Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/915948
YOUR HEALTH IN A HEARTBEAT HERE'S A QUICK RUNDOWN OF HEALTH NEWS AND DEVELOPMENTS TO KEEP YOU IN THE KNOW. SEASONAL MOOD SWINGS During the winter, the weather is chilly, daylight hours are shorter, and cold rain and snow put a damper on the moods of some people. In certain cases, a type of depression known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, the urge to overeat and social withdrawal. Individuals who experience SAD should talk with a doctor about clinical solutions, which may include exposure to a light therapy box, vitamin D supplements, an antidepressant medication like bupropion and/or psychotherapy. "Depression is a serious medical condition that can disrupt your life and relationships," says Helen Reingold, Psy.D., psychologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. "Like other types of depression, SAD can make people feel hopeless. However, with effective treatment, they can enjoy life again. 600mg AMOUNT OF POTASSIUM IN ONE EIGHT-OUNCE SERVING OF COCONUT WATER COCONUT WATER: NATURE'S SPORTS DRINK? Coconut water, the clear, slightly sweet liquid found in the center of young, green coconuts, is a popular beverage today. Champions of coconut water claim that it hydrates better than water and is the perfect alternative to sports beverages for replenishing electrolytes lost during exercise through sweating. "Coconut water is great in moderation if you're looking for a natural, delicious way to rehydrate your body and replace potassium and other minerals that the body loses when exercising," says Brianna Harris, R.D., registered dietitian at NYP Brooklyn Methodist. "It's also a good alternative to sugary beverages like soda or juice because it contains fewer calories and carbohydrates." In addition to potassium, other electrolytes lost during exercise include sodium, calcium and magnesium; however, none of these need to be immediately replenished unless exercise lasts longer than 60 minutes. People who work out for shorter durations are better off drinking no-calorie, thirst-quenching water instead of coconut water or sports drinks. A TASTEFUL TRANSITION Is there a healthy food you still refuse to eat because you did not like it as a child? You may want to give it another try. "As you age, your taste buds and taste bud nerve endings become less sensitive," says Baquar Bashey, M.D., chief of general internal medicine at NYP Brooklyn Methodist. "These changes can alter your perception of taste." Your sense of smell—which works in conjunction with your sense of taste—may also begin to diminish after age 70, which can lead to foods tasting differently than you remember. Factors like inflamed gums from gingivitis and periodontal disease, head injuries, smoking, a damaged lingual nerve from a stroke, and Sjögren's syndrome—an autoimmune disease that causes drying of the mouth—can also affect your sense of taste and smell. Gargling with water and antiseptic mouthwash may help. Having less sensitive taste buds and a less acute sense of smell is not typically a health threat, but it can contribute to a diminished appetite. If symptoms persist, Dr. Bashey recommends seeing a doctor to rule out medical issues like a cancerous lesion. The fortunate part of all of this is you may finally be able to enjoy the foods you never welcomed on your plate as a child. 10,000 THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF TASTE BUDS ON A HUMAN TONGUE 4–6 % ESTIMATED PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES WHO EXPERIENCE SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD) F IN D A D O C T O R 718 . 49 9.C A R E ( 2 27 3 ) 5 B Y T H E N U M B E R S 5 B Y T H E N U M B E R S 5