(ARA) - Sodium intake is increasingly being watched by consumers, regulators and health groups as public service organizations are referring to high sodium diets as the single greatest problem in the American diet. What most at-home cooks don't know is that it is possible to reduce the sodium in recipes without losing out on flavor. Whether it's a traditional turkey sandwich or a pasta primavera, favorite foods can still be enjoyed when trying to reduce sodium.

"My culinary philosophy is that everyone can manage a reduced sodium diet through delicious, satisfying cuisine," says New York City chef and cookbook author Tom Valenti. "There are several ways to add flavor to your favorite meals but still cut back on salt."

(ARA) - Your house should be your safe haven. It's where you go to relax, unwind and enjoy the free time you have.

But microscopic asbestos fibers, often found in older homes, are cancerous agents that could threaten the safety of your haven and potentially harm your health. Popcorn ceilings, linoleum flooring and even tile in homes built before 1980 can all contain millions of tiny asbestos fibers, and if these materials become airborne and are inhaled, they can lead to the development of lung diseases like asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, a cancer that most often affects the lining of the lungs and abdomen, is an extremely rare and aggressive cancer with no known cure.

(ARA) - Bacteria isn't always as bad as you might think. Unwanted or pathogenic bacteria can make you sick, but beneficial bacteria or probiotics can help keep your body balanced, by helping you break down food, aiding your immune system and supplementing your health in important ways that keep you at your best.

The word probiotic means "for life" and represents the application of beneficial bacteria into the body. The number of probiotics for digestive health and immunity support has boomed in the last few years and science is only beginning to understand the complex relationship our bodies have with beneficial bacteria.

(ARA) - In many areas of the country, the snow and wintry conditions will linger into spring. And yes, the risk of contracting colds, especially those "change-of-season" colds, will arise. When cold weather hits, you prepare your house by checking the furnace and making sure your car has the proper fluids. "Winterization" applies to your car, your house and your body. To ward off those winter to springtime change-of-season sniffles, think back to what your mom told you - eat right, go to bed early and to stop touching everything.

Her advice has apparently withstood the test of time. Dr. Carl Wurster, chair of the Allied Health Department at Brown Mackie College - Boise, provides us with 10 tips on ways you can stay healthy the remainder of the winter.

1. Exercise more. You'll help ward off sickness if you're in good shape. The body does not go from marginal to excellent health in a short time span. Regular exercise increases blood circulation and you also tend to drink more water when you exercise, which increases adrenalin secretion.