February, a month when sentimental matters dominate national conversation, is also a time to reflect on matters of science - specifically the issue of heart health. February 4th is National Wear Red Day, an event which highlights women’s heart health, and which was celebrated by the various KCTCS campuses. However, the Center for Disease Control, CDC, would like all Americans to devote the entire month to considering heart health, as heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans, of all backgrounds and both genders. To that end, KCTCS is encouraging its staff and faculty to join a ‘worksite wellness group’ which will plan year-long health activities for its colleagues. If successful, this is an idea, which may benefit KCTCS students, as well as the larger Kentuckiana community.
As far as heart health, among the many recommendations given by CDC is the reduction of salt, sugar, alcohol, and fat intake. So, what about Valentine Day celebrations, just eliminate them altogether, right? Well, not quite. There is a great amount of research which indicates that wholesome foods such as chocolate, cinnamon, almonds, and grape juice or red wine, may actually be curative. Then there are the health benefits of flowers, not just their impact on mood, but in the case of flowers used in brewing tea, there are actual heart- health benefits. There is the benefit of physical activity. Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m talking about dancing. Research indicates it improves cardiovascular conditioning, while ‘music therapy’ reduces stress, on the heart, and the brain. Finally, a range of doctors agree that laughter really is one of the best heart-health medicines. So, all the research suggests that finding the right combination of all these salutary interventions will make Valentine’s Day both memorable and healthy.
http://legacy.kctcs.edu/newspublications/weeklynews/index.cfm?eei_id=231 http://legacy.kctcs.edu/newspublications/weeklynews/index.cfm?eei_id=279
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