Health Briefs Takes a Look at Which States are the Healthiest

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index report was released recently. In it, the report ranks which states are the healthiest and unhealthiest over all. Health Briefs reviewed the survey and found good news in it, and also bad news. Read one for more info.

The index counts specific criteria in its rankings: having a sense of purpose, supportive relationships and love in your life, feeling economically secure, enjoying the home, pride in community, and maintaining good health. The positive news from the survey includes an increase in citizens feeling financially healthy. Also, there are less people without insurance, fewer people are smoking this year than last year, more people are getting exercise, and finally, there is a decline in the number of people who report being food and healthcare insecure.

On the negative side: obesity seems to be increasing in the U.S., and many people are still finding it challenging to find and secure full-time employment. So where does this leave us, and specifically, your home state?

Below are the top five healthiest states:

1. Hawaii
2. Alaska
3. Montana
4. Colorado
5. Wyoming

Wide open space, a love for the great outdoors, sense of community and financial well-being all played a part in how these states made the top five.

Below are the bottom five states:

1. Indiana
2. Ohio
3. Oklahoma
4. Kentucky
5. West Virginia

These states usually rank at the bottom. Most are located in the East or in the Midwest region.  With so much farmland and rolling hills nearby, the Health Briefs TV show wonders how they stay at the bottom? Click here to see the whole list. (PDF)

 

Healthiest State: Hawaii 

Health Briefs TV Relay the Best Remedies for the Common Cold

There is no cure for the common cold but there are some remedies that make it more tolerable than others, which Health Briefs TV relays.

When we feel like we’re catching a cold, we want whatever we can to shorten it and make it less miserable. Fortunately, there are some good remedies for that.

Honey is not only affordable, but comes in different varieties and tastes. Organic, locally produced honey is best, but a little more expensive than the average store bought variety. There are clover based honeys, orange flower based honeys and several others. Honey soothes sore throats when drizzled in hot tea or warm lemon water. It alleviates a cough too. Try the darker colored honeys for best taste.

Zinc is also been proven to make colds better. Taken in small dozes (such as a lozenge) throughout the first few days of a cold, is can shorten the illness. Zinc taken over the course over five months has shown to prevent some people from catching a cold. We remind readers that zinc taken in high doses is toxic.

Hot drinks such as hot tea, warm salted water and warm lemon water are also good for a cold. The heat provides relief from runny noses, coughs, sore throats, chilliness and tiredness. The Health Briefs TV show also recommends hot chicken soup to warm chilled bodies and nourish bodies depleted of nutrients.

What doesn’t seem to work: researchers found no real benefits from taking elevated Vitamin C products, using the herb echinacea, or eating a chili pepper in any way shape or form.

What do you do when a cold is coming on?

 

Add some honey to tea to soothe sore or scratchy throats

Health Briefs TV Offers Suggestions for Lowering Daily Sodium Intake

Sodium is another name for salt. It finds its way into the food we eat every day and we barely notice it. Health Briefs TV offers some suggestions for lowering our daily sodium intake.

The recommended daily intake is 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon) of sodium per day. Yet, many of the foods we consume pack double and even triple this amount.

Restaurant food, fast food and frozen food are known to be high in sodium.  It is used as a preservative and for flavoring. But before grabbing a bite out or taking that frozen pizza from the freezer, read the nutrition label to see what the sodium content is.

Bread, pickles, olive, nuts, crackers, diet food and even some sodas are a few culprits. Deli meat and cheese and packages of deli meat and cheese are also full of salt. Try whole grain breads instead of white. Rinse pickles and olives first before eating to reduce sodium.

Cook more at home. The only true way to reduce sodium is to make the meal yourself. Add herbs, spices, and a squeeze of lemon to add flavor instead of salt.

Pizza is an all-time favorite for many people, but it too pack in the salt. Healthy alternatives can be found by making your own using no salt added canned tomatoes or tomato slices. Roast vegetables to add flavor and sprinkle herbs on top.

The Health Briefs TV show suggests forgoing sodas at lunch and grabbing a bottle of water instead. Water is better for hydration and usually does not contain added sodium.

herbs and spices are tasty salt  alternatives

Health TV Reviews Healthy Living Tips

Healthy living is more than just eating well and getting daily activity. It is a well-rounded balance of everything that makes us function optimally. Health Briefs TV reviews healthy living tips for the whole family.

From infants to grandparents, there are great ways to live a healthier and longer life. Everyone in the family should be consuming several servings of vegetables, fruits and grains every day. These include dark leafy greens like spinach, and starchy vegetables like small potatoes. The grouping also includes whole fruits and whole grains. A combination of these keeps bodies working smoothly, provides energy and tastes good. Fat-free or low-fat dairy items are also good since they are good sources of calcium and protein, long-known for strengthening bones and providing stamina. More good sources of include fish, chicken and lean red meat and soy. Healthy oils such as safflower, olive, and canola oils (think two teaspoons per day) are not only tasty but boost good health.

Along with these suggestions, the Health Briefs TV show encourages readers to limit sugar from their daily diets. We should consume less than 10 percent every day. Prepare and cook as many meals at home as possible to reduce sugar. Other things to limit daily are: saturated fat, (less than 10%), sodium (2,300 mm per day) and cholesterol. Healthy living is easy start, affordable to maintain, and benefits everyone – young and old. 

Health Briefs TV Shares Good Hydration Tips for Teens

Children are active. As they become older, they tend to be more active. Too much activity and not enough good hydration can lead to nausea, dizziness and the development of kidney stones. Health Briefs TV shares some good hydration tips for teens.

The nutritional labels on sodas and caffeine drinks list the amount of water contained in each serving. Most of the time, it is not a significant amount to properly keep teens hydrated.  A study conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found that poor water intake can increase the chance of developing kidney stones.

Schools, athletic locker rooms and athletic stadiums should be equipped with working water fountains that produce clean, cold, drinkable water. When fountains don’t work or produce warm, unclear water, chances are no one will want to use it. In addition, it can be difficult to find a vending machine that sells bottled water, or one that sells it at a reasonable price. Teens are often left finding other ways to hydrate, or not hydrating enough.

U.S. federal law requires schools to have one water fountain per floor. Some schools also have water fountains near bathrooms which can relay the water is recycled from the bathroom. This is often one reason why the fountains located there are not used.

Health Briefs TV encourages teens, parents, coaches and teachers to be sure all students stay hydrated during the day and when participating in school activities. Avoid sugar-laden sodas and fruit drinks as the water in them is not sufficient for good hydration.  Perhaps invest in a smart wrist device or app that records the amount of hydration taken. A well-hydrated teen is one that will be alert, feel well and be fully functional.

Health Briefs TV Reports on Eye Strain and How to Relieve It

Our eyes were not made to view so many different devices throughout the day. From the work computer, laptop, tablet and smart phone, is it no wonder human eyes are feeling tired and strained? Health Briefs TV reports on eye strain and how to avoid it.

Almost 70 percent of American experience digital eye strain symptoms from looking at screen all day. Symptoms include dry, irritated eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue, neck and back pain, and headaches.

There are several causes for eye strain: sitting too close to the screen, how often and how long looking at the screen, and how sensitive eyes are to the blue light that screens emit. A report from The Vision Council found that adults over age 30 report the most eye strain from digital use. Sixty-five percent of children and teens spend more than two hours per day on digital devices, and adults over the age of 60 have digital eye strain from the prolonged use of devices for more than 15 years.

The Health Briefs TV show encourages readers to get a regular eye exam. There are many eye care businesses which offer the exam for free at a very low cost. Explain to the doctor how long you are working with something that has a screen, and what effects it has on your eyes during the day. Tips for relieving the symptoms include taking a break from looking at the screen every 30 minutes to an hour. Also, look away from the screen, and sit a comfortable distance away from the screen to work. Remember to blink often as it moistens dry eyes and relaxes the muscles them.

Take good care of the eyes. We need them see all the beauty around.

Health Briefs TV Reviews Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

There is a great deal of information in the news about the lack of sleep Americans get. A leading consumer magazine’s cover reports on several issues regarding a poor night’s rest, and an American news network reports on the why we are not getting the rest we need. Health Briefs TV reviews tips for a good night’s sleep.

Anyone who has trouble falling asleep and staying asleep can attest to how frustrating it is to be wide awake at 3 AM.  The National Center for Health Statistics found that a third of us do not get the recommended seven hours of shut eye we need to fully function the next day. Lack of rest can add up to some major health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, weakened immune systems and may contribute to dementia.

In order to get a decent amount of rest at night, the Health Briefs TV show offers some tips to getting a sound sleep:

• Close the curtains or blinds to block out any light and lower the room temperature.
• Leave digital devices far from the bedside.
• Avoid taking sleeping aids unless prescribed by a doctor. Most really don’t work as advertised and can cause adverse effects, such as sleep walking.
• Shop for a new pillow and buy one that supports the main position in which you sleep.
• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. It is very difficult to set a regular sleep routine when you go to bed and wake at different times on different days.
• Wear something comfortable to sleep in.

When we get a good night’s rest, our brains clear out all the negative from the day before. Our hearts slow down and rest too. Our blood vessels relax and our blood sugar goes down. We also can fully function the next day, which includes no drowsy driving to work. We need seven hours of rest.  Get some. 

Health Briefs TV Reviews the Most Effective Way to Lose

The New Year is typically when most people start a weight loss plan. Armed with an entire year ahead of them, and the desire to drop pounds and be more active, Americans seek the best way to lose weight.

Health Briefs TV believes that a healthy weight loss plan is one which encourages healthful eating, daily exercise and a support network. Fortunately, there are some good programs which we review here that can help shed the weight gained last year.

Always keep in mind that the weight loss plan should fit the lifestyle, culture, health and physical needs of the person. Allergies to foods, chronic conditions and intolerance should also be considered.

A healthful weight loss plan includes eating plenty of legumes, fruits and vegetables, healthy proteins such as fish and chicken and grains. There are several good plans available from the new Weight Watchers program to the fresh meal delivery plans around the country. Each of these offers the participant delicious healthy meals and portions which are comparable to the person’s lifestyle and personal choices.

Any plan which includes a supplement to increase quick weight loss is not altogether healthy. Choose a plan that encourages lowering carb intake and increasing protein in the daily diet. Add an hour of good physical activity, such as walking after dinner. The Health Briefs TV show also suggests walking on breaks during the work day, and drinking enough water to stay hydrated. Add a squeeze of lemon, orange or a slice of cucumber to help boost weight loss and add flavor to an otherwise drab drink.

The New Year is here. What are your plans for staying healthy this year?