Health is Wealth

A health freak mom's thoughts on health and all things healthy

Health is Wealth

Should we limit ourselves to just freehold property?

Are you checking at property for sale in Malaysia as you plan to buy a property on your own? Buying your first own property to be called home is another milestone achieved in your life. Whether it is for investment purpose or own stay, most people are still confused with the procedure of buying new house in malaysia. Moreover, many first time home buyers are unaware of the available schemes offered in Malaysia, such as the RUMAH WIP scheme. Buying your own property may seem easy but when it comes to going through the procedures of buying a home, you then realize that you have missed out on many steps and wished you know the steps earlier so you could avoid the unnecessary troubles.

In addition, many people still cannot decide which type of property to choose: freehold or leasehold. Real estate agents often get asked the question of which types of property is better. This article will guide you through the differences between a freehold property and a leasehold property.

 

1) Freehold

A freehold property is having the outright ownership of the property and land on which it stands. That also means the owner of the land has no time limit to the ownership period. Most developers build bungalows, condominiums and private housing on a freehold land.

Developer or owner of land will have to go through the transfer of land to potential buyer if the property is in the form of landed residential such as terrace house or bungalow. This type of ownership will then be in a Master Title form.

As for high rise residential properties or condominium, the buyer will then have a stake of the condominium, however, the land still belongs to the developer where the distribution of ownership will be done through Strata Title.

Having a freehold land comes with its benefits as well. First of all, the owners are able to transfer the land to interested buyer with lesser limitations. In addition, they are also allowed to subdivide the land and allocate their land according to their wills, however, subject to the town planning controls.

Typically, a freehold property will have a stable growth if the property is taken good care of and is in good condition. There might also be a chance of redevelopment for the old freehold properties. In this case, the owners will then be compensated.

However, the state is able to take back the freehold land it for public purposes, such as the MRT project or any economic development under the proposed Land Acquisition Act 1960. Under such circumstance, the owner of the freehold land will then be paid the for the property at a market value. Moreover, if there is none development process in the freehold land, the state is not allowed to claim the freehold land. That being said, there is no specific timetable that you need to adhere to.

Another thing to take note of is that restricted freehold parties will need a consent from the state if you wish to transfer ownership. This is because the properties are properties that have been converted from a leasehold title to a freehold title.

2)  Leasehold

With a leasehold title, it means that you own the property and the land with a certain period of the lease agreement with the freeholder. Most leasehold properties in Malaysia have a leasehold period of 30 years, 60 years, 99 years, with some that have a longer period of 999 years.

As the name mentioned, property with a leasehold title will have to be responsible for the land and maintenance need to be done. If the land is not well taken of, the state will deem the tenant as unfit and the tenure might be compromised. The state could also forfeit your lease if the land is not in a good condition.

Do bear in mind that leasehold property have its cons that you should take into account before deciding to buy a leasehold property.

i) Longer time to sell
Buying a leasehold property from the developer or the primary market generally does not take a long time. But if you are buying a second hand property with a leasehold title, it might take a longer time, possible up to 1 year or more in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor due to the amount of consent request.

Unlike properties with a freehold title, the ownership period for leasehold property can only gain grant approval for the transfer of lease by the state, or equivalent. In addition, it requires 3 + 1 months for the sale of leasehold property to take place, which will only begin after getting the consent from the state, usually between 6 months to 1 year. This will make the process of reselling of property an issue.

ii) Lower value
It is known that leasehold property after 30 years, the value of the property will then depreciate or even stay stagnate all the way until the end of the lease. In addition, assuming both leasehold property and freehold property having the same specifications, the price for a property with leasehold title is usually approximately 20% lower than a property with freehold title.

iii) Harder to secure a loan
Securing a bank loan for a leasehold property is usually much harder as compared to getting a loan for freehold property, especially leasehold property with lesser than 50 years lease period. Banks tend to favor leasehold property with at least 75 years lease. Moreover, the loan amount that you will be getting if you manage to secure a loan will usually be lower than than 90%. That being said, you will have to pay more for the downpayment of the property.

Another thing to bear in mind is the renewal of lease. The nightmare for owners owning a leasehold property. You will have to pay a huge amount if you plan to renew your lease. The benefit of buying a leasehold property is that leasehold properties usually come with more facilities and are usually priced much cheaper than freehold properties.

In conclusion, whether to invest in a freehold property or leasehold property will still depend on your budget and how much you can afford. You should take these factors into consideration as well before deciding to buy, such as monthly income, purpose of buying (own stay or investment), cash available, and loan amount. Do your research and plan ahead to make the best decision out of it.

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Pumpkin Health Benefits

Pumpkins can seem spooky in their Jack-o-lantern state, but don’t be fooled as they’re actually one of the most nutritious fruits out there. Most of us typically experience pumpkin at a few very specific times of year — carved into funny faces on front porches at Halloween, and baked into super-sweet pumpkin pie at Christmas or Thanksgiving. But good gourd! This vividly-colored veggie has so much more to offer!  Loaded with antioxidants and disease-fighting vitamins, these gourds aren’t just for carving, they are a superfood and the surprising health benefits of pumpkin will inspire you to add more of it to your menu.

Orange Pumpkins on Gray Wooden Surface

Pumpkin isn’t a super low carbohydrate food, but it isn’t as starchy as some vegetables, so it does have a place in a healthy diabetic diet (in moderation).

Pumpkin Nutrition Facts

1. Pumpkin contains a moderate amount of carbohydrates – there are 7.5 grams in one cup of cubed pumpkin.
2. It’s relatively high in fiber – there are 3 grams in one cup.
3. It’s low in calories – one cup will give you just 30 calories!
4. Pumpkin contains moderate amounts of iron, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus.
5. Its high potassium content makes it a great option for those looking to lower their blood 6. pressure and/or get in some extra electrolytes.
7. Its beautiful orange color comes from the antioxidant, beta-carotene.
8. Pumpkin also contains other antioxidants, including vitamins A and E.
9. Pumpkin has a moderately high glycemic index of 75.

Pumpkin biryani

Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Helps you look younger
According to the Mayo Clinic, pumpkins are an amazing source of vitamin A, an anti-aging nutrient that jump-starts your skin’s cell renewal process and increases the production of collagen for smooth, youthful-looking skin.

Helps with weight loss
A cup of the orange veggie provides a healthy dose of fiber—about three grams—with just 50 calories and no fat. High fiber foods promote satiety; since your body takes longer to digest them, they may encourage you to eat less overall.

High Antioxidant Content May Reduce Your Risk of Chronic Diseases
Pumpkins contain antioxidants, such as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin. These can neutralize free radicals, stopping them from damaging your cells (4).

Test-tube and animal studies have shown that these antioxidants protect skin against sun damage and lower the risk of cancer, eye diseases and other conditions (56).

Packs Vitamins That May Boost Immunity
Pumpkin is loaded with nutrients that can boost your immune system.  For one, it’s high in beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A.

Studies show that vitamin A can strengthen your immune system and help fight infections. Conversely, people with a vitamin A deficiency can have a weaker immune system.

Pumpkin is also high in vitamin C, which has been shown to increase white blood cell production, help immune cells work more effectively and make wounds heal faster.

Regulates blood pressure
Eating pumpkin is good for the heart. The fiber, potassium, and vitamin C content in pumpkin all support heart health.

Reduces the risk of cancer
Research has suggested a positive relationship between a diet rich in beta-carotene and a reduced risk of prostate cancer.

Beta-carotene has also been shown to hold back the development of colon cancer in some of the Japanese population.

The authors of the study concluded:

We found a statistically significant inverse association between higher plasma lycopene [a type of beta-carotene] concentrations and lower risk of prostate cancer, which was restricted to older participants and those without a family history of prostate cancer.”

Pumpkins contain a wealth of antioxidants. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene.

Boosts your sex life
Pumpkin seeds provide a good dose of zinc (one-quarter cup contains almost 17 percent of your daily need). The mineral appears to play a role in men’s sexual health, including fertility, potency, and sex drive, according to Discovery Fit and Health.

Improves prostate health
In the early twentieth century, people used pumpkin seeds to treat enlarged prostate symptoms, Douglas Schar, DipPhyt, MCPP, told Prevention magazine. They contain protective compounds called phytosterols, which may help shrink the prostate. Schar recommends men eat about an ounce of pumpkin seeds three times a week.

Treats intestinal worms
Pumpkin seeds can also help your body get rid of nasty gut parasites that can make you sick, according to registered pharmacist Debbie Edson in Living Well Magazine. They have traditionally been used for this purpose by Native Americans; even today, pumpkin seeds are used to treat tapeworms in some parts of Africa.

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Medical Tests That You Should Do Before Your Marriage

Congratulations! He finally proposed to you. You still can’t get over the joy that you’ll be getting hitched to the guy of your dreams. Before you get to the wedding preparations and getting yourself a beautiful Jeulia wedding band, do not forget one of the most important issues in a marriage – his health and yours.

Photo of Bride and GroomHugging

The health issues that will arise in your future together are unavoidable and the way you talk about these matters is crucial to your success as a couple. One of the health issues to discuss with your partner before D-Day is health screening before marriage or premarital screening. Even before shopping for wedding bands, get an appointment for your premarital screening first.

Premarital screening, known as a test which is offered to couples who are getting married in order to check for genetic, infectious and blood transmitted diseases to prevent transmitted diseases or viruses to their future offspring.

Pre-marital screening consists of past medical history check, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Past medical history check previews the risks of disease of the person. Then from the physical examination, any visible symptoms of diseases or abnormalities can be detected. With laboratory tests, previous unknown diseases can be detected. All this is for understanding the risks of diseases and preventing any further risks immediately and in the best way possible to treat them.

Pre-marital screening is important in order to know the risks the couple have to take, and also for their children in the future. A lot of things can be anticipated by conducting the screening such as the risks of disease transmission, infertility, mother and child death during childbirth and baby defects.

Medical check-ups are not only advised, but a must do for a happy and healthy married life. Many are apprehensive about this, and have pre-conceived notions, but doing this will help you avoid unwanted and unneeded stress and problems later in marriage. Knowing your partner’s health doesn’t mean that the marriage itself is on troubled grounds. But it will enable you to take proper medical care if required.

Here are 4 tests you should do before your marriage:

1. HIV and other sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) tests
2. Blood Group compatibility test
3. Fertility test
4. Genetic or chronic medical conditions testing

If the premarital screening results make you both jump with joy, then all is well and the wedding preps can go ahead as planned.  But what if the results reveal some negative health issues? Then the both of you has to sit down and discuss at length how to go about dealing with the health issues.

If you and your partner are taking the next step in your relationship and are planning for a family in the near future, going for a pre-marital screening will help you better prepare for the future that lies ahead of you.

If all is well with the pre-marital screening, one of the best parts of the wedding prep is shopping for ladies wedding bands! Whether it is some simple gold wedding bands, diamond rings or silver wedding bands, there is sheer excitement and joy in choosing your dream wedding band, a band that will be a permanent feature on your ring finger for the rest of your life.

Shopping for wedding bands cannot get any easier at Jeulia, an online store for premium, artisanal jewelry that’s affordable.

 

This post is brought to you by Jeulia.

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Moderate Drinking of Coffee And Tea Good For Liver?

Cirrhosis, or chronic liver disease, is a serious condition and a leading cause of death among people all over the world. To prevent it, new research recommends that we simply take a break and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea!

Good news to lovers of coffee and tea, me included!

New research, published in the Journal of Hepatology, adds a couple of new preventive factors to the list: tea and coffee. A team of scientists led by Sarwa Darwish Murad, Ph.D., a hepatologist at the Erasmus MC University Medical Center in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, set out to examine the impact of coffee and tea consumption on liver health.

The study revealed that frequent coffee and herbal tea consumption consistently correlated with a significantly lower risk of liver stiffness. These results were independent of lifestyle factors or BMI.

Additionally, the researchers found that the beneficial effect of coffee on liver stiffness could be seen both in participants who had a fatty liver and those who did not. This indicated to the authors that frequent coffee and tea intake may prevent liver fibrosis long before the signs of liver disease start to appear.

aerial photography of cafe latte on table

When your body digests caffeine, it makes a chemical called paraxanthine that slows the growth of the scar tissue involved in fibrosis. That may help fight liver cancer, alcohol-related cirrhosis, non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease, and hepatitis C.

person holding coffee beans in pack

Two chemicals in coffee,kahweol and cafestol, may help fight cancer. Doctors aren’t sure how powerful the effect is, but some think moderate amounts of unsweetened coffee could work alongside the main treatments for the most common kind of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma.

Acids in coffee may work against the virus that causes hepatitis B. One study found that decaf coffee could have the same benefit.

Studies have found that coffee helps men and women equally. And the benefits show up no matter how the coffee is made — filtered, instant, or espresso.

Doctors think coffee might become an important weapon in the fight against liver disease. After all, it’s easy to get and doesn’t have to cost much.

But at this point, doctors don’t know enough to recommend any specific amount. And coffee may not be for everyone. Even though it might help your liver, it may raise your chances of other conditions.

For example, some chemicals in it may raise your cholesterol level or blood pressure. That could be a caution sign for:

People with high blood pressure
Children and teens
Older adults

No matter how good coffee might be for you, the key to taking care of your liver is still your lifestyle. Eat healthy food, go easy on the alcohol, watch your weight, and get regular exercise.

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Colored Cauliflowers

Colored Cauliflower is available in green (also known as Broccoflower), purple and orange varieties. Although it may look different than the popular white cauliflower, the taste is just the same: mild, sweet and nutty. The orange and purple cauliflower are higher in antioxidants than regular white cauliflower. Purple cauliflower’s true origin is not known, but the purple color is natural. It is the antioxidant anthocyanin that gives it the purple pigment.

Colored varieties such as purple Graffiti, orange Cheddar and stunning green Romanesco cauliflowers that are in many markets and produce aisles are now in a range of sizes. They are not genetically engineered but rather a mixture of heirloom varieties, naturally occurring accidents and the hybrids grown from them.

Where does the color come from?
No, they’re not painted or dyed! Purple cauliflower gets its beautiful hue, which can vary from pale to jewel-toned, from the presence of the antioxidant anthocyanin, which is also found in red cabbage and red wine.

Orange cauliflower was first discovered in Canada in 1970, although it took years of crossbreeding before it was widely available. The color comes from a genetic mutation that allows the plant to hold more beta carotene. It also contains about 25% more vitamin A than white cauliflower.

What does it taste like?
Colored cauliflower holds the same firmness, crumbly florets, and texture as its white counterpart, with subtle differences in taste. Orange cauliflower is also dubbed “cheddar” cauliflower, though it tastes nothing like cheese. Its flavor is mild, slightly sweet, and creamy. Similarly, purple cauliflower is mild and slightly sweet with nutty nuances.

Benefits
It provides antioxidants and phytonutrients that can protect against cancer. It also contains fiber to enhance weight loss and digestion, choline that is essential for learning and memory, and many other important nutrients.

An article published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) places cauliflower 24th on a list of “powerhouse fruits and vegetables.”

Eating more plant foods, such as cauliflower, has been found to decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and overall mortality while promoting a healthy complexion, increased energy, and overall lower weight.

Cauliflower is high in fiber and water. Both are important for preventing constipation, maintaining a healthy digestive tract, and lowering the risk of colon cancer.

Nutrition
Cauliflower is rich in nutrients and fiber.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database, one cup of chopped raw cauliflower, cut into half-inch pieces, and weighing around 107 grams, contains:

27 calories
2 grams (g) of protein
0.3 grams of fat
5 g of carbohydrate, including 2.1 g of fiber and 2 g of sugar
24 milligrams (mg) of calcium
16 mg of magnesium
47 mg of phosphorus
320 mg of potassium
51.6 mg of vitamin C
16.6 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin K
0.197 mcg of vitamin B6
61 mcg of folate
One cup of raw cauliflower will provide:

77 percent of daily vitamin C needs
20 percent of daily vitamin K needs
10 percent or more of daily needs for vitamin B 6 and folate

It also contains smaller amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and manganese.

Cooking with colored cauliflower
Colored Cauliflower is perfect with just simply steamed or roasted as a colorful side dish, pureed as a low-carb mashed potato substitute or made into faux  Cauliflower Fried ‘Rice’. Great for adding color to fresh veggie platters. The beautiful colors do not fade when they are cooked.

The purple and orange varieties have a slightly sweeter flavor than the white variety alone. To amp up the sweetness of all three (while keeping colors intact), break the heads up into small clusters and gloss with extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and roast at 375 for about 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are caramelized. Then proceed with any recipe – using them in soups, pasta sauces, add to salads, gratins or custards. Some restaurants serve cauliflower  as an entree.  The sky’s the limit with this healthy, tasty, easy-to-cook crucifer!

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Reduce Stress and Practice Forgiveness For A Healthier Liver

What does forgiveness have to do with your liver? Most of it comes down to your hormones. Historically, holistic practitioners tied emotional troubles to liver damage and therefore overall poor health. As you probably know, high amounts of chronic stress — which can be caused by emotional issues, relationship problems, and holding on to guilt, anger or shame — all have an impact on your endocrine, reproductive, digestive and immune systems.

case study of chronic liver disease

Research shows that changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis caused by stress promotes inflammatory response and worsens liver damage, even contributing to liver diseases. It’s not longer speculation that stress on the liver impacts hormones — it’s now been proven that the HPA axis is affected and causes changes in neurotransmitters and catecholamines.

A damaged liver is said to block healthy emotional flow, produce frustration and cause anger — and believe it or not, these have physical implications.  Poor liver function has been tied to physical and psychological symptoms, including: brain fog, rib pain or fullness, dizziness, headaches, cramping, joint or tendon problems, menstrual problems, blurry vision, and digestive disorders. This can also create a vicious cycle because the more stress your under, the more dysfunction in the liver can result.

Since the liver is closely tied to the uterus, involved in regulating reproductive hormones, a woman’s menstrual cycle and libido, it’s important to let go of built-up anger and keep positive energy moving by avoiding conflict and stressing over the small things.

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Effects Of Swimming In Chlorine Water

Swimming is an excellent  way to stay active and fit, but if your pool doesn’t have a saline, ozone, or a structured water filter, then you’re going to be stuck swimming in chlorine. Chlorine and bromine are added to swimming pools to kill bacteria and germs, oxidizes organic debris from perspiration and body oils, and fights algae. But chlorine also creates side effects, such as red eyes, dry skin and hair, and a strong odor.

Swimming without chlorine and bromine could be like swimming in a petri dish, exposing people to all sorts of potentially nasty microbes, experts say.  The immediate benefits of disinfection far outweigh any potential long-term exposure risks, according to Lindsay Blackstock, a doctoral student in analytical and environmental toxicology at the University of Alberta in Canada via email. Ms. Blackstock co-authored a paper showing that 31 of the 31 swimming pools her team tested contained an artificial sweetener that could have gotten there only through people peeing it out in the pool!  And that’s the real danger: not the pool chemicals themselves, but how they mix with other chemicals that people bring to the water. Urine, along with body care products like shampoos, lotions and conditioners, interacts with chlorine to form volatile organic compounds that can be unhealthy to breathe.

After the chlorine reacts, you create a whole spectrum of potentially dangerous molecules. The ones we know about are irritating to eyes and the respiratory system.

Cass who has a history of getting UTI attacks before her surgery had a UTI attack about 9 months after she started swimming lessons. That happened 3 years ago when she was 7 years old. It was her first UTI attack in 6 years.  Each time she swam in the pool, she complained of pain on her private part. Besides, she also had red eyes, a phlegmy throat and bouts of sneezing.  After the UTI attack 3 years ago, that was the last time she swam in a pool.

There is also a lady at our condo who used to swim everyday for over a year. After recurrent UTI attacks, she has since stopped swimming and is now keeping herself fit at the gym.  My mil who swims almost daily has had several bouts of ear infections.

I have stopped swimming for a year as I kept getting irritation in my throat after swimming. I still love swimming and plan to go back to the pool to swim occasionally. I  now do strength training, brisk walking and jogging every morning.

When chlorinated pools are indoors, toxic gases such as nitrogen trichloride are released, which can be very dangerous. When we breathe in this gas it can cause severe damage to the lining of the lungs which could lead to respiratory problems or asthma. This toxic gas can be harmful at any age yet it poses the most risk to elderly people and small children.

Chlorine is popular because it handles the three main jobs in keeping a swimming pool clean: It sanitizes (kills bacteria and germs), oxidizes (controls organic debris from perspiration and body oils), and deters algae. The chemical is unpopular, however, because it has a strong odor, reddens eyes, causes allergic reactions in some swimmers, and is a known carcinogen – meaning it has been linked to cancer!

Chlorine absorbs into your skin. Too much exposure to chlorine has been linked to major health problems including reproductive disorders and even birth defects.  It can cause your skin and hair to dry out and over time too much exposure can even cause wrinkles.

More research is needed to work out whether there are lasting or more serious side effects in all areas caused by chlorine, one certainty is that chlorine can dry out the eyes and make them scratchy and red. You might have experienced it.

Although prolonged contact with chlorine is inadvisable, and we have to take steps to ensure our skin and hair don’t dry out too much, chlorinated water does help stop the spread of diseases and viruses.

If you or your family members do choose to swim in chlorinated pools, here are some recommendations to minimize your risk of contracting disorders and diseases:

1. Swim in an outdoor chlorinated pool. It is much safer due to the fact that the majority of the toxic gases are eliminated in the air.
2. Swim in chlorinated pools occasionally. It is the regular exposure to chlorinated pools that presents the greatest risk to health.
3. Shower immediately before and after with a mild soap.
4. Drink plenty of non-chlorinated, filtered water beforehand so that you are well hydrated.
5. Consider wearing a mask and snorkel to shield your eyes – and even a wetsuit, if you are going to stay long in the pool.
6. Get fresh air afterward so you don’t continue to inhale the fumes, and can clear your lungs.

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Benefits of Walking 10,000 Steps A Day

In recent years, the 10,000-steps-a-day regime has become entrenched in popular culture. You can barely walk down the street without someone stomping past someone wearing a FitBit. I used to wear a red colored strap FitBit during my daily morning runs. My second daughter wears a smartwatch which also keeps tract on the number of steps she walks in a day.  Now my smartphone keeps track of my daily steps. Though I do not carry my smartphone when I am around the house, I can roughly gauge that I easily chalk up over 10,00 steps a day on most days. My daily grocery shopping and errands-running chalk up over 3,000 steps. My daily morning regimen of brisk walking / running adds up another 6,000 – 7,000 steps and I am certain I walk way more than 1,000 steps while I am in the house doing chores.

Ten thousand steps was first popularized by Japanese pedometers under the name “manpo-kei,” which means “10,000 steps meter, in the run-up to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.  Today, taking 10,000 steps a day is a popular goal because some research has shown coupled with other healthy habits it can lead to a decrease in chronic illness like diabetes, metabolic syndromes and heart disease.

 

Some studies investigating the protective nature of exercise against chronic illnesses ranging from heart disease to stroke and various forms of cancer, such as breast cancer and reproductive cancers, suggest that somewhere between 6,000 and 8,000 steps could be the lower boundary to aim for.

Walk more worry less when walking for health. #workouts #exercise #fitness #weightloss #wellness #selfimprovement #behavior #motivation #shoes

In  a recent study, postal workers in Glasgow, Scotland, who walked 15,000 steps a day were found to have had fewer risk factors for heart disease than colleagues who sat throughout the day.

While the study published in the The International Journal of Obesity, doesn’t identify 10,000 steps, 15,000 is pretty close.

At the end of the day, whether you’re walking 8,000 or 13,000 steps a day, it’s key to get moving.

 

steps taken in a day

Here are 10 of the most positive effects you can expect from taking the 10,000-step challenge:

1. It will boost your heart health
2. It will strengthen your lungs
3. It improves your concentration
4. It strengthens your bones
5. You’ll grow muscles
6. It helps stabilize your blood sugar
7. It can help lower blood pressure
8. It improves flexibility
9. It boosts your energy levels
10. It improves your mood

Here’s a look at how you can get started:

Get a pedometer / FitBit / Smartwatch / Smartphone with pedometer function – These devices not only monitor physical activity, but also keep people interested in physical activity.  Most people get started with a program and miss a week because of life and then they quit.  These monitors keep people motivated enough so they go back to a physical activity program and meet their goals.

While 10,000 steps may seem like a lofty goal, it’s easier than you think. If you are time-strapped to have proper walks / runs in sports attire, you can incorporate these activities into your daily life:

  • Whether it’s at work or going to the grocery store, park your vehicle at the end of the parking lot so you get additional steps.
  • Get up and move for 5-10 minutes every hour at work.  You can make time to move during work so that you are not sedentary for long periods of time. Get up and move to break up the sedentary time, and that may be just as important as 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day.

Build up your steps

For those who are nowhere near 10,000 steps a day, the goal should be to gradually increase the amount of steps you take each day.

If you are sedentary the whole goal of the physical activity guideline is to reduce sedentary time. If you are sitting there behind a desk it’s best for you to start low in the 3,000 – 4,000 range, which is actually higher than what most sedentary people get for physical activity.

In order to avoid injury, people who have been fairly sedentary should make sure they take it slow.

 

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Home is Where You Want to Be

Most would agree that the saying “Home Sweet Home” rings true. When you get older or have a disability, that’s still the case and potentially even more true in certain situations. To make sure individuals can live at home and have a feeling of independence and comfort, many agencies offer home care services.

What it Might Entail
Caregivers that come to a home can be asked to do a variety of tasks. Those could include assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, toileting, feeding, dressing, and moving around the home. Personal care could also include getting meals ready, assisting with or handling the grocery shopping, light housekeeping, and help with traveling to appointments.

When you work with a home care agency, you’ll first sit down and discuss the situation you’re dealing with. Whether you’re the one in need of care or it’s a loved one who you’re advocating for, staff members will listen carefully to you so they can plan for service that would meet your preferences.

It’s important that home care services be flexible, as situations could change. Maybe you’d like someone to drop by for an hour each day during recovery after a surgery, or maybe you need someone to be there for most of the day. Some clients even have someone around the clock if the situation calls for it. Whatever it is that you set up, you can do so knowing that you or your loved one will get to remain at home, living as independently as possible.

Questions are Welcomed
Not too many people are prepared when circumstances require personal care at home. It’s okay to ask questions, and it’s okay to ask agencies to be very specific in terms of how it all works with insurance, payments, and job specifications. If you’re looking for personal care services in Greenwich, CT,, there are several options, including Home Care Connectors.

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Lemongrass To Lower Cholesterol

Lemon grass is from a group of grass in the genus Cymbopogon plant, which is a perennial plant commonly found in warm climates or tropical countries especially in South-east Asia. Several studies have found that lemongrass has many medicinal uses which also includes reducing cholesterol levels.  This is because it has anti-inflammatory properties, among others.

A study published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology in 2011 by Brazilian researchers found that lemongrass intake is beneficial in reducing blood cholesterol levels. In this study, laboratory mice were administered lemongrass essential oil for 21 days (100 mg/kg).  Following that, it was observed that blood cholesterol was reduced and no side-effects were reported.

diseases-cholesterol-lemon-grass-THS

Lowering Cholesterol With Lemongrass Essential Oil (Studies & Researches)
In 1989, the medical journal Lipids (study details) published the results of a study from the Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin which investigated the lowering effects of Lemongrass oil on serum cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. A study published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research showed that lemongrass oil extract helped to lower cholesterol in animals. The reduction in cholesterol was dependent on the dose.

In 2011, further research on mice confirmed the long-term safety of up to 100mg lemongrass essential oil daily. More research is needed to see if lemongrass tea has the same effects as lemongrass oil.

Is Lemongrass Oil Safe?
Lemongrass oil is generally safe as long as it is used in small quantities (it is one of the strongest-smelling oils in aromatherapy) and must be properly blended with a carrier oil. Undiluted lemongrass can actually burn and injure your skin due to its high citral content, so it’s best to mix it with a carrier oil like olive or coconut oil. I advise doing a patch test before applying lemongrass oil on your skin, to see if you have any adverse reactions to this essential oil.

Side Effects of Lemongrass Oil
Skin irritation, discomfort, rashes and a burning sensation are some topical side effects experienced by people with sensitivity to lemongrass oil. Using the oil may also lead to lowered blood glucose, and may have contraindications for people who are taking oral diabetes drugs or anti-hypertensive medications, as well as those who are diabetic and hypoglycemic.

Children, pregnant women or nursing moms are not recommended to use lemongrass oil orally. Those with liver or kidney disease and other health conditions should also consult their physician before using lemongrass oil.

 

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