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Beta-Amyloid Proteins and Their Role in Alzheimer’s Disease The marijuana study was recently published in the Aging and Mechanisms of Disease journal. According to the study, marijuana contains a compound that helps reduce beta-amyloid protein levels. Beta-amyloid is a protein commonly linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Basically, it clumps together within the brain of patients affected by the disease, causing a plaque to form. Several studies have shown that the plaque caused by the beta-amyloid protein causes a disruption in the communication between the brain’s neurons. This disruption is what’s said to cause the symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, such as memory loss. The problem with attempting to prevent beta-amyloid proteins from accumulating is that researches are still unfamiliar with the exact process that the protein has in the development of Alzheimer’s. How Marijuana Can Help Treat Alzheimer’s Disease The research team at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, found that an increase in beta-amyloid production led to the increased expression of pro-inflammatory proteins in the nerve cells. This, in turn, would cause both inflammation and nerve cell death. Inflammation is something that has always been associated with Alzheimer’s, but most researchers believed that this was being caused by immune-like cells within the brain and not the actual nerve cells. How does marijuana fit into all of this? Marijuana contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which are similar to endocannabinoids, which are naturally produced by nerve cells to help aid nerve cell signaling. Basically, researchers figured out that marijuana could reduce the levels of beta-amyloid and eliminate the inflammation caused by the protein. It turns out that marijuana could be extremely useful in helping treat Alzheimer’s disease. For more health-related news, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

The following are a number of tips for selecting and using sunscreen: Throw away old sunscreen – Sunscreen typically has a shelf life of three years, but this doesn’t take into consideration its exposure to extreme heat. If someone has taken the same sunscreen to the beach every day over the course of a single summer, then it’s better to throw the rest of it away and purchase a new bottle next year. Look for high SPF values – The higher the SPF is, the more protection is provided against sunburn. There’s generally no point in purchasing a sunscreen with an SPF of over 50 for a child – at that point, they’re better off wearing a hat or loose-fitting clothing. No sunscreen is waterproof – In fact, the FDA banned the use of the term waterproof on sunscreen bottles. Now, sunscreen is labeled as water resistant. These sunscreens will state how long they will work after exposure to water. Once that time is up, sunscreen will need to be reapplied. Look for a broad spectrum sunscreen – Broad spectrum means that the sunscreen has passed tests protecting against both UVA and UVB rays. One causes sunburn, the other ages the skin, and both cause skin cancer. Always get a broad spectrum sunscreen. Avoid sunscreen and insect repellent combinations – Sunscreen is something that needs to be reapplied frequently, while insect repellent should not. Instead of using combined sunscreen and insect repellent, use two separate products. Use lotions instead of sprays – Sprays don’t cover the skin as well as lotion, and there are some concerns over inhaling the spray by accident. Keep these sunscreen tips in mind and visit us at The Benefits Store for more helpful health-related advice today.

UnitedHealth will most likely continue to offer coverage to California employers as well as to government workers and their families via the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. Stephen Hemsley, the Chief Executive of UnitedHealth, released a statement back in April announcing that the company was no longer willing to keep losing money on the health insurance exchange business. He claimed that UnitedHealth would not be able to serve the market on an effective and sustained basis because of the smaller size and the short-term, high-risk profile of the market segment. UnitedHealth had only joined the California exchange this year. This means that their withdrawal will not have too big of an impact considering that they only had 1,200 enrollees. According to the California Department of Managed Health Care, as of April 27th, UnitedHealth did not have any individual policyholders that existed outside of the exchange. However, critics of the Affordable Care Act are using the insurer’s exit from California, which is a high-profile state, as evidence that health-law insurance exchanges are not financially sustainable. This claim has been rebuked by the President’s administration, who have pointed out that the number of health plans that offer exchange policies have actually increased since they launched back in 2014. There are around 1.4 million people enrolled in the state’s insurance exchange — and unlike other states, large insurance companies have reported profits from selling on California’s marketplace in part because they have one of the healthiest risk pools in the nation. For additional information about the state of the health insurance industry in California or for all health insurance–related news, be sure to visit us at the Benefits Store today. Image credited to  Katherine Welles / Shutterstock.com

According to the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Thomas Frieden, there is a risk of living in a post-antibiotic world. The case concerned that of a 49-year old woman from Pennsylvania dealing with a urinary tract infection. The last chance antibiotic that was used was “colistin,” which is generally reserved for use against what is considered nightmare bacteria. According to a study, the superbug was infected by a small piece of DNA known as “plasmid”. The plasmid passed along a gene called “mcr-1,” which transmits a resistance to colistin. This instance was the first report of mcr-1 in the United States. The patient first reported symptoms of a urinary tract infection on April 26th, when she visited a clinic. Her current condition was not described. According to the study, the true frequency of the mcr-1 gene needs to be determined and therefore continued surveillance is required. The potential speed of the gene’s spread cannot be known until more information is collected, such as how the patient was infected in the first place as well as what kind of presence the colistin-resistant superbug has — not just in the U.S. but throughout the world. Antibiotic resistance has been the cause of roughly two million illnesses and 23,000 deaths every year in the U.S. The mcr-1 gene was discovered last year in China as well, where it was found in both people and pigs. The possibility that the superbug could spread from animals to people is a huge concern to health officials. As of now, the best way to protect against the superbug and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria is by washing one’s hands thoroughly and preparing food appropriately. For more health-related news and advice, visit the Benefits Store today.

Although people can no longer purchase over-the-counter medication using their healthcare FSA money, there are still plenty of medical expenses that they can spend it on. The following are a few of the things that one can purchase using their pre-tax healthcare FSA money on: Home medical equipment: This includes items such as crutches, bandages, first-aid kits, blood-pressure monitors, thermometers and even inhalers. For items such as these, their FSA eligibility should be noted at the bottom of the receipts. Insurance co-pays and exams: This includes vision exams. Dental work: This includes full dental checkups, fillings, extractions, teeth-cleaning appointments and braces. However, teeth whitening is not covered. Glasses: This includes prescription glasses, sunglasses and reading glasses. Alternative treatments: This includes chiropractic sessions or acupuncture sessions. This depends on the type of FSA plan the patient has. Prescription medication: FSA money can be used to replace expired medication. However,  even though FSA money can no longer be used to pay for over-the-counter medications, there is a way to get around this — one can have their doctor write a prescription for an over-the-counter medication. In this case, the patient can use their FSA money. Medical mileage reimbursements: This means people can use their FSA money to cover the cost of traveling to a medical appointment, whether by car or public transportation. Parking fees and tolls are included in this as well. These are a few medical expenses that California residents can spend their healthcare FSA money on. However, it should be noted that those who have an FSA as well as a Health Savings Account can only use their FSA for dental and vision expenses. To keep up-to-date on health insurance news, visit us at the Benefits Store today.

What Is Listeria? Listeria is a foodborne pathogen that is not as common as E. coli or salmonella, but that is more lethal than either. A healthy immune system should be able to withstand an infection caused by Listeria, but once the bug enters into the bloodstream it can cause listeriosis. Listeriosis kills 20 percent of its victims. People with weaker immune systems — such as older adults, newborns and pregnant women — are more at risk of infection. Adults over the age of 65 are four times as likely to get listeria than the common population, while pregnant women are ten times as likely. Although they may not develop listeriosis themselves, it can threaten their babies. Symptoms include fever, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions and stiff neck. The Current Listeria Outbreak According to the CDC, there have been eight people affected so far. Six have contracted listeria in California as well as one each in Maryland and Washington. Both patients in Maryland and Washington died, although it was determined that listeria was not their ultimate cause of death.The CDC has stated that the frozen vegetables produced by CRF Frozen Foods are the most likely source for the listeria. What to Do Consumers should inspect the vegetable packages in their freezer and check the UPC codes along with the “best by” dates against the FDA’s list. If there is a match, the package should either be disposed of or taken back to the store for a refund. Although listeria can be killed if the vegetables are properly cooked, they would need to reach at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit — and it’s not worth the risk. Be aware of the recent listeria problem and visit us at the Benefits Store for more updates on important health information.

The Benefits of Walking Generally speaking, adults of all ages should get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity every week in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Walking happens to be one of the easiest ways to meet this benchmark. Walking can be done at one’s own pace, causes little stress on the body and requires no additional equipment. This makes the health benefits of walking a dog all the more obvious. Recent studies have even shown that dog walking is one of the most effective ways for seniors to stay active and fit. The study used data gathered from roughly 20,000 Americans over 50 years of age for a period of two years. This data revealed evidence for the association between dog walking and physical health. Dog Ownership Benefits Health Research revealed that dog walking was not only linked to a lower BMI (body mass index), but that it was also linked to fewer doctor visits and more frequent exercise. Additional benefits of dog walking included an increase in social benefits and the reduction in limitations of daily living activities. It’s not just that walking a dog allows for exercise, it’s that older adults are more likely to get out and walk more often if they have the obligation of a dog. The companionship that a dog offers provides more incentive as well — they want to spend more time with their dogs and therefore go on walks as a leisure-time activity and not just as a way to exercise or to take their dog to the bathroom. Senior citizens can not only benefit from the companionship of a dog, but can also improve their physical health through the simple act of dog walking. For more up-to-date, health-related news, visit us at the Benefits Store today.

Toxins Most people who are in the process of cleansing their bodies of toxins with a juice cleanse actually have no idea what they are trying to get rid of. The term “toxins” might as well just be “bad stuff.” Everyone is exposed to toxins on a daily basis, that’s for sure. Common toxins include pesticides, alcohol and even acetaminophen, one of the active ingredients in Tylenol. But the thing is, the body is built to handle these toxins naturally — it typically doesn’t need the assistance of juice. The kidneys and liver are organs designed to remove toxins from the bloodstream and to process them into feces and urine for removal. According to medical experts, there is no good scientific evidence that a juice cleanse can aid this process. So Is It Worth It? However, that doesn’t mean that there’s no benefit whatsoever to a juice cleanse. The juices used in a juice cleanse, which often consist of vitamin and antioxidant-rich vegetables, can be extremely beneficial in a number of ways. They provide the body with nutrients that can help improve its health, they can be an effective way to help lose weight and they can get people to pay more attention to their diet by eating healthier. Juice cleansing can be extremely beneficial to the health of one’s body, but there’s a common misconception that it helps remove toxins from the body — it doesn’t. To keep up to date with all newest health-related fads and health insurance information, be sure to visit us at the Benefits Store today.

New Kaiser Permanente Santa Cruz Locations Kaiser Permanente will be providing both commercial health insurance and Covered California coverage to residents of Santa Cruz. They will open their medical buildings in three different parts of Santa Cruz: At the Crossroads Center in Watsonville At the Granite Creek Business Center in Scotts Valley In downtown Santa Cruz. The properties are currently being renovated in order to create a convenient, inviting and integrated medical environment that is up to Kaiser Permanente’s high standards. All three locations will provide primary care in addition to facilitating telemedicine visits. The Kaiser Permanente medical centers located in Scotts Valley and Watsonville will also provide radiology services, pharmacy services, laboratory services and a number of other specialty services. The Watsonville Community Hospital has been selected to provide local hospital services and inpatient care. Kaiser Permanente members will also have access to these services at the provider’s medical centers in Santa Clara and San Jose. Reasons for Expansion According to the press release that was published by Kaiser Permanente, their expansion to Santa Cruz was based on the needs of both the community as well as its existing members. The new Santa Cruz locations will be a huge benefit to the 5,800 residents who are already members of Kaiser Permanente and who work in the existing service areas, not to mention the 500-some Kaiser Permanente employees who are already living in the Santa Cruz area. Kaiser Permanente first expressed interest in expanding to Santa Cruz back in 2012 when they obtained the naming rights for the local basketball arena. As of now, they have over 10 million members in eight different states as well as the District of Columbia. Residents with Covered California insurance should keep their eyes open for the new Kaiser Permanente locations in Santa Cruz. Here at the Benefits Store, we strive to keep residents up-to-date with all the latest health news. Image courtesy of Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com.

A Glitch in the Covered California System This transfer has occurred without the knowledge or the consent of those whose Covered California health plans were dropped once they were transferred to Medi-Cal. This is a serious issue, since a pregnant woman could end up missing out on prenatal care because they no longer have proper health insurance coverage. According to Covered California, all of this was caused by a computer glitch, which although identified, won’t be fixed until September. Because of this glitch, those who are currently insured through Covered California and are pregnant should not report their pregnancies to Covered California. First of all, it’s not even a requirement to report pregnancies, so there’s no reason to do it in the first place. Secondly, by reporting their pregnancy, they could risk having their coverage dropped due to the glitch. Similar Issues With HealthCare.gov A similar issue has been reported with HealthCare.gov, the federal health insurance exchange. The glitch has caused computer systems to immediately transition women to Medicaid after reporting their pregnancies. The Source of the Issue Consumers are typically placed in either Medi-Cal or Covered California, depending on their income level. They don’t have a choice between the two — but the rules are different for pregnant women whose household income falls between roughly $22,100 to $34,100 for a family of two. Pregnant women that fall in this income bracket are automatically placed in Medi-Cal, but they technically get to choose, even though they aren’t informed about this option. Women with health insurance through Covered California should avoid reporting their pregnancies at this time. To stay up to date with important health insurance related news, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Back in 2010, Amanda’s parents Pam and Doug were informed that their daughter was being held at a psychiatric crisis center. Amanda had attempted to throw herself in front of a moving car while attending college. Her parents were told that she had fallen into a state of psychosis—she was selling off her belongings and falling under the belief that she was being followed by cameras. It wasn’t until then that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Amanda exhibited signs of her mental illness as far back as middle school. She would experience extreme mood swings and would often get into huge arguments with her parents. Pam realized her daughter needed help and went to their family doctor. Their doctor provided a list of nearby therapists. Unfortunately, the list was not only out of date, but therapy was extremely expensive. They couldn’t afford the number of sessions she needed, even though she was diagnosed with depression. After being held in the psychiatric crisis center, Amanda was moved to a hospital, which focused on treating her medically. The family were worried about expenses. Fortunately, a federal law was passed in 2008 that required mental illness to be covered without limitations. Mental illness affects millions of people, and it’s important that a correct diagnosis is given in order to get proper treatment. For legal advice and protection in regards to receiving such treatments, consider the LegalShield plan at the Benefits Store.

O’Grey was suffering from Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He also weighed 320 pounds and was spending over $1,000 a month on medication to treat his conditions. In 2010, he was in such bad physical shape that his doctor told him that he was likely to die within five years—he was 51 at the time. So he scheduled an appointment with a naturopathic doctor in the hopes of losing weight. The doctor told him to get a shelter dog. O’Grey took his doctor’s advice and adopted an overweight, middle-aged dog—he wanted a dog that was like him. The dog, named Peety, needed to be walked on a daily basis. O’Grey began taking Peety on half-hour walks on a daily basis, while also adjusting his diet to a plant-based diet. Over just a single year, he lost 140 pounds and Peety lost 25 pounds. While the diet was an important factor in losing so much weight, so was the exercise that he was getting. More importantly, having a dog gave him an excuse to exercise—and it kept him from backsliding into unhealthy ways. It’s easy to stop going to a gym—but it’s hard to stop walking one’s dog. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, O’Grey’s story isn’t an outlier. They have stated that having a pet can help the owner to not only decrease feelings of loneliness, but also to decrease high cholesterol, high blood pressure and triglycerides. Not to mention that adopting a pet from a shelter benefits the pet as well!  Here at The Benefits Store, we strive to keep Californians up-to-date with all the latest medical news.