(Family Features) Senior year of high school is a time for big changes for most people, but for Emani McConnell-Brent, she did not expect it would include changes to her health. After being rushed to the emergency room with severe stomach pain, McConnell-Brent learned the problem was her kidneys and she was diagnosed with a kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). After her diagnosis, McConnell-Brent struggled to get the right medicines to treat her disease. She was encouraged to undergo a genetic test and discovered her FSGS was the result of APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD), a rapidly progressive genetic kidney disease that can cause kidney failure. The diagnosis brought McConnell-Brent some relief, both physically and emotionally. “Knowing it’s genetic and knowing I’m taking care of myself makes a big difference in my mental state,” said McConnell-Brent, now 21 and an ambassador for the American Kidney Fund. Everyone has two copies of the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene – one from each parent – but Black Americans of West and Central African ancestry are more likely to have changes (variants or mutations) in their APOL1 gene that cause AMKD. This genetic form of kidney disease can develop even at a young age, in otherwise healthy people, and can advance faster than other kidney diseases. An estimated 13% of Black Americans have the two APOL1 gene variants that are associated with AMKD. Those who have variants in both copies of the APOL1 gene have a 1 in 5 chance of developing kidney disease. “A lot of people don’t even know about how prevalent the APOL1 gene is in the African American community,” McConnell-Brent said. Early diagnosis of AMKD can keep your kidneys working longer, delaying the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. If you have kidney damage, symptoms may not occur until your kidneys are close to failing. As kidney damage worsens, one or more of these symptoms may occur:

• Protein in urine
• Swelling in legs or weight gain
• Feeling weak or tired
• High blood pressure

The only way to get an official diagnosis for AMKD is through a genetic test. You can find more information about the risks and benefits of genetic testing online. “If you got genetic testing, you would have the facts of what your genes are telling you,” McConnell-Brent said. “Your genes are telling you a story of what did happen, is happening and could happen.” This AMKD Awareness Day, on April 29, become APOL1 Aware by learning how your genes impact your kidney health and help build awareness in your community by visiting KidneyFund.org/APOL1Aware.   SOURCE: American Kidney Fund

Global Health and Wellness Leader Brings 20 Years of Expertise in Performance Nutrition to Empower Female Athletes LOS ANGELES /PRNewswire/ — Herbalife, a premier health and wellness company, community and platform, today announced it is the Official Nutrition and Hydration Partner of the Lilly 2025 Women’s College All-Star Combine, scheduled for Friday, April 4. The inaugural event will provide basketball players with an unprecedented platform to showcase their talents and gain visibility from scouts and recruiters, opening doors to new opportunities in their careers. With over two decades of experience supporting professional athletes globally, Herbalife will bring its expertise in personalized nutrition and hydration strategies, offering athletes at the combine access to world-class resources and products.

“We are proud to bring over 20 years of experience of fueling athletes to college basketball players,” said Krissy Lines, director of sports performance, nutrition, and education at Herbalife. “Our mission is to deliver personalized nutrition and hydration strategies that empower each athlete to perform at her peak. This is a pivotal moment for these women, not just as athletes, but as leaders in sport, and we’re honored to provide the resources and expertise to help them take the court with confidence, strength, and readiness to shine.”   As the Official Nutrition and Hydration Sponsor, Herbalife will provide participants with expert-led nutrition education designed to address the unique needs of female athletes, including factors like metabolism, muscle mass, and hormonal fluctuations that impact their nutritional and hydration requirements. In addition, Herbalife’s science-backed products, including the Herbalife24 NSF Certified for Sport®* line, will be available to both participants and spectators. This product line is specifically formulated to help replenish essential nutrients lost through sweat, optimizing hydration, endurance, and recovery. “Having worked closely with Herbalife on several initiatives supporting athletes of all levels, I’ve seen first-hand how their expertise in nutrition education can make a significant difference in an athlete’s performance,” said Joe Abunassar, president of Herbalife IMPACT Basketball Center in Las Vegas and on-court instructor at the combine. “This combine is an incredible opportunity for these athletes, and with Herbalife’s support, they will be well-equipped to perform at their highest level. This is a great step for women in basketball, and I’m excited to see what these athletes can achieve.” In addition to supporting the combine as its Official Nutrition and Hydration Sponsor, Herbalife is also the Official Nutrition and Hydration Sponsor of the Lilly Women’s College All-Star Game, which will showcase 20 of the nation’s top collegiate basketball players as they compete one final time before transitioning to the next phase of their careers. “Herbalife’s expertise in nutrition and hydration will ensure that athletes are fully prepared to showcase their talents,” said Mark Starsiak, senior vice president at Intersport, the event organizers. “We are excited to provide this platform for women to take center stage in front of scouts and coaches, and we are grateful for Herbalife’s support in making this event a reality.” For over two decades, Herbalife has been dedicated to empowering female athletes around the world, currently sponsoring more than 50 women across a variety of sports. The company’s journey began with its very first sponsored athlete, a female athlete, and has continued to provide women in sports with the support they need to succeed. Herbalife provides athletes with access to nutritionists and dietitians, premium products, and other resources that are often lacking in female sports – giving them the tools they need to perform at their best. Through this continued support, Herbalife is helping to elevate women in sports and inspire the next generation of female athletes. For updates on how Herbalife is fueling athletes around the world, follow @Herbalife, @HerbalifeUSA on social media. *Certified for Sport® is a registered trademark of NSF International. About Herbalife Ltd.
Herbalife is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed products to consumers in more than 95 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life. For more information, visit https://ir.herbalife.com. About Intersport
Intersport is an award-winning agency that fills the empty space between marketing campaigns and consumers—helping brands make more meaningful connections. Its industry-leading team offers expert insights in content marketing, experiential marketing, hospitality, partnership consulting and platform development. The Chicago-based agency also owns and operates events across the professional and collegiate sports landscape, including basketball, football, golf, pickleball and volleyball. Intersport has been headquartered in Chicago since its inception in 1985 and has an additional office in Detroit. Learn more at www.intersport.global and on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook). SOURCE Herbalife

(Family Features) Throughout history, humans’ ability to rely on one another has been crucial to survival. Despite modern developments that help individuals live with minimal human engagement, the human need to connect remains. However, in many parts of America, a trend toward isolation is emerging. Over the past two decades, people are spending more time alone and less time engaging with others in person, according to data from the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. One segment of Americans at particular risk of social isolation, loneliness and their negative impacts are select populations who live in rural areas. “There is an urgent need to take action and improve mental health in rural America,” said Jeff Winton, dairy farmer and founder and chairman of Rural Minds, a nonprofit mental health advocacy organization that partnered with Pfizer to raise awareness about the physical and mental risks of social isolation. “Challenges to mental health can be inherent in a rural lifestyle, including a belief in self-reliance as a virtue, fear of judgment and difficulty getting an appointment with a limited number of mental health professionals, among others.” Many Americans are increasingly spending more time alone according to the American Time Use Survey. They are increasingly more likely to take meetings, shop, eat and enjoy entertainment at home, making it easier for them to stay within their own four walls and avoid social interactions. Authentic human connection is a basic but often unacknowledged necessity for health, “as essential to survival as food, water and shelter,” according to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Health Effects of Social Connection and Community. Understanding Social Isolation According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one-third of U.S. adults reported feeling lonely and about one-fourth said they don’t have social and emotional support (the basis of social isolation). The concepts of social isolation and loneliness can go hand-in-hand, but the two are actually quite different. Social isolation is defined by an absence of relationships or contact with others. Someone experiencing loneliness may or may not have social connections, but lacks feelings of closeness, support or belonging. Despite the distinction, both can have a negative impact on a person’s mental and even physical health. Several factors can influence a person’s risk for social isolation and loneliness. “Social connection is a dynamic that changes over time,” said Nikki Shaffer, senior director, occupational health and wellness, Pfizer. “Transient feelings of loneliness or solitude may be beneficial because they can serve as motivation to reconnect. However, chronic loneliness (even if someone is not isolated) and isolation (even if someone is not lonely) can represent significant health concerns.” Isolation in Rural America Compared to people who live in urban areas, many rural Americans experience higher rates of depression and suicide but are less likely to access mental health care services, according to the “Health Disparities in Rural America: Current Challenges and Future Solutions” study published in “Clinical Advisor.” What’s more, CDC data shows suicide rates among people living in rural areas can be 64-68% higher than those in large urban areas. Rural areas have 20% fewer primary care providers compared to urban areas, according to a report in JAMA, and the Health Resources and Services Administration reports more than 25 million rural Americans, more than half of rural residents, live in mental health professional shortage areas. Among rural counties, 65% lack a psychiatrist. Nearly 30% of rural Americans don’t have internet access in their homes, which complicates the option for telehealth. These figures from Rural Minds exemplify the challenges facing rural America. “Some people in rural communities still don’t understand or accept that mental illness is a disease,” said Winton, who grew up on a rural farm. “Rather, a mental illness can often be viewed as a personal weakness or character flaw. A lot of the stigma around mental illness results in unwarranted shame, which adds to the burden for someone already suffering from mental illness.” Health Impacts of Social Isolation Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling; it harms both individual and societal health. In fact, loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk for premature death by 26% and 29%, respectively. Lacking social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day or drinking six alcoholic drinks daily. In addition, poor or insufficient social connection is associated with increased risk of disease, including a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. Social isolation is also associated with increased risk for anxiety, depression and dementia. Additionally, a lack of social connection may increase susceptibility to viruses and respiratory illness. Learn more about the impact of social isolation, especially on residents of rural areas, and the steps you can take to reduce isolation and loneliness by visiting ruralminds.org.

Boost Your Social Connections

Take a proactive approach to combatting social isolation and loneliness with these everyday actions that can promote stronger social ties.

• Invest time in nurturing your relationships through consistent, frequent and high-quality engagement with others. Take time each day to reach out to a friend or family member.

• Minimize distractions during conversation to increase the quality of the time you spend with others. For instance, don’t check your phone during meals with friends, important conversations and family time.

• Seek out opportunities to serve and support others, either by helping your family, co-workers, friends or people in your community or by participating in community service.

• Be responsive, supportive and practice gratitude. As you practice these behaviors, others are more likely to reciprocate, strengthening social bonds, improving relationship satisfaction and building social capital.

• Participate in social and community groups such as religious, hobby, fitness, professional and community service organizations to help foster a sense of belonging, meaning and purpose.

• Seek help during times of struggle with loneliness or isolation by reaching out to a family member, friend, counselor, health care provider or the 988 crisis line.

  Photos courtesy of Shutterstock   SOURCE: Rural Minds and Pfizer