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of vital functions that can enhance your immune system, reproductive system, vision, skin, metabolism, appetite and other bodily functions. If you’re an athlete or vegetarian or tipple a bit too much, you may be deficient in zinc. Shellfish are a good source, but also try legumes, nuts and seeds.

The hot new trend in fitness seems to be mobility. It might seem like mobility and flexibility are synonymous, but alas they are not. The term “mobility” describes how a joint moves within its typical range of motion. The type of joint determines the range of mobility. Your hinged knee joint, for instance, can rotate slightly inward and outward in addition to back table to finish? The rate at which you eat affects both how much you eat and your risk of gaining weight. Fast eaters are far more likely to consume more food and have a higher body mass index (BMI) than slow eaters, according to studies. Hormones regulate your appetite, how much food you consume, and how full you feel. Your brain receives hormone signals to determine whether you are hungry or full. However, it takes your brain roughly 20 minutes to process this information. To give your brain the time it needs to recognize that you are full, try eating more slowly. Eating more slowly and frequently may help you consume less but, more importantly, you’ll feel better.

FEBRUARY 18

Mardi Gras Miles Southern Pines 5K, 1M fun run runsignup.com

Brrrrrrrrr. Save some money this year by washing your clothes in cold water. Modern washers are designed to handle cold water. Also, many detergents today are designed for cold water, with enzymes that can begin to function in water as chilly as 60 F. For the majority of clothes, cold water is fine. Grass on your child’s jeans or mascara smudges on a sweater can be eliminated with cold water. Cold water also works best for delicate fabrics like lace and silk as well as dark, vibrant fabrics. Switching to colder water will reduce your gas or electric bill because 75 to 90 percent of the energy used by your washer is used to heat the water. Additionally, the use of cold water helps minimize wrinkles, reducing the need for ironing and its related energy expenses.