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Winter Issue 2015
By: Katelyn Kugler
Winter is one of the hardest times to get
moving, but don’t let the cold slow you down.
There are plenty of activities you
can do during the winter time that
are fun and good for a cardio
work out. Spend a day with
friends or family at a ski resort.
We have Brandywine Ski Resort
just outside of Akron, or you could
make a whole weekend out of it
and head too; The Ski House, Alfa
Ski, or Snow Trails Winter Resort. You can go tub-
bing, skiing, snowboarding , and cross-country ski-
ing. There's fun to be had for all, also you can visit
this site to see how many calories you burned that
day, www.fitday.com/webfit/burned/
calories_burned.html
Feeling Sick !! What to do ?
Here’s some tried-and –true home remedies
that can help you feel better when you find yourself
“under the weather” with a cold or flu.
First– Do you have a cold or the flu? Chanc-
es are, if you had a flu shot, you don’t have influen-
za. The symptoms are confusing, but here’s a sim-
ple test: People with the flu get sick more suddenly,
look much sicker, and feel sick all over. High
fevers, body aches, extreme fatigue and dry
cough are also more likely to be the flu, ac-
cording to experts at eMedicineHealth. Now
the common cold generally consists of; a
runny or stuffy nose, a slight fever and
coughing.
 Chicken soup: Researchers found that chicken
soup was most effective in reducing upper res-
piratory infections, and low-sodium soup car-
ries great nutritional value and helps keep you
hydrated.
 Garlic and Echinacea: Adding a Garlic supple-
ment to your diet might not only reduce the
severity of cold and flu symptoms, it may also
keep you from getting sick. Garlic contains the
compound allicin, which blocks the enzymes
that contribute to the development to a variety
of bacterial and viral infections. Echinacea can
reduce the duration of cold and flu symptoms.
Echinacea active ingredients include flavonoids,
chemicals that have many therapeutic effects
on the body, including the ability to boost the
immune system and reduce inflammation.
 Salt water and Epsom salt: Dissolve a tea-
spoon of salt in a full glass of water and then
swish it around your mouth and throat before
spitting it out. Gargling with salt water reduces
and loosens mucus, which can then expel bac-
teria and allergens from the body. Adding 2
cups of Epson salt and 1 cup of baking soda to a
warm bath can help reduce body aches, espe-
cially with the addition of a few drops of essen-
tial oils. Recommended oils include lavender,
tea tree, juniper, rosemary, thyme, orange, and
eucalyptus.
DID YOU KNOW?
That annual routine physicals are 100% covered by both of
our health care providers when seen at a network provider.
( Includes but are not limited to, immunizations, prostate
exam, routine pap, lab work, CBC, CA-125, SMAC, chest X-
ray, routine mammograms, etc. Please visit our website for
more details www.starkcountyohio.gov/human-resources/benefits )

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Types of Teas and Their Health Benefits
Teas are chock full of flavonoids and other healthy goodies.
So enjoy a nice hot cup of tea this winter!
Here's what some studies have found about the potential health benefits
of tea:
 Green tea: Made with steamed tea leaves, it has a high concentration of EGCG and has been
widely studied. Green tea’s antioxidants may interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, lung, stom-
ach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers; prevent clogging of the arteries, burn fat, counteract oxidative
stress on the brain, reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases,
reduce risk of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels.
 Black tea: Made with fermented tea leaves, black tea has the highest caffeine con-
tent and forms the basis for flavored teas like chai, along with some instant teas. Studies
have shown that black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette
smoke. It also may reduce the risk of stroke.
 White tea: Uncured and unfermented. One study showed that white tea has the most potent an-
ticancer properties compared to more processed teas.
 Oolong tea: In an animal study, those given antioxidants from oolong tea were found to have
lower bad cholesterol levels. One variety of oolong, Wuyi, is heavily marketed as a
weight loss supplement, but science
hasn’t backed the claims.
 Pu-erh tea: Made from fermented
and aged leaves. Considered a black
tea, its leaves are pressed into cakes.
One animal study showed that animals given pu-erh
had less weight gain and reduced LDL cholesterol.
FUN FACT...
Eating eggs can improve your
reflexes; they contain an ami-
no acid that helps us make
quick, knee-jerk reactions.
 For chest congestion: Drink plenty of fluids (8 to 10 cups a day) such
as water, sport drinks, herbal teas, fruit drinks, or ginger ale. Fluids
help break up congestion, prevent dehydration and keep your throat
moist. Inhaled steam can ease congestion too. Create steam with a
humidifier, or steam up the bathroom by running a hot shower.
 Cough and sore throat: Honey in tea with lemon can ease sore
throat pain, also honey is an effective cough suppressant. A recent
study revealed that 10 grams of honey given at bedtime reduced the
severity of cough symptoms in children. The children in the study re-
portedly slept more soundly, which also helps reduce cold symptoms.

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Myths Debunked
Myth: Drinking Vitaminwater is healthy and good for you.
False! The only thing healthy about this product is its name. Vitaminwater
may only have 120 calories but it has 32 grams of sugar. In the US vitaminwater
is sweeten with crystalline fructose and cane sugar. Crystalline fructose is the
worst, being almost pure fructose (over 98%). Sugar-sweetened beverages are
highly fattening. Vitaminwater is a brand of beverages owned by the Coca-Cola
company, and it has the same amount of sugar as a 12-ounce can of Coca. Con-
sumption of sugar sweetened beverages is among the world’s strongest risk fac-
tors for obesity, some studies showing up to a 60% increased rick of obesity in
children.
Varieties include ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, hibiscus, jasmine, rosehip, mint, rooibos (red
tea), chamomile, and echinacea.
 Chamomile tea: Its antioxidants may help prevent complications from diabetes, like loss of
vision and nerve and kidney damage, and stunt the growth of cancer cells.
 Hibiscus: A small study found that drinking three cups of hibiscus tea daily lowered blood
pressure in people with modestly elevated levels.
Herbal Teas
Made from herbs, fruits, seeds, or roots steeped in hot water, herbal
teas have lower concentrations of antioxidants than green, white,
black, and oolong teas. Their chemical compositions vary widely de-
pending on the plant used.
Citations; Bjarnadottir, MS, A. (2015, June 17). 5 Reasons Why Vitaminwater is a Bad Idea. Retrieved November 18, 2015, from http://authoritynutrition.com/5-
reasons-why-vitaminwater-is-a-bad-idea/ , http://www.wellnessproposals.com/pdfs/wellness_newsletters/weekly_wellness_newsletters/
cold_or_flu_what_to_do.pdf ,