Many people have noticed that clothes are fitting tighter as the pandemic shutdown keeps going. These pandemic pounds have launched a series of weight loss messages from health professionals promoting a healthy weight to decrease risks associated with COVID-19 disease. However, weight loss during a pandemic comes with additional challenges to consider.

Question: What makes dieting risky during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Answer: Cutting calories for rapid weight loss generally cuts down on the supply of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals and protein. When nutrient levels drop too low, the function of the immune system can be impaired, reducing the bodys capacity to handle any infection, especially one like COVID-19.

Q: What is the best way to lose those pandemic pounds safely?

A: Take a moderate-dose multivitamin/mineral supplement. The proper function of the immune system is dependent on an adequate supply of several vitamins and minerals. When eating less food, it is difficult to meet these nutrient needs even if you are making more healthy food choices. A standard multi can fill the gaps.

Keep or increase high-protein foods in the diet. Cut calories by reducing high-carbohydrate and high-fat foods not protein. The immune system requires an adequate supply of high-quality protein.

Maintain muscle. During weight loss, the quickest thing, but the worst thing to lose is body protein mainly in the form of muscles. Muscle tissues use more calories, even at rest, than most other components of the body. So, lose muscle, and the body burns fewer calories, which, of course, makes it harder to keep losing weight or to maintain weight loss.

Exercise enough, but not too much. Protecting body muscle tissues from loss during dieting requires a combination of consuming enough protein and being physically active. Keep in mind that moderate exercise can help to maintain muscle and healthy immune function. However, too little or too much exercise can impair immune system health.

Stay hydrated. During warmer weather, it is easy to get dehydrated. Keep favorite beverages, including water, handy for sipping throughout the day. A simple measure of hydration is the color of urine. If it looks like apple juice, drink more. Bright yellow usually means you recently took a vitamin supplement. Caffeine-containing beverages may pass through a bit quicker, but they still help hydrate.

Aim for gradual loss. Rapid weight loss is not fat loss. If your diet has about 500 calories less than you need each day, that will add up to the loss of about one pound of fat per week. Since something like a 16-ounce coffee temporarily increases weight by a pound, pay more attention to waist size than body weight to monitor successful fat loss.

Alan Titchenal, Ph.D., C.N.S., and Joannie Dobbs, Ph.D., C.N.S., are nutritionists in the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dobbs also works with University Health Services.

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Column: Be smart and safe when trying to lose weight during coronavirus pandemic - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

A lot of parents consider education within schools to be purely academic. Whereas students often see school as a mix of academia and socializing. Very few of us really consider the practical lessons that also take place. While theres no doubt that English, Math, and Science are important, health education classes can also have a huge impact on the overall quality of life of pupils. It should not be overlooked.

The skills and knowledge that this class provides can also make a huge difference in their future. This is a class take teaches students about some of lifes important personal decisions.

Thats why its so important to follow the 5 tips below when developing a health education curriculum for students.

There are a whole lot of people who need to be involved in producing a strong curriculum. This includes,

All of them should have a say This is because each of these individuals has their own area of expertise that can be valuable to developing a solid program.

Leaving all aspects of health to a person who is only experienced in one field can leave huge gaps in your syllabus. Therefore, it is important to promote the fact that you are developing a curriculum in order to make sure that you include as many voices as possible.

Without representation from all aspects of the community, and people who have specific qualifications in certain areas, your curriculum wont be as effective as it could potentially be.

As a good health class will cover everything from cycling safely to immunizations to STIs to mental health to diet and exercise, it is simply impossible to expect one person to be able to put together a great curriculum on so many varied issues.

Many communities have existing groups that provide information on a variety of topics that will also be covered in a health class. It can be very helpful to coordinate with these groups.

This will make sure that you have the correct connections to the outside community. It is particularly important because these organizations are where your students will find support after they leave school.

This also ensures that

This makes it easier for students to speak with their family members or get advice from within or outside of school.

It can also be really helpful to have guest speakers come to health class to talk about their relevant areas of work. Students may be less self-conscious and happier to ask questions of them.

These experts will also be able to draw on their own experiences, without worrying about accidentally revealing the identity of a student who may have been in trouble.

For example, a regular teacher may not have sufficient knowledge to deliver an effective class regarding violence, gangs, or even mental health. These are all incredibly complex subjects.

If you want to provide your students with the best possible education, then you will need to link with professionals like this.

Many parents are very uncomfortable addressing topics such as sex, reproduction, or even alcohol and drug use. Often, parents only really bring up these issues once theyre already worried about their kids. Or when they suspect their child is already be involved.

However, prevention is always the best approach. Most studies show that talking to kids about two years before certain behaviors are expected to start is most effective.

This means that they need to learn about drinking responsibly before it is legal. And, they need to learn about having safe sex before the ages at which sexual experimentation begins in earnest.

While there may be some resistance from parents, any good curriculum must start at the right time to be effective. This should absolutely be considered during the planning stages of curriculum development.

Its important to do research into the local area for the ages most students are at risk for various issues, such as mental health or drug use. And, to make sure that your health class addresses this in the two years prior to that age.

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Your health education curriculum should be standardized as much as possible. You should be following core pillars and making sure you include universal principles in your teaching.

You shouldnt decide to neglect certain parts of well-acknowledged necessary elements because you feel they dont fit in with your school. Following expert recommendations on topics and procedures is absolutely the best way forward.

However, this needs to be done in a delicate balance with a personal approach. Nobody knows better than you what issues are more important in your school.

For example, there may be more eating disorders, obesity, or mental health problems in your area than on average. If that is the case, it makes sense to focus on those elements more than others if thats what you think your students need. But, remember, you do need to cover all of the topics even if you choose to focus more on certain ones.

There should also be an option for creativity and student involvement to make sure that they are, in fact, receiving the services that they need.

While this may be tough in schools or districts that are more religious, the priority needs to be the continued well-being of students. This means that you should not avoid subjects on standardized elements just because they might ruffle some feathers.

When coming up with a curriculum for a health class, a lot of healthcare and education professionals forget to check if the rest of the school reinforces the lessons students receive.

Is it possible to talk to someone about mental health? Is contraception available and are there signs to make students aware of where they can find help anonymously?

Even small factors, like ensuring healthy lunch options are available, can help solidify the message of living a healthy life. This makes your message more meaningful and earns the trust and confidence of students.

Developing a health class that works for all students is tough. However, following the above tips helps you provide a class that can provide a lot of advice, relevant to all students.

This article was first published on 6/27/17. It was medically reviewed and updated for republication on 8/30/20.

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5 Tips for an Effective Health Education Curriculum - The Doctor Weighs In

Monday, Aug. 17

12:40 p.m. A Warwick resident, 74, was issued a summons for driving with a suspended licence and issued a violation for an expired inspection sticker on Division Street.

2:30 p.m. A beagle got loose and bit a woman on Lenihan Lane after its owner left the garage door open for the milkman. The dogs rabies vaccine was not up to date and the owner was instructed to quarantine the dog for 10 days before updating the vaccine with a veterinarian.

3:09 p.m. A man with no shirt was heard yelling at people on Frenchtown Road. Police spoke with the man, who said he was walking to Dunkin Donuts.

4:29 p.m. A caller told police he heard screaming coming from an EG house when he rode his bike past the residence. Police checked on the house and found everyone was fine. Police said one member of the family has autism and sometimes makes loud noises.

6:05 p.m. An resident told police her car had been keyed. She only noticed it after someone had showed up at her place of work and yelled at her. The woman was so alarmed, she asked police to escort her to her car after her shift. Only later, after hearing from coworkers that the other person had been seen near the residents car, did she check the vehicle and notice it had been keyed.

8:15 p.m. Police got multiple reports of young people on bikes and a woman in a car engaged in a screaming match near the basketball courts on Cliff Street.

Tuesday, Aug. 18

12:59 a.m. Neighbors of Temple Torat Yisrael on Middle Road reported seeing three youths running in the street, one with a flashlight. Police located the three who stated they snuck out to go on a walk. Officers spoke with parents of all three youths, who were allowed to return to the house where they were having a sleepover.

8:28 a.m. A caller told police about a woman asleep in her car on Main Street. EGPD spoke with the woman, who said shed arrived early for work.

1:10 p.m. A Massachusetts man told police about a road rage incident that took place while he was driving south on South County Trail. He said a truck pulled in front of him then brake-checked him. The Massachusetts man said he passed the truck when he could but when they were both stopped at the light at Frenchtown Road, the truck driver got out, knocked on the mans window, then kicked the bumper of his car. The man said he didnt want to file a criminal complaint, just wanted the incident noted.

4:17 p.m. A caller informed police that a fight was taking place outside of a camper in the Cracker Barrel parking lot off Centre of New England Boulevard. The dispatched officers found the occupants were inside the camper watching television and not engaged in an argument.

5 p.m. An arrest warrant was issued for a Marlborough Street woman, 40, who was in violation of a no-contact order when she had a verbal argument days earlier with the party she was not meant to be near. This suspect is the same woman arrested for assaulting the person Aug. 7.

8:33 p.m. The owner of Nautika Restaurant on Water Street contacted police because an employee had received a threatening message from her boyfriend. The woman did not provide police with her boyfriends information but police stayed close to the area.

11:04 p.m. A caller told police about an erratic driver on Frenchtown Road heading east. Police stopped the vehicle on Post Road. According to the log, the driver checked out sober but has trouble seeing at night.

Wednesday, Aug. 19

9:06 p.m. A Laurel Wood resident complained about an ongoing problem in which a group of juveniles ring his doorbell and then run away. He has chased them in the past and was unable to identify any of them until this recent occurrence as he had installed a Nest doorbell camera. He provided EGPD with photos and video footage of the event.

6:51 p.m. A resident told police two men were having an altercation at South Road and Shady Hill Drive. Police arrived to find the men were not fighting, but they were speaking loudly. They were told to quiet down.

10:13 p.m. The owner of Main Street Convenience Store reported three young men pulling signs off the store. Police located a group of young men who were positively identified by the owner of the store who agreed not to press charges stating that the kids were simply acting dumb. They told police they would go home for the night.

Thursday, Aug. 20

2:07 a.m. Police spoke with a woman parked in the EGPD lot who had been sitting there for several minutes seemingly distraught. The woman said she was on her way home and had been upset about her divorce; shed pulled over to collect herself. She said she was safe and would proceed home shortly.

6:27 p.m. An EG resident told police a man was growling and yelling outside their house. Police found the man to be fine but instructed him to go back into his house.

8:26 p.m. A caller told police a group of kids were riding electric bicycles in the roadway on Cedar Avenue without reflective gear or lights. Police were unable to find the group.

9:32 p.m. Police checked on a woman driving a white Jeep erratically from Goddard Park. They located the car at Thorpes Liquors and proceeded to have the driver perform field sobriety tests, which she passed. The police did not find the woman smelled like alcohol and her eyes were clear. There was no sign of alcohol in her car.The woman said she was a model and might have been driving erratically due to not eating as a result of her diet and fatigue. She said she could drive home safely and did not need a ride.

Friday, Aug. 21

2:15 a.m. An Osprey Drive resident called police when he spotted two vehicles moving slowly on High Hawk Road. Police later determined that one of the cars, a Volkswagen SUV, had been stolen from a residence on High Hawk Road. The vehicle was recovered and found to have a smudged fingerprint on the front passenger door. Police also obtained surveillance footage of the suspects in the act and heard one of the suspects refer to a co-conspirator as Joe.

11:49 a.m. A Bow Street resident filed a report stating a packet was stolen from her car with all of the bank information for her businesses. The incident occured on July 23 when she noticed that someone had searched her car for valuables, but she did not file a report at that time as she did not think anything of value had been stolen from her car. (On July 23, several other residents reported car break ins and thefts.)

12:15 p.m. A Narragansett man told police a helicopter taking off from Camp Fogarty kicked up dirt and blew wind that caused the cargo cover to fly off his 2006 Dodge Ram pickup truck on South County Trail. He retrieved the cover, reported the incident to Camp Fogarty, and said he was unsure if he could snap the cover back on his truck.

3:31 p.m. Police were unable to locate an unruly customer who was yelling at the manager of Main Street Coffee.

11:49 p.m. An East Greenwich resident allegedly threatened people, including valets, in the Nautika Restaurant parking lot and attempted to rip off his shirt in an aggressive manner, according to police. EGFD transported the man, who appeared to be very drunk, to Kent Hospital. Police were later told by the valets that the individual asked if any of them had a gun as he would like to shoot up the people on Main Street. A representative of Nautika Restaurant requested a no-trespass order be placed against the individual.

Saturday, Aug. 22

9:17 a.m. A resident told police someone put cheese on his car. He did not wish to file a report but requested extra checks of the area to apprehend the culprit.

10:40 a.m. An East Greenwich man, 39 the same man who allegedly threatened people at Nautika late Saturday, was arrested on a bench warrant for failing to appear in court in April. He was transported to the ACI.

5:53 p.m. A resident informed EGPD of a flock of turkeys on Howland Road, one of which had a wire wrapped around its foot. Police notified DEM.

7:39 p.m. A caller told police a dog was in a red Dodge pickup truck at Nautika Restaurant. Officers determined the dog was OK and the owner was close by the car.

Sunday, Aug. 23

5:49 a.m. Scituate PD located the East Greenwich woman who violated the no-trespass order earlier in the week. She was found at a residence on Chopmist Hill Road where EGPD took custody of the woman, 40, completed the arrest and processed the suspect.

9:53 p.m. An anonymous caller stated that music was blaring from a party taking place on Hoyer Court. Police instructed the individuals to turn the music off and the party disbanded.

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Police Log: Cheesy Car, Wired Turkey, Youthful Indiscretions East Greenwich News - East Greenwich News

Express News Service

KOCHI: Itdemands a mind of quality to take the risk of battling a virus, which has pushed the world into a global economic shutdown, from the frontline. When she flew out with an 88-member Indian medical team to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in the UAE three months ago, Thalassery native Mary Steffi did not know what awaited her across the sea. Yet, the 24-year-old nurse did not think twice before taking up the challenge head-on. Now, dispelling all concerns and apprehensions, she has safely returned to her homeland after successfully completing her duties over the last three months.

Having completed the mandatory 14-day quarantine, Steffi is already back at work at the Aster CMI Hebbal, Karnataka since last week. But she continues to cherish the memories of a nearly 100-day-long stay at the Arab country. It was an experience of a lifetime. I was assigned to a field hospital set up at the World Trade Centre in Dubai. The 3,000-bed setup was unlike anything I have experienced to date, she says. The officials there had arranged gaming facilities, music instruments, and other means of entertainment to cheer up the patients. We had exclusive gaming zones, where they played board games, table tennis, etc., all the while following the social distancing protocol. We had a patient from the Philippines who occasionally played the piano. Other patients would also gather around when he played.

Just like our famous teashop chats back in Kerala, we often witnessed people gathering during the evening to talk about number of things, she recollects. While on duty, Steffi was also tasked with conducting rapid tests at the Dubai International Airport. As most of the travellers were returning without a job, this was a tough task to handle. I had to see several teary-eyed faces there. They hadnt had proper food for three months or so, and many had to face several issues with accommodation. We felt helpless, but tried our best to reassure them, she says. Having spent over a year in the field, Steffi had enough experience to work in the Covid emergency wards. She was one of the first persons to take up the officials offer to take up the work, following a request from the UAE government.

My parents were concerned about my safety as cases were on the rise in Gulf countries at the time. I informed them of my trip only after getting the official confirmation. Though they were initially reluctant, I managed to convince them.

As many as 38 Keralites in their contingent was from the Aster DM Healthcare group. The officials had ensured all facilities and security, and none of them tested positive for the virus during their stay.

We were provided with the best available resources, be it a balanced diet or good hotel accommodation. We never had to face any bad experience. But we felt sorry for many patients. It was not the disease, but the mental trauma due to the loss of their jobs that seemed to affect them more. Many of them were clueless as to how their life would be after Covid, she adds.

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Malayali medics three-month-long battle with COVID-19 in UAE - The New Indian Express

A study done by the U.S. government reveals that 68% of Americans consume below the recommended amount of magnesium. In fact, 19% of Americans consume less than half the RDI of magnesium. On top of that, the governments RDI for magnesium is actually too low for optimal health. Research shows that magnesium cuts metabolic syndrome by 22%. Metabolic syndrome controls abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, so its importance in your daily diet can't really be stressed enough.

"Magnesium is an essential mineral that is required by all of the cells of the human body in order to stay healthy," explains certified holistic health coach and co-founder of Raw Generation, Jessica Rosen. "Magnesium is pertinent to many of the body's everyday biochemical processes from heart function, to energy production, to muscle movement. Thus, a large magnesium intake from food sources is required on a regular basis, and even a slight deficit will negatively impact the body's ability to function properly. If you struggle with something like insomnia, that's a sign you may be magnesium-deficient."

"Magnesium is a part of over 300 enzymes in the body," explains Jonathan Valdez, owner of Genki Nutrition and media representative for New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "The typical American diet is inadequate in magnesium. The people who are most likely to be deficient in magnesium are men older than 70 years of age and teenage girls. Typical foods that contain magnesium are legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, fortified breakfast cereals, milk, yogurt and other milk products, Valdez explains, adding, "If you're not on a plant-based diet and drinking your recommended 3 servings of dairy per day, you can bet you're not getting enough magnesium."

Registered dietitian and The Diet Detox author Brooke Alpert recommends a specific supplement on top of foods with magnesium. "Magnesium is an important mineral that's needed for hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body," explains Alpert. "It supports everything from your immune system, to your heart, blood sugar control and nerve and muscle functioning. While it's found naturally in foods, it's one of the leading nutrient deficiencies in adults. I recommend a magnesium supplement, specifically Natural Calm ($24), to almost all my clients."

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Looking to add more magnesium to your diet? Us too. Fortunately, the professionals let us in on some good options.

"Spinach is packed with essential nutrients and is one of the absolute best foods for the human body," says Rosen. "Less than three servings of spinach daily will meet your entire day's magnesium needs."

Valdez is a fan of spinach, too. "I love cooked spinach with garlic because of the fiber and iron content, along with the magnesium. Fiber helps with bowel movementsadd a splash of lemon to this easy side dish and it will optimize the iron intake. Iron is a nutrient of concern in America because not many are eating enough. Low iron can result in fatigue and poor development in children and doesn't carry oxygen efficiently and effectively in the form of hemoglobin."

Alpert also stresses the importance of incorporating spinach into your diet. "Half a cup of a cooked spinach provides about a quarter of your magnesium needs," she says. "I ask my clients to always have two cups of greens at lunch and dinner to help with satiety and to provide fiber. Spinach is an excellent source of fiber."

Rosen is particularly a fan of cashews. "Cashews help to boost serotonin levels and can improve your mood as a result. They also help to curb overeating," she says.

"When I think of nuts and seeds, I think of heart health with unsaturated oils and omega-3 fatty acids," explains Valdez. "With their healthy oils, they're a staple in the Mediterranean diet, which is the number one diet in America, based on evidence-based science. Nuts and seeds also contain vitamin E, which is an antioxidant in the body, plant sterols, which may lower bad cholesterol in the body, and L-arginine protein, which help with artery walls preventing clots, which can block blood flow."

Alpert suggests almonds as well. "I love almonds for their magnesium content but also because they are the macronutrient trifecta containing protein, fiber, and fat," she explains. "This is excellent for weight loss and maintenance, blood sugar control, and total well-being."

"Avocados are rich in healthy fats that promote brain health and youthful skin," says Rosen. "They're also anti-inflammatory."

"Dark chocolate is extremely antioxidant-rich for protection against free radical damage to the body's cells. It also promotes heart health," explains Rosen.

"One ounce of dark chocolate has about 16% of your recommended daily [magnesium] intake," explains Alpert. "And it's chocolateno reasons needed to eat it. Just opt for high-quality dark chocolate."

"Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease," explains Rosen.

"Quinoa is a protein-rich, gluten-free grain that is an excellent choice for maintaining a healthy weight," explains Rosen. "It decreases your risk of heart disease."

"Lentils are an excellent vegetarian source of protein, iron-rich, and fiber-rich," explains Rosen.

"I aim to eat salmon three times per week," says Valdez. "Not only to get the magnesium content, but because it's high lean in protein, which also includes omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help manage inflammation in the body."

"I like yogurt because it has probiotics, which help with gut health," says Valdez. "More research is suggesting that having a healthy gut is linked to decreasing inflammation and bad bacteria that may promote obesity. Although the research is young, it is worth it to have a healthy gut anyway so you don't get sick. It also has essential nutrients such as calcium; potassium; phosphorus; protein; vitamins A, D and B12; riboflavin; and niacin."

"Black-eyed peas are perfect for your Taco Tuesdays and as a lean protein! Beans are high in fiber to help prevent constipation. But they also have antioxidants, along with a high profile of protein, and contains some iron to prevent iron deficiency that may lead to fatigue as mentioned earlier," says Valdez. "Other nutrients that these peas have are folate and vitamin A."

"Black beans in particular are high in fiber and protein, which will help with blood sugar levels and heart health," explains Alpert.

"Pumpkin seeds, flax, and chia seeds are all great sources of magnesium and great sources of fiber and fat," says Alpert.

"I'm all about Asian food, which is why tofu and soybeans are my favorite staples," says Valdez. "Not only is it a lean protein with healthy fats and high protein, it's also fermented with probiotics, similar to yogurt to help promote healthy gut. Tofu also has iron, calcium, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and vitamin B1. Perfect in various dishes like miso soup and stir-fries."

"Swiss chard has a similar magnesium content to spinach and is a great heart-healthy green that's perfect to cook with," explains Alpert. "High in fiber and also has plenty of vitamins and nutrients along with magnesium."

Now that your grocery list is full of foods with magnesium, go live your best healthy life.

Ed. note: Always consult with a doctor before making major adjustments to your diet or supplement routine.

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.

This article originally appeared on The Thirty

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13 Foods Packed With Magnesium, the Nutrient Every Single Organ Requires - Yahoo Lifestyle

Insulin is a master growth hormone made in the pancreas, Ede explains, and it controls the levels and activities of most other hormones in the body, including sex and stress hormones.

Insulin resistance occurs when cells in the fat, muscles, and liver can no longer respond to insulin and can't take glucose from the blood. To make up for it, the pancreas will pump out more insulin to help glucose enter the cells. Over time, this leads to blood sugar spikes.

How are insulin resistance and Alzheimer's related?

While insulin resistance is not the only determination of Alzheimer's, Ede says it is a very powerful risk factor. "The science is very clear," she says.

Research has shown insulin resistance directly affects the ability of the hippocampus (aka the brain's memory center) to access energy. Without proper energy levels, this region of the brain will begin to shrink and die, she explains, leading to cognitive and memory decline.

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How Insulin Affects Alzheimer's + Two Diets That May Lower The Risk - mindbodygreen.com