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Newest Research on Healthy Aging Reveals Carbs Matter

Australian researchers have discovered that dietary fiber from carbs and other sources extends good health while aging.

Growing Old Healthier and Longer

Scientists from the Westmead Institute for Medical Research conducted a decade-long study of successful aging. They defined the term as being able to avoid: chronic disease, cancer, dementia, depression, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory ailments.

The findings from the study were published in The Journals of Gerontology: Medical Sciences. The lead author of the paper claims, “…the relationship between carb intake and healthy aging was significant…” Those who ate proper amounts of dietary fiber avoided most chronic pitfalls of aging and remained most healthy overall.

The Study and Surprising Results

The diets of 1,609 participants aged 49 and above were studied. The scientists factored the peoples’ intake of total carbs, fiber from carbs, total fiber, and sugar. After a 10-year follow-up, the results were surprising. Those who had the highest intake of fiber or total fiber had an almost 80 percent greater chance of living a healthy, long life.

Those who had the highest sugar intake levels were more apt to suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, and dementia. The researchers reported that cereals and bread are good for our diet, as long as there is sufficient fiber content.

How to Do Carbs Math

We’ve all been taught to count carbs. The problem is that our food labels are misleading. The total number is not as important the “net” number of carbohydrates.

Take the total number on the label under the carbohydrate listing. For example, 20 grams. Subtract the listed amount of fiber, let’s say it’s 5. Your net carbs will be 15. You want that number low, but you want a high fiber count. Fiber carbs are not fattening—you can digest them!

Non-fiber carbs are fattening because they’re not as filling, not easily digestible, and mostly turn into sugar.

Also, beware of sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, maltitol, and lacitol. They appear to keep the sugar content down on the label, but they don’t in reality. They can metabolize into sugar. Additionally, those sugars can be listed as fiber content, but they are not. Labelling laws are lax and loopholes are discovered and used widely in our American food industry. The good news is, however, we are learning more about nutrition and healthy living every day. Live long and eat fiber!

Www.GetThrive.com has a wide selection of food and health related articles that may address some topics that have piqued your interest. Click here to read on…

 

 

5 Reasons Why Not Getting Enough Sleep is Fattening

Overeating is the number one suspected cause of weight gain. What most people don’t realize is that lack of sleep can keep you from losing pounds—and can actually add them! If you’re trying to find ways to lose belly fat, it’s time to consider sleep as a catalyst.

Read on if you’re feeling frustrated that you’re not losing weight even though you feel like you’re doing all the right things. Not getting enough sleep can be linked to your growing waistline. Check out five of the main reasons why not getting enough sleep may be affecting the numbers on your scale.

Also, let’s see how we can remedy this challenge and turn it around, once and for all. There are several ways to lose belly fat, but getting a good night’s sleep may just be the answer!

#1  Lack of Sleep Slows Your Metabolism

Do you feel like you’re too busy to sleep? Is there always so much going on that getting a good night’s sleep winds up on the bottom of your list? Truthfully, it’s probably time that you place restful sleep as a priority.

Besides affecting your mood, your brain, and the way you look, lack of sleep slows down your metabolism. A slow metabolism can result in weight gain. If you’re wanting ways to lose belly fat, eat nutritiously and moderately, exercise—and get enough sleep. Most experts will concur that for adults, 7 – 8 hours per night is healthy.

you’ll need to monitor your stress levels

Testosterone production decreases from an increase in cortisol output. Testosterone builds muscle; when your muscle-mass depletes, your metabolism slows down.

#2 Lack of Sleep Increases Your Appetite

Do you experience stress? Does it affect your sleep? If so, your cortisol levels may be high.

Cortisol is the fight or flight hormone that gets produced from stress. Your brain may read the surge of hormones as your body using energy. So then, it will encourage you to replace those calories by eating.

The problem is that you really haven’t burned any calories. In fact, when we’re stressed the body tends to hold onto fat. It thinks it’s in survival mode. If you want to reduce stress and lose weight, make sure you’re getting proper rest each night.

#3 Sleep Loss Changes Gut Microbiota

Scientists at Uppsala University believed that sleep deprivation affects the gut. So, they conducted a study and discovered that lack of sleep actually changes the levels of gut microbiota. Frighteningly, they observed that the change looked a lot like the microbiota in those with Type-2 diabetes.

If there’s an imbalance in the amount and diversity of gut microbiota, there’s cause for health problems. One of those is how our gut informs our brain. This too, affects metabolism. Once again, we’re confronted with a body that burns calories very slowly. Getting sleep is one of the simplest ways to lose belly fat and positively impact your metabolism.

#4 Loss of Sleep Affects Digestion

Is your sleep disturbed often? If so, your ability to digest food properly may become impaired. Noteworthy, almost 40 percent of adults claim to have occasional sleeping problems.

Believe it or not, insomnia can affect your ability to process foods adequately. Unfortunately, this can result in poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency, and weight gain. Work on maintaining healthy sleep patterns, and you may find it easier to lose those unwanted extra pounds.

If you aim to go to bed at the same time each night, that will help your body’s internal clock. Also, try to wake at the same time every morning. It will make a big difference if you’re consistent with the amount of sleep you get each evening.

#5 How You Eat Affects Your Sleep, Which Then Affects Your Waistline

 Sleeping well, as mentioned, can be one of the ways to lose belly fat and keep off the extra pounds. Here are some food tips to help you get a better night’s rest:

  • Avoid alcohol before bed
  • Reduce sugar intake throughout the day
  • Eat foods that regulate melatonin (fish, eggs) or take a supplement
  • Add tryptophan to your diet (turkey, cheese, grass-fed beef)
  • Eat foods high in magnesium (leafy greens, yogurt, avocados)

 

Exercise is also another way to reduce stress and help you sleep well. Finding the proper balance between food, exercise, and rest can be the key to maintaining or losing weight. For a great selection of articles to keep you healthy, check out Get Thrive! and feel free to sign up for our Newsletter.

Sources:

https://getthrive.com/losing-sleep-may-pack-pounds/

https://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-tips/how-to-prevent-weight-gain-due-to-stress-and-anxiety

https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2016/10/25/Sleep-loss-may-be-linked-to-changes-in-gut-bacteria-levels/6621477409022/?spt=mps&or=13&sn=hn

 

 

Magnesium for Sleep May Finally Get You the Rest You Need

Forty percent of Americans claim they suffer from insomnia. Within that number, there is a large percentage of people who regularly have trouble sleeping. Alas, a natural supplement may just be the ticket you need to slumber throughout the night. As a result, magnesium for sleep may help your body and mind get the rest it needs.

Tic, Tock, Tic, Tock…Why Can’t I sleep?

There are many reasons why someone may experience insomnia. Some of the most prevalent are:

  • Anxiety from day-to-day concerns
  • Chronic stress from emotional trauma
  • Clinical depression
  • Physical Pain
  • Too much caffeine
  • Alcohol use
  • Medications
  • Eating too late or too much

In addition, another significant factor is an imbalance. The imbalance lies in our internal clock. You may need more magnesium. Seems like a magnesium deficiency can be the cause for this imbalance.

 

How Does Magnesium Fit in?

Our internal clock manages our sleep-wake cycles. This timekeeper is also called the circadian clock. Each person has his/her own internal rhythm. Hence, this is the reason why some people are early birds. And, others are night owls, for example.

The University of Edinburgh published the results of a study. The focus was on magnesium levels in human cells. It was discovered that the level in cells went up and down over a 24-hour sleep-wake cycle. Also, it appeared that higher levels of magnesium improved cellular function. The circadian clock became more balanced.

With lower levels of magnesium, cells are unable to process energy with optimum efficiency. The amount of the element found in our cells is linked to how and when we burn energy. Most notably, it directly relates to our sleep-wake cycles. Then, it follows that it would be beneficial to have a plentiful amount of magnesium for sleep.

 

What’s the Best Way to Get Magnesium?

The best way to get any vitamin, nutrient, mineral, or element into your body is through a natural food source. Here are some suggestions:

 

  • Spinach and other leafy greens can contain almost 40% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for magnesium

 

 

  • Black beans contain 20% of the RDI

 

  • Almonds, cashews, and brazil nuts contain 15% of the RDI

 

  • Bananas, fatty fish, and some whole grains contain approximately 10% of the RDI for magnesium

 

Now to Get to Sleep…

Another common way to get the magnesium your body needs is through supplementation. The National Institutes of Health currently recommends approximately 320 mg a day for women over the age of 30. However, dosage can vary.

Always check with your health care provider before taking supplements. If you’re on any type of medications, certain vitamins and minerals can interfere with absorption or create side effects.

When choosing supplements (and food), try to shop organic. The quality will make a difference. As for magnesium for sleep, there are also teas available to help soothe and assist with a restful night.

In conclusion, our cells require magnesium. We especially need it to balance our sleep-wake cycles. Getting the amount you need from food, pill or liquid supplements, or even tea will help get your internal clock back into tip-top shape. Sweet dreams!

Check out Get Thrive! for more articles on sleep, supplements, and best health practices.

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Sources:

https://www.thepaleomom.com/regulating-circadian-rhythm/

http://www.medicaldaily.com/digestive-health-magnesium-levels-circadian-rhythm-increase-metabolism-sleep-381973

https://getthrive.com/the-powerful-effects-of-magnesium-for-sleep-problems/

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/rm-quiz-insomnia

http://isha.sadhguru.org/us-en/insomnia/?gclid=CjwKCAiA47DTBRAUEiwA4luU2Wlo65WBWABQSMa_E53ORbNYRmALLJCByVxjSOahapoKpuq-c0W16hoCCIgQAvD_BwE

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-foods-high-in-magnesium#section7

Epic Formula to Completely Breaking Your Drinking Habit

With a determined mindset and a plan, changing any habitual behavior can be possible. If drinking alcohol is on your list of habits to break, rest assured that with the right resources, it can be done. Along with a little perseverance and our epic formula, you will be on a successful path to completely breaking your drinking habit.

 

Identifying “Why” You Want to Break a Habit

Anything you want to succeed at in life requires motivation. Identifying why you are attempting to achieve a specific goal is what will keep you on your path. Your “why” is what will motivate and re-motivate you during your journey.

Identifying why you want to break your drinking habit is the first essential step of the formula. You need to be honest with yourself because your motivation matters. You can keep your “why” private, or you can share it with others for support. We will explore that concept further below. In the meanwhile, here are some common reasons for wanting to completely change your relationship with alcohol:

  • You have brain fog too often
  • You have a medical condition that requires cutting back or quitting
  • You are losing things that are important (money, job, relationships)
  • You want to look and feel healthier
  • You are joining a religion
  • You want to stay out of jail
  • You want to lose weight

It’s important for you to acknowledge and write down the reason(s) you are making a choice to break your habit. You will need this information now and later in order for the formula to work.

 

How to Completely Change Your Drinking Behavior

At this point, you should know why you are embarking on a mission to break a particular habit. Along with this understanding, a mindset of non-judgment must accompany it. Your job is to stick to the epic plan without criticizing yourself. You’re making a positive choice. Now, take the ride, and feel a sense of reward and accomplishment!

The formula for breaking your drinking habit consists of:

1) Cutting Back and Cutting down. If you normally drink three glasses of wine with dinner, cut down to one. If you drink every night of the week, perhaps allow yourself Friday or Saturday your evening to partake. When cutting back occasions to drink, still keep in mind that cutting down is still part of the equation.

2) Replace the Activity. Instead of going to happy hour, use that time to take a yoga class, watch a movie, or participate in a different social activity that doesn’t revolve around alcohol consumption. Exercise is an awesome replacement because it can lift your spirits and help detoxify your body.

3) Reward Yourself. Instead of spending $10 on a glass of Merlot, use it towards that grilled salmon plate you’ve been wanting to try. You could also treat yourself to a dessert since you’re not using empty calories on alcohol. Or, you could save the money you’re not using on drinks and buy something nice to add to your wardrobe (especially if you’ve lost weight.)

4) Remind Yourself. Here is where your “why” comes in handy again. When you’ve had a setback or you no longer see the use in breaking your habit, look back at your original reasons. Reminding yourself why you made this choice can help you re-motivate and feel more positive and determined.

5) Assess Your Success. After you’ve followed the epic formula for a while, check in with yourself and see you much you’ve accomplished. Do you have a clearer mind? Are you getting more exercise? Have you lost any weight? Have you kept your job? Have you found a job? Have you saved any money? Do you look better? Are you getting better rest? Do you feel better overall?

Ask yourself questions based upon your unique motivation for breaking your drinking habit. Chances are your responses will shed some positive light and a sense of a job well done.

 

Do I Have to Include Others in My Epic Formula?

The answer to this question is completely up to you. Some sources believe that your journey to breaking a habit is a private matter. You may have enough strength to accomplish your mission on your own. If this is your case, when others ask why you’re not drinking, you can simply respond with, “I’m on a 30-day cleanse”, or “I’ve accepted a personal challenge.”

Other sources believe that including others in your formula can be beneficial. Sharing your goals with loved ones can keep you accountable. It can also allow them to cheer and support you. Some people also find strength when they’re able to enlist a buddy to join them on their journey.

 

Habits Sometimes Fall Hard

Setting goals and accomplishing them are completely realistic and doable. However, when it comes to breaking a habit, especially drinking, there can be unsavory side effects that come with the territory. To be on the safe side, it’s necessary to understand what those may be.

When cutting down or abstaining from alcohol intake, each person may react differently. Some symptoms may be:

  • Changes in sleep patterns; bad dreams
  • Irritability, short-temperedness; poor concentration
  • Decrease or increase in appetite
  • Headache or nausea

If you experience severe symptoms such as: confusion, fever, trembling, or hallucinations, contact a health care provider immediately.

Following the tenets of this formula should completely ensure breaking your drinking habit. And, keep in mind, change can often be quite excellent. Best of luck and best of health on your life’s challenges!

Sources:

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-25028/taking-a-break-from-booze-7-tips-for-actually-sticking-with-it.html

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/how-to-reduce-your-drinking/how-to-cut-down/how-to-stop-drinking-alcohol-completely/

https://getthrive.com/want-take-break-alcohol/

 

 

8 Tricks to Keep Your Diet This Holiday Season

The holiday season is here again. This means planning lots of parties and celebrations…and LOTS of eating. It will take some strong willpower to overcome the food temptations and diet challenges of the holiday season.

For the majority of us, it’s not easy to remain on track with our normal healthy diet this time of year. However, there are some tricks and tips that you can use to keep your diet on track this holiday season.

Tasty Trick #1—Mentally Plan for Parties

You can’t simply avoid going to parties during the holiday season, whether it’s for the office, family, or a friend inviting you over to have dinner and catch up. Prepare yourself mentally for the party and everything associated with that, which involves the liquor, food, and eating later than usual.

Before going to the party, be sure to have a healthy and filling meal so you are not as tempted to overindulge. With a full stomach, you are also less likely to drink too much alcohol.

Tasty Trick #2 – Know that Shopping Malls Can Be Diet Disasters

The holidays also usually mean that you will probably find yourself at a crowded mall or shopping center. Your shopping time may last for hours. You may even find yourself shopping during lunchtime or dinnertime, which can make it tempting to head over to the food court.

But you don’t have to buy anything at the food court. Instead, pack some snacks in a bag before you leave for your shopping trip, such as:

  • Low fat pretzels
  • Almonds
  • Died fruit or fresh fruit
  • Low-calorie snack bars
  • Pistachios

Tasty Trick #3 – Use Leftovers Wisely

With the holiday season comes leftovers. What are you going to do with those leftovers? Be creative and use them wisely and healthfully. You could use turkey to make a nutritious vegetable soup, or a turkey spinach salad. If you have leftover ham, use it to make an omelet or low fat ham and cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread.

Tasty Trick #4 – Remember Portion Control

Don’t eat everything on your plate. In fact, choose each item you put onto your plate carefully. Lean proteins should be chosen according to the size of your palm. Remember, even healthy food choices have calories, so make every choice count. If you want to indulge a little, plan that into your portions and calories for the entire day so you can avoid overeating.

Tasty Trick #5 – Eat Before You Go

Don’t arrive at the party and head straight for the buffet table. Instead, grab a bottle of water and mingle with the crowd, making conversation with some of the guests as you wait until mealtime rather than snacking. You will have time to get comfy with the setting, surveying the choices of food on the buffet before you dive in.

Tasty Trick #6 – Trick the Buffet

Whether it’s a buffet dinner or not, you should choose the smallest plate available. Limit your servings to the healthiest choices, and be sure to include more fruits and vegetables. Steer clear of dips and sauces; these are just empty, extra calories.

Tasty Trick #7 – Limit Alcohol

Limit your alcohol intake at holiday celebrations. Alcohol has a lot of empty calories. Plus, if you drink too much alcohol, it is likely that you won’t be in control of what you have to eat. If you feel uncomfortable or weird not having a drink in your hand, sip on some bottled water.

Tasty Trick #8 – Take Your Low Calorie Treats With You

If are invited to a holiday party, take your low calorie desserts with you. This will help you stay away from the fattening and tempting treats that are typical fare of the holiday festivities. Share your low calorie dessert with the guests. Many people will love the healthy alternative.

Don’t let the few weeks of the holiday season ruin a whole year’s worth of hard work and discipline when it comes to your eating habits. It can be tough, but using these tips and tricks can really help you stay on track with your diet during the holidays. Plus – not gaining holiday weight puts you on the path to starting the new year happy and healthy! Enjoy!

Parent Quiz: Do You Know What Your Teen is Up To?

Many of us would like to think we know what our teen is doing. Even using the barometer of “I was a teenager once” may help us to better understand their behaviors and actions. But, still, … these are different times.

What our kids are up to may surprise us, even if we feel informed. Check out the Parent Quiz below. See the Answer Key afterwards to see how you ranked and for explanations and details.

 

Questions:

 

1.) The Rational Part of the Brain Isn’t Fully Developed Until…

a) a person turns 18

b) a person turns around 25

c) a student gets a high score on the SATs

 

2.) Teenagers Drive More Recklessly When They Are…

a) with a parent

b) with a peerc) alone

c) alone

 

3.) On the Subject of Marijuana…

a) Over 35% of high school students report having used it at least once

b) Over 100 deaths a year are attributed to marijuana overdose

c) It can have permanent effects on the developing brain, especially with heavy or regular use

 

4.) On the Subject of Alcohol…

a) By 18, around 60% of teens have had at least 1 drink

b) More adolescents use alcohol than cigarettes or marijuana

c) Over 5 million adolescents reported binge drinking at least once in the past month.

 

5.) On the Subject of Sex…

a) Over 40% of high school students have engaged in sexual relations

b) About 15% of teens having sex do not use condoms or birth control

c) Almost 10 million new STD cases reported each year are among youngsters between the ages of 15 to 24.

 

Answers:

1.) The answer is b; the rational part of the brain (the prefrontal cortex) isn’t fully developed until people are in their mid-20s. Teens often respond to situations with the amygdala (the emotional, primitive part of the brain). It’s for this reason that teenagers can often be impulsive and seemingly act reckless. They don’t yet have the capability to respond with the best judgment. Often, they are unable to understand long-term consequences.

2.) Because the prefrontal cortex of the brain is not fully developed, a teenager does not have the “adult” capacity to self-regulate. Additionally, adolescents are greatly motivated by peer influence. A teenager is more likely to drive recklessly when he/she has another peer in the vehicle. They often engage in risky behavior because they do not want to feel excluded by their peers. (It’s emotionally based.) The answer is b.

3.) If you answered a and c, you are correct. The CDC reports that 38% of high schoolers have tried or use marijuana. And yes, abusing the drug can increase risk of negative effects on the developing brain. However, there are no reported deaths attributed directly to marijuana; it is almost impossible to overdose from it.  (There have been reports where accidents have been cause by marijuana use, but in and of itself, it is not deadly.)

4.) All answers a, b, and c are correct. According to the National Institutes of Health, teenage alcohol use is rampant. Accidents are the number one cause of teenage death; alcohol and/or drugs are often a contributing factor to the unintentional deaths. (Binge drinking, by the way, entails 5 or more drinks for males and 4 or more for females within a few hours.)

5.) Again, if you guessed answers a, b, and c, you would be correct. The CDC conducted a Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance in 2015 amongst adolescents, teens, and young adults. The figures are staggering when it comes to the amount of unsafe sexual activity that is occurring. About half of all teens between the ages of 15 and 19 reported that they have participated in oral sex, most without protection from STDs.

 

While some of these questions and their respective answers do not come as a surprise to some parents, to others, it can be dumbfounding. We cannot be with our teenagers 24/7, nor do any of us want it that way. It’s for this reason that it’s essential you and your adolescent try and maintain an open line of communication.

Listening and trust will be the pillars of your ability to stay connected with your teen. As a parent, it’s our job to impart important information. How that is handled will define how your child receives it. You and your family’s position on the addressed topic will, no doubt, have certain rules or belief systems. Regardless, it will help to keep in mind that your teen’s brain may yet be incapable of self-monitoring, rationalizing, and emotional impulse control.

Information, care, guidance, and a mature perspective may be the optimal service we can offer to our teens to keep them safe and flourish into responsible, healthy adults. No one said raising teens was going to be easy!

Sources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-wide-wide-world-psychology/201506/why-are-teen-brains-designed-risk-taking

Chein, J., Albert, D., O’Brien, L., Uckert, K., & Steinberg, L. (2011). Peers increase adolescent risk taking by enhancing activity in the brain’s reward circuitry. Developmental Science, 14, F1-F10.

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/underagedrinking/underagefact.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/pdf/marijuana-teens-508.pdf

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051

http://www.livestrong.com/article/1003934-leading-causes-death-us-among-teens/

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/sexualbehaviors/

 

 

 

 

 

Mental Health and the Effects on Your Baby

It’s difficult enough confronting the reality that you may suffer from clinical depression, generalized anxiety disorder, or panic disorder. But what happens when you become pregnant? It may not be necessary to discontinue mental health treatment. Fortunately, it appears that certain medications do not pose a threat to your pregnancy—or the health of your baby.

Prenatal Care and Mental Health

A study, which included over 2,600 pregnant women, was conducted out of Yale University. The team was lead by professor Kimberly Yonkers, an expert in psychiatry and reproductive sciences. What they discovered was that low-dose use of certain psychiatric medications during pregnancy was only associated with slight risks. Their research showed no evident cause-and-effect results.

Certain mental health conditions require psychiatric medication. Professor Yonkers advocates the continuance of treatment (for depression, anxiety, and panic disorder) during pregnancy. She also suggests, “Women should work with their doctors to find the lowest possible dosages,” along with other best prenatal care practices. Those, of course, would be: eating a healthy diet, exercising, and avoiding recreational drugs, alcohol, and smoking.

The associated risks that the study found with benzodiazepines was slightly lower birth weights and minor respiratory treatment directly after birth (that was for 61 cases out of 1,000.) Benzos are often prescribed for anxiety and panic disorder and include: Xanax, Valium, and Ativan, among others.

SRIs such as: Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft (commonly prescribed for depression) were associated with a one-to-two day shortened gestation period. Antidepressant use among pregnant women linked 53 out of 1,000 cases to high blood pressure-related issues.

Alternatives for Best Mental Health

Practically speaking, no woman wants to put the health of her baby at risk. The published results of this particular study is meant to put pregnant women’s mind at ease—especially those who have psychiatric conditions and are treated (and helped) with medication.

Untreated anxiety in pregnant women may have other adverse effects on the baby. There is evidence that elevated levels of cortisol in the mother can affect the fetal brain. Chronic stress creates inflammation, which in turn has shown to create subtle differences in brain development in the baby.

Some women with a mental health diagnosis can attest to the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) during pregnancy to relieve both anxiety and depression. Other experts highly recommend yoga and meditation in order to assist with deep breathing for further relaxation. Always check in with your health practitioner before making changes to your treatment. And check out other articles on GetThrive for health tips for you and your family.

Sources:

JAMA Psychiatry, September 13, 2017.

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/panic-disorder/panic-disorder-and-pregnancy-challenges-caring-mother-and-child

https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2017/09/13/Depression-panic-general-anxiety-not-a-threat-to-pregnancy-study-says/5771505323954/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=lh&utm_medium=6

http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/stress-marks#1

 

 

 

Cheers! Can A Cocktail Lower Your Risk of Stroke?

There are so many contradictory reports these days on alcohol and its possible health benefits. For sure, heavy drinking is a health impairment, but a new study shows moderate consumption may actually reduce the risk of a stroke.

Three Cheers for One Drink!

There are clinically two types of strokes. An ischemic stroke is caused by blocked blood flow to the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel breaks and bleeds into the brain.

Ischemic strokes account for about 87 percent of all strokes, according to the American Stroke Association. The research from the newest Swedish study claims that a lower risk of ischemic strokes exists when one or two drinks per day are consumed.

Last Call

Unfortunately, for those light-to-moderate drinkers, the risk of hemorrhagic stroke did not decrease. However, heavy drinking (three or more per day) increases the risk of both types of strokes. The journal BMC Medicine recently published those results.

The Research Team’s Study

Researchers from England and Sweden analyzed the results of 25 separate studies. The good news was that light consumption of alcohol decreased the odds of the more potential type of stroke. Again, however, heavy drinkers were offered a warning.

Those who indulged in three or more libations daily actually became more likely to suffer a hemorrhagic stroke—even though normally (without heavy drinking), a person is actually 5 times more apt to suffer from an ischemic stroke.

The researchers suspect that it’s the way that alcohol affects the body that changes the general “stroke susceptibility” rule to date.

Drink (Lightly) and Be Merry

Indulging in beer, wine, or spirits in moderation, in general, won’t create many health conflicts. And as read, sometimes a drink or too can be beneficial. We’ve read many reports about the benefits of red wine, for example.

The concern here is that alcohol has been connected to a decrease in fibrinogen. Fibrinogen is a protein that helps the body form blood clots. This is why oftentimes we hear about those with an abundant amount of alcohol in their system—they are challenged with the ability to stop bleeding, especially when they’re injured.

It makes sense then that the risk of hemorrhagic stroke would increase with elevated levels of alcohol in the bloodstream.

No Party Poopers!

A drink or two, whether at home, during dinner, or at a celebration can be relaxing and enjoyable. Pacing oneself can be helpful. Perhaps have one cocktail and then refresh with a couple of glasses of water while socializing. Then, have your second, if you desire. Remember to stay hydrated and have food in your stomach, too.

Never drink alcohol and drive a vehicle of any type, even after just one drink. It’s not worth your life or anyone else’s. Also, if you suspect you are pregnant, it’s best for the baby and mom’s health to abstain. As the ads say, please drink responsibly. For more current studies on health food and drink, check out Thrive!