Exercise and Your Immune System

Regular exercise has many physical and mental benefits, including keeping us healthy. Recent studies have examined the correlation between physical activity and our immune system. While many theories still need additional research, there has been encouraging movement in understanding the relationship between the two. How Exercise Benefits Our Immune System Exercise improves circulation throughout the body. This improvement allows significant immune cells, like white blood cells, to move about more freely. When immune cells can travel to more areas, they can quickly identify and act upon invaders. Research has also found that this increased circulation of immune cells can last up to three hours after an exercise session, which makes consistent exercise key (Gunderson Health System1). Exercise also promotes adequate, restful sleep, which is a necessary component to keeping the immune system strong. Finally, it helps manage and prevent other [...]

Nutrition Tips for Aging Gracefully

Healthy eating is a necessary part of wellness at any age. The habits we create with food today will impact our health tomorrow and years into the future. Proper nutrition can help prevent and manage diseases and conditions, lower injury risk, manage weight, and provide adequate energy as we age. Consider the following tips to age gracefully with healthier eating. Variety is Key Eating various foods can help ensure the intake of numerous essential nutrients. Eat the rainbow when it comes to fruits and vegetables. The colors of these foods depict different nutrients, so eating an assortment will help avoid gaps in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Incorporating foods from each food group will create a more balanced diet, including recommended nutrients for older adults like potassium, calcium, vitamin D, dietary fiber, and vitamin B12 (My Plate1). Prioritizing nutrient-dense foods you [...]

6 Tips for Heart-Healthy Eating

Our daily food choices directly impact our health, especially our heart health. While we don’t have control over every risk factor for heart disease, we can control our nutrition. The good news is that you don’t need an extreme fad diet to see a positive impact. Here are a few tips that go a long way for heart-healthy benefits. Eat the Rainbow The different colors in fruits and vegetables point to various nutrients and have specific benefits. For example, red varieties, such as beets and strawberries, contain lycopene. Lycopene can promote heart health and lower stroke and cancer risk. Choosing a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables ensures an assortment of nutrients. Check out Mayo Clinic1 for more information on the health benefits of each color. Choose Healthy Fats Fats are a vital part of your diet for energy and [...]