Stocking up on Softsoap and Purell? Join the scrub.

Coronavirus panic has anxious New Yorkers swarming drugstores and supermarkets for germ-killers. And with public health specialists stressing the importance of keeping your hands clean during a viral outbreak, hand soaps and sanitizers are flying off the shelves.

But are these products really effective against COVID-19 — and are some better than others?

“From what we know about this coronavirus, it’s similar to [previous epidemics of] SARS [severe acute respiratory syndrome] and MERS [Middle East respiratory syndrome], so it should not be that difficult of a microorganism to kill,” Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, medical director of the special pathogens unit at Boston Medical Center, tells The Post. “Soap and water, and alcohol-based hand sanitizers, can kill it.”

As for what’s most effective, experts agree that washing your hands is generally the better choice: It’s more effective at removing stubborn grime — which bugs can cling to, and potentially feed on — and at killing certain pathogens. Lathering up will also help you ward off more than coronavirus. “It’s going to protect you from other infectious diseases, too, like the flu and diarrheal diseases,” Bhadelia says.

Hand soap is still available at locations where sanitizer has sold out. 
Hand soap is still available at locations where sanitizer has sold out.Mark Mellone
Any kind of soap will do. There “isn’t enough science” to suggest that over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are any more effective at preventing illness than plain old soap and water, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

But if you can’t get to a sink quickly — during your commute, for example — hand sanitizer and wipes can be an effective tool to kill illness-causing germs. Those made with at least 60 percent alcohol tend to be the most effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Check the back of the label for phrases like ethyl alcohol, ethanol, isopropanol or n-propanol — all are fine.)

Some “natural” sanitizers make the cut: Dr. Bronner’s organic hand sanitizer spray, for example, is made with 62 percent ethyl alcohol, and Purell Naturals hand sanitizer, made with “plant-based alcohol” and “essential oils,” consists of 70 percent ethyl alcohol.

But it’s not enough to buy the best brand. You also have to learn how to use it right.

“You can have all the hand sanitizer and soap you want, but unless you’re washing correctly or using it the right way, you may still have virus on your hands,” Bhadelia says.

The CDC recommends wetting hands with clean, running water — warm or cold is fine — and then applying soap. When lathering, make sure to get the backs of your hands, between fingers and under nails. Scrub for at least 20 seconds (hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice), rinse well and then dry with a clean towel or let them air dry.

Dr.Jill
Adrenal fatigue is often caused by excessive stress, which can be from many sources. Chemical toxicity and nutritional depletion are among the physical causes. Mental, emotional, or spiritual stress may be a major factor, too. Financial, family, or other stress may also contribute to burnout. Even infections can play a role. You need to identify the stressor causing your symptoms to properly treat adrenal fatigue.

 1. Nutritional Deficiencies
Many people today have subclinical deficiencies of essential nutrients, such as B vitamins, vitamins A, C, and E, magnesium, zinc, and other trace elements. Our adrenals require vital nutrients in order to properly function. On top of that, when under stress, your need for nutrients is even greater. 

Sadly, the standard American diet is at many times lacking in micronutrients. Incorporating whole, unprocessed foods into your diet gives your adrenals the macro- and micronutrients they require to properly function. 

Things we ingest that stress the adrenals include:

• Refined carbohydrates
• Processed foods, additives, and chemicals
• Genetically modified ingredients
• Corn, soy, and canola
• Foods low in protein
• Excessive sugar
• Foods low in quality fats and high in unhealthy fats
• Poor quality water (affects the oxygenation of your tissues and makes your body work that much harder to adequately perfuse your vital organs and tissues.

Reasons why many diets are low in nutrients the adrenal require include:

• Produce grown in nutrient-depleted soils
• Soil today contains a fraction of the magnesium present in soil hundreds of years ago 
• Unhealthy eating habits, such as eating in the car or on the run, further diminish the value derived from food and our ability to digest it
• Allergic reactions to foods, such as wheat and dairy products, can damage the intestines and reduce the absorption of nutrients as well

Foods to eat to support your adrenal glands include:

• Healthy fats
• Olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, ghee, and butter
• Protein 
• Eggs, meat, poultry, and fish
• Healthy carbohydrates
• Potatoes, beans, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
• Colorful fruits and vegetables
• Dark greens, purple cabbage, red apples, green kiwis, green beans, squash, etc.

 
2. Environmental Toxins
Toxic chemicals often play a large role in adrenal burnout. Every day, we’re exposed to thousands of chemicals in air, water, and food. Check out these 10 tips to decrease your toxin load.

Common environmental toxins are found in:

• Dental products
• Opt for natural, organic toothpaste
• Beauty products
• Avoid products with parabens, phthalates, ammonia, and sodium lauryl sulfate
• Cleaning products
• Opt for natural, organic cleaners
• Over-the-counter and prescribed medications   

Toxins may also be generated internally due to microbial imbalances in the gut and impaired digestion. When food is not properly digested, it may ferment in the intestines, producing harmful substances that are absorbed through the intestinal lining. A healthy body has the ability to eliminate many toxins on a daily basis. 

However, as adrenal weakness develops, the body’s ability to eliminate toxins decreases. This produces a vicious cycle in which weaker adrenals impair the elimination of all poisons, which then further weakens the adrenals.

 
3. Chronic Infections
Chronic infections contribute greatly to the toxic load of the body. Infections also trigger inflammation and stress that must be countered using the adrenal hormones cortisol and cortisone. Chronic infections may originate in infected teeth and gums, though infections can be located anywhere in the body. 

One of the most commonly overlooked causes of adrenal fatigue are intestinal infections that give rise to an inflammatory response. Such infection can occur subclinically with no obvious signs at all. Infections in the gut, including giardia, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), fungal dysbiosis, and h. pylori, are just a few that may contribute to adrenal dysfunction.

 
4. Stimulants or Excessive Exercise
Stimulants damage the adrenal glands by pushing the secretion of stress hormones and adrenaline. Caffeine, sugar, and alcohol are among the most common culprits. Over time, this depletes the body of essential neurotransmitters. 

Other less obvious, but no less important, stimulants may include:

• Feelings of anger
• Arguments
• Loud music
• Tragic news
• Movies with suspense or excessive violence

Other activities that may act as stimulants include: 

• Vigorous exercise 
• Recreational drug use
• High-risk sports
• Surfing, diving, or extreme climbing if done in excess may deplete the adrenals

Most of these activities provide a temporary “high,” which is caused in part by the secretion of high amounts of adrenal hormones. Over time, however, this weakens the adrenals and can eventually lead to adrenal depletion and insufficiency.  

 5. Toxic Emotions
Uncontrolled emotions are another cause of adrenal burnout. These include habitual worry, anger, or fear. This applies particularly to high strung, Type A, nervous individuals as they are especially prone to adrenal burnout. “Don’t worry, be happy” is a great prescription for adrenal fatigue. 

Prayer and meditation release calming neurotransmitters. They also take the body from a state of fight or flight into the parasympathetic mode of relaxation, which is extremely helpful in healing adrenal fatigue. In addition, cultivating an attitude of gratitude can do wonders for your adrenals.

 
6. Stress
Any excessive stress can deplete the adrenals. An excessive workload, long hours, lack of sleep, or emotional stress are common. Other stressors in cities are noise and electromagnetic pollution. Cell phones, microwave towers, and appliances—such as televisions, cell phones, wearable electronics, microwave ovens, and computers—give off strong EMF fields that can be stressful to our bodies.

 
7. Other Causes
Other stressors that can lead to adrenal fatigue include:

• Chronic illness
• Chronic pain
• Gluten intolerance
• Malabsorption and poor digestion
• Surgery
• Sleep deprivation
• Excessive caffeine intake 

Maurie Backman

Many people assume that once they retire, they'll spend a lot less on living expenses than they did during their working years. But if there's one cost that tends to rise among seniors, it's healthcare. In fact, Fidelity recently estimated that a 65-year-old couple retiring this year will spend $285,000 on medical expenses throughout retirement when we factor in costs like Medicare premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.

The good news, however, is that Medicare enrollees are entitled to a number of no-cost services designed to keep them healthy. If you're planning to enroll in Medicare, or have already signed up, here are a handful you should know about.

1. Annual wellness visits
Most health insurance plans offer enrollees one free wellness checkup a year, and Medicare is no exception. Your wellness visit is a good opportunity to see how you're faring health-wise and get ahead of any issues that may be brewing.

2. Alcohol counseling
Substance abuse impacts people of all ages. Medicare will cover the cost of alcohol counseling so that you can kick your addiction without incurring a pile of bills.

3. Smoking cessation programs
Smoking is more than just an unhealthy habit; it's an expensive one. If you're looking to quit, Medicare will allow you to enroll in an approved program at no cost.

4. Depression screenings
Retirees are 40% more likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression than workers. Part of that stems from the fact that physical health issues tend to creep up as people age, which could have a mental impact as well. Also, because many retirees go from being busy at work to being overwhelmingly bored, that lifestyle adjustment can take a toll. Thankfully, Medicare offers an annual depression screening for free so that if you're suffering from it, you can get the help you need.

5. Annual mammograms
Diagnostic tests can be expensive, and many people skip them to avoid hefty bills. In doing so, however, they put their well-being at risk. Medicare offers free mammography services once a year so that women can stay on top of their health.

6. Obesity counseling
Being overweight opens the door to a wide range of health issues. Medicare will cover the cost of obesity counseling for enrollees whose weight puts them in that at-risk category.

7. Colorectal cancer screenings
The chances of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer increase with age. Medicare allows enrollees to get ahead of the problem by offering certain screening tests for free, the frequency of which will depend on the risk group you fall into.

8. Flu shots
Seniors who get the flu are more likely to suffer complications than younger adults who contract it. Medicare offers free flu shots to enrollees to help them avoid falling ill during flu season

9. Bone mass measurements
The risk of osteoporosis increases with age. Medicare will cover the cost of bone mass measurements once every two years for those at risk of osteoporosis.

10. Diabetes screenings
Treating diabetes early on can help patients avoid complications. Medicare will pay for up to two diabetes screenings per year, depending on your level of risk. Medicare also offers training on how to manage diabetes, but for that, you'll share in the cost. Medicare also has a diabetes prevention program you can enroll in if you haven't been diagnosed with the condition but are at risk for it. That program is totally free.

It pays to take advantage of the free services Medicare offers to keep yourself as healthy as possible. And if you're new to Medicare, read up on how the program works so that you're able to benefit from the different services it provides.

By Suzy Sherman
Chiropractic care is an effective way for people, more so, athletes and professional sportspeople to attain their optimum health and physical capacity without having to use medication for ailments, pains, or strains. For high performance athletes who require to be in their best physical and mental state at all times, that is best achieved through exercise and muscle relaxation. Additionally, they are prone to injuries and strains which is detrimental to their overall activity, hence the need for healing and adjustments offered by chiropractors.

Other than the drug-free nature, this type of care is non-invasive, which is much safer for the athletes’ future and takes lesser time to heal. Intuitively, many sportspeople do not prefer being off the field from injury as they draw their inspiration from their field activities and future performance in competition, thus they require fast and effective solutions for their physical conditions. In the recent past, chiropractic care has gained popularity in the sports and games fields owing to the enormous benefits gained with little to nil adverse results. This form of attention has been proven appropriate for both high impact and low impact field activities.

1.   Increased physical performance. Among the most critical benefits of chiropractic care is the increased physical performance as a result of improved spine movement. The human spine is directly connected to the nervous system; thus the optimization of the spinal movement increases the sensory capability of the athlete. In turn, the person improves their balance and speed of reaction to their environment which is a crucial aspect in sports. Benefits in Elite Sports and Spine chiropractic would include faster sensory response, better grip, improved hand-eye coordination, balance, and increased overall physical performance.
2.   Pain reduction. Athletes and sportspeople are often vulnerable to injury and strains owing to the high activity nature of their respective types of sports. Both low and high impact sports and games lead to various kinds of damage which slow their activity or render them unfit to perform their normal activities. Chiropractic services play the roles of both prevention and treatment of such injuries. Among the significant benefits in this respect is the reduction of pain caused as a result of movement in the afflicted areas. This form of care may be used as a relief as a substitute or complement of conventional medication.
3.   Injury prevention. While these services are a form of treatment, they have the benefit of preventive measure to injuries. With athletes’ performance, coordination and balance improved, the athletes are less prone to injury which are most often than not are caused by the inadequacy of such factors. This eventuality is directly related to the movement patterns of the individual and their flexibility even in strenuous activities. The individual is also able to withstand the torture of such events on their body much easily and additionally heal from them.
4.   Increase in strength. Strength is a crucial determinant in most sports owing to the vigorous and high frequency of movement involved. Thus, the benefit of increased strength through chiropractic care is critical to their ability to perform as strength and performance are almost synonymous in many fields.
5.   Muscular and skeletal relaxation. When the pressure in muscles is relieved, and pressure areas of the body are well taken care of through chiropractic care, the tension built up is rid of and the individual can, therefore, handle more pressure easily. Pressure points are dependent on the individual’s body form and also their type of activity. Chiropractors, therefore, determine each individual’s needs and attend to these areas effectively. The procedures for this relief differ as well to help achieve maximum relaxation of the body hence enabling the person to move more freely and flexible. This therapeutic method also offers mental comfort and calmness which increases the individual’s concentration and joy in their activity.
6.   Non-invasive and drug-free nature. Many people prefer avoiding medication and invasive procedures to cure their body of injuries as well as enhancing their physical performance. Therefore, many sportspeople and athletes prefer therapeutic practices such as this as part of their healing and enhancement options. Also, professional players are often restricted on the types of substances they input in their body making chiropractic care the first regiment in their preparation and maintenance of body fitness. The quick results from such procedures is also a critical benefit to athletes who are often eager to get back to the field and shine.

Given the numerous merits of this form of therapy, it is the consistent and effective form of treatment and enhancement. Its benefits are spread across every type of physical enhancement to mental preparation which are the most substantial factors in athletics and professional sports.