Here is a recap of the July news from Harvard Health Publications.

July 31, 2014 What you might have missed in July Here is a recap of the July news from Harvard Health Publications. Featured Blog Posts Advice you may not hear from your doctor: Don't go out in the sun without protection Treating gum disease may lessen the burden of heart disease, diabetes, other conditions Get your copy of Gentle Core Exercises Gentle core exercises are specially designed for people who aren't up to tackling regular core exercises, perhaps because they are out of shape or possibly due to an injury or health problem. This Special Health Report will show you how to build your core with workouts that are gentle and rewarding. You'll be introduced to more than three dozen exercises designed to strengthen core muscles, increase flexibility and stability, improve balance, and tone your silhouette. HEALTHbeat Issues Alcohol and fatigue Although alcohol's sedative effects can make you drowsy, they also have other effects that can interfere with quality sleep. Read more » Want more energy? Here's what really helps Assuming your doctor has ruled out medical causes for persistent fatigue, there are a few basic steps you can take to feel more energetic day to day. Read more » Strength training: 6 ways to get more from your workout Here are six ways to prevent injury and make the most of your weight training sessions. Read more » How medications can affect your balance All drugs carry side effects, and can interact with other medications. For many medications, one or more side effects affect balance. And that can increase your chances of taking a fall. Read more » Everyone can improve their balance Good balance builds confidence and fosters independence. Working on balance can also bolster your abilities in tennis, golf, running, dancing, skiing, or any number of other sports or activities you love. Read more » 5 ways to dodge incontinence Although it may not be possible to avoid incontinence, you can take steps to lower the chances that you will develop this distressing problem. Read more » Use everyday habits to keep your memory in good shape A growing body of research indicates that regular exercise and a healthful diet can help protect your memory from aging-related decline. Read more » Get your copy of Vitamins and Minerals About half of all Americans routinely take dietary supplements. The most common ones are multivitamin and multimineral supplements. This report explains the evidence behind the benefits and safety profiles of various vitamins and minerals. It also includes the recommended minimum and maximum amounts you should consume, as well as good food sources of each. Two ways to stay mentally sharp Regular physical activity helps keep your heart, lungs, and muscles in shape and can stave off the effects of aging. In much the same way, exercising your brain can help keep your mind sharp and your memory intact. Here are two ways to activate your brain. Read more » Want healthy feet? Keep a healthy weight If foot pain is slowing you down and you are also overweight, losing weight can help get more spring in your step. Read more » Low-fat, low-carb, or Mediterranean: which diet is right for you? Losing weight sometimes takes some experimenting. Here's a look at three common diet approaches. Read more » Choosing the right sunglasses Sunlight has been linked to several eye conditions, including cataracts and early-onset age-related macular degeneration. It's hard to avoid the sun, but it is easy to protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses. Read more » Two ways to dodge diabetes A landmark clinical trial called the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) showed that a healthy diet and regular exercise can prevent type 2 diabetes. Read more » Healthy eating for blood sugar control If you have diabetes, a healthy eating plan for you is not that different from a healthy eating plan for people without diabetes. However, you'll want to pay special attention to your carbohydrate intake. Read more » News from Harvard Health What to look for in a digital fitness monitor Digital fitness monitors are great tools to track exercise and diet progress. They come in wearable styles such as wristbands, watches, and pendants, as well as hand-held pieces you can clip on a sleeve or slip into a pocket. Read more » Refining advice about dietary fat and heart disease Eating less fat has caused people to eat more processed foods, especially refined carbohydrates. People should worry less about limiting saturated fat in their diets and focus more on eating a variety of whole or minimally processed foods. Read more » Foods that fight inflammation Pro-inflammatory foods include fried foods, sodas, refined carbohydrates, and red meat. Green vegetables, berries, whole grains, and fatty fish are thought to combat the inflammatory process. Read more » Take common-sense steps to stay safe this summer Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and muscle cramps are signs that the body is unable to regulate its temperature in extreme heat. Men with cardiac conditions are at increased risk for developing heat-related problems. Read more » Featured in this issue Gentle Core Exercises Featured content: • The importance of your core • Tailoring gentle core exercises to your abilities • Structuring your workout: Four commonly asked questions • Posture and alignment • Choosing which gentle core exercises to do •  ... and more! Click here to read more » Vitamins and Minerals Featured content: • Vitamins and minerals: The basics • Federal guidelines • Making sense of scientific studies • Cast of characters: From vitamin A to zinc • SPECIAL BONUS SECTION: Does your diet deliver the daily recommended doses? •  ... and more! Click here to read more » Harvard Medical School offers special reports on over 50 health topics. Visit our website at http://www.health.harvard.edu to find reports of interest to you and your family. PHONE ORDERS - please call our toll-free number: 1-877-649-9457. You are currently subscribed to HEALTHbeat as BrendaModica252@gmail.com. EDIT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PROFILE UNSUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE TO HEALTHbeat VIEW HEALTHbeat ARCHIVES Visit our website at: www.health.harvard.edu Email us at: healthbeat@health.harvard.edu Follow us on:  Facebook Twitter Copyright © 2014 by Harvard University. Harvard Health Publications, 10 Shattuck Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA * Please note, we do not provide responses to personal medical concerns, nor can we supply related medical information other than what is available in our print products or website. For specific, personalized medical advice we encourage you to contact your physician.