Why Supplement

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Americans are some of the most overfed and yet undernourished people on the planet, and it shows. The United States ranks 40th in the developed world for life expectancy even though we spend far more per person on health care than any other country. A new study from the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine says that the life-expectancy gap between the US and other developed countries is only getting larger. Shocked? We should be!

Proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle plays an important role in helping prevent many major diseases (like heart disease, diabetes and even cancer), but getting proper nutrition in our modern world can be a challenge.
Let's take a look:

•	Our bodies cannot produce many of the nutrients we need, so they must be found in the food we eat and the supplements we take every day. Additionally, if the food we are eating is lacking nutrients, then supplementing can really be beneficial in staying healthy.
•	Most people say that they eat well, but research shows that 80 percent of Americans are not eating enough servings of fruits and vegetables.i We are also not getting enough Omega- 3 oils (EPA/DHA), antioxidants, B vitamins or a host of other nutrients our bodies need.
•	The nutritional content of our food has changed. A 2004 study of common crops showed a decline in the nutrient content between 6 and 38 percent over the past 50 years.ii
•	The amount of processed food that we eat has been on a steady climb ever since the invention of the refrigerator. Today, most of us eat more processed food than non-processed food. Convenience has become more prized than quality.
•	Our high stress and fast paced lives increases our needs for nutrients, especially the B vitamins.
•	The world is a much more toxic place than it used to be. Our bodies are exposed to more pollutants and under more oxidative stress than ever before. We need optimum nutrition in order to help our bodies battle these stresses.

None of us are perfect, there are days when you might eat well, but then days when you don't. A multivitamin, along with other key nutritional supplements can be the insurance policy you are looking for to fill in those nutritional gaps that may leave us vulnerable.

i	Krebs-Smith SM, Guenther PM, Subar AF, Kirkpatrick SI, Dodd KW. Americans do not meet federal dietary recommendations. J Nutr. 2010;140:1832–1838.
ii	Davis DR, Epp MD, Riordan HD. Changes in USDA food composition data for 43 garden crops, 1950 to 1999. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Dec;23(6):669-82. PMID: 15637215.

Health Tip: Keep Active by Walking

Even if you're overweight

(HealthDay News) -- Walking is a great form of exercise, especially for people who are overweight and don't particularly like to do pushups or jumping jacks.
The Weight-control Information Network offers these suggestions for people who are overweight and want to begin a walking program:

• To begin, walk for five minutes each day. The second week, walk for eight minutes at a time.
• When you feel comfortable, increase your walks to 11 minutes each.
• Over time, slowly increase the duration of your walks, giving your heart, lungs and legs a good workout.
• Buy a pair of comfortable walking shoes that offer good support. Be sure to replace shoes when they show signs of wear.
• Make your exercise more fun by walking around a shopping mall or park, or by taking a friend with you.

Copyright © 2013 HealthDay .  All rights reserved.

HealthDayNews articles are derived from various sources and do not reflect federal policy. healthfinder.gov does not endorse opinions, products, or services that may appear in news stories. For more information on health topics in the news, visit Health News on healthfinder.gov.

Healthy Seasonal Tips from Dr. Jamie McManus

Posted by Dr. Jamie McManus on Jan 11, 2013 in Health

You might have heard (or noticed by way of your empty school or workplace) that this year’s flu season is off to a bad start. How bad? Reports are that this flu season is the worst we’ve seen in about 10 years. The flu is so bad this year that Bostonhas declared a public health emergency. You can also take a look at the flu tracker from Google, which lets you compare previous years to this one and shows the dramatic increase in people with flu this year (with no end in sight).
Having the flu is no fun, but there are ways to avoid getting it in the first place:

• Wash Your Hands: Despite all the high-tech wizardry we have, the best protection is still the simplest: wash your hands. The problem isn’t with what you get on your hands, it’s when you move your hands to your face. Estimates are that most people touch their face somewhere between 5 and 20 times every hour. That means whatever is on a doorknob, sink, desk, or the person’s hand you just shook is going to make it to your nose, mouth, or eye. Once there, it is a short trip until you are sick.
• Cover Your Nose and Mouth: When you cough and sneeze make sure you cover your nose and mouth. Throw away tissues after you use them.
• Be Healthy: Your body can better handle a bug if you are healthy. This means getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising.
• Boost Your Immune System: I like to include lots of garlic and onions in my food during flu season. Onions and garlic have long been used for their healing properties and they are a tasty addition to any meal (especially soups). There are many other herbs and nutrients that can also help support your immune system; make sure you get enough of them as well.

With a little planning you could make it through this flu season in your best health.

Jamie McManus, M.D., FAAFP
Chair of Medical Affairs, Health Science, & Education

Smart Hydration for Better Workouts

Did you know the human body is made up of 60% water? Physiologically, fluids assist in the transportation of oxygen and nutrients through the bloodstream, provide lubrication in our joints and cushioning for our organs, and carry heat generated by exercise to the skin where it can be dissipated as sweat to cool the body. An adult loses about 2 liters of fluid per day through sweat, urine, respiration, and bowel movements, and that's why we often make the recommendation to drink eight glasses of water daily for proper hydration.

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But as individuals, we all have different metabolic rates, we all live and exercise in different environments, and we all experience unique rates of sweat loss. Failure to replace lost fluids raises the risk of dehydration and increases the chance athletic performance and even health can be compromised. In addition to water, sweat contains electrolytes such as sodium and potassium that need to be replenished to support optimal fluid balance in the body.  Consider these hydration strategies to help get the most out of your workouts: PREHYDRATION is a relatively new concept, but the goal is to prevent dehydration from occurring by properly hydrating and assuring normal plasma-electrolyte levels prior to exercise. Prehydrating can be accomplished by drinking water or sports drinks, and by consuming foods with a high water content several hours before exercise. Most of us can benefit by drinking two to three cups of fluid in the hours before exercise. HYDRATION during exercise helps to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances and to minimize adverse effects on athletic and mental performance. Losing as little as 2% of body weight (or just 3 pounds in a 150-pound person) during exercise has been shown to compromise athletic performance. Drinking cool liquids early and often, and opting for sports drinks that contain electrolytes and energy-sustaining carbohydrates can be beneficial. In hot and humid conditions, you should drink half a cup or more of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes that you exercise. REHYDRATION after exercise is important to enhance the recovery process and to make up any remaining fluid or electrolyte deficits. In the hours after exercise, try to rehydrate with 2 cups of fluid (yes, 2 cups!) for every pound of weight lost during your workout. If weighing yourself is not an option, checking your urine color is a simple indicator of hydration status. A pale or clear color is usually a sign of proper hydration, whereas a dark yellow or tea-colored urine is a common indicator of dehydration. So let's all get out and exercise—and drink up for peak athletic performance!

WASHINGTON (CBSDC) –

The Baby Boomer generation’s overall health has been on a sharp decline.

Australian researchers from Adelaide’s three universities have completed the 

first stage of a report on the generation born between the end of the Second 

World War and the mid-1960s.

Professor Graeme Hugo from the University of Adelaide said the findings 

were alarming and evidence that new public policies were needed.

Obesity among baby boomers is more than double the rate of their parents 

at the same age, and boomers with three or more chronic conditions was 

700% greater than the previous generation.

“We have to do something now in terms of reducing obesity as a risk factor if 

we’re going to manage health costs into the future, but I think more importantly 

if baby boomers are going to be able to lead active and productive lives in their 

later years,” he told ABC.

The Boomers: 76 million American children born between 1945 and 1964, 

representing a population that is significant on account of its size alone.

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         For information on how to help with this, click here:  http://www.cinchplan.com/wellness-unlimited/home

          

Make Wise Choices for Healthful Snacking

Posted by Dr. Jamie McManus on Aug 15, 2012 in Announcements, Healthy Weight, Natural Nutrition

It’s 3 pm. You’re hungry. And let’s face it, dinner seems like it’s a year away. You think twice before grabbing a snack because you’re trying hard to lose weight or you simply don’t want to “ruin your appetite” before dinner. Eventually hunger wins and you reach for some cookies or chips. Before you know it, you’ve devoured the entire box or bag!
Well it looks like you’re not alone.  American adults are snacking more than ever and based on the latest statistics I’ve read, snacking accounts for almost 1/4 of our daily calorie intake.  And while it’s true that traditional snacks are usually high in salt, fat and sugar, healthful snacking is possible. That’s why I’m so excited to tell you about a new product we just introduced at our annual Global Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Coming soon, we will have a brand new addition to our Cinch® product line – Cinch® Snack Crisps. Baked to perfection, these crunchy, savory snack chips give a whole new meaning to healthy snacking! They come in two great flavors – sea salt and barbecue. They have 100 calories per serving, 7 grams of hunger-fighting protein, 2 grams of fiber and contain no trans fats. They’re also gluten free and have a low glycemic index.  Finally, a healthy savory-type snack that not only tastes fabulous but is good for you and your entire family!
So remember to choose your snacks wisely. Think of them as mini-meals and fit them in to a healthy eating plan without over doing it on your daily calorie intake. Remember to snack only when you feel hungry not just because you’re bored or stressed. Watch your portion sizes. Avoid eating snacks directly from the big box or bag.  Have a single serving snack (like our Cinch® Snack Crisps!) so you have more control over your calories. Another great strategy is to think ahead. Keep a variety of healthful snacks around at all times, that way when you do get hungry you won’t be tempted by the high salt, high fat, high sugar and snacks that may be lurking nearby.
Be Well!

Jamie McManus, M.D., FAAFP
Chair of Medical Affairs, Health Science, & Education

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Why Supplement

Posted by Dr. Jamie McManus on Sep 11, 2012 in Natural Nutrition

As a physician, I have always been more focused on the prevention of disease rather than just waiting until treatment is necessary. Over the past 30 years or so, we have learned so much about what we need to do to prevent the most devastating, chronic diseases facing our society today. Our diets and our lifestyles have become less healthy and less active—with the result being a continuing increase in the prevalence of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer in the past 10 years. So I am here to provide you with the relevant information you need to get inspired into action! No matter whether you are healthy or fighting health challenges, today is the day to learn how to support your health and put those changes into action! Changes you make today will impact your health. You are more in control than you may know. There are thousands of studies that support the idea that weight management, good nutrition, supplementation, and an active lifestyle will positively impact your health.
I encourage you to watch this video to learn more.

Jamie McManus, M.D., FAAFP
Chair of Medical Affairs, Health Science, & Education

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