.

Know About the Medication — Patients should know the category of drugs the medicine belongs to, the brand and generic name, the active ingredients it contains (some people are allergic to certain ones), and any potential complications it may cause if you are pregnant. Also important are any potential interactions with foods (grapefruit, milk and spinach are some common ones), other prescription medicines, pain medications, antihistamines, decongestants, or vitamins, minerals or other supplements. Detailed information about a medication is available in the information packet/insert stapled to the prescription bag. Patients should read this to get a good idea of what the medication is and understand important precautions to take.

Know Your Pharmacist — While you may be accustomed to asking your doctor questions, you may not have the same relationship with your pharmacist. However, your pharmacist is a key part of your treatment team — and the expert on topics such as how the medication prescribed will treat your condition, possible side effects, drug interactions and allergic reactions. Ask to speak to your pharmacist when getting a prescription filled. He or she is a wealth of information and often your most valuable resource.

One other important point is to keep an up-to-date list of all medications you are on and their dosages. This should be shared with your doctors, pharmacist and a family member or trusted friend. This can help prevent dangerous drug interactions and may be critical should a medical emergency occur. For brochures on patient safety and more information about prescription medications, visit www.usp.org and select “I am a Consumer.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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As if there are not enough medical issues to worry about, diabetes prevention has become a hot topic among many people in the nation, as there has been a rise in the amount of adults and even children who are being diagnosed with diabetes everyday. Diabetes prevention has become such a hot topic that there are finally more and more people paying attention as the impact that having diabetes can have on your life can be irreversible and even sometimes deadly.

The best treatment for diabetes is diabetes prevention as this is the best way to make sure that you will have a long and healthy life without complications that can come from having this illness. By taking the steps needed, you will make sure that you are able to enjoy the little things in life that those suffering from this disease are not able to. Diabetes prevention is the best way to also make sure that this disease gets under control and does not continue to plague our nation. And by approaching diabetes prevention with open arms, you will be encouraging others to take that same step.

Steps To Take For Diabetes Prevention

The best way to tackle diabetes prevention is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This can be done by anyone as long as the right amount of time and attention is given to the goal. It does not have to be a drastic change in your life as even the smallest of changes can make an incredible difference. For proper diabetes prevention, you will want to stay away from as much sugar as possible, which means cakes, candies, and soda pops are off limits or at least restricted to where you would not consume these items as much as you would have before.

Also, taking a few extra steps in making sure you get enough exercise in is an excellent way to go about diabetes prevention. Whether you get a gym membership, invest in a stationary bike for at home, or walk around your block once a day, you can improve your overall health. Diabetes prevention does not have to take a lot of effort, but it does take little forethought. By adding more salads to your meals instead of sugars, you can add a few more years to your life and you will feel better almost instantly as the results from a little diet change will show right away and your body will thank you for it.

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Appropriate diabetes meal plans can help diabetes patients control the effects of this chronic disease. To understand the relationship between diet and diabetes, a brief definition of what diabetes is may be helpful. Of course, diabetics should not make a drastic change in their diet without first consulting their physicians.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition where the patient has unusually high blood sugar levels and an erratic metabolism. The blood sugar levels may be caused either by low levels of the hormone insulin or by resistance to the effects of insulin, combined with insufficient levels of secreted insulin. Symptoms of diabetes sufferers include excessive urination, increased fluid intake, and blurred vision.

Symptoms of diabetes can be improved by exercise and by following a carefully controlled diabetes meal plan.

Daily Menu Plan

Studies have suggested that a vegan diabetes meal plan, free of all animal products, may help diabetics lose weight and control their blood sugar with less medication than diabetics who eat meat, dairy products, eggs, and other animal-based products. A plant-based diabetes meal plan provides a balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates while adding vitamins and minerals and following the basic principles of a diabetes meal plan.

Of the three major nutrients, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, carbohydrates have the greatest effect on blood sugar. Planning a consistent amount of carbohydrates is essential to a diabetes meal plan. The diabetes meal plan deals with the concept of exchanges, which standardize foods for easy meal planning.

Breakfast: For breakfast, diabetics may eat:
One fruit exchange, consisting of 60 calories or 15 grams of carbohydrate. This exchange is equivalent to one small piece of fresh fruit or ½ cup of fruit juice.
Two starch exchanges, consisting of a total of 160 calories or 30 grams of carbohydrate. An example of one starch exchange is one slice of bread, ½ cup of cooked pasta, or 1/3 cup of cooked rice.
One fat exchange, consisting of 45 calories and 0 grams of carbohydrate. An example of a fat exchange is 1 tablespoon salad dressing or 1-1/2 tablespoons of vegan mayonnaise.
One milk exchange, consisting of 15 grams of carbohydrate. For vegans, the milk exchange is met with 8 ounces of soymilk, rice milk or hemp milk, containing zero grams of cholesterol.

For lunch, the recommended exchanges are two starches, two fats, one vegetable, one protein, and one milk exchange. For dinner, two proteins, one fat, one vegetable, two starches, one fruit, and one milk. A typical daily diabetes meal plan also includes three snacks, each consisting of one starch and one protein. Vegan proteins include tofu, cooked beans, and nut butters.

A vegan diabetes meal plan may be the best way to control your diabetes. Consult your doctor before changing your diet.

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Healthy Hearts Need More Than a Great Romance

(ARA) – February traditionally means Valentine’s Day, and a time to celebrate that special someone. But love isn’t the only thing that can make a heart happy. Consider the physical state of your heart this February, which is also American Heart Month.

With heart disease being the leading cause of death among Americans (men and women), we could all use a little more TLC for our hearts. Heart-related illnesses are widespread, but the good news is, unlike certain diseases, your lifestyle choices can have a positive effect on your overall heart health.

“Ensuring heart health is about lifestyle change,” says Ellie Krieger, registered dietitian and Food Network Host. “By altering certain factors in your life, you can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease. For starters, consider your diet. Evaluate what you are eating and make some simple changes to protect yourself for years to come.”

True, there are factors that you don’t have control over when it comes to heart-health, including age, gender and family history. However, by monitoring controllable risk factors such as diet and exercise, you can take the necessary steps to limit your threat and improve your overall well-being.

Food for Thought
Some foods are more heart-healthy than others because they have crucial nutrients that improve blood pressure, cholesterol and overall heart function. With just a little bit of knowledge, you can easily incorporate these into your diet for optimal heart wellness.

* Foods with Omega-3 fatty acids are excellent for heart health. Omega-3s help lower blood fats called triglycerides, which are harmful to your heart. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in a variety of foods including salmon, tuna, walnuts, soybeans, brussel sprouts, and flax seeds. There are numerous ways to easily add these to your diet. For example, keep Del Monte StarKist Tuna Pouches in your desk drawer and add it to salads for a healthy lunch. Try sprinkling walnuts and/or flax seeds into low-fat yogurt; snack on edamame for a healthy movie snack instead of buttered popcorn.

* Increase vegetable, fruit and lean protein intake. Fruits and veggies are not only low in fat and calories, but they are also a great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. A diet high in soluble fiber can decrease cholesterol and blood pressure. An easy way to eat more fruits and veggies is by participating in the Just One More for Healthy Living pledge.

The program encourages families to take simple steps each day to yield significant results towards a healthy lifestyle. Simply pledge online at www.EatJustOneMore.com to add just one more serving of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes daily, one more serving weekly of lean protein, such as tuna, and 30 more minutes of daily activity.

* Choose whole grains over breads, rice, and pasta made with refined white flour. Whole grains are an excellent source of fiber and nutrients which help control blood pressure.

* Keep your pantry stocked with different varieties of canned tomatoes. Tomatoes contain lycopene – a leading ingredient in fighting cardiovascular disease. Studies show that canned tomato products may be even better than their fresh counterparts. Antioxidant properties of lycopene are quite resistant to heat and cooking and bioavailability of lycopene in processed tomato products is higher than in unprocessed fresh tomatoes.

Pump it Up
Exercise is a crucial element to your heart-health plan. Not only will it boost your energy level, but physical activity also improves heart function. According to most experts, 30 minutes a day is all you need to improve heart function, reduce cholesterol and reduce blood pressure.

You can add 30 minutes of physical activity daily – and, this doesn’t have to be all at once. “Research supports that any additional activity will help,” says Laura Molseed, Del Monte registered dietitian. “Ten minutes here and 10 minutes there may be just as effective as a 30-minute jog.”

Butt Out
Don’t smoke – it’s as simple as that. Smoking drastically increases your risk for heart disease. There are a tremendous amount of resources available to help you quit; some states are even offering free patches and lozenges. Talk to your doctor about finding a treatment option that works for you, and do whatever it takes to put that cigarette out for good.

Weighing Your Options
Maintaining a healthy weight is critical to the regulation of cholesterol and blood pressure, which are factors in heart-related disease. Extra weight on the body results in extra strain on the heart. Portion control is key in managing weight, so think about what you are putting on your plate. Try to halve portions when going out to restaurants and share dessert. Portion your snack out onto a plate rather than eating out of the package, and drink water before and during the meal to help feel satiated. The best way to watch your waistline is to watch what you eat!

For more information on how to love your heart and take the pledge, visit www.EatJustOneMore.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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