Digital News Report – The holidays can create a slew of problems that could impact your health. Dr. Oz had a show that discussed ways to help stay healthy during the holiday season. He had several experts share about some supplements that can be taken to keep from getting sick or stressed out this holiday.
Flu Prevention Tips
The first guest, David Katz MD Director & Co-founder Yale Prevention Research Center, said that a new strain of swine flu has surfaced that is of concern this winter. There have been seven H3N2 swine flu cases reported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Katz said that the human flu and swine flu are mingling and there is a heightened concern. The H3N2 swine flu outbreak is mostly in the Northeast region of the US. The CDC said that this seasons flu shot does not protect against the H3N2.
Tips to Prevent the Flu
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Tip 1 – Supercharge your flu shot. Dr. Katz said that if you exercise the muscle before getting the flu shot the body would build a better immunity. He said that you have to get a slight burn when you exercise because it will increase blood flow and the inflammatory response in the muscle, which in turn will increase the antibodies that your body makes.
Tip 2 – North American Ginseng – Studies have shown that this supplement could help prevent cold and flu viruses. Dr. Katz said to take 200 MG daily between December through March as a way to possibly cut down the risk of infection.
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Tip 3 – Double your Vitamin D intake. Dr. Katz recommends adults take 2000 IU daily. There would be lower doses for the kids.
Prevent Heart Attacks during the Holiday
Dr. Oz said that studies for every 2 degrees the temperature drops 200 more people have heart attacks nationwide. Heart attacks go up during Christmas, the day after Christmas, and New Years.
Dr. Oz suggested a heart attack prevention cocktail. To make the drink, use a shot glass, fill half with cranberry juice and the other half with flax seed oil, and add four drops of Stevia sweetener in the morning.
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Take 2 baby aspirins at night for another prevention (check with doctor first).
Dr. Oz recommended eating parsley to offset the extra salt that is often higher during the holiday meals. Extra salt can impair the arteries said Dr. Oz. Extra salt add fresh parsley that acts as a diuretic to get rid of the excess fluid retention.
Food Poisoning Health Risk
Margot Gilman Executive Editor from Prevention Magazine explained of several potential disasters for holiday food to be contaminated because it often sits out longer than it should be. Cold food should sit out room temperature no longer than an hour and warm food should sit out no longer than 2 hours according the government recommendations.
Make sure the meat is cooked to the correct temperature and use disposable thermometers to avoid contamination. The T-stick are used by chefs all the time and change color when the meat reaches the correct temperature. If you did use the metal thermometer, make sure that it is washed in between every measurement. The temperature for poultry is 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and 145 degrees Fahrenheit for beef.
When putting away the leftovers, try to fill a flat container and several smaller shallower containers to allow faster cooling. Leave some space around it inside the refrigerator to speed the cooling process. Also, keep it towards the back if possible explained Gilman.
Holiday Stress Supplements
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Tasneem Bhatia, MD from the Atlanta Center for Holistic & Integrative Medicine said that stress causes nutrients to be depleted. Taking supplements can help replenish nutrients, balance hormones, and help regulate neurotransmitters.
Financial stress can take over your brain. Dopamine feel good hormone to help calm down to help you think better. Dr. Bhatia said that Phosphatidylserine supplement may help prevent holiday stress. She said that you do not want to take this supplement if you are allergic to soy or are on a blood thinner.
Mother-in-law stress may cause you to lose sleep. Dr. Bhatia said that JuJube Supplement is from Chinese medicine that comes from a fruit and seed. This supplement will lower blood pressure, coritsol levels, and hopefully give you a good night of sleep. She said to take a 250 mg one-hour before bedtime.
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Traveling for the holiday season can leave you frazzled. Dr. Katz said that taking 200 mg daily for thanine supplement could work as an anti-anxiety remedy. She explained that it is an amino acid found naturally in green tea and black tea.
She said that you could take them all if they didn’t conflict with other medications. She added that Jujube is best before bedtime. Phosphatidylserine supplement should be taken during the day, while Thanine is OK to take anytime.
Always talk to a medical professional before taking any supplement.
By: Robert Williams
Entertainment News