January 5, 2003- Up In Arms
Do you have a quick temper? If so, stay up-to-date on your blood pressure screenings.

A recent study revealed that people who typically experienced high levels of psychological distress, such as anger or anxiety, were more likely to develop high blood pressure compared to their even tempered peers. Have your blood pressure checked at least once every two years.

Keeping your blood pressure at 115/76 mm Hg can help reduce your chances of cardiovascular diseases.  Effective treatments for high blood pressure are available. Strategies for lowering blood pressure include eating a diet low in saturated fat and sodium, exercising regularly, losing weight if you are overweight, avoiding stress and other psychological distress, and increasing your intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
SOURCE: Psychosomatic Medicine, ©2002

January 12, 2003- Up In Arms
Give your health a boost in the New Year by making a resolution to add a multivitamin supplement to your daily diet.

Studies show that taking a multivitamin daily may help prevent disease. In a study, people who took a multivitamin for 24 weeks experienced a reduction in their blood homocysteine levels and an improvement in the stability of their LDL blood fats. Both effects may be heart protective.

Eating a diverse diet that is low in calories and high in nutrients is very important for cardiovascular health, however, because it is often difficult to get an adequate intake of certain vitamins and minerals through diet alone, most people should take a supplement to help ensure they get the recommended amount every day.
SOURCE: Nutrition, ©2002

January 19, 2003- CO Poison
With the mercury falling these past couple weeks, we would like to remind everyone of a very common, but extremely dangerous aspect of winter weather: Carbon Monoxide.  It can cause many different symptoms ranging from headaches and dizziness to unconsciousness and death.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating.  It commonly shows up in the home from vehicle exhaust and cigarette smoke.  Fuel burning equipment and appliances such as fireplaces, grills, space heaters, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and ranges also produce carbon monoxide.

It's important to constantly monitor the carbon monoxide level in your home.  This is easily done by purchasing a Carbon Monoxide detector from your favorite retail store, they are usually less than $30.  One should be placed near the bedrooms and near common livings areas of your home.  One will never know when this dangerous non-detectable gas could invade your home.
SOURCE: Center Point Energy, ©2003

January 26, 2003- Watch Your Winter Nutrition
Don't let the dark days of winter keep you from getting your daily dose of vitamin D.

Twenty minutes per day of sunlight is all that most people need to produce a sufficient amount of vitamin D each day. However, winter sun may not be strong enough to give you your daily dose. Be sure to get your fair share by choosing a calcium supplement that contains vitamin D or by consuming vitamin D-fortified foods, such as milk or fortified cereals.

Getting 400 IU of vitamin D and 1,200 milligrams of calcium, which is about 4 glasses of milk, per day can help reduce your chances of osteoporosis.
SOURCE: University of Michigan, ©2003