Fats, fiber and fitness: Three tips for staying out of the doctor’s office

What would you do right this minute, if you knew it might keep you from needing to see a doctor tomorrow? There are hundreds of simple ways to help protect our health. These include everything from hand washing to good dental hygiene. Here are three of our favorite wellness tips involving fats, fiber and fitness.

Fats: Our brains are made of 60 percent fat. So why aren’t fries considered brain foods? We need to nourish our brains (and our hearts) with the right kind of fats. Omega-3 fatty acids (also commonly known as EPA and DHA) are the good guys. EPA helps to lower triglycerides in our blood. DHA helps to nourish our brains. According to the American Heart Association, omega-3s may also lower your risk of abnormal heartbeats, which can lead to sudden death.

• Tip: Increase your dietary intake of fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, anchovies and sardines. If you don’t like fish, or if you aren’t eating it twice a week, choose a dietary supplement with a minimum of 350 mg combined of EPA and DHA.

Fiber: The right fiber may help if you’re having trouble with blood glucose management or glucose intolerance. When Sunfiber is added to food, or consumed in a beverage during a meal, it assists your body with combating increased blood glucose levels by reducing the glycemic index of foods. Sunfiber also promotes your body’s absorption of calcium and magnesium, which supports bone health.

• Tip: Add a scoop of Sunfiber to your food daily. It won’t change the taste, aroma or consistency of your meal, but it may help your body to function better.

Fitness: Fatigue sends thousands of people to see their doctors each year. By improving your body’s ability to deliver oxygen and key nutrients to your heart and muscles, exercise can actually boost your energy. Another side benefit of working out: Exercise stimulates certain brain chemicals, which may cause you to feel more relaxed and happier.

• Tip: If you can never seem to carve out the recommended 30 minutes a day to exercise, break that time into smaller increments. Many fitness experts agree that three 10-minute workouts can be just as beneficial as one 30-minute session.

Here’s one last tip: Fun. Grab reasons to laugh and smile. Many years ago, journalist Norman Cousins gained national fame by fighting his heart disease with laughter. While he ultimately died of heart disease, he survived many years longer than his doctors predicted.