Month: October 2019

2019-10-28T07:35:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re traveling for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s, gummy vitamins can provide surprising and unexpected health benefits for beauty, digestion, and sleep. Many people don’t realize they’re not alone when they can’t sleep in a strange bed or eat properly because they are bloated from not being on their “regular” schedule and as a result, they don’t look or feel their best. Traveling can throw your body’s natural clock off so getting a good night’s sleep can be next to impossible. And, that means waking up feeling exhausted.

Nicole Avena, PhD, recommends packing the following gummy vitamins in your carry-on this holiday season:

1. Think vitamin C before boarding that plane or train: Before you board that plane or train, don’t forget to keep your immune system healthy with vitafusion Power C gummy vitamins. They taste like Florida sunshine and each dose packs as much vitamin C as 10 tangerines, so your hectic travel for work or play can go as scheduled.
2. Bloat and travel back up? Have you ever noticed that while traveling your get-up-and-go just won’t let you “go”? There are many reasons why you get blocked up when you hit the road. From travel-related stress and anxiety to straying from your normal routine, your body just says no. Sugar-free fiber gummies will help keep that gut in check, even when you’re in a foreign bathroom.
3. Holiday glam from the inside out! vitafusion Gorgeous Skin, Hair, & Nails provides the essential nutrients to support luxurious hair, gorgeous skin and healthy nails. (Versus the leading hair, skin and nails gummy supplement. Per serving.) One serving of these gummy vitamins provides 2X the biotin and antioxidant vitamin C, 6X the antioxidant vitamin E, and gives you a beauty boost from the inside out.
4. A healthier gut: With 5 billion CFUs per serving, vitafusion Probiotic supplements provide friendly bacteria to the digestive tract. Two probiotic strains, Bacillus coagulans, IS-2 and Bacillus subtilis, DE-111, survive in the stomach with no high-fructose corn syrup, gluten, dairy, gelatin or synthetic dyes.
5. Melatonin 2.0: When you’re packing for a jaunt across the continent, don’t forget vitafusion Max Melatonin, an antioxidant powerhouse that will help you get a good night’s sleep when you’re sleepless in Seattle or anywhere else. Extra Strength Melatonin is an antioxidant powerhouse that will help you reset your body clock, promote healthy collagen production to help fight wrinkles and reverse sun damage. Its sugar- and gluten-free sleep support is specifically formulated for adults with 3 mg of melatonin that also helps with jet lag recovery.

Many people wonder whether gummy vitamins are as effective as traditional pills and caplets. Avena recommends them because not only are they delicious, but kids and adults alike look forward to taking their nutritious gummy vitamin, rather than avoiding traditional vitamins altogether because they are too big to swallow or have an awful aftertaste. vitafusion gummy vitamins are the only vitamin brand with clinically proven equivalence to vitamin tablets and caplets when it comes to absorption. Vitamin C and vitamin D gummies were compared to their respective caplet and tablet counterparts for absorption, the key measure of effectiveness. The vitamin C study concluded that the vitafusion gummy was just as effectively utilized by the body as the caplet form. The vitamin D study showed the gummy to be, in fact, more effective than a tablet.

Bon Voyage.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

2019-10-28T08:01:00

(BPT) – For people with ataxia, a rare and progressive neurological disease, the most common aspects of everyday life are a significant struggle. It’s an uphill battle that patients like John Mauro are confronted with every day.

Ataxia is a condition that develops due to damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that coordinates movement. People affected by ataxia have problems using their arms and legs, causing issues with balance when walking and moving their eyes. As the disease progresses, symptoms often worsen, and people experience slurred speech, trouble swallowing and a deterioration of fine motor skills.

“Living life on a clock”

The burden of ataxia is compounded by daily fatigue and exhaustion. Without adequate rest, they often begin each day with a diminished level of energy, which makes the physical complications of ataxia even more challenging. John compares the morning fatigue he experiences to waking up with a “half charged cell phone battery.”

“I have to spread the energy I have throughout the entire day. If I use a lot of energy in the morning, it doesn’t leave me much for the rest of the day,” says John, who was diagnosed with sporadic ataxia, an acquired form of the disease, in 2008 at age 46. “The more exhausted I get, the harder it is to keep my balance and walk.”

“Like a lot of ataxia patients, John suffers from considerable fatigue,” says John’s wife, Dana Mauro. “Knowing that he will get more tired as the day progresses, he essentially has to live his life on a clock, prioritizing his energy hour by hour.”

Recognizing the emotional toll

Dana wanted to do more to help ataxia patients and their family members, so in 2014 she began hosting a series of educational podcasts. Among the many topics she has covered is the hidden emotional and social burdens of the disease.

“The impact of ataxia on quality of life is pervasive,” says Dana. “In addition to the outward physical complications of living with ataxia, patients often feel isolated and alone. They tend to become overstimulated, making it difficult to engage with family and friends and participate in social activities. These are some of the invisible aspects of ataxia that contribute greatly to patients’ ongoing struggles. I’ve seen it firsthand with John.”

What causes ataxia?

John is one of approximately 150,000 people living in the U.S. who are affected by ataxia, according to the National Ataxia Foundation (NAF). Ataxia is a disease that can be acquired or inherited from a family member as a result of a genetic defect.

Hereditary ataxias are caused by a genetic defect that is present from the start of a person’s life. Among the inherited forms of the disease is spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), which affects an estimated 3,200 to 18,000 people in the overall ataxia patient population, according to the National Ataxia Foundation.

Most people with SCA are diagnosed in their mid-30s, but it can affect people of all ages, genders and races. The onset of symptoms and disease progression rates varies by patient and the SCA disease-type they have. There are five commonly known SCA disease-types, each of which is caused by specific genetic defects.

New clinical trial underway

There is no cure or FDA-approved treatments to delay or halt the progression of SCA, and current therapeutic strategies only help manage symptoms to improve a person’s quality of life.

A new clinical trial sponsored by Biohaven Pharmaceuticals is researching the potential of troriluzole, an investigational medicine, to slow down and improve ataxia symptoms. More than 18 medical centers in the U.S. are participating in the trial and seek to enroll participants in the study. Visit scatrial.org to learn more.

2019-10-28T16:53:44

(BPT) – Resourceful thieves and cybercriminals continue to find new ways to hack U.S. consumers’ sensitive personal information. Dumpster diving, stolen or lost wallets and mail fraud should still be concerns, but the digital age of tablets, smartphones, PCs and Wi-Fi networks leaves people more vulnerable than ever.

Have you ever stored credit card information on your phone for added convenience to make payments in a checkout lane? Do you ever store passwords in apps to transfer funds between accounts? And what’s to keep hackers from accessing a wireless network you check your email on while you’re grabbing a quick cup of coffee?

”More than 15.4 million people a year will experience identity theft, with an average loss of more than $1,000,” said Jane Li, Mercury Insurance’s director of product management. “When one access point closes due to added levels of security, cyberattackers find another. Insurance companies like Mercury provide services that allow homeowners and renters to enjoy the convenience of accessing their connected devices at home and on the go, while also helping to protect customers from the potentially devastating effects of criminal infiltration, cyberextortion and identity theft.”

The following five do’s and don’ts can help stop criminals in their tracks and protect your connected devices, as well as your electronic identity.

1. Do power down your devices. This disables the internet connection, cutting off access to any personal information stored on your computer, tablet or phone. Unattended machines, especially if you are asleep or leave them at home while on vacation, are easy targets for hackers.
2. Don’t connect to unsecured wireless networks. Information accessed on an open network, including email passwords and sensitive bank information, is fair game for hackers. Don’t make their jobs easier. Turn off Wi-Fi access on your devices unless it’s a password-protected network you trust.
3. Do monitor your children’s device usage. It’s a good idea to limit use of computers, tablets and phones to public areas within the home like the living room or kitchen. This makes it easier for parents to keep an eye on who their kids are communicating with, especially on social media or gaming sites, to help prevent the sharing of sensitive information like full names, addresses or other things that can be used for identity theft or other potentially dangerous activities.
4. Don’t discard important paperwork without shredding it. If it has your name and address, thieves can take advantage and open an account using your information. Remember to shred expired insurance documents, vehicle registrations, bills, loan pre-qualifications and other paperwork that would allow someone to call in pretending to be you. Check your credit reports at least twice a year to ensure all accounts opened in your name are valid.
5. Do install recommended updates. Smartphone, computer, tablet and smart TV manufacturers, among other providers of connected devices, offer periodic software updates to protect against potential security breaches. Chances are, if an update is recommended, hackers have already discovered a way to access your personal property and information, so keep your software up to date.

Li recommends homeowners and renters speak with their local insurance agent to learn more about the endorsements they may be able to add to existing policies to help safeguard their finances if their identities are compromised or connected devices are attacked.

“It can be daunting to try to regain your financial footing if a criminal takes advantage of you,” said Li. “Insurance exists to help protect consumers from unexpected events and, in this case, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

2019-10-28T08:01:00

(BPT) – Feeling disconnected from members of your own family lately? You’re not alone — a 2018 study by 72 Point for Visit Anaheim found that 60% of parents with kids between 4 and 18 described their daily lives as “hectic.” Sadly, the survey also found that today’s families only spend about 37 minutes of quality time together per weekday. Between digital distractions and our often over-scheduled lives, even sitting down for dinner together can feel like a miracle to pull off, especially as children head toward the tween and teen years.

What’s a solution? Gather around the table.

Set aside the gadgets and gather around the table together for a good old-fashioned family game night. Even if you start out with a monthly game night with the kids, chances are it will soon be popular enough to enjoy more often. Putting your family’s game night on the calendar will ensure everyone keeps their schedules clear for a night of fun — and connection — all together.

Today’s games provide a huge range of choices to suit any age range, interests or gaming styles, so there’s truly something for every family to explore and enjoy together. The added benefits will astound you: Kids can learn important lessons about sportsmanship and fair play, develop communication and collaboration skills, increase their fine motor, logic and strategic thinking abilities — and have a blast doing it. When was the last time you all just let loose and enjoyed laughing and being silly together? There’s no better way for kids and parents to relax and have fun together than a game that brings out the best in everyone.

Here are some examples of how games can boost specific skills, while also providing plenty of giggles and excitement.

Test your knowledge, quick thinking and creativity

A game that’s always up-to-date, kNOW! uses the latest technology to help test the brain power of three to six players, ages 10 and up. Games go way beyond trivia — there are also puzzles such as identifying a sound provided by Google Assistant, or creating a question to ask Google Assistant to prompt it to say a provided word or phrase. This fast-moving game provides constantly changing questions depending on where and when you play.

Enjoy the wicked side of strategy

For a fun twist on everyone’s favorite movies, Disney Villainous: Evil Comes Prepared allows two to six players age 12 and up to choose a sinister character to play: Scar from “The Lion King,” Ratigan from “The Great Mouse Detective,” or Yzma from “The Emperor’s New Groove.” Players put strategy and logic to the test to achieve their own diabolical goals — and stop other villains from completing their own dastardly objectives. Games like Disney Villainous are especially fun because they can be expanded and played with other characters in the series. Players can choose from a treasure trove of villains including Maleficent, the Queen of Hearts, Ursula and more.

Create suspense while working cooperatively

JAWS brings the classic movie and infamous shark to life in your very own living room. In this asymmetric, two-act board game, one player takes the role of the shark while others take on the parts of Chief Brody, Quint and Hooper and work together to defeat their toothy foe. For two to four players ages 12 and up, play JAWS to recreate the excitement and tension of the blockbuster film as a family!

Boost problem-solving and small motor skills

A brain-bending game for all generations, Invasion of the Cow Snatchers is an ‘out of this world’ introduction to playing games at different levels of skill while challenging players as they learn how to follow directions and maneuver their flying saucer around obstacles. Though designed to be a one-player game, others can join in on the fun too by collaborating to solve puzzles together and taking turns being the magnetic “UFO.”

Schedule a family game night and turn that 37 minutes into an entire hour or more! This holiday season is a perfect opportunity to turn off the phones for an hour or two, put some hot chocolate on the stove and stock up on some of the newest games that your kids will love to play. Enjoy hanging out together this winter, and reconnecting as a family.

For more fun games and puzzles to enjoy, visit Ravensburger.com.

2019-10-25T08:31:00

(BPT) – Have you ever talked with your parents about their long-term care plans? It may not be an easy conversation to initiate but thinking ahead can help alleviate family stress and conflict.

Baby boomers are living longer than any generation to date. Consequently, their need for care is increasing. If a person lives to age 65, it’s likely they’ll eventually need some kind of long-term care, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports.

Who will be providing this care? Members of the next generations — primarily Generation X and millennials.

Who shoulders the burden?

The Northwestern Mutual 2019 C.A.R.E. Study found that two in five caregivers are caring for or have provided care for a parent. In this study, caregiving is defined as a combination of practical/personal care support, emotional support and financial support. In practice, it represents an average of eight hours of care per day and a quarter of the caregivers’ own monthly budget.

There’s a real disconnect between perceptions and realities when it comes to caregiving. “Families are fundamentally changing in ways that affect how they’re able to care for aging parents,” says Dave Simbro, senior vice president of risk products at Northwestern Mutual. “In addition to parents living longer, most of their children are working full-time and often having their own children later in life, and families are geographically dispersed.”

These complexities of modern life are further compounded by the fact that two in five families have had no proactive discussions about how long-term care needs will be handled, leaving the responsibilities of caring for parents largely on the shoulders of one sibling. Even when there are multiple siblings, 40% of the C.A.R.E. Study respondents say their siblings don’t assist at all, and 41% find themselves as the primary caregivers regardless of any sibling help.

What you can do now to prepare for later

Having candid conversations now can help avoid the unnecessary stress of decision-making on the fly, or navigating on assumptions or unspoken expectations, all of which take a toll on a family already under stress. Planning early also creates a feeling of shared responsibility, rather than placing the lion’s share of the work on one sibling or family member. Consider these suggestions:

• Ask your parent or loved one about their goals and desires for the future. Understanding their wishes is the first step in effective planning.

• Create clearly defined roles and responsibilities for each family member.

• Enlist the help of a third party, such as a financial professional, to help guide you through difficult planning conversations.

Planning for long-term care, both from the caregiver perspective and the needing-care perspective, can help prevent a gap around the perceptions and realities for family caregiving and ease tensions that may arise around an already heightened emotional situation.

For additional information on how to start the conversation on caregiving and plan for longevity, visit northwesternmutual.com/long-term-care-planning/.

2019-10-25T10:29:01

(BPT) – The holiday season is here — it’s time to break out the decorations, turn up the festive tunes and of course, find the perfect gifts for everyone on your shopping list. From the pressure to pick the most thoughtful present to the stress of going over budget, it’s easy to lose sight of the holiday spirit. In fact, according to a 2018 study by CompareCards.com, two-thirds of Americans think that shopping is the most stressful part of the holiday season. But checking off your shopping list doesn’t have to be a hassle. From holiday gift guides to easy ways to give back, Amazon has everything you need to make holiday shopping a breeze. Consider these tips to save your time and sanity this season.

Make a plan. Let’s face it, holiday shopping is overwhelming; but you can alleviate some of that stress by planning ahead. Start your planning with Alexa by asking her to add items to your shopping list. Be sure to keep an eye on big holiday deal days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday to get the lowest prices. Check out the “Watch a Deal” function on the free Amazon App to receive notifications when deals are about to go live — that way, you’ll never miss a deal! Alexa makes it easy to find the top deals every day. Simply ask, “Alexa, what are my deals?”

Start with gift guides: Finding great gifts for everyone on your list without breaking the bank can be tricky. Luckily, Amazon’s holiday gift guides offer something for everyone. This year, Amazon released curated gift guides across Toys, Electronics, Luxury Beauty and more. Each gift guide is chock full of best-selling products and the latest trends. You can even filter by price point as you search, making it easy to stay within budget. When you figure out the perfect gift, ask Alexa for the item you need. She’ll add it to your cart and you can review and checkout on mobile when you’re free. You can even ask her to remember who the item is for.

Shop from anywhere. Make holiday preparation a breeze by shopping from your mobile device. In fact, more and more consumers are making the jump to mobile shopping. According to a February 2019 survey by digital marketing firm AdLucent, 64% of shoppers said they placed online orders on a smartphone during the previous holiday season. Spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying the holidays!

Shop with purpose. There’s no time like the holiday season to give back to a cause that’s close to your heart. Amazon is making it easy for customers to join its commitment to deliver smiles all year. AmazonSmile is a simple way to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same Amazon experience — low prices, vast selection, fast and free delivery options and more, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price of eligible purchases to a charity of your choice. AmazonSmile’s Charity Lists offer yet another way to give back. AmazonSmile Charity Lists give charitable organizations an easy way to create wish lists of products needed, while providing customers a convenient way to donate directly to these causes with the reassurance the list is managed directly by the charity. Shop thousands of AmazonSmile Charity Lists by visiting smile.amazon.com/charitylists, with new charities joining all the time. If you’re interested in making a monetary donation, it’s as easy as saying “Alexa, I want to make a donation.”

Save the surprise. Shopping for a member of your household and don’t want to spoil the surprise? Try Amazon Day for your holiday purchases. Rather than receiving each order individually, you can have all your orders arrive together on the day of your choice, making it easy to save gifting surprises for friends, family and roommates. Amazon Day not only makes receiving orders more predictable, it groups multiple purchases together in fewer boxes whenever possible. Amazon Day is free to Prime members and available on most items that are eligible for Prime delivery and shipped by Amazon. Learn more at amazon.com/amazonday and select your personalized delivery day at checkout.

When in doubt, give a gift card. Still can’t find that perfect gift for a loved one? Don’t sweat it: with a gift card, your friends or family members can select exactly what they want. Visit amazon.com/giftcards and audible.com/giftcenter for a wide variety of delightful designs, including boxes, tins and greeting cards with free one-day shipping (where available). Need it right now? Choose from options you can print at home, send by email or even text.