Author: Kristen M. Leccese

New Study to Examine Health Benefits of Dance

New Study to Examine Health Benefits of Dance

Photo by Mark Zamora on Unsplash Dance has long been known to have many health benefits, from improving balance to increasing flexibility. No matter what style of dance, the physical health benefits are clear. The negative physical health impacts of dance have long been clear 

Experts Say Diet is an Essential Aspect in Mental Health

Experts Say Diet is an Essential Aspect in Mental Health

Photo by Diego Ph on Unsplash Over 450 million people worldwide currently suffer from a mental health condition. With pharmaceuticals having achieved only limited success, experts believe the field of psychiatry may be reaching a crossroads. In a report released earlier this week from the 

Pediatricians Speak Out on Children’s Nutrition

Pediatricians Speak Out on Children’s Nutrition

Photo by Barrett Ward on Unsplash

Looking after and nurturing a child’s health is a vital part of their upbringing. And now, new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding children’s nutrition suggest a few changes to improve children’s eating habits, both in school and at home. In this statement published online today, doctors encourage a broader pattern that encourages what kids should be eating and not what they shouldn’t.

Pediatric specialists recommend that in order to create a proper diet for children, there must be an emphasis on working towards a healthy overall diet, with less fat, sugar and salt. “Parents should look for every opportunity to make small, simple improvements in the nutritional value of the foods and drinks they provide children, in school and out,” said Dr. Robert Murray, a lead author of the statement and professor of nutrition at Ohio State University.

5 Steps to Keep Your Family Healthy

Dr. Murray and the other study authors simplified their recommendations into a five-step method to help parents keep their kids healthy:

  1. Include foods from all five food groups: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and proteins (lean meats, fish, eggs, beans, nuts and seeds)
  2. Feed children a variety of foods from each group over the course of a week
  3. Keep your child’s diet as un-processed as you can – food is healthier in its natural state
  4. Use very small amounts of sugar and salt to encourage kids to eat nutrient-rich foods, like flavored milk or naturally sweetened cereal
  5. Keep portion sizes appropriate for your child’s age

Keith Ayoob, a registered dietitian and pediatric nutritionist at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, celebrated the statement for not prohibiting any foods. He agrees that a “total diet” approach is a much better tactic to keep kids well-fed and healthier overall. In addition, he stated that the paper noted that schools cannot be responsible for improving kid’s nutrition on their own; parents need to be more mindful of health when it comes to food choices for the family. “Improving child nutrition has to be a community project, and parents are part of this community,” Ayoob stated.

Children’s vitamins are a very helpful and healthy addition into your child’s daily nutritional protocol. Kids tend to have hectic lifestyles these days – aside from school all day long, they are off to soccer, dance class, music lessons, and countless other extracurricular activities. Sometimes their schedules are even more jam-packed than their parents! This can leave little time for eating a proper, nutritionally-balanced meal three times a day. Be sure your child is getting the proper nutrients to grow and stay healthy and strong with Children’s vitamins. Pediatricians, psychologists, and nutritionists recognize the critical role of children’s vitamins and minerals in your child’s overall development.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/02/23/pediatricians-urge-whole-diet-approach-for-children/

What do you think about this 5-step plan to keeping your children and family as healthy as possible? Join the conversation by leaving us a comment!

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Health Experts Suggest Changes in US Dietary Guidelines

Health Experts Suggest Changes in US Dietary Guidelines

Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash Yesterday, a panel of health experts made some observations and suggestions regarding the typical American diet. The U.S. government issues new dietary guidelines every five years; this independent panel of health experts is enlisted to review the current guidelines 

Study: Eye Color Linked to Pain Tolerance

Study: Eye Color Linked to Pain Tolerance

Photo by Soroush Karimi on Unsplash It’s a fact that some of us are able to tolerate physical pain much better than others. A lot of factors come into play here, including genetics, body chemistry, and past exposure to pain. But now, a new study 

Meditation Linked to Long-Term Brain Health Benefits

Meditation Linked to Long-Term Brain Health Benefits

Photo by JD Mason on Unsplash

The benefits of meditation are becoming increasingly well-known in the field of alternative healthcare. This natural relaxation method is known to ease depression and anxiety, alleviate sleep problems, and boost overall mood. Now, a new study shows that it may also have long-term benefits for the brain and memory.

According to a report in Frontiers in Psychology, people who meditated on a long-term basis (about 20 years) had a significantly higher brain volume than the average individual. As we age, the amount of gray matter in the brain decreases. The study’s authors reported that among those who use this method, there was a higher amount of gray matter in the brain throughout the aging process.

Where does Meditation come from?

Meditation is rooted in Eastern religious traditions. However, many Americans practice it today outside of a religious or spiritual setting – nearly 18 million adults and 1 million children practiced this method in the U.S. in 2012, according to a survey on complementary medicine from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Past studies found that meditation can improve attention, memory, verbal fluency, executive function and creativity.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Florian Kurth, is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles Brain Mapping Center. Following this research, he was prompted to return to his own practice. “This study says it’s basically worthwhile to think about meditation,” Dr. Kurth stated.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/02/17/long-term-meditation-tied-to-less-brain-loss/

Brain Vitamins

Brain vitamins have a great beneficial effect on the frontal lobe portion of the brain, which is involved in the higher cognitive functions such as problem solving, planning and organizing. As we age, there is a decrease in the size of the frontal lobe, which is accompanied by a reduction in proper blood flow throughout this region. What’s more, the level of certain important neurotransmitters in the brain begins to decline throughout the aging process. The ability for the brain to heal its own tissues declines as well, and the energy-producing structures in the brain cells become older and more weathered due to over use over the years. This results in lower brain functions and decreased cognitive abilities, which may get in the way of everyday routine as well as your overall health and well-being.

Do you meditate? Share your story in the comments!

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