Category Archive

a message from Asbury’s Health Ministry Team

“New Blood Pressure Guidelines”

by Asbury’s Health Ministries Team

The American Heart Association has published new blood pressure guidelines:

• Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure (BP) (≥130/80 mm Hg), which is the #1 preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure, as well as kidney disease, cognitive decline, and dementia.
• A new guideline from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology advises earlier treatment, including lifestyle modification and medications as appropriate, recommends close BP management before, during, and after pregnancy, and highlights using the new PREVENT™ risk calculator to estimate a person’s cardiovascular disease risk to tailor treatment.
• The guideline also reinforces the importance of healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as eating a nutritious diet, being physically active, and maintaining or achieving a healthy weight.
• Recent research confirms that BP affects brain health, including cognitive function and dementia, so early treatment is recommended for people diagnosed with high BP to maintain brain health and cognition.
• High BP before, during, and after pregnancy is important to monitor and treat quickly to reduce the risk of short- and long-term serious complications including preeclampsia.

Source: New high blood pressure guideline emphasizes prevention, early treatment to reduce CVD risk | American Heart Association

The mission of the Health Ministry Team is to integrate health and faith through encouragement of individuals to live healthier lives in mind, body and spirit. Visit the Health Ministry Team page to learn more about the team and their impact.

a message from Asbury’s Health Ministry Team

“Fall Season = Vaccine Reviews”

by Doris Farrar, RN

SCHEDULE:
Childhood vaccine – eligibility 0 to 18 years
Adults – vaccine eligibility 19 to 64 years
Seniors – vaccine eligibility 65 years & older
Travelers guide – listed online under vaccines

TIPS & GUIDELINES IN A NUTSHELL:

Multiple vaccines in one appointment are acceptable per the Center for Disease Control (CDC). It is important to keep a list of your vaccinations with dates for your doctor and personal reference. A vaccination is the process of obtaining the injection. Immunization is the process of developing protection from the disease to improve the outcome of exposure from getting it. There are some vaccines that can be obtained through ingesting it through the nasal passage if one is allergic to the other ingredients in the injection. Ask your doctor for guidance. .

Why are vaccines important? They save millions of lives yearly. They help fight a disease as the vaccine provides antibodies to defend against the attack. It helps to prevent serious complications & ongoing spread to others in the surrounding areas. Vaccines are considered safe for the majority of people to keep them healthy and improve their immunity.

It is wise to develop a healthy nutrition plan, exercise daily, plan for sufficient sleep, and seek guidance with issues that cause stress in our daily lives. Stress can create poor immunity for our health as it triggers our system to create poor habits that affect our bodily functions. This can lead to many physical and emotional problems that attack our immune system, thus permitting an illness to evolve.

Specific vaccines are listed on the computer for the age groups listed above. Check for your recommended boosters and vaccines under the vaccines and also with your doctor to keep updated. Advocate this responsibility for your own health. Fall is the recommended time for the annual flu vaccine. It is wise to consider doing this for a healthy outcome. Asbury’s Health Ministry Team recently held a flu/COVID/RSV clinic – watch for another next fall. It is a great way to keep fit in mind, body, and spirit (the mission of the Health Ministry Team).

Come join our ministry. More recruits are needed to help reach our goals. We meet monthly on Sunday morning in Room 231 with a cup of coffee in between services to plan our agenda.

“Here’s to your HEALTH.”

The mission of the Health Ministry Team is to integrate health and faith through encouragement of individuals to live healthier lives in mind, body and spirit. Visit the Health Ministry Team page to learn more about the team and their impact.

a message from Asbury’s Health Ministry Team

“The Benefits of Vaccinations”

The flu vaccine reduces the risk of seasonal influenza, lowers the chance of severe illness and hospitalizations, and protects vulnerable populations such as children and older adults during flu season.

The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus, which can cause serious lung infections, especially in infants, older adults, and people with weakened immunity.

The COVID-19 vaccine strengthens protection against severe disease, long-term complications, and hospitalization. It also reduces virus transmission, helping safeguard communities and allowing safer participation in daily activities, travel, and gatherings.

Looking for a place to receive your vaccinations? Consider Asbury’s Flu, COVID, and RSV Shot Clinic on Sunday, October 5, from 8:30 AM – 12 PM in the Aldersgate Room.
Shots will be administered by Michael Silvonek, RPH. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to support Asbury Church.
Shots are free for Medicare B patients and most insurances.
Both standard and high-dose (seniors) vaccines will be available.

a message from Asbury’s Health Ministry Team

“Natural Remedy for What Ails You!”

by Karen Turi, RN, BSN, a member of Asbury’s Health Ministry Team

There is absolutely no substitution for medical advice for health conditions; but sometimes just “tweaking” our diet or the vitamins we take might just help!!!

Some common conditions:

1. CRACKED LIPS… hydration, good IRON sources and Vitamin B2/B3/B6. Don’t forget to sunscreen your lips!!
2. DANDRUFF… ZINC (found in shellfish, poultry, nuts, and legumes). Zinc can also be a supplement, Vitamin B6/Omega-3.
3. POOR NIGHT VISION… “orange” foods like sweet potatoes and carrots, Vitamin A / Zinc
4. BLEEDING GUMS … foods rich in Vitamin C (peppers / leafy greens) or Vitamin C/ Vitamin K / Zinc
5. DRY SKIN… hydration, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Omega-3
6. MOOD SWINGS… hydration, protein, Vitamin D / Vitamin B6 and Magnesium
7. ACNE… Good cleansing (but not overcleansing with harsh products), hydration, avoid excess sugars. Vitamin A / Vitamin E
8. FATIGUE… good sleep habits, protein, hydration, green leafy veggies, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and Iron
9. MUSCLE CRAMPS…foods rich in Potassium (bananas, spinach) / Calcium (dairy), Magnesium, Potassium
10. HAIR LOSS? BRITTLE NAILS?… hydration, protein, Biotin, Vitamin B7 / Vitamin A, Vitamin D / Zinc
11. TINGLING LIMBS… leafy greens, fatty fish, nuts and berries, Vitamin B12/ Omega-3
12. SLOW WOUND HEALING… protein, healthy fats, Vitamin A/ Vitamin C/ Zinc

a message from Asbury’s Health Ministry Team

“Heart-Healthy Diet with High-Quality Food”

Over the years, low-fat and low carbohydrate diets have been thought of as the best for preventing heart disease. It is important to consider what types of food are eaten with these diets. A large-scale study of over 200,000 participants found an association with low carbohydrate and low-fat diets that emphasized high quality food (i.e., fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes) with a 15% lower risk of developing coronary heart disease. Those who ate unhealthy foods didn’t get the benefit. The bad or unhealthy foods include refined grains like a white roll, sugary snacks, processed meats, and animal fats. Low-quality foods do not contain vital nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that protect the heart.

Eating lots of vegetables and fiber helps control blood sugar and prevent excess weight gain. High blood sugar can contribute to heart disease by damaging blood vessels. The best diet has lean protein, fish, beans, and legumes. If looking at a plate, half of the plate should contain fruits and vegetables. One quarter of plate should be whole grains, and the last quarter should contain lean protein. High quality diet will give steady blood sugar, optimize blood pressure, and improve cholesterol levels. Eat healthy and stay healthy.

a message from Asbury’s Health Ministry Team

“Rising Rates of Cancer in Younger Adults”

Clinicians are seeing a rise in early-onset cancers. Why?…

In younger adults, rates are rising for more than a dozen cancers, including those of the gut, skin, blood, and reproductive and endocrine systems. The rise in early-onset cancers cannot be explained by improved access to screening, since screening is not recommended at these early ages. Unfortunately, as a result, cancer is not detected until later stages which then involves more aggressive treatment. Genetics also cannot explain the rise, because if genetics were the reason for this trend, the trend would be gradual and not the sharp increases that are being seen.

Large population studies have generally supported that rising obesity rates are to blame, since excess fat tissue can cause an increase in inflammation and tumor growth. Other scientists believe that obesity may be a proxy for underlying factors as poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. Studies are looking at some of these underlying factors. For example, excessive consumption of processed foods with soybean, corn, and sunflower oil can cause chronic inflammation in the gut, damage DNA, and trigger malignant changes (Gabre). Also, early lifestyle choices such as a decline in physical activity among adolescents and younger adults may promote early onset breast cancer (Kehn). More studies need to be done to further understand the rising cancer rates in younger people.

Source: Craig, David J, (2025). Columbia, Spring/Summer, pp. 28-31.

a message from Asbury’s Health Ministry Team

“Sun Protection”

Sunbathing, while often associated with relaxation and achieving a golden tan, poses significant health risks. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause premature aging of the skin, such as wrinkles, age spots, and loss of elasticity. More critically, repeated sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, the deadliest form. UV radiation can also damage the eyes and suppress the immune system. Even short-term overexposure can lead to sunburn, which is not only painful but also indicates skin cell damage that may have long-term consequences.

To protect against these risks, various types of sunscreens are available, categorized primarily into chemical and physical (mineral) sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation using active ingredients like avobenzone or oxybenzone, while physical sunscreens, containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, reflect UV rays away from the skin. Sunscreen effectiveness is measured by its Sun Protection Factor (SPF); SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%. Higher SPF offers more protection but does not make you invincible to sun damage. In the worst-case scenario of sunburn, treatment includes cool baths, aloe vera gel, anti-inflammatory medication (like ibuprofen), and plenty of hydration. For severe burns with blistering or systemic symptoms (fever, chills, nausea), medical attention should be sought immediately.