Personal Care

The risk of lead poisoning isn’t just in Flint. So we mapped the risk in every neighborhood in America.

Dietary Fats | American Heart Association ~ Replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats (polyunsaturated & monounsaturated). Eliminate trans fats. Fats can also have different effects your cholesterol level. The bad fats, saturated & trans fats, raise bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in your blood. Monounsaturated & polyunsaturated fats can lower bad cholesterol levels & are beneficial when consumed as part of a healthy dietary pattern. #health

People who cut back on inflammatory foods are significantly less likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Consumer Reports explains how to get more of these foods in your diet.

Spending at least 2 hours a week outdoors is associated with good health and well-being | Nature ~ The benefits to physical health were even greater, with those who met the outdoors benchmark being 60% more likely to report being in good health than their cooped-in counterparts. #self_care

Ultra-Processed Foods Drive Weight Gain | Cell Metabolism ~ Diet study at National Institute of Health, tightly controlled with very specific focus. Processed foods diet resulted in weight gain of 2½ lbs. Fresh whole-food diet resulted in average weight loss of 2½ lbs. In Supplemental Information for this study the specific menus for 7 days are listed for both diets, 3 meals a day plus snacks. Photo of every meal with description, brand names listed if no packaging was present…

5 Bodyweight Moves That Work Nearly Every Muscle ~ Part of the Silver Sneakers Program, works major muscle groups to build functional strength & stability. Very convenient, all you need is a little floor space, & maybe a chair, wall, or table. Tips for beginners, & ways to make it easier or more challenging.

New BP Guidelines | Harvard Health ~ Issued Nov. 2017 by the American College of Cardiology & the American Heart Association. Normal: less than 120/80. Elevated 120-129 systolic (top number). Stage 1 hypertension: 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic (bottom number). Stage 2 hypertension: >140 systolic or >90 diastolic. The measurements must have been obtained from at least 2 careful readings on at least 2 different occasions. #health

Diluted household bleach solution can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application & proper ventilation, & ensure product is not past expiration date. Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. Prepare by mixing: 5 tablespoons (⅓ cup) bleach per gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water. Solution is stable for 24 hours.

According to a 2017 internat'l metanalytic study there's an average electricity savings of only 0.34% during daylight saving time. The twice-yearly time change has negative impacts on heart health, stroke & atrial fibrillation, medication errors, mental health, & traffic accidents : mortality rates are proven to increase. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has called for a permanent transition to standard time as best for circadian rhythm, altho either would be better than the clock…

A professional organizer shares ways to downsize an aging parent, without the drama | Washington Post ~ A gentle, insightful article on handling a potentially stressful situation.

Insect Repellent Buying Guide | Consumer Reports ~ 15% to 30% DEET; 20% picaridin sprays; 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE). Don't buy based only on ingredients or concentration. "Natural" products are ineffective; none of the products tested with essential oils provided adequate protection, often failing in tests within 30 minutes. Don't use combination sunscreen-repellent products. Always apply properly.

The Value of Handwashing | Erin Bromage, PhD ~ Bromage is a University of Massachusetts Dartmouth associate professor of biology, where he teaches and researches infectious diseases and host immune responses of animals. Very informative & down-to-earth blog.

Why you shouldn't make your own hand sanitizer | NYT ~ Medical experts explain why this isn't a great idea

Face Mask Advice, Explained | FactCheck ~ Interesting article (FactCheck dot org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit investigatory dept of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania)

See how far a sneeze and cough can travel - CNN Video

Going out in the cold season won't necessarily lead to you getting a cold. But winter weather in general is more hospitable to viruses, so it's wise to take steps to keep your immune system strong.