May 2019 - On Call Medical Clinic

Watermelon – Wow How Healthy

watermelon

Did you know that watermelon is not just a fun summer fruit to enjoy? Did you realize that watermelon has many nutrients to help us?

Here are many of the benefits of enjoying watermelon.

Loaded with Lycopene – these e cheery red color comes from lycopene, an antioxidant. Studies show it may help curb your risk of cancer and diabetes as part of a healthy lifestyle. Watermelon has more of this nutrient than any other fruit or veggie — even tomatoes. To load up on lycopene, choose a melon with bright red flesh rather than yellow or orange. And the riper, the better. Also, seedless melon tends to have more lycopene than those with seeds

Sun Benefit- Some pigments help protect plants from the sun. Oddly enough, just eating them may shield your skin, too — at least a little. The lycopene in watermelon may make it less likely that you get sunburned. But that’s not for sure, so keep using your broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher every day.

Heart Healthy- Watermelon is rich in an amino acid called citrulline that may help move blood through your body and can lower your blood pressure. Your heart also enjoys the perks of all the lycopene watermelon contains. Studies show that it may lower your risk of heart attacks. Of course, your whole lifestyle affects your heart health. So, make sure you also work out, don’t smoke, limit saturated fat, and keep up with your doctor’s advice.

Joint Protection- Watermelon has a natural pigment called beta-cryptoxanthin that may protect your joints from inflammation. Some studies show that over time, it could make you less likely to get rheumatoid arthritis.

Eye Health – Just one serving of watermelon gives you more than 30% of the vitamin A you need each day. This nutrient is one of the keys to keeping your eyes healthy. Foods are the best ways to get all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

Sweet Hydration- Juicy watermelon is 92% water, so it’s a simple way to help stay hydrated. Every cell in your body needs water. Even a small shortage can make you feel sluggish. If you get really dehydrated, it can become serious enough that you need to get fluids by IV.

We at On Call Medical Clinic obtained this information from the WebMD website, we hope this information will be helpful to you. Please remember we are here when minor injuries or illnesses occur that your primary care physician is not available. Please visit our website at https://www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical and skin care services we offer.

Aging Gracefully and Healthy

aging gracefully

Aging Gracefully and Healthy- Aging is a process that we will all have to go through. But there are ways to help you through this process, when dealing with the following occurrences that happen as we get older. Here are some tips.

Aches & Pains- Whether it’s an old injury that keeps flaring up or the start of arthritis, you’re more likely to feel a few aches more often as you age. Regular movement can ease pain and make your joints more flexible. Try low-impact exercises like swimming, yoga, and tai-chi. Heating pads or ice packs can help, too. If those don’t give you enough relief, talk to your doctor about over-the-counter or prescription medicines, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Wrinkles- These show up as your skin gets thinner, drier, and less elastic. But some things can make them worse, like smoking and ultraviolet rays from the sun or a tanning bed. To ease these signs of aging, protect your skin from the sun, and if you smoke, quit. Some skin products, like moisturizers or prescription retinoids, might make wrinkles less noticeable. But you’ll need to give them time to work — most need 6 weeks to 3 months to show results. A dermatologist can help you know what would work best for you.

Dry Skin- Sun protection and quitting smoking will help this problem, too. So, will watching how much alcohol you drink — it can dehydrate you. It’s a good idea to keep showers or baths to less than 10 minutes and to use warm water instead of hot. Then put a heavy, oil-based moisturizer all over your body right away.

Loss of Muscle- Many people lose strength and endurance as they get older, but the reason isn’t really about the aging process. Many people just stop working key muscles. The phrase “use it or lose it” applies here, so see if you can start weight training to build up your strength. Regular exercise, like walking, gardening, or swimming, can help, too. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day — you can split it into two 15-minute sessions if that works better for you.

Sleep Changes- Your need for shut-eye doesn’t change as you age, but your ability to get it can. Older people tend to have a harder time falling asleep, have shorter stretches of deep sleep, and wake up more often in the middle of the night. Coffee and alcohol can cause those issues, so cutting back on those can help. And it’s important to keep health conditions that can affect your sleep, like high blood pressure or GERD, under control. Talk with your doctor if you often have trouble sleeping.

Weight Gain- As you get older, you don’t burn calories like you used to. But you can counter that slower metabolism by being more active and watching what and how much you eat. Make fruits, vegetables, and leaner protein key parts of your diet. Also, limit sugar and foods that are high in saturated fat. And keep an eye on portion sizes.

Stay on Top of Your Health – Most older adults have at least one health problem, like heart disease or diabetes. If you do, it’s important to go for regular checkups, keep your prescriptions filled, and follow all your doctor’s instructions. Checkups are key even if you don’t have a health condition, so you can spot any issues early and get tips for staying healthy.

These are just a few tips that can help you be able to enjoy life as you get older.

We at On Call Medical Clinic obtained this information from the WebMD website, we hope this information will be helpful to our older patients as they are aging gracefully and healthy,Please remember we are here when minor injuries or illnesses occur that your primary care physician is not available. Please visit our website at https://www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical and skin care services we offer.

Fatty Fish a Great Source of Omega-3

fatty fish

Fatty fish are the best sources of two of the three most important omega-3s (EPA and DHA). These fatty acids are considered the good fats, unlike the bad saturated fats in meat. They may deliver huge health benefits for your heart, brain, lungs, and circulation. High doses can help slow plaque buildup in your arteries and lower some types of fat in your blood. Lean fish like cod, catfish, and mahi mahi have less fat in their tissues, so they pack less fatty acids.

Here are some of the best fish to eat:

Albacore Tuna

You should eat oily fish 1-2 times a week. A serving is about 3.5 ounces cooked, depending on your weight. Canned tuna in a sandwich or salad is a quick fix. Albacore has about 3 times as much omegas as skipjack or “light” stuff. A great fatty fish.

Farmed Salmon

There’s a good reason why salmon is a poster star for heart-healthy fish. And those raised in fish farms have some of the highest levels of omega-3s of any seafood. Bonus: They’re usually much cheaper than wild salmon and are another great fatty fish.

Wild Salmon

Wild salmon is still a great source of omegas. They’re an especially good pick for pregnant and nursing women because, like farmed salmon, they tend to have lower levels of mercury, PCB, and other toxins.

Atlantic Herring

It’s often pickled in vinegar and eaten throughout Scandinavia and parts of Europe. You can also pickle the fillets in wine or cream.

Mussels

They’re loaded with fatty acids. In fact, make mussels a top pick if you like seafood that comes in shells, not with scales. Ounce for ounce, they have way more omegas than lobster, clams, shrimp, and scallops.

Anchovies

The Spanish marinate them with their silvery skins in oil and vinegar for a tapas called boquerones and eat them with bread and beer. Like herring, these tiny guys put up big numbers for omega-3s.

Swordfish

Their meaty and mild meat is perfect for grilling. But you need to be careful eating swordfish. They eat smaller fish. They pick up more mercury and other pollutants from their diet. When you eat seafood with high levels of methylmercury in their tissues, it can affect your brain and your nervous system. It can be especially harmful to unborn babies and infants. Children and women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid swordfish, along with shark, tilefish, king mackerel, and marlin.

Sardines

You can buy them fresh or in a can. Because they’re smaller and live short lives, they’ve got far less mercury built up in their flesh than larger, older fish.

We hope this information was helpful. Remember for all those minor illnesses or injuries, We at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. Please visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to learn more about all the medical services we offer as well as skin care treatments.