Could keto be bad for you?
New research suggests that the bacon-friendly Keto diet might not be as great as you think. Turns out the high-fat, low-carb eating plan, which puts the body in a state of ketosis so it burns fat for energy, could actually raise blood pressure. Tests on mice — carried out by researchers at Augusta University — showed the diet raised the rodents’ blood pressure after four weeks. The study “really highlights the importance of understanding what you are eating,” says Dr. Jennifer Sullivan, the pharmacologist and physiologist who led the study. “We may be underestimating how bad a consistently high-fat diet is for us.”
Helping Pregnant Women
A national program designed to increase the number of women receiving early and regular prenatal care was introduced at Sentara CarePlex Hospital’s Family Maternity Center in Hampton recently. The Stork’s Nest, a cooperative project of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the March of Dimes Foundation, is an educational program that promotes participation through incentives. By taking part in activities such as attending prenatal care and well-baby appointments, stopping at-risk behaviors and participating in prenatal education classes, participants earn points that they can use to “buy” maternity or baby care items. There are more than 80 Stork’s Nests across the country. For more information or to donate gently used items, email storksnest@zetaphibetasororityhq.org.
35
The number Norfolk, Va., ranks among cities whose residents live an active lifestyle. WalletHub compared the 100 biggest U.S. cities based on indicators such as number of sports clubs, weather and access to exercise opportunities. Virginia Beach ranked 39.
14%
The percentage of U.S. adults who are cigarette smokers, which is down tremendously since the National Center for Health Statistics began tracking tobacco use in 1965, when it was 42 percent. However, smoking still accounts for 20 percent of deaths each year and seems to be more prevalent in non-white, lower-income neighborhoods.
38,000
The number of children in Virginia who will be reached through Optima Health’s reading program over the coming months. The program, which includes a puppet show, is being held at public schools and libraries and at community events in lower-income areas to help show the positive effect reading can have on lifelong health and well-being.
More parks and libraries = Happier people
Americans are happier in states where governments spend more on public goods such as libraries, parks, highways and police protection, according to a Baylor University study. Spending on public goods makes communities “more livable, with more amenities,” says researcher Patrick Flavin, an associate professor of political science at Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences.
Can’t Drink Milk? TRY THIS
A new kind of milk by an Australian dairy based nutrition company is said to be easier for digestion than regular milk. Cows’ milk naturally contains a mix of A1 and A2 proteins, but a2 Milk comes from cows that naturally produce only the A2 beta casein protein type, which appears to be gentler on the tummy. A2 Milk is not, however, for those with a milk allergy or who have been medically diagnosed as lactose intolerant. The brand has been on Australian shelves for the past 10 years and was introduced in the United States last year.