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Valenzuela, Carlos A

Articles by Valenzuela, Carlos A

SaludToday-Blog Has a New Look



As you may have noticed SaludToday has a new look! Our new design is more intuitive, mobile-friendly and more social than ever. Now, you can share our articles from your phone using text message, Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, and Email. “With the new design we hope to bring our daily readers a friendlier experience and one that’s more interactive,” Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR), the team behind SaludToday said. If you haven’t , connect with us today by following SaludToday on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and ...

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Study: Eating Potatoes May Raise Risk for High Blood Pressure



Potatoes are an important ingredient in many popular Latino dishes, such as papas con carne, caldos and papas horneadas. New research suggests eating this popular South American vegetable more than four times a week can raise the risk for high blood pressure—a condition that affects millions of Latinos in the U.S, Health Day reports. According to researchers who analyzed data from more than 180,000 people who took part in three different studies in the U.S., eating baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes is linked with an 11% increased risk; eating fried potatoes is linked to a 17% risk. “Potatoes have what's called a high glycemic index compared with other vegetables," said lead researcher Dr. Lea Borgi. "[That] can trigger a sharp rise in blood sugar, which might explain the ...

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80% of Public Pools Are Not Clean, Study Finds



According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 8 in 10 public pools in the U.S. are not up to code, BabyCenter reports. The CDC reports that, out of 48,000 public pools across the country, 8 in 10 had at least one safety violation and 1 in 8 had to be closed immediately. “Environmental health practitioners, or public health inspectors, play a very important role in protecting public health. However, almost one-third of local health departments do not regulate, inspect, or license public pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds,” said Michele Hlavsa, chief of CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program. “We should all check for inspection results online or on site before using public pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds and do our own inspection ...

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National Bike to Work Day



Data from the League of American Bicyclists shows that 40% of all trips in the U.S. are less than two miles and the number of bicycle commuters has increased tremendously over the last 16 years—especially among Latinos who have the second highest bicycle commuting rate. Peddling to work is not only good for the environment, but it’s also good for the heart and can significantly cut the risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes—a condition that affects millions of Latinos. According to doctors the health benefits of bike riding also include: • Increased cardiovascular fitness • Increased muscle strength and flexibility • Improved joint mobility • Decreased stress levels • Improved posture and coordination • Strengthened bones • Decreased body fat ...

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Latinas Can’t Afford to Ignore Dental Care



SaludToday Guest Blogger Jefferson Dental Clinics Latinas and other women are highly susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. One big reason is that Latinas are more likely than their peers to skip routine dental care due to cost, according to a study. Untreated dental issues can produce significant pain and tooth loss. Biological factors also play a role. Women are vulnerable to oral health issues during periods of hormonal fluctuation: puberty, with the use of birth control pills, and pregnancy and menopause. Thus, hormones are a major cause of gum disease, which is characterized by chronically irritated and inflamed gums and can lead to gum recession and eventual tooth loss. Bleeding and swollen gums, first signs of gum disease, are a common complaint in pregnant women ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 1p ET 5/24/16: Let’s Celebrate a Healthy Diet: National Mediterranean Diet Month



We are excited about all healthy diets, and this month is National Mediterranean Diet Month! We are celebrating the Mediterranean diet, as it has been linked to heart health! Latinos are more likely to deal with certain diet-related diseases like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease! Help us spread the word on how to help our health through what we eat by following #SaludTues to tweet about, share recipes, and enjoy celebrating a healthy diet full of fresh foods! #MedDietMonth WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat:  “Let's Celebrate a Healthy Diet: National Mediterranean Diet Month” DATE: Tuesday, May 24th 2016 TIME: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT) WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludToday CO-HOSTS: Fernanda Chacon (@cookandmove), National Hispanic ...

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Study: Having A Busy Schedule May Help Your Brain



New research suggests that having a busy schedule may help your cognitive function, Medical Daily reports.  For the study, researchers observed 330 men and women between the ages of 50 to 89 and found that those individuals with busy lives “tend to fare better on cognitive functions tests than their less busy peers.” "Living a busy lifestyle appears beneficial for mental function. However, further studies are needed to determine whether manipulations of busyness have the same effect,” said Sara Festini, lead author of the study. Other studies have demonstrated that an active lifestyle combined with daily exercise can also improve cognition and slow down brain ...

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4 Tips to Protect Yourself from Skin Cancer



Summer will be here soon, and to be honest, I can’t wait to go picnic with the family, take a trip to the beach and enjoy the sun. As we enjoy all these great summer time activities, let’s keep in mind the risks of sun overexposure, including skin cancer. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is responsible for 79% of skin cancer-related deaths and is the leading cause of cancer death among women ages 25-30. All skin types and colors, including Latinos, are at risk. But, you don’t have to hide from the sun. Doctors say you can protect from skin cancer by following these simple tips from SkinCancer.org: • Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day • Cover up with clothing, including UV-blocking sunglasses • Apply 1 ounce of sunscreen to your ...

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Study Finds Universal Screening Programs for Perinatal Depression Are Effective



Two recent studies demonstrate that a universal screening program developed by Kaiser Permanente increased the number of women diagnosed with and treated for depression during and after pregnancy. In the U.S. over 30% of Latinas report suffering from depression related to childbirth and according to a recent study this rate continues to grow. As part of the screening program, Kaiser Permanente screened women using a nine question survey that was later shared with an obstetrician who reviewed the results and when depressive symptoms were present referred the patients to support groups and classes. “We identified best practices, empowered advocates on site to help educate obstetricians, streamlined the work flow for screening during obstetric office visits and used data to ...

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