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 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 information, please consult your physician, or visit the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) of the National Institutes of Health at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

¹New York Life Online, Mayo Clinic Health Information, "High Blood Cholesterol," Overview, Page 1, 12/2/05.
² Ibid., Page 4, 12/2/05.

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 getting sick. But there are ways to minimize 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 minimize 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 plenty of sunscreen (at least 15 SPF). If you’re not used to running around in the sun all day, you may underestimate its effects. Limit your outdoor 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!


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.

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.

 Try to secure the most stable location. On a cruise, opt for the lowest, most central 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.

 Give yourself the most direct, unobstructed 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 stomach. Take comfort that the more you travel, the less prone you will become to the effects of motion sickness.

1 MayoClinic.com, First Aid Guide, “Motion Sickness,” Page 1, January 13, 2004, www.mayoclinic.com/health/ first-aid-motion-sickness/HQ01099.

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:
 Never leave children unattended, even for a few seconds and even if they know how to swim.

 Don’t rely on inflatable devices—they can easily become unplugged or punctured. When boating, make sure that safety vests are properly and securely fastened.

 Schedule rest breaks. Children often ignore how tired their bodies are becoming.

 Keep children away from drains, filters, and water intakes where they may get stuck.

 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:
 Avoid alcohol while swimming or operating a watercraft. Alcohol impairs your judgment and dilates your blood vessels, making it difficult to stay warm.

 Keep an eye on the sky. Make sure everyone gets out of the water at the slightest hint of lightning.

 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.

 Take lessons before trying a new water sport. That way you can learn proper safety and operating techniques from licensed professionals. n 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 www.redcross.org/services/hss /tips/healthtips/safetywater.html.

1 New York Life Online, Lifestyle Section, “Preventative Medicine: Prevent Drowning,” Page 1, 12/2/05.

1. Don’t Try To Tackle Too Much.
Resist the urge to cram in as much as possible, and allow for some downtime 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.

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 cholesterol 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.

1 New York Life Online, Mayo Clinic Health Information, “Cholesterol: Top Five Lipid-Lowering Foods,” Pages 1-3, 4/15/05.

Peace of mind: it’s one of the main reasons why more than one million AARP members have elected to purchase life insurance through the AARP Life Insurance Program from New York Life. It’s also one of the main reasons why nearly 40% of all certificate holders take advantage of our Automatic Premium Payment Plan.

With the Automatic Premium Payment Plan, you never have to worry about a late or missing payment. Once enrolled, your premiums will be electronically transferred from your bank account, so you can rest assured that your payment will arrive on time, every time. And with most insurance plans, you can save as much as $1.00 on every monthly payment just for taking advantage of this payment option.

To enroll or learn more, just call the toll-free number below, or visit our customer service web site, https://www.nylaarp.newyorklife.com, and select the Automatic Premium Payment button found on screen #2.

1-800-695-5164
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
(ET) Monday-Friday
or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(ET) Saturday

New York Life Insurance Company was recently added to AARP’s prestigious “Featured Employers” list. The list, which was first published in 2001, recognizes companies that have committed to an aggressive program of hiring and retaining workers ages 50 and above.

“We’ve always valued the skills and experience offered by the 50+ workforce,” said Michael Horan, Assistant Vice President, AARP Life Insurance Program. “And mature workers bring to the table a unique perspective that contributes greatly to all aspects of our business.”

For more information on the featured companies, please visit www.aarp.org, go to “Quick Clicks” and click on “Featured Employers”.

AARP Credit Card Services is offering the AARP Rewards Platinum Visa card from Chase, exclusively to AARP members. This card offers everything that you would expect from the only credit card endorsed by AARP:

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