Category: Brandpoint Health

2018-06-29T14:15:00

(BPT) – As seasons change, so do your clothing choices! No matter the season, there are constants to getting the most out of your clothing every day. Maintain and maximize your vintage looks all year round with these five tips from Gerard Maione of luxury vintage shop What Goes Around Comes Around.

2018-06-28T14:30:00

(BPT) – Summer is nearly upon us. The warm weather leads to flowers blooming, luscious green grass, and verdant trees. Unfortunately, for those with seasonal allergies, the picture is not as lovely, with visions of a spike in pollen, stuffy noses, congestion, facial pain and tenderness, decreased smell and taste, and sinus infections.

For most people suffering from seasonal allergies, relief is found with over-the-counter and prescription medications, allowing them to enjoy the sunshine and smell the flowers. However, if the condition lingers or becomes more severe, you could be the 1 in 7 people in the United States battling chronic sinus infections.¹

More than 30 million Americans experience the pain and discomfort of chronic sinus infections, also known as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).¹ Unlike acute sinus infections, CRS is unresolved, with severe inflammation of the sinuses lasting for more than 12 weeks.¹ Several factors are associated with the potential development of CRS, including infection, growths in the sinuses known as nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, abnormal anatomy of the sinuses, allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or regular exposure to pollutants such as cigarette smoke.^2,4

Signs and symptoms of CRS include at least two of the following:¹

• Difficulty breathing through the nose due to nasal obstruction or congestion
• Reduced sense of smell and taste
• Thick, discolored discharge from the nose or drainage down the back of the throat
• Pain, tenderness and swelling around the eyes, nose, or face

The pain from CRS can be agonizing. It can affect nasal function, impair health and diminish quality of life — most individuals with CRS report a lower quality of life than individuals with chronic back pain or even congestive heart failure.³ In addition to the unrelenting pain, CRS also has a financial impact — directly costing society more than $4.3 billion annually.³

If you are unable to find relief from the pain and congestion of CRS with over-the-counter or prescribed drug therapies, you should see your Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist or primary care physician to have further evaluation.

When drug therapies fail to provide relief from CRS, doctors typically recommend that their patients consider functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to remove the source of the blockage and infection.⁴ More than 500,000 sinus surgeries are performed every year in the United States.³

As with most surgeries, there are risks to consider such as damage to the areas surrounding the sinuses or failure of the procedure. Approximately 1 in 5 sinus surgeries fail to provide desirable outcomes and require subsequent procedures to provide CRS patients with relief.⁴

However, there are ways to minimize the risks and improve the chances of a successful surgery.⁵ If sinus surgery is recommended by your doctor, consider image-guided, or navigated surgery, with the StealthStation™ ENT, which may enable a more thorough sinus procedure.

Recently granted 510(k) clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the StealthStation™ ENT allows surgeons to “visualize” your sinuses in three-dimensional (3D) images so they can maneuver to where they will be operating and avoid critical anatomical structures, such as the brain, optic nerve and vital arteries. The surgical navigation system can provide surgeons with images of your anatomy during the procedure, allowing surgeons to see behind delicate or hard-to-reach areas unique to only you. StealthStation™ ENT and other image-guidance systems are associated with better patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.⁵

If you believe you may be battling chronic sinusitis, download and print this infographic questionnaire, which you can share with your primary healthcare provider or ENT specialist during your next appointment.

2018-06-27T08:25:00

(BPT) – Losing weight — and keeping it off — isn’t easy, and one of the main reasons is that there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all, guaranteed-to-produce-dramatic-results diet.

Just because your BFF lost her baby weight by cutting out carbs doesn’t mean you will. Your genes, blood markers and lifestyle all play a big role in what works and what doesn’t when it comes to winning the battle of the bulge. When you’re ready to make some smart changes, it can be hard to know what will actually make the difference when it comes to avoiding the yo-yo dieting syndrome that’s all too common.

Arivale, a Seattle-based scientific wellness company, is disrupting the billion-dollar weight-loss industry by marrying genomics, lab markers, technology and personalized behavioral coaching to help more people become successful losers. “Your health is impacted 60 percent by lifestyle, 30 percent by genetics and 10 percent by interactions with health providers,” explains Arivale CEO and co-founder Clayton Lewis. “Our program focuses on the 90 percent — lifestyle plus genetics.”

When it comes to weight loss, understanding your genetic predisposition can help jump-start your efforts, he says. “For example, many people — including 68 percent of Arivale members — are genetically predisposed to increased weight gain from high amounts of fat in their diet ­— even healthy fats like avocados and nut butters,” says Lewis. This may explain why diets like the Paleo, Dukan, South Beach and Bulletproof that focus on fats and proteins and call for drastic reductions in carbs may not work for everyone.

“Your genes may tell you whether you are predisposed to gain more weight than others when eating fats or carbs,” explains Ginger Hultin, MS, RDN, one of the team of 60 Arivale Coaches who are committed to their members’ weight-loss success. “Yes, limiting sugar and increasing vegetables are key for a healthy weight-loss diet, but genetics also influences our ability to taste sweet and bitter flavors, which can impact our preferences for sugar and vegetables and our ability to feel full.”

The Arivale difference starts with blood samples taken at a local lab and analyzed for 3,000 gene variants and over 40 blood markers. Then you’ll have an in-depth phone consultation with an Arivale Coach — a registered dietitian or certified nutritionist with 200 additional hours of training in genetics and behavior-change science — who will walk you through your data and recommend the best actions you can take to optimize your weight-loss efforts. It’s a one-on-one relationship with someone who’s willing to go the extra mile to build a personalized plan that works for you. So, if you want someone to text you every day to check in or prefer an email once a week, or you need a killer recipe for low-carb lasagna or veggie burgers, your Arivale Coach is available. Your coach is supported by genetic scientists, physicians, clinicians and researchers who work behind the scenes to review your personal data and flag any lab values that could require a follow-up with your healthcare provider.

“We design a personal plan that will take your body, goals, blood type, genes and lifestyle into account. Pairing data with one-on-one lifestyle coaching will empower you to take action,” says Hultin. “We can see what is working in real time and make tweaks to help you overcome weight-loss plateaus along the way, so losing weight and keeping it off can become a reality.”

To find out more, visit https://www.arivale.com/weight-loss-2.

2018-06-26T15:59:00

(BPT) – Crumbling bridges, failing subway lines, gridlocked roads, water and sewage systems that haven’t been updated for over 100 years and a vulnerable electric grid. This might sound like the scene of a futuristic world in ruins, but in fact, these images describe the state of America’s deteriorating infrastructure.

By now, many have heard politicians and newscasters talk about how urgent it is for us to invest in repairing and maintaining essential infrastructure. The Society of Civil Engineers gives America’s infrastructure a grade of a D+ and estimates that it would cost approximately $4.6 trillion to fix this problem.

That is an enormous amount of money.

For the average American, the problem can seem overwhelming. But there are steps each of us can take to reduce the burden on our nation’s infrastructure.

Know what to flush and what not to flush

Only two things should be flushed down the toilet: wipes labeled as “flushable” and toilet paper. A recent study revealed that 98 percent of what was collected at a wastewater treatment plant were non-flushable items, including paper towels, baby wipes, disinfecting wipes, surface cleaning wipes and feminine hygiene products. Flushing products that are not intended to be flushed can lead to serious problems for sewers and wastewater treatment operations.

Conserve electricity

America has a massive electrical grid. When you step back to think about it, the network of power stations, power lines and generators that span this country is truly astonishing. But much of the grid is outdated and running at full capacity. Simple steps to conserve energy that can help reduce the burden on the grid include using energy-efficient light bulbs, unplugging electronics and appliances when not in use, washing clothes in cold water and installing a programmable thermostat. These steps will also save you money on your monthly utility bills.

Use flushable wipes

To avoid clogging their own toilet and creating larger problems for wastewater treatment facilities, many people are switching to flushable wipes. This prevents them from accidentally flushing non-flushable wipes down the toilet. Made from fibers that are 100 percent plant based and designed to lose strength and disintegrate in the wastewater systems, flushable wipes will not clog wastewater pumps and are safe to flush.

Be careful about what you throw away

When it comes to garbage, most of us take an “out of sight, out of mind” approach. About half of the solid waste we all produce goes to a landfill. In most cases, our garbage and solid waste is managed and funded by local governments and through fees homeowners pay. By taking greater steps to recycle and reduce their waste, individuals can help relieve the burden put on landfills.

Repairing our nation’s infrastructure will be an enormous undertaking, and each of us will have a part to play. The steps mentioned above have an immediate effect on your household and, over time, can contribute to the overall resiliency of our infrastructure.

To learn more, visit Responsible Flushing Alliance.

2018-06-21T07:01:24

(BPT) – Each year, at least 1.7 million Americans develop sepsis, and nearly 270,000 die as a result. While anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection can lead to sepsis, only 55% of Americans have heard of sepsis.[1]

Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is life-threatening, and without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have — in your skin, lungs, urinary tract, or somewhere else — triggers a chain reaction throughout your body.

Start the conversation about sepsis today with your doctor or nurse using these five questions:

1. How can I protect myself from sepsis? It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of sepsis, and act fast if sepsis is suspected. Signs and symptoms of sepsis can include one or a combination of any of the following: confusion or disorientation; shortness of breath; high heart rate; fever, or shivering, or feeling very cold; extreme pain or discomfort; and clammy or sweaty skin. An infection that’s not getting better or is getting worse can lead to sepsis. Get medical care immediately if you suspect sepsis.

2. How can I prevent infections? Talk to your doctor or nurse about steps you can take to prevent infections that can lead to sepsis. To prevent infections, take good care of chronic conditions and get recommended vaccines. Also, practice good hygiene like washing your hands and keeping cuts clean and covered until healed.

3. Who is at higher risk for developing sepsis? Certain people are at higher risk, including adults 65 or older; people with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and kidney disease; people with weakened immune systems; and children younger than one.

4. How do I know if my infection could be leading to sepsis? If you or your loved one suspects sepsis or has an infection that’s not getting better or is getting worse, ask your doctor or nurse, “Could this infection be leading to sepsis?” ACT FAST and get medical care IMMEDIATELY.

5. How can sepsis be treated? A person who develops sepsis should be treated with antibiotic(s) as soon as possible, in addition to other therapies that the doctor or nurse decides are appropriate for that patient, such as maintaining blood flow to organs or receiving intravenous (IV) fluids. A doctor or nurse should also check on the patient frequently and reassess antibiotic therapy within 24-48 hours to stop or adjust therapy as needed.

Remember, sepsis is a medical emergency. Improved recognition and timely treatment of sepsis increases your chances of survival and decreases the likelihood of long-term effects.

To learn more about sepsis and how to prevent infections, visit www.cdc.gov/sepsis. To learn more about antibiotic prescribing and use, visit www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use.

2018-06-21T07:01:24

(BPT) – Haiti has among the highest rates of elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), which attacks the lymphatic system, leading to abnormal enlargement of body parts, disfigurement, pain, disability and social ostracism. The World Health Organization estimates that 856.4 million people in 53 countries remain threatened by elephantiasis. The Haitian population also suffers from widespread iodine deficiency. The Haitian Ministry of Health has established a goal to completely eradicate elephantiasis and iodine deficiency disorders in Haiti by 2020. Fortunately, there is a simple cure for these conditions: salt fortified with iodine and diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC).

Iodine is an essential element for healthy human life, enabling the function of thyroid glands to produce needed hormones for proper metabolism. When children in the womb don’t get enough iodine from their mother, fetal brain development is impaired. During pregnancy, iodine deficiency can cause a child to develop learning and intellectual disabilities as well as developmental problems affecting speech, hearing and growth.

“Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is the single greatest cause of preventable mental retardation,” says Kul Gautam, the former deputy executive director of UNICEF. “Severe deficiencies cause cretinism, stillbirth and miscarriage. But even mild deficiency can significantly affect the learning ability of populations. Scientific evidence shows alarming effects of IDD. Even a moderate deficiency, especially in pregnant women and infants, lowers their intelligence by 10-15 IQ points.”

Kiwanis International, a worldwide service organization in more than 82 nations and geographic areas, partnered with UNICEF in a global effort to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). In just 10 years, starting in 1990, the percentage of the world population consuming iodized salt went from 20 percent to 70 percent. Kiwanis ultimately provided nearly $105 million to protect children from preventable mental and physical disabilities.

“There is no reward greater in life than helping children, and seeing them live healthy, vibrant lives. Our clubs and members understand the importance of helping children in their communities, and in communities around the world, and have proudly contributed to protecting more than 80 million children from the devastating effects of iodine deficiency,” said Stan D. Soderstrom, executive director of Kiwanis International, during a Kiwanis sponsored presentation at the 2018 World Salt Symposium in Park City, Utah.

Iodine deficiency was a problem in the United States as well, until American salt producers started adding iodine to table salt more than a century ago. Today, about 70 percent of the table salt sold in the United States is iodized. In fact, salt has been and remains the primary source for iodine in the American diet. The effect of this public health initiative has been to virtually eliminate the incidence of thyroid related illness, including goiters. “Iodized salt has been one of the greatest and most economical public health successes and it continues to help raise healthy, smart children,” said Lori Roman, President of the Salt Institute, which hosted the 2018 World Salt Symposium.

2018-06-19T07:01:00

(BPT) – As environmentally aware Americans join the movement to reduce, reuse and recycle, many are turning to the past to find unique, well-made vintage pieces to complement their wardrobes.

The hunt for great vintage wear has become so popular that we’re spending some $4 billion annually on such fun finds, reports the Huffington Post.

“For many it offers individuality, affordability, and that feel-good moment of rescuing an item from the landfill and reducing the environmental footprint,” writes Kate Black in that article. “This also makes it the retail unicorn, that rare occasion when a single store can appeal to stylish fashionistas, value-conscious consumers and passionate environmentalists.”

Building a distinctive, one-of-a-kind vintage wardrobe can be fun and easy once you learn a few guidelines for finding and caring for your collection. LG Electronics and luxury vintage clothing purveyor What Goes Around Comes Around recently partnered to bring the LG LaundROO Lounge and Vintage Clothing Swap to Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee. Festival-goers were invited to peruse 3,000 pieces of vintage gear and exchanged their own clothes for a new look. The swapped pieces were then washed in LG washers and dryers onsite and put back into the closet for another attendee to choose. If LG and What Goes Around Comes Around can handle the danced-in duds of 60,000 festival-goers, they can definitely help you take care of your vintage finds! Co-founder and chief creative officer at What Goes Around Comes Around, Gerard Maione, shares these tips to best maintain your vintage and hard-to-care-for pieces so you can keep festival style season going all year round:

1. Aim for versatility with fabrics such as cashmere and silk that can be easily layered to work well through every season. Look for well-cut pieces that can transition from day to night with simple shifts in accessories.

2. Choose quality over quantity. Whether you’re opting for vintage or new clothing, pieces featuring high-quality fabrics and construction will stand the test of time — as long as they’re well treated.

3. Read and carefully follow cleaning recommendations, ensuring that you’re using appropriately gentle wash cycle or steam options. Making that process easier than ever is the LG TWINWash washing machine with SideKick pedestal washer, dryer and LG Styler offered by LG Electronics, a package Maione calls “the ultimate laundry room.” Its ultra-convenient design features a front loader stacked onto a pull-out wash compartment, allowing you to simultaneously run one cycle for your heavier items and one for your specialty items such as delicate vintage pieces.

4. Narrow wire hangers can create wrinkles, bumps and bulges in aged, delicate fabrics. Instead, choose wider and/or padded hanger styles that better distribute the weight of each garment. Vintage fashionistas often prefer heavy-duty wooden hangers, while others swear by the velvet-covered varieties that keep silky fabrics from slipping off. For pants and skirts, seek out specially designed hangers that ward off unnecessary creases.

5. Care for your treasured vintage items between wearings by folding sweaters onto shelves or in drawers, storing handbags and shoes in dust bags, then freshening items up between cleanings. The LG Styler steam clothing care system makes it effortless, using chemical-free steam-based cycles that can handle anything from sanitizing and removing allergens to eliminating odors and reducing wrinkles.

Vintage clothing can be a unique, environmentally friendly and cost-efficient means to add flair to your wardrobe. Know how to care for your vintage pieces so you will continue to enjoy the past far into the future.

2018-06-15T10:01:00

(BPT) – While most Americans are excited about a summer full of fun activities like travel, swimming and gatherings with friends and family, for those living with heart failure, their condition doesn’t take a vacation.

Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition where the heart is too weak to pump enough blood around the body. With more than 17,000 heart failure hospitalizations per week occurring on average during the summer months, it’s important for those with the condition to take extra care during this more relaxed time of year.

Data shows that following the Fourth of July, hospitalizations for heart failure increase significantly. This may be attributed to overeating, emotional stressors and lack of physical activity.

Dianne, diagnosed with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, or HFrEF, knows that healthy lifestyle choices and a strong support network help make all the difference when living with the condition. These choices include taking her prescription medication, ENTRESTO^® (sacubitril/valsartan), a heart failure medicine that has been proven superior at helping people stay alive and out of the hospital longer compared to a leading Heart Failure medicine (enalapril), as well as managing the condition through a low-salt diet and regular physical activity.

With warmer temperatures and an abundance of hot dogs and hamburgers on the barbeque, it’s important for heart failure patients to remain vigilant in making healthy food choices like eating chicken instead of hot dogs and enjoying seasonal fruit like berries and melons rather than apple pie. It’s important to talk to your doctor before you start any diet or exercise plan and if you may need to alter that plan in warmer weather.

“Heart failure is subtle; you have to be aware of your body. I have also made important changes to my daily life. Together, my daughter and I have learned to bake instead of fry chicken, use less salt, and watch our carbs,” says Dianne.

“In addition to watching my diet, I take ENTRESTO.” Dianne concludes, “For me, life is about family and one of my favorite things to do is spend time with my new great-grand baby.”

Focusing on regular physical activity can also help lead a heart healthy life. “For me, this condition is a battle between mind and body. I’m enjoying the ability to now participate in community walks,” adds Patricia, another person diagnosed with HFrEF. “Since starting ENTRESTO, I have not been hospitalized for heart failure.”

Having a strong support system of friends and family is important for helping patients feel in control of their lives. When Patricia needs support, she reaches out to her son, “he knows the importance of destressing to help me manage my heart failure.”

Regardless of the season, heart failure is a progressive disease that doesn’t go away. Hospitalizations are a hallmark of disease progression, with data showing that just one HFrEF hospitalization can increase a patient’s risk of death. Throughout the year, it’s important to manage the condition by eating a low-sodium diet, getting in regular physical activity and taking medication as prescribed.

Both Dianne and Patricia highlight the importance of staying active, leading a healthy lifestyle, having that strong support network and being vocal with your health care provider when it comes to finding the right treatment plan.

Learn more at Entresto.com

What is ENTRESTO?

ENTRESTO (sacubitril/valsartan) tablets 24/26 mg, 49/51 mg, 97/103 mg is a prescription medicine used to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization in people with certain types of long-lasting (chronic) heart failure. ENTRESTO is usually used with other heart failure therapies, in place of an ACE inhibitor or other ARB therapy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about ENTRESTO?

ENTRESTO can harm or cause death to your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about other ways to treat heart failure if you plan to become pregnant. If you get pregnant while taking ENTRESTO, tell your doctor right away.

Who should not take ENTRESTO?

Do not take ENTRESTO if you

• are allergic to sacubitril or valsartan or any of the ingredients in ENTRESTO
• have had an allergic reaction including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat (angioedema) or trouble breathing while taking a type of medicine called an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
• take an ACE inhibitor medicine. Do not take ENTRESTO for at least 36 hours before or after you take an ACE inhibitor medicine. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking ENTRESTO if you are not sure if you take an ACE inhibitor medicine
• have diabetes and take a medicine that contains aliskiren

What should I tell my doctor before taking ENTRESTO?

Before you take ENTRESTO, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you have kidney or liver problems or a history of hereditary angioedema; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant; are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should either take ENTRESTO or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take potassium supplements or a salt substitute; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); lithium; or other medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems such as an ACE inhibitor, ARB, or aliskiren.

What are the possible side effects of ENTRESTO?

ENTRESTO may cause serious side effects including:

• angioedema that may cause trouble breathing and death. Get emergency medical help right away if you have symptoms of angioedema or trouble breathing. Do not take ENTRESTO again if you have had angioedema while taking ENTRESTO. People who are Black or who have had angioedema and take ENTRESTO may have a higher risk of having angioedema
• low blood pressure (hypotension). Call your doctor if you become dizzy or lightheaded, or you develop extreme fatigue
• kidney problems
• increased amount of potassium in your blood

The most common side effects were low blood pressure, high potassium, cough, dizziness, and kidney problems.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING, available at: https://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/sites/www.pharma.us.novartis.com/files/entresto.pdf.

Patients are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

2018-06-15T07:01:02

(BPT) – Many women trying to conceive are confused about their period, the 28-day cycle and when they’re most likely to get pregnant.

When a couple is planning to have a baby, understanding the 28-day cycle can mean the difference between success and disappointment, says Gloria Richard-Davis, MD, Ob/Gyn, fertility specialist and author of Planning Parenthood.

Timing is a critical factor when you’re trying to get pregnant. As more and more women are waiting to conceive until later in life, we have seen an uptick in fertility tracking technologies — from apps to wearables that help women pinpoint their most fertile days. However, it’s important to supplement an app or fertility monitor with simple ovulation tests to accurately identify your fertile days.

Each month, the body prepares for ovulation, or the release of an egg from the ovaries. The cycle begins on the first day of menstruation and serves as a detox to dispose of old uterine lining and make way for the next cycle. Day one, the first day of menstrual bleeding or spotting, represents a new opportunity to conceive. Days eleven-sixteen are the optimal time to kick-start baby-making efforts, as ovulation is nearing.

A simple at-home ovulation predictor kit like First Response Ovulation Test Kit will identify your two most fertile days by pinpointing a surge in the luteinizing hormone (LH) that triggers ovulation. Women can maximize their chances by having sex within 24-36 hours after detecting this luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. If a sperm successfully fertilizes the egg, conception occurs.

The lining of the uterus thickens between day seventeen and twenty-four, and if the egg and sperm have successfully met, the fertilized egg will soon implant or attach to the uterine lining (endometrium). The end of the cycle is near, and PMS symptoms may present themselves if pregnancy has not occurred, as progesterone peaks around day twenty-one or twenty-two.

If you think you might be pregnant, but haven’t missed your period yet, try the First Response Triple Check Pregnancy Test Kit. It includes one Early Result Pregnancy Test that can let you know six days before your missed period, a Digital Pregnancy Test for women who like to see a yes/no answer, and a Rapid Result Pregnancy Test to take on the day of your missed period or anytime after.

Other important considerations to keep in mind when trying to conceive include:

* Keeping a healthy, well-balanced diet and practicing stress relief.

* Prenatal vitamins with sufficient folic acid like prescription OB Complete are critical even before trying to conceive to ensure a healthy pregnancy journey for both mom and baby.

* Vaginal dryness is twice as common in women who are trying to conceive due to the stress of ‘sex on demand.’ Traditional lubricants can harm sperm motility, which is why using a fertility-friendly lubricant like Pre-Seed is crucial, as it encourages sperm to swim freely and meet an egg.

Don’t guess at your fertile window when it’s so easy to identify the best time to conceive. Every woman is born with millions of immature eggs, but the quantity and quality of remaining eggs, known as the ovarian reserve, decreases. If you’re not able to get pregnant, your ovarian reserve may be low. Tracking ovulation can be challenging as well, especially if your menstrual cycle is irregular. Remember to note your cycle and its symptoms so you can discuss concerns with your medical provider and schedule a preconception checkup.

2018-06-14T14:57:00

(BPT) – Jessica Cording, RD Shares Her Tips to Shape Up For Summer

With warmer months and beach days on the horizon, many people are looking to eat clean and shape up for summer. However, a summer bod isn’t the only reason to clean your diet. A new study from Harvard found that incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet can lower the risk of developing heart disease and other major illnesses. It appears eating more plant-based foods may just add years to your life … can you say endless summer? We tapped into leading registered dietitian, Jessica Cording, to share her top tips on how to eat more plant-based foods this season:

1. Slow and steady wins the race

If you’re new to plant-based foods or just beginning your journey towards healthier eating, making the transition a gradual one will help establish long-lasting habits and set you up for success. “If you’re someone who eats meat daily, incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet can be intimidating. In fact, introducing too many new flavors, textures and food types can sometimes be off-putting for those who don’t regularly eat plant-based foods,” says Cording. To help ease the transition, Cording advises her clients to use familiar garnishes, condiments and spices on plant-based foods. “When you pair plant-based proteins, like tempeh or lentil burgers, with familiar flavor profiles, like dairy-free ranch dressing or plant-based cheddar cheese, you’re more likely to stick to the plan in the long run,” adds Cording, who often swaps out dairy-based products with tasty plant-based alternatives from Daiya.

2. A balanced plate is a happy plate

“One of the biggest challenges my clients struggle with when beginning their plant-based journey is feeling satisfied with meatless meals,” says Cording, who recommends having a good balance of protein, fiber and fat in each meal. “When you’re incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet, fiber and fat go a long way in aiding with digestion and helping you feel satiated.” Cording’s rule of thumb is to dedicate half your plate to non-starchy vegetables (think Swiss chard, leafy kale, or bok choy), a fourth of the plate to plant-based proteins, and the remaining portion to complex carbs, like brown rice or whole grain pasta. Balance out the meal with monounsaturated fat by adding a third of an avocado, using tahini (toasted sesame seed paste) as a dressing, or sprinkling pumpkin seeds on top of her entrée. Looking for recipe inspiration? These recipes for Kale and Mushroom Crepes and Quinoa Bowls are delicious, balanced and easy to make.

3. Limit your dairy intake

While dairy can be a good source of calcium, it can often lead to bloating and gas, especially in those with a dairy sensitivity. Over 65 percent of the population experiences a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy, so if you’re experiencing unexplained bloating after consuming meals, it’s possible that dairy could be the culprit. “If you’re looking to slim down during the summer months, limiting your dairy intake may help reduce bloating and gas, especially on beach days,” says Cording. Still craving ice cream during the summer months? Opt for alternatives made from coconut cream, which Cording says provides a satisfying creamy texture without the dairy. “The fat in coconut also helps with the digestive process,” adds Cording.

4. Don’t let vacation plans set you back

Summertime means fun road trips or weekend getaways, which can often wreak havoc on your diet. “There are a lot of opportunities for indulgence on vacation, which can be tempting even to those with the best intentions,” says Cording, who advises her clients to be selective about what they choose to indulge in. “You shouldn’t let your diet get in the way of enjoying your vacation, but I find that being intentional about what you eat — and choosing to only say ‘yes’ to the stuff you’re really excited about — helps to set some guardrails to keep you on track. If you’re big on sweets, splurge on dessert but lay off on fried foods or salty snacks during the day. If pasta is your weakness, forgo other carbs throughout the day and fill up on fiber and protein instead.” In the event you do overindulge, don’t beat yourself about it. “It’s more productive to ask yourself why those guardrails didn’t work so you can make better changes in the future,” advises Cording.

5. Stock up on smart options

Because life and responsibilities can often get in the way of healthy eating, Cording recommends stocking up on healthy options and alternatives at home. “If you’re somebody that struggles with cravings, having better-for-you options in your freezer can make it easier to stick to a plan,” says Cording. That could mean stocking up on plant-based versions of your favorite comfort foods, like plant-based pizza, dairy-free mac ‘n cheese, vegan cheesecake, etc., for days you need a treat but don’t want to feel bad about what you’re eating.