five easy ways to improve your health
Want to kick-start a healthy new year? "GMA" medical contributor Dr. Marie Savard has five easy ways to improve your health. Vitamin D: The so-called "sunshine vitamin" benefits your bones, brain and heart, but most of us don't get enough, especially if you don't see a lot of sun in the winter. Vitamin D does not occur naturally in most foods, so you should take a high-potency supplement. Cod Liver Oil: It's full of Vitamin D, as well as Omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin A for skin, eyes and bones. Omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease, protect your cells and improve brain function. Fiber: With a diet heavy on processed foods, most Americans don't get enough fiber. Fiber is important for colon health, but it also helps lower insulin levels, blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation. You can take a supplement like Metamucil or Benefiber before a meal, which if taken before a meal, can make you feel more full and so eat less. Or you can try Savard's homemade granola -- see the recipe below. Calcium: This is another mineral we don't get enough of. Studies show most Americans get about 600 mg a day, when we need 1200 mg or more. We need calcium in order to absorb vitamin D, and it helps build bone and healthy blood vessels. You can get calcium in milk and other dairy products, but people who are lactose intolerant can take a pill or a sweet-tasting chewable supplement like Viactiv. Throw Out Your Scale: Instead of weighing ...