Daily Health News Blog

(BPT) - Most Americans know texting and driving is dangerous but it continues to be a problem, especially for young drivers. While 97 percent of teens agree that texting and driving is dangerous, 43 percent still admitted to continuing to do it, according to a recent survey. The 2012 AT&T survey of teen drivers also found 75 percent of teens say texting while driving is common among their friends and the majority of respondents said they have texted when stopped at a red light and often glance at their phones while driving. While teens might be the worst offenders when it comes to texting and driving, plenty of adults are guilty too. As the evidence continues to mount concerning the dangers of texting while driving, 39 states have made it illegal. Whether it's legal or not in your state, here are three good reasons to quit once and for all: * Texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be in an accident, according to Virginia Tech Transportation Institute research. * Text

If you find it hard to keep your sodium intake as low as the government recommends, you’re not alone: Almost no one is achieving these limits, according to a CDC report. Everyone over 50, all blacks, and people with hypertension, diabetes, or kidney disease--that's most adults--should consume less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium (the amount in about two-thirds of a teaspoon of salt) a day to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. But only 1 percent of them have cut down on sodium that much.   Other adults should consume less than 2,300 milligrams, but only 5 percent are doing so. Not only that, but according to a study from the University of Washington in Seattle, it’s nearly impossible to follow a balanced eating pattern that meets official nutrient recommendations yet stays within the 1,500-milligram sodium limit. The only way to achieve both these goals, the researchers found, is to restrict, if not eliminate, meat, poultry, fish, and grains and eat a diet primari

5 tips to rest your eyes 1. Consider special glasses that focus at the proper distance to your computer. 2. Adjust your computer display to the same brightness as the light in the room. Enlarge text on the screen. 3. Reduce glare: Shade bright windows. Paint walls with a non-white matte finish. 4. Avoid excessively bright or harsh lighting. Floor lamps with incandescent or full-spectrum fluorescents can help in place of overhead lights. 5. Use lubricating eye drops to reduce dryness.

(BPT) - You've picked the perfect ring. You've practiced the words you'll use when you propose. But you know she would be livid if you asked her on the big screen at a sporting event. Making an engagement truly memorable will win you points for a lifetime each time she retells your engagement story. These tips will help your engagement stick out. With so many engagements between Christmas and Valentine's Day, here are some great ways to make your engagement be one of a kind. Take it personally You are proposing to the woman or man of your dreams. The one person you've chosen to spend the rest of your life with. The person who is the perfectly unique match to yourself. So, make the proposal just as personalized and special as that person. Yes, you may have chosen the perfect ring, but presentation is equally important. Choose something that will not only stun your betrothed, but also be something he or she can keep for years. Ditch the typical velvet box and g

(BPT) - Making mistakes is one of Americans' biggest fears at tax time. A single error can delay the processing of your return or even cause it to be rejected by the IRS. If that happens and you're entitled to a refund, get ready to wait. Today's sophisticated tax preparation products make doing your own taxes perfect the first time at an affordable price - or even free - a reality for millions of Americans each year. "Online and downloadable solutions have everything the vast majority of taxpayers need to file their taxes with complete confidence," says Jessi Dolmage, TaxACT Spokesperson. "Using do-it-yourself tax preparation software solutions drastically reduces the chance of errors, especially if you import last year's return information." If you're doing your own taxes for the first time this year or aren't able to import last year's return, be especially careful to avoid these common errors. *Every year, the IRS receives mill

Some foods are known to raise cholesterol. Some are known to lower cholesterol. If you replace the bad foods with good foods you double your benefit. Most of us know unhealthy food when we see it. But it's not so obvious which foods are really good, especially when it comes to reducing cholesterol. Here's my list of the top 10 foods to lower cholesterol.  1. Dark Chocolate This is a good choice because it tastes great and helps lower your cholesterol. How does dark chocolate do this? It contains flavonols which contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Use chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa.  2. Almonds and Walnuts and Pistachios These nuts contain unsaturated fat which is the good kind of fat. Unsaturated fat helps lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and raise good (HDL) cholesterol. It also makes LDL less likely to oxidize which is a process that harms the arteries. Numerous studies report a reduction in cholesterol with the consumption of these nuts.  3

You know what is not fair? The fact that it is a lot more fun to gain weight than it is to diet & exercise. That has to be of the actual reasons why people don't like to lose weight, right? I mean it only makes sense. If doing what it took to be at your ideal weight was more enjoyable than what it takes to gain weight, they hadn't have an issue with obesity. It doesn't must be that way anymore.  Imagine if it wasn't such a drag to get healthy, to lose weight, to eat right or to exercise. I am definite you can see what a positive impact that could have on how much you weigh. Here are some ideas you can put to make use of to make it fun.   The first thing you need to do is change your mindset. Don't be concerned about what other people think about your running, or what your overweight friends will say when you order grilled chicken for lunch. You know why you should not worry? Because it is your body! Let them laugh. You can laugh with them or laugh back