Chinas wellness surge pushed into high gear by pandemic – Glossy

While wellness may be a nebulous concept in the U.S., its been on the rise in China both before and during the pandemic.

In China, theres not an all-encompassing wellness industry in the way it exists in the U.S. But categories generally considered to be in the wellness realm including nutrition, supplements and fitness have continued to take off in the coronavirus market. This is especially the case among younger Chinese shoppers. Even before the pandemic hit, a 2019 survey by Singapore-based market research firm Agility Research & Strategy found that living a healthy lifestyle was listed as the top key life priority for both millennial and Gen-Z Chinese consumers. This ranked higher than finding love or achieving financial success. In addition, 76% of affluent millennial Chinese consumers said they place more emphasis on wellness than their parents do.

At-home fitness, for example, has seen a boost during the pandemic as a growing number of Chinese consumers have incorporated working out into their lifestyle. Chinese fitness app Keep became the first fitness app in China to receive unicorn status in May after seeing a 12% surge in users in Q1 of 2020, when Chinas quarantine period began. During the quarantine period, sales of weight machines surged by 237% on JD.com year-over-year, while yoga mats increased 141%.

Theres no real Chinese word which specifically describes wellness the way that it is in English, said Amrita Banta, the managing director of Agility. Its definitely not an overarching concept. Instead, aspects of wellness can be divided into physical, mental and spiritual well-being, which are all high priorities among Chinese consumers.

The Covid-19 pandemic did not introduce the concept of wellness to China, but rather heightened interests that were already strong. This is especially true when it comes to health.

Consumers in China have been quite health-conscious and have been into wellness for a while, said Banta. Its not like people were not into health and wellness earlier in China, but of course, Covid has accelerated it.

The biggest change is that the behavior is really focusing on more health and wellness, said Janet Tsai, global lead of Ogilvys China brand practice, of how Covid has changed consumer behavior. She noted that fitness and food categories were most primed to take advantage of this trend, but that beauty could also benefit. Nutrition and supplements have seen increased purchases for Chinese consumers, which has carried over to beauty.

According to an April 2020 report by iiMedia Research, 70% of Chinese internet users increased their consumption of health products during the pandemic. Purchases of health foods via Alibaba platforms increased by 16.01% in the first quarter of 2020. According to Australian media, Australian supplement brands Swisse and Blackmores, which are both popular in China, saw an increase in sales of immunity-related supplements in the region when the pandemic hit. Their first-quarter sales have not yet been released.

Beauty from the inside out has always been a tradition in China, especially with traditional Chinese medicine, said Julian Reis, the CEO of SuperOrdinary, which handles the China distribution and marketing for U.S.-based supplement brand Hum Nutrition.

Hum launched on Chinas Tmall Global platform in October 2019, ahead of the November Double Eleven e-commerce festival, after witnessing third-party sellers offering its products online.

The reason we went into China was that we saw a big appetite for our products, said Hum Nutrition co-founder and CEO Walter Faulstroh. People would actually buy the product in the U.S., take it to China, and then sell it for twice or three times the price. So we thought, There is interest. Lets look into the market.

In terms of the actual supplement category itself, its always been fairly strong in China, said Reis, who said Hum Nutrition has done extremely well through this period. That has been achieved by marketing Hum as a beauty supplement brand. We market Hum not in the traditional supplement category, which is where most of these players do sit.

Beauty supplements have always been around, said Reis, who noted that the skin tonic trend popularized in Japan and South Korea has also caught on in China. According to Jing Daily, skin tonics, which are drinks promising properties beneficial to the skin, are being increasingly introduced by both local and international players. Coca-Cola, for example, launched in April a line of beauty supplement drinks called Zunxuan 28 Sleep-Recharged Face with collagen and gamma-aminobutyric acid. According to the company, consumers should drink them at night in order to wake up with improved skin.

But the idea of wellness has also found its way to Chinese shoppers though pure beauty products. An even more detailed focus on skin-care regimes, that have long been influenced by the multi-step K-beauty effect, has been paramount among Chinese consumers.

Weve been seeing a lot of the wellness trends that are about taking care of your skin, said Jackie Lee, the business lead for beauty at Tmall Global. This included a surge of subcategories such as certain moisturizers or masks.

The notion of self-wellness extends to self-care, said Iris Chan, a partner at Digital Luxury Group. Not just during containment, but even now as people remain cautious about the time they spend outside, there remains more time spent in-home than before. It leaves room for enhancing behaviors like skin-care regimens.

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Chinas wellness surge pushed into high gear by pandemic - Glossy

Doctors working to determine how COVID-19 affects the brain – KTLA

One of the more puzzling aspects of the novel coronavirus is just how many organ systems are impacted through the course of the disease. Weve heard about theheart, lungs and respiratory symptoms, but a growing mystery is its impact on the nervous system.

Areport in Aprilsuggested more than a third of 214 Covid-19 patients studied experienced neurological complications ranging from loss of smell to stroke.

The virus can lead to neurological complications like delirium, brain inflammation, stroke and nerve damage. In aUniversity College London studypublished earlier this month, 10 out of 43 patients had temporary brain dysfunction and delirium, while 12 had brain inflammation, eight had strokes and eight had nerve damage.

Another paper published last month inThe Lancet Psychiatrylooked at 153 patients in the UK and found even those younger than 60 could have psychosis, depression or strokes.

How this virus damages the brain and nerves still isnt totally clear. But as two physicians dedicated to the study of the nervous system, we wanted to find some answers.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta has been a practicing neurosurgeon for the last 20 years and has always been amazed at the remarkable ways the brain is protected by the body. A hard shell of bone, a bath of clear fluid and a blood brain barrier, which creates checkpoints before certain molecules are even allowed to enter. It is our most important organ and more impervious than most. And, yet this virus is still able to sneak into the central nervous system.

And Dr. Minali Nigam is a newly minted resident physician and chose to go into neurology, a field that interconnects the mind and body. Seemingly small details like the ability to raise an eyebrow can tell us what part of the nervous system is injured. Theres so much we dont know about the brain, which means tremendous potential for our knowledge to grow.

Among the most common neurological symptoms are loss of smell and taste, which could be the first clues that someone has Covid-19.

Other possible symptoms include headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness, weakness, seizures, paralysis, strokes and more.

We know the virus spreads through particles in the air, so it first enters the body through the nose and mouth. When this happens, its possible the virus then potentially crosses the cribriform plate, the bone at the top of the nose, to reach the olfactory bulb that houses the olfactory nerve and its branches. If the virus damages these nerves, a person can lose their sense of smell. If the virus also directly invades taste buds, it can prevent nerve fibers from transmitting signals to the brain and cause a person to lose their sense of taste.

Of course, thats just one hypothesis, but we knowaccording to one studythat up to 88% of 417 of patients who tested positive for Covid-19 had these types of symptoms. Most of them recovered within two weeks, without any ongoing neurological issues.

Another hypothesis has to do with a protein receptor called angiotensin converting enzyme known as ACE2 which is found in cells all over the body in the lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, muscles, nose and mouth. In the nose and mouth, the virus is thought to bind to ACE2 receptors in sensory nerve cells and block these cells from facilitating smell and taste.

ACE2 also helps maintain blood pressure and protects the heart and brain from damage. Its role is to lower levels of a molecule called angiotensin II. If angiotensin II levels build up, blood vessels constrict and reduce blood flow to organs, potentially damaging them.

Here is the most interesting thing we are starting to learn. Whether it is the body or the brain, most symptoms dont seem to come directly from the virus, but rather, the bodys overzealous immune response to fight the virus.

The story of how such a virus, with so little genetic information, can wreak havoc to our nervous system is really fascinating, said Dr. Majid Fotuhi, medical director ofNeuroGrow Brain Fitness Centerand affiliate staff at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Take strokes, for example.

When the virus binds to ACE2 in blood vessels, it triggers an immune response sometimes referred to as a cytokine storm. Too much inflammation can impair the bodys clotting system and form millions of small clots or several large clots. Together with the higher levels of angiotensin II that constrict blood vessels, clots can block blood flow to the brain and lead to a stroke.

Some strokes are minor and patients may not realize they are having one. As people age, multiple strokes could build up and cause memory loss or poor attention. Other patients who recover from Covid may show symptoms of their silent strokes as depression, anxiety, insomnia, or cognitive decline later in life, according to Fotuhi.

But make no mistake, sometimes these strokes are severe or deadly even among healthy peoplein their 30s and 40s, doctors have found.

Too much inflammation can also break down the protective wall known as the blood-brain barrier and lead to brain swelling, seizures or spread of infection.

Thats how5-year-old Skylar Herbert, daughter of two Detroit first responders, could have developed brain swelling from meningitis. She was the first child from Michigan to die from Covid-19.

Its not clear why she developed meningitis. But we know that the meninges is a protective layer around the brain and spinal cord and is rich in blood vessels and ACE2. In theory, if the virus binds to ACE2 in the meninges, this could lead to damage to the blood vessels and significant inflammation.

Some patients with the virus were also found to have Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a nerve disorder that can lead to paralysis. Here antibodies, formed in response to the virus, react to proteins found on nerves, causing damage.

But its important to remember that everyone responds to the virus differently.

There are people who have a measured response to the virus and their immune system can manage it without overreacting, Fotuhi said.

Healthy people who are asymptomatic are the ones who had just enough immune response to destroy the virus without creating a cytokine storm or blood clots.

Neurological complications arent unique to Covid-19. Viruses like the flu, measles, respiratory syncytial virus and Zika have them, too, as do theother types of coronaviruses,SARS and MERS.

How this happens boils down to two main mechanisms: direct viral invasion of the nervous system or damage from a hyperactive immune system.

Some neurologic manifestations like confusion or weakness may also be nonspecific complications of critical illness that are unrelated to the actual virus.

Neurologic involvement seems to be a prominent feature of this particular coronavirus, said Dr. Felicia Chow, a neuroinfectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco.

Or we may be seeing more neurologic complications with Covid simply because there are many more cases of Covid overall compared with prior coronavirus outbreaks.

Like what doctors see with Covid-19 and strokes.

Whats been reported so far isnt really something that we see that commonly with at least certain types of respiratory viruses, she said. But its hard to say with the still limited information that we have. A much deeper dive is needed to understand the true neurologic burden and sequelae of this pandemic.

There arent large studies looking at Covid-related neurological symptoms, so right now doctors are treating these symptoms like they would for patients who dont have the virus.

But small studies with a few hundred people have come out. One consistent feature is that patients with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity who get Covid are at higher risk for severe outcomes, including neurological complications, than healthy and fit individuals.

Thats why regular exercise, healthy diet, proper sleep and reducing stress are still important during this pandemic. By maintaining an a
ctive, healthy lifestyle, patients who end up getting infected can improve their odds of a faster and more favorable recovery, said Fotuhi.

For doctors, patients with Covid may not be sick with the typical viral symptoms youd expect like cough or fever. Some patients who show up in the emergency room have only shown signs of stroke. And brain symptoms could be a patients first and only symptoms. In certain situations, blood thinners and steroids may be as important as anti-viral medications.

Covid can have many different faces, Fotuhi said. Its important for people to appreciate that.

And its something well keep in mind as we take care of patients.

In covering the pandemic as journalists and caring for Covid patients as doctors, weve learned to keep an open mind. What we think today may change tomorrow and thats OK. Its part of the learning process. As our knowledge of the virus continues to grow, were one step closer in persevering through this pandemic together.

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Doctors working to determine how COVID-19 affects the brain - KTLA

GOLO Deepens Its Commitment to Healthy Living with Innovative Products Designed to Support Weight-Loss, Immunity, and a Healthy Lifestyle – PR Web

GOLO has evolved into whole life solutions designed to help our global community by providing the knowledge and tools necessary for lifelong wellness. - Jennifer Brooks, President and Co-Founder, GOLO, LLC

NEWARK, Del. (PRWEB) July 23, 2020

The GOLO brand was developed by a team of expert scientists and medical doctors to find a natural and effective weight loss solution. A recent study by the CDC indicates that nearly 7 out of 10 Americans are considered overweight or obese. If this trend is not reversed, the emotional and economic toll on families and society is likely to be immeasurable. Over the past four years, GOLO has revolutionized weight loss through a dedicated approach to Insulin Resistance. Insulin is one of the most important hormones in your body because it directly affects metabolism, weight gain, aging and overall health. Insulins performance is affected by unbalanced diets which increase glucose levels and spike insulin levels causing excess glucose to be stored as fat. Unhealthy insulin levels lead to Insulin Resistance, pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes, and other serious health conditions including heart disease and Alzheimers.

To resolve this common issue, the GOLO team created their Release supplement, a patented, natural, plant and mineral based dietary supplement that is made in the USA. The Release supplement targets dangerous visceral fat that is driven by hormones, mainly insulin. The Release supplement balances the hormones that regulate fat and carbohydrate metabolism, control stress, cravings and hunger between meals, and overall metabolic health. The Release supplement supports healthy blood glucose metabolism, controls sugar cravings, balances the key weight loss hormones, increases energy, reduces stress, and supports immunity. Release is paired with the GOLO for Life plan a simple eating guide to balanced meals and good nutrition for anyone.

Based on past successes, GOLO plans to launch more products designed to improve overall health and vitality, along with a focused reach to lower income households and communities in the effort to promote healthy lifestyles for the whole family. These new products will include:

GOLO for Wellness, GOLO for Immunity, GOLO for Weight Loss, GOLO for LIFE.

About GOLO: GOLO is committed to providing individuals with the knowledge of health and wellness, and the power to take back control of their weight and their lives. The GOLO for Life plan is an all-natural, plant-based supplement and meal plan, designed to address the root cause of weight gain. The GOLO products provide a safe solution to weight- loss and wellness while helping individuals transition to a healthier and sustainable lifestyle. The developers of GOLO, LLC include a team of dedicated doctors, pharmacists and researchers. GOLO has reached over a million people worldwide who now have a chance at healthy, sustainable and affordable weight loss. For more information about the GOLO for Life plan, visit http://www.golo.com or call 800-730-4656 (GOLO).

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Beaufort Memorial: ‘ICU near capacity but not overwhelmed’ – Bluffton Today

Dan Hunt|Bluffton Today

Beaufort Memorial chief medical officer Dr. Kurt Gambla said the hospital's intensive care unitis nearing its capacity, largely because of steadily increasing numbers of coronavirus patients.

"We have been at or near capacity in ICU, but not overwhelmed," Gambla said Friday. "Most days, the majority of those patients have been on ventilators and in the last week we are trending towards a majority of the ICU patients being COVID patients.

"We are not looking at any critical supply shortages currently. Morale is good despite the daily challenges. We are proud of our extraordinarily dedicated staff."

New Lowcountry coronavirus case totals have continued to trend upward. Over the weekend, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 267 new cases in Beaufort County and 22 new cases in Jasper County.

Gambla said tests conducted at the hospital were 20 percent positive for the second consecutive week.

"In July we already have 398 positive cases, which is roughly half the number of positive cases we saw in March," he said. "To date we have admitted more patients in June and July than we did in the first three months combined."

Gambla said anyone who needs emergency care can still receive it.

"We have been open throughout the pandemic for business as usual in the emergency department, seeing all types of emergencies and do not anticipate that changing," he said. "We also have comprehensive safety protocols in place to ensure anyone who needs care will feel safe and protected. This applies to all of our facilities."

Gambla reiterated the importance of developing or maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the pandemic: getting eight hours of sleep, hydrating, exercising, getting some sunlight and drinking in moderation. He added that smokers should be trying to quit.

"I think our communal goals should be (to) understand that this is a humanitarian, communal endeavor and will not be advanced with political/partisan sparring," he said. "We need to continue to tread water and stay afloat while we look at multiple lifelines. We cannot passively sit back and wait for one magic bullet.

"The solution will not likely be herd immunity but a new 'herd mentality' a combination of individual behavioral modifications, (social distancing, masking, hand hygiene) to support the great efforts going on in the scientific community regarding new therapies, vaccines, etc. We are not likely looking at an eradication in the short term. So we have to continue to build a mosaic of strategies for containment."

Gambla added that Lowcountry residents should recognize the importance of wearing protective masks around others in public.

"Very simply, it saves lives," he said. The data now is pretty compelling and growing every day that this is a very effective and extremely low-risk tool for source control. It protects you and protects those around you. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still be infected/contagious and spread it to innocent bystanders."

Officials at Hilton Head Regional Healthcare said about 650 people were tested for COVID-19 on July 22 at a drive-thru event at Bluffton High School.

Volunteers and workers at the event were from DHEC, Bluffton High School, Beaufort County Sheriffs Office, Bluffton Township Fire District, Beaufort County EMS, Bluffton Police Department, S.C. National Guard and Greater Bluffton Jasper County Volunteers in Medicine.

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Beaufort Memorial: 'ICU near capacity but not overwhelmed' - Bluffton Today

7 steps that can lower your blood pressure as you age – The Philadelphia Tribune

Want to live a longer, healthier life? One way is to keep your blood pressure at optimal levels as you age preferably below 120 systolic (the top number) and 80 diastolic (the lower number).

Thats especially important during the pandemic, because having high blood pressure is one of the possible risk factors for developing a more severe case of Covid-19, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

You may be able to control your blood pressure, a new study finds, by improving your score on a metric of seven heart-healthy behaviors doing just one appears to cut hypertension risk by 6% as you age.

High blood pressure is among the most common conditions in the U.S., and it contributes to the greatest burden of disability and largest reduction in healthy life expectancy among any disease, said Dr. Timothy B. Plante, the lead author of a new study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, in a statement. Plante is an assistant professor in the department of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont in Burlington.

Plante and his colleagues followed nearly 3,000 middle-aged Black and White adults without high blood pressure for nine years. The adults were part of a longitudinal study called the the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke, also known as REGARDS.

At the end of the nine years, the study found that each one-point increase in seven healthy lifestyle steps recommended by the American Heart Association was associated with a 6% lower risk of high blood pressure.

Called Lifes Simple 7, the AHA metric evaluates heart health by looking at four health behaviors:

Keeping your weight as measured by body mass index (BMI) at a healthy level between 18.5 and 24.9{div} {/div}

Getting at least 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity or a combo of moderate and vigorous, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous intensity {div} {/div}

Eating a heart-healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables and low in salt, fat and sugar {div} {/div}

Stop (or never start) cigarette smoking

The AHA tool then folds in three additional health factors for a total metric:

Current blood pressure levels hopefully below 120/80, which is normal, or 130/80, which is considered elevated but not hypertensive

Cholesterol levels today are calculated based on overall risk when combined with such health metrics as blood pressure, smoking status, diabetes status and other factors. The only real current threshold is an LDL of 190 mg/dL as the upper end of whats tolerated among folks without prior cardiovascular disease, Plante wrote via email.

Fasting blood sugar levels at 100 milligrams per deciliter or below, which is considered normal

Each of the seven components get a score of poor (zero points), intermediate (one point) and ideal (two points), Plante told CNN.

By adding up the points for each of the seven components of the LS7 metric, we get a LS7 total score, which ranges from 0 to 14. The higher the score, the more ideal the persons cardiovascular health is, he said.

Achieving any one of these seven goals was associated with a lower risk of high blood pressure success on each additional behavior or measurement should lower risk even more.

Folks with higher LS7 total scores, who had more ideal cardiovascular health, were less likely to develop high blood pressure 10 years later when compared to individuals with lower LS7 total scores, Plante said. A change in seven points would be a really great change, indicating a huge improvement in cardiovascular health.

Another good feature of the program, Plante said, is that people can personalize changes they feel they can tackle, adding on more as their health improves.

We recommend tailoring step-wise health improvement and lifestyle changes for patients, Plante said. For example, patients might not be receptive to quitting smoking today; however, if they are receptive to getting more exercise today, that would be a one-point LS7 score improvement.

The study could only show an association between heart-healthy behaviors and the lower risk of hypertension, thus the next step is to do a randomized clinical trial to confirm the findings. In the meantime, the AHA hopes Americans will focus on the Simple 7 at younger ages to reduce their chances of developing high blood pressure later.

If we can reach more people in younger and middle age with this type of lifestyle assessment, we could be looking at strong improvements in health overall, said Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, chair of the department of preventive medicine at Northwestern University, AHA president-elect and part of the group that developed the Lifes Simple 7 scale and criteria.

The need for prevention is highest among Black Americans, because they have the highest rate of high blood pressure among any group in the world and develop the condition at a younger age and with more severity, the statement said.

These findings support the current clinical practice recommendations of lifestyle modifications such as eating better, quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight to all people, including those without high blood pressure, Plante said.

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7 steps that can lower your blood pressure as you age - The Philadelphia Tribune

Black Arkansans fighting CF with national nonprofit agency – Arkansas Online

For more than 50 years, Terry Wright had no idea he was suffering from cystic fibrosis.

Oh, he was sick. So wracked by pain that from the time he was a child growing up in Little Rock he considered Arkansas Children's Hospital his second home.

But the source of the agony in his gut was always misdiagnosed -- usually as a gastrointestinal virus, or perhaps ulcers (screenings of newborns for cystic fibrosis are now required in all 50 states).

"I suffered as a child," Wright says. "It was a painful life. I would hide it from my parents and wouldn't let them know that I had problems. ... I would just push forward. I wanted to stay active and keep a good attitude."

He never gave up on that whole good attitude thing.

Despite his ailments, he excelled in sports, playing baseball and running track in school. As an adult, he completed multiple marathons, became an avid cyclist -- he's a founding member of the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Little Rock -- and worked as a certified personal fitness trainer.

He's also a certified master gardener and certified master naturalist and was named the 2016 Pulaski County Master Gardener of the Year.

Wait. There's more. In 2011, his Cracklin' Cornbread won Best Amateur, Best Traditional and Best Overall at the 2011 Arkansas Cornbread Festival.

Wright was doing all of this while dealing with the ravages of CF, a life-threatening, hereditary disease that affects the lungs and digestive system and causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that can clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas.

By 2001 things were looking grim, and he underwent an eight-hour surgery to remove part of his pancreas.

"He was on death's doorstep," says Wright's wife, Michele. "I truly believe if he did not have that [surgery], he wasn't going to make it."

He bounced back after the surgery, but took a serious downturn in late 2016 and was hospitalized twice.

"I knew we were out of options and he was going to die," says Michele, an engineer with a doctorate in public policy.

A former pharmaceutical salesperson, Michele insisted that Terry see an infectious disease doctor, who noted that Wright had the signs of cystic fibrosis, but it was dismissed because only about one in 17,000 Black people have the disease.

At their wits' end, the Wrights decided to check out the cystic fibrosis angle and Terry underwent a sweat chloride test, which measures the concentration of chloride that is excreted in sweat and is used to screen for CF.

And in the spring of 2017, at the age of 54 and after decades pain, discomfort and confusion, countless hospital stays, ER visits and prodding and probing by doctors, Terry was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

"Now I knew why I had suffered like this," he says of how he felt when a name was at last given to his illness. "Now I knew why all these things had been going on with my body."

How did he keep his spirits up all those years of suffering?

"I always felt like I couldn't stop," he says. "You find your niche, something you enjoy doing, like the gardening and stuff. That kept me encouraged and active. When you are inactive, that's when things set in."

SHAKING THINGS UP

Speaking in late August, Terry, whose hospital visits were almost monthly, says it had been about a year since he had been in the hospital.

As part of his treatment, he suits up twice a day for about a half-hour in a blue, vibrating vest that looks like a flotation device. The special vest helps shake up and loosen the mucus that develops in his chest. He also inhales on a tube that sends medicine to his lungs.

"It's important to always take your treatments," he says. "A lot of times you think you are feeling good and you don't want to take your treatment, but it makes a big difference."

Terry and Michele, both energetic and outgoing, formed the nonprofit National Organization of African Americans with Cystic Fibrosis (noaacf.org), which aims to "connect, help build diverse communities and raise CF awareness in the African-American community and beyond."

Terry has also written "Terry's Journey to CF Land: A Children's Story and Coloring Book" that was illustrated by Dwight Stegall, Jr., and will be published Nov. 3.

On July 24, Terry became the first Arkansan to be awarded a $10,000 Impact Grant from the national Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

He was among four grant recipients, which included the founder of a CF-related podcast, the creator of a program that provides adults with CF and their caregivers job training and the maker behind a livestreamed dance class for those with CF.

In an announcement about this year's grants, the foundation spotlighted the importance of Wright's efforts to advocate for Black CF sufferers.

"According to the CF Foundation Patient Registry, approximately 5% of people with CF identity as Black, and are more likely to have rare mutations that cannot be treated with current modulators, making additional support for the Black community an important step to improve outcomes and quality of life."

Kelly Bullington is executive director of the Arkansas Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

"Prior to mandatory newborn screenings, many African Americans with CF went undiagnosed because it was seen as a Caucasian genetic disease," she says.

Talking about Terry, Bullington says: "He is very unique. To live undiagnosed until 54 is pretty amazing. Most people, left untreated, die prematurely ... but he had a real commitment to a healthy lifestyle. He stayed really fit and ate really well to help his quality of life. That's probably part of what helped him live so long without a proper diagnosis and treatment."

COLORFUL JOURNEY

The Wrights live on a ridge in North Little Rock overlooking woods with the Little Rock skyline in the distance. Their living room is quirky, colorful and filled with plants. There is a barber's chair and a vintage jukebox with records by Elvis Presley, James Brown and others.

The steep hillside that is their backyard has been cleared of vegetation by Beavis and Butt-head, a pair of LaMancha goats Terry has had for about a year.

"Beavis is the bully,

Butt-head is the smart one. He's the escape artist," Terry says.

Talking about the National Organization for African Americans with Cystic Fibrosis and his book, Terry says, "It's about bringing awareness, getting people engaged, keeping them encouraged. And the coloring book itself is the story about my journey."

He hopes the book and his story will help comfort young CF patients, who are often kept apart from others because of their weakened immune systems.

"You have all these fears when you are very young," he says. "You're wondering: What's going on with my body? And a lot of times it's hard to connect because the only thing you see are all these doctors around you and they have diagnosed you with this terrible disease, but I want to let them know there is hope."

The money from the impact grant was used to help produce the book and develop the NOAACF website, he says.

On Oct. 21, Terry and Michele, whose own children's book, "The Water Tales: Ten Life Lessons From My Water Buddy and Family" will be published Oct. 20, will speak on a panel about culturally competent CF care during the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference.

The Wrights say they would like to collaborate with the CF foundation, the pharmaceutical industry and hospitals to help bring awareness of CF in the Black community.

"Not just on a regional level, but global," Michele says, "where we are serving as a liaison between those minorities and African Americans with cystic fibrosis."

"It's important to have someone advocate for you," Terry says.

They also hope to host a conference for Black people and other minorities with rare diseases.

"I'm at peace," Terry says of his state of mind since being diagnosed. "Now I'm driven to help others. If I can make a difference in someone's lif
e, my hard work would not have been in vain."

Terry Wright sits in the barbers chair at his North Little Rock home. Wright, whowas diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was 54, won a $10,000 grant in July from the national Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)

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How to boost your metabolism naturally: 6 tips on how to lose weight, feel healthier and more balanced – T3 (US)

Many people turn to exercising to boost metabolism naturally quite rightly so but there are other ways to speed up metabolism and lose weight in the process. We collected six tips to help boost your metabolism and to kick-start your weightloss journey without needing to take any medical supplements. Although please note that while these ways to speed up your metabolism are easy to understand, they do require some effort to carry out!

ASICS Runners Face Cover is a workout face mask so breathable, you can DRINK through it

A slow metabolism can cause a lot of trouble over time but luckily, you don't have to put yourself through the horrors of intermittent fasting or the keto diet in order to boost metabolism although both approaches have been researched thoroughly and proven to aid weight loss.

If you want to lose weight, you should consider applying some of the tips below to your daily routine. Who knows, they might help you lose belly fat sooner rather than later.

Under Armour SPORTSMASK review (first run): face mask for exercise and running outpaces normal coverings

An improved rate of metabolism can help you keep weight off, and generally turn you into a healthier and leaner individual. As usual, there's no instant fix to be had here, but being fit and having a faster metabolism quickly become a virtuous circle.

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Why should you try HIIT workouts? For one, it improves metabolism and burns calories long after you finished with your daily HIIT session, making you a fat-torching machine that's on 24/7. The best thing about HIIT workouts is that they can be done anywhere using any sort of equipment: you can do a full body HIIT workout in the park or even follow the ultimate HIIT workout that uses your bodyweight only (and a skipping rope).

You can also have a HIIT sessions on a treadmill, elliptical trainer or rowing machine but even if you haven't got the best home gym setup, you can do HIIT with cheap fitness equipment still available to buy online. Try to do HIIT workouts in the morning: research reveals what is the best time for exercising for weight loss.

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According to research cited by Healthline, "proteincauses the largest rise in TEF (thermic effect of food). It increases your metabolic rate by 1530%, compared to 510% for carbs and 03% for fats." As Healthline explains, the "thermic effect of food caused by the extra calories required to digest, absorb and process the nutrients in your meal."

Since digesting protein takes more effort from your body, by eating more of it you will basically work out using your metabolic system (we might be exaggerating here). Protein is also essential for muscle repair and recovery, so if you are actively working out, it is recommended to take between 1.6-2 grams of protein per body kilogram per day.

You should source protein from a variety of food stuff like lean meat, nuts, green veg and eggs. Supplementing protein is also popular among athletes: protein powder shakes are probably the most convenient way to get your protein fix on the go but you can also have protein bars or jerky as well as post workout snack.

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As well as increasing your protein intake and reducing bad fats and carbs in your diet, you should also keep an eye out for a good balance of micronutrients, minerals and vitamins. as in the case protein, these micronutrients should be sourced from vegetables, fish, lean meat etc as the natural sources contain other beneficial substances as well, not just synthesised vitamins found in food supplements.

Probiotics can also help improve metabolism and maintain a healthy gut microbiome, essential for well-functioning digestion. In a research paper published in 2013, the researchers concluded that "Probiotics may restore the composition of the gut microbiome and introduce beneficial functions to gut microbial communities, resulting in amelioration or prevention of gut inflammation and other intestinal or systemic disease phenotypes."

B vitamins have also been said to improve metabolism as they play an essential role in metabolising macronutrients efficiently. Good sources of B vitamins include legumes, eggs, lean meat and bananas

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Everyone likes to sleep in every now and then and we are not suggesting you should wake up super early every day for no reason. Waking up and going to bed roughly at the same time can help your body build a routine which in turn will have a positive effect on your metabolism too. This is especially beneficial for people who otherwise like to hit the snooze button 20 times each morning until they can roll out of bed.

Instead on going cold turkey and wake up much earlier on day one, try moving the wake up time a little bit earlier each day/week until you reached the preferred wake up time. Once you used to the new wake up time, your body will wake up automatically, even without setting an alarm.

It's also beneficial to have food roughly at the same time throughout the day so your metabolic system is at the ready when the food is on its way. Food will be digested more efficiently and quicker too if you stick to an eating schedule. Again, no need to have breakfast 8AM on the dot every morning, but having it around that time will definitely improve metabolism.

Needless to say, eating healthier food stuff can also boost metabolism significantly: fibrous food and plenty of water is key to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

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This technique may have a very complicated-sounding name Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis and a vaguely annoying acronym NEAT but it's actually very simple. NEAT means adjusting how you live your day-to-day life, in order to be more active. You know when exercise experts say, 'Take the stairs, not the lift' and you think, 'Oh yes, good idea,' but then you don't do it? Well NEAT is actually doing things like that.

Like a lot of great ways to get fit, NEAT is perfectly straightforward in principle, but it does require some effort on your part. However the great thing about NEAT for many people is that it specifically does not involve going to the gym or setting aside time for exercise. Although of course, it can also be used as one component of a healthy lifestyle, alongside gym, running, cycling, watching Joe Wicks, etc.

Learn about using NEAT to speed up your metabolism

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Caffeine found in coffee and teas can boost metabolism significantly. Not everyone reacts to caffeine the same way and it is also recommended not to drink too many cups of coffee/caffeinated beverages in a day. Green tea has a l
ower caffeine content so combining coffee and green tea consumption can have better results.

Drinking more water can also improve metabolism: combine increased water consumption with more fibrous food for the best results.

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How to boost your metabolism naturally: 6 tips on how to lose weight, feel healthier and more balanced - T3 (US)

Health product investing: why Rritual is uniquely well placed to take advantage of the coming adaptogens boom – Born2Invest

The global health and nutrition market is one of the most robust market sectors, but is always developing in unexpected directions. The market is estimated to be worth billions, potentially even hundreds of billions. It includes all manner of dietary supplements, health products and wholesome foods, but there is always room for new ideas or old ones.

The up and coming trend is the adoption of adaptogens, ancient plants used by cultures across the globe which are finally reaching modern markets. Rritual is on the cutting edge of the novel field, bringing adaptogen mushrooms to the daily routine of health and nutrition conscious consumers, positioning the company perfectly for a breakthrough event.

In a moment of crisis, as the long term effects of the Covid pandemic are emerging, we are only adding to the stress and anxiety of modern life. Covid-19s full health impacts are only beginning to be understood, but it seems clear that it will take a heavy toll on our minds as well as our bodies. Customers need something to help tackle more than just the immediate medical concerns: nootropics, and adaptogens in particular, could play a key role.

The dictionary defines adaptogens as a plant extract that is held to increase the bodys ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal physiological functioning. They offer a contrast to many health and nutrition crazes which promise to boost or overcome the bodys capacities.

Adaptogens aim to restore balance and help the body adapt, enhancing our own natural potential to fight off stressors. They represent the leading edge of science and tradition in a growing market as consumers experience the benefits for themselves.

Health and nutrition spending have been on the rise for the past half century, growing with consumers income and health consciousness. From nutritional supplements to healthier options on existing foods, companies have been profiting by bringing increasingly conscious consumers what they need. As definitions of the industry are vague, exact estimates of its value differ, but many put it well over 120 billion USD with estimated growth of 6-7%.

On the other hand the complementary and alternative medicine market is growing much more quickly, and has great untapped potential. It is valued at just under 70 billion USD but has growth predicted closer to 19% each year. Functional medicine, the desire to keep the body well and treat underlying causes rather than symptoms, is a large part of this growing field.

Adaptogens have a foot in both. The strength of the nutrition market and growth of the functional medicine field help explain why the demand for these mushrooms is booming. And why companies like Rritual will be blooming.

Adaptogens have started to hit store shelves and consumers radar only recently, but their impact is large, and growing. They have received global attention in leading publications like the NYT and record growth in product values. Suppliers report seeing double, sometimes even triple, digit growth as companies struggle to get their hands on the valuable and rare commodities.

Adaptogens offer a way to help the body combat stress, helping to restore mental fitness and physical wellness. However, they have not yet reached their market potential as options for consumption are still somewhat limited. So far the adaptogen market has focused on roots like Ginseng, which have greater name recognition. Successes have been seen in smoothie bars and cafes who sell products with them directly to consumers in privileged areas, but dont reach the masses. Other companies such as Moon Juice have poured recent efforts into health adjacent products like skin-care.

Mushroom adaptogens in particular have room for commercial growth. The only other company specializing in mushroom adaptogen products is Four Sigmatic. But they primarily offer (very expensive) pre-brewed coffees or coffee mixes, adding additional cost to consumers while giving them very little control over flavor or dosage.

Furthermore, research shows that for adaptogens to be effective, they must be taken regularly. Buying the occasional smoothie or coffee because it has an adaptogen in it may sound appealing (and be good marketing) but it isnt enough. Like vitamins, to really capture the functional, mental, and physical benefits of adaptogens, consumers need them to be part of their routine.

The major stumbling block for companies when marketing adaptogens is consumer awareness. An article from just last month (aptly titled the Age of Adaptogens) points out that only about 4% of consumers are aware of adaptogens. Yet among those who are, consumption is high. This means that getting the right message out will be key, and this is where Rritual steps in.

This is where Rritual has the answer. Instead of trying to get you into their shop door, or to buy their pre-mixed coffees, they are selling the essential adaptogen blends directly. These will be available both directly to consumers online (DTC) and in health or grocery store chains across the continent. All you have to do then is add a spoonful or packet to your daily coffee/tea.

They could not have picked a better time to launch these products. Stress levels are high and consumers are particularly concerned about mental fitness and holistic wellness. Rritual is also aiming for the growing functional health trend: taking care of the bodys needs and not just treating symptoms when they emerge. Their products are designed to bolster the bodys ability to maintain homeostasis, but also the minds willingness and ability to manage stress.

Their organic and all natural ingredients are exactly what trend setting consumers and influencers require. Yet they offer products which everyone can benefit from. With products supporting cognitive function (the industry terminology labels these nootropics), stress relief or boosting the immune system they can help anyone facing the trials of modern society.

The versatility of adaptogens, and the sheer variety available, offer even more opportunities for supporting our health. Rritual is constantly innovating its product offerings, and has hinted that they are updating their selection to include new designs or blends. With the pandemic at the forefront of everyones minds products that support endurance and the respiratory system are highly anticipated additions, as well as more versatile offerings such as skincare and vision.

The potential for investment is as massive as their possible market impact. Bolstered by consumers turning towards adaptogens they are well positioned to become the default against which the rest are measured.

Mushrooms are an underexploited superfood, whose market is already growing. Adaptogens are a key component of ancient medicine whose wisdom is only beginning to hit modern shelves. Health conscious consumers are increasingly interested in functional solutions that tackle holistic wellness to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle.

This is their moment. A health product like no other for which there is opportunity, demand, and a gap in what the market already provides. A wave is on the horizon, and when it hits, we can expect to see Rritual, and companies like it, surging ahead.

(Featured image byBarbroforsbergviaPixabay)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words believe, project, estimate, become, plan, will, and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual
results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

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Health product investing: why Rritual is uniquely well placed to take advantage of the coming adaptogens boom - Born2Invest

I Tried ‘All Out’ for Two Weeks and I’m Canceling My Gym Membership – Men’s Health

I'm not gonna lie, once lockdown hit I traded-in dumbbells for Doritos. And slowly but surely, I watched those lockdown el-bees stack-up on the scale. I never thought I'd say this, but I really do miss the gym. It was a tough adjustment going from working out 3-5 days a week at the gym to suddenly, um, well... not. Now, I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I was a total gym rat B.Q. (before quarantine). My world has never revolved around fitness, but I'm all about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You see, I'm a content creator so I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk writing and editing various projects. The gym was a place where I could get up, get out, throw on a juicy true-crime podcast, and sweat my stress away. Without it, I felt I had really fallen out of my fitness flow but after trying out some sessions on Men's Health's new app, All Out Studio, I'm convinced that I won't be going back to the gym.

There are a ton of different fitness apps out there, and yes, Ive tried quite a few from the gimmicky, make me look like [insert superhero name here] in 60 days to the overpriced (and underwhelming) trendy fitness apps Ive been there, done that. And they are either too expensive or they just really didnt hold my interest. Alas, I decided to give All Out Studio a shot.

The app gives you access to an entire library of premium workouts and fitness programs designed by experts and developed by Men's Health, Women's Health, Runner's World, and Prevention. It's divided into different sections so you can choose to "Go Hard," "Go Light," or even "Go All Out."

It also allows you to browse programs curated through specific brands like Men's Health, Runner's World, Women's Health, Cosmo, and Prevention. And these aren't just one-off classes they've got full-blown programs that are structured to provide proven results. It's like having your pick of personal trainers right at your fingertips. You can tailor the experience to fit your #bodygoals. While skimming the app for the first time, some of the programs that stuck out to me were:

While I was all about the clutch buffet of content, I'm the type of person that's all about the price tag. There are two subscription routes you can take both of which come with a free one-week trial. Option one allows you to go month-to-month for $14.99/month equaling out to less than 50 cents per day.

Option two is an annual subscription for $89.99. Let's break down that annual figure, shall we? At $89.99/year, that's approximately $7.50/month, and TBH I spent more than that on my coffee and breakfast sandwich this morning. But wait, if we break that number down even further, $7.50/month comes down to approximately 25 cents per day. Um, excuse me. What?! I've met gumballs more expensive than that.

For most of the sessions, it appears that a mat and dumbbells will do the trick so a fully equipped at-home gym isn't necessary. Theres no need here to splurge on expensive pieces of exercise equipment thatll probably end up becoming a dusty catch-all for your dirty clothes.

The app is available for download on iOS and Android, but it can also be streamed via Apple TV, Roku, or Fire TV which I liked because you can watch it on the big screen and really immerse yourself in the class. Plus, it's a rather seamless transition from your phone to TV so if you start a class on one device, you can easily pick up right where you left off on the other.

Photo Courtesy of Alex Aronson

Now that I had done all the preliminary leg work [pun sorta intended], it was time to stop procrastinating and actually get to working-out. Since the gyms have been closed for a few months now, I was a little anxious to really get back into it, so I decided to start out light and ease my way back into beast mode I hate that I just said that, but you get the idea.

I quickly discovered that the app provides a wide selection of quality fitness content at a bargain bin price.

Peep the app in the video below.

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I decided to check-out "Anarchy 10" in the Men's Health section and did a chest & back session with Andy Speer. There are four videos under this program each hovering around the 10-minute mark and they're designed to give you brief yet intense workouts. I knew the following day my chest was going to feel it, and, yeah, I was right. Speer came, conquered, and delivered with his "little" ten-minute session. It was a good way to get my feet wet.

What next?

As a consequence for the mass intake of pizza and wine I have consumed during this lockdown, I decided that a program called All Out HIIT sounded like the proper punishment. And it was. The program consists of six videos that focus on 15-minute high-intensity interval training workouts that combine cardio conditioning and a strength workout in one. For the total-body session, jumping jacks, burpees, squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks were all present.

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After dipping my toe into a few of the offerings, I decided I wanted to fully commit to a program, so I landed on Six Week Sweat. There are ten classes led by Sean Garner. Each one lasts about 30-minutes, and I must say, the program lives up to its name. By the end of a session, I am usually drenched and totally feeling it. There is also a handy workout guide that breaks-down the classes into an actionable schedule. Lets just say, Mr. Garner is now my new trainer, and I fully intend to see the full six-week program through.

(Stream 200+ workouts today at All Out Studio)

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I Tried 'All Out' for Two Weeks and I'm Canceling My Gym Membership - Men's Health

How One Entrepreneur Tripled Her Monthly Income Amidst The COVID-19 Crisis – Forbes

If youve struggled to remember that anything is possibleeven in the worst of circumstancesthis entrepreneur might change your mind.

Elizabeth Rider currently runs a multi-six figure business as a leading expert in nutrition and whole living. But she started her career in management consulting overwhelmed by a chronic illness, only getting a few hours of sleep per night and surviving on takeout dinners in a windowless audit room at a big-name accounting firm.

After following her passion, she was able to build a wellness empire that has officially succeeded in becoming recession-proof. Over this past summer, in the midst of the COVID crisis, Rider released a course on blogging that garnered more than 75K in salesin just one month. And shes just getting started with rollouts for 2020.

The biggest secret to her success has been her unfailing ability to shift the way that she makes money. I caught up with Rider to figure out exactly how she pivots with the poise of a ballerina on pointe no matter what the economic climateand you can too.

How One Entrepreneur Tripled Her Monthly Income Amidst The COVID-19 Crisis | Stephanie Burns

Stephanie Burns: Even though it seems unrelated, your first job had a big impact on the business you currently run. Tell us how it all started.

Elizabeth Rider: I graduated from college with a degree in mathematics, but quickly realized pursuing a PhD and becoming a professor would leave me broke for a long time. A friend told me about an opening at a Big 4 accounting firm, so I applied. They interviewed 15 of us at the exact same time and I somehow got the highly coveted joband the great paycheck that came with it.

Ive always known that money doesnt make people happy, but it can give you the freedom to make choices when you need a change. Unfortunately, after a few years at the firm, I was feeling trapped by the 12-hour work days, male-dominated environment and stifling dress code. One of my co-workers was sent home for wearing open-toed sandals one summer. In my time there, a chronic illness I had got worse and I really struggled to stay healthy. After I got food poisoning one day and my boss told me to feel better and have a report on his desk by 6pm, I knew I was in the wrong place.

Burns: How have you known when it was the right time to pivot in business?

Rider: Its usually tied to focusing on my passions. Even when I was at the accounting firm, people would say to me, Youre so focused! Sometimes I see you staring at your computer so intently. They thought I was working hard, but I was really thinking about being somewhere else. Being someone else. I was daydreaming about what my life should be like. A few years after joining the firm, I married my high school sweetheart but I wasnt spending a lot of time with him thanks to my 65-hour work weeks. So I knew it was time to make a change.

Burns: How were you able to transition out of your first career to running your own business?

Rider: Freelancing! At a dance class, I met a woman who was looking for a business manager for her marketing company. I knew I had the business strategy, management, and systems experience to help her. After a year, I had my feet under me and I started to understand what it would take to run my own business. I also took some courses on online business development and health coaching. They were just purely passions I wanted to pursue. But once I had my eyes opened to this emerging concept of making money in non-conventional wayslike off of a blog or network marketingI knew I was headed in the right direction. Since I was always a freelancer as a business manager, I simply took my hours down to 50% and later 25%to devote time to my blogbefore leaving to start my own business.

How One Entrepreneur Tripled Her Monthly Income Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis | Stephanie Burns

Burns: Your success really spiraled upwards from there but so many entrepreneurs struggle in the beginning stages. How did you keep upward momentum?

Rider: Ive always been willing to ask myself one key question and act on the answer: Whats the best revenue stream right now going forward? So many people will stay in one way of doing business for too long and sabotage themselves. For example, Kodak went bankrupt because they werent willing to pivot their revenue stream. They thought they were in the business of filmbut really they were in the business of capturing memories. (The medium doesnt matter). They passed on an opportunity to be a leader in the digital camera space because they were stuck in their own ways. As a new business owner, I was constantly moving forward in areas that I knew I had a passion for, that could solve a problem for other people and that would be profitable.

I quickly started seeing avid readership with the blog I started. People were clearly interested in learning how to remake recipes in a healthier way. When I posted links to it on Facebook, the interest was off the charts with thousands of shares. In the comments, readers would ask for specific recipes or ask me to cover certain topics. Not only was it easy for me to do this, but I saw this tangible thing helping people. I went on to use my blog to sell healthy lifestyle classes as well as nutritional products and my business started to blow up. Later, I began teaching teams of people how to run health and nutrition businesses in 13 different countries across the globe. From there, I saw how powerful teaching online could be and saw the industry of online classes emerging. Thats when I pivoted to sell online courses.

Burns: How have you been able to thrive as a business owner even during a recession and a pandemic?

Rider: Its not that people dont have money right now, its that the people with disposable income are being more mindful about how theyre spending it. Women, for example, arent looking to buy a little black dress with heels right now. Theyre looking to buy something for themselves that will have a return on investment in the future. Theyre looking for intellectual stimulation. They want to be entertained by something other than Netflix. I help them with all three of those things. When someone thinks about a blog, they think about being able to make money off of it in the future. They know it will allow them to take control over how they spend their time.

If youre an entrepreneur struggling to make sales right now, ask yourself what skillset you have that you could turn into an online course that will make customers feel like theyre securing their future. Youll also want to find the magic number of hours that your course should take to consume by thinking about your ideal customer. Mine is a busy, emerging or veteran entrepreneur who has been wasting time creating content that doesnt send them any free traffic. So, I made my course four hours long. Yes, it has a ten-hour bonus library. But you can get the nuts and bolts of blogging in an afternoon. I teach them that instead of creating more content, they just need to be smarter about the few pieces of content a month they do create.

How One Entrepreneur Tripled Her Monthly Income Amidst The COVID-19 Crisis | Stephanie Burns

Burns: What are some steps any entrepreneur can take right now to ensure the success of their business?

Rider: First off, youll want to have a consistent online presence on a platform that you own, such as your blog. People confuse consistency with perfection, though. Im not saying you have to show up at 10am every day for your audience. But you cant only blog or post twice a year because youll lose your audiences trust. We inherently trust people who are consistent because they feel stable. Limit yourself to your blog and one or two additional platforms to prevent overwhelm. You own your blog and no one can take that away from you. But Instagram could become the next MySpace.

Second, focus on giving your customers tangible skills. Thats important for your customers because they want to walk away knowing that they have gained something
specific from your knowledge. How can you create something thats a solution for people? What problem does your service solve?

Finally, always be willing to shift. You have to realize that the one thing giving you a paycheck right now shouldnt be your only income stream. My network marketing business selling nutritional products did really well because I had so much blog traffic. That was a great way at the time to make money but the company I was working with changed the compensation plan and the cost of the products went up. My blog traffic was growing but the people interested in the products weren't, which forced me to rethink how I was going to best monetize all of my blog traffic. I saw online courses becoming more popular so I pivoted to prioritize selling education over selling products.

Burns: A lot of entrepreneurs have been discounting prices. Do you believe thats the route to go in a recession?

Rider: I normally never discount anything but I recognized that this was a different time for everyone. As an olive branch, I offered a discountand I still ended up making more money. What helped me sell was less about the price drop and more about the fact that I acknowledged my potential customers financial pain. I believe that a rising tide lifts all boats. The more I can teach, the better it will be for everyone. The more women we have making good money, the better the world will be.

Amen, sister.

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How One Entrepreneur Tripled Her Monthly Income Amidst The COVID-19 Crisis - Forbes

Fit for Life: Deal of the Century – GoLocalProv

Saturday, August 01, 2020

Matt Espeut, Health + Lifestyle Contributor

If you are buying a car, house, or making any other large purchase, it is human nature to feel like you got great value and stretched your hard-earned money as far as you could.

The definition of the word deal is an agreement entered into by 2 or more parties for their mutual benefit, especially in a political or business context

This is what we do when someone comes on board as a member to Providence Fit Body Boot Camp.

We make a deal that we will coach them to reach their health and fitness goals in exchange for their commitment to be consistent, disciplined, and engaged with the program.

Lots of mutual benefits there.

The member gets their health and fitness back, and we can continue to do business as an organization.

However, I have an even better idea, and I came up with another acronym to describe this idea.

Make a DEAL with yourself & forget a second party!!

Heres how it goes:

D- Dedicate your life to being fit and healthy.

Yes, you heard that correctly.

Dedicate your life, because if you dont, your life will be cut short, or even worse, be filled with sickness, pain and misery.

When you do not take care of yourself on a daily basis, not only will the weight creep up around your waistline, and every other undesirable area of your body, you will do a tremendous amount of damage inside your body that you probably wont notice until its too late.

Do you know anyone with diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, cancer, arthritis, or some gastric issues such as acid reflux or stomach ulcers?

You probably do, and if you dont eat clean, exercise, sleep enough or drink enough water, these symptoms are bound to find you too.

Ya see, these are all preventable ailments that can be avoided through your lifestyle habits.

You may not immediately notice the damage you are doing, because it accumulates over time, however as I said earlier, you wont notice until its too late. (On a side note, once you start practicing living a healthy lifestyle, you will notice and feel the difference IMMEDIATELY!!)

E- Eliminate the toxic components that will derail your goals and dreams.

This includes everything from the food you eat to the people you hang around with to the way you spend your time to the thoughts that you let occupy your mind.

When you eat toxic food full of artificial ingredients, sugar, and empty calories, you are doing yourself a huge disservice. If your body cant break down the food you consume and utilize the nutrients for cellular repair and the regeneration of muscle growth, you are consuming empty calories that will just end up as fat storage in the body. A general rule I follow is that if you cant read or pronounce the ingredients, you shouldnt be eating it.

You also want to eliminate the people that dont add value to your life. If you cant eliminate them, then you need to edit your relationship with them. Toxic people are contagious, and when you find yourself in the company of someone that always complains, gossips, cries victim, and points the finger at everyone else, eventually that will drain you mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, so stay away at all cost.

The last thing to eliminate is the toxic thought process that I cant do this, or Im not a fitness person, because the more you think this way, the more your thoughts will dictate your action, or lack of action. Think positive, and know that if it works for others, it will work for you too.

A- Answer the bell every day. Especially when you dont feel like it.

I have been personally working out for over 30 years now, and I cant remember a time that I would rather workout than do something easy like just hang out or go to the beach.

You will always find something that you would rather do than the workout, however, there arent too many things that are more important.

Its work. Hard work that takes effort and discipline, that most people arent willing to do and do consistently.

Its time consuming, and painful at times, but there isnt a better feeling of accomplishment than when you complete a workout or great week of eating clean.

Eating clean is another task that requires extra work and discipline, alongside the exercise component. You need to shop, meal prep, and most importantly be able to say no to eating the toxic food that will take you off your path.

Be ready to show up and work, because the rent is due every day. Rain, snow, 100 degrees, it doesnt matter because you have a responsibility to yourself to get the job done regardless of the conditions.

L-Listen and learn from people with more experience than you. If you are not sure what you need to do to accomplish your goals, dont suffer in silence, ask for help.

Most of our members werent fitness people when they came to us.

If they had the motivation and know-how to achieve their goals, they wouldnt need us.

At Providence Fit Body Boot Camp, we can take the most de-conditioned individual and turn them into a workout beast in a matter of a few months.

People that have struggled for years, see amazing results with our coaching and accountability program, because we show them how to take steps and implement habits into their lives that will set them up for success.

The same goes for anyone looking to run a profitable business.

Listen and learn from individuals that have the experience that you dont have.

Learn from others' mistakes and expedite the process so you dont waste the time trying to figure it all out on your own.

So, theres the formula to get started on your health and fitness journey.

However, the formula wont work unless you take a long look in the mirror and decide you have had enough and its time to make a change.

Only then will it be time to act like Bob Barker and say to yourself, lets make a deal.

Committed to your success,

Matt

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Fit for Life: Deal of the Century - GoLocalProv

New Information About Benefits of Coffee, Coffee can Be Part of a Healthy Lifestyle – Live Trading News

#Coffee

Coffee has been tied to many potential health benefits, but people should drink it for pleasure, not disease prevention.

That is the Key conclusion of a new study In it, researchers give an overview of the evidence on coffee and caffeine the subjects of many health studies over the years.

The impact of coffee consumption on health is important because there are few other dietary factors that so many people across the world are so frequently exposed to, said Rob van Dam, the lead author on the review.

And overall,the news is good for coffee lovers, as caffeinated coffee does not appear to raise any disease risks, and is instead linked to lower odds of various diseases. And moderate doses of caffeine are generally safe for most people.

Moderate is the Key, as too much caffeine can disrupt sleep or make people jittery.

The amount of caffeine that leads to unpleasant side effects varies greatly from person to person, said Mr. van Dam, a professor at the National University of Singapore.

He suggested people pay attention to whether caffeine seems to affect their ability to fall asleep or lead to agitation or anxiety. If it does they can adapt their level of intake or timing of intake during the day.

That is the advice for most adults. Pregnant women, however, should be particularly careful about caffeine intake. Based on the evidence, Professor van Dams team said, they should limit themselves to no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day.

Thats roughly the amount in 12 oz of coffee.

For nonpregnant women Professor van Dam said that up to 5 8-oz cups of coffee a day may be fine, depending on a persons caffeine tolerance.

In general, studies show that despite caffeines bad reputation as a stimulant, caffeinated coffee does not seem to raise the risk of developing high blood pressure or worsen existing blood pressure problems.

In fact, coffee consumption has been linked to lower risks of developing heart disease, as well as other serious conditions. The list includes type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, Parkinsons disease, liver disease and gallstones, according to the review.

None of those studies prove that coffee or caffeine are responsible for the lower risks, and that people should not rely on coffee to prevent any diseases.

Coffee and caffeine can be part of a healthy lifestyle

There is a Question over whether filtered coffee is healthier than unfiltered. The latter includes espresso, boiled coffee and coffee made by the French press.

What you put into the coffee is what really matters, rather than whether its filtered or unfiltered. So, avoid loading your coffee cup with sugar and cream.

There are other sources of dietary caffeine, including tea, sodas and chocolate. For the most part, though, they contain low amounts.

The 2 exceptions, are energy drinks and shots, which can contain as much or more caffeine than a cup of coffee. High intake of those beverages can cause spikes in blood pressure and heart palpitations, according to the review.

Caffeine can also interact with certain medications. If people have questions about their medications they can talk to their pharmacist.

The review was published on 23 July in theNew England Journal of Medicine.

Eat healthy, Be healthy, Live lively

benefits, caffeine, coffee, health, study

Paul A. Ebeling, a polymath, excels, in diverse fields of knowledge Including Pattern Recognition Analysis in Equities, Commodities and Foreign Exchange, and he it the author of "The Red Roadmaster's Technical Report on the US Major Market Indices, a highly regarded, weekly financial market commentary. He is a philosopher, issuing insights on a wide range of subjects to over a million cohorts. An international audience of opinion makers, business leaders, and global organizations recognize Ebeling as an expert.

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New Information About Benefits of Coffee, Coffee can Be Part of a Healthy Lifestyle - Live Trading News

Marco Folino (@runandlift) Medical Doctor and Fitness Coach transforming lives around the world – Virtual-Strategy Magazine

July 31, 2020 Why cant doctors be fitness experts and bodybuilders, or vice versa? Both share the same goal of living a fit and healthy life. This simple question led Canadian Marco Folino to not only become a medical doctor, but also take up bodybuilding and launch fitness programs. Marco Folino is also popular today as @runandlift on Instagram.

Learning fitness and bodybuilding methods and tricks from a qualified medical doctor brings the best of both worlds to fitness enthusiasts. Marco Folino offers evidence based fitness training and nutrition coaching through personalized programs and unlimited instant messaging support.

A body transformation specialist is how Marco Folino is best known. Marco helps everyone, both beginners and the experienced, to derive maximum results from their workouts and not waste time and money on trial and error programs. For those already in a gym, he will help take their bodies to the next level.

Not only have I mastered the science behind fitness and nutrition to a level far beyond that of a regular personal trainer, but Ive also achieved real life results with my own transformation along with that of thousands of people worldwide, says Marco Folino.

Marco invites everyone to join his team, not only as a member, but also as a friend whose transformation will be a personal responsibility. His aims are to help people optimize their health and fitness with a healthier lifestyle, and to show everyone that one can live a lifestyle that is both active as well as healthy, despite busy schedules or career constraints.

With over ten years of rich training experience behind him, Marco Folino has set himself up as an example for others to follow. His journey traces back to his childhood when Marco was passionate about both academics and sports. Later on, he questioned why medicine and fitness were seen as two exclusive fields or careers. He wondered why not all doctors practiced the healthy lifestyle habits that they preached, and why personal trainers didnt have access to the latest research and knowledge in nutrition and exercise.

The 8-Week Body Transformation Program offered by Marco Folino comprises a personalized meal plan with both gym and home workouts (no gym membership required), a personalized meal plan and weekly check-ins with direct contact, and 24 hours support. This program is available to all genders across the world of any age, objective or experience level.

For more information, please visit: http://www.runandliftcoaching.com

Media ContactCompany Name: RunandliftContact Person: Marco FolinoEmail: Send EmailCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.runandliftcoaching.com

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Marco Folino (@runandlift) Medical Doctor and Fitness Coach transforming lives around the world - Virtual-Strategy Magazine

Readers Struggling with Rejection Will be Encouraged by Author’s Story of Healing – Benzinga

CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --Brandon Johnson's book, The Heavy Heart And The Unexpected Place of Healing: Guernsey ($11.49, paperback, 9781631299520; $19.99, hardcover, 9781631299537; $5.99, ebook, 9781631299544), is available for purchase.

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves facing rejection. This can come from family members, friends, work, significant othersno matter the origin of the rejection, however, the end result stings, making us question our self-worth and if we will be able to find the acceptance we so desperately seek.

Author Brandon Johnson struggled with rejection throughout his life, which led to other struggles, but the rejections that devastated him actually eventually led to his healing. The Heavy Heart and the Unexpected Place of Healing: Guernsey by Brandon Johnson tells the author's story of finding the healing acceptance of God in a circumstance and location which otherwise screamed of failure and inadequacy.

By taking the reader on a journey through his time in the United States Air Force and his many experiences both domestic and abroad, Brandon explains how God met him in his darkest moments and restored him, even when he felt like he'd gone past the point of no return.

"Whoever reads this book will gain a new perspective on their life," said Johnson.

Brandon Johnson is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, a small but diverse community. He currently works at Whole Foods Market and enjoys teaching others the importance of living and eating a healthy lifestyle.

# # #

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world's largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 12,000 titles published to date. The Heavy Heart And The Unexpected Place of Healing, Guernsey is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

SOURCE Xulon Press

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Readers Struggling with Rejection Will be Encouraged by Author's Story of Healing - Benzinga

Newlyweds Brought Closer Together by Husband’s Heart Transplant – Wgnsradio

Monica and Kevin felt an immediate spark when they met at a mutual friend's birthday party in 2012. But before they could schedule their first official date, Kevin was rushed to the hospital. As the Memphis-area couple's relationship grew, Monica learned that Kevin suffered from a chronic condition called congestive heart failure. Despite the fact that he led a heart-healthy lifestyle, the 34-year-old barber periodically experienced episodes of extreme shortness of breath and severe pain caused by fluid buildup in his lungs and other organs. Lying in bed sometimes hurt Kevin so much that he had to stack pillows around his body for support and sleep with his chest bent to his knees. At some points, Kevin was in too much pain to go work. He took a variety of medicines and had regular cardiology appointments, but the bouts persisted as the couple married and built a life together in Olive Branch, Mississippi, with Kevin's young daughter.

In April 2019, the couple drove to Nashville for their first consultation with Dr. Warren Stribling of Ascension Saint Thomas Heart. Dr. Stribling surprised the couple by asking Kevin to stay in Nashville for about a week of observation. Although Kevin didn't have any clothes packed for a lengthy stay and Monica hated leaving town without her husband, she says now that "it was the best decision we could have ever made for our family."

During that first stay at Ascension Saint Thomas West, Dr. Stribling mentioned that Kevin might ultimately need a transplant. After testing, observation, paperwork, and a short return to Olive Branch, Kevin was officially added to the transplant wait list in July 2019. On August 22, 2019, Dr. Ashok Babu announced that a heart had arrived for Kevin. Monica recalls that she was "a big ball of emotions" as she sat waiting during Kevin's operation. After the successful surgery, the couple stayed at the Hospitality House of Nashville for three months as Kevin regained his strength.

Today, the family of four is thriving. Monica, now 37, gave birth to their youngest daughter in 2016 and teaches personal finance to juniors and seniors at a Germantown high school. Kevin, now 42, has returned to his beloved job as a barber. Monica jokes, "I call Kevin my 'Tin Man' because he got his new heart." The couple celebrates little victories like the moment in February 2020 when Kevin was finally approved to drive his car again. They are taking extra precautions during the pandemic to keep Kevin safe, as being a recent transplant recipient puts him at higher-risk for developing Covid-19 complications.

"I used to wonder 'Why me, God'?" says Kevin, adding: "Now I think to myself, 'Why not me'? Why can'tIbe an example to others? I enjoy every day I get with my family and my job, and I ask God to use me however He wants."

The couple has now been married 4 years and they will celebrate Kevin's 1-year "heartiversary" on August 23.

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Newlyweds Brought Closer Together by Husband's Heart Transplant - Wgnsradio

It is no longer acceptable to rely on individuals to make healthy dietary choices says Salfor University expert. – About Manchester

This week, amid growing evidence of a link between obesity and increased risk from Covid-19, the government has announced new plans to tackle the nations weight problem. The plans include the banning of buy one, get one free (BOGOF) offers on unhealthy foods in an attempt to reduce the quantity that individuals consume.

Dr Anna Robins, programme lead forNutrition and Exercise as Medicineat the University of Salford, comments on the announcement: Projections show that by 2050, 8 out of 10 adults and 5 out of 10 children will be overweight or obese this will cost the NHS around 43.5 billion. Any attempt to reduce the amount of people who are overweight or obese is essential.

Whilst some may view the governments new strategy as somewhat of a nanny approach to tackling the issue, I believe helping people make the right decisions is now essential. Unfortunately, due to the worrying and continual rise in obesity, it is no longer acceptable to rely on individuals to make healthy dietary choices.

The reasons why people fail to lead a healthy lifestyle can be complex, with factors including knowledge, willpower, support, money and time being common barriers. Previous attempts have been made to educate people on how to make healthier choices, such as the introduction of traffic light systems and nutritional information being provided in take-away provision and restaurants. Unfortunately, these measures havent yet been proven to make much difference.

Marks and Spencer have also been accused of false virtue this week after advertising that their Percy Pig sweets are made with natural fruit sugars and contain no artificial colours or flavourings.

Anna explains why these claims may be seen as problematic: It is essential that food companies advertise their products accurately, make people aware of the contents and also take responsibility for their part in influencing health and wellbeing.

These advertising claims aim to convince consumers that Percy Pigs are perhaps suitable for children, but they are still sweets and hence by nature are full of sugar. Just one of these sweets contains 4g of sugar, which is a 5th of the upper limit of sugar a 6-year-old child should be consuming in a whole day.

However, Anna is cautious that the new government strategy only tackles part of the problem. Diet is of course not the only factor that can lead to weight gain. Evidence shows that the population are generally inactive with 1 in 4 women, and 1 in 5 men failing to achieve 30 mins of physical activity per week. It is essential people find the time to do some activity, which has an array of benefits to physical, social and psychological wellbeing, and make a considerable effort to be less sedentary.

The University of Salford is fighting the rise in obesity by becoming the first university in the UK to launch an undergraduate course focussing on nutrition and exercise as medicine. Anna is the programme leader for the course, which is due to welcome its first students in September 2020.

Anna explains why the course is so important. Understanding the importance of a healthy lifestyle and helping people make positive and consistent behaviour change requires specialised knowledge and skills. Practitioners need an in-depth understanding of underpinning scientific principles and to be able to incorporate changes into a persons daily schedule. The art and science of exercise prescription and dietary intervention is tremendously complex and takes years to learn and perfect.

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It is no longer acceptable to rely on individuals to make healthy dietary choices says Salfor University expert. - About Manchester

Less Than a Quarter of U.S. Adults Say They’ve Been Tested for Hepatitis C Despite CDC Recommendations for Universal Testing – Business Wire

RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) joins the American Liver Foundation (ALF) to raise awareness for the millions of Americans infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), as the rate of new HCV infections was four times as high in 2018 as it was in 2009.1 In a recent Lincoln survey, more than 80% of U.S adults say they know what HCV is, yet only 35% are aware its curable, indicating confusion as cases of the disease continue to rise.2

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 2.4 million people in the United States are living with chronic hepatitis C,1 however, its estimated that 4 in 10 people dont know theyre infected.3 With the increase in new cases, and so many unknown cases, earlier this year the CDC updated its testing recommendations, calling for one-time screening for all adults 18 years and older (with routine periodic testing for those with ongoing risk factors), and screening of all pregnant women during every pregnancy. Despite these recommendations, only 24% of Lincoln survey respondents said theyve been tested for HCV.2

As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of testing is as clear as ever when it comes to combating infectious diseases, said Dr. John Greene, Vice President and Chief Medical Director for Lincolns individual Life Insurance business. The same is true when it comes to HCV, the silent epidemic for which theres a cure. As a member of ALFs Corporate Council, Lincoln stands with ALF and the global community to advocate for HCV awareness, prevention, testing and treatment, to help eliminate this disease.

Nearly 70% of those surveyed by Lincoln said they arent concerned about themselves or a family member getting sick from HCV.2 In fact, just 26% said theyve talked about liver health with their health care provider.2 If left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Unfortunately, the disease has few noticeable symptoms, which often dont appear for years or decades.

Thankfully, the treatment of HCV infections has evolved significantly in recent years with the development of direct-acting antiviral medications resulting in shorter treatment duration, fewer side effects and cure rates of roughly 95%.

In the midst of this unprecedented pandemic, it is easy for people to overlook routine, but critical, health maintenance, said Lynn Gardiner Seim, EVP & Chief Operating Officer, American Liver Foundation. As we all continue to take steps to ensure our health, it is imperative, now more than ever before, to adhere to HCV testing guidelines so people who need treatment can receive it before chronic hepatitis C results in significant liver health issues.

Getting treated can provide a second lease on life for those with HCV. Treatment can improve liver and physical health, mental and emotional health, and overall wellness, enabling the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle that HCV may have stood in the way of before.

Treatment can even help overcome financial planning challenges that HCV may have presented in the past, such as obtaining affordable life insurance. Of those surveyed by Lincoln, just 42% said they thought individuals with HCV can get life insurance coverage.2 Lincoln has incorporated the newest clinical information about HCV medical advancements in its underwriting approach to offer more favorable underwriting ratings for most individuals with hepatitis C who have been successfully treated, resulting in lower costs for life insurance coverage. Lincoln has also expanded coverage eligibility for some untreated individuals.

Hep C Resources and Information

To learn more about hepatitis C diagnosis, treatment and support, visit HepC123.org

To see the full hepatitis C survey conducted by Lincoln, click here.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help empower people to take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism. Today, more than 17 million customers trust our retirement, insurance and wealth protection expertise to help address their lifestyle, savings and income goals, as well as to guard against long-term care expenses. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. The company had $247 billion in end-of-period account values as of March 31, 2020. Lincoln Financial Group is a committed corporate citizen included on major sustainability indices including the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America and FTSE4Good. Dedicated to diversity and inclusion, Lincoln earned perfect 100 percent scores on the Corporate Equality Index and the Disability Equality Index. Lincoln has also been recognized in Newsweeks Most Responsible Companies and is among Forbes Worlds Best Employers, Best Large Employers, Best Employers for Diversity, Best Employers for Women and ranked on the JUST 100 list. Learn more at:www.LincolnFinancial.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Sign up for email alerts at http://newsroom.lfg.com.

About American Liver Foundation

Founded in 1976, the American Liver Foundation is the nations largest patient advocacy organization for people living with liver disease. ALF reaches more than 3 million people each year with health information, education and support services through community-based programs, and an active online presence. ALFs hepatitis C educational programs focus on three key factors: diagnosis, treatment and support. ALF has a National Helpline and a physician locator. Find out more. Information is available at http://www.liverfoundation.org or by calling 1-800-GO-LIVER (1-800-465-4837).

Sources:

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Less Than a Quarter of U.S. Adults Say They've Been Tested for Hepatitis C Despite CDC Recommendations for Universal Testing - Business Wire

S.H.E. Week 2020 expands programming to celebrate the Strength, Heart and Equality of Women in Frederick County – Yahoo Finance

The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce will host the week of virtual events, August 24-28.

FREDERICK, Md., July 30, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the launch of this year's S.H.E. Week, a week of virtual events celebrating the Strength, Heart and Equality of women in Frederick County.

This year's event, being held August 24-28, also revolves around the concept of resiliency and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote.

"All of the things we value, all of the aspects of life we've taken for granted, have been turned upside down or altered," said Chamber President/CEO Rick Weldon. "Many of these changes are so dramatic that each of us has had to adjust and adapt at home, at work and at play. We've never needed to embrace resilience the way 2020 requires, yet women throughout Frederick County have done just that. S.H.E. Week 2020 gives us an opportunity to celebrate resilient women, fill our toolbox with new ideas and strategies, and prepare for the uncertainty that lies ahead."

"Last year we were blown away by the response to our inaugural event. Our committee members have worked tirelessly to exceed expectations. The 2020 line-up is filled with engaging topics, powerful speakers and valuable information that women from all backgrounds can use in their careers and overall life," said Jennifer Gerlock, vice president of marketing and communication at the Chamber. "S.H.E. Week will be celebrating women's equality day with a special program about the 100th Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote."

S.H.E. WEEK EVENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

LIVE EVENTS

Monday, August 24 (S)heroes and Stories: Using Your Voice to Change the Narrative and Inspire Others to Action Time: 7:30 a.m. (Virtual Coffee Chat & Welcome from Yumi Hogan, First Lady of Maryland) Time: 8-9:30 a.m. (Workshop)

In this engaging and entertaining presentation, Julie Gaver will demonstrate why storytelling continues to be one of the most powerful forms of communication. Learn how to create your personal narrative in order to better persuade, inspire and educate others. You'll come away with useful tips and strategies to help you not only find your own (s)hero, but better share her with the world!

Instructor: Julie Gaver, Owner | Julie Gaver Discovery

Tuesday, August 25 Life Lessons from Unstoppable Women Time: 5-7 p.m.

With honesty, wit and a little bit of sass, this panel of unstoppable women share their life experiences and the lessons they've learned along the way. They address challenges from climbing the career ladder and finding inner fulfilment, to forging authentic relationships and overcoming life's setbacks. Each of these impressive professionals has a tale to tell and an experience to share. Empowering, engaging and unapologetically impassioned, their incisive observations will make you think, reflect and motivate you to tackle whatever life sends your way! This session will include time for a Q& A afterwards.

Guests: Crystal Maguire | Winsupply of Frederick Dr. Denise Rollins | Whole Heart Grief & Life Resource Center Jessica Underwood | JR Capital Build Dr. Andrea Chapdelaine | Hood College

Moderator: Amber Smith | Frederick Lifestyle Magazine | S.H.E. Week Committee Member

Wednesday, August 26 (Women's Equality Day) Women's Equality Day: Reflecting on the 100th Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote and Discussing the Mountains Left to Climb Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

2020 marks the 100-year anniversary of the 19th Amendment which granted women the constitutional right to vote. Trailblazing women have held government positions at the local, state, and national level; however, women still only make up 25% or less of the U.S. Senate and the House, and those numbers are even lower for women of color.

This lively panel will cover the past, present and future of women's role in politics, and also discuss the importance of local participation. Even if you never plan to run for office, everyone will leave this event with ideas for how to get involved, from big to small.

Guests: Dr. Stephanie Slocum-Schaffer | Political Science & Gender Studies Professor at Shepherd University Betty Mayfield | League of Women Voters Frederick Chapter

Story continues

Moderator: Rachael Pashkevich Koontz | Thermo Fisher Scientific | Women in Business Co-Chair

Thursday, August 27 Women of Color: Stories of Resilience Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Moderated by April Lee, this panel discussion engages three women, Dr. C. Yvonne Smith, Piper Crawford and Sue Hough, each of whom will share their personal stories and struggles as a woman of color in the business world. Each has their own unique tale of bravery, vulnerability and resilience and that will challenge, educate and inspire you through their words. This session will include time for a Q& A afterwards.

Guests: Dr. C. Yvonne Smith | Wake Integrated Psychological Services Piper Crawford | JKW Beauty Boutique Sue Hough | Octavo Designs | Women in Business Committee Member

Moderator: April Lee | Lee Building Maintenance

Friday, August 28 Next Steps: Develop a PR Roadmap to Expand Your Reach Time: 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Your challenges and setbacks are not mistakes they are part of your story! Through sharing your stories of resilience, you can inspire and motivate others. So how do you get yourself out there? In this talk, Sandy Dubay Sponaugle will provide PR tips to help both individuals and businesses find their message, audience and platformsso they can create an exciting next chapter! This session will include time for a Q& A after the presentation.

Instructor: Sandy Dubay Sponaugle, CEO/Founder | Platinum PR

VIP Happy Hour Wrap Up Time: 4-5:30 p.m.

This exclusive networking celebration event is available only to our VIP ticket holders, sponsors and speakers. We'll wrap up the week with opportunities to mingle as well as discuss key lessons and take-aways from our sessions. (Not to mention play a few games and win prizes!)

PRE-RECORDED EVENTS

Taking the Leap: Steps for Launching Your Own Business Hear from Amanda Haddaway, local business owner and human resources expert, about her entrepreneurial journey and some steps you can take if you're thinking about leaping into building a small business. During the session, you'll learn about:

Instructor: Amanda Haddaway | HR Answerbox

Nourishing Roots for Resiliency

In nature, trees develop deeper and stronger roots from the wind (resistance). Like the trees, the struggles and resistance we experience in life make us stronger and more resilient. We can nourish and support our resiliency by implementing simple techniques and tools that help support healing, growth, sustaining a healthy body and mind. Using a "holistic" approach (mind, body, spirit and heart), Holistic Health Coach Kim Wilson will share tools and tips for getting back to the roots of a healthy lifestyle for improved health and wellbeing while supporting your own beautiful bio-individuality.

Instructor: Kim Wilson | Farm Girl Fuel | S.H.E. Week Committee Member

Power in the Pivot

In this presentation, we'll cover how you can go from exhausted, anxious, and consumed by fear to having a peaceful and thriving life and business by pivoting and taking your powerback. You'll learn how to reclaim four key areas of your life including your voice, your energy, your finances, and your business.

Instructor: Laura Wallace | Worx Graphic Design

In addition to the live and pre-recorded sessions, interviews on various topics will also be offered as part of the programming and delivered digitally.

Options for participation in S.H.E. Week include bundles (VIP and regular access) as well as individual session attendance. VIP and regular access admissions include an exclusive workbook pdf and private Facebook group for further content delivery, discussion and participant interaction. All live sessions will be re
corded and delivered to participants via the Facebook group immediately following the presentation.

VIP event registration ranges from $45-65 with regular event access between $35 and $65. Single session registrations are available as well. Sponsorship opportunities for the week exist and can be accessed by contacting Jennifer Gerlock at jgerlock@frederickchamber.org.

Registration is open at frederickchamber.org/she-week

S.H.E. Week 2020 is brought to you by the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce's S.H.E. Week and Women in Business Committees, with support by our title sponsor FCB Bank, a division of ANCB Bank along with Warthern Team of Real Estate Teams, Ellen Keyser Homes, Lawyers Signature Settlements, LLC, AMI Signs, Edgewater Federal Solutions, Inc, Northwestern Mutual, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, Peace of Mind Pets MD, BKG Media and Promotions, Girls on the Run Mid and Western Maryland, Neely Coaching and Training, Support Unlimited, Inc., and Fox Mountain Property Inspections.

The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce's Women in Business Committee's mission is to empower and develop women through education, networking, mentoring and partnerships and to promote opportunities for all women throughout Frederick County. Women in Business Committee members develop programs that provide opportunities for women to learn and network as well as share their expertise with each other and to address the unique issues of women in business.

SOURCE Frederick County Chamber of Commerce

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S.H.E. Week 2020 expands programming to celebrate the Strength, Heart and Equality of Women in Frederick County - Yahoo Finance

Autiello after COVID-19 hits him: This is no joke – Valley Breeze

7/28/2020

NORTH PROVIDENCE It should go without saying at this point, says Dino Autiello, but COVID-19 is no joke.

Autiello would know. The North Providence Town Council president said he was taking just about every precaution he could think of prior to being diagnosed with COVID-19 on July 14. He tested positive for a second time last Saturday, July 25, meaning at least another week of quarantine.

The best he can tell, said Autiello, is that he contracted the dangerous virus during an event following a July 13 North Providence High School charity golf tournament. He hadnt golfed, he said, but said a couple of people who were there at the event afterward have since tested positive for the virus.

Autiello posted a video of how COVID-19 is affecting me tremendously last Wednesday, July 22, and it had more than 15,000 views as of Monday morning, many commenting that his experience battling the virus proves that this isnt just an older persons problem.

In that video, Autiello described COVID-19 as a very, very serious virus, urging everyone to take it seriously.

The average age of those getting COVID-19 is 38, said Autiello, and hell turn 38 at the end of the summer. What he initially thought was a sinus infection quickly intensified into far worse, with a high temperature, deep tiredness, body aches, cough, congestion, and loss of smell and taste, among other symptoms.

After quarantining for seven days, he said, he was finally starting to get back on his feet, but was still struggling with symptoms. He said he remains very tired, falling asleep at odd times. Where symptoms of a regular flu typically hit someone for a couple of days and then wane, he said, the strong effects of COVID-19 are lasting. He described an odd feeling of congestion-induced nausea and a consistent flu-like feeling combined with a sinus infection for two weeks.

Last Thursday, Autiello said he couldnt sleep at all, but the next night slept from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. Hes also been taking four or more hour-long naps throughout the day.

None of this experience has been any fun, said Autiello, and he cant imagine someone with an underlying health condition having to deal with it.

Autiello, the deputy director of constituent services for the Rhode Island Senate and manager of pre-construction services for A. Autiello Construction Co., says hes always maintained a healthy lifestyle, following a nutritious diet, exercising, and not being a smoker or heavy drinker, yet COVID-19 still had strong impacts on him.

If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone, he said.

Autiello said he has family and friends to thank for shopping for him and taking care of him over these last days, but it made him think of all those people who dont have that luxury. He said hes particularly appreciative for front-line workers who are putting themselves in harms way every day, saying they deserve every penny of hazardous duty pay that they receive.

Once someone tests positive, they dont need to get another test, said Autiello, but he said he wanted to get another one before going back to work and being around friends and family again.

Many people are still treating COVID-19 far too lightly, said Autiello. He said hes consistently worn a mask to try to avoid passing anything to his parents, who are in their 60s, as well as his elderly grandparents, some of who have underlying health conditions.

He said he had a mask with him at the golf event, but of course removed it for eating. He said he could have contracted the virus then or at any point he was near other people.

Autiello said he understands that this is summer and he, like many, would be at the beach seven days a week if they could, but hes urging everyone to make smart choices to keep Rhode Islands COVID counts where they are. He said elected officials are doing their best, despite having to make unpopular decisions, and Rhode Islanders should do their part to take it seriously.

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Autiello after COVID-19 hits him: This is no joke - Valley Breeze

Everything You Need to Know About PCOS – FLARE

Chances are that if youre a person with ovaries, youve heard about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; more commonly known as PCOS. Maybe it was from your BFF, whod gone for a check up only to find that she had cysts on her ovaries, maybe it was in the newslike when Dutch model Romee Strijd shared in a May 28 Instagram post that shes expecting a baby,two years after she was first diagnosed with PCOS. Or maybe its a condition that you personally have been diagnosed with. Regardless, there are likely very few degrees of separation between yourself and PCOSbecause its a pretty common disorder.

[PCOS] affects one in 10 reproductive-age girls, women or people with ovaries, and its across all ethnicities, says Dr. Yolanda Kirkham, an OBGYN and adolescent gynaecologist.So, its fairly common. And, Kirkham says, the numbers are actually rising. (More on that later.) But, as scary as it may sound, PCOS is actually a very treatable disorder. So, before you head down that Web MD rabbit hole, read up on what the experts we spoke to have to say about your reproductive and ovarian health.

First of all, although polycystic ovary syndrome sounds daunting, Kirkham stresses that people with ovaries shouldnt be too stressed about the name itself, especially that PCOS is classified as a syndrome.The syndrome just means certain things or certain symptoms that we see together as a group, Kirkham explains. So women shouldnt feel they have a disease, its just that they have this grouping thats associated with certain factors.

While doctors dont know *exactly* what causes PCOS (its a multifactoral condition, meaning there are many symptoms that can contribute to someones diagnosis with PCOS), according to Womens Healthmost experts think several contributorsincluding geneticsplay a role. Some of thesefactors include an imbalance in the reproductive and metabolic hormones. Per Womens Health, individuals with PCOS may have higher than normal levels of androgens (AKA male hormones). While all women have levels of androgens, people with higher levels can face complications. For example, these imbalances can create problems in theovaries; and with PCOS a persons eggs may not develop as they should or may not be released duringovulation. We have thousands of hormones in our body, but its in particular the ones that can affect how often we get our periodsas periods are also based on the fluctuations of our hormonesthat can cause issues, Kirkham says. As higher than normal androgen levels can cause missed periods, this can lead to subfertility or the abnormal development of cysts (small, fluid-filled sacs) on the ovaries.

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In addition to high androgen levels, people with PCOS may have insulin resistancemeaning that their bodies are unable to break down sugar effectively. This can also lead to downstream consequences for people with PCOS, like diabetes, high cholesterol and uterine cancer.And, it seems to be increasing as instances of obesity increase, Kirkham says.

While PCOS and endometriosis are often conflated and mistaken for one another, they are *not* the same thing. Per a a report by John Hopkins Medicine, endometriosis refers to a medical condition in which people have irregular development of the tissue that typically lines their uterus (called endometrium). During an individuals regular menstrual cycle, endometrium tissue builds up inside the uterus and is then shed if the person does not get pregnant. But per the report by John Hopkins, women with endometriosis develop this outside of the uterus, on other reproductive organs inside the persons pelvis or abdominal cavity. Because the tissue follows the same menstrual cycle of building up and breaking down, but in a misplaced area, this results in small bleeding inside of the pelvis. This bleeding then leads to inflammation, swelling and scarring of the regular tissue in the abdominal cavity. Endometriosis can be incredibly painful and is considered one of the three major influences of female infertility, with symptoms running the gamut from pain during sex to excessive menstrual flow and extreme menstrual cramps.

According to Bustle, the misdiagnosis of endometriosis as other medical issues (including PCOS) is due in large part to the fact that many of the symptoms of endometriosis are also present in other conditions. And the conflation of the two conditions can even be made by health professionals, which can lead to misdiagnosis when doctors see cysts on a womens ovary (something all women havemore on this later) and surmise that the pain theyre experiencing must be a byproduct of PCOS. Women might show up [in the emergency room] because they have extreme pain and they might have endometriosis, but you cant see that on an ultrasound, Kirkham says. But they happen to have an ovarian cyst at that time because theyre about to release an egg, and then they get diagnosed, [with a Dr. saying] Well you have an ovarian cyst, theres the problem and thats why you have pain, but it isnt.

When it comes to determining whether or not you have PCOS, Kirkham says doctors look to the Rotterdam criteria for diagnosis. This criteria mandates two of the three symptoms be present.The first one would be infrequent or missing periods, Kirkham says of one possible PCOS indicator (this means fewer than eight periods in a year). This is probably what usually would bring a woman or a person with ovaries to a doctors office, is that they start skipping their periods or they may be a teenager who is 15 or 16 and has never had a period, or anybody of reproductive age who starts missing three periods in a row. The second symptom is acne or unwanted hair (otherwise known as hyperandrogenism or high male hormones); meaning that you may have unusual hair on your chin, side of the face, chest, back or stomach. And the third [symptom], Kirkham says, is polycystic-looking ovaries on an ultrasound.

One common misconception associated with PCOS is that *anyone* who has cysts on their ovaries has PCOS. Which isnt true, because, in fact, everyone has cysts on their ovaries and they arent always cause for concern. This is why I dont like the terminology of PCOS. Kirkham says. As she explains it, anyone who has ovaries stores their eggs in cysts (a little fluid filled ballon). So we have cysts every month and then they pop or ovulate and then two weeks later we have a period if were not pregnant. Sometimes, these cysts can rupturewhich can be very painful and may take someone to the emergency room, she saysbut this popping happens every month and is not indicative of PCOS.

When it comes to PCOS, Kirkham says the main gynaecological basis for the period problems is due to an-ovulation, meaning people stop ovulating and cysts dont pop. And so thats why you end up with a lot of cysts on the ovary, she says (a.k.a polycystic). As opposed to your typical ovaries, when they do an ultrasound, it almost looks like a pearl necklace, where all of the little cysts are around the edge of the ovary.

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One thing to be aware of is the fact that a lot of teens can have polycystic-looking ovaries and not suffer from PCOS. Theyre very hormonally active at that time, Kirkham says, so their ovaries are really ramped up and theres a lot of eggs there. Which is why its important to refer to the Rotterdam criteria, and not base assumptions or diagnoses of PCOS off of one symptom alone.

While doctors havent identified any specific genes that would indicate PCOS is hereditary (ie: passed along through familial lines), there are PCOS-specific susceptibility genes that are being investigated, Kirkham says.

If youve heard anyone talk about PCOS, chances are youve probably heard them talk about infertility. PCOS is often connected to infertility, because people with PCOS may have difficulty releasing eggs (thanks to an excess of androgen hormones). About25 to 30% of PCOS patients have fertility issues, Kirkham says. (In fact, she continues,
some places say even up to 80% of individuals with PCOS can struggle with fertility). But, the good news is thatas opposed to other syndromes like untreated endometriosisthe rate for infertility is much lower and can be more easily corrected. Also, we definitely shouldnt refer to it as infertility.

I wish we would stop using the term infertility because it is usually subfertility, Kirkham says, meaning a lot of people with PCOS still get pregnant. In fact, Kirkham says, the type of subfertility with PCOS is probably the easiest one to treat, because its caused by an-ovulation. So usually all you need is a medication to trigger the release of the egg, she says. So people may not need IVF and all of the whole gamut and the expenses of fertility treatment. In fact, celebs who have PCOSlike model Romee Strijdhave spoken openly about their experiences with subfertility due to the syndrome. In a May 28 Instagram post, Strijd announced that two years after revealing her PCOS diagnosis, she was pregnant after making lifestyle changes. To the women trying to conceive, believe in yourself and be nice for yourself and your body and dont let those thoughts get to you too much, Strijd encouraged her followers in her post. (And FYI, according to Kirkham,70% of women with endometriosis do get pregnant).

While treatment for PCOS should be individualizedfor example, Kirkham says, for a teenager or a young person, they may be most affected by self esteem issues that they have with acne or unwanted hair; so in that case, that would be where we want to balance the higher androgens that cause those symptoms. So something as simple as a birth control pill that has female hormones in it will help balance out the antigen side effectsKirkham also says that lifestyle changes; eating well, exercising and weight loss is treatment number-one for PCOS. In fact, according to her, 10% weight loss has been shown to lead to spontaneous ovulation, which is why she advises that anyone looking to make lifestyle changes work in conjunction with a nutritionist.

Nutrition and lifestyle modifications are the primary treatment approaches for [people] with PCOS, says Trista Chan, a registered dietician and founder of The Good Life Dietician, who works with clients who have PCOS. While Chan says that theres nooptimal or gold-standard diet for PCOS treatment, and treatment varies greatly depending on the individual, she places a strong emphasison minimally processed, whole foods. This means whole grains, legumes, nuts, leafy greens, berries and fruit, seeds, fish and chicken, she says. As peoplewith PCOS typically have higher insulin and inflammatory markers, Chan advises incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods like fish, legumes, green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and low-fat dairy, which she says have been shown to reduce inflammation and potentially regulate menstruation. All of these interventions also usually lead to weight loss and improvement in metabolic and reproductive health, Chan says. Another important note from Chan? Exercise!

Its important to emphasize that advocating for a healthy lifestyle and exercise doesnt mean that you need to become thinner or look a certain way. PCOS can affect anyone at any body size. Its about figuring out what works best and is healthiest for your body.

And while theres no foolproof way to ensure you wont be diagnosed with PCOS, the only thing that you can do to decrease the chance of being diagnosed with it is living a healthy lifestyle, Kirkham says. Making sure that you keep your weight stable (with the help and advice of a doctor) and then also knowing your family history, because if its in your family and there is some predisposition to it, you would want to track your periods and make sure theyre happening regularly.

Its not something you can prevent, per se, Kirkham continues. You may be predisposed to it just like some people are predisposed to other diseases.

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While PCOS can never be 100% completely cured, nutrition andlifestyle modifications can be very effective in balancing hormones and relieving symptoms, Chan says. And, its important to get diagnosed early so that you can increase fertility for those looking to conceive and prevent more long-term effects likediabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, sleep apnea, depression and anxiety, and uterine cancer.

And for anyone looking to keep their ovaries healthy and in tip-top shape, whether or not you have PCOS, Chan has some recommendations: Filling your plate with inflammation-fighting foods is always a good idea, she advises. Berries are an antioxidant-rich, low-sugar fruit. (She recommends eating them three times a week.) In addition, low-fat yogurt, three to five times a week is also great source of calcium and probiotics to keep a healthy gut; fatty fishlike salmon or mackerelare rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which play large role in reducing inflammation, boosting heart health, and there is increasing research linking it to hormone balance.

Regardless of which route you take in treating PCOSor general reproductive healththe most important thing is to consult a doctor and do whats best for you and your body.

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Everything You Need to Know About PCOS - FLARE