Simply put, inactivity is hazardous to your health. Study after study has shown that being inactive nearly doubles your risk of heart disease.
Chances are you've heard about the benefits of exercise. You may even have promised yourself to become more active as soon as you find the time.
Perhaps you aren't aware, however, of just how crucial an active lifestyle is to your health and well-being.
"Simply put, inactivity is hazardous to your health," says James M. Rippe, M.D., cardiologist and founder and director of the Rippe Lifestyle Institute in Boston. "Study after study has shown that being inactive nearly doubles your risk of heart disease."
What does that mean in simple terms? Leading an inactive life increases your risk of heart disease as much as if you smoked a pack of cigarettes a day, according to Dr. Rippe.
Way too busy
Although most people agree activity is good for them, many have a difficult time working it into their daily lives.
"A lot of people get confused about the distinction between moderate physical activity and exercise," says Dr. Rippe. "Many normal daily activities qualify as being moderately physical. Also, most people make the mistake of trying too hard. Whatever you choose to do should be pleasurable, and you should feel calm, happy, and relaxed afterward."
It's not necessary to make time each day for continuous, intense exertion, Dr. Rippe adds. Rather, you can accumulate this activity in short sessions throughout the day and still receive health benefits.
While some experts may disagree about how vigorous activity should be, Dr. Rippe notes there's no disagreement about the health benefits of any activity.
"If you're currently inactive, some activity is clearly better than none," he says. "If you're already slightly active, more activity is better than a little."
Activity is critical
Incorporating activity into your daily routine can prevent or alleviate many chronic conditions besides heart disease—high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, some types of cancer, and osteoporosis, to name a few.
Consistent activity helps you to remain limber, strong, healthy, and safe as you age. "While some people accept a decreased ability to move easily as a natural consequence of aging, 'use it or lose it' applies here," Dr. Rippe says. "Regular physical activity is the best way to maintain optimal function throughout your life and improve your mobility, flexibility, strength, balance, walking speed, and reaction time."
Being active also helps you stay mentally fit. "It provides a chance to sort out problems and relieve stress. In turn, stress reduction can help reduce your risk of a wide variety of other illnesses, from arthritis to the common cold," he says.
The time is now
The best news is that it is never too late to adopt a more active lifestyle.
Most people who have difficulty sticking with health-promoting measures probably make them too complex to follow, says Dr. Rippe.
Along with activities that promote cardiovascular fitness, such as walking or cycling, you can add all sorts of leisure activities (dancing, bowling), indoor work activities (vacuuming, sweeping the floor), outdoor work activities (gardening, washing the car), and recreational sports (golf, volleyball). You have hundreds of choices for healthy activities.
"Physical activity is the closest thing to a magic bullet we have," says Dr. Rippe. "If this were a medicine, people would think it was the most incredible medicine available. In fact, it is, and it's available now, to everyone, for free. Take advantage of it
www.safeway.com
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Foundation for Health Coverage Education
History
1. The Foundation for Health Coverage Education was founded in 2004 by Phil Lebherz, a veteran health insurance professional. One of the first initiatives of the foundation, which is based in San Jose, California, was the California Health Care Options Matrix, which outlined public and private health insurance options in the state.
Services
2. The foundation's services include publishing booklets and pamphlets about health insurance options, as well as running an informational website (see Resources). The organization also operates the U.S. Uninsured Help Line, a 24-hour, toll-free phone service that provides citizens with insurance eligibility information. The number is 800-234-1317.
Eligibility Quiz
3. The foundation also provides a health insurance eligibility quiz -- a five-minute survey that can be conducted through the help line or on the organization's website. The quiz asks about a person's health conditions, age, income and other basic demographic information to determine which health insurance options are applicable.
Partnerships
4. The Foundation for Health Coverage Education partners with various organizations and agencies, including eHealth, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association.
More at ehow.com
1. The Foundation for Health Coverage Education was founded in 2004 by Phil Lebherz, a veteran health insurance professional. One of the first initiatives of the foundation, which is based in San Jose, California, was the California Health Care Options Matrix, which outlined public and private health insurance options in the state.
Services
2. The foundation's services include publishing booklets and pamphlets about health insurance options, as well as running an informational website (see Resources). The organization also operates the U.S. Uninsured Help Line, a 24-hour, toll-free phone service that provides citizens with insurance eligibility information. The number is 800-234-1317.
Eligibility Quiz
3. The foundation also provides a health insurance eligibility quiz -- a five-minute survey that can be conducted through the help line or on the organization's website. The quiz asks about a person's health conditions, age, income and other basic demographic information to determine which health insurance options are applicable.
Partnerships
4. The Foundation for Health Coverage Education partners with various organizations and agencies, including eHealth, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association.
More at ehow.com
Standard Water Analysis
Water analysis tests must be performed before a house can be sold to ensure the water is safe to drink and use. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has minimum standards that must be followed for contaminants. Standard water analysis tests may vary by state and by the companies performing the tests.
Microorganisms
1. Coliform bacteria is present in the environment and in people and animals. It should not be in our water, however. Its presence is usually a sign of contamination in the septic system or pipes. Nitrates in water can come from fertilizer, sewage or leaching from septic tanks. High levels of nitrates are especially harmful to infants, according to the EPA.
Secondary
2. Some element levels in drinking water are not regulated by the EPA. Instead, the EPA has guidelines that states can choose to adopt as law. Copper can cause water to taste bitter and plumbing fixtures to turn blue-green. Iron will turn sinks, tubs and laundry a reddish-brown and will have a bad taste. High acidity levels can also cause water to taste bitter and can corrode plumbing.
Other
3. Hardness (mineral content) of the water may be tested. Hard water that's high in calcium and magnesium causes scaling in pipes, and soap doesn't work as well in hard water as it does in soft water, which contains less of these minerals.
Read more: Standard Water Analysis | www.eHow.com
Microorganisms
1. Coliform bacteria is present in the environment and in people and animals. It should not be in our water, however. Its presence is usually a sign of contamination in the septic system or pipes. Nitrates in water can come from fertilizer, sewage or leaching from septic tanks. High levels of nitrates are especially harmful to infants, according to the EPA.
Secondary
2. Some element levels in drinking water are not regulated by the EPA. Instead, the EPA has guidelines that states can choose to adopt as law. Copper can cause water to taste bitter and plumbing fixtures to turn blue-green. Iron will turn sinks, tubs and laundry a reddish-brown and will have a bad taste. High acidity levels can also cause water to taste bitter and can corrode plumbing.
Other
3. Hardness (mineral content) of the water may be tested. Hard water that's high in calcium and magnesium causes scaling in pipes, and soap doesn't work as well in hard water as it does in soft water, which contains less of these minerals.
Read more: Standard Water Analysis | www.eHow.com
How to Use Cushion Grip
Cushion Grip denture adhesive is a type of glue used to bond dentures to the teeth for an extended period of time. This adhesive can be applied approximately every 4 days for optimum use. Adhering dentures using Cushion Grip is a two-step process that involves squeezing out the adhesive and securing the dentures by gently biting the teeth together.
Instructions
1. Brush your dentures thoroughly to ensure they are clean and there is no leftover adhesive.
2. Apply small, pea-sized drops of Cushion Grip in the upper and lower dentures. The drops should be spaced evenly throughout the denture tray.
3. Insert the upper denture into the mouth, pressing gently but firmly to set. Repeat with the bottom denture.
4. Bite together slowly to help to adhere the dentures.
5.Wipe any excess Cushion Grip that seeped up through the dentures with a clean, damp cloth.
Read more: How to Use Cushion Grip eHow.com
Instructions
1. Brush your dentures thoroughly to ensure they are clean and there is no leftover adhesive.
2. Apply small, pea-sized drops of Cushion Grip in the upper and lower dentures. The drops should be spaced evenly throughout the denture tray.
3. Insert the upper denture into the mouth, pressing gently but firmly to set. Repeat with the bottom denture.
4. Bite together slowly to help to adhere the dentures.
5.Wipe any excess Cushion Grip that seeped up through the dentures with a clean, damp cloth.
Read more: How to Use Cushion Grip eHow.com
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