The Fist-Bump Revolution

Recent studies show it’s time to ditch the handshake and opt for a fist bump instead. Not sure what a fist bump is? Google dictionaries define a fist bump as “a gesture of greeting or affirmation in which two people lightly tap each other's clenched fist.” Yes, it may have been familiar to you in your younger years, but doctors are suggesting that it is time to bring back this trend. Research has compared to amount of bacteria transfer between three different types of hand greetings, the handshake, the high-five, and the fist bump. The fist bump won the hearts of doctors as it proved to be twenty times more hygienic than the standard handshake. The results of the study are so revealing that people are looking to ban the act of handshaking in hospitals, to be replaced with no hand contact at all, or if necessary a fist bump.

These finding are important to the elderly who tend to be frequent visitors of hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other places where germs can spread easily. Not to mention that the elderly usually have weaker immune systems to begin with. The next time you see your ole’ buddy consider employing the fist bump to spare you and your friend from potentially dangerous germs. Hey what could be so bad? Leaders across the globe are even on board with new trend. This clearly shows that the newest professional greeting is a simple fist bump.

Foods that Help Lower your Cholesterol | Brooklyn Queens Nursing Home

First of all, it is important to clarify the difference between good and bad cholesterol. LDL is bad cholesterol; it contributes to the building up of plaque which can clog your arteries. This is compared to good cholesterol known as HDL, which helps remove the plaque buildup caused by LDL. Studies show that bad cholesterol is relatively common in seniors, which is why it is so important to take preventative measures to ensure your arteries stay healthy, or else it can lead to a heart attack, stroke, and other heart conditions. Although certain foods contribute to the plaque buildup caused by LDL, certain foods with high amounts of HDL can reverse those effects. For this reason, the dietary department at Brooklyn Queens Nursing Home puts a special emphasis on preparing healthy, low cholesterol foods for their residents. Below are a few delicious foods that can help you get the job done in a natural way:

- Oats. Try to incorporate this LDL-combating food into your breakfast. If plain cooked oats are too bland, try mixing in blueberries, milk, or even maple syrup to give the oats a delicious taste.

- Almonds. A nutrient rich food that is proven to help lower bad cholesterol, the recommended serving is about one handful a day. You can eat them as a snack or topped on your favorite dishes. When choosing which almonds to buy it is best to stay away from sugar coated almonds, or salted almonds.

- Tomatoes. Interestingly enough, tomatoes were only recently found to help lower LDL. Tomatoes are generally available all year round, and can be eaten in many different ways. In fact tomatoes are probably part of your daily eating habits already. If not, try including tomato juice and tomato sauce in your meals, as well as adding tomatoes in your salads, sandwiches and almost any other dish.

- Green tea. Recommended by studies as an excellent natural way to lower your bad cholesterol level. Start by drinking one to two freshly brewed cups of green tea daily. However, note that green tea contains a substantial amount of caffeine, so take that into account if you like to enjoy a nice hot cup before bed.

Brooklyn Queens Nursing Home believes that these four foods represent easy ways to either lower bad cholesterol levels in your body, or prevent it from building up. Studies have even shown that sometimes these foods are better than medication when it comes to lowering LDL levels and breaking down the plaque. As we all know, the heart is one of the most vital organs so it is important to keep it healthy!