6 Facts About Low Vision Awareness Month

Low Vision Awareness MonthIt’s Low Vision Awareness Month, which means you may want to have your vision checked by an eye doctor to make sure you’re not suffering from low vision. Low vision affects a lot of people – especially as they age. In fact, it’s believed that even more people will suffer from low vision in the future because they are living longer. The following are six facts that you should know about low vision:

  1. Low vision is often the result of an eye disease or other health condition, such as cataracts, diabetes, glaucoma, eye injuries, birth defects, and age-related macular degeneration.
  2. There are roughly 4.2 million visually impaired Americans. By 2030, that number is expected to reach around 7.2 million, five million of which are projected to have low vision.
  3. Anyone at any age can be affected by vision loss. However, people over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of suffering from low vision.
  4. Low vision cannot be corrected through the use of eyeglasses, contact lenses, surgery, or medication. It can make it difficult for people with low vision to cook, write, shop, or even watch TV.
  5. Low vision not only impairs the vision of the affected person, it can result in feelings of helplessness, anxiousness, and depression.
  6. Vision rehabilitation programs are available to help aid people with low vision to maintain the lifestyle that they are used to. The program helps train patients in the use of magnifiers, how to complete daily living skills in a safe and independent manner, and how to locate additional resources and support.

These are a few things that you should know about low vision. If you or anyone you know is suffering from symptoms of low vision, which includes having difficulty recognizing faces, fixing things around the house, choosing and matching the color of one’s clothes, or just getting around the neighborhood, then you should see an eye doctor immediately. To keep up to date on all the latest health related news, be sure to visit us at the Benefits Store today.

3D Bioprinter to Print Functional Human Skin

Print Functional Human SkinTechnology continues to advance in ways that nobody could have imagined only a few years ago. Take for example 3D printing. Most people are still amazed by the capabilities of 3D printing, yet 3D printing continues to advance in leaps and bounds year after year. Only recently, a group of scientists presented a 3D bioprinter prototype that can print functional human skin, which can be used for skin transplants, scientific research, or even for the testing of cosmetic, pharmaceutical or chemical products.

The New 3D Bioprinter

The 3D bioprinter was showcased in the electronic version of Biofabrication, a well-regarded scientific journal. The human skin created by the 3D bioprinter is the first living organ to be created through the use of bioprinting. It has the ability to replicate the skin’s natural structure, including the first external layer, the epidermis, and the dermis. The dermis is produced using fibroblasts that produce collagen, which is a protein that helps provide the skin with elasticity and mechanical strength.

Instead of using colored inks and cartridges, like typical printers do, the 3D bioprinter uses injectors with biological components called bioinks. These bioinks must be used in very specific conditions and have to be correctly deposited to ensure that the cells won’t deteriorate. The act of depositing the bioinks is actually a computer controlled process because of this very reason.

The ability to print human skin provides huge advantages to the scientific and medical community. For example, bioprinting allows skin to be printed in an automated and standardized way, making this process much less expensive than manual skin production. It also allows consumer chemical products to be tested without the use of animals, thereby abiding to strict industry regulations.

The technology is currently being approved by various European regulatory agencies to ensure that the human skin that is printed by 3D bioprinters can be safely used for transplants on burn patients as well as on patients with certain skin disorders.

Keep track of the latest advancements in medical technology, such as the invention of the 3D bioprinter, by keeping up with The Benefits Store.

Top Foods for Fighting Colds

foods for fighting coldsIt’s the cold and flu season, which means that more people will hopefully be paying attention to their health in order to avoid getting sick and being forced to miss school or work. Although there are flu shots that can help to prevent the flu each season, there is no cure for the common cold. Fortunately, there are ways to fight colds, including through the way one eats. The following are the best foods for fighting colds:

  • Chicken Soup – Chicken soup has been eaten as a remedy for a cold for hundreds of years. It turns out that chicken soup does in fact have healing effects. It can help to loosen up the mucus in one’s throat, thereby relieving the symptoms of a cold.
  • Garlic – Garlic contains allicin, which is an active compound with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Numerous studies have revealed that people that use garlic supplements experience fewer colds.
  • Tumeric – Tumeric is a spice that has been designated as a superfood. It’s often used in curry dishes and is high in antioxidents. It’s also naturally anti-inflammatory. By consuming tumeric every day, a person can relieve their body of toxins, thereby becoming less susceptible to colds.
  • Fish – Fish that are particularly oily are generally rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These compounds help reduce harmful inflammation within the body, which in turn helps to ensure that the immune system works properly. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids not only help lower inflammation levels, but that they also help lower anxiety, which is a condition known for weakening immune function. Fish that are full of omega-3 fatty acids include mackerel, salmon, and tuna.
  • Dark Leafy Greens – Citrus fruit isn’t the only food packed with vitamin C. Dark leafy greens, such as kale or spinach, boast a large amount of vitamin C as well. By adding plenty of dark leafy greens to one’s diet, a person can help reduce the duration of a cold.

These are a few popular foods for fighting colds. To stay up to date with all the latest health news and information, visit The Benefits Store today.

Losing Weight in the New Year: Will Exercise Really Help?

Losing WeightDeciding on losing weight in the new year is a common New Year’s resolution that many people share. However, it’s a resolution that can be difficult to accomplish. In fact, few people who make such a resolution actually go through with it. This is in part because losing weight in the new year is a lot easier said than done. Many people will begin exercising regularly following the new year in order to lose weight. However, for many, this exercise will become less and less frequent – especially if they don’t see results soon.

Why Losing Weight in the New Year is Difficult

Some people may scoff at those that are unable to lose weight as part of their resolution. They may think that those that have failed do so because of a lack of willpower. They believe that if someone has enough willpower, they will keep exercising no matter how difficult until they begin losing weight.

However, willpower may not be the only reason that a lot of people have difficulty keeping up a regular exercise routine. A recent study on cell metabolism revealed that willpower is not the only factor. The study involved feeding two different diets to two groups of mice. One was a standard diet while the other was a high-fat diet. Researchers observed both groups of mice over a period of 18 weeks.

The group of mice that consumed the high-fat diet spent less time moving – and when they did move, it was at a much slower rate than the other group of mice. However, researchers noticed that this lack of movement occurred before any weight gain set in. It was only afterwards that they gained substantial weight. Upon closer examination, it was discovered that altered dopamine receptors were the cause of the slowdown in movement.

The study reveals that if anyone is planning on losing weight as part of their New Year’s resolution, they need to make sure they’re on a healthy diet. An unhealthy diet can be just as damaging as a lack of willpower. For more health news, visit The Benefits Store today.

6 Ways Dry January Will Benefit Your Health

Dry JanuaryOne of the most common New Year’s resolutions that people share is to become healthier. One of the popular ways to do this – besides exercising more regularly – is to go through a dry January. A dry January refers to a month of sobriety. Abstaining from alcohol for an entire month is more difficult for some than it is for others, but it can have a tremendous impact on one’s health.

How a Dry January Can Benefit One’s Health

The following are just a few ways in which abstaining from alcohol consumption over the period of a month can help improve a person’s overall health:

  • Drink less long-term – Health Psychology published a study in which they discovered that people who took part in a dry January ended up drinking less than they normally would have over the following six months.
  • Reduce potential heart problems – Excessive alcohol consumption can cause an increase in the levels of fats in the heart. These levels of fats are known as triglycerides, which contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries. When this occurs, there’s an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to high blood pressure, arrhythmia, and cardiomyopathy.
  • Reduce the risk of liver damage – By drinking too much over a period of time, one risks causing damage to the liver. Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to a buildup of fat in the arteries, known as alcohol hepatitis or, in more severe cases, alcohol cirrhosis.
  • Reduce the risk of pancreas issues – Heavy alcohol consumption can disrupt one’s pancreatic function, which can lead to pancreatitis.
  • Lose weight – Alcoholic beverages contain a lot of calories. Almost half of those who participate in dry January end up losing weight, according to a survey performed by Alcohol Concern.
  • Improve sleep – Alcohol consumption disrupts sleep and can lead to insomnia. Cutting down on alcohol can lead to better sleep, allowing the body to restore itself more fully.

Take part in dry January to enjoy these health benefits. Be sure to keep up with The Benefits Store for more health news and advice.