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  • Avoiding Aspartame: Dangers of a Common Additiveby

    Posted on: October 6, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    Diet drinks and other aspartame-laced products are often advertised as contributors to weight loss. However, a July 2017 study dismisses these claims, connecting aspartame to an increased risk of heart disease and increased body mass index. The study analyzed data of almost 407,000 individuals, finding no benefits from consuming "diet" foods and drinks containing aspartame, and instead increased risks of stroke and cancer. This artificial sweetener breaks down immediately upon consumption into ...

  • Creative Ways to Squeeze More Steps Into Your Weekdaysby

    Posted on: September 29, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    We all know exercise is beneficial for us, but many people who are trying to lose weight believe that it takes fancy equipment or expensive gym memberships to make it happen. However, walking has been shown to aid in weight loss and decrease risk of heart disease and high blood pressure; it can also be done anywhere, anytime, and is free! Take a step in the right direction (no pun intended!) by adding 300-500 steps each day until you reach at least 10,000. Crunched for time? This list of cre ...

  • Eat, Sleep & Work Better: 7 Ways to Wake Up for Morning Workoutsby

    Posted on: September 29, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    Exercise in the morning to make your workout work for you! Did you know that morning exercise yields better long term results than afternoon or evening workouts? According to RD Mitzi Dulan, that is because working out first thing in the morning allows you to develop a consistent routine with minimal scheduling conflicts, helps you make healthier food choices throughout the day, and is also responsible for a boosted metabolism throughout the rest of the day. Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Co ...

  • US News Announces 2017-18 Best Hospitals Honor Rollby

    Posted on: August 10, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    What is the Best Hospitals Honor Roll? This list, released by US News each year, details the highest performing hospitals in the United States based on areas of specialty care and areas of general procedures and conditions. The purpose of the report is to enable those seeking medical care the ability and resources to make more informed decisions. US News ranked hospital performance in 16 areas of complex specialty care as well as several bellwether procedures such as hip replacements and lu ...

  • National Eye Exam Month: Eye Strain Causes, Symptoms, and Treatmentsby

    Posted on: August 8, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    August is National Eye Exam Month, as well as Children's Eye Health and Safety Month. Among the many possible eye problems and diseases, one of the most common is eye strain. The increasing prevalence of eye strain is because, now more than ever, large amounts of time are spent looking at electronically-lit screens: phones, computers, tablets, TVs, etc. Some researchers claim that the "blue-light" emitted from electronics may be as harmful as UV rays when it comes to our eye health. Researcher ...

  • See Results After One Workout with These 7 Exercisesby

    Posted on: August 3, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    While we all know muscles aren't built in a day, there are ways to see immediate definition after a single workout. Referred to as "pump", this is the idea that immediately after an intense weight workout, your muscles can appear  larger or defined for up to two hours. This happens in response to strength training as a way to increase oxygen delivery to your working muscles. As your muscles contract, your blood vessels dilate and blood flow increases to the fast-twitch power fibers within yo ...

  • Tax Free Weekend: August 4th-6th, 2017by

    Posted on: August 1, 2017Categories: News & Events

    Schedule your back to school shopping trips for this weekend, because starting Friday, shoppers do not have to pay the 6% state sales tax or any local taxes. The 17th annual South Carolina Tax Free Weekend runs from August 4th-August 6th, and The South Carolina Department of Revenue reports that shoppers usually save between $2 million and $3 million statewide during this weekend each year. The tax exemption applies to items such as school supplies, clothing, and footwear. Below is a more detai ...

  • 6 Things You Should Know About Mental Healthby

    Posted on: July 25, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    Eating fast food may make you more likely to develop depression: A study in Public Health Nutrition revealed that eating commercial baked goods and fast food is linked to depression. Consumers of fast food were found to be 51% more likely to develop depression compared to those who ate little or no fast food.  Getting involved with your community makes you more mentally resilient: Community involvement, from chess clubs to sports teams, is connected to increased psychological strength to ...

  • Healthy Pizza Swaps!by

    Posted on: July 20, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    Did you know that 94% of Americans report eating pizza regularly? Or that the 350 slices of pizza are eaten every second in the US? Pizza can be a great meal to get many of the nutrients that your body needs, but the abuse of pizza has lead to many unhealthy, processed, fast food, and frozen options. Swap your regular pizza routine for a healthy homemade variety to save money, cut down on calories, and sneak more nutrients into your diet! Swap store bought for homemade pizza this week, an ...

  • Weekend Event: Beaufort Water Festival Kickoffby

    Posted on: July 13, 2017Categories: News & Events

    An annual event since July 1956, the Beaufort Water Festival is a ten day event celebrating family, friends, and the traditions of the coastal area. With over 400 volunteers working every year to organize the many sporting events, family activities, concerts, expos, and craft markets that take place, it is the oldest all-volunteer event in the State of South Carolina. Other than Friday's opening ceremony, notable events include the talent show, the parade, the air show, a children's toad f ...

  • Jump Right In: 8 Reasons Why You Should Start Swimming for Exerciseby

    Posted on: July 11, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    You don't need to be Katie Ledecky or Michael Phelps to reap the benefits of swimming. As a non-impact exercise and varying levels of intensity, the pool may be the safest and most effective place for you to workout. Grab a swimsuit and pair of goggles and get kicking! Your Brain Will Work Better: Because swimming increases oxygen flow to your brain, after a swim session you will be more alert, have better memory and improved cognitive function. Swimming helps children excel: A study o ...

  • Everything You Need to Know about Heat Strokeby

    Posted on: June 29, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    With daily temperatures in the Carolinas averaging between 92-95 degrees in July, it is imperative to understand the stages of heat-related illnesses and take preventative measures to ensure that your health does not suffer from the heat! What is Heat Stroke? Heat stroke is the most serious of four stages of heat-related illnesses. It is a medical emergency that usually occurs after the three previous stages: fainting, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion. This extreme heat-related illne ...

  • Fourth of July Fun!by

    Posted on: June 27, 2017Categories: News & Events

    Looking for a place to watch spectacular fireworks, listen to live patriotic music, or enjoy a hot dog this 4th of July? Check out some of our favorite Independence Day events and festivals around South Carolina! Lexington County Peach Festival Lexington, South Carolina July 4th, 9:00 am-11:00 pm Free (some parking lots have a $4 parking fee) Features a Car Show, live entertainment, a peach parade, a peach pageant, plate lunches serving Southern Style BBQ Pork and Chicken, sa ...

  • 10 Common Workout Mistakes & How to Avoid Them!by

    Posted on: June 22, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    You only use machines: Strength training machines lock in your movement to a predetermined range of motion, so you are successfully working the large muscles, but the small stabilizing muscles are ignored. The fix: Free weights and body weight exercises increase coordination between different muscle groups, and may improve performance better than a machine-only approach. You "wait" to workout: Depending on your specific goals, there are optimal times of the day to workout. Pushi ...

  • 2nd Annual Shrimp and Grits Festival this Weekend!by

    Posted on: June 16, 2017Categories: News & Events

    Make plans to attend the 2nd Annual Shrimp and Grits Festival this Saturday, where you can help award one competing restaurant with the "Columbia's Best Shrimp and Grits" award. Established in 2016, the Shrimp and Grits Fest hosts a citywide competition between restaurants that serve shrimp and grits, and awards one restaurant the title of "Columbia's Best Shrimp and Grits" and also hosts a "People's Choice Award" division. In addition to unlimited shrimp and grits samples from participating r ...

  • Tahini: What is it, and why should you add it to your diet?by

    Posted on: June 15, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    What is it? Tahini is a paste made of ground up sesame seeds, commonly used in Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cuisine. Why should I eat it? The dairy free paste is completely "clean", meaning it is free from processed ingredients, and two tablespoons contains 5 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, as well as calcium, magnesium, and iron. Tahini is low in sodium and has a nutty flavor, thus offering a great alternative to traditional nut butters. How can I add it to my diet? Use T ...

  • National Safety Month Week One: Stand Up to Fallsby

    Posted on: June 6, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    Sponsored by the National Safety Council, each week of June focuses on education, prevention, and preparation efforts surrounding specific safety issues. As the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, unintentional injuries include unintentional falls, poisonings and motor vehicle crashes. The first week of National Safety Month targets the prevention of accidental falls, as 55% of all unintentional injuries in people aged 65 and older were accidental falls according to 2013 data. R ...

  • Kick start a sluggish metabolism with these 7 tips!by

    Posted on: May 30, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    When we talk about the term metabolism, we are really talking about our basal metabolic rate, or the minimum number of calories needed each day for the body to complete its normal functions. Use these 7 tips to increase the amount of calories that your body burns at rest, and help your metabolism work at its prime. Having an efficient metabolism helps you feel more energetic, active and can make losing/maintaining weight easier. Do more heavy lifting: Muscle burns more calories at rest ...

  • 8 Surprising Facts About Sunscreenby

    Posted on: May 25, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    There is no proof that sunscreens prevent most skin cancer. Most scientists and public health agencies (including the FDA) have found very little evidence that sunscreen prevents most types of skin cancer. Don't Be Fooled By High SPF. Most of us think that applying sunscreen of SPF 100 would be better than applying SPF 50. Theoretically, SPF 100 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the sun 100 times longer without getting a sunburn than if you wore no sunscreen. However, studies have show ...

  • Jalapeno Peppers Bring the Heat: Small Pepper, Huge Health Benefitsby

    Posted on: May 23, 2017Categories: LiveWell 24/7

    Jalapeno peppers pack a strong nutritional punch within their 2-4 inch length. One cup of sliced jalapenos is just 27 calories, provides 66% of your recommended daily vitamin C, 23% of your daily vitamin B6, and yields a hearty dose of capsaicin, which is the compound responsible for the pepper's many health benefits. So, what exactly can this small, but spicy, pepper do for you? May Help Fight Cancer by preventing tumor growth. Studies on breast cancer cells showed that capsaicin has the ...

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