HEALTH & WELLNESS
S PECIAL SECTION
HEART HEALTH—SKIP THE SUGAR!
Heart disease is the number-one killer of all Americans,
but awareness of the disease and its causes have allowed for a
decrease in the number of deaths associated with it in recent
years. Eating well and exercising are obvious ways to prevent the
onset of heart disease, but a recent study by the Journal of the
American College of Cardiology looks at another culprit that
has damaging effects on your heart: sugar (fructose). According
to the study, one to two servings of sugary drinks per day raises
a person’s risk of heart disease by 35 percent. It is important
to be cognizant of sugar intake, as it can often sneak into your
diet unnoticed. Men should only consume about 37.5 grams of
added sugar (think coffee drinks, sodas, yeast breads, cereals,
fruit drinks) per day, while women should stay around 25 grams.
Starting out the day with a latte, frozen beverage or soda could
add anywhere from 20 to 63 grams of sugar in just 12 ounces!
Make sure to stop and think before you consume added sugar
for the sake of your heart health because sugar isn’t as sweet as it
seems.
BEST FOOT FORWARD
After hours of physical abuse from constant pounding and
tapping, your feet deserve a break! Feet take a constant beating
every day, and we often blame foot pain on a long day on our feet,
or shoes with poor support. Foot pain may be caused by other
problems in your body that shouldn’t be ignored.
Keep tabs on your feet by:
• examining your feet regularly
• wearing comfortable shoes that fit properly and offer plenty
of support
• keeping your toenails trimmed straight across
• allowing your feet to air-out after being in shoes.
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing:
• joint stiffness
• tingling or numbness
• swelling
• discoloration or bruising
• inability or limiting of physical tasks due to foot pain. ■
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