Getting the right amount of sound sleep is critical to good health, but many Americans struggle to get a good night’s rest.  Major sleep issues might require obtaining prescriptions from your health care provider or a trip to a specialist. In many cases though, getting the right amount of sleep can be accomplished with just a few simple alterations to your daily routine.

A recent survey of more than 1500 adults shed some light on just how important your sleep environment can be to getting the right amount of sleep.  Results of the survey, conducted by the Nation Sleep Foundation, show that people generally sleep soundly for longer periods when their bedroom is clean and comfortable.  Many respondents reported that clean sheets, fresh air and a made bed had a large impact on their quality of sleep.

A new study, published in Obesity Reviews, reveals the possibility of a small connection between the temperature on your thermostat and your risk of obesity.  Researchers from University College in London suggest that, though diet and exercise are the primary factors in managing weight, other lifestyle factors can certainly contribute to obesity.

When our bodies are subjected to colder temperatures additional calories are expended in order to keep warm.  Researchers who led this study suggest that staying in a consistently warm environment could minimize the need to expend energy for warmth which could be playing a role in the obesity epidemic.

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals that the simple dietary addition of strawberries and blueberries could have a major impact on the risk for high blood pressure.  High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for serious health problems like stroke and heart disease.

The study, which followed more than 100,000 people, revealed that those who had the highest levels of anthocyanin from blueberries and strawberries had an 8% reduced risk of high blood pressure.

Experts from the US Preventative Services Task Force have reviewed information from a wide variety of studies and have changed the recommendation for osteoporosis screenings based on their findings.  The panel has upheld the recommendation that all women over 65 should undergo a bone density screening but has changed the recommendation for women who are considered high risk.

The new guidelines suggest that all post menopausal women, regardless of age, who’ve got other risk factors for osteoporosis, undergo a bone density screening.

Hitting the target of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day is certainly better than coming up short, but striving for even more servings could result in greater benefits.  New research has indicated that even adding one additional serving of fruits or vegetables per day could result in a significant reduction in the risk of heart disease.

A recent study conducted by researchers across eight countries in Europe, consisting of about 300,000 people, has shed some light on just how important fruits and vegetables are to your diet.  Researchers were able to conclude from information gathered that each additional serving of fruits and vegetables

Falls present a serious health risk for senior citizens.  Depending upon the individual scenario a fall could result in anything from minor, superficial injuries to factures that require could months of rehab or possibly even death.  This is precisely why panel members from the American and British Geriatrics Societies set out to develop an updated set of guidelines for fall prevention among seniors.

According to the updated guidelines, many seniors could reduce their risk of falls by having a health care provider review their current medications and make any necessary adjustments.  Some antidepressants and prescription sleep aids can increase the risk of falls.   If there is a possibility of eliminating these medications altogether or reducing the dosage, the risk of falling can be reduced.

A thorough examination and restructuring of the living environment 

If you’ve been paying attention to your health care provider during your regular check ups over the course of the last several years, you probably already know that regular exercise has plenty of benefits.  What you might not be aware of is just how much of an impact some very simple changes in your lifestyle can have in preventing serious health conditions.

A new study of nearly 600 Australian adults reveals that the simple act of increasing the daily number of steps taken

Recent studies have connected prolonged periods of sitting to serious health risks.  Extended periods of sitting have been linked to increased waist size, low levels of HDL cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides, which can all be indicative of increased risk for conditions like heart disease or diabetes.  Fortunately, it seems as though even small changes to your routine during sedentary activities can make a big difference in reducing those risks.

Researchers in Australia have found that short breaks from sedentary activities can have a positive impact on the cardiovascular health of people who sit for extended periods.  This study, published in the European Heart Journal, analyzed data of more than 5000 people who wore accelerometers to track the time spent sitting and the time of breaks from sedentary activities.

Researchers found that participants who took the most breaks from sitting

There are already a number of doctors and health care professionals recommending that their patients follow a more Mediterranean style diet that is rich in vegetables, fish and healthy fats.  Past studies have shown that adherence to this type of diet can reduce the risk of many serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

The most recent study of the Mediterranean diet may result in even more recommendations from health care professionals, but for an entirely different reason.  The results of the study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, show a

Over the course of the last few years it’s been hard to have a discussion on health without green tea coming up at some point.  The tasty beverage, which has been used as a remedy in China for centuries, has been widely advertised for its potential to aid weight loss, improve immunity and lower cholesterol among other things.  Many health care providers and nutritionists are already advocating the addition of green tea to diets and some brand new information could make this wildly popular beverage even more widely used.

New research conducted at Newcastle University in the UK has shed light on another possible benefit of this super food.  Researchers found that the protective