“And the beauty of a woman, with passing years only grows!” ~Audrey Hepburn
Let’s explore how to naturally reverse the signs of aging and capture the beauty as we age.
Archives for March 2014
It’s Not Just Carrots for Healthy Eyes
Poor food choices can put your eyesight at risk especially as you age. And it’s not just carrots that keep your eyes healthy.
So how can you reduce your risk to developing eye disease?
Learn about top foods choices that can protect your eyes from the three common age-related eye diseases. Macular degeneration – a major cause of vision loss and even blindness. Cataracts – a clouding of the lens that distorts the vision. Glaucoma – excessive fluid in the eyeball that creates pressure damaging the optic nerve and causing vision loss.
Start now! Don’t wait until you are older. Here are my 6 best foods for healthy eyes. [Read more…]
Tired of Being Tired: 10 Common Causes
Do you experience…
- Lack of energy
- Feeling tired
- Trouble sleeping
Could be from…
- Lack of exercise
- Low nutrients in diet
- Health conditions…and more
10 Common Causes of Being Tired
Take a look at this list of 10 common causes of being tired and fatigued that I found on one of my favorites sites WebMD.com.
Foods That Lower High Blood Pressure
A healthy diet is not only good for your everyday health, eating the right foods can also help lower high blood pressure reducing stroke, heart and kidney disease risk.
Silent Killer
High blood pressure also called hypertension is known as the silent killer. It produces no symptoms and can go unnoticed and untreated for years.
Over time high blood pressure can cause clogged arteries, damage to vital organs in the body and increased risk to stroke, heart and kidney disease.
Be proactive in reducing high blood pressure by getting your blood pressure checked regularly and maintaining an active healthy lifestyle.
Understanding Blood Pressure Numbers
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers written as a ratio: 119/75 mm Hg and read as 119 over 75 millimeters of mercury.
Top number called systolic – is the higher of the two numbers. It measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats when the heart muscle contracts.
Bottom number called diastolic – is the lower of the two numbers. It measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood.
Blood pressure categories:
Below 120 / below 80 = normal
120-139 / 80-89 = prehypertension
140-159 / 90-99 = hypertension, stage 1
160 or higher / 100 or higher = hypertension, stage 2
When your blood pressure number is outside the normal range, discuss with your healthcare provider about adopting a healthier lifestyle.
FACT: One in three, 33.5% adults in the United States has high blood pressure.
Foods to Lower High Blood Pressure
The easiest way to lower high blood pressure is to both consume foods high in potassium and reduce salt and sodium intake. Potassium is a mineral that protects blood vessels from oxidative damage and keeps vessel walls from thickening. Consume the recommended daily amount of 4,700 mg potassium from food sources rather than supplement
Try these delicious potassium rich foods:
- Leafy greens sources high in potassium are kale, spinach, romaine and arugula.
- Tomato paste contains a higher amount of potassium at 664 mg for 1/4 cup than fresh tomatoes.Time for spaghetti sauce!
- Beets can be used for juicing, roasted, add to stir-fry’s, salads and soups.
- Sweet potatoes are high in both potassium and magnesium minerals. One sweet potato contains 694 mg of potassium!
- Berries contain rich natural flavonoids which aid in lowering blood pressure. Try adding blueberries, raspberries and strawberries to your salads, oatmeal and protein smoothies.
TIP: Slash your stroke risk by 21% and lower your risk for heart disease by both boosting your potassium intake and reducing your salt and sodium.
Here’s “Your Free Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure” from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Stay in Touch!
My blog writings focus on actionable information about anti-aging, physical activity, eating healthy, healing your body naturally from the inside out and learning how to live young every day! Take a moment to subscribe to my blog for actionable information. Come on over to my Facebook page and “like” Lou Ann Donovan Live Young Now for more healthy living young tips!
Learn more about me on Pinterest. I love to pin about places I have been, where I want to go, cats, and of course all sorts of great nutrition information including recipes.
I look forward to getting to know you and learning how I can provide a roadmap to bridge the gap from where you are now to your ideal life!
Cheers to a Healthy 2014!
Photo credit: Photodune.net
