Tips for a Healthier Summer
Summer
is almost here. Are you and your body prepared for it? As much as you may love
your fun in the sun, laying on the beach or camping, the summer also “cooks up”
its own range of health-related considerations. To help you get prepared, we’ve
pulled together a list of summer-specific health tips that should get you and
yours well-positioned for a happy and healthy season of sun.
Natural Insect Repellant:
Nobody enjoys being bitten by mosquitoes and the longer you stay outside,
the higher your chances of becoming a victim. Rather than wearing your share of
chemical sprays to repel mosquitoes, why not try something
natural? Essential oils like peppermint oil, citronella, thyme, and cinnamon
oil have been shown to keep mosquitoes at bay. Some are even more effective
than DEET. You can diffuse essential oils outside or wear your choice of
topical essential oil preparations.
Barbecue the Right Way this Summer: Summer barbecues are the highlight of the season.
Cooking meat at very high temperatures can produce cancer-causing compounds.
Among them are heterocyclic amines (HCAs). Safer ways to grill start with marinating your
meats several hours prior to grilling which can minimize HCA formation as can
grilling your meat
in foil. Removing charred portions of grilled meat can also help to lessen your
exposure.
Be Sun Safe this
Summer: While occasional sun exposure is healthy, sun burns
aren’t. Make sure to take measures to protect your skin during the hot summer
months. Prevention means blocking not only UVB radiation, but UVA
radiation too. But it also means steering clear of suspect chemicals that are
found in conventional sunscreens. Those suspect ingredients include oxybenzone,
which could disrupt the human hormonal system, and Vitamin A (retinyl
palmitate), which may boost skin cancer risk.
Try Hydrating
with Coconut Water: Coconut water is nature’s antidote for dehydration. We
certainly encourage you to keep coconut water within arm’s reach. It contains
healthy electrolytes which the body loses with sweat. And according to a
clinical study, it hydrates just as well as water and sports drinks. Looking
for other hydrating drinks? Celery, cucumber, and tomato juice work well, and,
most importantly, don’t forget water! Avoid sugary juices, soft drinks,
alcohol, and caffeinated drinks as they are dehydrating.
Safer Holiday Travel:
The
holidays are a popular time for people to travel to see their family and
friends. Whether you plan to travel by plane or car, there are steps you can
take to make your trip safer and healthier. While the airport and plane may be
full of passengers that
you can see, it’s also full of millions of germs, viruses, and bacteria that
can ruin your trip. The same goes for
that car rest stop, the hotel room, and that roadside restaurant. Proper hand
washing, hydrating and taking certain supplements are good preventative
measures.
One of the most common nutrients that people
take when they think they are getting sick is vitamin C. Vitamin C is an
important antioxidant that may improve immune function due to its ability to
scavenge damaging free radicals.
Another supplement helpful for preventing jet
lag and its accompanying fatigue is melatonin. Melatonin can help your body
adjust to time zones changes more easily.
Why
not be proactive this year to stay energized and healthy while you travel?
Please
speak to Dr. Rodwin before you travel for more information on these and other
preventative measures to make your summer travel safer.
For natural sunscreens check out the
Environmental Working Group Sunscreen Guide at:
For natural insect repellant recipes:
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