Living Well, issue 30

Health is the new wealth. Here are some suggestions for building a portfolio of long-term good-health investments.

More skinny on fat

Having trouble sticking to your New Year’s diet resolutions? Mehmet Oz, the Turkish-American cardio-thoracic surgeon and integrated-medicine expert, picks three habits that will help keep you lean for life:

Eat before meals. Eating a 100-calorie snack half an hour before dinner causes your ghrelin levels to subside (ghrelin is the hormone associated with hunger), meaning you’ll actually eat far less when it comes to
mealtime.

Don’t drink soft drinks with dinner. Fructose, a sugar found in soft drinks, actually tricks the brain into thinking you should still be eating even though it has stored enough energy from food.

Eat more fibre at breakfast. A high-fibre breakfast moves slowly through the intestines, ensuring you stay full for longer and are less inclined to reach for a mid-morning snack.

Fat and happy?

Packed on the kilos as soon as you tied the knot? A University of North Carolina study has found that married couples are twice as likely to be obese as those who are dating.

Easy pain relief

Applying ice or heat is a simple way of easing joint and muscle pain and can be a very natural way of alleviating arthritic ailments. Heat stimulates blood flow and improves circulation, giving relief to stiff and sore muscles and joints. Cold reduces inflammation, a major contributor to arthritis joint pain. It can also reduce swelling. But it’s important to choose the right type of therapy. Never apply heat to a joint that already feels hot and inflamed or put an ice pack on a joint that’s stiff and creaky. You can use anything from specially designed hot and cold pads to hot-water bottles or packets of frozen vegetables. Never put skin at risk of burning; cover hot or cold packs with towels and don’t apply for longer than 20 minutes. Don’t apply heat to skin that is cut or injured. Avoid cold therapy if you have poor circulation. If there are signs of skin damage – dramatic change in colour, rash or blisters – discontinue treatment immediately.

Instant calm

Drink more black tea. A study from the University of London found that drinking a cup of black tea before a stressful task actually helps your cortisol levels drop more quickly once the job is completed.

Blow off steam. According to information published in the Leadership & Organization Development Journal, swearing (in the privacy of your car, office or lounge) does actually reduce stress.

Try acupressure. For instant stress relief, try massaging the fleshy area between your thumb and index finger for 20 to 30 seconds.

Snack on sweets. One serving of dark chocolate relaxes the body’s blood vessels, dilates arteries and reduces blood pressure.

Giggle more. Stress hormones dopac, cortisol and epinephrine are significantly reduced by laughter.

Eat better fats. People who eat foods rich in omega-3 are happier, according to a study from the University of Pittsburg.