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Freeze your way to health
Having issues with muscle soreness or inflammation? Maybe it’s time to chill out. Way out. US Cryotherapy in Naples is helping bring the concept of deep-freeze for your health to Southwest Florida. The cooling chamber (like a big refrigerator) chills you at about 150 degrees below zero for about two minutes. Localized procedures can focus in on a particular spot on the body. Proponents claim cryotherapy can help with everything from arthritis to skin rejuvenation. In part because the concept is new, a scientific consensus is hard to come by. But owner of the Naples US Cryotherapy Roger Nolan points to the popularity of the procedure in Europe, where more research has been done. That said, he’s careful about what medical claims he makes, such as the unproven effective for weight loss. “We want to be good stewards for cryotherapy ,” he says.
What are Americans really eating?
The federal government released its updated dietary guidelines earlier this year. And who cares? Not many want the government telling them what to eat, right? Well, most Americans agree with that sentiment. Health experts debate whether the dietary guidelines go far enough in suggesting what to eat and not to eat. But the fact remains: Most Americans aren’t anywhere close to following the guidelines anyway. USDA surveys showed that close to 90 percent of Americans don’t get the recommended amount of fruit (2 cups) and vegetables (2.5 cups) per day. About 70 percent eat way more sugar and saturated fats (200 calories each) than recommended.
The secret to weight loss is inside us
A personalized diet may not be too far off. A study published in Obesity says that within five years dietitians will be at the point where they can craft diets in large part based on your genetic makeup.
Sharing is caring (for yourself)
Next time you’re feeling down, give someone else some cash. A study from University of British Columbia researchers found that participants who gave away $40 had lower blood pressure than those who spent it on themselves.
Soothe your stress by listening to your body
Everyone experiences stress to one degree or another. So why do some people seem to keep calm at all times? A new study in Biological Psychology suggests it’s how we’re communicating with ourselves. Participants in the study, hooked up to a brain scan, underwent an experiment where their breathing was cut off for short periods of time. Those who claimed to be more resistant to stress tended to prep themselves more when they felt like their air supply was about to be cut off. Those who didn’t tended to avoid prepping themselves and then overreact when they suddenly couldn’t breathe. “This study says that resilience is largely about body awareness,” said senior researcher Dr. Martin Paulus in The New York Times.
How to watch your sun exposure
We’re used to living our days in the sun here in Southwest Florida, but all that sun can certainly take a toll. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell until it’s too late. But L’Oreal has introduced a new way to help keep an eye on how much you’ve been exposed to UV rays. The UV Patch looks like a sticker, but it’s actually a thin, stretchable sensor that gauges your exposure to the potentially harmful rays of the sun. It works with an app—take a photo of it on your phone and the app will tell you if you’re running into trouble.
Fitness Tip of the Month
Take your next yoga class up in the air. The idea comes from former dancer Christopher Harrison (pictured), who started a troupe called Antigravity featuring acrobats and dancers suspended mid-air. He then morphed that into the brand of AntiGravity Fitness. You’re hanging from the ceiling in silk hammocks going through a routine of positions, some of which take you upside down. The recently opened House of Flyte in Naples is dedicated solely to antigravity fitness. Owner Candice Kochenour says it builds core, upper body and grip strength. “It’s very playful—and a great workout,” she says.
The best ways to sleep tight
Time to quit tossing and turning at night. Consumer Reports has come out with its recommendations for getting a good night’s rest. Sleeping pills are not one of them. Researchers found that Ambien and the like tended to get people only eight to 20 minutes more sleep per night. And pills also came with side effects, like prolonged drowsiness that could hinder your next day. Among the other recommendations: white noise devices, some of which can be downloaded onto a phone, and special glasses that block out the “blue light” emitted by computers and smartphones that can disrupt our production of melatonin in the evening.
How to Eat Quickly
Don’t feel ashamed. We all do it. Pop a frozen meal into the microwave for a quick lunch or dinner. No one’s judging your culinary skills—but you should be judging what you are eating exactly. Even those supposedly healthful (but carb-laden) Lean Pockets will add up. The Harvard Health Letter has a few suggestions to help guide your way to quick eating. Just look at the nutrition facts label to see if your prepackaged foods meets these criteria:
Calories: 600 or fewer
Fiber: 5 grams or more
Sodium: 500 milligrams or fewer
Trans fat and sugar: none
Saturated fat: 5 grams or fewer
A good reason to unplug
A poll by the Vision Council shows that more than half of Americans had eye strain after staring at a screen for more than four hours. Results got worse for those who frequently changed between screens.