Health Watch Center All about your health and fitness Mon, 31 Aug 2015 06:27:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Myth Associated with Milk and Mucus Mon, 31 Aug 2015 06:27:17 +0000 Can milk cause mucus? This is a common question that many people ask and many of you probably have already conducted your experiment to find the truth behind it. Many people say that their noses run a little bit more during cold after they drink a glass of milk. However, this nothing but a myth though in a recent study conducted two-third of 330 people claimed that milk causes phlegm. Phlegm is a condition characterized by secretion of excess mucus by the mucus membrane of the respiratory system and this is more common during a cold.

myth associated with milk and mucus

Milk Causes More Mucus Production – Fact or Myth?

Milk and mucus are no where related and there is no scientific evidence to prove that milk increases mucus production. In a research, 60 people were inoculated with common cold virus and then given milk to drink. Some were given 1 glass and many were given more than 10 glasses of milk to drink as well.

When asked most of them claimed that there is an increased production of mucus after they drank the milk. However, researchers collected their nasal secretions and weighed them and they did not find any link between milk and the amount of mucus secretion. More similar studies have been conducted in many parts of the world and no link between the two has been found.

Some of the Findings of these Researches Were:

  • An increase in milk intake can actually reduce upper and lower respiratory tract congestion and make you feel better
  • Milk is not associated with nasal secretion, nose congestion of coughing and there are studies to prove this
  • Milk can speed up your recovery as fluids in any form in really good for your health when you have cold or you are down with fever

Reasons for Mucus Formation

Increase in the secretion of mucus is not caused by anything present in your diet generally. It is caused by allergens, viruses and other pathogens. It can also be caused by some medications that dry out the throat and the mouth.

However, in one study it has been proved that there is a link between milk and mucus. Milk taken from specific breeds of cow that contain a protein named beta CM 7 can increase mucus production. This protein stimulates the mucus glands and increases their secretion in both the respiratory tract and the digestive tract. This is the reason as why dairy elimination diet works in few people suffering from asthma, cold and the likes.

There is something important that you need to keep in mind and that is cutting out dairy products completely from your diet can affect your health adversely. A glass of milk every day is good for your bones and muscles and your overall health as well. It gives you energy and it also fortifies your immune system. There are many other myths associated with milk like drinking milk causes puberty and kidney stones, growth hormones in milk are bad and others.

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Dealing with Attachment Disorders Amongst Teenagers Fri, 28 Aug 2015 05:58:52 +0000 Attachment between parents and children is the single most important thing to have a healthy family atmosphere and bonding. Many children as they approach their teenage develop attachment disorders due to various reasons. It indeed is painful to the parents and sometimes in their worry they try to attempt ways which may counteract as well. Hence it is paramount for the parents to understand attachment disorder properly as most times these are masked by other issues.

attachment disorders amongst teenagers

What is Exactly Attachment Disorder?

In broader terms, attachment disorder can be described as disorders of behaviour, mood, and social relationships that occurs due to disturbed relationships and lack of warmth from in early childhood. The common causes are – neglect, abuse, sudden separation from caregivers and others. Thus in general terms, attachment disorder is a condition where individual has difficulty in forming relationship that lasts and there is lack of ability to be affectionate with others.

The After Effect

Teenage comes along with its set of problems and attachment disorder is one of the prime issues that create tension in families. Teenagers with this problem are often found with substance abuse or other extremities. Since these kids struggle with relationships and attachments, dealing with them require a strategic approach with complete awareness of the situation. Given below are some pointers to help you deal with a teenager with attachment disorder:

Pay Attention

If your youngster has developed an attachment disorder, it is significant to you as parent to give your full attention to it. You also need to let your teen know that you are paying attention to his behaviour which you think is not appropriate. Your careful attention can initiate feelings and thoughts, and it is important to ask him questions in a positive way about his behaviour.

Explain the True Situation

More often a teenager with attachment disorder tends to think what he or she believes is the ultimate truth. This however is not true in most situations and the kid is fooling himself by considering some things are right just because he believes in them. As a parent you can identify this and explain the difference between truth and belief to them in an encouraging way.

Give Reminders on Demands

You may get exasperated by the endless demands from your teenager with attachment disorders. While they are very demanding about some things, you can prompt them by responding what is in return for you in it. It is really helpful to make him or her understand that you are aware of the demanding nature.

Pretention of Self

When your teenager says or shows that he or she is not trusting you or others by faking emotions or playing dump, you need to tell him that he is actually distrusting himself. For example when he says ‘I don’t know’, he is just pretending that he doesn’t know, and you have to pint out this to him. This way you can slowly challenge him to identify his own pretending on various things.


If your teenager is breaking his or her promises on various things with you, you have to remind her to be careful about being hurt in the future. This is because she won’t be able to use promises as a way for gaining something from parents. You have to be careful on not accepting his or her promise, if they have a previous record of breaking important promises in the past.

There are so many other things to take into consideration while dealing with teenagers with attachment disorders. Making themselves victimised and unresponsiveness are two major traits found in such kids and it really require your strategic approaches to deal with all of it.

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Importance of Correct Shoe Size for Diabetic Patients Wed, 26 Aug 2015 06:01:05 +0000 It is important for everybody to wear their exact shoe size instead of ill-fitting foot wear and suffer from painful arch or blisters on heel. However, for people suffering from diabetics, this can be a critical issue as an ill-fitting shoe can trigger much severe problems for them. These include severe foot infections, ulcers and even amputation, if proper care is not given.

Since the feet of diabetic people are vulnerable they tend to have nerve damage due to poorly controlled sugar levels in blood. Due to this reason diabetics patients need to be extra cautious when it comes to choosing the right foot wear.

importance of correct shoe size for diabetic patients

Reasons for Foot Troubles in Diabetic

Many people with diabetes complain about a tingling funny feeling in their feet. This is due to the nerve damage which reduces the foot’s pain sensibility. Such patients can hurt their foot or nails badly without experiencing any kind of pain.

Apart from the lack of pain sensation, diabetes also reduces the flow of blood in the body due to the thinning of blood vessels with high blood sugar. This makes healing of any wounds very slow in your body. Besides, if your shoes are causing discomfort or blisters in your foot, that aggravates the situation even more and could lead to further complications.

How to Choose Shoes for Diabetes?

  • Wise selection of Shoes

Diabetic people with good sugar levels in blood can go for normal foot wear like others. Even diabetic women with healthy foot can enjoy high heels as well, provided they have good blood sugar levels. However diabetic patients with impaired sensation need to avoid high heels completely. Besides, people with diabetes need to avoid using flip-flops as they expose your toes and are not supportive enough to give comfort while walking.

  • Opt for Diabetic Shoes

If you are experiencing impaired sensation, foot deformities or poor blood circulation issues, it is wise to choose diabetic shoes, which are designed specifically for such people. These shoes are usually designed with soft leather and have deep and round toe box which can handle issues like bunions and hammertoes. In case of worst situations like bad ulcerations or crucial deformities, you may need to opt for therapeutic shoes for diabetic patients. It is important for such patients to use only the medical shoes in order to protect their feet.

In order to improve the foot health of diabetic patients, it is significant to follow certain guidelines. These include choosing shoes made of soft and stretchable leather and opting for laced shoes with cushioned sole. It is also important to try the shoes in later half of the day as your feet tend to swell. You also need to gradually increase the time duration of using the shoe, to find out any irritation or other issues related to it. It is also significant to replace your old shoe once you find it is torn or collapsed on one side.

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How to Avoid Medicare Fraud and Report It Tue, 25 Aug 2015 13:08:51 +0000 Few people are aware that the Medicare program costs the industry billions of dollars annually, increasing the cost of service for everyone and thereby damaging it fundamentally. Fraudulent calls are becoming more and more common with individuals trying to access Medicare numbers and bill the government-run program for senior people (65 years old and above) and/or disabled. Working with and learning from the experiences of individuals like Jessica Vigil, fraud can easily be avoided.

medicare fraudUnderstanding Medicare Fraud

Unlike Medicare abuse, wherein the healthcare provider is not following healthy medical practices such as performing services unnecessarily, but as serious, illegal, and punishable an offence, Medicare fraud is for someone who consciously bills the Medicare system for services that the supposed beneficiary never received. They are using it for their own benefit. Period.

It’s possible sometimes for the provider to make a mistake and use a different medical code when submitting the claim to Medicare. They may not be planning to deceive the system, but it does determine how much you pay for the service. That is why you should be paying close attention when the insurance company or Medicare sends over the payment notice so you can talk to the right authorities and find or understand why it’s correct or erroneous.

How to Detect It

  • Protect your Medicare, bank account, and Social Security numbers. Never accept free services from people offering it in exchange for your Medicare number, especially if they tell you too that they know how to get Medicare pay for a service not covered by your plan.

Also, Medicare is never going to call you so anyone claiming it on the line is bound to be lying; you can further establish it by asking for their name and number instead.

  • With Jessica Vigil, fraud like this wasn’t excused on the basis that she knew nothing about it. Hence the reason to educate you about it, emphasizing that you should know exactly what you are entitled to, and what the provider can or can’t bill to the program.

It’s best to use a calendar and record your appointments as well as any tests just in case you forget the details, including not just the service but also the diagnosis and dates, when looking over the Medicare statements.

  • It’s always better to check with the doctor first if you spot suspicious activity. But if the problem isn’t an honest mistake, you have couple of reasons to report it, including major unpaid medical bills because Medicare denied payment due to the sheer number of claims even if some of them were completely legitimate.

Schemes like medical “discount plan” or fake online pharmacies target not the insurance company or government, but the consumer directly. Avoid them at all costs; also be alert and make sure to check your pills before leaving pharmacy to see if it’s the right medication and in full amount.

How to Report It

You can either call the health care provider listed on the Explanation of Benefits or Summary Notice to inquire about the service; call the senior Medicare patrol or the office of inspector general (US Department of Health and Human Services) if the issue remains unresolved.

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How your Height is Connected with Cancer? Mon, 24 Aug 2015 06:45:16 +0000 Although it sounds little surprising, studies by researchers shows that there is a direct correlation between your height and cancer risk. This cancer risk is especially reported more among postmenopausal women who are taller.

Some studies identified a 16 percent higher comparative risk for each 4 inches of increase in height among women. This includes a higher risk for taller women to develop various cancers like breast cancer, colon cancer melanoma, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer.

how height is connected with cancer

Reasons for a Higher Cancer Risk in Taller Women

Although it sounds surprising, various studies by experts attribute to the same fact of a clear relation between height and cancer. One reason for this is identified as the higher number of body cells and tissues possessed by taller people owing to their taller body frames.

General lifestyle, hormone levels, diet, illnesses, and socioeconomic backgrounds affect the growth of a person and these same factors influence your cancer risks as well. The major factors for a person’s height are genetic and sometimes they are also related to childhood nutrition, levels and exposure to the environment. However, it is not proved that cancer is inevitable to all tall women, yet there are some links connecting the two.

How High is the Risk?

Experts have come up with diverse theories on the relation between cancer and height. Drinking each extra unit of alcohol per day can increase cancer risk by 12 percent and women with a higher BMI have 40 percent more chance of developing cancer. If you compare these with the cancer risk of taller people, the relative percentage is smaller than these.

How to Resist Cancer Risk?

There are many factors which we cannot change, which cause or increase the risk of developing cancer. These include getting older, our genes, our height and other physical features. However there are a number of other things which we can try and control, which are culprits for developing cancer.

  • Lifestyle Changes

According to studies by cancer experts, almost 50% of cancers can be prevented with the help of lifestyle changes alone. Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol are two major steps towards a healthy lifestyle. Keeping a balanced body weight by following healthy food habits, including lot of fresh fruits and vegetables also can go a long way in doing this. Getting involved in some physical activity is significant for a healthy body.

  • Awareness

Awareness of your body and health is paramount in identifying cancer or any other disease at an early stage. This early diagnosis can help you get the right treatment and get cured completely. In case you notice anything abnormal or unusual in your body, it is best to consult an expert.

If you follow a healthy living with smart lifestyle choices, you can definitely keep the risks of cancer at bay, whether you are short or tall. This can not only help you to prevent cancer, but also a whole host of other diseases as well.

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Major Disorders Affecting Red Blood Cells Fri, 21 Aug 2015 06:28:41 +0000 Blood disorders can drastically affect your overall health condition and body. These disorders can affect any of the three main components of the blood; red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. Based on the type of blood in your body these blood disorders can be treated. Red blood cells transmit oxygen to the various tissues of your body and any disorder of these cells can affect your body seriously.

major disorders affecting red blood cells

Given below are some common disorders associated with red blood cell:

1. Anemia

This is a condition when there is a lack of number of red blood cells in your body. Although a mild anemia causes no severe symptoms, a more severe condition of anemia can cause pale skin, shortness of breath and fatigue.

2. Iron Deficiency Anemia

Deficiency of iron intake and heavy loss of blood in periods are the major reasons of iron-deficiency anemia. Iron is necessary for the body to produce red blood cells. Loosing blood from GI tract due to cancer or ulcers may also lead to this condition.

3. Anemia of Chronic Illness

Several chronic diseases like kidney problems may lead to subsequent anemia. There is no specific treatment for this type of anemia, yet sometimes hormone injections of epoetin alfa to enhance the production of red blood cells, or transfusion of blood is necessary for people with this condition.

4. Pernicious Anemia

This health condition is caused due to an autoimmune condition or a damaged stomach lining. This disease stops the body from absorbing necessary nutrient B12 from food.

5. Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia can be caused due to a viral infection, an autoimmune condition or a drug side effect. In people with aplastic anemia, the bone marrow is unable to generate sufficient blood cells including red blood cells. Blood transfusions, bone marrow transplant and various medications are used to treat this condition.

6. Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

This condition is caused due to an overactive immune system, which abolishes your body’s own red blood cells and causes anemia. Medications for suppressing body’s immunity may be required to cure this condition.

7. Sickle Cell Anemia

People with this condition have red blood cells in a rigid and curved shape due to a genetic mutation. Usually a normal red blood cell is shaped similar to a disc, but people suffering from sickle cell anemia have molecules of haemoglobin which are abnormal. This causes the red blood cells to be shaped like a sickle, and hence this condition draws its name from the unusual shape of blood cells.

This condition is largely found among African Americans, although people from other regions are also affected. The sickle shaped cells are not able to carry necessary oxygen to body tissues and they may also block your blood flow by sticking in blood vessels. It is normally a hereditary illness which passes from parents to children.

8. Polycythemia Vera

During this problem there is excess production of red blood cells in the body which may cause blood clots  at times.

9. Malaria

It is a blood infection caused due to mosquito’s bite, which makes the blood cells split and further leads to fever, chills and organ damage.

All the above conditions can be treated and the medication should be started as soon as possible to check further deterioration.

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6 Physical Health Reasons for Sleeping Disorders Fri, 31 Jul 2015 05:57:38 +0000 Sleeping troubles are very common these days, mainly due to the continuous mental stress, anxiety and tensions. However, if you are facing sleep problems regularly and it is inferring with your daily chores then it can be something serious and will very soon affect your health, energy and emotional balance negatively.

Sleep sets the barometer of your overall health and repeated sleep problems is said to be a sign of some underlying medical complication. It can be some mental tensions or physical health trouble as well. To have a healthy and productive life you need proper sleep and if it’s not happening then firstly analyse the reason behind it.

This article will help you to decide if you have any sleeping disorder, and if yes, then is your physical health condition the cause for it?

physical health reasons for sleeping disorders

Are you Really Suffering from Sleep Disorder?

Feeling sleepy and drowsy all day, not falling asleep soon at night or waking up in the morning feeling tired – these symptoms are not normal. Especially, if this is happening for almost a month you should start thinking of getting a medical check up. Track these symptoms and your sleep patterns, try to incorporate healthy changes to your lifestyle and amend your habits.

6 Physical Conditions that can cause Sleep Disorders


Typically within 45 to 50 years, every woman confront this phase when the menstrual cycle ends forever. This result in lots of hormonal changes just like the time it began during your teens. Insomnia is a very common after effect of menopause and studies reveal that 61%of menopausal women suffer from this. Progesterone is sleep promoting hormone that subsides after menopause and thus sleep problems accompanied with hot flashes, sweating etc. is likely to begin.


Blood sugar fluctuations in a diabetic patient does not let him have sound sleep. Sleep disorders get worst with night sweats, and frequent urination. In fact, this case can also happen the other way round – insomnia can also cause diabetes. Doctors say that people who sleep less than six hours have chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Arthritic pains make it really difficult to sleep. Most of the arthritis patients cannot stay still due to erratic painful cramps and keep shifting positions which again makes it difficult to go into sleep. You can take a pain reliever during bed time to get some relief. If the condition is serious and you have already developed Fibromyalgia (painful tendons and ligaments) then complete medical treatment is needed as pain killers will not give you much comfort.

Heart Diseases

If you have been troubled with cardiovascular diseases in long run, falling asleep can be problematic. Especially, if you have coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure, sleep problems are closely associated to it. You might be terrified about the fluctuations in circadian rhythms, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or even a heart attack while sleeping and this anxiety also prevents sound sleep. Try keeping the pillow at elevated position to avoid these risks.


If you have asthma you already know the reasons that don’t let you sleep – coughing, breathing difficulties, wheezing and congestion are just few of them! These symptoms gets worse at night as the airway gets constricted and the asthma attack can happen anytime.

Heartburn or GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn is a very common physical condition seen in people of all ages. The acidic juices in the stomach change its route and flows back into the esophagus; this causes irritation and immense burning sensations all over your chest and stomach. If you lie down, the symptoms worsen and sleeping is just impossible at the moment. Avoid heavy meals, fried foods, alcohol, coffee and unhygienic living conditions.

Apart from the above given physical conditions there are many more causes that can lead to insomnia like depression, kidney diseases, thyroid disease, eating disorders etc.

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8 Effective Fitness Tips for Working Women to Stay Fit and Healthy Mon, 27 Jul 2015 06:28:32 +0000 Today, women are no longer confined within the kitchen walls and the ‘working woman’ periphery has broadened in every way. Not only the regular office goers, the women who have their own business ventures, work from home or even are associated with public welfare sectors are considered as working and have the urge to stay a healthy and fit life.

Unfortunately, handling the chores of home and work does not leave any choice for fitness regime and this leads to obesity and fatigue. However, balancing between personal and professional life with a regular physical exercise can be surely done and here we shall endow you with some of the effective tips to remain fit keeping your office and home duties intact –

fitness tips for working women to stay fit and healthy

Regularise Treadmill

This is a magic machine that reduces weight at the fastest pace. Just try to do 10 minutes of treadmill daily and 3-5 pound of dumbbell lifting in each hand. Do a brisk walk for better effect. Each of the bicep and tricep extensions, standing triceps, side laterals should be done one minute each. Again 5 minute walk on the treadmill briskly. This tones your body and also keeps your heart healthy.

Keep yourself Active Throughout the Day

Walk as much as possible during the day; if your work is restricted to typing and seated position make sure you take frequent breaks of even 5-7 minutes and walk briskly. Walk for a while after your lunch and then get back to your desk. This small step can make a big difference, just do and check out!

Rely on Healthy Snacks

Yoghurt, fruits, boiled vegetables should be considered in your meal. However working women need snacks in the intervals to keep up the energy levels. You have many healthy snacks in the market like the oat biscuits, packaged corns, almonds and other nuts that would energise you but not add unnecessary fat.

Eat a Good and Healthy Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and you just cannot skip it to get thin. It is the wildest idea to stay fit! Fresh fruits that have high glucose content, eggs, a glass of milk or health drink, or a bowl of cereal with dry fruits in it should be sufficient.

Plenty of Water

There is a technique called water therapy that not only aims at losing excess fat but also helps in flushing out toxins from the body that is essentially needed. Drink at least 3-4 litres of water every day to prevent dehydration or any other health disorder.

Never Overdo Anything

One hour of regular exercise is more than enough; thus if you are sweating at the gym for 3 hours every day you will only get exhausted and start neglecting your other duties. Make a proper time frame for exercising and your other jobs.

Healthy Scheduling

To remain fit and healthy, you need to be relaxed at your mind as well. Bringing work at home is one of the unhealthiest habits that can make you frustrated, sick and fatigued very soon! Complete your office chores within the time limit.

Relax Amidst Work

Use a sponge ball or rubber band for finger exercises at your work station, when you are doing some reading job and not using your hands. Spread out your fingers and move them in different directions, creating stress at the joints. Do this for 5 days and see the difference while you perform any hand job.

Apart from the above mentioned points, there are some more considerations that should be kept in mind if you are a working woman. Go for regular medical visits and check if everything is fine. Pay attention to what you are eating and your nutritional intake. Make sure you have a social life that entertains you and keeps you cheerful.

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4 Ways to Get Rid of Man Boobs Fri, 24 Jul 2015 06:25:05 +0000 Man boobs is definitely not something that compliments a masculine physique. This unnecessary fat growth on the chest is quite humiliating and embarrassing. However, it is not that difficult to get rid of man boobs but first you need to understand what is man boobs or gynecomastia and then treat it in an appropriate way for a well toned chest.

ways to get rid of man boobs

What are Man Boobs and how to Get Rid of them?

Some men have chests similar to pre-pubescent girls, that is, the chests are heavier than they should be. This situation occurs mainly due to two reasons. First, hormonal imbalance where testosterone is low and estrogen high, can lead to enhancement of the chest of a man. This is known as Clinical gynecomastia. Secondly, man boobs or mobs can occur if there is excess fat stored on the chest.

There are various ways through which one can treat this problem of man boobs and the list of given below:


If you chose to remove the man boobs in the natural way, your best bet would be to start exercising regularly and vigorously. It is true that in most cases spot reduction of fat in the human body is not too effective, but, there are specific exercises that can help you tone your chest and lose the man boob or moob. You can consult a professional trainer who will be able to help you on the specific area. Also if you have mild signs of man boobs, there are specific exercises that will tighten the muscles and make the them disappear.

Reduce Fat Consumption

Fat storage can be a reason for growing man boobs. Generally, breasts are made of lipid, therefore, cutting down on fat consumption could be helpful in reducing the boobs that you are embarrassed of. If you have weight problem, then it is advisable to go on a low fat or fat free diet to reduce the excess kilos. However, it is always good to combine it with physical exercises.

Topical Ointments

There are also topical solutions available in the market such as serums, gels or ointments. Since these seem to be the easiest way to lose man boobs, a lot of people go for these. On the plus side these crèmes are better than surgery, as believed by many users, and obviously less expensive. However the effect of these creams and gels are not instant and it will take some time to show results. They are fairly easy to use as well.


Some people may also consider surgery for the removal of man boobs. But they should be done only if it is a medical problem, such as if there is a cancerous growth. Moreover they are quite expensive as well as risky. Since there are other safer options available to remove man boob, surgery should be considered the last option when no other options are found to be helpful.

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Athletes’ Diets Show the Winning Way Wed, 22 Jul 2015 05:12:38 +0000 Professional athletes view their bodies differently to the rest of us. They see them more like we might see our car or some other complex piece of machinery that we are especially fond of. They monitor different areas of performance to a degree of precision that even the most exacting engineer would approve of. They take the utmost care to ensure that every single variable is calculated, calibrated and fine-tuned for maximum performance.

athletes' diets show the winning way

But this logic should not be merely the province of professional athletes. We are, all of us, reliant on our physical well-being. The effects of how we treat that biological machinery may be slower to show themselves than the short-term cut and thrust of competitive sport suggests.

But the effects are the same. Diet and exercise may be key elements in determining the margin and shaping the odds that divide Andy Murray’s and Novak Djokovic’s career winnings in professional tennis, but they are every bit as critical to our more general level of health and well-being.

The difference between those obsessively competitive professionals and the rest of us is that they pay attention to their bodies and their diet in a way that the rest of us can all-too easily fail to match. However, the lesson from those tennis pros should not go unreported. Eating well and living healthily is what winners do. The alternative is for losers.

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