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Exercise is important for a healthy heart all year long. But during the winter months, exercising in the cold can raise the risk of angina (chest pain) or even a heart attack for some people. HOW COLD CAN HURT HEARTS If you’re out in the cold—whether on a run or shoveling snow—the low temperatures cause your blood vessels to constrict. This means your heart gets less oxygen, just when you need even more of it due to exercise. And that can lead to dangerous results. STAY SAFE (AND IN SHAPE) If you’re heading outside for any vigorous activity this winter, follow these tips to lessen your risk: Dress in layers Always wear a hat Stay hydrated Warm up for 15 …

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If you want to eat healthier, you may want to consider when you are eating in addition to what you are eating, according to a recent study. The research from Journal of the American Heart Association shows that eating starchy sides with meals raised the risk of heart disease and cancer, while eating small servings of fruit in the morning and at lunch, and vegetables at dinner, lowered those risks. However, eating vegetables at lunch did not seem to have the same positive result. The study recommends: Eating fruit in the morning and vegetables at night Avoiding traditional lunches with refined grains, cheese and cured meat—i.e., sandwiches Sticking with whole grains, yogurt, fruit, and nuts for lunch Skipping starchy snacks …

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From CTH’s Chaplain, Peggy Locke We all experience grief at some point in our life. While it can manifest in different ways, we tend to go through five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While loss is a normal part of life, it isn’t a part of our everyday experience, making it feel especially uncomfortable and even maybe abnormal. We talked with Carson Tahoe Health’s Chaplain, Peggy Locke, who told us what she has learned about grief. The following quotes are her thoughtful words of wisdom. Hopefully, these quotes can help you the next time you experience grief. Or, maybe if you or someone you know has recently lost someone, you can share it with them to …

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Soda, pop, or coke—no matter what you call them—contain high amounts of added sugar that pose risk to your health. And it doesn’t stop with soft drinks. Regularly drinking any sugar- sweetened beverages can cause adverse health effects. “Enjoying the occasional sugar-sweetened drink isn’t detrimental,” says Matthew Gordon, MD, Family Medicine Provider with Carson Tahoe Health. “It becomes problematic when you consume them on a regular basis.” One recent report published in the Journal of the American Heart Association revealed that drinking 12 ounces of sugary drinks more than once daily is linked to reduced levels of “good” cholesterol and higher levels of triglycerides—a combination which increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. Drink This, Not That Dr. Gordon suggests water …

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Incorporating probiotics and prebiotics in your diet could be the key to better health. Are you one of the millions of people who suffer from symptoms of poor digestive health? It’s estimated that 60 to 70 million Americans experience gastrointestinal issues, according to the National Institutes of Health.  These problems range from bloating and gas to more serious conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and ulcerative colitis. But whether you experience occasional or chronic issues, there are things you can do to alleviate symptoms and make your gut healthier. Bacteria: Good vs. Bad Your gut is home to about 50 trillion bacteria made up of around 1,000 different species. While you might think of bacteria …

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