Let’s Talk Women’s Health: 

SIMPLE HEART-HEALTH HABITS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

It’s not all that tough to make lifestyle changes that can help lower your risk of heart disease, says Ara DerMarderosian, Ph.D., professor of pharmacognosy (a branch of pharmacology dealing with active substances found in plants) at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. “We need to aim for prevention and not damage control,” says DerMarderosian.

To help protect your heart:

• Avoid fried foods and highly-processed foods such as deli meats.

• Consume six to seven servings of vegetables daily.

• Eat fresh, homemade meals rather than processed and prepared foods.

• Increase antioxidants in your diet by eating foods such as citrus fruits, blueberries and spices such as turmeric.

• Limit consumption of red meat to one or two servings each week.

• Eat more fresh chicken, turkey and fish, including salmon, cod, herring, mackerel and sardines, which supply heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

• Don’t smoke, and steer clear of second-hand smoke as much as possible.

• Avoid and reduce stress as much as possible.

• Maintain a positive attitude.

• Exercise moderately and regularly.

• Maintain bowel regularity.

• Drink alcohol moderately. Roughly one glass of red wine daily is acceptable.

• Be cautious and consult your physician before taking dietary supplements that claim heart benefits.

• Practice portion control and consume meals at a leisurely pace.

MORE DERMATOLOGY PATIENTS ARE CHOOSING LASER TREATMENTS

Diet, exercise and healthier living may make us feel younger, but too often our skin tells the true tale of our age, despite our best efforts to mitigate the damage. Aging skin is caused by many factors, including too much sun with too little sunscreen, wind, cold, pollution, smoking, stress, poor nutrition, facial contortions and alcohol.

While many people still opt for invasive techniques such as surgical face lifts, aggressive resurfacing or deep chemical peels to combat the signs of aging, many are now turning to minimally invasive procedures. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the use of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures for the face increased by more than 100 percent from 2000 through 2007.

One reason is the development of high-energy, extremely accurate lasers that have enhanced the ability of physicians to improve sun-damaged skin, scars, wrinkles, brown spots and other conditions with minimal to no downtime.

"These new laser skin-resurfacing techniques can take years off your appearance," notes Joshua Fox, M.D., founder of The Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery in New York City. Laser skin rejuvenation can be done in one to just a few treatments depending on the technology, and patients are able to return quickly to their normal activities, he says.