| OCR Text |
Show fl Children may begin filling up on food either because its on their plate or because someone else insists, not necessarily because theyre hungry. I)r. Barbara hypertension, and a new study, published in the American Journal of Hypertension, suggests that an adequate consumption of potassium, magnesium, and calcium also can reduce blood pressure levels. Derr's doctor has recommended she take a potassium supplement. Making sure those minerals are consumed, low-sa- lt diets along with adherence to low-fa- t, fruits and heavy on vegetables prompts weight loss, which in turn lowers blood pressure, the study showed. the body, and increases flexibility, says Sue Upe (foreground). Losing weight and stopping smoking are key factors to lowering blood pressure, Merrill says. If you get people' to lose weight, he says, their Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle in adults are also major causes of Type II diabetes experts say, blood pressure also goes down. lead which can to serious eye, kidney, or heart Weight loss is also key to preventing Type II food choices include fruits diabetes, according to a recent study headed by problems. Healthful and vegetables, whole grain the National Institutes breads and cereals, lean meats, of Health. and low-f"It showed us that a dairy products, The American Heart Associaccording to the ADA. major disease a killer disease can be preation recently issued new vented, and the strateLowering blood dietary guidelines designed gies are available to pressure naturally to help prevent heart disease almost everyone. Its Phyllis Derr, 63, of Pierce, and stroke. It suggests: Colo., credits a combination of just wonderful news, medication and diet in controlsays Dr. Loren No more than six grams of a professor ling her high blood pressure for sodium each day. the last seven years, when the conof endocrinology at Five servings of fruit and New York University dition was diagnosed. She says she and six vegetables servings has adapted over time to eating Medical Center. of grains daily. the right way. iNevt Outlook When I buy anything, I read Getting nutrients from the labels. After a while you get on Arthritis food, not supplements. Like the characters used to no salt and it tastes differin the movie Cocoon ent when you have it, she says. who discover the founHigh blood pressure affects as many as 60 million Americans and is considered tain of youth through a swimming pool, a dozen the nations largest public health concern, says arthritis patients in southern Illinois each week find their own vim and vigor through therapeuDr. Richard Merrill, a nephrologist in Greenville, N.C. High blood pressure (at a level of 14090 or tic water exercises. They are part of a swim class for people with higher) is considered a silent killer because so arthritis, taught at Southern Illinois University at many people dont know they have it. Carbondale by Sue Lipe, 64, a water exercise For years, doctors have recommended reduced low-fsalt intake and diets for people with advocate who uses it to ease her own arthritis. EATING WELL... at at J. Roll "We tend to think of our class as almost like that pool in the movie, Lipe says. When people get in the water, you can . . . hear the groans and hear them say, Oh, I feel so good. Water exercise is a safe and effective way to ease the pain of arthritis, which affects as many as 43 million Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation. "Exercising in the water breaks the cycle of pain, Lipe says. classes feature a range of The motion, strengthening, and flexibility exercises in 80 water, which absorbs much of the body weight. They kind of get a double benefit, Lipe says. "They work a little hard and because of the water they weigh less and it doesnt hurt as much to stand. Studies show that exercise actually decreases the amount of pain for people with arthritis, but relief may take four to six weeks or longer. , plus-degr- Exercise produces long-tereffects, according to a 1997 study by the University of Missouri-ColumbSchool of Medicine. Some 200 people m ia with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases improved their motion and decreased pain by undergoing moderate exercise (an average of 78 minutes a week). The study found those who exercised realized "significant long-term therapeutic effects. Back in Carbondale, a number of swim-claparticipants are fully committed, including one man who had double-kne- e joint replacement and, a month later, was able to walk down the ladder at the pool and participate in the class. Lipe herself has had knee replacement surgery and says the classes keep my whole body in shape and flexible. If I werent participating in the program, fatigue would overwhelm me. Aside from the physical benefits of water exercise, the Carbondale group benefits heartily from the camaraderie, Lipe says. This class doesn't just help the joints, but the whole person. Being with other people is one of the major things. These people become good friends." if? ss Jam DuBase is a freelance writer specializing in health can. American Profile Page 9 4 |
