FEW WAYS TO AVOID DEATH BY FREAK ACCIDENT

A vending machine overturns. A tree suddenly splinters. 
A generator emits toxic gas. Random accidents like these end 120,000 lives annually. Read on for cautionary tales 
and expert tips that can keep you from becoming a statistic.

Don’t shake snack machines
Vending machines caused 37 deaths between 1978 and 1995, crushing customers who rocked and toppled the dispensers.

Word to the wise: Don’t risk your life for a bag of chips.
Don’t mow hills 
side to side
Most lawnmower-related deaths don’t involve the whirring blades. Rather, they result from riding mowers toppling over sideways, crushing the driver.

To avoid that fate, mow a hill up and down, not side to side.
Climb ladders carefully
More than 700 people die annually in falls from ladders and scaffolding.

The biggest mistake? Carrying something while climbing the rungs. In a word: Don’t.
Use generators 
safely
After Hurricane Sandy, numerous homeowners who’d lost power left portable generators running overnight near their homes, allowing odorless carbon monoxide to waft inside.

The gas induces dizziness, headaches, and nausea, but “when people go to sleep, there’s no chance for them to realize something’s wrong,” says Brett Brenner, president of Electrical Safety Foundation International. Carbon monoxide from consumer products, including portable generators, claims nearly 200 lives a year; of the Sandy-related deaths, 12 were due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Breathe easy by keeping generators more than 20 feet from your house.
Cross streams strategically
Water-related deaths outnumber all other fatalities in U.S. national parks—even a shallow stream can pack a surprising amount of force.

Once you’ve been knocked off your feet, you can get dragged down by the weight of your gear, hit rocks in the water, or succumb to hypothermia.
When you encounter a stream, first toss a stick into the current; if it moves at a rate faster than a walking pace, don’t cross. If the tide seems safe, enter at a straight, wide section of water, and unhitch your backpack’s waist and sternum fasteners before crossing; a wet pack can pull you under.
Stay on the dock
On May 20, 2013, Kyle McGonigle was on a dock on Kentucky’s Rough River Lake. A dog swimming nearby yelped, and McGonigle saw that it was struggling to stay above water.

The 36-year-old dived in to save the dog, but both he and the animal drowned, victims of electric-shock drowning (ESD). Cords plugged in to an outlet on the dock and a houseboat had slipped into the water and electrified it.
The number of annual deaths from ESD in the United States is unknown, but anecdotal evidence indicates that ESD is widespread. Look for outlets before diving in, and if you feel a tingle or numbness while swimming in freshwater near a boat marina, get out of the water immediately.
If you see a 
bear, freeze
On July 6, 2011, Brian Matayoshi, 57, and his wife, Marylyn, 58, were hiking in Yellowstone National Park when they came upon a grizzly bear and fled, screaming.

Brian was bitten and clawed to death; Marylyn, who had stopped and crouched behind a tree, was approached by the bear but left unharmed. The lesson? If you come face-to-face with a wild animal, resist the urge to run, which can trigger the beast’s predatory instinct.
Even better: Reduce the risk of an attack by giving bears a chance to get out of your way. “Try to stay in the open,” says Larry Aumiller, manager of 
Alaska’s McNeil River State Game Sanctuary. “If you have to move through thick brush, make noise by clapping and shouting.” And always carry repellent pepper spray when hiking; it can deter a charging bear from up to 30 feet away.
Don’t cut down leaning trees
Even lumberjacks worry about an effect known as a barber chair. If a leaning tree falls too fast, the trunk won’t make a clean break.

Instead, the fibers of the tree will split, and the rear half of the trunk will snap backward. Says Mark Chisholm, chief executive of New Jersey Arborists, “It’s very violent, and it’s very quick.”
Don’t drive ATVs 
on paved roads
On July 14, 2013, Taylor Fails turned left in his 2004 Yamaha Rhino ATV at a paved intersection near his Las Vegas–area home.

The high-traction tire treads gripped the road, and the vehicle flipped, ejecting 20-year-old Fails and a 22-year-old passenger. Fails died at the scene; the passenger sustained minor injuries. Surprisingly, one out of three fatal ATV accidents takes place on a paved road. That’s because the vehicle’s “soft, knobby tires are designed for traction on uneven ground and will behave unpredictably on pavement,” says Paul Vitrano, executive vice president of the ATV Safety Institute. His advice: “If you must cross a paved road, go straight across in first gear.”
Avoid cliffing 
out
Hikers scrambling up an incline may find themselves “cliffed out”—stranded on a steep patch, unable to go up or down.

“Hikers can get into trouble when they try to take a shortcut or see an area they want to 
explore,” says Ken Phillips, National Park Service branch chief of Search and Rescue. If you do get trapped, don’t risk the ascent or descent. To avoid this precarious position, scout your route before you set out on your hike, tell someone where you’re going, and carry a radio so you can call for help.

(Pictures Courtesy To: iStock/Thinkstock)

FOODS THAT HELP LOWER HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Consuming less sodium may be important to help slash blood pressure levels, but eating more of these foods is good for your heart and arteries too.

Baked Potato
These tasty spuds are rich in magnesium and potassium, two nutrients that are an important part of the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or high blood pressure).

A potassium-rich diet helps the body become more efficient at flushing out excess sodium, which can raise blood pressure; and magnesium helps promote healthy blood flow, according to nutritionist Joy Bauer. 
Skim Milk
A cold glass of milk offers a solid serving of both calcium and vitamin D, nutrients that work as a team to help lower blood pressure by 3 to 10 percent, according to Bauer’s website.

Those numbers may not sound impressive, but they could translate to a 15 percent reduction in heart disease risk, she added. Other research suggests that people with low levels of calcium are at greater risk of high blood pressure.
Eggs
If you think eggs are not heart healthy, you should know that past studies have shown that yolks don’t raise heart disease risk; now recent research has found that egg whites can help dial down blood pressure, according to a study presented earlier this year at a meeting of the American Chemical Society.

As MensHealth.com reported, when rats with high blood pressure were fed a protein found in egg whites, they experienced a drop in blood pressure that was comparable to a low dose of Captopril, a blood-pressure-lowering medication. Although more research is needed, eggs are a solid source of protein, vitamin D, and other healthy nutrients.
Broccoli
This cruciferous veggie is a good source of the blood pressure-regulating minerals magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

Previous research in animals has found that a diet high in broccoli sprouts may help reduce blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Broccoli sprouts are high in compounds that may help reduce damage to arteries, which may play a role in high blood pressure. 
Beet juice
People with high blood pressure who drank about eight ounces of beetroot juice experienced a decrease in blood pressure of about 10 mm Hg, according to a study published in April 2013 in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension.

The magic ingredient? Nitrate, which turns into nitric oxide, a gas that widens blood vessels and aids blood flow. A glass a day could help keep blood pressure at a lower, healthier level.
Sesame and rice-bran oils
People who cooked with a blend of the two oils (available at health food stores) saw a drop in blood pressure almost comparable with the decrease that results from taking medication, according to research from the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions.

Researchers believe the effect is due to the oils’ fatty acids and antioxidants such as sesamin, sesamol, sesamolin, and oryzanol.
Bananas
Famously rich in blood pressure-lowering potassium, one banana contains about 420 milligrams, or 11 percent of the 4,700 milligrams the American Heart Association recommends people consume daily.

Surprisingly, however, many veggies are actually higher in potassium than these popular fruits. A cup of Swiss chard boasts 960 milligrams, a cup of cooked white beans has nearly 1,200 milligrams, and a whole avocado has 975 milligrams.
Dark chocolate
A tasty way to be heart healthy! Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants called flavanols,

which make blood vessels more elastic, according to Prevention.com. Stick to an ounce or less a day and make sure it contains at least 70 percent cocoa.

SURPRISING HEALTH EXPERTS WHO COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

Think your doctor and your dentist are the only members of your personal health-care team? Don’t overlook the power of these less-expected lifesavers.
 
Your Hairdresser: Secret therapist
There’s some evidence that hairdressers could help prevent skin cancer by catching abnormal lesions. One survey of Houston-area hairdressers, published in the journal Archives of Dermatology, found that 58 percent said they had advised at least one client to get a suspicious mole checked out.

What's more, if you believe in “salon psychology,” then you might not be shocked at this classic statistic: 84 percent of beauty salon frequenters would trust their hairdresser’s advice over a therapist’s. Sure, your hair pro probably lacks a PhD, but there is something mentally soothing about hashing out your problems with this fairly neutral sounding board.
Your Neighbor: Secret cardiologist
She’s offered to start a morning walking club with you—why not say yes? Making a commitment to meet someone for exercise boosts the odds you’ll really do it. Walking with a friend provides soul-satisfying social time too.

Beyond exercise, having close neighbors to chat with can simply make you happier, especially if they’re the chipper sort: One study found that people who live within half a mile of happy friends are themselves 42 percent more likely to be more joyful themselves.
Book Club: Secret brain boosters
Whether you’re giggling over Fifty Shades of Grey or getting philosophical about Anna Karenina, reading a book and then discussing new ideas with friends can cut your risk dementia.

Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that older adults who did the most mentally stimulating activities, like reading the newspaper or visiting museums, were 47 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those who did the least.
Pooch or Kitty: Secret fitness instructors
If there’s a furry, four-legged friend in your house, chances are he’s making you healthier in more ways than one.

Take fitness, for example: One Australian study found that dog owners are 41 percent more likely to meet government recommendations for moderate exercise. And simply hanging around with your pet—especially when you’re stressed or anxious—can soothe frazzled nerves and lower blood pressure, many studies show.
Your Husband or Wife: Secret general physician
Every smile, hug, and “love you” can cut your levels of brain- and body-threatening stress hormones. Ample research shows that happy marriages are known health boosters, so take advantage of your spouse’s curative powers.

Research reported at the American Psychosomatic Society found that people who held their spouse’s hand before speaking in public (typically a stress-inducing event) had half the spike in blood pressure and heart rate as people who didn’t.
The hubs can also be a good workout motivator: One study found that 94 percent of couples committed to a fitness program when they did it together.
And let’s not overlook all the health perks of being physically intimate—a healthy sex life can bolster your immune system, reduce pain, and may even lower the risk of certain cancers.
Co-workers: Secret energy sources
You don’t need us to tell you that clocking long hours in a stressful environment can take a serious toll on your health. But co-workers can make all the difference between a job that helps or harms you.

They can help you cope with stress and provide a crucial outlet for venting and letting off steam. What’s more, they may even make you better at your job. According to Forbes, research shows that “call center employees who took the time to converse with their colleagues, instead of just grinding away, got through calls faster, felt less tension, and earned the same approval ratings as their peers who didn’t schmooze at the office.”
Mom and/or Dad: Secret medical historians
For better or worse, they passed on the genes that could impact your risk of everything from diabetes to heart disease to cancer. But knowing that family history can help you and your doctor make smarter choices about the right timing of certain medical tests, treatments, and procedures.  However, a National Cancer Institute study found that people may not know their background as well as they think they do: People often reported incorrect information about their family of history of cancer to their doctors.

So chat up your parents about the health issues that run in your family, including heart health, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and mental health conditions like depression, and then share that data with your physician.
You may need to start certain tests, like a colonoscopy or mammogram, at an earlier age if colon or breast cancer runs in your family tree, for example. Or if your parents got heart disease early, your doc may take a more aggressive approach to medication if your blood pressure levels start spiking.
(Pictures Courtesy To: Digital Vision/Photodisc/BananaStock/Comstock/iStockphoto/Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock)

HEALTH ......

They aren't trendy, but the myriad health benefits of carrots—from lowering cholesterol to preventing memory loss—are unbeatable.

Lower cholesterol
Carrots contain high amounts of soluble fiber, largely from pectin, which could be the reason they’ve been shown to lower cholesterol.

Participants who ate about a cup of carrots each day for three weeks lowered their blood cholesterol levels, a U.S. government study found.
Reduce risk of cancer
The alphacarotene and bioflavonoids in carrots have been associated with lower risks of cancer, particularly lung cancer.

But stick to those carotenoids rather than beta-carotene supplements, which could be harmful to smokers.
Keep your vision sharp
If your parents told you to eat your carrots for better eyesight, they were on to something. Carrots won’t cure preexisting vision problems, but they can protect against sight issues caused by vitamin A deficiency.

The body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A, says Hans Fisher, PhD, a professor emeritus of nutritional biochemistry from Rutgers University, and that's important for healthy eyes. Carrots can prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, as well as night blindness, which keeps eyes from adjusting to the dark.
Stop memory loss
Middle-aged people who ate the lowest amount of root vegetables showed more than three times as much cognitive decline as those who ate the most, according to a Netherlands study.

Researchers concluded that the beta-carotene in the vegetables—especially from carrots—protected the central nervous system against aging. An 18-year Harvard study determined that when men consumed 50 mg supplements of beta-carotene every other day, cognitive decay was delayed for the equivalent of 1 to 1.5 years compared to those who took a placebo.
Prevent diabetes
Carrots contain beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant associated with lower diabetes risk.

In one study, those with the most beta-carotene in their blood had 32 percent lower insulin levels than those with lower levels of beta-carotene.
Bolster your bone health
Carrots also contain small amounts of other vital nutrients such as vitamin C (5 milligrams per 1 cup serving) and calcium (96 milligrams per 1 cup serving).

Many people, especially post-menopausal women, don’t get enough calcium, so while carrots might not contain much, “every little bit helps,” Fisher says.

SOME ENERGY BOOSTING FOODS

Energy Boosting Foods 

Next time you're dragging, put down the coffee and pick up one of these foods as an alternative way to get a healthy, natural energy boost.

Lemon water

The simplest way to get a boost, ever! Adding lemon to water transforms regular H20 into a natural energy drink that is packed with electrolytes, which are critical for cells to produce energy. Hydration in general is key for a mood boost; a 2012 study found that women who were mildly dehydrated reported feeling fatigued.

Fresh fruit

The natural sugar in fruit provides a quick pick-me-up when you're dragging and helps keep blood sugar levels steady because it's packed with fiber. Make an energizing breakfast smoothie with blueberries (helps you focus), strawberries (high in vitamin C, which helps turn fat to energy) and yogurt (rich in magnesium, which helps regulate the release of energy). Or toss in a tropical fruit like pineapple, which contains iodine to help control how quickly your body burns energy. Not a smoothie person? Fruits with peels, like bananas or apples, are good choices to take to work or when you're on the go.

 Nuts

Cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts are high in magnesium, which plays a key role in converting sugar to energy. They're also filled with fiber to keep your blood sugar levels even and protein to stave off hunger. Keep a bag of mixed nuts or trail mix in your purse or desk drawer to stay energetic all day.

Dark chocolate

Nibbling a square of dark chocolate as a post-lunch dessert is good for you. It contains the natural stimulant theobromine, similar to caffeine, which boosts your energy and your mood.

Whole-grain toast

Carbohydrates provide 60 percent of the energy required to make your body go, and whole grains are packed with complex carbs (the good kind!), which are full of vitamins and minerals. Eating whole grains can prevent a surge in blood sugar after your next meal, according to a study in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, which means fewer energy crashes than when you eat refined carbohydrates in sugary or heavily processed snacks. Start your day with oatmeal or a high-fiber cereal to stay full until lunch, or snack on whole-grain crackers or granola bars for an afternoon boost.

Cardamom

In Asia, this spice is valued for its ability to increase energy and promote blood flow by expanding small blood vessels. Choose curry for dinner, or sip a cup of chai tea to beat the afternoon slump.

Asparagus

This green veggie is high in B vitamins, which naturally support healthy energy levels by turning food (carbs) into fuel (glucose), and it contains plenty of blood sugar-steadying fiber. If it's in season, add asparagus to your salad at lunch to help get you through the afternoon.

Sauerkraut

Raw sauerkraut isn't just a good match for bratwurst; it also helps you maintain energy. The fermented cabbage is high in probiotics, which makes your gut digest food more efficiently. So, since the body has to work less to digest, you're left with more energy. Kimchi, the spicy fermented cabbage popular in Korean cuisine, also does the trick. Craving a street cart hot dog? Top it with sauerkraut for an easy energy boost.

SECRETS OF ANTI-AGING

Feel younger and healthier with these tips from the experts.

 Care for Others

Two recent studies suggest surprising but heartwarming keys to a longer life. You're more likely to rack up the years if you: 

Expect the best. Of 100,000 women in the Women's Health Initiative study, those rated optimistic by special questionnaires were 14 percent less likely than pessimists to die during the study's first eight years.

Care for a loved one. Despite the stress involved, men and women who put in the most time taking care of a spouse cut their own risk of dying by 36 percent over a seven-year period, researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor found. 

Set a Goal for Greater Edge

Whether you believe you have some purpose to fulfill on earth, or just have trips you plan to take and books you want to read, you have a survival edge over people with fewer goals. So say researchers at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago who interviewed more than 1,200 older adults. Elders with sure intentions and goals were about half as likely as aimless seniors to die over the five-year follow-up.

Expose Yourself to the "Sunshine Vitamin"

Low vitamin D levels have been associated with osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. And it gets worse: According to new research, adults who don't get enough of the 'sunshine vitamin' are 26 percent more likely to die early. A 12-year study of 13,000 men and women didn't finger any one cause of death, "because vitamin D's impact on health is so widespread," says researcher Michal Melamed, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx.

Besides drinking fortified milk, she suggests that you: Get just 10 to 15 minutes of midday sunshine (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) several days a week, applying sunscreen after those few minutes. You can also take supplements.

Mind Your DNA

Healthy habits can actually repair your DNA, say researchers Dean Ornish, MD, and Nobel Prize winner Elizabeth Blackburn, MD. Their study subjects ate vegetarian whole foods with 10 percent of calories from fat, walked 30 minutes six days a week, used stress-reducing techniques, and went to a weekly support group. 

The results? Besides a decrease in LDL cholesterol and stress levels, they showed a 29 percent rise in telomerase. This enzyme repairs and lengthens telomeres, tiny protein complexes on the ends of chromosomes that are vital for immunity and longevity. Short telomeres and low levels of telomerase signal an increased risk of heart disease and cancer, plus a poor prognosis if you do get ill.

Keep Your Heart Pumping

According to Dr. Oz, the two most important things you can do to stay young and healthy: Walk. When you can't walk a quarter mile in five minutes, your chance of dying within three years goes up dramatically. 

Second most important is building a community—avoiding isolation. Because if your heart doesn't have a reason to keep beating, it won't.

Cut Back on Meat

A ten-year study of 545,000 Americans found that people who eat about four ounces of beef or pork a day (the amount in an average-sized burger) are at least 30 percent more likely to die early, compared with those who consume an ounce or less daily. Though previous research has linked a diet heavy in red meat to a greater risk of heart disease and colon cancer, this is the first big study to look at how it affects your life expectancy.

Exercise Matters

A walk with your spouse gives you a chance to talk over the day, and activities like playing tennis together can be a bonding experience. But the bottom line: Getting active can mean a longer life for both of you.