Healthy Gifts for Dads from Health Briefs TV

Invite Dad to a game in the backyard

Sunday, June 15 is Father’s Day in the U.S. Why not give that special man in your life some healthy gifts to ensure he sticks around forever? Health Briefs TV has a few ideas.

Money is tight for many people these days. Why not invite Dad for a long walk or hike? The alone time is more valuable than any gift and the health benefits are endless. Plus, it’s free.

Thinking of making him breakfast in bed? Make Pop some homemade OJ, whole wheat pancakes with sliced berries on top and side of fresh fruit cocktail. Stick a homemade card expressing your love and appreciation to him on the tray.

Your Father might like to play golf. Treat him to a day on the links with a hearty and healthy lunch to follow at this favorite place.

What Papa does not like to barbeque? Visit your favorite store to find healthy grilling trays for meat and veggies, wrap it up and present with a hug.

New Padres might appreciate some babysitting so he and the new Madre can get some rest. Offer to take the baby out for a day or a few hours.

Does the man of the house want to lose some weight? Health Briefs suggests one of the many affordable pedometers which measures steps and miles walked with some providing weight lost.

Make Father’s Day a healthy one for the best dad in the world so you can keep him around as long as possible.

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Health Briefs on the Top Ten Power Vegetables

fresh watercress can be used in salads and sandwiches

Researchers from the William Paterson University studied the top vegetables and fruits for vitamins and nutrients and ranked them based on specific criteria. The study was recently published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Briefs TV reviews the findings on the top ten.

Each of the fruit and vegetables was ranked by its density of critical nutrients, and the following 17 ingredients: potassium, fiber, protein, calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K. The list below are the top 10 items of more than 100. Click here to peruse the entire list. Most of us usually eat three to four of these: spinach, leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce and collard greens. Some of us have garnished a dish with parsley, and very few of us have ever had a dainty watercress sandwich. But they are high on the study’s list.

Top ten:

1. Watercress
2. Chinese cabbage
3. Chard
4. Beet Green
5. Spinach
6. Chicory
7. Leaf lettuce
8. Parsley
9. Romaine lettuce
10. Collard greens

While this list is useful, there are other fruits and vegetables which consist of a good amount of phytochemicals – which help fight disease. Those items are likely to be berries, citrus garlic and onions. All of these plus the others on the referenced list are all good for us. Health Briefs TV encourages readers to incorporate a good variety of fruits and vegetables in every day meal plans. Bon Appetite!

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Health Briefs Looks at the Safety of Living Near High-Voltage Power Lines

Health Briefs advises home buyers and home owners alike:  watch how close you live to high-voltage power lines.  In the 1980's, there were photos and news footage of people gathering beneath a corridor of high-voltage power lines, typical of that which one would find criss-crossing most cities.  They were holding some fluorescent tubes -- unattached to any power source.  And yet, when they got right under the power cables, the fluorescent tubes would glow brightly right in the participants' bare hands.  That's the power of the electric energy that emanates from the power lines. 

Health Briefs reiterates a safety warning that has been sounded for several decades.

The Health Briefs TV show reports that for those who live and sleep close to such power corridors, there may be lasting health effects.  Numerous studies have been done to measure the proximity to power lines against the frequency of leukemia and other cancers, abnormal heart rhythms, miscarriages, low birth weight and birth defects.  The results have been inconclusive, but there has been some measured damage to residents' DNA.  For those already living dangerously close to a power corridor, there are devices available that can measure the actual strength of the electro-magnetic field in your home and on your property.  Most electrical utilities will be glad to conduct these tests on request.

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Health Briefs TV Asks if More Moles Mean Breast Cancer Alert

Two recent studies are out that mention how skin moles might affect a person’s chance of developing breast cancer. Health Briefs TV digs deeper to find out if more skin moles might mean a higher chance of getting cancer.

The studies conducted by American and French scientists found that the more moles a woman had, the higher chance she had of developing breast cancer. While this can seem alarming to many women with moles on the arms, the researchers caution that is might have something to do with her exposure to estrogen over her lifetime. The hormone is known to feed the growth and spread many breast tumors. This is most noticeable when a woman is pregnant as her moles tend to be larger and darker.

Health Briefs knows that there are also underlying reasons for women developing moles on their arms and skin: heredity, general health condition, age, lifestyle and exposure to the sun. These studies, by no means, indicate that the more moles a woman has means her risk of developing breast cancer is greater. But all moles should be regularly checked by a dermatologist to see if they could be pre-cancerous. Skin cancer is nothing to ignore and if caught early, it is curable. Skin moles are common and do not automatically mean a predisposition for breast cancer. To ensure all is well, seek the advice of a trusted medical professional.

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Why Dirt and Dust s Good for Babies from Health Briefs TV

Sometimes, a little dirt, dust and pet dander is good for babies and kids. Health Briefs TV explains why these usual irritants can prevent allergies later in life.

When infants are around normal household irritants, they begin to develop antibodies to them. As they grow up, they become immune to the allergens and therefore have less or no allergies. Researchers from Johns Hopkins Hospital tested the amount of pollution in an infant’s home and then re-tested them a year later to measure health conditions such as sneezing and wheezing. They found that when the home had some levels of pet dander, dust and the droppings of bugs, they were less likely to suffer asthma or from allergies. Their bodies showed a stronger immune system. The Health Briefs TV show reports that children who have allergies and are prone to respiratory problems were not exposed to the allergens as infants and small children. The researchers point out that the rate of developing these health conditions is 51% to 17% if children are not exposed to the irritants. Early life exposure to a variety of allergens and germs makes infants and children healthier later. We also suggest not going overboard with hand sanitizers as they can strip hands of healthy germs. In order for infants and children to have healthy and strong immune systems, they should be exposed the germs and allergens.

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Health Briefs TV with a Warning about Secondary Drowning

Parents know to keep a close eye on their children when swimming. Drowning is one cause of death from enjoying the pool, lake or ocean. But there is another danger in which we should know. Health Briefs shares a warning about secondary drowning.

Secondary drowning is caused by a small amount of water getting into the lungs. That small amount can cause inflammation and lead to the body pushing more water into the lungs resulting in what is called pulmonary edema. If left untreated, the person will stop breathing and drown in their own body fluids. It takes a little as four ounces of water to cause this condition.

Parents and guardians are cautioned to watch kids for kids who come out of the water coughing and keep an eye on them for the next 72 hours. Look for unusual fatigue, lethargy, coughing, pale skin, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. If any of these symptoms are present, take the child to a medical care center. Health Briefs TV learns that pulmonary edema, or secondary drowning, may not occur for up to 72 hours after swimming. Swimming pools are the most common place for this kind of problem to develop. It is important to learn to know the symptoms of this kind of preventable death for both children and adults. Take care this summer when swimming in any body of water.

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Health Briefs TV on How to Prevent Summer Health Hazards

There are certain summer health hazards will have happened to many of us throughout the years. Sunburn, poison ivy or oak rashes, heat illness, anyone? Health Briefs TV shares some ideas on how to prevent summer health hazards.

Sunburn – The best and easiest way to prevent a bad sunburn is to use a good sunscreen and stay inside during the time of day when the sun is the strongest – noon to 4. If working or enjoying the sun at the beach or pool during this time period, take precautions to protect the scalp, eyes, ears, and feet. If a bad sunburn happens, use one of the over the counter remedies to relieve the pain.

Water-borne illnesses – There is a lot of bacteria in lakes, oceans and even pools that can make us ill over the summer. The water bugs can cause gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections. For most people, diarrhea is the most common issue if we accidently swallow some bad water. If this happens, visit the drug store for a good anti-diarrheal medicine. And always cover wounds with a bandage that seals it from water.

Food-borne illnesses – Summer heat can spoil almost any kind of food. To prevent food-related gastro problems, wrap meat separately and securely. Store it with other food in a cold cooler when taking on a picnic. If food is left out for more than two hours, toss it. Food-related bacteria grows fast when the outside temp is 90 and above.

Bug bites can also cause summer problems. Health Briefs TV suggests wearing lightweight and light colored clothing to prevent mosquito bites, and always be sure to check skin and scalp for tick bites after hiking in the woods. 

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