9 Fast Facts About Cholesterol Levels

cholesterol levels

High cholesterol is something most Americans recognize as being a bad thing. However, not enough Americans monitor their cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, it’s known as a silent killer because there are no symptoms associated with high cholesterol. Because of this, September has been named National Cholesterol Education Month.

Facts About Cholesterol

The following are a few facts about cholesterol that everybody should know about:

  1. High cholesterol is a condition that over 102 million American adults suffer from.
  2. Of that 102 million, roughly 35 million have dangerously high levels of cholesterol that put them at risk of heart disease — a condition that causes 600,000 deaths a year in the U.S. alone.
  3. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
  4. High cholesterol can also lead to a stroke, the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.
  5. Not all cholesterol is bad for you. LDL cholesterol is what’s bad for you; HDL cholesterol is actually good for you and can lower your risk of heart disease.
  6. LDL cholesterol is bad for you because it causes plaque to develop on the walls of your blood vessels, thereby causing them to narrow. Eventually, blood flow to your organs can be restricted, causing a stroke.
  7. Smoking makes high cholesterol worse because it damages your blood vessels, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease as a result of high cholesterol.
  8. A healthy diet can help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and eat foods that are high in fiber and unsaturated fats instead.
  9. Although a healthy lifestyle can help, genetic conditions, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes can also cause high cholesterol levels. In these cases, you may need medication, such as statins, to lower your bad cholesterol levels.

It’s important that you understand the effects that high cholesterol can have on your health. Be sure to monitor your cholesterol levels by scheduling routine check-ups with your primary physician in California and adopting a healthier lifestyle to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. For more health tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Prostate Cancer Awareness

prostate cancer awareness

Prostate cancer is not only the most common type of non-skin cancer in men, it’s also one of the most deadly forms of cancer. It’s estimated that one out of eight men is diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be around 248,530 new prostate cancer cases and 34,130 prostate cancer deaths in the U.S. this year alone. Because of how deadly it is, September has been designated as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Who Is At Risk Of Prostate Cancer?

The majority of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are over the age of 50. In fact, it’s estimated that only one percent of all prostate cancer patients are under 50. On the other hand, 80 percent of all prostate cancer patients are over 65. As such, the risk increases the older you get. It’s also been noted that those who are African American and those who have a family history of prostate cancer are at a greater risk.

Can Prostate Cancer Be Prevented?

Although nobody knows exactly what causes tumors to grow, it is known that diet does contribute to the risk. Studies have indicated that the condition is more common in countries where men eat more meat and dairy products compared to countries where they eat mostly rice, vegetables, and soybean products. Additionally, those who eat a lot of red meat are at a higher risk.

By reducing the consumption of red meat, you may be able to reduce your risk of prostate cancer. You should also add foods to your diet that are high in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants help protect your cell’s DNA from being damaged.

Schedule a Prostate Health Screening

Although prostate cancer can be deadly, most men who are diagnosed with the condition won’t die. The key to being able to treat prostate cancer, however, is to catch it in the early stages, which is why it’s so important that men over the age of 50 schedule prostate health screenings with their California physician on a regular basis. For more health information, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Food Safety Education Month

September is National Food Safety Education Month.

Learn how to be a food safety superhero! Take steps to help prevent food poisoning, and show others how to keep food safe.

Be a Produce Pro:

• Keep fresh fruits and vegetables separate from raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs.

Use Separate Cutting Boards:

• One for fresh produce

• Another one for raw meat, poultry and seafood

Use Separate Plates and Utensils:

• For cooked foods

• For raw foods

Never place cooked food back on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs.

Wash the plate with hot water and soap before using with other foods.

For more information on safely handling produce, check out the Produce Pro fact sheet at www.fightbac.org.

Causes of Food Poisoning

Many different disease-causing germs can contaminate foods, so there are many different food borne infections (also called food borne disease or food poisoning).

  • Researchers have identified more than 250 food borne diseases.
  • Most of them are infections, caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
  • Harmful toxins and chemicals also can contaminate foods and cause food borne illness.

CDC estimates that each year 48 million people get sick from a food borne illness, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die.

Do I have Food Poisoning?

Common symptoms of food borne diseases are nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. However, symptoms may differ among the different types of food borne diseases. Symptoms can sometimes be severe, and some food borne illnesses can even be life-threatening. Although anyone can get a food borne illness, some people are more likely to develop one.

Some Common Food borne Germs

The top five germs that cause illnesses from food eaten in the United States are:

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Realtor Safety Awareness

Realtor safety is surprisingly not something a lot of real estate agents are often concerned about. However, realtors spend a lot of time showing empty homes to strangers that they do not know, thereby potentially putting themselves at risk. In a Member Safety Report published by the National Association of Realtors, it was revealed that 33 percent of realtors have been in situations in which they were worried about their safety while on the job.

To help spread awareness about the importance of being prepared and staying safe while showing homes in California, September was designated as Realtor Safety Month.

Safety Tips for Realtor Safety Month

The following are a few tips that realtors should follow in order to stay safe while showing homes to prospective buyers:

  • Be alert during showings. Realtors should be aware of their surroundings at all times, and if something feels off to them, then they should immediately leave the premises.
  • Let someone know where you are. You should notify a friend or family member of the address where you will be, even if you’re not showing a property to anyone. For instance, if you’re just double-checking an empty house for something, you should still let someone know where you’re going.
  • Carry a phone at all times. Realtors should have a phone with them at all times. Not only will you be able to call for help in the case of an emergency, but your phone also has GPS on it, which means that your location can be identified if needed.
  • Use an emergency POM tool. POM (personal safety opportunity monitor) tools are small devices that you can click on if you find yourself in an emergency situation and need to request help right away.
  • Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, then you should listen to your intuition. For example, if someone comes to the door that you do not know while you’re in an empty house by yourself, don’t answer if something feels amiss.

Be sure to share these safety tips during Realtor Safety Month. For more safety awareness tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Prostate Cancer Awareness: Get Checked!

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is observed every September in North America by health experts, health advocates, and individuals concerned with men’s health.

How common is it?

About 1 man in 8 will be diagnosed during his lifetime. Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common in American men. The American Cancer Society’s estimates in the United States for 2021 are:

  • About 248,530 new cases
  • About 34,130 deaths

What Is It?

It is a malignant tumor of the prostate.

The disease is less common before age 50, and experts believe that most elderly men have traces of it.

Risk of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men and in non-Hispanic Black men. About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older, and it is rare in men under 40. The average age of men at diagnosis is about 66.

Death Statistics

It is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. About 1 man in 41 will die of from it.

This can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with it do not die from it. In fact, more than 3.1 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed at some point, are still alive today.

Prostate cancer in its early stages (when it’s found only in the prostate gland) can be treated, with very good chances for survival. Fortunately, about 85% of American men with prostate cancer are diagnosed in an early stage of the disease.

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