Health Benefits Of Physical Activity

Friends:

Now that Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays are sped, perhaps we should think for a moment about activities that would help us achieve allround fitness. Once more, I am strongly inclined to follow some guidelines on this matter provided by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Those who can find the time (or better those who can make the time) should read the USDA report entitled "Dietary Guidelines For Americans." But here is a brief except from that report:

Health benefits of physical activity

Compared with being very sedentary, being physically active for at
least 30 minutes on most days of the week reduces the risk of developing or dying of heart disease. It has other health benefits as well. No one is too young or too old to enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity.

Two types of physical activity are especially beneficial:

Aerobic activities. These are activities that speed your heart rate and breathing. They help cardiovascular fitness.

Activities for strength and flexibility. Developing strength may help build and maintain your bones. Carrying groceries and lifting weights are two strength-building activities. Gentle stretching, dancing, or yoga can increase flexibility.

To get these health benefits, adults need moderate physical activity for a total of at least 30 minutes most days of the week, preferably daily, and children need at least 60 minutes per day.

Tomorrow we will use our "University" to provide you with more useful information on this subject.

The Health Risks Of Eating Fish!

Friends:

Today we take a moment to try to understand the "Health Risks Of Eating Fish." Again, we will use The Mayo Clinic website as our source:

What are the health risks of eating fish?

As good as fish are for your health, be aware of potential downsides. Some types of fish may contain significant amounts of contaminants, such as mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins or other chemical pollutants. Fish acquire these toxins from pollutants in lakes, rivers and oceans.

Bacteria, viruses, parasites or other disease-causing organisms also can infect fish in the same way that poultry and meat can be infected. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the seafood industry and enforces laws and regulations to reduce the amount of potential hazards in the food. But these governmental regulations don't replace safe food handling. You need to safely store, prepare, cook and serve fish to reduce your risk of contracting food-borne illnesses.

Have a good day. More tomorrow!

The Pros & Cons Of Eating Fish

Hi Friends:

How are you? Hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and that we are all ready and anxious to absorb some new advice and counsel!

For today's POST, we turn to the Mayo Clinic for their advice about eating fish. Please go to their website - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/NU00292 - to read all about the pros & cons of this appetizing subject. Meantime, here are some very interesting excerpts:

Get your questions answered regarding the merits and
potential hazards of eating fish and the best way to include fish in your diet.

Like many people, you're probably wondering which advice to take: Eat more fish because of the heart-healthy benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, or limit fish because of the risk of toxins, such as mercury. Toss in questions about farm-raised versus wild fish and the safety of the fish you catch, and the issue becomes even cloudier.

Before you avoid eating fish entirely, get answers to commonly asked questions about eating fish and the best way to safely include fish in your diet.

What are the health benefits of eating fish?

a) Fish is generally low in calories, saturated fat and cholesterol, making it a good overall substitute for poultry and meat.

b) It's also a good source of protein and several vitamins and minerals. Some types of fish, particularly fatty, cold-water fish — such as salmon, mackerel and herring — are also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s appear to decrease the risk of coronary artery disease. They may also protect against irregular heartbeats and help lower blood pressure levels.

These benefits are clearly very outstanding, but before we draw any final conclusions we must ensure that we fully understand what the risks of including fish in our menu, are. We will therefore return to this subject tomorrow.

Please check us out then. Best!