September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

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Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 24 in the United States. It is estimated that 4,600 lives are lost each year. These numbers are cause for great concern but with awareness and prevention can be decreased.
With the reported average in occurrences and recent high-profile suicides, the question of what is suicide and can it be prevented have become popular topics in conversation. It is of the utmost importance that trained mental health professionals address concerns through public education and advocating for the awareness of suicide and suicide prevention.

Know the signs:

. Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness

. Changes in sleep patterns

. Irritability or anger

. Lack of interest in daily activities, grooming and things they were once passionate about

. Talking about harming themselves

. Reckless behavior

. Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol

. Preoccupation with death and organizing of affairs in preparation for death

. Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

If you or someone know know if having suicidal thoughts or demonstrating suicidal behaviors, get help immediately. Call 911, 1-800-SUICIDE, or 1-800-273-TALK

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Soy and Amaranth Salad Dressing for Whole Grains Month

In honor of Whole Grains Month try this delicious and easy salad dressing made with amaranth. Amaranth is technically a seed, but is considered a grain in the sense that oats and wheat are because its nutrient profile is similar to that of cereals.  Amaranth is high in protein. In some studies it has been shown to lower cholesterol, and may have cardiovascular benefits.

This dressing is great on baby greens. You can store it in the fridge for up to two weeks which will increase the garlic flavor. Adjust the garlic and soy sauce to taste.

Ingredients

1 cup olive oil or canola oil

1 cup amaranth

2 garlic cloves, crushed and sliced

3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

Toast amaranth in a small frying pan on top of the stove. Don’t leave it unattended and continue to agitate the pan while it toasts. When you hear it “pop” and see it start to brown remove it from heat.

Blend the oil, garlic and soy sauce in a bowl or container. Add the toasted amaranth and let marinate for an hour. Shake or stir before pouring over salad.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

A “Honey” of a Home Remedy

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Honey and cinnamon have become indispensable ingredients in so many ways, not only because of their delicious flavor, but also because of their numerous benefits.

The tasty combo has been used for thousands of years  to add extra flavor to food, but if you have caught a summer cold and are coughing intensely,  honey and cinnamon is a  delicious, nutritious and effective all-natural cough syrup.

Ingredients:

One cup of honey

Three tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice

One teaspoon of cinnamon

1/4 cup of lukewarm water.

Slowly mix the lemon juice with the honey and then gradually add the warm water and then take one or two teaspoons of this homemade cough syrup before going to bed, to relieve the symptoms of cough without experiencing any side effects.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Obesity and Arthritis: What is the Relationship?

200249480-001When asked what health problems are directly attributed to obesity, the most common answers are hypertension, heart health, and diabetes, but obesity has a large affect on another condition – arthritis.

One out of five Americans has been diagnosed with arthritis, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that number nearly doubles among those considered obese. Obesity not only raises the risk of getting a certain type of arthritis; but for those who already have arthritis, obesity makes the condition worse.
Here’s a look at what fat does to arthritis, as well as some tips to put you on the road to losing weight.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, affecting approximately 27 million Americans. It is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage – the flexible but tough connective tissue that covers the ends of bones at joints. Age, injury, heredity and lifestyle factors all affect the risk of OA.

OA has a logical link to obesity: The more weight that’s placed on a joint, the more stressed the joint becomes, and the more likely it will wear down and be damaged.
Every pound of excess weight exerts about 4 pounds of extra pressure on the knees. So a person who is 10 pounds overweight has 40 pounds of extra pressure on his knees. If a person is 100 pounds overweight, that is 400 pounds of extra pressure on the knees, causing those who are overweight to be at greater risk of developing arthritis in the first place. Once a person has arthritis, the additional weight causes even more problems on already damaged joints.

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All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.