MANNA GROCERY

Manna Grocery couldnt celebrate with the big party theyd been dreaming of, but co-owner Frances Drennen said thats fine.

Forty years passed by in a minute, Drennen said. I hope that we can continue to serve the community as long as people need what we have.

Manna Manager Judson Williams said the 40-year mark is an incredible achievement.

Theyve had the same mission the whole time, which is to try to keep Tuscaloosa and our community healthy, and I think weve done that, Williams said.

Manna Grocery sprouted after Frances and Earl Drennen bought a natural foods store in 1972. They renamed it Harmony Natural Foods. Back then it was located on the Strip in Tusclaoosa, where Twelve 25 bar is today.

In 1977, they sold the store and moved to Colorado. But three years later they were back in Tuscaloosa. Manna Grocery opened in 1980.

Its always been because we feel so strongly about the difference good food makes and how eating that way for your whole life can keep you healthy your whole life, Drennen said.

When she hires people, she tells them Manna is in the education business selling products on the side because people come in for answers about what they should be eating, or which supplements are best for them, or what makes organic food so important.

Currently when you step inside Manna, some things look a bit different. But employees are still there to help customers live a healthy lifestyle.

But theyre also taking COVID-19 precautions such as closing off their bulk produce bins and instead prepackaging the items for customers.

Were encouraging people to stay 6 feet apart, Williams said. Any baskets, buggies, anything customers are using were sanitizing after every customer. Weve got sneeze guards up to protect people.

And even though coronavirus made them postpone their anniversary events, Manna is making sure they keep giving the community healthy products in a helpful environment.

People have had so many good results with changing their diets or taking supplements or eating in our restaurant, Drennen said. They say that when you look back in your life in what was important to you, one of the things is a right livelihood, and thats how I feel about this. Im still excited after 40-plus years of coming to work every day to come to work every day.

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MANNA GROCERY CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF BUSINESS THIS YEAR - wvua23.com

PROVO When he was a sophomore at BYU, Kyle Collinsworths passing and rebounding skills, as well as his overall court awareness, made him one of the top college basketball players in the country.

But in terms of his diet, he was a typical college student. Eating healthy wasnt a big priority.

Id eat Taco Bell at 1 in the morning, he recalled. I ate terrible candy and sugar all the time.

But that all changed at the end of his sophomore season.

Six years ago, in the second half of the West Coast Conference Tournament championship game against Gonzaga, the Cougar star landed awkwardly on his right leg and remained on the floor at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas for several minutes, writhing in pain before he was helped to the locker room.

The Cougars ended up losing to the Zags and when the team returned to Provo, an MRI revealed that Collinsworth had suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and he was unable to compete in the NCAA Tournament the following week. A long and grueling rehab period awaited.

Park City surgeon Vernon Cooley performed the surgery on Collinsworths knee. The prognosis was for Collinsworth to return in 10 months. But the Provo native wanted to return sooner. Cooley advised Collinsworth that if he improved his nutrition, it could help him possibly return in six months and be ready for the first game the following November.

Collinsworth, who had returned from a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Russia less than a year before the injury, took that counsel to heart.

I started drinking green smoothies, he said, and after a few weeks of having a smoothie every day, my desire to have fast food just went away.

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The timing and severity of the injury cast doubt on whether Collinsworth would be able to return that soon, let alone play at a high level as a junior.

Not only was Collinsworth on the floor in the season opener against Long Beach State that November, but he also ended up recording the programs first triple-double in 26 years a month later. He went on to become the NCAAs triple-double king, compiling 12 career triple-doubles, an NCAA record, over his final two seasons.

Collinsworths ability to return seemingly seamlessly from ACL surgery was, at first, somewhat stunning to observers. He credits many factors to his recovery, including healthy eating.

That was a huge reason why I was able to come back so fast and recover so quickly. From that whole process, I learned a lot of strategies that helped with eating healthy, he said. I feel better and Ive seen success with it not just with my body and basketball but with my life as a whole.

Now, as a guard for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League, that lifestyle change that he maintains today has also grown into an altruistic cottage industry.

While he has fully embraced the power of nutrition and positive health habits, he wants to help others become the best version of themselves by offering motivation and challenges for people to get healthy via Twitter, newsletters and e-books.

Two of his e-books are titled, Born to be Strong: A Guide to Reclaiming Your Natural Strong Body and The Power of Food: Body, Mind, and Spirit. They feature recipes, video tutorials and food charts. To receive his newsletter and learn more, follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bigrussia5.

What Collinsworth shares isnt a diet. Its a lifestyle. And its about simplicity combined with consistency.

Its been six-plus years now and I keep learning more and more, he said. Ive really been blessed with the power of eating healthy and exercise on my body, mind and spirit. Ive been on both sides, so I get it.

The information he shares, gleaned from a massive amount of reading, as well as empirical research, is free.

At BYU, Collinsworth ranks No. 13 all-time in scoring, No. 2 in rebounding, and No. 1 in assists. But this might be his most important assist.

I always comment with people and answer questions (on Twitter). All the monthly guides are free. Im just trying to help people reach their potential, he said. Thats one area Im passionate about healthy eating and exercise. I want to take what Ive learned and help as many people as I can to get healthy. Thousands have signed up for my newsletter. I dont know the exact number. But I want to help hundreds of thousands.

Among those that he has helped include former NBA superstar Dirk Nowitzki, who was Collinsworths teammate when he played with the Dallas Mavericks. Nowitzki was dealing with a foot injury and Collinsworth helped him with some meal stuff. Hes also helped Doug McDermott of the Indiana Pacers.

But Collinsworth is just as passionate about helping those who arent professional athletes average people that may struggle with maintaining a healthy weight or want to feel better about themselves.

And right now, with the coronavirus pandemic keeping people inside and altering their routines, this is the perfect opportunity for people to make changes in their lives, Collinsworth said.

Theres never been a better time to focus on your health than right now. I call this a compound moment. You are either going to come out of this better or worse. Theres so much idle time and time to be with your thoughts. Its a crucial time to do things youve always wanted to do, focus on things you know you need to do and put your head down and go to work and focus on one thing at a time.

In 2015, Collinsworth married Shea Martinez, an an All-American 800-meter runner on BYUs track team who continues to compete. When they met at BYU, she wasnt too concerned about her diet.

She saw what I was doing and joined it. She saw the results and felt good, Kyle said. I was probably 6-7 months eating healthy when I met her. She jumped right in. Its a huge part of our lives. We love making dinner together. Its a good time for us to talk. We prepare the food, eat it and clean it up together. Its always time set aside for us.

Collinsworth understands the obstacles that prevent people from living a healthy lifestyle.

My Rule No. 1 is to avoid too much too soon. Thats the biggest obstacle. If you were to start a diet today, and you wrote down in detail right now, I would guess for most people, they could no longer eat 95% of the food that they eat now, he said. What happens is, all the sudden the healthy food theyre supposed to be eating becomes stressful and negative. And the food theyre not supposed to be eating becomes the hero that they crave and miss. Its all because youve tried to do too much too soon. Thats everyones biggest mistake. People think you have to be doing all of this crazy stuff, whether its running five miles or eating a perfect diet instead of simply adding a green smoothie every day. What I discovered is, when you focus on adding one thing at a time, it really compounds. When you add more good, the bad naturally goes away with time.

Collinsworth encourages people to add one healthy habit at a time to reach their goals.

Part of what I try to teach people now is the power of focusing on one thing at a time. I call it subtraction by addition. I went from green smoothies and then I started having salads every day then I started riding a bike. I started adding good habits one at a time, he said. It was cool to look back and see that. So many things left my life with less friction and stress. Thats what Im trying to teach people now. Getting healthy doesnt have to be stressful. The minute it feels stressful, and you feel friction, you create a negative association to eating healthy and it almost makes it impossible to do. Its really a big mental game, eating healthy. I learned that along my journey with my ACL.

What you eat now impacts your future, Collinsworth said, even if youre not an elite athlete.

What I tell people is, eat for the next decade. If youre in your 20s, eat for your 30s. If youre in your 30s, eat for your 40s, he said.
In college, I could get away with eating Taco Bell. People tell me, You just eat healthy because youre a professional athlete. But professional athletes dont eat healthy, most of them. Thats the reality. Ive been in several NBA locker rooms. Thats not the case. I see the impact. It can cut careers shorter. Its for our future bodies. You cant take your health for granted.

Collinsworth has created a One Habit At A Time program to help others.

Every month, I pick a habit and I create a calendar for people to follow along. For January, it was intermittent fasting, he said. For February, it was green smoothies. March was a walking guide. April (was) a push-up guide. Im just trying to help people focus on one thing at a time and keeping things simple. If you think about it, if you were to add one good habit every month for the whole year, youd come away with 12 good habits. Im trying to help people create a healthy lifestyle. Im not a big fan of diets because its restriction and frustration. It creates a negative association with what youre trying to do. Eating healthy and exercising is one way to help us reach our true potential. If we want to be the best version of ourselves, that has to include healthy eating and exercise. Its one way and there are many ways.

Collinsworths professional career has brought him back to his home state with the Stars, which has been a blessing for him and his family.

There have been some ups and down, being in and out of the NBA, he said. But this years been incredible, to be home and playing in front of family again. Shea was home this year, training in Provo. Its been a very different year with everyone going on. But its been one of my favorites to be able to be home. With the virus, its a chance to focus on what matters most.

At BYU, Collinsworth was known for racking up big numbers in a variety of categories. These days, hes looking to add to the number of people he can help enjoy a more fulfilling lifestyle, like the one hes discovered.

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I want to help hundreds of thousands: Former BYU star Kyle Collinsworth on quest to help people get healthy - Deseret News

As most of the world continues to remain in some form of lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic, a persons health and hygiene has never been more in the spotlight. Every single day, we are hearing about the importance of wearing masks, using disposable gloves correctly, and maintaining a safe social distance from others but theres a fundamental message I feel has not been conveyed enough internationally and requires extra emphasis: your health.Until the vaccine is available, our immune systems will need to adapt to be able to fight off Covid-19. The immune system is the bodys multi-level defence network against potentially harmful bacteria, viruses and other organisms. Basically, a healthy lifestyle not only helps an immune system to be in the best shape possible to tackle pathogens, but its helps stop them entering the body in the first place and this part is very important.While there are all kinds of claims online, the fact is the only diet that is genuinely full of vitamins and minerals essential for boosting your immune system is a plant based diet. In fact plant-based diet contains 64-times the amount of immunity-boosting antioxidants compared to a diet that includes meat and dairy.Were hearing constantly about hand sanitiser and other protection equipment but these do not form part of our front-line defence, and I call on organisations and officials to further explain the following:A poor diet is a major cause behind the Covid-19 deaths this is a fact that a leading cardiologist in the UK has cautioned. Dr Aseem Malhotra, who is a frontline medic and also a professor of evidence based medicine, said that obesity and excess weight were the elephant in the room (meaning its never spoken about, but should be) and that it needs to be addressed as a major factor behind the deaths from the coronavirus.Countries with typically high obesity rates such as the US and the UK have seen some of the highest death rates from Covid-19 in the world, which are likely to correlate with unhealthy lifestyles and this is a message we must learn from, even here in Qatar.If you are smoking cigarettes, a potentially deadly habit which is incredibly damaging to the human body and brain with, or without a global pandemic studies already amply show that cigarette smoking weakens the immune system and compromises the function of the lungs. A new study has clearly shown what we already safely assumed: such patients who smoke, vape, or use shisha might have a tougher time resisting an attack of Covid-19. In fact, some medics have questioned whether unexpectedly high numbers of younger people who have become seriously ill with the coronavirus are connected to the smoking or shisha trend.A group of scientists are now stating that if a country was to adopt a healthier diet and lifestyle, not only would everyones front line defence be much stronger, but the population may not need to lockdown next time we have an outbreak.A global pandemic, with a contagious disease thats spreading without a vaccine available needs action from every single individual. Your own measures cant stop with just the use of masks and gloves, it must go beyond this, and we need recognition from our health ministries that the majority of our population is in urgent need of diet changes to strengthen immune systems, and cut out all of the rubbish that is causing so many people to be categorically vulnerable in this pandemic. Continue to wash your hands, use protective equipment, and stay home as much as possible but the key to your own health is in your hands, and it starts with what your diet.* The author is an expert in vegan wellbeing and health. Instagram handle: @Ghanim92

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Your front line defence isn't masks and gloves: its health - Gulf Times

Zainab Mansoor

Saturday 09 May 2020

In the aftermath of the Covid-19 virus that spread from Chinas Hubei province late last year and has weighed heavily on individual health and institutional well-being there has been a massive spike in matters related to health awareness.

As the virus continues to spread and impact lives all around the world, it has set off a wave of health related insecurities, feeding into the anxiety of the worlds population that is either at risk of developing deteriorating health conditions or keen to keep health complications at bay. This has resulted in the adoption and further development of healthcare apps and gadgets to facilitate early disease detection and effective management, as well as a healthier lifestyle.

Globally, investments in this sector mirror a similar trend. Over 50 per cent of the top 25 biggest early-stage deals in the first quarter of this year were in pharmaceutical and biotech startups in the US, a report by PitchBook Data and National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) revealed.

Meanwhile China-based MegaHealth Information Technology recorded a five-fold increase in sales in February and March this year compared to the last quarter of 2019 primarily due to its medical ring, a wearable pulse oximeter to monitor pulse and blood oxygen levels, Bloomberg reported.

Paying heed to this growing global trend, local youth are fast nding their feet in the digital healthcare space.

In the UAE, a team of engineering students from Ajman University chose to ll the gap with an AI-powered mobile app built on a convolutional neural network to help users identify micronutrient deciencies without the need to draw a blood sample.

Winners of the James Dyson Award for 2019 in the UAE, Ahmed Saif, Mohamed AitGacem, Saifeddin Alghlayini and Wissam Shehieb created Vita-Cam, a mobile appthat analyses images of body parts including eyes and nails and engages a repository of medical records to identify vitamin and mineral deciencies.

Approved by the Ministry of Health in the UAE, the app also extends nutritional guidance for good health and is expected to be available in Google Play and iOS stores by next quarter.

We came across statistics showing us that more than two billion people around the globe suffer from vitamin deciencies. Knowing that vitamin deciencies underline high percentages of health problems, we wanted to provide a method easily accessed by everyone to help establish a healthy lifestyle, Ahmed Saif tells Gulf Business.

It is common knowledge that optimum nutrition can boost our immunity levels. Vita-Cam will play a role in letting the user know what they lack in terms of essential vita-minerals, and how to address the deciency safely. Naturally when the human body is sufficiently acquiring all of its essential vitamins, all the biological functions of the body are expected to rise up to the optimum levels in terms of immunising the body against any external risks, he adds.

It took three software prototypes and several programming amendments to develop Vita-Cam, according to the students. There was also an initial medical research phase, which was facilitated by one of the team members who also has a medical degree.

By winning the UAE leg of the James Dyson Award, the startup will now receive Dhs9,300 aimed at helping the team develop an advanced version of the application that can be utilised by healthcare systems and medical professionals.

Looking ahead, the route for startups such as Vita-Cam looks bright. The digital health market is projected to be worth $223.7bnby 2023, market intelligence rm Prescient & Strategic Intelligence suggests.

Concepts such as smart scales that track body metrics such as weight, body fat, and bone density smart skipping as well as smart toothbrushes have gained traction in recent times. As technology further disrupts the traditional healthcare ecosystem, it is expected to give rise to an online, digital health platform that will cater to the growing need for wellness.

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The growing trajectory of digital healthcare tools - Gulf Business News

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Lifestyle changes during the pandemic and their association with mental health have come into focus with two recent studies.

For the first time in decades, people have had to fundamentally adjust how they go about their day-to-day lives due to the coronavirus-related lockdown and social distancing restrictions.The way people work, socialise, parent, sleep, exercise, eat, and spend money have all been significantly affected by COVID-19. And, for some, the mental health impact of the upheaval of these routines has been pronounced.Results from two separate studies, in which researchers examined the associations between emotional distress and changes in selected health behaviours since the onset of COVID-19 in Australia, are indicative of the challenges faced in trying to maintain wellbeing during a significant lifestyle shift.The CSIROs wellbeing survey of the Total Wellbeing Diet database of almost 4000 community members, uncovered that almost half (41%) of Australians are set to emerge from lockdown with their emotional wellbeing affected.The results suggest exercise (66%) and diet (36%) have worsened during lockdown, with two in five respondents indicating they have gained weight during the same period, 61% reporting an increase in junk food consumption, and 63% an increase in snacking.In terms of the negative impact of the lockdown experience, exercise and social events rated the highest, with 90% of respondents rating the impact on social events as negative while 66.3% said it had a negative effect on exercise.Alcohol consumption has also increased, according to a CQUniversity study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. More than 26% of the almost 1500 surveyed participants reported an increase in alcohol consumption, and 6.9% are smoking more.In the same survey, 48.9% of respondents indicated they had been less active than before the pandemic, and 40.7% reported poorer sleep quality.Lead researcher Dr Robert Stanton from CQUniversity highlighted that these changes in health behaviours significantly affect wellbeing.The biggest message from this study is that the reported negative changes in health behaviour, such as reduced physical activity, poorer sleep quality, and increased smoking and alcohol intake, are all associated with increased depression, anxiety and distress, he said.The study found significantly higher scores in one or more psychological distress states for females, single people, those in lower socioeconomic areas, or with a chronic illness.Australians are also feeling concerned about how long it will take for life to return to normal, CSIRO behavioural scientist and author of the wellbeing report Dr Emily Brindal said.

Our analysis found that the COVID-19 outbreak has negatively impacted respondents health and wellbeing, she said.Increased concern about finances and the certainty of the future also featured strongly, as restrictions ease and respondents adjust to a new normal.Dr Cathy Andronis is Chair of the RACGP Specific Interests Psychological Medicine network. She said the study findings reflect the strong association with mental health and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, particularly around exercise and eating patterns.People commonly turn to food for comfort during difficult times and in the absence of healthy distractions, unhealthy distractions can be luring alternatives, she told newsGP.However, Dr Andronis says there is a silver lining in that a lot of these less-than-ideal behaviours can be temporary during situations such as a pandemic.As long as the change is short term and unusual, we tend to revert to more usual patterns in life, including returning to our regular eating and exercise habits, she said.

So, those people who eat well are highly likely to lose the extra kilograms from social isolation times as they resume normal life, with the timing depending on how quickly they are able to re-establish healthy lifestyle habits including regular meals, exercise and safe alcohol consumption.The CQUniversity study also identifies the need for ongoing evaluation of the impact of lifestyle changes associated with the pandemic.It is our recommendation that effective health promotion strategies be used to reduce the acute and chronic increases in psychological distress during these unprecedented times, Dr Stanton said.It will also be necessary to conduct ongoing evaluation of the impact of lockdown rules and social distancing on health behaviours to inform targeted health promotion strategies.

Dr Cathy Andronis believes it is important for GPs and other healthcare professionals to discuss healthy lifestyle choices with their patients.

One of the health promotion strategies to eventuate from the research is thatthe CSIROs Total Wellbeing Diet online program now includes positive psychology tools, with a focus on boosting wellbeing and mood.

The survey findings indicate a clear need for something to give Australians a mood boost as they emerge from lockdown and adapt to the new normal, Dr Brindal said.

Dr Andronis also notes the ever-present importance of GPs and other healthcare professionals in monitoring healthy lifestyle choices for their patients.We need to be proactive and discuss lifestyle and preventive health issues opportunistically, she said.The GP has an important role in promoting a return to good health by asking about lifestyle issues including diet and exercise, examining vital signs including weight and offering advice, psychoeducation and using motivational interviewing techniques to encourage healthier living.Encouraging people to start socialising and exercising while maintaining safe physical distancing and hand hygiene is the best way for them to integrate back into a healthy lifestyle with others.We can therefore get back sooner to eating to live rather than living to eat.Log in below to join the conversation.

diet exercise lifestyle behaviour lockdown mental health

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COVID-19, healthy habits and emotional wellbeing - RACGP

Diet and wine consumptions impact on dementia and other neurological diseases is well-documented, from the benefits of drinking with friends and moderate wine consumption to the importance of flavonols (compounds naturally found in fruitsincluding grapes, nuts and wine). But new research from the University of Bordeaux, published in the journal Neurology, could turn the Mediterranean Diet on its ear by suggesting that variation in your dietwith or without wineis key to lowering the risk of developing dementia.

The Bordeaux researchers took a different approach in their research than previous diet studies. Instead of observing how often and how much people consumed leafy greens, fruits, grains and other neuro-protective foods (such as the Mediterranean or DASH diets), they instead shifted their focus to the combinations of foods consumed. The researchers homed in on the way in which the participants combined different foods in their dietswhat they call an individuals food networkand observed how the interplay of these dietary elements either increased or decreased dementia risk.

The 1,522 participants in the French study were selected from a larger group of adults over 65 years old being tracked for dementia risk in Bordeaux, Montpelier and Dijon. The average age of the participants was 78, the majority (74 percent) were women and most (62 percent) had an education level of secondary school or higher. By the end of the 12-year study, 215 of the participants had been diagnosed with dementia.

The subjects participated in regular, detailed dietary and lifestyle questionnaires conducted by experienced dieticians and contributed blood samples. They were also assessed for their physical and neurological health on a routine basis to determine dementia risk.

Want to learn more about how wine can be part of a healthy lifestyle? Sign up for Wine Spectator's free Wine & Healthy Living e-mail newsletter and get the latest health news, feel-good recipes, wellness tips and more delivered straight to your inbox every other week!

What researchers found was a significant risk of dementia in individuals who ate a narrow range of food combinations that consisted of large amounts of processed food, starches and unhealthy snacks. Also, most individuals who developed dementia or increased risk factors for the disease tended to repeatedly combine the same types of food. The group that showed the lowest dementia risk instead consumed a varied diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables and fewer starches.

One aspect of the study that has to be further exploredand has some researchers questioning whether these results can be generalized to other geographic regionsis the level of alcohol consumption in both groups. The average consumption for both groups was nine alcoholic drinks per week. How wine and other alcohol affected the interplay of different food combinations in the study is unknown.

But despite this, the researchers are confident that mapping an individuals food network is a powerful new analytical tool that should be used by nutrition researchers to dig deeper into why certain diets seem to produce healthier brains than others. The researchers were able to predict which individuals would have a higher dementia risk just by looking at the dietary diversity in someones meal preparationsomething to keep in mind the next time you reach for the same bag of potato chips.

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Is Variety the Spice of Life? When it Comes to Preventing Dementia, Yes - Wine Spectator

In April this year, WWE released Kurt Angle along with hundreds of employees as part of the major cutbacks in an effort to stay profitable during the coronavirus pandemic.

The WWE Universe was disappointed with the sudden departure of the Olympic Gold Medalist who returned last week to officiate the cage match between Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher on NXT.

During a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Angle noted that the fact that his Physically Fit Nutrition business is taking off makes his sudden WWE release a lot easier to take.

Im working on my business, and Ive been doing a lot of rehab on my body, trying to get myself back to where Im able to live a healthy lifestyle. Id been so banged upmy neck, my back, and my neckbut Im making improvements. If I get to the point where I feel I can do it, then Ill probably do it. But right now, I have to focus on my body.

The Hall Of Famer further called his release a blessing in disguise to highlight how his business needs him around now that its picking up orders in a steady fashion.

It was almost a blessing in disguise that WWE released me. The business started picking up orders, and were at a point where I really need to be here.

Angle had previously turned down WWEs lucrative offer to become Matt Riddles on-screen manager due to various reasons and the timing not being right for the same.

As previously reported, Vince McMahon would, sooner than later, sign Angle to a deal since he cant afford to see the decorated athlete in AEW.

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Kurt Angle Focusing on a Healthy Lifestyle and New Business Post WWE Release - WrestlingWorld

With much of the United States under lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been a challenge for Americans to maintain healthy habits. Many parks and public gathering places were closed and gyms shuttered.

As the country is beginning to ease social distancing measures, with people returning to work, and businesses slowly reopening, 24/7 Tempo has been taking a look at 50 easy ways to be a healthier person. We reviewed materials from various health care publications and sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Click here to see 50 easy ways to be a healthier person.

Though stay-at-home orders have expired, most people are still unsure about going back to the office. Many have used the lockdown as an opportunity to exercise when and where they could, develop cooking skills, find outlets to relieve stress, and live a more healthy lifestyle.

In addition to self-help efforts, people have used the time at home to catch up on matters around the house that had been neglected that can also help improve a familys health, such as changing bed sheets more often and, replacing toothbrushes more frequently, and making sure the temperature of the bedroom is conducive for a good nights sleep. This is what you should do for a better nights sleep.

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50 Easy Ways to Be a Healthier Person - 24/7 Wall St.

Reagan OGradys easy smile and affable manner were fixtures at Sudbury Community Arena for roughly two and a half years.

And though he received some difficult news recently, the former Sudbury Wolves defenceman is pressing on with the same positive outlook that helped define his time in the Nickel City.

A recent graduate from the OHL who had plans to attend university and potential to play professionally, OGrady nonetheless announced his retirement earlier this week, following a diagnosis of transverse myelitis, a rare neurological disorder in which the spinal cord becomes inflamed, causing numbness, pain and other, potentially serious complications.

The toughest thing about this happening is I cant go out on my own terms, OGrady, 21, told The Sudbury Star. Its kind of tough to sit here and say that hockey has been taken from me, because I thought I had some stuff left to prove.

OGrady capped his junior career last spring with the Saginaw Spirit, helping them reach the Western Conference final despite playing two rounds with an injured shoulder. He underwent surgery soon after and was staying in Pittsburgh when his father Brendan, was hired to coach his hometown Lindsay Muskies. OGrady returned home to help out behind the bench, and to work occasionally with the local minor midget squad.

He began to feel run down as early as last June, but didnt sense anything was seriously wrong until early February of this year.

We were on the bus back from Trenton and all of a sudden, my legs and my feet started to go numb, OGrady recalled. Im like, this is strange, like that feeling you get when youre lying on your arm and it goes numb, but I didnt think too much of it.

I went to my usual spin class and the next day, I went to practice and I had been wearing my full gear at the time, to get ready for the upcoming season, and about 25 minutes into practice, I skated up to my dad and I was like hey, I think theres legit something wrong here. He said go to the hospital, see whats going on.

I went in on Tuesday and I was released on Friday afternoon, two MRIs later, a CT scan later and a spinal tap later. It was a lot comprehend, what was going on, and they didnt know what was wrong. They said you have to see a neurologist, but its not going to be until September.

He had returned to Pittsburgh, where he was staying with a local family and training for a return to the ice with the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers, hosts of the 2021 University Cup tournament, but continued to have symptoms.

Then, last Thursday, came the news that will forever change my life, in that theres a lot of things Im going to have to change to live a healthy lifestyle now, OGrady said.

That includes giving up hockey, and contact sports in general. People with transverse myelitis sometimes develop multiple sclerosis, and the risk can be higher if they suffer an injury.

He plans to be physically active, but hell have to carefully monitor his condition, with the help of his doctors, especially for the next couple of years.

Like I have said to all the people who have reached out to me, I have always been a competitor, always been a warrior, and I have been through some up and downs and I have overcome some adversity through my career and through my life in general, OGrady said. This is a bump in the road, but at the end of the day, Im going to land on my feet. The NHL was obviously my dream job and my goal, but at the end of the day, I cant sit here and say I cant reach it, because theres different avenues through hockey that are going to take me down my path now.

Hes still determined to work in the game, whether as a coach, manager, in player development or scouting.

I have just taken some time to process what has gone on and find some positives through all these negatives that have come up and have been a road block for me.

Despite his youth, OGrady can look back on a long list of accomplishments in the sport. A first-round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection, he went on to play 285 regular-season games for Kingston, Sudbury, Mississauga and Saginaw, collecting 23 goals and 49 assists. He won gold at the OHL Cup minor midget showcase and silver at the OHL Gold Cup tournament, before representing Canada in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2014.

He went on a deep run in 2019 with the Spirit, who pushed the eventual-champion Guelph Storm to seven games before finally bowing out. Despite his injury, he had two goals and two assists in the series.

Those things cant be taken from me, OGrady said. I can sit here and wonder what if with a bunch of different scenarios, but my mentality is Im going to get back on my feet and figure out my next steps and work towards another goal that I have set for myself.

Being a hockey player, the hockey community really rallies around you, and I have found that through all the support I have received (this week) and Im very thankful for everybody I have crossed paths with. For me, its all about giving back and I think the reason a lot of people have reached out to me is because of the type of person that I am, always giving back. I have always been told by mentors and role models, people who have played in the OHL or played professional when I was a little kid, that those things go a long way, and I think that has really been ingrained in me and its something I want to do now, to continue the tradition, continue to give back as much as I can.

Reagan OGrady of the Sudbury Wolves helps out at the clubs summer hockey camp in Sudbury, Ont. on Tuesday August 15, 2017.Gino Donato/Sudbury Star/Postmedia Network

A winner of community service awards in both Sudbury and Saginaw, hes proud of his work with children who are sick or have special needs, and treasures the relationships that were kindled as a result.

He has fond memories of visiting Nicholas Fex, a Sudbury youngster who was born with tracheoesophageal fistula and needed several surgeries as a child and teenager.

It brought me joy when I went to see him in the hospital and gave him that jersey and we sat there and played NHL, OGrady recalled. It really brought me back to what life could be like. I cant play hockey any longer, but Im happy that I have done these things and its not about giving me credit, its just about trying to be a good person. I cant instill that enough in people if youre a good teammate, a good friend, a good kid, life after hockey is going to be set up for you, based on the connections and relationships.

Those connections have only been strengthened in recent days, since OGradys announcement.

I met a lot of great guys in Sudbury and I still chat with them, my billets were awesome and I still go up to see them, and its so awesome to see, even after not being in Sudbury for a couple of years, guys are still reaching out to me today. Its a special feeling. I have heard from parents of guys on my team, some billets from Sudbury, people I went to high school with up there. It gives you a greater appreciation for life.

bleeson@postmedia.com

Twitter: @ben_leeson

Link:
Taking a different path: Health issues have forced Reagan OGrady to retire as a player, but the former Sudbury Wolves defenceman isnt done with hockey...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) June is Mens Health Month which is observed each year to raise awareness about health care, healthy living, and cancer screening guidelines. American Cancer Society Health Systems Manager, Ali Vavruska discusses Mens Health Month and the positives the public can take from it.

There are three things that can be committed to in order to live a healthy lifestyle which are good nutrition, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. It is estimated that around 20% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States are related to body weight, physical inactivity, excess alcohol consumption, and/or poor nutrition which can all be prevented.

If you are trying to control your weight, watch portion sizes, especially foods that are high in calories, sugars, and fat. Also try to limit your intake of high-calorie foods and drinks, alcohol, red and processed meats.

A good rule of thumb when youre trying to make a plate of food is the more colorful it is, the healthier it is, so add in fruits, veggies, lean meats, avocado, healthy oils, so that you have a balanced diet, said Vavruska. It is recommended that adults should work toward at least 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week or an equivalent combination throughout the week.

Thats about 20 minutes a day of moderate intensity exercise. Moderate activity includes walking briskly, jogging, tennis, bicycling, and dancing.

It is important to designate a primary care physician. Young men may not think about it when they are healthy, however, when you start to have health issues, it can be a struggle to find a doctor.

The American Cancer Society states that preventing cancer is easier than treating it. Some prevention tips include staying away from tobacco as smoking causes one in five deaths in the U.S. and is associated with at least 11 types of cancer.

Also, limit your exposure to ultraviolet light. To do this, make sure that when you are going outside, try to stay in the shade and when that is not possible, wear a shirt, put on a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF, and put on sunglasses.

Some cancers that most often affect men are prostate, colorectal, and skin cancers. Knowing about these forms of cancers and what you can do to help prevent them or find them early may help save your life.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women and is a leading cause of cancer in the United States. Early stages of the cancer typically have no symptoms however, warning signs include rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, a change in bowel habits, or abdomen cramping. The American Cancer Society recommends men begin colorectal cancer screening at the age of 45 and talk with your doctor about earlier screening if you have a family history.

Except for skin cancers, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. The chance of getting prostate cancer increases as men age.

For more information on cancer resources and Mens Health Month, visit the American Cancer Society in New Mexicos website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.

Continued here:
Celebrate Mens Health Month with the American Cancer Society - KRQE News 13

We all know healthy habits are good for us - but what about the lifestyle factors that could be damaging our defences? Liz Connor learns more.

We're often told about ways to help strengthen our immune systems - but what about the things that might be doing it no favours at all?

Just as healthy lifestyle habits can play a key role in supporting our immune system, there may be certain things we're doing that possibly hinder it too - no matter how many oranges you've got piled up in your fruit bowl.

Here's seven things that could be negatively impacting your immune system...

1. Too many late nights

Sleep might not come as easily during anxious times like right now. In fact, the hashtag #cantsleep has recently been trending, as people share their frustrations with their off-kilter sleeping patterns.

Getting enough sleep not only feels great but it's also an essential function for the body, explains Dr Emer MacSweeney, medical director at Re:Cognition Health (recognitionhealth.com). "As well as helping to maintain a healthy brain function, physical health, executive function and emotional wellbeing, it promotes a healthy immune system too," says MacSweeney. "It's all down to cytokines - a type of protein which is made and released during sleep. Cytokines target infection and inflammation in the body and create an immune response - so without sufficient sleep, our body produces fewer of these essential proteins, which can result in weaker immunity."

She recommends aiming for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night and adds that naps are also a great way to top up, particularly if you're struggling with a bout of insomnia during lockdown.

2. Smoking

The health risks of smoking have long been documented, and cigarettes can harm your immune system, as well as increasing your risk of developing respiratory illnesses and other major diseases, including many cancers and heart disease. "The nicotine in cigarettes increases cortisol levels, reduces cell antibody formation and damages the lungs, which makes them more susceptible to infection," explains MacSweeney.

If you do smoke, why not try to use the lockdown period as a prompt to cut down or quit entirely? Stopping smoking isn't easy but there's lots of support and online resources to help - and the rewards will be so worth it.

3. Not getting enough vitamin D

As well as strong bones and healthy blood cells, vitamin D is really important for keeping your immune system in good nick.

"We can only make vitamin D in our skin on exposure to sunlight when the UV index is greater than three," explains Dr Sarah Brewer, medical director at Healthspan (healthspan.co.uk). "As a result, vitamin D deficiency is increasingly likely during autumn and winter in the UK, as there isn't enough sun for us to produce enough of it."

Even in springtime though, many people still fail to make enough vitamin D (and remember - it's always important to protect your skin from sun damage). Lockdown means many of us are spending more time indoors than usual too, so our vitamin D levels might be even lower.

"Vitamin D helps to activate macrophages - our hunter-killer immune cells that engulf and destroy viruses and bacteria, and stimulates the production of antibiotic-like proteins (defensins) within the lining of the respiratory tract," explains Brewer. "In fact, our immune cells, including B and T lymphocytes, all carry specific vitamin D receptors that help to regulate their activity."

As vitamin D deficiency is fairly widespread, Brewer recommends taking a daily supplement. Try Healthspan Super Strength Vitamin D3 Spray (5.95 for 100 daily doses, healthspan.co.uk).

4. Not looking after your gut bacteria

As well as promoting digestion, 'friendly', lactic acid-producing bacteria in the lower part of the gut can help stimulate our resistance to infection - including viruses that may cause upper respiratory tract infections.

"Research involving 3720 adults and children concluded that, compared with a placebo, taking a probiotic supplement can reduce the chance of experiencing at least one to three acute upper respiratory tract infections by 47%," says Brewer. "It also shortened the length of a cold, reduced antibiotic prescription rates and meant children took less time off school."

Gut-boosting supplements are not all created equally though. Plus, it's important to remember that your actual diet - the food you eat - is the most crucial factor, and a varied, balanced diet with plenty of fibre is essential for promoting healthy gut bacteria.

If you do want to consider a supplement too, Brewer advises: "When selecting a supplement, look for those that provide a known quantity of digestive bacteria, such as 10 billion to 50 billion colony forming units (CFU) per dose, and which provide at least three different strains for optimum benefit."

Try Vita Bright's Bio Cultures Advanced Multi Strain Complex (15.99 for 60 capsules, vitabright.co.uk).

5. Not exercising enough

Regular movement is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. The NHS recommends everyone should do a minimum of 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. Being fit and regularly physically active supports out health overall - including immune function.

"Exercise can help promote sleep and reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which can impair the functioning of cells that fight infection," notes MacSweeney. "It also improves metabolic health, has anti-inflammatory influence on the body and helps delay the onset of ageing."

If you don't fancy the idea of gruelling bootcamp workouts, MacSweeney suggests dancing as an ideal way to keep active. Not only is it a heart-healthy cardio burn, but learning new routines is also an active workout for the brain.

6. Drinking too much

When you're feeling tired or anxious, it can be tempting to crack open a bottle of wine to soothe your worries, but MacSweeney warns that alcohol can weaken the immune system and make the body more susceptible to infections.

"Drinking in excess impairs [the] ciliary function of the lungs, which works to keep the airways clear of dirt and irritation," she says.

"It also reduces the immune system's response to bad bacteria, increasing the risk of infection." she adds - which is why heavy drinkers might notice they catch colds and other illnesses more.

If you do want to enjoy a drink, stick to the intake guidelines.

7. Loneliness

Studies have also found that people who are lonely or isolated may have less healthy immune function than those who feel more socially connected.

There might be a number of factors associated with exactly how loneliness and isolation impact our health. However, MacSweeney also notes: "The increased anxiety associated with loneliness can be detrimental to the immune system. This is why it's important to keep socially active, even during lockdown."

If you live alone, stay in touch with friends, loved ones and colleagues through video chats, phone calls and messages. "Virtual group gatherings through apps such as Zoom can also be arranged," she adds. "It's a great way to stay connected with friends and family throughout the challenging times we are currently living in."

More:
Don't let these 7 things damage your immune system - Bridport and Lyme Regis News

I wanted 2020 to be a year of slowing down and trying out new things, and the lockdown has somehow facilitated just that, says singer Bindhumalini, who, along with her musician-singer husband Vasu Dixit, is using the Covid-19 confinement to hone their craft and maintain a healthy lifestyle.Collaborations, recordings and even a new trackVasu has been working on new songs and projects that were put on the back burner because of his busy schedule and other work commitments . Also, a lot of musicians with whom I wanted to work are relatively free now. So, I am using this time to reconnect and look at possibilities of collaborating with them in the near future. Besides this, I am concentrating on the production of my musical ventures. The lockdown has given me some extra time to work on my own voice, says Vasu, who has also recently composed a song, titled Ruk Ja a track that focuses on slowing down and taking a break.A time of introspection and honing their craftApart from working towards making their music better, Vasu and Bindhu are also spending time in introspection. We are looking deeper into our individual styles of music. We also question ourselves and each other about our craft and personalities, explains Vasu.Doing yoga and sleeping early is routine nowMaintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical to stay productive during the lockdown. Eating on time, getting enough sleep and doing yoga regularly have become essential parts of our daily routine now, says Vasu.Gyan Mandali is a spontaneous and fun exerciseThe musician duo has come up with a short web series, called Gyan Mandali, which brings out their quirky side. This was just meant to be a fun exercise, an extension of something we have always practised between ourselves. But the response we received is both surprising and overwhelming, says Vasu.

Read more:
Vasu Dixit and Bindhumalini talk about life in the lockdown - Times of India

High blood pressure is a condition which causes pressure inside the arteries to be higher than they should be. If left untreated, dangerous health conditions could arise including heart attacks or a stroke. Eating too much salt, drinking too much alcohol, being overweight and not getting enough exercise can all lead to a person developing the condition. Foods and drinks can either help or hinder high blood pressure and consuming more of this drink has been proven to help lower your reading.

Diet plays an essential role when it comes to high blood pressure.

Mayo clinic said: If youve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you might be worried about taking medication to bring your numbers down.

Lifestyle plays an important role in treating your high blood pressure.

If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you might avoid, delay or even reduce the need for medication.

Adding apple cider vinegar to your daily routine will help to lower your reading.

Apple cider vinegar has long been hailed as a healthy option to add to ones diet.

The drink has been seen as a popular cure all for many illnesses and conditions including an upset stomach, high cholesterol and sore throats.

In fact, the ancient Greek doctor Hippocrates used apple cider vinegar for wound care and in the 10th century it was used with sulphur as a hand wash during autopsies to help prevent infection.

Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar could play a key role in helping one to keep their blood pressure low.

In a study with Taylor & Francis Online, the effects of acetic acid vinegar on hypersensitive rats was investigated.

The study noted: To clarify the possibility of a preventative effect of dietary vinegar on blood pressure, long-term administration of vinegar or the acetic acid to SHR was examined.

As a result, it was observed that acetic acid itself, the main component of vinegar, significantly reduced blood pressure and renin activity compared to controls given no acetic acid or vinegar, as well as vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar can also be used to help with weight loss which in turn helps to lower blood pressure.

In a 12-week study, 144 obese Japanese adults consumed either one tablespoon of vinegar, two tablespoons of vinegar or a placebo drink every day.

The participants were told to restrict their alcohol intake but to continue their usual diet and activity throughout the study.

Those who consumed one tablespoon of vinegar per day had on average weight loss of 2.6 pounds and those who consumed two tablespoons of vinegar per day lost 3.7 pounds.

The placebo group gained 0.9 pounds and their waist circumference slightly increased.

More:
High blood pressure: Studies show adding this drink to your diet will lower your reading - Express

Modern lifestyles in big cities have had a physical and mental impact on our health. On the one hand, modern citizens experience stress about almost everything on daily basis. Stress has been scientifically linked with various diseases but also with bad life decisions (i.e. bad nutrition, smoking, alcohol consumption, insomnia). Overall physical health is critically linked with life decisions. They overlap.

For mental health, research has proved that praying and meditation can help us better control our lives, focus, and solve our problems. They also contribute to our feeling blessed with what we have, which reduces anxiety.

In the time of coronavirus, it seems ironic how up to date is the greeting and toast stin igia mas to our good health. Cretans strike their glasses on tables and exclaim stin igia mas! to be strong and healthy. Pontians commonly wish health, happiness, and longevity, revealing the body-mind-health connection.

This connection truly exists. All over Greece, there are a great variety of cuisines, practices, and recipes, often connected with Christianity and fasting (called nistia) and connected with meditation, praying, good deeds, and positive thoughts about our fellow humans.

But the context is always the widespread Mediterranean diet with local variations based on the available ingredients.

Ancient traditions also connect food with the environment. The rocky environs of Epirus and Crete are better for goats and sheep, where people made cheese from their milk. And in Macedonias rich valleys near Lake Kerkini, waterbuffalo have survived and give us their delicious products.

The same applies to plants. Delicious wild greens that are wonderful for pies thrive in the3 Peloponnese and delicious gortsies wild pears grow in the cold mountains of Thrace.

There is a consensus on what constitutes the Mediterranean diet, which nutritionists believe is best reflected in traditional Greek food: Meals are rich in fruits and vegetables and aromatized and antioxidized with herbs.

For better health, and for an edge against COVID-19, fill your fridge and pantry with unprocessed cereals, legumes, olive oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, unprocessed nuts, and herbs. In lesser amounts there should be fish and other seafood. In much smaller amounts consume poultry, milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs (if you are not vegan). Just once in a while, eat red meat and sweets.

I propose a weekly nutrition regimen based on the Mediterranean diet with the following main meals: one day with legumes, three days of cooked vegetables with olive oil and some carbs (i.e. potatoes or rice) which the Greeks call ladera, meaning a veggie dish with oil, one day with poultry and some carbs (i.e. potatoes, rice), two days with fish.

Red meat should be consumed just once every week.

Based on the above, it makes sense to say longevity in countries like Greece and Japans is connected through common nutritional principles. In the case of Japan, more fish is introduced, as in most islands and costal areas of Greece. But fresh unprocessed plant-based food is the key to longevity and to fighting both infectious and non-infectuous diseases. Always listen to your doctor, but keep a healthy lifestyle. The age of COVID-19 is unfortunately here, but we have various weapons to fight it along with body and mind.

* The above is not medical advice but mere suggestions for improving your diet. Before reach herbal use you should consult your doctor, especially those who have health issues, are pregnant or are under the age of 6.

Evropi-Sofia Dalampira is an Agriculturist-MSc Botany-Biology and PhD Candidate in Agricultural-Environmental Education and Science Communication

Read more here:
Back to the Roots: Greek Traditions for Health in the Age of COVID-19 - The National Herald

Canadian health technology company begins trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV)

TORONTO , May 4, 2020 /CNW/ - Newtopia Inc.(TSXV: NEWU) (the "Company"), a fast-growing telehealth-enabled habit change platform focused on chronic disease prevention, started trading today on the TSXV under the symbol "NEWU" through a direct listing. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic where nations, organizations, and people everywhere are taking a collective pause to stop the spread of this infection, Newtopia's prevention-first approach to better health is more relevant than ever, making the timing of the public listing fitting.

Newtopia (CNW Group/Newtopia)

"Today I'm proud to announce that Newtopia has begun trading on the TSX Venture Exchange to represent a bright light amid a global disease prevention pandemic," says Jeff Ruby , founder and CEO of Newtopia. "This public offering is an invitation to join the fight against chronic disease, especially as we are all witnessing firsthand how vulnerable those with chronic disease truly are. The COVID-19 pandemic will be a catalyst for us all, as a global society, to focus on proactive disease prevention. This concept is precisely what motivated me to start Newtopia in 2008."

Headquartered in Toronto , Newtopia is following the lead of other disruptive tech companies, opting for a direct listing that better meets the needs of its investors, rather than going through a traditional initial public offering.

Following the publication of clinical randomized control trial outcomes, Newtopia has experienced 100 per cent year-over-year revenue growth since 2016. By the end of Newtopia's 2019 third quarter, the company had produced over $4.5 million in revenue, showing 40 per cent gross profit margin increase year-over-year, as well as an average of over 14,000 engaged participants.

Newtopia focuses on a sustainable, 1:1 individualized approach to habit change. The company takes into account social, psychological, and genetic insights, facilitating the prevention of chronic disease with individuals at risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, among other conditions. Built to be fully remote, Newtopia's tailored programs combine the best of telehealth, behavioural psychology, and technology to motivate a healthy lifestyle, with data collected through supplied connected devices and wearables with no participant self-reporting.

"Newtopia was born out of the need to re-think disease prevention instead of the conventional sick care system that is perpetually stuck on its back foot. Through habit-changing innovations we help people live healthier every day, resulting in lower health costs," continues Ruby. "We look forward to continuing to grow our partnerships with risk-bearing employers and insurers to continue our mission of helping at-risk individuals on their unique path to better health."

Over the past decade, Newtopia's interdisciplinary team of medical and behavioural experts, Inspirators, and product designers have built a multi-faceted, telehealth-enabled habit change platform that has changed tens of thousands of lives. Today Newtopia is poised to become the leader in lifestyle-based disease prevention.

About NewtopiaNewtopia is a telehealth-enabled habit change platform focused on disease prevention that delivers a 1:1 individualized approach by understanding social, psychological, and genetic insights. Our approach is proven to deliver value on investment for risk-bearing insurers in the form of reduced metabolic syndrome risk factors, medical claims savings and increased quality of life, productivity and morale for at-risk individuals. Our mission is to inspire people to live healthier. To learn more, visit newtopia.com.

Story continues

See more here:
Newtopia Lists on the TSXV in the Middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic - Yahoo Finance

Anyone who has ever searched on Google for strategies on improving nutrition or getting faster would need a few lifetimes to parse through the advice those queries return. But there does seem to be a more targeted and beneficial way to use online tools to learn about those goals, according to new research.

The study, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, focused on the impact of a web-based exercise and nutritional education program for 105 people who were obese with hypertension. About half were part of a control group that received usual medical care without any online education programs.

The other half received medical care, but also worked through a self-administered online program for three months, which included education on healthy lifestyle choices, daily habit changes, behavioral issues that could cause challenges, and reinforcement of progress. They also received a list of recommend foods and advice for physical activity.

Nine months after the interventions were complete, researchers took a look at the participants health markers. The people who used the online program showed a significant decrease in body fat mass, body mass index (BMI), and blood glucose levelsa measure used to determine risk of developing diabetes. They also showed considerable increases in functional capacity for aerobic exercise, as well as lower blood pressure.

By contrast, the participants who didnt use the online program went in the other direction, with significant increases in BMI and blood glucose.

The results for those using the online program were so notable that all of the people in the control group were subsequently offered the educational material once the study was complete, lead researcher Juan Francisco Lison, M.D., Ph.D., of the Department of Medicine at Cardenal Herrera University in Spain told Runners World.

Whats the takeaway for those who arent fortunate enough to be part of a lifestyle intervention study? That structure and pacing really do matter when it comes to making changes like getting more activity and eating healthier.

[Run faster, stronger, and longer with this 360-degree training program.]

Each of the first five modules in the study were activated a week apart and the last three were activated two weeks apart, Lison said. That gave participants time to absorb the material, put it into practice, and do some homework before new material became available.

Simple strategies can easily be incorporated into daily living in a cost-effective and scalable way, and it can empower people with education about health, said Lison. That increases confidence and encourages them to manage their habits.

In other words, step away from the Internet search firehose and find a more structured program insteadsuch as an online coaching or training programthat includes a number of beneficial behaviors and preferably stretches out over at least a few months. Doing so can not only improve your performance, but help you become a more well-rounded runner, too.

More here:
A Structured Online Training Program Has More Health Benefits Than You May Think - runnersworld.com

This article was written for our sponsor, Orthus Health.

In todays office landscape, amenities reign supreme. From on-site cafes to gyms and green spaces, employees are continuing to seek out workplaces that offer more than simply a desk and a coffee machine.

Often at the top of the amenities list? Wellness programs. In fact, according to a survey from Virgin HealthMiles Inc. and Workforce Management Magazine, 77 percent of employees felt that a wellness program provided a positive effect on the overall company culture.

At Orthus Health, the company is uniquely positioned to use its own resources to provide employees with a cutting-edge wellness program. For more than 20 years, the Raleigh-based company has been utilizing their data-driven wellness and condition management programs to not only better the health of their clients, but also the health of their own employees.

The overall mission of Orthus Health is to educate and engage employees, said Mark Ruby, vice president of Sales for Orthus Health. We provide actionable knowledge to help them understand their near-term, modifiable risk, and we support them in making healthy lifestyle changes.

To achieve this goal, individuals are paired with a dedicated virtual Orthus Health coach. Each coach is a HIPAA-trained professional who talks over health issues and goals with their clients on whatever basis they choose, whether daily, weekly or monthly. For employees of Orthus Health, the coaching program is one of the premium perks of employment.

Ive worked with the company for about a year and a half, two years, and Im a typical 30-something-year-old guy. I dont have a relationship with a doctor. Im not seeing anybody annually. Im not doing my preventive care screenings, admitted Bob Powers, an account manager at Orthus Health who utilizes the program. My coach really pushes me, Youve got to go get checked, youve got to go get checked. And so I did. Luckily, I didnt have diabetes, but I was definitely prediabetic.

Powers continued, I am able to virtually work with my coach at times that are convenient for me. My particular coach helps primarily with my diet, but we also have exercise physiologists, RNs and nutritionists. The culture here affords me the capability to say that my health is important. They want me to be here and to be able to work and do my job. And they understand that part of that is making sure Im taking care of my personal health.

As Powers mentioned, the emphasis on employee health and wellbeing is a major component of Orthus Healths overall company culture.

Since many office jobs are sedentary according to U.S. News & World Report, around 86 percent of American workers sit all day at their jobs the company encourages employees to stay active and focused on their health. Not only does this benefit them in the long term, but it also makes the workplace more positive overall.

Just by participating in wellness activities relating to exercise and diet and nutrition, you become much healthier, but then that also flows over to your whole life, so not only your personal life, but also your professional life, Ruby said. When you come into work, you have energy, youre not dragging in, and just the atmosphere and people are very happy. They feel better, and then obviously that leads to higher productivity.

In addition to coaching access, being an employee at Orthus Health also means getting an inside look at the latest innovations in wellness before theyre launched. Before the company released their mobile app, employees were able to test it before opening it up to the general public. The app engages employees with personalized digital wellness, empowering them to avoid emerging risk or better manage chronic conditions.

More and more people are used to using mobile apps, so we have a very robust mobile app version of our wellness platform, Ruby explained. Theyre able to basically do everything there register for onsite screenings, fill out the disease risk assessment and even tie in their Fitbit or Garmin. Theres a wealth of information on weight management and how to manage diabetes and heart disease too.

Although Ruby is a relatively healthy individual, he still takes advantage of the apps features, like step challenges, and diet and exercise trackers. By utilizing Orthus Healths resources to make his wellness a priority, Ruby was even able to continue working during his cancer treatment.

I was diagnosed with cancer, and I had to go through chemotherapy. One thing the physician said is, each individual should be investing in their health, because you dont know when youre going to have to pull on those reserves, Ruby said. For me, by using Orthus Health tools and Ive used them for quite a few years I was able to have a pretty good health status and that made a big difference in managing my cancer and chemotherapy. In fact, even during chemo, I was able to work.

You just dont know whats around the corner, you know? Ruby finished. Maintaining your health pays dividends down the road in different ways.

This article was written for our sponsor, Orthus Health.

Try a free risk assessment, powered by Orthus Health. It is anonymous, quick and easy to complete, requiring only basic information about your current lifestyle, nutrition and health conditions. The results will provide you with scientifically-validated insight into:

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Raleigh company uses its own wellness services to improve the health of its employees - WRAL Tech Wire

As doctors, scientists and researchers globally are still studying the novel Coronavirus and discovering how the infection works and new ways to treat it, there is an avalanche of information that might be conflicting sometimes. However, doctors world over have to come to the consensus that building a robust immune system will give you a better chance of combating the virus should you contract it. Zinc is one such micronutrient that helps in building immunity and recent studies show that zinc inhibits coronavirus by blocking a key enzyme. Scientific evidence documented in the past few decades shows that consumption of zinc plays a significant role against viral infections including human respiratory infections because of its immuno-nutrient properties.According to a study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health- Inadequate zinc intake in India: past, present and future inadequate zinc intake has been rising in India for decades, causing tens of millions of people to become newly deficient in it. Zinc deficiency has caused a malnutrition problem worldwide. The study states that the highest rate of inadequate zinc intake was concentrated mainly in the southern and northeastern states of India with rice-dominated diets: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur and Meghalaya. Thus, zinc intake for Indians is of paramount importance. Coronaviruses is the old common cold virus which causes 30-40% of common colds discovered in the Common Cold Unit in 1964 form UK .Zinc has been studied for more than four decades in common cold therapies . The odds of getting a cold with people taking zinc preventatively is one third less . Essentially Zincs properties help in reducing the severity and duration of the cold. It is an essential mineral that our body cannot make by itself, hence we need to make sure our diet is zinc-rich along with other nutrients. Zinc deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the world, yet it is essential for healthy immune function. Zinc is needed for immune cell development and communication and plays an important role in inflammatory response. Zinc supplementation may prove beneficial against coronavirus infection by providing an additional immunity defense. This given point in time, keeping your immunity system strong and making healthy lifestyle choices is the need of the hour. Also, assessment of nutritional status of COVID19 patients before administration of general treatment is important as immune response is weakened due to inadequate nutrition. We all need to build strong immnunity in corona and covid times like a safety net or kavach around us.Fortifying your immunity system against colds and flus is essential now more than ever. A balanced diet and attention to macro and micronutrients is the basis of building a vigorous immune system. Your meal needs to have the right amount of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Zinc also should be consumed judiciously because an overdose of zinc can cause indigestion, headaches and nausea. Zinc not only has immunity-boosting properties but also makes sure your metabolism is strong. Its important to have the right amount of zinc in your body.The article has been authored by Shashank R Joshi, Dean,Indian College of Physicians and Consultant,Lilavati Hospital Mumbai

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The impact of zinc deficiency on our immunity - Times of India

Around-the-world, as we attempt to minimise the spread of the current pandemic, the new normal we now find ourselves in has truly impacted all aspects of our everyday lives. Millions of people globally have been thrown into new daily set-ups and routines. From children logging into virtual school lessons online, and limiting the time we spend outdoors, to finding new ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and well-being, and video-calling loved ones to check-in.

As we are asked to stay home and limit outings to absolutely essential, some of the most significant changes were adapting to is carrying on with our nine-to-five jobs from home, to keep connected with colleagues and clients, and create a productive working environment in the process.

The upsurge of remote working across the world is extraordinary and has served as a learning curve for us all. Naturally, this has put pressure on millions of people to ensure we have the right provisions at home that enable us to carry out our jobs successfully, and allowing businesses to continue as normal as possible.

At the same time, life and work in quarantine has exposed us to just how much we depend on the technology we use on a day-to-day basis. From a work perspective, we need our computers and laptops, email, video conferencing tools and smartphones to run as seamlessly at home as they do in the office. Though outside of this, when the working day is done, we rely on the same connectivity for streaming our favouring TV shows on Netflix, keeping connected with friends and family on social media, and connecting to the world and community outside of our homes.

What was once intended simply for browsing the internet, connecting with friends on social media, and streaming films online must now also the bear additional pressures that we are now putting on the home network. It is therefore inevitable that connection quality and overall performance will suffer, and from time-to-time, well all experience varying degrees of dropouts, buffering and patchy video calls when using home Wi-Fi.

As lockdown remains in place for the foreseeable future, we will continue to rely on our home Wi-Fi networks and smart home ecosystems more than ever before, to keep us connected as well as entertained. This period will also force us to require a deeper understanding of our home networks and how we can maintain optimum performance.

Understandably, one of the main concerns for those working from home is that Wi-Fi or internet connectivity wont be able to cope with the number of connected devices, or that buffering and dropouts will impact their ability to do our jobs. Before Covid-19 was declared a global pandemic, D-Link Europe conducted research to explore how much people across Europe depend on home Wi-Fi networks, what the modern home network looks like, and if we know how to maintain them properly.

What we found paints a clear picture of Wi-Fi usage before the pandemic, at which time, 30 per cent of people across the continent believed that general internet browsing consumed the most Wi-Fi data in the home. Around one-third of people (30 per cent) felt that streaming their favourite TV shows online used most of their broadband. In contrast to todays new normal, only a mere 6 per cent of people believed that working from home was where their data was most consumed.

As part of this, we also looked to understand the number of connections in the average smart home, and the impact this had on connectivity performance. Of this, and perhaps somewhat predictably, we found that smartphones took an overwhelming lead as the most connected device at home, as more than 92 per cent of households claimed to have one or more paired to their router at any one time. This was followed by one or more computers (87 per cent), and then tablets, such as iPads, at 70 per cent of homes across Europe.

In fact, at the time of our research, 66 per cent of Europeans admitted they understood that their home Wi-Fi performance sometimes suffers due to the number of devices they have connected. Leading us to believe that never before has home Wi-Fi been as strenuously tested as it is now, as whole households convene to work, play and live stream using the same connection.

We also explored how confident people across Europe were at maintaining their Wi-Fi connection. We found that 20 per cent of people across the continent felt that they wouldnt know the necessary steps to fix their Wi-Fi in fact, more than a quarter of those surveyed werent 100 per cent certain what a home router was at all. As dependence on home Wi-Fi continues to grow over the coming weeks and months, now is the time to learn about your network set-up, and understand what you can do to get the best of it.

A good Wi-Fi connection is crucial to working at home, but there are other essential steps to consider, as well. Working from home while using modern team applications, such as Google Suite or Office 365, it is easy to overlook things which in a work environment second nature, like remembering to take regular breaks, since it is easy to cascade from one call to the next, compared to being in an office where a trip to the coffee machine or water cooler is a habit.

Creating and sticking to routines is equally important, as is creating a dedicated work area. This creates routine and this normality. Weaving a few exercises into the working day during these uncertain times is also a worth considering. Even if it is as simple as doing a circuit of the living room, the act of walking and stretching has therapeutic benefits.

On top of this, there are also some small, simple, and quick changes to our everyday IT set-up we can take to improve and better maintain a decent connection in the home, such as:

If youre running a business or working from home, for example, you might want to consider separating work and home internet traffic. One way to do this would be to deploy a dedicated SSID for each and applying bandwidth restrictions; one for internal use and the other for business use (with higher bandwidth and better SLA). This prevents kids from hogging the whole wireless network bandwidth to watch a Video on Demand service during a critical conference call, for example.

Around the world, millions are acclimatising to new routines, and adapting technology to suit how they live and work from home is fast becoming a priority. Yet, as we demand more from our home Wi-Fi, we also have the opportunity to learn more about how they can be improved or updated to accommodate the requirements of today and tomorrow.

It is also important to understand that distinguishing work from home life whilst working from home is part of the challenge as the two become more convoluted than ever before. From running a business to maintaining internet for a busy household, it is crucial, in these times, to be as prepared as possible for the best work-life balance in quarantine.

Paul Routledge, Country Manager, D-Link

Read more:
Remote working and home Wi-Fi strains - ITProPortal

Blood Cancer UK states that over 250,000 Britons are currently living with the condition. How do you know if you've got the disease? The answer may be the sign in your sleep.

There are different types of blood cancers, each having different symptoms, treatments and prognosis.

Lymphoma affects white blood cells called lymphocytes which are an important part of the immune system.

This type of blood cancer can lead to night sweats that soak your clothes and bedding.

Other symptoms of lymphoma include a fever and unexplained weight loss.

There are three main types of lymphoma, depending on how the cells are affected and how the cancer behaves.

One type is Hodgkin lymphoma, the other two are types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

In Hodgkin lymphoma, the cancerous cells are called Reed-Sternberg cells.

When treated early, for the majority of people, Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured.

Follicular lymphoma is the most common "low-grade" (meaning slow-growing) type of blood cancer.

It isn't usually curable, but the aim of treatment is to have people experience remission.

Remission is when the amount of lymphoma is significantly reduced, so that people can enjoy a good quality of life.

Diffuse large B-cells lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common "high-grade" (meaning fast-growing) type of blood cancer.

Most people will be able to go into remission, but others may need further treatment.

There are more rare types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, one being Waldenstrm macroglobulinemia (WM).

WM is slow-growing and affects plasma blood cells. Then there's Burkitt lymphoma.

No matter the type of blood cancer, scientists are unaware of what causes the DNA structure in blood cells to mutate.

However, risk factors have been identified. These are:

These risk factors can vary between the different types of blood cancer.

In general, the older you are the more at risk you are of developing blood cancer.

This is simply because time allows for more mutations to occur within the body.

Unlike other cancers, lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise has little effect on your risk for developing the disease.

However, leading a healthy lifestyle can help reduce a person's risk of developing many other diseases.

More here:
Symptoms of blood cancer: The sign in your sleep that could signal the deadly disease - Express