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POST 1
When we hear someone talk about the fountain of youth, we know that we are dealing with the issue of aging and not of a magic spring that creates immortality for humans. We know this because we’ve all been taught the very basics of life, in one form or another, along with the undeniable truth that death is real. Because we are aware that preventing death is impossible, we’ve decided to explore the best preventative treatments for battling the un-pleasantries of old age, including proper diet, exercise, and other routine physical and mental maintenance.
Seven years is a long stretch, but physical activity isn’t the only component to a healthy lifestyle. Proper diet is one of the most important considerations for keeping your health in check. Not only does a balanced diet improve the longevity of your life, but it can be the key factor that improves your quality of life. Staying away from foods known to have genetically modified organisms or pesticides decreases your predisposition to food allergies and other epidemic health problems.
Sure, I could claim that regular exercise, proper nutrition, and a healthy diet are the new “fountain of youth” but only if I was interested in adding years to my existence. The real benefit to a healthy lifestyle is the immediate improvement to overall quality of life; including the health of the mind, body, and spirit.
POST 2
It should go without saying that a healthy pregnancy is very important. Most women are aware of the need to make lifestyle changes during pregnancy for the health of their unborn baby. As research has made progress over the years, the list of things pregnant women should not do has increased substantially while the list of things that women should do has gained equally in size. Besides the obvious no-no’s such as smoking, alcohol, and illegal drugs, the list of acceptable foods has become slim and for this reason, I think that proper nutrition should take top priority among pregnant women.
Since pregnant women are now eating for themselves as well as the baby inside of them, it is important to consume enough calories. Equally important is the choice of foods that these women eat, because the quantity and quality of the foods will dictate whether or not the baby will get the sufficient nutrients needed, including Vitamin C and Folic Acid. In order to take in essential carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and necessary nutrients, the Katherin Kam suggest that pregnant women balance these 6 foods: whole grains, beans, salmon, eggs, berries and low-fat yogurt. These foods in particular will help promote the growth of the “baby’s tissues and bones” as well as provide the necessary “folic acid to protect against neural tube birth defectsiron to help red blood cells carry oxygen to your baby” and other nutrients to stimulate healthy development. In addition to healthy lifestyle changes, pregnant women should consult their doctor to ensure that they are able to process and deliver all of the required nutrients to their baby.
Works Cited
American Heart Association. (2015, March 2). Physical activity improves quality of life. Retrieved from Healthy Living: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/PhysicalActivity/StartWalking/Physical-activity-improves-quality-of-life_UCM_307977_Article.jsp#.VyFCiDArLIU
Kam, K. (n.d.). Health and Pregnancy. Retrieved April 27, 2016, from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/must-eat-foods-pregnancy
Smith, J. M. (Director). (2012). Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of our Lives [Motion Picture].
