The Yogurt Takeover - 8/13/2008
Have you noticed that the yogurt section of most grocery stores has practically taken over the dairy aisle? So what are the health benefits of yogurt? First off, your body needs to have a healthy amount of ''good'' bacteria in the digestive tract, and many yogurts are made using active, good bacteria. One of the words you’ll be hearing more of in relation to yogurt is ''probiotics.'' Probiotic, which literally means ''for life,'' refers to living organisms that can result in a health benefit when eaten in adequate amounts. And let us not forget that yogurt comes from milk. So yogurt eaters will also get a dose of animal protein plus several other nutrients found in dairy foods, like calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12, potassium, and magnesium.
If you smoke, you may as well be letting your infant or toddler light up. About 35 percent of American children live in homes where someone smokes in the home, and these children have detectable levels of cotinine, a byproduct of nicotine, in their blood. And these children have a high risk of ear and lung infections, asthma, allergies and bronchitis as well as stunted development. If you want to quit smoking, but need a little help, St. John’s pulmonary rehab has what you need. For more info, call St. John’s Referral One at 625-2000 or log onto stj.com.
