L i n e s L i f e

A publication of the AARP Life Insurance Program from New York Life SPRING 2006 L i n e s L i f e Confused About Cholesterol? Here’s What’s Good, What’s Bad, And What You Can Control in cholesterol levels. Women, on the
other hand, typically enjoy lower
cholesterol levels until menopause,
and then quickly catch up. The good news: many of the factors
known to cause high cholesterol are
preventable. With a few simple
changes in lifestyle, most people can
significantly reduce their risk of heart
disease or stroke. For more informa-
tion, please consult your physician,
or visit the National Cholesterol
Education Program (NCEP) of the
National Institutes of Health at
www.nhlbi.nih.gov. O 1 New York Life Online, Mayo Clinic Health
Information, “High Blood Cholesterol,” Overview,
Page 1, 12/2/05.
2 Ibid., Page 4, 12/2/05. Research shows that you can reduce
your risk of heart attack or stroke by
lowering the amount of cholesterol in
your blood. The Mayo Clinic
estimates that just a 10% reduction
in U.S. cholesterol levels would result
in a 30% decline in heart disease! 1 Exactly what is cholesterol, and
where does it come from?
Your liver naturally produces
cholesterol—a type of fat vital to cell
production. High cholesterol occurs
when your body produces too much
cholesterol, or is unable to shed
excess cholesterol received from
outside sources such as food. How do I know if I have high
cholesterol?
Unfortunately, no outward signs or
symptoms will help you detect high
cholesterol. That’s why it’s important
to be tested on an annual basis. A simple test is to measure the total
milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter
of blood (mg/dL). With this test,
doctors look for cholesterol levels of
200 or less, and consider anyone with
a score of 240 or higher to be “at
risk”. More-sophisticated tests are
also available, designed to measure
and compare three specific types
of cholesterol: • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL):
This “bad” cholesterol is primarily
responsible for creating fatty deposits
that clog your arteries. • High-density lipoprotein (HDL):
This “good” cholesterol helps clear
your arteries and helps counteract the
effects of LDL cholesterol. • Triglycerides: Another type of fat
found in your blood, triglycerides
operate much like LDL and should
be kept as low as possible. What causes high cholesterol, and
what can I do to control it?
A number of factors can influence
your cholesterol level—for better or
for worse. Here are a few of the key
contributors: • Diet: Animal products such as
beef, pork, milk, eggs, and cheese
contain high amounts of saturated fat
and cholesterol. To keep your
cholesterol under control, doctors
recommend you limit your fat intake
to 30% of your total daily calories. 2 (See page three for foods that can
help lower cholesterol.) • Exercise: To keep your weight and
cholesterol levels under control,
doctors recommend at least 30-45 minutes
of exercise, three days a week. • General Health: People who
smoke, are overweight, or have low
thyroid function, diabetes, or lipid
disorders may have high cholesterol
and should be checked on a more
regular basis. • Age: From age 20 to 50, men
usually experience a steady increase 1 Inside This Issue GOING ON VACATION? HERE’S A
PRESCRIPTION FOR
GOOD HEALTH PAGE 2 WHAT TO DO ABOUT
MOTION SICKNESS PAGE 2 STAYING SAFE IN THE SURF PAGE 3 THREE WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST
OF YOUR VACATION PAGE 3 FOODS THAT CAN HELP
LOWER CHOLESTEROL PAGE 3 ENJOY ADDITIONAL PEACE OF
MIND WITH AUTOMATIC PREMIUM
PAYMENTS PAGE 4 NEW YORK LIFE NAMED
AARP “FEATURED EMPLOYER” PAGE 4 AARP CREDIT CARD SERVICES PAGE 4 NEW TITLE AVAILABLE FROM AARP
BOOKS PAGE 4 New York Life Insurance Company AARP Operations 5505 West Cypress, Tampa, FL 33607-1707 1-800-695-5164 www.nylaarp.com/newsletter Going On Vacation? Here’s A Prescription For Good Health 2 Planning a vacation this summer?
Chances are you’ll want to enjoy
every minute of your upcoming
excursion. Of course, unexpected
things can happen—including get-
ting sick. But there are ways to min-
imize the risk and keep an illness
from ruining your valuable vacation
time. Here are just a few suggestions
that could help keep you healthy: Warm Up: Travel, even in the most
relaxing setting, can be rigorous.
Prepare yourself in advance by
embarking on an exercise program
that is tailored toward your planned
activities. If you’re heading for the
beach, swim a little bit every day. If
you’re heading for the mountains,
you might climb the stairs instead of
taking the elevator. See Your Doctor: Depending on your
age, health, and destination, you may
want to check with your doctor at least
six weeks prior to your vacation. You
can review your itinerary, find out if
any immunizations are needed, and
refill any prescriptions you may wish
to take along. This is particularly
important if you are heading overseas,
where refilling a U.S. prescription may
be more difficult. Well Begun Is Half Done: How
you begin a trip can determine your
energy level and health. Try to min-
imize stress by packing a few days in
advance. If possible, take a day off
work beforehand so you have some
time to relax. Eat, Drink, And Be Healthy:
When traveling in the U.S., Canada,
and most European countries, you
can be fairly sure the water and
food are safe. In other countries,
contaminated water and food are the
most common causes of illness. To
be safe, drink only bottled water,
canned beverages, or boiled liquids
such as coffee or tea. Do not use ice, or brush your teeth with tap
water unless you know it is potable.
Similarly, you should be wary of
raw vegetables, meats, and
uncooked seafood. Turn Down The Heat: If you’re
heading to sunny climates, be sure
to drink lots of fluids and wear plen-
ty of sunscreen (at least 15 SPF). If
you’re not used to running around
in the sun all day, you may underes-
timate its effects. Limit your out-
door activities to the early morning
or late afternoon when the sun isn’t
quite so intense. Get Acclimated: Dramatic changes
in climates and altitudes can be
tough on the human body, so allow
time to adjust. Take it slow at first,
and gradually build up your stamina
as you go along. While nothing you do can guarantee
good health on vacation, you owe it to
yourself to take all the precautions you
can. After all, nobody wants to spend an
entire vacation in bed—at least not
when there’s an empty hammock nearby! What If I Get Sick—Where Do I
Turn For Medical Care? If you do get sick on vacation, it’s
important to seek treatment as soon
as possible. For minor illnesses, a
local pharmacy may be able to help.
For more serious cases, check with
your hotel or tour company to see if
they can recommend a physician. If
you’re traveling overseas, the U.S.
embassy or consulate can usually
provide any assistance required, and
most major cruise ships offer a wide
range of medical services, including
an onboard physician. For a complete list of embassies
and consulates, please visit the
U.S. Department of State at
www.state.gov/travel. HELPFUL HINT: Before departure,
contact your insurance carrier to see
which services are covered and how
to arrange for medical care
when traveling. O What To Do About Motion Sickness You’ve probably tried everything from
acupressure to green apples to help stave
off the effects of motion sickness. But
what really works? According to the
Mayo Clinic, 1 there are several ways to help prevent, or lessen, motion sickness. I Try to secure the most stable location. On a cruise, opt for the lowest, most cen-
tral cabin. On a plane, request a seat over
the front edge of a wing. Keep your eyes
and head stable by taking advantage of
your headrest, or bringing along a firm
neck pillow. Fresh air helps, so redirect a
vent so the air blows across your face. I Give yourself the most direct, unob- structed view. When traveling by car,
offer to drive or sit in the front passenger
seat. Traveling by bus or train, sit facing
forward and beside a window. As a last resort, you might want to try
some over-the-counter medications,
which must be taken before you feel sick.
For longer protection, a 72-hour patch
containing the prescription medication
scopolamine might be right for you. Be
sure to consult your doctor before trying
any of these alternatives. If these suggestions prove ineffective, dry
crackers, carbonated beverages, and yes,
green apples may help settle your stom-
ach. Take comfort that the more you
travel, the less prone you will become to
the effects of motion sickness. O 1 MayoClinic.com, First Aid Guide, “Motion Sickness,”
Page 1, January 13, 2004, www.mayoclinic.com/health/
first-aid-motion-sickness/HQ01099. Foods That Can Help Lower Cholesterol 1 1. Oatmeal and Oat Bran: These foods contain a soluble fiber that reduces
your low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Five to 10 grams of soluble fiber a day
decreases LDL cholesterol by about 5%. 2. Soy Protein: Found in products such as tofu, soy nuts, and soy milk, this
substance can help lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides—especially when
it’s substituted for animal protein. 3. Walnuts: While high in calories, walnuts can significantly reduce choles-
terol levels in the blood, and may also help keep blood vessels healthier and
more elastic. 4. Fatty Fish: Fish that contain plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids, such as
salmon, have proven to lower triglyceride levels and help reduce the formation
of blood clots. 5. Foods Containing Plant Sterols or Stanols: Some foods, such as orange
juice and margarine, are now being fortified with plant sterols or stanols that
help block the absorption of cholesterol in your body. At this time, however,
the American Heart Association recommends these foods only for people who
have been diagnosed with high levels of LDL cholesterol. O 1 New York Life Online, Mayo Clinic Health Information, “Cholesterol: Top Five Lipid-Lowering Foods,”
Pages 1-3, 4/15/05. 3 Staying Safe In The Surf Three Ways To
Make The Most Of
Your Vacation I Don’t rely on inflatable devices—they can easily become unplugged or punc-
tured. When boating, make sure that
safety vests are properly and securely
fastened. I Schedule rest breaks. Children often ignore how tired their bodies are
becoming. I Keep children away from drains, filters, and water intakes where they
may get stuck. I Check the current or riptide. While these are dangerous for adults as well,
children are more likely to get swept
under—or away—given their lower
body weight. Adults: I Avoid alcohol while swimming or operating a watercraft. Alcohol impairs
your judgment and dilates your blood
vessels, making it difficult to stay
warm. I Keep an eye on the sky. Make sure everyone gets out of the water at the
slightest hint of lightning. I Prepare for the activity. Unless you swim year-round, it may take some
time to build your stamina. Be sure to
warm up, and gradually increase the
level of activity over time. I Take lessons before trying a new water sport. That way you can learn
proper safety and operating techniques
from licensed professionals. I Make sure you always have a buddy nearby, or swim in supervised settings. For more complete information
on water safety in general, visit
the American Red Cross at
w w w. re d c ro s s . o r g / s e r v i c e s / h s s
/tips/healthtips/safetywater.html. O 1 New York Life Online, Lifestyle Section,
“Preventative Medicine: Prevent Drowning,” Page
1, 12/2/05. Every summer, millions of Americans
look forward to putting on their
swimsuits and diving into the nearest
body of water. While swimming is a
favorite summertime activity and a
great form of exercise, it can also be
dangerous if you’re not careful. In
fact, drowning is the fourth leading
cause of accidental death in the
United States. Following some basic water safety
guidelines can help keep you and
your family safe. Most guidelines—
such as checking water depth before
diving or wearing non-slip shoes on a
wet surface—apply to all swimmers,
but some are specific to child safety,
while others apply more to adults: Children: I Never leave children unattended, even for a few seconds and even if they
know how to swim. 1. Don’t Try To Tackle Too Much.
Resist the urge to cram in as much as
possible, and allow for some down-
time to relax. You are, after all,
on vacation. 2. Eat Healthy—Stay Healthy.
Overindulging can have an adverse
effect on your body. For maximum
energy, be sure to drink lots of water,
eat plenty of fruits and vegetables,
and limit fried foods. 3. Stay Within Your Means.
Vacation is time to focus on your
family, not fret over finances. Plan a
trip you can afford and set the funds
aside. You’ll enjoy it more if you know
you’re not breaking the bank. O 4 AARP Credit Card Services is offer-
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