INSAF

Arthritis affects approximately 50 million people in the United States, according to the Arthritis Foundation. It is the second most frequently reported chronic condition in the United States and costs the U.S. economy $128 billion annually. Gain insight on natural ways to help ease the pain of one of the nation’s leading and most costly health ailments. According to the Arthritis Foundation , arthritis strikes 1 in every 5 American adults and is the nation’s leading cause of disability. Within 20 years the numbers of those projected by this debilitating disease are projected to soar as exponential numbers of Americas turn 65 each day. In fact, by 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans will have arthritis —unless the trend is reversed, reports the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Easing Joint Pain and Inflammation Arthritis is classified as a complex family of musculoskeletal disorders with many causes, not yet fully understood—and of which there are currently...

Julie Corliss , Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter Ever since the winter of 2003, when my husband came down with nasty case of the flu that led to a three-week bout of walking pneumonia, he’s been religious about getting a flu shot each fall. But the benefits he gains may go beyond warding off respiratory-related problems. A study published in today’s Journal of the American Medical Association finds that getting the influenza vaccine lowers a person’s odds of a having heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or other major cardiac event—including death—by about a third over the following year. What’s the connection between flu and cardiovascular problems? “When you get the flu, your body mounts an impressive immune response, which causes a lot of inflammation. As a result, the plaque inside your blood vessels can become unstable, which can lead to blockage and a pos...

Oct 23, 2013 by Jeff Anderson Late American humorist, Sam Levenson, said wryly, “The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy.” Everything in life can be laughed at, but it also must be acknowledged that grandparents are crucially important figures, both to their grandchildren and adult children, but also to society as a whole. According to Dr. Karl Pillemer of Cornell University, the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren is second in emotional importance only to the relationship between parent and child. Children benefit when grandparents are involved in their lives. But grandparents also enjoy benefits from the relationship with their grandchildren. A recent study by Boston College found that “an emotionally close relationship between grandparent and grandchildren is associated with fewer symptoms of depression for both generations.” The profile of the Ame...

Meredith May Amanda Arteaga takes part in warm-up vocal exercises with the Community of Voices choir at Mission Neighborhood Center. Photo: Raphael Kluzniok, The Chronicle                           It seems true that singing in a choir can be therap...

Think that handful of mixed nuts is just empty calories? Think again: Nuts are nutritional powerhouses, packed with fiber, protein, good fats, and key vitamins and minerals. Trouble picking a favorite nut? Turns out that's not necessary. "Some nuts get the spotlight more than others, but I don't think we should be exclusionist," said Beth Reardon. "If we favor one nut over another, we're missing out." The solution? Mixed nuts -- one ounce, or about a small handful, per day, according to Reardon. Here are ten varieties you'd be nuts not to add to the mix. 1. Pistachios Pistachios have a lot going for them -- a pretty green hue, a distinctive sweet taste, and a whole lot of health benefits. Superpowers: A 2012 study showed that pistachios can reduce bad LDL cholesterol by up to 6 percent, which helps the arteries stay healthy and clear of plaque. Pistachios are also a great source of gamma-tocopherol, a particular form of v...

Dieting never seems to go out of fashion; it is a routine in most of our lives. People search for diet tips on search engines, books and even ask for help from their friends. According to reports by World Health organization around 65 percent of the people in this world face the problem of obesity. These have led to growing concern among youngsters and off late elders are also showing interests in diet. People are following health tips from anyone and everyone, just with a hope that it would benefit them. Although all that we read about dieting is not true, we still don’t hesitate in trying them out. There are a few who must have been dieting from over a decade and still showing no improvement. With books on diet and celebrities endorsing fitness related DVDs, people are cashing in on these ideas and are also becoming the scapegoats in the market. Read on to know some of the worst diet tips that has to be avoided, listed by Stephanie Castillo of yahoo. 1. Paleo Diet The ...

Watching the sugar in your diet can help you control your weight and potentially avoid serious chronic health problems, for example, heart disease and diabetes. You might be surprised at how many of the “healthy” foods you eat contain sugar. Energy bars, fruit, flavored yogurt — all “good” foods but many of them have a lot of sugar. Step one is to read labels carefully and opt for products that are lower in sugar. The American Heart Association recommends keeping calories from added sugars under 100 calories a day (24 grams, or 6 teaspoons) for women and under 150 calories (36 grams, or 9 teaspoons) for men. For many people, cutting back on sugar-sweetened beverages is an easy way to reduce sugar intake. Giving up juices and soft drinks can be tough, but here are few ways to get started: • Make your own . Start with plain sparkling water or tap water. Add a flavoring that strikes your fancy. Here are a few opt...