Aspirin Therapy for Preventing Heart Attack and Stroke

You may have heard about studies linking a daily dose of aspirin with a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. Is aspirin therapy right for you?

Aspirin appears to lower the risk of blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke, and research has shown that people who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease can benefit from a low dose (75 to 325 mg) taken daily. Aspirin therapy seems especially helpful for those who have already had a heart attack, a stroke, or some other evidence of atherosclerotic vascular disease, or those who are at significantly increased risk because of abnormal cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

However, for people at lower risk, the benefits of taking aspirin are less clear — and may be overshadowed by an increased risk of bleeding, a side effect of aspirin that can be quite dangerous. The risk of bleeding is also increased in those who take blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (brand name Coumadin).

The bottom line: Talk to your doctor to see whether low-dose aspirin therapy is right for you. Have the doctor assess your cholesterol level, blood pressure, and other factors to determine your heart disease and stroke risk. Don't forget to mention any other medical conditions you have and any other medications or supplements you take on a regular basis (including nonprescription products).

And remember, the other healthy lifestyle changes you are making — including eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in fiber and whole grains, avoiding unhealthy weight gain or losing weight, and getting regular exercise — also cut your risk of heart problems and stroke in the future.

Try Lettuce Wraps at Lunch!

Need a break from the same old lunchtime options? I am working with Oscar Mayer and having all kinds of fun sampling their Turkey Bacon recipes!
Now, I have a suggestion to help you break up the mid-day boredom! Try a fun "twist": Turkey Cobb Lettuce Wraps made with turkey bacon! I recommend turkey bacon that has at least 50 percent less fat than pork bacon, such as Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon.*
Tasty and wholesome, these wraps are great if you're watching what you eat as part of a weight management plan. They're perfect with a piece of fruit or a small bowl of vegetable soup on the side! The lettuce in this breadless sandwich is rich in vitamin A and teams up with tomatoes to provide a good source of vitamin C. If you're a parent, try making Turkey Cobb Lettuce Wraps with your kids as part of a fun weekend lunch. They'll love rolling up the ingredients (and "helping" you in the kitchen!).
*(based on USDA data)
Turkey Cobb Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients

• 2 large leaf lettuce leaves
• 1 slice Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon, cooked, cut in half
• 6 slices Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Shaved Smoked Turkey Breast
• 2 thin peeled avocado slices
• 2 thin tomato wedges
• 1 Tbsp. Kraft Light ROKA Blue Cheese Dressing

Preparation
Top lettuce with remaining ingredients; roll up tightly.
Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 10 min
Makes: 1 serving
Per Serving: 140 calories, 9 g total fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 30 mg cholesterol, 770 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber, 2 g sugar, 11 g protein. Good source of vitamin A (35% DV), vitamin C (15% DV), iron (6% DV), and calcium (2% DV).

The Weight-Depression Connection

Did you know that in any given year, around 18 million American adults deal with depression or a related condition? Depression is more than just persistent feelings of sadness or being "down in the dumps" — it's an illness that affects your body, your mood, and your thoughts. It's a leading cause of disability, and experts think that many people who experience depression do not receive a diagnosis or treatment. That's a shame, since treatment helps 80% of people recover from episodes of depression within a year.

While the connection is not yet understood, experts have noticed a link between obesity, lack of physical activity, and depression. The relationship between depression and weight gain can be likened to the chicken-and-egg scenario. Sometimes depression strikes first, leading to weight gain and an inability to muster the motivation needed to tackle the problem. Other times, excess weight gain leads to depression, which then makes tackling the weight gain even harder.

In any case, it's important to know that safe and effective treatments for depression, including cognitive behavioral therapy (either alone or in combination with prescription medications), are available. Medical studies have shown that regular exercise, along with other treatments, can also help to relieve the symptoms of depression.

Help is out there — but to get it, you must take the first step. In addition to eating well and getting regular exercise, talk with your doctor if you have concerns about your mood. If you have depression, facing it will only make all your life struggles — including the one with your weight — much easier to face. So don't delay.

Get Active as a Family

If your time-crunched day leaves you feeling like you have to choose between fitness and family time, here's some good news: You can combine the two!

The benefits of making family time active time go far beyond physical fitness. Being active as a family also promotes family bonding, encourages time outdoors, and reduces time spent on sedentary activities like watching television or playing video games. Active family time is a great opportunity for you to model a positive attitude toward fitness for your kids and teach them healthy habits that will benefit them throughout their lives. It's also a chance for you to have some fun and play as if you're a kid again!

Need some ideas for activities that everyone will enjoy? Here are some to get you started:

• Go for a bike ride.
• Take a swim at the pool or lake.
• Walk around a local track.
• Hike a wilderness trail.
• Walk along the beach.
• Take a trip to the local rink for roller-, ice-, or in-line skating.
• Play a game of catch or touch football.
• Play at a local playground.
• Jump rope or play hopscotch.
• Walk around at the zoo.
• Play tag, hide-and-seek, or keep-away.

Once you start brainstorming, no doubt you'll find there are all types of active pastimes you can enjoy as a family. So go ahead, ask your kids out on a "play date." You will be able to check exercise off your to-do list and enjoy spending quality time with your kids to boot!

Get a Sexy Stomach by Spring!

This season, it's time to get that midriff you've always wanted! While your regular cardio workouts are important for burning the fat that's lying on top of your stomach muscles, you'll also want to work your abs with twisting crunches — you'll whittle your middle in no time!

Start by lying flat on your back, making sure that there is no space between your spine and the floor or mat. Contract your abdominal muscles and lift your head and shoulders about 6 inches off the floor, but don't use momentum to lift yourself; you should truly feel your stomach muscles squeezing! Then, twist slightly to the side, reaching your hand to the outside of your right thigh. Keep your shoulders off the floor, holding the reach, and pulse for two sets of 8 to 12 reps; if your neck starts to hurt, double-check your positioning. After you rest for 15 seconds, switch to the left side and repeat the exercise.

With practice, crunches will have your stomach looking the best it ever has!

Eat These 3 Fruits for Great Summer Skin

Slather on that SPF every chance you get this summer. But for extra sun protection points, eat plenty of these fruits as well: cherries, nectarines, and watermelon.

These juicy treats not only cool your mouth in warm weather but may shield your skin from warm weather, too. Compounds in the fruits may boost your skin's natural resilience against wrinkles and sun damage, according to Allison Tannis, author of Feed Your Skin, Starve Your Wrinkles.

In-Season Skin Savers
What's so special about this trio of fruits? Check out their unique protective benefits.

• Cherries: Eat a daily handful and you may enjoy fresher, less puffy skin. It's all thanks to the inflammation-fighting anthocyanins and melatonin in cherries, writes Tannis. Melatonin may boost UV protection and cell growth as well -- two great ways to keep wrinkles at bay. Tart cherries tend to be highest in melatonin. (Find out how tart cherries help fight cancer, too.)
• Nectarines: These smooth-skinned sisters of the peach provide a mini-spa's worth of nutrients that may help correct sun damage from the inside out, according to Tannis. They offer skin goodies like lycopene, lutein, niacin, copper, and vitamins A, C, and E. The A, C, and E trio also works to control inflammation and free radical damage in both the watery and the fatty layers of skin. (Add nectarines to dinner with this recipe: Tarragon-Rubbed Salmon with Nectarine Salsa.)
• Watermelon: Nibbling on watermelon wedges has the power to refresh your face as much as your palate, thanks to the high water and lycopene content. Lycopene helps protect and preserve connections between skin cells so skin is tighter, smoother, and better able to retain moisture. (Store your watermelon this way to get the most lycopene from it.)

Let Others Inspire You!

There's a reason why people like hearing and reading success stories. These feel-good tales are constant proof that others have had similar struggles — and, most important, that they've gotten through them!

Especially moving are stories that begin with someone who's made unhealthy choices that lead to such life-threatening diseases as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, or cancer. And when that person is a friend or relative, the message is all the more powerful. Fortunately, what these accounts teach us is that by eating right and exercising regularly you do have the power to turn your life around — and prevent these ailments from happening in the first place!

So on those days when you're lacking willpower, think of those success stories. That formerly obese 40-year-old mother of three who now looks and feels like she's 30, that 60-year-old woman who runs marathons, that 55-year-old man who was able to reverse his type 2 diabetes by adjusting his diet and hitting the gym. They all made it to the other side, often emerging stronger — physically, mentally, and emotionally. That can and will be you!