Did you know that getting enough magnesium is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of heart disease? It is. And it is also a very good way to reduce your risk of diabetes. In fact, one of the diagnostic criteria for diabetes is a low level of magnesium.

Magnesium is essential for over 300 functions in your body, including the production and use of insulin. A Harvard study that followed 127,000 people for 18 years found that those who consumed the most magnesium were the least likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. And a number of studies suggest that seven out of 10 people do not get enough of this mineral.  

The best source of magnesium is food – including leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and avocados. If you don’t eat a lot of these foods, it would be wise to supplement your diet with a multi-vitamin or multi-mineral that has magnesium in it.

Get Fit For Life!

Denise Griffitts
Rebound To Health

 Rebound To Health - Get Fit For Life! 

65 million people in the U.S. have high blood pressure. That’s one out of every three adults. And with no symptoms, many are unaware they even have it – which is why it is often called “the silent killer.”

Most doctors treat hypertension with drugs – drugs that are expensive and carry significant risks. But new research shows there is a promising natural alternative – lycopene.  Numerous studies have shown that lycopene – a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes – can protect against prostate cancer, breast cancer, and heart disease.

And a recent trial published in the American Heart Journal suggests that it can lower blood pressure too.  Researchers studied the effects of a lycopene supplement called Lyc-O-Mato on 31 participants whose blood pressure was mildly elevated. (Unlike isolated lycopene, Lyc-O-Mato extracts and concentrates the entire complex of phytonutrients that are found in tomatoes.) The results indicated an average 10-point reduction in systolic blood pressure and a 9-point drop in diastolic pressure. The researchers considered this reduction to be significant.   

You can find this inexpensive supplement in your local health food store or online. Research has also shown exercise to be extremely beneficial in treating a host of ailments, so get on your rebounder for a few minutes a day and boost your immune system with fun and easy exercise.

Get Fit For Life! 

Denise Griffitts
Rebound To Health

 Rebound To Health – Get Fit For Life!

Lowering your salt intake could lower your blood pressure, and maintaining a healthy blood pressure is an important defense against heart disease and stroke. Since salt is a popular additive, you should carefully monitor the amount of sodium you are eating to avoid overdoing it.  Here are some tips to help eliminate excess salt from your diet:   

• Use reduced sodium or no-salt-added products. For example, choose low- or reduced-sodium, or no-salt- added versions of foods and condiments when available.
• Buy fresh, plain frozen, or canned with “no-salt-added” vegetables.
• Use fresh poultry, fish, and lean meat, rather than canned, smoked, or processed types.
• Choose ready-to-eat breakfast cereals that are lower in sodium.

• Limit cured foods (such as bacon and ham), foods packed in brine (such as pickles, pickled vegetables, olives, and sauerkraut), and condiments (such as MSG, mustard, horseradish, ketchup, and barbecue sauce).

• Limit even lower sodium versions of soy sauce and teriyaki sauce — treat these condiments as you do table salt.

• Remove the salt shaker from the dining table!
• Use spices instead of salt. In cooking and at the table, flavor foods with herbs, spices, lemon, lime, vinegar, or salt-free seasoning blends. Start by cutting salt in half.
• Cook rice, pasta, and hot cereals without salt. Cut back on instant or flavored rice, pasta, and cereal mixes, which usually have added salt.
• Choose “convenience” foods that are lower in sodium. Cut back on frozen dinners, mixed dishes such as pizza, packaged mixes, canned soups or broths, and salad dressings — these often have a lot of sodium.
• Rinse canned foods, such as tuna, green beans, corn, etc. to remove some sodium.

Get Fit For Life!

Denise Griffitts
Rebound To Health

Rebound To Health – Get Fit For Life! 

If you have trouble finding blocks of time to dedicate to exercise you will be interested to know that several research studies show that two or three short bouts of vigorous exercise per day will stimulate your metabolism more than one long bout of exercise.

Some of these studies also show that exercising in short bursts (interval training) is just as effective at decreasing body fat and lowering triglycerides. If you can’t dedicate a half hour each day to exercise, take 3 or more 10 minutes exercise breaks on your rebounder, or mini-trampoline through out the day and early evening. You will find that you will achieve, quite easily and enjoyably, the health benefits of a longer workout.

Get Fit For Life!

Denise Griffitts
Rebound To Health

 Rebound To Health – Get Fit for Life!

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder in which a person briefly and repeatedly stops breathing during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea are more likely to develop high blood pressure, heart attack, congestive heart failure, and stroke.

Women are more likely to develop sleep apnea after menopause.  Other factors that increase risk are overweight, smoking, use of alcohol or sleeping pills, and a family history of sleep apnea. Symptoms include heavy snoring and gasping or choking during sleep, along with extreme daytime sleepiness.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, ask your doctor for a test called polysomnography, which is usually performed overnight in a sleep center.  If you are overweight, even a small weight loss — 10 percent of your current weight — can relieve mild cases of sleep apnea.

Other self-help treatments include quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills. Sleeping on your side, rather than on your back, also may help.

It is autumn! This is a perfect time to be outdoors walking, biking, or puttering in the garden and getting ready for the holidays. Take advantage of the gorgeous weather and get serious about getting yourself healthy, lean and toned.

Get Fit For Life! 

Denise Griffitts
Rebound To Health