Page 21 - Florida Sentinel 3-4-16 Edition

Health
Build Strong Bones By Eating Prunes
Eating 5 prunes daily boosts the forma- tion of new bone tissue within 3 months. They are full of a mineral (boran) that helps calcium soak into bone tissue.
Clean Your Belly Button The Right Way To Prevent Infection
Superfoods That Work Like Medicines
Sweet Potatoes... Prevent Strokes
Eating 1⁄2 cup of sweet potatoes daily helps to prevent strokes.
Why?
Because they are full of potas- sium and other nutrients that keep blood vessels in the brain healthy, cutting your chances of having a stroke by 33% (or more).
Cabbage... Prevents Heart Disease
Eating 2 cups of cabbage weekly cuts your heart disease risk by 33% (or more).
Why?
Because of the 2 plant com- pounds (sulforaphane and I3C), which prevent cardiovascular dis- ease by breaking down pollutants, toxins and other wastes before they can damage your heart mus- cle.
Tuna... Tames Arthritis Pain
Eating 18 ounces of tuna weekly can re- duce your pain and stiffness by 33% (or more).
Why?
Because of the two forms of painkilling anti-inflammatory omega-3 (EPA and DHA) in tune and other fatty fish are what re- duces joint-pain intensity and tenderness.
Dried Apricots... Reduce Cancer Risk
Eating 4 dried apricot halves daily could slash your risk of lung, breast and colon cancer in half.
Why?
Because they contain copious amounts of beta-carotene, an or- ange pigment that energizes white blood cells, so that they can find and destroy suspicious growths faster.
Yogurt... KOs Belly Upsets
Eating a cup of yo-
gurt (with live bacter-
ial cultures) daily can
help alleviate heart-
burn, indigestion, bloating, irritable bowels and intestinal issues.
Why?
Because the healthy probiotics bacteria in yogurt dampens in- flammation, increases digestive enzymes and calms muscle spasms, cutting intestinal upsets by 50% (or more).
Mushrooms... Steady Blood Sugar
Eating a handful of mushrooms daily (in your 2 biggest meals) will help sta- bilize blood sugar surges and spikes.
Why?
Because mushrooms are full of antioxidants that nourish a weary pancreas, which helps to stabilize insulin production and reduces blood sugar fluctuations by 22% (or more).
Get Rid Of Car Clutter For Better Mental Wellness
A research study, A Jungle In There, resulted in identifying 2,368 types phylotypes of bacte- ria living within 60 belly button samples. This included good and bad bacteria.
According to board-certified dermatologist Alexandria V. Booth, M.D. quoted in Women’s Health, health providers have been known to find a mix of lint, dirt, sweat, bacteria, soap, and lotion in the belly button. In some cases, peo- ple have made doctor appoint- ments because they believe they have symptoms of cancer, only to learn that they have an infec- tion.
Symptoms of a belly button infection include swelling, pain, itching, redness, odor, or dis- charge. People with particularly hairy navels, navel piercings, or “innies” should take extra pre- cautions in their hygiene regi- men.
While the more obvious way to clean out the belly button is to dig in with a washcloth during a shower, many dermatologists recommend also using an astrin- gent, like witch hazel or alcohol, and a cotton swab. They suggest cleaning the belly button when you shower in addition to using
an astringent at least once a week.
Dip the cotton swab into the astringent and swipe the inside of your belly button. Be gentle, you don’t want to irritate the skin. Remove the cotton swab, dip the opposite side into the as- tringent, and swipe your belly button again. Continue to do this until your belly button is clean.
Then, use a dry cotton swab to remove any of the leftover as- tringent. Though some astrin- gents are great for cleaning, they may also cause dryness. If your skin feels dry after you are done cleaning, rub a small amount of moisturizer or ointment on your belly button to prevent further dryness and irritation.
It may feel a little weird to clean your belly button with a Q- tip the first few times. But trust us, it’s a lot more comfortable than having a doctor tell you that the itching around your navel is caused from poor hygiene.
Here are five reasons to give your car a little TLC for a stress-free commute.
1. Actin’ Brand New - Think about how excited you were the day you bought your brand new car. Cleaning out your car can recreate that same feel- ing of achievement and add a positive boost to your morning commute.
2. Get Rid of Emotional Baggage - Clutter is often the sign of a deeper unresolved issue. In many cases, clutter can be the outward effect of internal issues like depression, unex- plainable fatigue or stress. While gearing your emotions toward clutter provides a distraction from the real issue, it can also make matters worse by adding to your reason for frustration. Decluttering your car will re- move that distraction and allow you to focus on the real issue.
3. Make More Time - Do you ever feel as if there isn’t enough time in the day? That may be because you spend too much time looking for some- thing that’s hidden beneath clut- ter. Knowing where your keys, phone, or an old receipt saves time, which can give you a head start on your commute. Eva Selhub, M.D. explains, “At the end of the day, being organized is about having more time for yourself, and enabling you to live a more balanced life.”
4. It’s Therapeutic - After you clean out the clutter, the air
fresheners you use to mask the smell of old food and dirty gym bags will actually work. Not only that, choosing a calming scent can improve your mood and de- crease stress. Pamela Dalton, Ph.D., M.P.H., a researcher at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, tells Eat- ingWell, “The part of the brain that processes odors is very close to the [part that houses] emotions and memories.
Choosing a scent that’s tied to a positive memory can help you breathe more deeply, lower your blood pressure and heart rate, causing more relaxation. Choos- ing a scent like lavender can help lower anxiety. Peppermint and lemon are also great options as they aid in improving concen- tration.
5. Improve Your Rela- tionships - It may take a while for the clean car jokes to die down after your passengers aren’t able to take jabs at you for having a messy car. But, they’ll soon appreciate and benefit from the therapeutic aroma and positive vibes of the driver.
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-B