fit for life The Texas Department of Health (T.D.H.) gives great ideas on how to live a healthier life. The top five recommendations are: eat smart, get fit, get shots, get check-ups and screenings, and don’t smoke. According to the T.D.H., more than 60 percent of people in Texas are overweight or obese. Studies conducted by the T.D.H. suggest that these two health conditions cost an estimated $10.2 billion in 2001. By making some of these positive changes you may improve your lifestyle and your state of mind.

lower your blood pressure Did you know that only a small amount of salt occurs naturally in foods? Sodium-heavy food preparation in restaurants and high salt intake is linked to high blood pressure, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Decreasing the amount of salt you consume on a daily basis can be a step in the right direction. Some helpful tips for choosing foods with lower salt and keeping your blood pressure down: Eat more fruits and vegetables which are naturally low in sodium. These contain potassium as well which may help reduce high blood pressure. Also, keeping your weight in a healthy range can lower your blood pressure naturally. When ordering foods in restaurants, ask that they be prepared with less salt. And when eating at home, limit the amount of condiments you add to your food, such as ketchup, olives and mustard. For more information. visit www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines.

lung association hotline The American Lung Association has opened its hotline to the public to help spread the word about the dangers of smoking. Registered nurses, respiratory therapists, and quit-smoking specialists answer concerns and give valuable information over the phone. Find answers to questions about lung diseases, air quality, allergies to tobacco, and smoking cessation. The toll-free hotline, (800) 548-8252, is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Questions may also be sent to the American Lung Association’s site, www.texaslung.org.

vegan vitamin e Having trouble finding a vitamin E that is vegetarian- or vegan-friendly? Look no further than Revival Soy’s new vitamin E supplement, made entirely of vegetable cellulose. According to the manufacturer, this vitamin is free of gluten, yeast, salt, wheat, dairy products, and animal gelatin, to name a few. Dr. Aaron Tabor, medical research director and CEO of Physicians Laboratories, reports, “This all-vegetable capsule not only benefits vegetarian and vegan communities, but is a healthier choice for everyone. Vegetable capsules are easier to digest and are less temperature-sensitive than gelatin capsules.” For more information, call (800) REVIVAL (738-4825) or visit www.soy.com.

infant workout With some helping hands, babies may be healthier at the beginning of their lives. According to Pediatrics magazine, a recent study observed 24 newborns of low birth weight in either an exercise or control group. In the exercise group, the babies had five-minute sessions of flexions and extensions at various joints, five times each week for four weeks. The control group received human contact and caresses, but not the same level of physical activity. The bone density of the exercise group remained constant while the control group’s bone density decreased. These findings don’t prove conclusively that exercise increases bone density in babies, but it may be helpful in fighting bone-thinning illnesses like osteopenia. The study also demonstrates that physical activity affects the body regardless of age. For more information, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/pediatrics.