The health effects of smoking are the circumstances, mechanisms, and factors of tobacco consumption on human health. Epidemiological research has been focused primarily on cigarette tobacco smoking, which has been studied more extensively than any other form of consumption, but all forms of tobacco use are dangerous.  Research has proven overwhelmingly that the regular use of tobacco can damage every part of the body.

Tobacco is the single greatest cause of preventable death globally. Tobacco use leads most commonly to diseases affecting the heart, liver and lungs, with smoking being a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis), and cancer (particularly lung cancer, cancers of the larynx and mouth, and pancreatic cancer). It also causes peripheral vascular disease and hypertension. The effects depend on the number of years that a person smokes and on how frequently the person smokes. Starting to smoke earlier in life and smoking cigarettes higher in tar increases the risk of these diseases. Cigarettes sold in underdeveloped countries tend to have higher tar content, and are less likely to be filtered, potentially increasing vulnerability to tobacco-related disease in these regions.

Also, environmental tobacco smoke, or secondhand smoke, has been shown to cause adverse health effects in people of all ages.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that tobacco caused 5.4 million deaths in 2004 and 100 million deaths over the course of the 20th century. Similarly, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes tobacco use as “the single most important preventable risk to human health in developed countries and an important cause of premature death worldwide.”

Quitting smoking may be difficult, especially for those individuals who have developed the habit of regular tobacco use.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina wants to encourage you to make the change.  A healthy lifestyle is the number one form of preventive care and one of the best things you can do for your body.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

9 Mason Jar Salad Recipes for Healthy Lunch Ideas – That New Year’s resolution to eat healthier probably includes lots of salads, but by the end of January, lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes can get old. With layers of fruit, veggies, grains and proteins, salad-in-a-jar recipes are the perfect option for quick and easy packed lunches.  All you need is a jar, some basic knife skills and a few creative salad dressings for a clever and sophisticated salad you can actually look forward to.

Check out the Asian Noodle Salad, which is just one of 8 of these fun recipes.  For a tasty change from the plain old chopped lettuce salad, this recipe draws its inspiration from Asian cuisine. Soba noodles, also known as buckwheat noodles, are a great gluten-free option (though make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce and skip the crunchy rice noodle topping if gluten is a no-no in your diet). The homemade dressing uses peanut butter as an emulsifier, which allows the oil and vinegar to come together more harmoniously. That also means you won’t need to shake or mix it.

Promoting healthy eating, fitness and a healthy lifestyle is a main focus at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Enjoy!  Before starting any weight loss program, always consult your doctor first and get his/her clearance for physical activity and find out if there are any issues that would affect you participating in a new nutrition and fitness program.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – In North Carolina, almost 30 percent of adults and more than 18 percent of children are obese.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) launched Get Outside North Carolina (GO NC) to help reverse this trend. This four-year initiative will start by supporting biking and greenway projects to increase outdoor physical activity.  Future efforts will include support for other outdoor initiatives across the state that encourage people to get moving.

GO NC will provide new ways to help increase outdoor physical activity in North Carolina, according to Brad Wilson, BCBSNC president and CEO.  Every $1 spent building biking trails and walking paths can save about $3 in medical expenses. Through GO NC, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA hopes to improve health and reduce obesity-related medical costs in North Carolina.

GO NC will kick off with three flagship programs: B-cycle in Charlotte, the Blue LoopSM in Raleigh and completion of the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail in Wilmington:

Charlotte B-Cycle:

BCBSNC and Charlotte Center City Partners have teamed up to make 200 bikes available for rent at 20 stations in Uptown Charlotte and surrounding neighborhoods.

BCBSNC customers are eligible for a 20-percent discount on year-long bike share memberships.

The program will become the first bike share program in North Carolina and the largest urban system in the southeast.

North Carolina Museum of Art’s Blue Loop:

The Blue Loop will complete a network of recreational trails in the Museum Park and connect the Museum to the regional greenway system. It will provide additional options for commuters, bikers, runners, walkers and art-lovers in the Triangle.

Construction of the Blue Loop will start September 2012 with an estimated completion date of spring 2013.

Gary Shell Cross-City Trail:

BCBSNC funding through GO NC will complete the final phase of the 15-mile trail that crosses Wilmington from Wade Park to the drawbridge at Wrightsville Beach.

Other additions to the trail include:

Mile markers along the entire 15-mile trail

Five bicycle fix-it stations along the trail

Annual Run, Ride and Roll 5k event that takes place on the trail

The information in this article was taken from a Press Release from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina July 2012.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

As if we needed another reason to get out onto the water, the fact remains that whether you are looking for it or not, kayaking is a form of exercise, not to mention the beautiful settings that surround you.  Kayaking gives us a balanced approach to our cardiovascular system and our upper body strength.

These health benefits are often a side effect of simply doing what you love most.  During kayaking the low impact movements may improve joint health in some people.  The extra calories burned through kayaking may also lead to natural weight loss, which in turn can help aching joints.  Kayaking also is a great way to relax and reduce stress.  It is a great sport to help with physical and emotional healing.

Kayaking is a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle for your family too!  Kids of all ages love can enjoy kayaking.  Safety is the main goal when involving children in this sport.  Life preservers are a non-negotiable.  Children should ride with an adult several times before venturing on their own and must be supervised by an adult at all times.  Keep in mind when children are learning to kayak it is best to start in calm shallow water until they get the hang of the movement.   Half an hour to an hour is just right for all first trips regardless of age. You may also want to make certain that children are familiar with the water, experienced in swimming, physical strength, and coordination level.  So enjoy kayaking !  Get your family on the water and begin a healthy life!

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak to one of our qualified agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.  Call us for details.

Chapel Hill, N.C. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) announced a partnership Tuesday with the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association (NCRPA) to launch Nourishing North Carolina, a statewide community garden program making local, healthy food more accessible to people across the state. This initiative supports BCBSNC’s longstanding commitment to improve the health and well-being of all North Carolinians.

“The long-term benefit of this effort will extend well beyond the growing season,” said Brad Wilson, BCBSNC president and CEO. “By increasing access to healthy foods, we can all eat better, lower rates of diabetes, heart disease and obesity, and ultimately reduce the impact that unhealthy lifestyles have on our health care system.”

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With our fast paced lives, it is hard to find the time to enjoy the outdoors with your family. Have you ever thought about setting aside one evening each week as family time? We are all faced with finding a good balance between work and family.  Setting aside one night per week as “family time” is the beginning to a healthy lifestyle for your family. Experts recommend that children get at least 60 minutes of outdoor play each day.  Below are some activities for families of all ages to enjoy.
 

DISCOVER THE WILDERNESS: Take your family on a walk through your neighborhood or backyard and look at nature’s beauty. Try to keep a nature journal and post pictures of different creatures you encounter. (more…)