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Welcome from Vantage Business Support & Insurance Services
As an added benefit to our customers and associates VANTAGE is publishing a semimonthly newsletter with information, interactive tools, podcasts and other resources to help you live healthier. We will explore topics on total health and resources for you and your family, including fitness, nutrition, mental and physical health, weight management and more.
Thank you for being part of the VANTAGE family.
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Please view our products list in the right sidebar.
This is just a sampling of what we feel would be important to you. We have much more to offer. If you have any questions or need more information please contact us at 877-886-8277 or click the link below.
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8 Crazy Body Connections
Your body parts are joined in ways you never imagined. While most of these links sound strange, knowing about them could pay dividends down the line.
Here are 8 crazy body connections that just might save your life.
What your voice says about your height Your body parts are joined in ways you never imagined. While most of these links sound strange, knowing about them could pay dividends down the line. Here are 8 crazy body connections that just might save your life. See gallery
Researchers from Washington University recently found that listeners can accurately determine the relative heights of speakers just by hearing them talk. Credit the frequency of "subglottal resonance," a sound produced in the lower airway of the lungs that gets progressively lower as height increases. Ever wonder why your tall buddies talk so low? Now you know. (Think you don't have to take care of your voice? Learn the dangers of losing your voice, and talk smarter with these tips to maximize vocal health.)
What your eyes say about your brain The small vessels behind your eyes could reveal how healthy your brain is, according to a recent report in Psychological Science. Researchers found that people with wider veins scored worse on IQ tests in middle age, which should give you another reason to get your peepers checked yearly. (The eyes are the window to the...mind?
What your skin says about your blood pressure Wrinkles aren't just a sign of aging -- they could also portend ticker trouble, says a study in the Journals of Gerontology. When researchers separated people into groups based on cardiac disease risk and analyzed the youthfulness of their skin, those with the fewest wrinkles had lower blood pressure and lower heart disease risk.
What your fingers say about your cancer risk While a longer index finger might give you the . . . er, short end of the stick, here's one plus to a big pointer: it could put you at a lower risk of prostate cancer, according to a study in the British Journal of Cancer. Having less T in the womb could help keep prostate cancer at bay later in life.
What your teeth say about your mind A 2012 study in the Journal of American Geriatrics suggested your ability to chew might predict your risk of dementia. But don't get too worried if you have trouble chomping: The researchers don't know if mental decline leads to poor dental care and less bite force, if difficulty chewing impacts the brain, or if it's simply just a random correlation. (There's a lot to smile about-except for the smiles themselves.
What your pulse says about your heart The flexibility of your aorta may soon be measured by checking the pulse in your finger, according to researchers at the University of Iowa. Your aorta is a major artery that, when stiff, can increase your risk of dying from heart attack or stroke. That could be good -- and much more comfortable -- news, since right now doctors have to check your pulse in the femoral artery deep in your groin to screen for aortic stiffness.
What your sleep says about your eyes People with sleep apnea are almost twice as likely to develop glaucoma -- an eye disease that can lead to blindness -- within five years, finds research from Taiwan. When you aren't breathing at a normal rate, the loss of oxygen triggers damage to the optic nerves, or causes abnormal levels of gases in your blood -- both of which could lead to glaucoma
What your lips say about your memory If you're one of the millions of people who get cold sores, that pesky outbreak on your lip could put you at an increased risk for Alzheimer's and dementia, according to a study at Columbia University. Researchers followed adults between the ages of 59 and 79 for eight years and found that those with a higher infectious burden -- meaning they'd been exposed to a higher-risk virus, such as herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 -- were more likely to have worse cognition.
SOURCE: Kayleen Schaefer of Men's Health |
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DID YOU KNOW???
Papaya
 The papaya is native to Central America, but can now be found throughout the world, from the tropics to the supermarket shelves of the far northern and southern hemispheres. It has a soft, buttery texture, a sweet taste and an oddly musky smell. The black seeds of the papaya are edible and sometimes used as a substitute for pepper. Brazil is the number one producer of the fruit, followed by Nigeria and Mexico.
Here are eight health benefits of papaya.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Papayas are a great source of the antioxidants vitamin A, C and E. Such nutrients combat the free radicals that cause the oxidization of cholesterol, helping prevent the onset of atherosclerosis and heart disease. When cholesterol has been oxidized it begins to build up on artery walls and increases the risk of heart attacks. Papayas also contain folic acid, which is needed to turn homocysteine into harmless amino acids. High levels of homocysteine can damage blood vessels and lead to heart attack. Papayas are a good source of fiber, which is thought to regulate cholesterol levels.
Cancer Prevention
Papaya is loaded with antioxidant power and is especially good at reducing the risk of colon cancer. It contains lycopene, an antioxidant linked with defense against cancer of the lung, stomach and prostate. Papaya is also a good source of vitamins A and C, beta-carotene and folate, nutrients associated with defense against colon cancer. The high fiber content of papaya lowers colon cancer risk, as fiber helps the digestive system function smoothly and regularly, removing toxins and keeping the colon healthy.
Digestive Health
Papaya is a highly effective food for the health of the colon. It contains vitamins A and C, beta-carotene and folate, all of which defend against colon cancer. The fiber in papaya helps the digestive tract keep moving efficiently for optimal health and to relieve constipation. This also lowers the risk of colon cancer, as toxins are regularly removed and cells replenished.
Skin Health
Papaya can also be good for the skin, whether applied topically, or ingested. Vitamins A and E help protect from harmful UV radiation, keeping skin younger looking and healthier. Vitamin C also helps to improve skin tone. Many skin care products contain extracts of papaya. This delicious fruit also offers some unique anti-inflammatory enzymes shown to help heal burned skin.
Respiratory Health
Papaya is rich in vitamin A, which studies have found is depleted by regular smoking. A recent study also found that a diet containing adequate vitamin A actually combats the effects of emphysema. Papaya is loaded with vitamin C, which is famous for fighting bacterial and viral infections of the respiratory system such as the common cold and flu. It also acts as an antihistamine, alleviating the stuffiness and aches associated with these infections.
Eye Health
The vitamin A found in papaya is needed to help the eye see during both the day and the night. Vitamin A helps synthesize a chemical called rhodopsin, which helps the eye see even the smallest amounts of light, thereby helping us see in low-light conditions and improving our night vision. On top of that, the lens of the eye needs vitamin C to ensure adequate blood flow, a deficiency of which may cause cataracts. One study found that daily intake of fruit such as papaya helps prevent the onset of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.
Immune System
Papaya is loaded with vitamins, including vitamins A and C, the stars of the immune system. Vitamin C is famous for preventing and ameliorating the effects of bacterial and viral infections, including the common cold and flu. Vitamin A also has anti-viral capabilities and helps white blood cells function better. Additionally it is a necessary nutrient in the maintenance of the mucous membranes that are often the first line of defense against infection.
Anti-Inflammatory
Papaya has been found to be very effective in the treatment of chronic inflammation. People suffering from conditions made worse by inflammation such as asthma or rheumatoid arthritis have found that the nutrients in papaya relieve their symptoms. Vitamins A and C and beta-carotene have proven anti-inflammatory properties and papaya also contains a couple of unique enzymes called papain and chymopapain, which have been shown to lower inflammation and help heal burned skin.
SOURCE: Health Diaries |
Here's your "QuoteAction" for this issue:
"If you fail the first time, consider yourself normal, and try again. If you fail a second time, consider yourself special for you have what it takes to succeed. If you fail a third time, consider yourself extraordinary, for many people would have already given up."
Writer and Photographer, Michelle C. Ustaszeski
Your action for today is to celebrate one of your failures.
Have an extraordinary day!
SOURCE: Betty Jo Waxman
Productive Learning & Leisure, LLC |
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Disclaimer of Liability
Our firm provides the information in this e-newsletter for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. Tax articles in this e-newsletter are not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided "as is," with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.
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| Health & Wellness Products |
VANTAGE has a wide range of products designed to aid in health & wellness for both your personal and business life.
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| CONTACTS |
Please contact one of our VANTAGE professionals for assistance or click on the help picture. Paul White 510-595-0904
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