Although aging is a natural part of life, authors of the new book, TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust, confidently assert that this does not mean we cannot do so gracefully, slowly, and free from debilitations. In fact, the authors, Dian and Tom Griesel, claim anyone can become “bio-medically younger” by doing one, major thing – managing their stress.
By managing your stress levels, you help to control three vital hormones which can either help you to enjoy a long, healthy life or work against you; cortisol, insulin, and leptin. Cortisol is released in response to stress and increases blood sugar. Insulin regulates the metabolizing of carbohydrates and fats in the body –when there is too much blood sugar in the body, more insulin is required. Leptin is the hormone which controls energy intake and expenditure and is responsible for appetite and metabolism.
“The stress levels many, if not most of us, live with today create internal tsunamis of cortisol, insulin and leptin. This combination triggers cardiovascular tension, causes arteries to harden and makes us crave more of the sugary foods that are causing the problems in the first place,” says Dian.
Eating sugary (or refined carbohydrate-filled) foods triggers the release of insulin to remove the excess glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream. This can lead to the formation of triglycerides—a form of fat that can raise the risk of heart disease—when limited amounts of glucose are stored in the liver or muscle tissue. Or this can lead to glucose storage which results in increased body fat. Excess glucose in the bloodstream can also damage our arteries and lead to inflammation in the body which results in cardiovascular disease and many other age-related illnesses as well.
In TurboCharged, the Griesels outline ways to both reduce glucose in the diet and manage stress.
“Everyone has time for a time-out,” Dian says. A solid minute, or more if time allows, of deep breathing with your eyes closed in a bathroom stall or a parked car, can help stabilize the over release of aging hormones.”
Sunday, May 1, 2011
News Article: Simple Tips on Keeping your Brain Sharp and Healthy
Many people think that their future brain health is dependent on genes and circumstance, but medical experts emphasize that although this may be true to some extent, we do in fact have a great deal of control over the health of our brains. Medical expert and chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Keith L. Black M.D., offers some simple tips on how to keep your brain and mind healthy.
. Keep your brain active. Solving puzzles and keeping your mind busy with brain-stimulating activities you enjoy such as knitting, reading or learning new languages has been shown to reduce memory impairment later in life.
. Eat a healthy, nutrient-rich diet. Whole grains, fruits (particularly berries), vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and foods containing omega-3 fatty acids appear to offer a great deal of long-term brain benefits. Vitamin B has also been found to be a key nutrient for increased concentration and memory.
. If it’s good for your heart, it’s good for your brain. The same risk factors that cause heart disease and attacks also cause strokes. Watching your cholesterol, controlling your blood pressure, and exercising will benefit both your heart and brain.
. Avoid sugar spikes. Sugar spikes in the brain are caused by consumption of simple sugars found in junk food carbohydrates. Instead choose sugars that will keep the brain evenly fueled for a longer period like fruits, whole grains, vegetables and high-quality proteins.
. Drink in moderation. Excessive alcohol consumption overtime can shrink brain mass and reduce memory and cognitive functions.
. Quit smoking. Some studies have found links between cigarette smoking and brain cell damage. Smoking is also known to cause lung cancer, a disease which eventually targets the brain.
. Get your rest. Sleep deprivation negatively impacts the brain’s capacity to store and recall memories.
. Relax. If you are stressed, take a break. Meditation, exercise and relaxation can boost brain function and improve memory.
. Wear a helmet while playing sports. Also, know the symptoms of a concussion and see a doctor right away if you think you may have one.
. Know the symptoms of a stroke. No one is “too young” to suffer from a stroke and immediate medical intervention is crucial in reversing or preventing brain damage resulting from strokes.
. Use a headset with your cell phone. Although research is inconclusive as to whether or not cell phone radiation can cause brain tumors, it is wise to be cautious and keep your phone away from your head.
. Keep your brain active. Solving puzzles and keeping your mind busy with brain-stimulating activities you enjoy such as knitting, reading or learning new languages has been shown to reduce memory impairment later in life.
. Eat a healthy, nutrient-rich diet. Whole grains, fruits (particularly berries), vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and foods containing omega-3 fatty acids appear to offer a great deal of long-term brain benefits. Vitamin B has also been found to be a key nutrient for increased concentration and memory.
. If it’s good for your heart, it’s good for your brain. The same risk factors that cause heart disease and attacks also cause strokes. Watching your cholesterol, controlling your blood pressure, and exercising will benefit both your heart and brain.
. Avoid sugar spikes. Sugar spikes in the brain are caused by consumption of simple sugars found in junk food carbohydrates. Instead choose sugars that will keep the brain evenly fueled for a longer period like fruits, whole grains, vegetables and high-quality proteins.
. Drink in moderation. Excessive alcohol consumption overtime can shrink brain mass and reduce memory and cognitive functions.
. Quit smoking. Some studies have found links between cigarette smoking and brain cell damage. Smoking is also known to cause lung cancer, a disease which eventually targets the brain.
. Get your rest. Sleep deprivation negatively impacts the brain’s capacity to store and recall memories.
. Relax. If you are stressed, take a break. Meditation, exercise and relaxation can boost brain function and improve memory.
. Wear a helmet while playing sports. Also, know the symptoms of a concussion and see a doctor right away if you think you may have one.
. Know the symptoms of a stroke. No one is “too young” to suffer from a stroke and immediate medical intervention is crucial in reversing or preventing brain damage resulting from strokes.
. Use a headset with your cell phone. Although research is inconclusive as to whether or not cell phone radiation can cause brain tumors, it is wise to be cautious and keep your phone away from your head.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
News Article: Mixed-Carb Plus Protein Drink Improves Endurance in Female Athletes
According to a new study, a low and mixed-carb sports drink with added protein leads to increased endurance in trained female athletes. The study appeared in the April issue of The Journal off Strength and Conditioning Research.
Most standard performance enhancement drinks are single-carb and researchers said the results indicate that adding protein and mixing carbohydrates are indeed better for performance. Fourteen trained female cyclists and triathletes participated in the study where they performed an intense cycling session until exhaustion after a three-hour ride. Some women received the standard single-carb drink while others received the mixed-carb drink with added protein.
The women who drank the mixed-carb drink plus protein drink experienced a significantly longer time to exhaustion than those consumed the standard single-carb drink – 50 minutes compared to 42 minutes, respectively. Therefore, the mixed-carb plus protein drink increased endurance performance by around 15 percent, researchers reported.
Many studies have shown that beverages containing carbohydrates increase endurance and performance and this research was conducted in an effort to create a more effective supplement. Instead of using the standard carbohydrate used in performance enhancement supplements (dextrose), the researchers combined three carbohydrates – glucose, fructose and maltodextrin.
The mixed-carb plus protein supplement "improved performance despite containing 50 percent lower carbohydrate content and approximately 30 percent fewer calories," study leader, Erin, L. McCleave and co-authors concluded. "This may be an important consideration for those individuals concerned about body weight and caloric intake."
Most standard performance enhancement drinks are single-carb and researchers said the results indicate that adding protein and mixing carbohydrates are indeed better for performance. Fourteen trained female cyclists and triathletes participated in the study where they performed an intense cycling session until exhaustion after a three-hour ride. Some women received the standard single-carb drink while others received the mixed-carb drink with added protein.
The women who drank the mixed-carb drink plus protein drink experienced a significantly longer time to exhaustion than those consumed the standard single-carb drink – 50 minutes compared to 42 minutes, respectively. Therefore, the mixed-carb plus protein drink increased endurance performance by around 15 percent, researchers reported.
Many studies have shown that beverages containing carbohydrates increase endurance and performance and this research was conducted in an effort to create a more effective supplement. Instead of using the standard carbohydrate used in performance enhancement supplements (dextrose), the researchers combined three carbohydrates – glucose, fructose and maltodextrin.
The mixed-carb plus protein supplement "improved performance despite containing 50 percent lower carbohydrate content and approximately 30 percent fewer calories," study leader, Erin, L. McCleave and co-authors concluded. "This may be an important consideration for those individuals concerned about body weight and caloric intake."
News Article: Parents’ Verbal Stumbling Helps Toddlers Learn New Words
If you are a parent who worries you may be setting a bad example for your toddler when you use words like “um” and “uh,” think again. A study from the University of Rochester’s Baby Lab indicates these verbal stumbles, technically referred to as disfluencies, can actually help toddlers learn new words more efficiently.
For example, if you are about to introduce a new word to your toddler and you point to an object and say “look at this, um, uh…,” while stumbling for the correct word, you are sending the message to your child that you are about to teach him or her something new, researchers found. This causes the child to pay extra attention as you fumble for the right word.
“The more predictions a listener can make about what is being communicated, the more efficiently the listener can understand it,” one of the authors, Richard Aslin said.
Three groups of children between the ages of 18 and 30 months were studied. Each child sat in front of a monitor with an eye-tracking device on his or her parent’s lap. Images appeared on the screen in front of them and a recorded voice talked about the images using simple sentences.
When the voice stumbled and said “look at the uh…” children were much more likely to look at the image than when the voice presented an image fluently. In fact children looked up at the images presented with disfluencies nearly 70 percent of the time. This effect was only significant in children older than two years however, researchers reported.
When a child’s brain hears a new word without preface and then has to try and figure out its meaning after the fact, it becomes more difficult for them to learn the word, Aslin explained. The child is also more apt to miss what comes next, he added.
“We’re not advocating that parents add disfluencies to their speech, but I think it’s nice for them to know that using these verbal pauses is OK – the “uh’s” and “um’s” are informative,” said the study’s lead author.
For example, if you are about to introduce a new word to your toddler and you point to an object and say “look at this, um, uh…,” while stumbling for the correct word, you are sending the message to your child that you are about to teach him or her something new, researchers found. This causes the child to pay extra attention as you fumble for the right word.
“The more predictions a listener can make about what is being communicated, the more efficiently the listener can understand it,” one of the authors, Richard Aslin said.
Three groups of children between the ages of 18 and 30 months were studied. Each child sat in front of a monitor with an eye-tracking device on his or her parent’s lap. Images appeared on the screen in front of them and a recorded voice talked about the images using simple sentences.
When the voice stumbled and said “look at the uh…” children were much more likely to look at the image than when the voice presented an image fluently. In fact children looked up at the images presented with disfluencies nearly 70 percent of the time. This effect was only significant in children older than two years however, researchers reported.
When a child’s brain hears a new word without preface and then has to try and figure out its meaning after the fact, it becomes more difficult for them to learn the word, Aslin explained. The child is also more apt to miss what comes next, he added.
“We’re not advocating that parents add disfluencies to their speech, but I think it’s nice for them to know that using these verbal pauses is OK – the “uh’s” and “um’s” are informative,” said the study’s lead author.
News Article: Researchers Explore and Explain “Food Addiction”
Some people can become addicted to food in the same way an alcoholic or drug addict becomes addicted a substance, according to a new study appearing in Archives of General Psychiatry. Not only did researchers discover an association between addictive-like eating behaviors and neural activity; they also found out what makes certain foods addictive.
The study investigated 48 young women varying from lean to obese. They discovered that women who exhibited greater addictive behaviors towards food also had greater neural activity in the brain regions associated with substance dependence.
“We have no doubt that certain foods are addictive,” said study author, Dian Griesel, Ph.D, “The real question is, ‘What is it that makes these foods so addictive?’”
Researchers attribute these addictive reactions to the refined, un-natural foods that people have been increasingly exposed to over the last 40 years. Our bodies are perfectly able to consume and process natural foods, it is the un-natural, man-made foods that cause problems, the authors claim. These refined, modern foods are deliberately designed to be addictive, researchers explain.
“The rise of obesity and other modern diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, high triglycerides and hypoglycemia, to name a few—along with so-called ‘food addiction’—are all the end result of consuming too many of these ‘engineered’ modern foods in our daily diets,” the authors said.
Researchers conclude that refined and processed foods are dangerous for our health, especially to those who are more prone to becoming addicted to them. The authors suggest satisfying sweet cravings with the natural foods that humans were designed to eat such as fruit.
The study investigated 48 young women varying from lean to obese. They discovered that women who exhibited greater addictive behaviors towards food also had greater neural activity in the brain regions associated with substance dependence.
“We have no doubt that certain foods are addictive,” said study author, Dian Griesel, Ph.D, “The real question is, ‘What is it that makes these foods so addictive?’”
Researchers attribute these addictive reactions to the refined, un-natural foods that people have been increasingly exposed to over the last 40 years. Our bodies are perfectly able to consume and process natural foods, it is the un-natural, man-made foods that cause problems, the authors claim. These refined, modern foods are deliberately designed to be addictive, researchers explain.
“The rise of obesity and other modern diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, high triglycerides and hypoglycemia, to name a few—along with so-called ‘food addiction’—are all the end result of consuming too many of these ‘engineered’ modern foods in our daily diets,” the authors said.
Researchers conclude that refined and processed foods are dangerous for our health, especially to those who are more prone to becoming addicted to them. The authors suggest satisfying sweet cravings with the natural foods that humans were designed to eat such as fruit.
News Article: Immediate Breast Implant After Mastectomy Shows Success
A new study shows that immediate placement of breast implants after undergoing a mastectomy for breast cancer may be a valuable reconstructive option for some women. The study was published in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Though authors acknowledge this reconstructive method may not be appropriate for all women, they found immediate implant-based reconstruction produced “very good aesthetic results” and a low complication rate, overall, according to Dr. Christopher A. Crisera and his colleagues of the University of California Los Angeles.
Crisera and co-authors reported the results of immediate implant placement in 35 women undergoing mastectomies. The women’s average age was 45 and most underwent a double mastectomy, having both breasts immediately reconstructed. In the procedures, silicone-gel implants were immediately placed after the mastectomies.
The results of the procedures were assessed 15 months later. Six of the 35 women (16.6 percent) had some kind of complication, but only one of these complications was serious enough to result in the removal of the implant. Thirty-seven percent of the women required additional surgery. Aesthetic results, rated on a scale from 1 to 4, averaged at 3.19.
Compared with other methods of reconstruction after mastectomy, immediate implant placement offers several possible advantages, authors said. Immediate reconstruction can reduce the need for multiple surgical procedures and associated costs, lessen some psychological distress related to mastectomies, and reduce hospital days and costs. In the study, the average hospital stay was less than two days.
"We believe that the possible advantages of immediate single stage implant based reconstruction, such as the potential to complete reconstruction with fewer operations and in less time and cost warrant its use in the appropriately selected patient,” Dr. Crisera and co-authors concluded.
Though authors acknowledge this reconstructive method may not be appropriate for all women, they found immediate implant-based reconstruction produced “very good aesthetic results” and a low complication rate, overall, according to Dr. Christopher A. Crisera and his colleagues of the University of California Los Angeles.
Crisera and co-authors reported the results of immediate implant placement in 35 women undergoing mastectomies. The women’s average age was 45 and most underwent a double mastectomy, having both breasts immediately reconstructed. In the procedures, silicone-gel implants were immediately placed after the mastectomies.
The results of the procedures were assessed 15 months later. Six of the 35 women (16.6 percent) had some kind of complication, but only one of these complications was serious enough to result in the removal of the implant. Thirty-seven percent of the women required additional surgery. Aesthetic results, rated on a scale from 1 to 4, averaged at 3.19.
Compared with other methods of reconstruction after mastectomy, immediate implant placement offers several possible advantages, authors said. Immediate reconstruction can reduce the need for multiple surgical procedures and associated costs, lessen some psychological distress related to mastectomies, and reduce hospital days and costs. In the study, the average hospital stay was less than two days.
"We believe that the possible advantages of immediate single stage implant based reconstruction, such as the potential to complete reconstruction with fewer operations and in less time and cost warrant its use in the appropriately selected patient,” Dr. Crisera and co-authors concluded.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
News Article: Those Who Feel More Secure Place Less Value on their Possessions
New research from the University of New Hampshire has found that people who are more secure (those who feel loved and accepted by others) place less monetary value on their possessions. The research was featured in an article in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.
The researchers defined security as feeling acceptance and love from others and measured how much participants valued certain items, such as a blanket and pen. People who did not feel secure placed values up to five teams greater than those who were secure on certain items.
Study leader Edward Lemay pointed to a major reason why people value possessions; they can offer a sense of protection, insurance, and comfort. However, feeling loved and accepted by others also offers a great sense protection, insurance and comfort, Lemay explained. Therefore those who lack security in the emotional sense are more likely to cling to their material possessions.
“These findings seem particularly relevant to understanding why people may hang onto goods that are no longer useful,” Lemay said.
Lemay and his colleagues believe their study’s results can be used to help individuals with hoarding disorders.
The researchers defined security as feeling acceptance and love from others and measured how much participants valued certain items, such as a blanket and pen. People who did not feel secure placed values up to five teams greater than those who were secure on certain items.
Study leader Edward Lemay pointed to a major reason why people value possessions; they can offer a sense of protection, insurance, and comfort. However, feeling loved and accepted by others also offers a great sense protection, insurance and comfort, Lemay explained. Therefore those who lack security in the emotional sense are more likely to cling to their material possessions.
“These findings seem particularly relevant to understanding why people may hang onto goods that are no longer useful,” Lemay said.
Lemay and his colleagues believe their study’s results can be used to help individuals with hoarding disorders.
News Article: Technologies Like Skype May be Used to Treat Anxiety Disorders
An estimated one fourth of Americans suffer from an anxiety disorder, and of those, 2.2 million suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), which can be particularly debilitating, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Two Drexel professors claim that the solution to this urgent medical need can be found in using home videoconferencing tools like Skype for therapy.
Despite the prevalence of anxiety disorders, many medical professionals are unsure of how to deliver effective, non-medication treatments and many patients do not have access to the care they need. According to the directors of Drexel’s Anxiety Treatment and Research Program, Dr. James Herbert and Dr. Evan Forman, user-friendly and low-cost videoconferencing technologies can help to solve this problem, especially for those who are otherwise unable to access psychological help.
OCD is a serious disorder that accounts for about $8.4 billion per year in social and economic losses in the United States. Herbert, Forman, and Drexel doctoral student, Elizabeth Goetter designed and have begun to employ therapies for OCD patients through Skype. The Drexel researchers believe that technologies like Skype have the potential to revolutionize how therapy is administered, especially in cases such as OCD, where patients require highly specialized mental health therapies.
Videoconferencing therapy is more convenient, cost-effective, and can make quality mental health care more widely available to individuals who need it, researchers say. Also, researchers add, the rapidly evolving nature of these technologies makes them increasingly practical means to treat patients with anxiety disorders.
Despite the prevalence of anxiety disorders, many medical professionals are unsure of how to deliver effective, non-medication treatments and many patients do not have access to the care they need. According to the directors of Drexel’s Anxiety Treatment and Research Program, Dr. James Herbert and Dr. Evan Forman, user-friendly and low-cost videoconferencing technologies can help to solve this problem, especially for those who are otherwise unable to access psychological help.
OCD is a serious disorder that accounts for about $8.4 billion per year in social and economic losses in the United States. Herbert, Forman, and Drexel doctoral student, Elizabeth Goetter designed and have begun to employ therapies for OCD patients through Skype. The Drexel researchers believe that technologies like Skype have the potential to revolutionize how therapy is administered, especially in cases such as OCD, where patients require highly specialized mental health therapies.
Videoconferencing therapy is more convenient, cost-effective, and can make quality mental health care more widely available to individuals who need it, researchers say. Also, researchers add, the rapidly evolving nature of these technologies makes them increasingly practical means to treat patients with anxiety disorders.
News Article: The Sound of Infidelity
Women perceive men with lower pitched voices to be more likely to cheat whereas men perceive women with higher pitched voices to be more likely to cheat, according to a unique new study. The study was the first to investigate the relationship between voice pitch and perceptions of infidelity and was published in the most recent edition of the online journal, Evolutionary Psychology.
“In terms of sexual strategy, we found that men and women will use voice pitch as a warning sign of future betrayal,” lead author, Jillian O’Connor, said.
Study participants listened to two recorded clips of higher and lower pitched male and female voices. They were then asked which would be more likely to be sexually unfaithful to their romantic partner. Most women pointed to the male with the lower pitched voice whereas most men pointed to the woman with the higher pitched voice as more likely to be unfaithful.
The study suggests that humans have learned through the evolutionary process to avoid partners who may be unfaithful in the future using voice pitch as a cue, O’Connor said.
Assistant professor and advisor of the study, David Feinberg, said these perceptions are likely due to the links between pitch, hormones and infidelity.
“Men with higher testosterone levels have lower pitched voices, and women with higher estrogen levels have higher pitched voices,” Feinberg explained. “High levels of these hormones are associated with adulterous behavior and our findings indicate individuals are somewhat aware of the link and may use this in their search for a romantic partner.”
“In terms of sexual strategy, we found that men and women will use voice pitch as a warning sign of future betrayal,” lead author, Jillian O’Connor, said.
Study participants listened to two recorded clips of higher and lower pitched male and female voices. They were then asked which would be more likely to be sexually unfaithful to their romantic partner. Most women pointed to the male with the lower pitched voice whereas most men pointed to the woman with the higher pitched voice as more likely to be unfaithful.
The study suggests that humans have learned through the evolutionary process to avoid partners who may be unfaithful in the future using voice pitch as a cue, O’Connor said.
Assistant professor and advisor of the study, David Feinberg, said these perceptions are likely due to the links between pitch, hormones and infidelity.
“Men with higher testosterone levels have lower pitched voices, and women with higher estrogen levels have higher pitched voices,” Feinberg explained. “High levels of these hormones are associated with adulterous behavior and our findings indicate individuals are somewhat aware of the link and may use this in their search for a romantic partner.”
News Article: Consuming Omega-3 During Pregnancy May Reduce Postpartum Depression Risk
A new study suggests that pregnant women who consume omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy can benefit their own health greatly as well as their infant’s. A correlation between consumption of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a common type of omega-3 fatty acid, and reduced risk of postpartum depression symptoms was drawn. In addition, maternal consumption of DHA during pregnancy has shown to deliver developmental advantages to infants even nine months after birth.
Omega-3 acids are derived from oily fish such as salmon and herring. Dr. Michelle Price Judge of the University of Connecticut School of Nursing oversaw the randomized study, which involved 52 pregnant women. The participants took either a placebo (corn oil) capsule or a fish oil capsule containing 300 milligrams of DHA (the equivalent of about half a serving of salmon) for five days per week from 24-40 weeks of pregnancy.
The Postpartum Depression Screening scale was used to measure symptoms associated with the disorder such as sleeping/eating disturbances, anxiety, emotional issues, confusion, loss of self, guilt, and thought of suicide. Though researchers acknowledge that a larger scale study is needed in order to definitively draw a link between omega-3 acid consumption during pregnancy and reduced risk of postpartum depression, women who consumed the fish oil capsules experienced significantly fewer symptoms related to postpartum depression than those who took the placebo.
“DHA consumption during pregnancy – at levels that are reasonably attained from foods – has the potential to decrease symptoms of postpartum depression,” Judge concluded.
These findings are important because an estimated 25 percent of new mothers are affected by postpartum depression, according to some experts. The consequences of the disorder can be devastating for both mothers and their families.
Researchers suggest pregnant women eat at least a serving of a high omega-3 fish at least twice a week to obtain the greatest possible benefit. Although fish oil supplements are also acceptable, an actual fish itself will offer more nutritional benefits, researchers say.
Omega-3 acids are derived from oily fish such as salmon and herring. Dr. Michelle Price Judge of the University of Connecticut School of Nursing oversaw the randomized study, which involved 52 pregnant women. The participants took either a placebo (corn oil) capsule or a fish oil capsule containing 300 milligrams of DHA (the equivalent of about half a serving of salmon) for five days per week from 24-40 weeks of pregnancy.
The Postpartum Depression Screening scale was used to measure symptoms associated with the disorder such as sleeping/eating disturbances, anxiety, emotional issues, confusion, loss of self, guilt, and thought of suicide. Though researchers acknowledge that a larger scale study is needed in order to definitively draw a link between omega-3 acid consumption during pregnancy and reduced risk of postpartum depression, women who consumed the fish oil capsules experienced significantly fewer symptoms related to postpartum depression than those who took the placebo.
“DHA consumption during pregnancy – at levels that are reasonably attained from foods – has the potential to decrease symptoms of postpartum depression,” Judge concluded.
These findings are important because an estimated 25 percent of new mothers are affected by postpartum depression, according to some experts. The consequences of the disorder can be devastating for both mothers and their families.
Researchers suggest pregnant women eat at least a serving of a high omega-3 fish at least twice a week to obtain the greatest possible benefit. Although fish oil supplements are also acceptable, an actual fish itself will offer more nutritional benefits, researchers say.
News Article: When Your Pet is Sick, Don’t Reach for Human Medication
If you notice your pet is suffering from maladies that you may be familiar with, such as a stuffy nose, backache, or upset stomach, don’t reach for the medications you would use for yourself before consulting a vet, urges veterinarian Dr. Carolynn MacAllister.
“Administration of human medications should only occur with the recommendation and supervision of a veterinarian,” MacAllister said. “Accidental pet poisoning is a common problem when pet owners intentionally give medication in an attempt to make their pet feel better.”
MacAllister stresses that pet-owners should pet-proof their homes in the same way they would for small children. Ibuprofen and naproxen, for example, can cause serious harm to pets; consumption of such medications can lead to stomach and intestinal ulcers as well as serious kidney problems in dogs, cats, and other small mammals.
MacAllister also warns that although acetaminophen may be safe for humans, the same is not true for pets, specifically for cats. Acetaminophen can easily damage cats’ red blood cells, thereby limiting their ability to carry oxygen. In dogs, this medication can also damage the red blood cells in addition to causing liver problems when consumed in large doses.
Other medications that can be harmful to pets include antidepressants, ADD/ADHD medications, sleep aids, birth control, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and thyroid and cholesterol drugs. MacAllister recommends keeping all medications safely locked away in cabinets and keeping your own medication separate from your pet’s medication as it can be easy to accidentally switch them.
“Pets metabolize medications very differently than people, so it’s imperative to use caution when storing medicines,” MacAllister said. “Even seemingly benign over-the-counter or herbal medications may cause serious poisoning in pets. Call your veterinarian immediately if your pet has consumed any human medication.”
“Administration of human medications should only occur with the recommendation and supervision of a veterinarian,” MacAllister said. “Accidental pet poisoning is a common problem when pet owners intentionally give medication in an attempt to make their pet feel better.”
MacAllister stresses that pet-owners should pet-proof their homes in the same way they would for small children. Ibuprofen and naproxen, for example, can cause serious harm to pets; consumption of such medications can lead to stomach and intestinal ulcers as well as serious kidney problems in dogs, cats, and other small mammals.
MacAllister also warns that although acetaminophen may be safe for humans, the same is not true for pets, specifically for cats. Acetaminophen can easily damage cats’ red blood cells, thereby limiting their ability to carry oxygen. In dogs, this medication can also damage the red blood cells in addition to causing liver problems when consumed in large doses.
Other medications that can be harmful to pets include antidepressants, ADD/ADHD medications, sleep aids, birth control, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and thyroid and cholesterol drugs. MacAllister recommends keeping all medications safely locked away in cabinets and keeping your own medication separate from your pet’s medication as it can be easy to accidentally switch them.
“Pets metabolize medications very differently than people, so it’s imperative to use caution when storing medicines,” MacAllister said. “Even seemingly benign over-the-counter or herbal medications may cause serious poisoning in pets. Call your veterinarian immediately if your pet has consumed any human medication.”
News Article: New Vaccine Eliminates Cat Allergies
A brand new vaccine that successfully treats people with cat allergies has been developed by McMaster University. The vaccine, developed by immunologist Mark Larché and his research team, is not only effective, but has almost no side effects.
Traditionally, cat owners who were allergic to their pets had two options; either undergo frequent allergy shots or get rid of their cat. Larché’s new cat allergy vaccine provides a much better alternative to these unpleasant, traditional options.
The vaccine was developed based on research conducted over the past 10 years in both Canada and Britain by Larché and his research team. Blood samples from 100 volunteers allergic to cats were used to develop the vaccine known as “peptide immunotherapy,” where a low dose of the vaccine is administered into the skin.
“We picked the peptides that would work in as much of the population as possible,” Larché explained.
Optimal dosage will be determined through clinical trials currently underway in a much larger group of allergy sufferers. The cat allergy vaccine is the first in a line of vaccines to be developed by Adiga Life Sciences, a company established by McMaster in 2008.
Traditionally, cat owners who were allergic to their pets had two options; either undergo frequent allergy shots or get rid of their cat. Larché’s new cat allergy vaccine provides a much better alternative to these unpleasant, traditional options.
The vaccine was developed based on research conducted over the past 10 years in both Canada and Britain by Larché and his research team. Blood samples from 100 volunteers allergic to cats were used to develop the vaccine known as “peptide immunotherapy,” where a low dose of the vaccine is administered into the skin.
“We picked the peptides that would work in as much of the population as possible,” Larché explained.
Optimal dosage will be determined through clinical trials currently underway in a much larger group of allergy sufferers. The cat allergy vaccine is the first in a line of vaccines to be developed by Adiga Life Sciences, a company established by McMaster in 2008.
News Article: Trenton Hospital Becomes First in the Nation to Use Experimental Stroke Treatment Device
Capital Health Regional Medical Center of Trenton became the first hospital in the country to employ Trevo 2, a device used to remove blood clots from stroke patients, in early March.
“With a time critical disease like stroke, patients need treatment fast and having a broad range of treatment options available is essential to providing patients with the best chance at surviving and limiting associated disabilities,” said director of neurosciences and endovascular & cerebrovascular neurosurgery at Capital Health, Dr. Erol Veznedaroglu.
Trevo 2 is a half-inch long cylinder made of mesh and is inserted through an incision in the groin. A small tube called a microcatheter is then run through to the femoral artery to the clot site where the device is then pushed into the affected blood vessel where it grabs the clot and pulls it back out of the body.
The procedure, called a “mechanical thrombectomy,” takes about 30 minutes to perform. One of the benefits of the Trevo 2 is that it allows blood flow to be restored to the area sooner than other, older devices. Also the risk of the accidental puncturing of a blood vessel is reduced compared with the Trevo 2’s predecessors.
Upon the arrival of Veznedaroglu and his partner, Dr. Kenneth Liebman two years ago, Capital Health began an expansion of its neurosurgery unit. Capital Health has since undertaken the goal of becoming the top hospital in the region for stroke treatment by establishing the Center for Neurologic Emergency Medicine and the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center of New Jersey.
Capital Health’s leadership in stroke treatment will not only benefit the company, but also the residents of Central Jersey, said Veznedaroglu.
“Nobody was getting this kind of care in the state,” he said. “If this is you or your mom or your dad, you don’t want them getting packaged off to Philadelphia or New York (for treatment of a stroke), you want them to be able to go to a place that’s five minutes away.”
“With a time critical disease like stroke, patients need treatment fast and having a broad range of treatment options available is essential to providing patients with the best chance at surviving and limiting associated disabilities,” said director of neurosciences and endovascular & cerebrovascular neurosurgery at Capital Health, Dr. Erol Veznedaroglu.
Trevo 2 is a half-inch long cylinder made of mesh and is inserted through an incision in the groin. A small tube called a microcatheter is then run through to the femoral artery to the clot site where the device is then pushed into the affected blood vessel where it grabs the clot and pulls it back out of the body.
The procedure, called a “mechanical thrombectomy,” takes about 30 minutes to perform. One of the benefits of the Trevo 2 is that it allows blood flow to be restored to the area sooner than other, older devices. Also the risk of the accidental puncturing of a blood vessel is reduced compared with the Trevo 2’s predecessors.
Upon the arrival of Veznedaroglu and his partner, Dr. Kenneth Liebman two years ago, Capital Health began an expansion of its neurosurgery unit. Capital Health has since undertaken the goal of becoming the top hospital in the region for stroke treatment by establishing the Center for Neurologic Emergency Medicine and the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center of New Jersey.
Capital Health’s leadership in stroke treatment will not only benefit the company, but also the residents of Central Jersey, said Veznedaroglu.
“Nobody was getting this kind of care in the state,” he said. “If this is you or your mom or your dad, you don’t want them getting packaged off to Philadelphia or New York (for treatment of a stroke), you want them to be able to go to a place that’s five minutes away.”
News Article: New Jersey Towns Start to “Kick Butt” When it Comes to Quitting Smoking
Five New Jersey municipalities have recently joined “Kick Butt,” a unique program where towns compete to see who can reduce smoking most amongst public employees. The five participating towns are Parsippany-Troy Hills, Paterson, Vineland, West Milford, and Woodbridge.
The Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) partnered with Pfizer and the Fox Chase Cancer Center to initiate this new smoking cessation program in the state of New Jersey.
"This program will enhance the quality of life for many New Jersey residents, and we hope it serves as an inspiration to other Garden State communities," said NJ State Director, Dave Terranova.
The participating towns will compete to accomplish the highest percent of employees to go the longest without smoking. The town that wins will be featured in a statewide press conference around the end of September 2011.
"According to the Centers for Disease Control, cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States and its incidence amongst public employees, particularly police and firefighter,s is high," said Director of the MWC, Emily Littman.
The MWC has also recently launched a website to help participants in their mission to quit smoking. The site includes a blog, an “ask the experts” section, related news, and many resources to help participants quit smoking. The website can be found at kickbuttcontest.org.
The Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) partnered with Pfizer and the Fox Chase Cancer Center to initiate this new smoking cessation program in the state of New Jersey.
"This program will enhance the quality of life for many New Jersey residents, and we hope it serves as an inspiration to other Garden State communities," said NJ State Director, Dave Terranova.
The participating towns will compete to accomplish the highest percent of employees to go the longest without smoking. The town that wins will be featured in a statewide press conference around the end of September 2011.
"According to the Centers for Disease Control, cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States and its incidence amongst public employees, particularly police and firefighter,s is high," said Director of the MWC, Emily Littman.
The MWC has also recently launched a website to help participants in their mission to quit smoking. The site includes a blog, an “ask the experts” section, related news, and many resources to help participants quit smoking. The website can be found at kickbuttcontest.org.
News Article: The HEART for Women Act Reintroduced
The Heart Disease Education, Research and Analysis, and Treatment (HEART) For Women Act, to guarantee heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in women are recognized more widely and treated more effectively, has recently been reintroduced. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Lisa Murkowski were the ones to reintroduce the legislation.
The HEART for Women Act would ensure that healthcare data reported to the federal government is categorized by gender, race, and ethnicity. The act would also require an annual report on the quality of and access to care for women with cardiovascular disease as well as expanding funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s WISEWOMAN screenings – a program for low-income, underinsured women – to all 50 states rather than the 20 it is currently available in.
The HEART for Women Act is endorsed by over 40 leading health organizations such as the American Heart Association, Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), and Womenheart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.
“Cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one killer of women and the recent re-introduction of the HEART for Women Act shows a renewed commitment to raising awareness, improving treatment options and educating women on prevention and care,” said CEO and President of SWHR, Phyllis Greenberger.
In the U.S., every 60 seconds, someone’s mother, daughter, wife, or sister dies from heart disease, stroke, or other types of cardiovascular disease. Almost half of all African-American women will experience some type of cardiovascular disease whereas 34 percent of white women will.
“Women are underrepresented in cardiovascular trials,” said CEO of Womeheart, Lisa M. Tate. “As a result, female heart patients are treated with drugs, procedures, and devices that have been shown to be effective in men, yet not studied in a sufficient number of women.”
“The HEART for Women Act will help educate women and their doctors, increase access to screenings for women, and expand gender-specific analysis and research, so we are better equipped to fight this disease and save lives,” said Senator Stabenow. For more information, visit heartforwomen.org
The HEART for Women Act would ensure that healthcare data reported to the federal government is categorized by gender, race, and ethnicity. The act would also require an annual report on the quality of and access to care for women with cardiovascular disease as well as expanding funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s WISEWOMAN screenings – a program for low-income, underinsured women – to all 50 states rather than the 20 it is currently available in.
The HEART for Women Act is endorsed by over 40 leading health organizations such as the American Heart Association, Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), and Womenheart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.
“Cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one killer of women and the recent re-introduction of the HEART for Women Act shows a renewed commitment to raising awareness, improving treatment options and educating women on prevention and care,” said CEO and President of SWHR, Phyllis Greenberger.
In the U.S., every 60 seconds, someone’s mother, daughter, wife, or sister dies from heart disease, stroke, or other types of cardiovascular disease. Almost half of all African-American women will experience some type of cardiovascular disease whereas 34 percent of white women will.
“Women are underrepresented in cardiovascular trials,” said CEO of Womeheart, Lisa M. Tate. “As a result, female heart patients are treated with drugs, procedures, and devices that have been shown to be effective in men, yet not studied in a sufficient number of women.”
“The HEART for Women Act will help educate women and their doctors, increase access to screenings for women, and expand gender-specific analysis and research, so we are better equipped to fight this disease and save lives,” said Senator Stabenow. For more information, visit heartforwomen.org
News Article: “An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away,” Has Truth to it
Everyone knows the old “Apple a Day” saying, but just how beneficial are apples to our health? According to a new study examining postmenopausal women, the benefits go far beyond the fruit’s fiber content; apples strongly promote cardiovascular health as well.
Apples are truly a “miracle fruit,” according to the study authors, Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi, PhD and Professor Margaret A. Sitton of Florida State University. Their study consisted of 160 women ages 45-65, half of which ate dried apples daily for an entire year. Samples of their blood were taken at 3, 6 and 12 months. Dr. Arjmandi was surprised at the results.
“Incredible changes in the apple-eating women happened by 6 months—they experienced a 23% decrease in LDL cholesterol,” which is known as “bad cholesterol,” Arjmandi said.
In addition to significantly reducing bad cholesterol, levels of good cholesterol increased by about four percent in the apple-eating women as well. Another advantage that the authors point to is that the women who ate an apple a day lost an average of 3.3 lbs. Authors say that this could be due to a compound called pectin in apples, which has been shown to have a satiety effect.
It turns out science truly backs up the “Apple a Day” expression, Arjmandi says. The next step is a much larger, more comprehensive nationwide study to further investigate the health benefits of apples.
“Everyone can benefit from consuming apples,” Arjmandi concluded.
Apples are truly a “miracle fruit,” according to the study authors, Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi, PhD and Professor Margaret A. Sitton of Florida State University. Their study consisted of 160 women ages 45-65, half of which ate dried apples daily for an entire year. Samples of their blood were taken at 3, 6 and 12 months. Dr. Arjmandi was surprised at the results.
“Incredible changes in the apple-eating women happened by 6 months—they experienced a 23% decrease in LDL cholesterol,” which is known as “bad cholesterol,” Arjmandi said.
In addition to significantly reducing bad cholesterol, levels of good cholesterol increased by about four percent in the apple-eating women as well. Another advantage that the authors point to is that the women who ate an apple a day lost an average of 3.3 lbs. Authors say that this could be due to a compound called pectin in apples, which has been shown to have a satiety effect.
It turns out science truly backs up the “Apple a Day” expression, Arjmandi says. The next step is a much larger, more comprehensive nationwide study to further investigate the health benefits of apples.
“Everyone can benefit from consuming apples,” Arjmandi concluded.
News Article: Exercise is the Key to Preventing Premature Aging
A new study shows that endurance exercise not only helps you feel younger, but can also make you look younger and even live longer. The study, conducted by McMaster University researchers, found that premature aging was completely prevented in nearly every organ in the bodies of mice that ran on a treadmill three times a week for five months.
“Exercise is truly the fountain of youth,” Adeel Safdar, lead author of the study concluded.
The mice involved in the study were genetically disadvantaged to age faster due to a genetic defect affecting their mitochondria. The mitochondria are responsible for generating energy for virtually every cell in the bodies of both humans and mice. Proper mitochondrial function is crucial to reducing morbidity and mortality in both mice and humans as well and exercise appears to be the best way to boost its function, the authors of the study say.
Despite their genetic disadvantage, the mice who engaged in endurance exercise three times per week looked just as young as healthy mice, whereas those mice who did not were balding, graying, physically inactive, and less fertile.
Other studies have tried to treat mice with exercise pills or reduce the animals’ caloric intakes to prevent premature aging, but both strategies were met with minimal success said Mark Tarnopolsky, principal investigator in the study.
“Many people falsely believe that the benefits of exercise will be found in a pill,” Tarnopolsky said. “We have clearly shown that there is no substitute for the ‘real thing’ of exercise when it comes to protection from aging.”
“Exercise is truly the fountain of youth,” Adeel Safdar, lead author of the study concluded.
The mice involved in the study were genetically disadvantaged to age faster due to a genetic defect affecting their mitochondria. The mitochondria are responsible for generating energy for virtually every cell in the bodies of both humans and mice. Proper mitochondrial function is crucial to reducing morbidity and mortality in both mice and humans as well and exercise appears to be the best way to boost its function, the authors of the study say.
Despite their genetic disadvantage, the mice who engaged in endurance exercise three times per week looked just as young as healthy mice, whereas those mice who did not were balding, graying, physically inactive, and less fertile.
Other studies have tried to treat mice with exercise pills or reduce the animals’ caloric intakes to prevent premature aging, but both strategies were met with minimal success said Mark Tarnopolsky, principal investigator in the study.
“Many people falsely believe that the benefits of exercise will be found in a pill,” Tarnopolsky said. “We have clearly shown that there is no substitute for the ‘real thing’ of exercise when it comes to protection from aging.”
News Article: More Evidence to Support that Alzheimer’s is More Likely to Be Inherited from Mother
Years of evidence has suggested that one is more likely to inherit Alzheimer’s disease from their mother than from their father, and a new study has reaffirmed this theory. The study was published in the March 1, 2011 print issue of Neurology.
It has been estimated that those whose parents had Alzheimer’s disease are four to 10 times more likely to develop the disease themselves than those with no family history, study author, Robyn Honea of Kansas School of Medicine, said.
The study involved 53 dementia-free participants ages 60 and over who were followed for a period of two years. Eleven of the 53 had a mother with Alzheimer’s disease, 10 had a father with the disease and 32 had no history of the disease in their family. Throughout the study, the participants were given brain scans and cognitive tests.
The results showed that those whose mothers had Alzheimer’s experienced twice as much gray matter shrinkage in the brain – a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease – than those who had a father or no parent with the disease. Also those whose mothers had Alzheimer’s showed roughly one and a half times more brain shrinkage – another occurrence in Alzheimer’s disease – per year compared with those whose fathers had the disease.
“Understanding how the disease may be inherited could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies,” said Honea.
It has been estimated that those whose parents had Alzheimer’s disease are four to 10 times more likely to develop the disease themselves than those with no family history, study author, Robyn Honea of Kansas School of Medicine, said.
The study involved 53 dementia-free participants ages 60 and over who were followed for a period of two years. Eleven of the 53 had a mother with Alzheimer’s disease, 10 had a father with the disease and 32 had no history of the disease in their family. Throughout the study, the participants were given brain scans and cognitive tests.
The results showed that those whose mothers had Alzheimer’s experienced twice as much gray matter shrinkage in the brain – a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease – than those who had a father or no parent with the disease. Also those whose mothers had Alzheimer’s showed roughly one and a half times more brain shrinkage – another occurrence in Alzheimer’s disease – per year compared with those whose fathers had the disease.
“Understanding how the disease may be inherited could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies,” said Honea.
News Article: The Countless Health Benefits of Blueberries
There may be even more reason to love blueberries than we thought – according to the USDA Human Nutrition Centre, they are one of the best natural foods you can eat.
Blueberries are number one in antioxidant activity when compared to 40 other types of fresh fruits and vegetables, the USDA Human Nutrition Centre reports. Blueberries’ antioxidant powers help to ward off cancer and many other age-related diseases.
The pigment that creates the blue coloring in blueberries, anthocyanin, is said to be the compound chiefly responsible for the many health benefits of the fruit. Scientists from Europe and Japan have discovered correlations between anthocyanin and improved eyesight and function.
Rutgers University researchers have also established a relationship between blueberries and improved urinary tract health as they appear to reduce risk of infection. Further, The American Chemical Society has reported that another compound in blueberries called pterostilbene has the ability to lower cholesterol. USDA research has shown that blueberries can also be helpful in reducing obesity and heart disease.
By eating one cup of blueberries a day, you can be the recipient of the countless health benefits of this delicious fruit. And the best news is that blueberries are available in most stores year round and are easy to grow in any home garden.
Blueberries are number one in antioxidant activity when compared to 40 other types of fresh fruits and vegetables, the USDA Human Nutrition Centre reports. Blueberries’ antioxidant powers help to ward off cancer and many other age-related diseases.
The pigment that creates the blue coloring in blueberries, anthocyanin, is said to be the compound chiefly responsible for the many health benefits of the fruit. Scientists from Europe and Japan have discovered correlations between anthocyanin and improved eyesight and function.
Rutgers University researchers have also established a relationship between blueberries and improved urinary tract health as they appear to reduce risk of infection. Further, The American Chemical Society has reported that another compound in blueberries called pterostilbene has the ability to lower cholesterol. USDA research has shown that blueberries can also be helpful in reducing obesity and heart disease.
By eating one cup of blueberries a day, you can be the recipient of the countless health benefits of this delicious fruit. And the best news is that blueberries are available in most stores year round and are easy to grow in any home garden.
News Article: Spring Cold or Spring Allergies? How to Tell the Difference
Allergy season has arrived and if you find yourself suffering from constant sneezing or a stuffy nose, it is important to know whether a cold or allergies is responsible, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) stresses.
Colds are contagious and can be caused by over 200 different viruses whereas allergies are not contagious and are triggered by your immune system overreacting to allergens. Springtime colds are not uncommon, but high levels of tree pollens, grass pollens and mold spores during the season make allergies, especially hay fever, extremely common.
Sixty million Americans suffer from springtime hay fever. To find out whether you might be one of them, these general guidelines can be helpful:
Starting symptoms - Colds typically start with a stuffy nose and throat irritation which lead to sneezing. Allergy symptoms include sneezing as well, but are usually accompanied by itchy eyes and nose.
Mucus differences - With a cold, the mucus often turns yellow or green whereas with allergies, the mucus is generally clear in color. Persistence of symptoms - Colds generally run their course in a matter of a week or two, however allergies will linger on as long as you are exposed to the allergen.
Fever - A fever is a strong indicator that you are suffering from a cold.
Itchy eyes - Itchy eyes strongly indicate you are suffering from allergies.
Sore throat - A sore throat can occur in both allergies and a cold, but is more common with colds.
Coughing - Persistent coughing, particularly in children, can be a sign of asthma. A continuous cough should be assessed by an allergist.
For more information about allergies and to find an allergist visit allergyandasthmarelief.org.
Colds are contagious and can be caused by over 200 different viruses whereas allergies are not contagious and are triggered by your immune system overreacting to allergens. Springtime colds are not uncommon, but high levels of tree pollens, grass pollens and mold spores during the season make allergies, especially hay fever, extremely common.
Sixty million Americans suffer from springtime hay fever. To find out whether you might be one of them, these general guidelines can be helpful:
Starting symptoms - Colds typically start with a stuffy nose and throat irritation which lead to sneezing. Allergy symptoms include sneezing as well, but are usually accompanied by itchy eyes and nose.
Mucus differences - With a cold, the mucus often turns yellow or green whereas with allergies, the mucus is generally clear in color. Persistence of symptoms - Colds generally run their course in a matter of a week or two, however allergies will linger on as long as you are exposed to the allergen.
Fever - A fever is a strong indicator that you are suffering from a cold.
Itchy eyes - Itchy eyes strongly indicate you are suffering from allergies.
Sore throat - A sore throat can occur in both allergies and a cold, but is more common with colds.
Coughing - Persistent coughing, particularly in children, can be a sign of asthma. A continuous cough should be assessed by an allergist.
For more information about allergies and to find an allergist visit allergyandasthmarelief.org.
News Article: Lifelong UV Ray Protection is Key to Preventing Skin Cancer
With the summer just around the corner, it is important to remember to take proper steps to prevent UV radiation. Lifelong prevention is the key to preventing skin cancer, doctors emphasize.
UV rays can cause not only cancer, but a number of other skin problems, chair of the UAB department of dermatology, Craig Elmets, explains. Extended exposure to UV rays can also lead to accelerated aging and pre-cancerous moles that often require being cut out. Continually protecting the skin from these rays is absolutely crucial, Elmets emphasizes.
Luckily there are simple steps that can be taken to avoid these dangers. Elmets says that sunscreen should be worn each day and re-applied often, even if it is cloudy outside. Wearing a hat or sunglasses can also help to protect against melanoma, a type of skin cancer that can occur in any area of the body including the eye, Elmets adds.
He also emphasizes the importance of keeping an eye on moles, watching for changes in shape, color or texture. If these changes occur they should be brought to the attention of a dermatologist as soon as possible.
UV rays can cause not only cancer, but a number of other skin problems, chair of the UAB department of dermatology, Craig Elmets, explains. Extended exposure to UV rays can also lead to accelerated aging and pre-cancerous moles that often require being cut out. Continually protecting the skin from these rays is absolutely crucial, Elmets emphasizes.
Luckily there are simple steps that can be taken to avoid these dangers. Elmets says that sunscreen should be worn each day and re-applied often, even if it is cloudy outside. Wearing a hat or sunglasses can also help to protect against melanoma, a type of skin cancer that can occur in any area of the body including the eye, Elmets adds.
He also emphasizes the importance of keeping an eye on moles, watching for changes in shape, color or texture. If these changes occur they should be brought to the attention of a dermatologist as soon as possible.
News Article: The ADA Announces National Nutrition Month – “Eat Right with Color”
March is National Nutrition Month, a campaign created by the American Dietetic Association (ADA), and this year’s theme is “Eat Right with Color.” The theme highlights the importance of consuming a colorful diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and dairy.
And there are many options offered in grocery stores and restaurants that can help people accomplish this, the ADA says. Food processing and technology have made it possible to eat seasonal foods any time of the year. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are an example of this; these packaged foods can offer equal nutritional value compared to fresh fruits and vegetables.
The ADA points to other types of packaged foods that can play a beneficial role in a healthy diet, such as brown rice, yogurt, cereal, soup, and juice. Fresh tomatoes can be found in produce sections of grocery stores even in the winter. Canned, diced, or jarred sun-dried tomatoes are also generally always available to enjoy year round.
The color of certain fruits and vegetables is often strongly linked to the health benefit of that food – the deep red of cherries, bright orange of apricots, or deep green of spinach, the ADA explains. Meals should be planned around vegetable dishes as often as possible and fruit makes a great snack or dessert substitute, the ADA says.
And there are many options offered in grocery stores and restaurants that can help people accomplish this, the ADA says. Food processing and technology have made it possible to eat seasonal foods any time of the year. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are an example of this; these packaged foods can offer equal nutritional value compared to fresh fruits and vegetables.
The ADA points to other types of packaged foods that can play a beneficial role in a healthy diet, such as brown rice, yogurt, cereal, soup, and juice. Fresh tomatoes can be found in produce sections of grocery stores even in the winter. Canned, diced, or jarred sun-dried tomatoes are also generally always available to enjoy year round.
The color of certain fruits and vegetables is often strongly linked to the health benefit of that food – the deep red of cherries, bright orange of apricots, or deep green of spinach, the ADA explains. Meals should be planned around vegetable dishes as often as possible and fruit makes a great snack or dessert substitute, the ADA says.
News Article: Walking May Protect Memory Function and Brain Size in Older Age
\Walking six to nine miles per week may help to maintain brain size and prevent memory loss later in life according to a recent study. Researchers have previously theorized that physical activity can help to preserve grey matter in the brain which protects memory function and this study strengthens that theory.
Lead author, Dr. Kirk I. Erickson of the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania explained how human brains shrink late in adulthood, which leads to memory problems. Erickson hopes his research results will prompt further investigation on how physical activity can prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Erickson and his team investigated 299 adults averaging 78 years old who were dementia-free at the beginning of the study. Grey matter volume, physical activity and cognitive impairment were measured. Nine years into the study, participants underwent MRI brain scans to measure grey matter loss. They were then given cognitive impairment tests to evaluate thinking skills and signs of dementia 13 years later.
At the 9-year mark those who had reported walking 6 to 9 miles at the beginning of the study had more grey matter volume than those who walked less. The participants who walked the most were also half as likely to develop memory problems later. Though researchers acknowledge their study does not establish cause and effect, the results do suggest strong links between physical activity, memory retention and overall brain health.
"If regular exercise in midlife could improve brain health and improve thinking and memory in later life, it would be one more reason to make regular exercise in people of all ages a public health imperative,” Erickson said.
Lead author, Dr. Kirk I. Erickson of the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania explained how human brains shrink late in adulthood, which leads to memory problems. Erickson hopes his research results will prompt further investigation on how physical activity can prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Erickson and his team investigated 299 adults averaging 78 years old who were dementia-free at the beginning of the study. Grey matter volume, physical activity and cognitive impairment were measured. Nine years into the study, participants underwent MRI brain scans to measure grey matter loss. They were then given cognitive impairment tests to evaluate thinking skills and signs of dementia 13 years later.
At the 9-year mark those who had reported walking 6 to 9 miles at the beginning of the study had more grey matter volume than those who walked less. The participants who walked the most were also half as likely to develop memory problems later. Though researchers acknowledge their study does not establish cause and effect, the results do suggest strong links between physical activity, memory retention and overall brain health.
"If regular exercise in midlife could improve brain health and improve thinking and memory in later life, it would be one more reason to make regular exercise in people of all ages a public health imperative,” Erickson said.
News Article: Johns Hopkins Researchers Offer Advice on How Hospitals Can Go Green
Johns Hopkins researchers have recently developed strategies for hospitals to reduce their carbon footprint and save money while leaving patient safety uncompromised. The Johns Hopkins team reported these strategies in the February issue of the Archives of Surgery.
According to experts, health care facilities are the second major contributor of waste products in the United States, behind the food industry. Health care facilities are said to produce 6,600 tons of waste per day and over four billion pounds per year.
The team reported that these massive numbers are due primarily to several wasteful practices; the opening of sterilized equipment without ever using it, the installation of energy-draining overhead lights, and the filling of bags labeled as “medical waste” with harmless trash that could easily be disposed of more cheaply.
During surgery, two types of disposal bags are used – red bags for infectious, pathologic waste, which are much more expensive to process, and clear bags for noninfectious waste. Martin A. Makary, research leader, said that as much as 90 percent of what winds up the red bags do not meet the criteria for infectious waste. The team concluded that although truly hazardous, red-bag worthy waste makes up for only 24 percent of medical waste, it accounts for 86 percent of costs.
“If we’re going to get serious as a country about being environmentally conscious, we need to look at our biggest institutions,” Makary said. “When an individual decides to recycle or dispose of waste differently, it has an impact. But when a hospital decides as an organization to go green, the impact is massive.”
Makary and his team developed their report by reviewing 43 previously published studies on hospitals’ environmental practices. They then assembled an expert panel to create a list of practical strategies to effectively reduce identified waste while keeping patient safety the top priority.
The panel identified their top strategies as reprocessing single-use medical devices by using proper sterilization, making environmentally conscious purchasing choices, managing energy use, and managing pharmacy waste.
“We live in a much more cost-conscious medical climate now and there is a lot that hospitals can do to go green,” Makary concluded.
According to experts, health care facilities are the second major contributor of waste products in the United States, behind the food industry. Health care facilities are said to produce 6,600 tons of waste per day and over four billion pounds per year.
The team reported that these massive numbers are due primarily to several wasteful practices; the opening of sterilized equipment without ever using it, the installation of energy-draining overhead lights, and the filling of bags labeled as “medical waste” with harmless trash that could easily be disposed of more cheaply.
During surgery, two types of disposal bags are used – red bags for infectious, pathologic waste, which are much more expensive to process, and clear bags for noninfectious waste. Martin A. Makary, research leader, said that as much as 90 percent of what winds up the red bags do not meet the criteria for infectious waste. The team concluded that although truly hazardous, red-bag worthy waste makes up for only 24 percent of medical waste, it accounts for 86 percent of costs.
“If we’re going to get serious as a country about being environmentally conscious, we need to look at our biggest institutions,” Makary said. “When an individual decides to recycle or dispose of waste differently, it has an impact. But when a hospital decides as an organization to go green, the impact is massive.”
Makary and his team developed their report by reviewing 43 previously published studies on hospitals’ environmental practices. They then assembled an expert panel to create a list of practical strategies to effectively reduce identified waste while keeping patient safety the top priority.
The panel identified their top strategies as reprocessing single-use medical devices by using proper sterilization, making environmentally conscious purchasing choices, managing energy use, and managing pharmacy waste.
“We live in a much more cost-conscious medical climate now and there is a lot that hospitals can do to go green,” Makary concluded.
News Article: Couples with Similar Speaking Styles More Likely to Stay Together
It is a well known fact that people tend to date and marry other people who are similar to themselves in personality, values, and appearance, but a new study published in Psychological Science has added another important similarity to the list – speech style. The study found that people who speak in similar styles are more compatible with one another.
The researchers focused on what are called, “function words.” Function words are not nouns and verbs, but words that show how they relate, such as ‘the,’ ‘a,’ ‘be,’ ‘anything,’ ‘that,’ ‘will,’ ‘him,’ ‘her,’ and ‘and.’ Coauthor of the study, James Pennebaker of the University of Texas at Austin, says that how we use these words makes up our writing and speech style.
Two studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between the speaking and writing styles people adopt while speaking with one another and the likelihood of future dating behavior and relationship success. The first study was based on speech and the second study on online chats.
In the first study, conversations between pairs of college students during 4-minute speed date sessions were recorded. Each pair conversed about the same set of topics, and although the conversations all sounded more or less the same, major differences in language synchrony were found. The pairs who had higher than average matching language style scores were nearly four times as likely to want future contact than those pairs who were out of sync.
The same pattern was found in the second study, which looked into online chats between dating couples over the course of 10 days. Three months later, nearly 80% of couples whose writing styles matched were still together, whereas only 54% of those who did not match as well were still together.
Pennebaker says that people do not consciously synchronize their speech. "What's wonderful about this is we don't really make that decision; it just comes out of our mouths."
The researchers focused on what are called, “function words.” Function words are not nouns and verbs, but words that show how they relate, such as ‘the,’ ‘a,’ ‘be,’ ‘anything,’ ‘that,’ ‘will,’ ‘him,’ ‘her,’ and ‘and.’ Coauthor of the study, James Pennebaker of the University of Texas at Austin, says that how we use these words makes up our writing and speech style.
Two studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between the speaking and writing styles people adopt while speaking with one another and the likelihood of future dating behavior and relationship success. The first study was based on speech and the second study on online chats.
In the first study, conversations between pairs of college students during 4-minute speed date sessions were recorded. Each pair conversed about the same set of topics, and although the conversations all sounded more or less the same, major differences in language synchrony were found. The pairs who had higher than average matching language style scores were nearly four times as likely to want future contact than those pairs who were out of sync.
The same pattern was found in the second study, which looked into online chats between dating couples over the course of 10 days. Three months later, nearly 80% of couples whose writing styles matched were still together, whereas only 54% of those who did not match as well were still together.
Pennebaker says that people do not consciously synchronize their speech. "What's wonderful about this is we don't really make that decision; it just comes out of our mouths."
News Article: Opposites May Attract, but May Not Be Best for Each Other
Though the old saying that “opposites attract” may sometimes be true, when it comes to romance, it’s best to choose someone who loves what you love, according to Kansas State University instructor and licensed marriage and family therapist, Chelsea Madsen. Typically people are attracted to those who are similar to themselves in values, attitudes, and interests, she said.
When partners hold similar values, expectations, and attitudes, they will be less likely to have to negotiate through every minute detail of the relationship, Madsen said. She referenced growing numbers of studies which correlate similarities in values and attitudes between partners with increased marital satisfaction.
This is not to say opposites can’t attract or that opposites can’t have successful relationships, Madsen added. However, major differences have the potential to grow into major problems down the line. Madsen explained that sometimes opposites can attract in healthy ways, such as a partner who encourages the other to explore new ideas and experiences. However, she noted that all too often opposites attract in unhealthy ways.
“A lot of times when opposites attract it’s because somebody feels there’s a lack in their life or there’s a hole that they try to fill with a person who is an opposite,” Madsen said.
Madsen pointed out that looking to someone else to make one feel “whole” is never healthy and that this reasoning will usually only lead to further difficulty and disappointment. While there are many areas where similarities may not matter to your relationship satisfaction, it is most important, Madsen said, to find a partner who is similar in the areas that are most important to you.
Madsen said it is best to know what you desire in a partner and to work on those characteristics in yourself because oftentimes characteristics we look for in partners are the characteristics we desire for ourselves as well. For example, if you want a partner who is honest, work on being more honest. When we improve ourselves, we are more likely to have successful relationships with others whether similar or opposite, Madsen concluded.
When partners hold similar values, expectations, and attitudes, they will be less likely to have to negotiate through every minute detail of the relationship, Madsen said. She referenced growing numbers of studies which correlate similarities in values and attitudes between partners with increased marital satisfaction.
This is not to say opposites can’t attract or that opposites can’t have successful relationships, Madsen added. However, major differences have the potential to grow into major problems down the line. Madsen explained that sometimes opposites can attract in healthy ways, such as a partner who encourages the other to explore new ideas and experiences. However, she noted that all too often opposites attract in unhealthy ways.
“A lot of times when opposites attract it’s because somebody feels there’s a lack in their life or there’s a hole that they try to fill with a person who is an opposite,” Madsen said.
Madsen pointed out that looking to someone else to make one feel “whole” is never healthy and that this reasoning will usually only lead to further difficulty and disappointment. While there are many areas where similarities may not matter to your relationship satisfaction, it is most important, Madsen said, to find a partner who is similar in the areas that are most important to you.
Madsen said it is best to know what you desire in a partner and to work on those characteristics in yourself because oftentimes characteristics we look for in partners are the characteristics we desire for ourselves as well. For example, if you want a partner who is honest, work on being more honest. When we improve ourselves, we are more likely to have successful relationships with others whether similar or opposite, Madsen concluded.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Green Page Article: Salon Botanique Eco-Chic Offers Eco-Friendly Beauty Alternatives
The following is an article I wrote for the "Green Page" of NJL's website. Salon Botanique Eco-Chic is a potential advertiser for NJL and I was responsible for contacting a spokeswoman, gathering information and writing up an article featuring the salon. This is the first article my actual name appeared in on NJL's website.
Link to actual article
If you have ever wished for an eco-friendly, organic alternative to harsh, conventional beauty products and salons, there is good news. Salon Botanique Eco-Chic Salon & Spa, owned by Aurora and Ron Marks and partner Stacey Beyer, offers the alternatives you’re looking for right in Morristown.
Marks and her husband traveled extensively and had enjoyed the benefits of organic salons in other countries, but noticed there were no such salons in this area. Marks explained that although she did not like using conventional beauty products, she realized there weren’t many other choices. This compelled her to go the eco-friendly route with Salon Botanique.
Salon Botanique understands that organic salons are not only healthier for the environment, but also for humans. When it comes to hair dye, this is especially true.
“We can achieve remarkable color results without ammonia and other harsh chemicals, which makes it safer for anyone to use,” Marks said. “Many of our clients are people who have had health issues, are pregnant or cancer survivors, or who are just not comfortable with or had problems using the conventional products.”
Marks described the two most popular natural and organic hair product lines that Salon Botanique offers – Organic Colour Systems and Sojourn. Organic Colour Systems, Marks explained, was developed and used in Europe for over 15 years and is made with certified organic ingredients and is ammonia, paraben, and plastic free. The product is also 100% vegan friendly, Marks noted.
Sojourn is the only professional line of hair products to have a proper pH balance and to include keratin cashmere and cystine, which provide permanent conditioning to the hair, Marks said. Sojourn also contains UV protection and contains no sulfate, parabens, formaldehyde, alcohol, salt, or artificial colors, resulting in a “net zero environmental impact,” Marks explained.
“People always comment on how our salon smells so good, not like a regular salon that has all the chemicals,” Marks said.
Marks also elaborated on the many organic skincare and makeup products that Salon Botanique offers. The Salon carries a mineral-based, paraben-free makeup line, Jane Iredale Cosmetics. The salon is also proud to carry Eminence Organic Skincare System, which consists of European certified, premium-quality herbs, fruits, and flower buds. Eminence Organic Skincare delivers incredible results without the harsh chemicals, Marks said. Marks noted that this all-natural skincare product has won the Best Green Award for the best environmental practices in the industry and is also a member of the OTA (Organic Trade Association).
Not only the products, but the salon itself is eco-friendly, Marks explained. Bamboo flooring is used throughout the salon as well as low volatile organic compound paint for the walls. All linens and robes are made from organic cotton and even the candles are made from soy or natural plant wax. Low voltage, eco-friendly light bulbs, a customized water purification system, and furnishings made primarily from reclaimed and recycled wood are among the other many environmentally friendly features of the salon.
The main goal of Salon Botanique Eco-Chic Salon & Spa is to find and offer products that are as natural and organic as possible which will also deliver maximum results for healthy, beautiful hair and skin, Marks said.
Salon Botanique is located at 149 South Street, Morristown, 973. 889.9200, salonbotaniqueecochic.com
Link to actual article
If you have ever wished for an eco-friendly, organic alternative to harsh, conventional beauty products and salons, there is good news. Salon Botanique Eco-Chic Salon & Spa, owned by Aurora and Ron Marks and partner Stacey Beyer, offers the alternatives you’re looking for right in Morristown.
Marks and her husband traveled extensively and had enjoyed the benefits of organic salons in other countries, but noticed there were no such salons in this area. Marks explained that although she did not like using conventional beauty products, she realized there weren’t many other choices. This compelled her to go the eco-friendly route with Salon Botanique.
Salon Botanique understands that organic salons are not only healthier for the environment, but also for humans. When it comes to hair dye, this is especially true.
“We can achieve remarkable color results without ammonia and other harsh chemicals, which makes it safer for anyone to use,” Marks said. “Many of our clients are people who have had health issues, are pregnant or cancer survivors, or who are just not comfortable with or had problems using the conventional products.”
Marks described the two most popular natural and organic hair product lines that Salon Botanique offers – Organic Colour Systems and Sojourn. Organic Colour Systems, Marks explained, was developed and used in Europe for over 15 years and is made with certified organic ingredients and is ammonia, paraben, and plastic free. The product is also 100% vegan friendly, Marks noted.
Sojourn is the only professional line of hair products to have a proper pH balance and to include keratin cashmere and cystine, which provide permanent conditioning to the hair, Marks said. Sojourn also contains UV protection and contains no sulfate, parabens, formaldehyde, alcohol, salt, or artificial colors, resulting in a “net zero environmental impact,” Marks explained.
“People always comment on how our salon smells so good, not like a regular salon that has all the chemicals,” Marks said.
Marks also elaborated on the many organic skincare and makeup products that Salon Botanique offers. The Salon carries a mineral-based, paraben-free makeup line, Jane Iredale Cosmetics. The salon is also proud to carry Eminence Organic Skincare System, which consists of European certified, premium-quality herbs, fruits, and flower buds. Eminence Organic Skincare delivers incredible results without the harsh chemicals, Marks said. Marks noted that this all-natural skincare product has won the Best Green Award for the best environmental practices in the industry and is also a member of the OTA (Organic Trade Association).
Not only the products, but the salon itself is eco-friendly, Marks explained. Bamboo flooring is used throughout the salon as well as low volatile organic compound paint for the walls. All linens and robes are made from organic cotton and even the candles are made from soy or natural plant wax. Low voltage, eco-friendly light bulbs, a customized water purification system, and furnishings made primarily from reclaimed and recycled wood are among the other many environmentally friendly features of the salon.
The main goal of Salon Botanique Eco-Chic Salon & Spa is to find and offer products that are as natural and organic as possible which will also deliver maximum results for healthy, beautiful hair and skin, Marks said.
Salon Botanique is located at 149 South Street, Morristown, 973. 889.9200, salonbotaniqueecochic.com
Sunday, March 13, 2011
News Article: Animal Poison Control Center Releases Top Ten Pet Toxins of 2010
From chocolate to human medications, potential pet poisons can be found throughout our homes and backyards. The Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) recently released the top ten poisonous substances called in by pet owners in 2010:
1. Human Medications
Accounting for nearly 25% of calls made to the APCC, human medications are at the top of the list of pet toxins for 2010. The most common medications accidentally ingested by pets include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antidepressants, and ADHD medications.
2. Insecticides
Insecticides, primarily flea control products, were the second most common type of call the APCC received in 2010. The APCC says the most serious poisonings occurred when flea medication meant for dogs only was used on cats. Always carefully follow label instructions, the APCC urges.
3. Rodenticides
Unfortunately, baits used to lure mice and rats can also attract cats and dogs. The APCC warns there are some types of rodenticides that can cause internal bleeding, seizures, and kidney failure in dogs and cats, so be sure to keep mouse and rat traps out of pets’ access.
4. People food
The most dangerous toxins commonly ingested by pets include xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic, the APCC reports. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, onions and garlic can cause anemia if large amounts are ingested, and xylitol, a sugar alcohol used in sugar-free gums and mints, can cause low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs.
5. Veterinary Medications
Because many pet medications are flavored, the tastiness may tempt pets to ingest well over the recommended dose. The APCC advises owners should contact their veterinarian if their pets ingest more than the proper dosage of medicine.
6. Chocolate
Chocolate contains methlyxanthines, which is poisonous to dogs and cats and can cause agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, seizures, and even death. The darker the chocolate, the more methylxanthines it contains.
7. Household toxins
Cleaning supplies, liquid potpourri, and batteries can cause corrosive injury to the mouth and stomach of pets. The APCC warns these items should always be kept behind securely locked doors.
8. Plants
Both indoor and outdoor plants can be hazardous to pets if ingested. Lilies, for example, can cause kidney failure in cats and sago palms can cause liver failure in both dogs and cats. The APCC recommends keeping plants and bouquets away from your pets as much as possible.
9. Herbicides
The salty taste of herbicides often attracts pets. The APCC recommends making sure pets are kept off of treated areas until the herbicides have dried.
10. Outdoor toxins
Common outdoor toxins ingested by pets include antifreeze, fertilizers and ice melts. These substances can be dangerous to pets and should be kept in locked sheds or high shelves where pets cannot access them, the APCC says.
If you believe your pet has ingested a toxin call your veterinarian or the APCC’s 24-hour hotline at 888.426.4435.
1. Human Medications
Accounting for nearly 25% of calls made to the APCC, human medications are at the top of the list of pet toxins for 2010. The most common medications accidentally ingested by pets include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antidepressants, and ADHD medications.
2. Insecticides
Insecticides, primarily flea control products, were the second most common type of call the APCC received in 2010. The APCC says the most serious poisonings occurred when flea medication meant for dogs only was used on cats. Always carefully follow label instructions, the APCC urges.
3. Rodenticides
Unfortunately, baits used to lure mice and rats can also attract cats and dogs. The APCC warns there are some types of rodenticides that can cause internal bleeding, seizures, and kidney failure in dogs and cats, so be sure to keep mouse and rat traps out of pets’ access.
4. People food
The most dangerous toxins commonly ingested by pets include xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic, the APCC reports. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, onions and garlic can cause anemia if large amounts are ingested, and xylitol, a sugar alcohol used in sugar-free gums and mints, can cause low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs.
5. Veterinary Medications
Because many pet medications are flavored, the tastiness may tempt pets to ingest well over the recommended dose. The APCC advises owners should contact their veterinarian if their pets ingest more than the proper dosage of medicine.
6. Chocolate
Chocolate contains methlyxanthines, which is poisonous to dogs and cats and can cause agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, seizures, and even death. The darker the chocolate, the more methylxanthines it contains.
7. Household toxins
Cleaning supplies, liquid potpourri, and batteries can cause corrosive injury to the mouth and stomach of pets. The APCC warns these items should always be kept behind securely locked doors.
8. Plants
Both indoor and outdoor plants can be hazardous to pets if ingested. Lilies, for example, can cause kidney failure in cats and sago palms can cause liver failure in both dogs and cats. The APCC recommends keeping plants and bouquets away from your pets as much as possible.
9. Herbicides
The salty taste of herbicides often attracts pets. The APCC recommends making sure pets are kept off of treated areas until the herbicides have dried.
10. Outdoor toxins
Common outdoor toxins ingested by pets include antifreeze, fertilizers and ice melts. These substances can be dangerous to pets and should be kept in locked sheds or high shelves where pets cannot access them, the APCC says.
If you believe your pet has ingested a toxin call your veterinarian or the APCC’s 24-hour hotline at 888.426.4435.
News Article: New Behavioral Center Offers Two Types of Revolutionary Technologies
The Professional Behavioral Center of New Jersey, P.A., which has been treating patients in Manalapan since 2003, is opening their second office in Old Bridge, where they will be offering both Neurostar TMS and Neurofeedback technologies.
This center will be the only one in New Jersey to offer both technologies. These two innovative therapies are used to treat depression and other mental illness in a non-invasive way. Neurostar TMS Therapy uses a magnetic field similar to an MRI to treat depression while the patient remains awake and alert. With over 20 years of research behind it, The Neurostar TMS is the only FDA-cleared device for the treatment of depression. Neurofeedback therapy is used to measure brain waves and teach patients how to change these waves and gain greater control over them.
“We are very excited to expand our services by opening this new location,” said Dr. Patricia Francesca Fuzzi, clinical psychologist of Professional Behavioral Center. “The revolutionary non-invasive technologies offered to our patients at our new office will help transform lives.”
Professional Behavioral Center offers a variety of therapies, from depression therapy to couples counseling to individual therapy. In addition, the office in Manalapan has opened a new Alternative Medicine Division which offers acupuncture, natural and herbal medicines, nutrition counseling, and other holistic services.
For more information about Professional Behavioral Center visit professionalbehavioralcenter.com.
This center will be the only one in New Jersey to offer both technologies. These two innovative therapies are used to treat depression and other mental illness in a non-invasive way. Neurostar TMS Therapy uses a magnetic field similar to an MRI to treat depression while the patient remains awake and alert. With over 20 years of research behind it, The Neurostar TMS is the only FDA-cleared device for the treatment of depression. Neurofeedback therapy is used to measure brain waves and teach patients how to change these waves and gain greater control over them.
“We are very excited to expand our services by opening this new location,” said Dr. Patricia Francesca Fuzzi, clinical psychologist of Professional Behavioral Center. “The revolutionary non-invasive technologies offered to our patients at our new office will help transform lives.”
Professional Behavioral Center offers a variety of therapies, from depression therapy to couples counseling to individual therapy. In addition, the office in Manalapan has opened a new Alternative Medicine Division which offers acupuncture, natural and herbal medicines, nutrition counseling, and other holistic services.
For more information about Professional Behavioral Center visit professionalbehavioralcenter.com.
News Article: The Five Things Every American Needs to Do to Lower Their Cholesterol
With an estimated 102 million Americans with cholesterol levels considered to be borderline high-risk, lowering cholesterol is one of the most vital things Americans can do to promote overall heart health. Metamucil and Dr. Michael Roizen, Chairman of the Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic, have teamed up to present “The Five Things Every American Needs to Do to Lower Their Cholesterol.” Dr. Roizen emphasizes how small modifications can go a long with when it comes to lowering cholesterol levels. These five tips show can show you how:
1. Take Psyllium
Psyllium is a natural, dietary fiber found in Metamucil that has been proven to lower bad cholesterol. Dr. Roizen emphasizes how adding more fiber to your diet, particularly viscous soluble fiber like psyllium fiber, is an important way to improve heart health.
Psyllium fiber forms a thick gel that traps and helps to remove some bad cholesterol, bile acids, and waste in the stomach. Roizen adds that most Americans are not getting the recommended dosages of fiber per day; most Americans consume only 10 to 15 grams daily as opposed to the recommended 20 to 35 grams.
2. Wear a pedometer and increase daily activity
Walking is a simple, easy, cholesterol-lowering activity. A pedometer can help you track steps and squeeze in as many as you can per day.
3. Get an exercise buddy
A healthy lifestyle requires not only motivation, but encouragement. The support of a friend can make the challenge of lowering your cholesterol easier and more fun. Plus, two brains can think up more heart-pumping activities to keep cholesterol down than one can.
4. Watch out for hidden fats and sugars
Be sure to read nutrition labels thoroughly, Dr. Roizen advises. Avoid foods that contain high levels of saturated fat, high fructose corn syrup, dextrins, evaporated cane juice, and of course, cholesterol. These ingredients are unhealthy and can be detrimental to heart health.
5. Add DHA to your diet
DHA is an abbreviation for docosahexaenoic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid. DHA can aid in lowering bad cholesterol while raising healthy cholesterol and promoting healthy heart functioning. Good sources of DHA include salmon, sardines and tuna. Fish oil supplements or vegetarian supplements made from algal DHA are also great sources for those who are not seafood fans.
1. Take Psyllium
Psyllium is a natural, dietary fiber found in Metamucil that has been proven to lower bad cholesterol. Dr. Roizen emphasizes how adding more fiber to your diet, particularly viscous soluble fiber like psyllium fiber, is an important way to improve heart health.
Psyllium fiber forms a thick gel that traps and helps to remove some bad cholesterol, bile acids, and waste in the stomach. Roizen adds that most Americans are not getting the recommended dosages of fiber per day; most Americans consume only 10 to 15 grams daily as opposed to the recommended 20 to 35 grams.
2. Wear a pedometer and increase daily activity
Walking is a simple, easy, cholesterol-lowering activity. A pedometer can help you track steps and squeeze in as many as you can per day.
3. Get an exercise buddy
A healthy lifestyle requires not only motivation, but encouragement. The support of a friend can make the challenge of lowering your cholesterol easier and more fun. Plus, two brains can think up more heart-pumping activities to keep cholesterol down than one can.
4. Watch out for hidden fats and sugars
Be sure to read nutrition labels thoroughly, Dr. Roizen advises. Avoid foods that contain high levels of saturated fat, high fructose corn syrup, dextrins, evaporated cane juice, and of course, cholesterol. These ingredients are unhealthy and can be detrimental to heart health.
5. Add DHA to your diet
DHA is an abbreviation for docosahexaenoic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid. DHA can aid in lowering bad cholesterol while raising healthy cholesterol and promoting healthy heart functioning. Good sources of DHA include salmon, sardines and tuna. Fish oil supplements or vegetarian supplements made from algal DHA are also great sources for those who are not seafood fans.
News Article: Investigating the Heart-Healthy Benefits of Chocolate
A recent study has offered further explanation as to how chocolate can be a heart-healthy snack. Scientists reported in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry how this delicious treat increases the body’s production of “good cholesterol,” or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) which protects the heart from disease and decreases levels of “bad cholesterol” or low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
These benefits have been attributed to the antioxidant compounds found in cocoa called polyphenols. Polyphenols boost the activity of proteins which attach to DNA in ways that increase HDL levels. Polyphenols are particularly plentiful in dark chocolate. Until recently, however, it was unknown how exactly the polyphenols in cocoa coordinated these heart-healthy benefits.
Scientists investigated the effects of cocoa polyphenols on cholesterol on cultures of human liver and intestinal cells. They focused on the production of two types of proteins – one which is a major component in the production of good cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), and one which is a primary component in the production of bad cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (ApoB).
Scientist discovered that cocoa polyphenols increased levels ApoA1 and decreased levels of ApoB in both the liver and intestine. It was found that these polyphenols operated by increasing activity in the binding proteins which attach to DNA and activate the genes which boost ApoA1 levels. At the same time, they found polyphenols also enhance activity in LDL receptors, helping to lower levels of bad cholesterol.
These benefits have been attributed to the antioxidant compounds found in cocoa called polyphenols. Polyphenols boost the activity of proteins which attach to DNA in ways that increase HDL levels. Polyphenols are particularly plentiful in dark chocolate. Until recently, however, it was unknown how exactly the polyphenols in cocoa coordinated these heart-healthy benefits.
Scientists investigated the effects of cocoa polyphenols on cholesterol on cultures of human liver and intestinal cells. They focused on the production of two types of proteins – one which is a major component in the production of good cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), and one which is a primary component in the production of bad cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (ApoB).
Scientist discovered that cocoa polyphenols increased levels ApoA1 and decreased levels of ApoB in both the liver and intestine. It was found that these polyphenols operated by increasing activity in the binding proteins which attach to DNA and activate the genes which boost ApoA1 levels. At the same time, they found polyphenols also enhance activity in LDL receptors, helping to lower levels of bad cholesterol.
News Article: Exercise is the Key to Preventing Premature Aging
A new study shows that endurance exercise not only helps you feel younger, but can also make you look younger and even live longer. The study, conducted by McMaster University researchers, found that premature aging was completely prevented in nearly every organ in the bodies of mice that ran on a treadmill three times a week for five months.
“Exercise is truly the fountain of youth,” Adeel Safdar, lead author of the study concluded.
The mice involved in the study were genetically disadvantaged to age faster due to a genetic defect affecting their mitochondria. The mitochondria are responsible for generating energy for virtually every cell in the bodies of both humans and mice. Proper mitochondrial function is crucial to reducing morbidity and mortality in both mice and humans as well and exercise appears to be the best way to boost its function, the authors of the study say.
Despite their genetic disadvantage, the mice who engaged in endurance exercise three times per week looked just as young as healthy mice, whereas those mice who did not were balding, graying, physically inactive, and less fertile.
Other studies have tried to treat mice with exercise pills or reduce the animals’ caloric intakes to prevent premature aging, but both strategies were met with minimal success said Mark Tarnopolsky, principal investigator in the study.
“Many people falsely believe that the benefits of exercise will be found in a pill,” Tarnopolsky said. “We have clearly shown that there is no substitute for the ‘real thing’ of exercise when it comes to protection from aging.”
“Exercise is truly the fountain of youth,” Adeel Safdar, lead author of the study concluded.
The mice involved in the study were genetically disadvantaged to age faster due to a genetic defect affecting their mitochondria. The mitochondria are responsible for generating energy for virtually every cell in the bodies of both humans and mice. Proper mitochondrial function is crucial to reducing morbidity and mortality in both mice and humans as well and exercise appears to be the best way to boost its function, the authors of the study say.
Despite their genetic disadvantage, the mice who engaged in endurance exercise three times per week looked just as young as healthy mice, whereas those mice who did not were balding, graying, physically inactive, and less fertile.
Other studies have tried to treat mice with exercise pills or reduce the animals’ caloric intakes to prevent premature aging, but both strategies were met with minimal success said Mark Tarnopolsky, principal investigator in the study.
“Many people falsely believe that the benefits of exercise will be found in a pill,” Tarnopolsky said. “We have clearly shown that there is no substitute for the ‘real thing’ of exercise when it comes to protection from aging.”
News Article: Less Time with Dad May Increase Bullying Behavior in Children
Children who feel their fathers work too much and do not spend enough time with them are more likely to exhibit bullying behavior, according to research by Vanderbilt University sociologist, Andre Christie-Mizell. The study primarily investigated the relationship between children’s perceptions of time spent with their parents and bullying behavior.
Perceptions of time spent with fathers in particular were found to have the most significant impact on bullying behavior. The findings surprised Christie-Mizell, who hypothesized that mothers’ working hours would have the greatest impact on the degree of bullying exhibited by children.
“The findings about fathers and mothers are important because it turns what most of us think is conventional wisdom – that mothers have the most influence on children – on its ear,” Christie-Mizell said. “What this research shows is that while it’s equally important for kids to spend time with both parents, fathers need to make an extra effort.”
Bullying behavior was measured using a scale called the Behavioral Problem Index (BPI) designed to evaluate childhood behavioral syndromes. The measurements were based on factors such as cruelty to others, disobedience at school, hanging around troublemaking kids, strong tempers, and lack of remorse for misbehavior.
Mothers’ work hours actually showed little to no impact on bullying. Christie-Mizell believes this is because children view their mothers as being more easily accessible. Bullying behavior was notably increased, however, in children who perceived their fathers did not spend enough time with them.
Christie-Mizell suggests fathers designate times for parent-child interaction to optimize children’s perceptions of time spent. For example, he says, make sure a child knows every Saturday morning he or she can expect to have breakfast with or play ball with their dad.
“Children need to know they have this scheduled time and it’s important for fathers to try and keep to the schedule as much as possible,” he said. “If fathers have to miss, then it’s also important that they explain to the child why they have to miss their scheduled time and how what they are doing instead affects their family.”
Perceptions of time spent with fathers in particular were found to have the most significant impact on bullying behavior. The findings surprised Christie-Mizell, who hypothesized that mothers’ working hours would have the greatest impact on the degree of bullying exhibited by children.
“The findings about fathers and mothers are important because it turns what most of us think is conventional wisdom – that mothers have the most influence on children – on its ear,” Christie-Mizell said. “What this research shows is that while it’s equally important for kids to spend time with both parents, fathers need to make an extra effort.”
Bullying behavior was measured using a scale called the Behavioral Problem Index (BPI) designed to evaluate childhood behavioral syndromes. The measurements were based on factors such as cruelty to others, disobedience at school, hanging around troublemaking kids, strong tempers, and lack of remorse for misbehavior.
Mothers’ work hours actually showed little to no impact on bullying. Christie-Mizell believes this is because children view their mothers as being more easily accessible. Bullying behavior was notably increased, however, in children who perceived their fathers did not spend enough time with them.
Christie-Mizell suggests fathers designate times for parent-child interaction to optimize children’s perceptions of time spent. For example, he says, make sure a child knows every Saturday morning he or she can expect to have breakfast with or play ball with their dad.
“Children need to know they have this scheduled time and it’s important for fathers to try and keep to the schedule as much as possible,” he said. “If fathers have to miss, then it’s also important that they explain to the child why they have to miss their scheduled time and how what they are doing instead affects their family.”
News Article: Adolescent Girls Who Spend More Time on Facebook, More Likely to Develop Eating Disorders
A recent study has discovered that the more time adolescent girls spend in front of the computer on Facebook, the higher their chances are for developing negative body images and eating disorders. The study was conducted by the University of Haifa.
The purpose of the research was to investigate the relationship between girls’ internet and television viewing habits and the presence of eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and exaggerated dieting. The study contained a group of 248 girls between the ages of 12 and 19 years old (average age: 14.8 years old). The girls completed questionnaires regarding the topics of investigation.
Of all the media content, the findings related to Facebook stuck out in particular. The study found that girls who spent the most time on Facebook suffered the most from symptoms of bulimia and anorexia and also had the highest levels of reported physical dissatisfaction, negative self-image, negative approach to eating, and urge to be on a diet.
Although high levels of internet exposure to fashion and music content correlated with these tendencies as well, they were not related to as many types of eating disorders as extensive Facebook exposure was. Another important finding was that the higher a girl’s level of self-empowerment was, the lower her chances were for developing an eating disorder. And self-empowerment was found to be associated with parenting practices.
“The study has shown that a parent has the potential ability to prevent dangerous behavioral disorders and negative eating behavior in particular,” the researchers said.
Daughters of parents who were involved in their media usage – who knew what they were viewing, who viewed media content along with them, and engaged in critical discussions with their daughters about the content – showed higher levels of self-empowerment which protected against eating disorders.
Those parents who were not involved in their daughter’s media usage – who were unaware of what their daughters were viewing and did not engage in discussions about their daughter’s media consumption habits – had daughters with lower levels of self-empowerment who were more likely to develop eating disorders.
The purpose of the research was to investigate the relationship between girls’ internet and television viewing habits and the presence of eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and exaggerated dieting. The study contained a group of 248 girls between the ages of 12 and 19 years old (average age: 14.8 years old). The girls completed questionnaires regarding the topics of investigation.
Of all the media content, the findings related to Facebook stuck out in particular. The study found that girls who spent the most time on Facebook suffered the most from symptoms of bulimia and anorexia and also had the highest levels of reported physical dissatisfaction, negative self-image, negative approach to eating, and urge to be on a diet.
Although high levels of internet exposure to fashion and music content correlated with these tendencies as well, they were not related to as many types of eating disorders as extensive Facebook exposure was. Another important finding was that the higher a girl’s level of self-empowerment was, the lower her chances were for developing an eating disorder. And self-empowerment was found to be associated with parenting practices.
“The study has shown that a parent has the potential ability to prevent dangerous behavioral disorders and negative eating behavior in particular,” the researchers said.
Daughters of parents who were involved in their media usage – who knew what they were viewing, who viewed media content along with them, and engaged in critical discussions with their daughters about the content – showed higher levels of self-empowerment which protected against eating disorders.
Those parents who were not involved in their daughter’s media usage – who were unaware of what their daughters were viewing and did not engage in discussions about their daughter’s media consumption habits – had daughters with lower levels of self-empowerment who were more likely to develop eating disorders.
News Article: More Evidence to Support that Alzheimer’s is More Likely to Be Inherited from Mother
Years of evidence has suggested that one is more likely to inherit Alzheimer’s disease from their mother than from their father, and a new study has reaffirmed this theory. The study was published in the March 1, 2011 print issue of Neurology.
It has been estimated that those whose parents had Alzheimer’s disease are four to 10 times more likely to develop the disease themselves than those with no family history, study author, Robyn Honea of Kansas School of Medicine, said.
The study involved 53 dementia-free participants ages 60 and over who were followed for a period of two years. Eleven of the 53 had a mother with Alzheimer’s disease, 10 had a father with the disease and 32 had no history of the disease in their family. Throughout the study, the participants were given brain scans and cognitive tests.
The results showed that those whose mothers had Alzheimer’s experienced twice as much gray matter shrinkage in the brain – a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease – than those who had a father or no parent with the disease. Also those whose mothers had Alzheimer’s showed roughly one and a half times more brain shrinkage – another occurrence in Alzheimer’s disease – per year compared with those whose fathers had the disease.
“Understanding how the disease may be inherited could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies,” said Honea.
It has been estimated that those whose parents had Alzheimer’s disease are four to 10 times more likely to develop the disease themselves than those with no family history, study author, Robyn Honea of Kansas School of Medicine, said.
The study involved 53 dementia-free participants ages 60 and over who were followed for a period of two years. Eleven of the 53 had a mother with Alzheimer’s disease, 10 had a father with the disease and 32 had no history of the disease in their family. Throughout the study, the participants were given brain scans and cognitive tests.
The results showed that those whose mothers had Alzheimer’s experienced twice as much gray matter shrinkage in the brain – a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease – than those who had a father or no parent with the disease. Also those whose mothers had Alzheimer’s showed roughly one and a half times more brain shrinkage – another occurrence in Alzheimer’s disease – per year compared with those whose fathers had the disease.
“Understanding how the disease may be inherited could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies,” said Honea.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
News Article: Tart Cherries May Help Speed Muscle Recovery
New research suggests that tart cherries can help athletes recover from muscle damage faster after a strenuous workout. The research was published in the American college of Sports Medicine’s journal, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
Researchers gave ten trained athletes 1 ounce of an antioxidant-filled tart cherry juice concentrate twice a day for seven days before and two days after a session of intense strength training. The athletes’ recovery time improved significantly with the aid of the cherry juice concentrate. Athletes returned to 90 percent of normal muscle force within 24 hours with the aid of the cherry concentrate, compared to only 85 percent without cherry concentrate – which is a significant percentage difference when it comes to the effect it could have on an athlete’s next performance.
This research is the most recent of many studies which have linked cherries to muscle recovery. Researchers believe that cherries’ anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds are the major contributors to quicker muscle recovery.
“Cherries are what I call an ultimate super food,” said registered dietitian and author, Dr. Wendy Bazilian. “Not only are they a perfect complement to a training routine since they’re available year-round in dried, frozen, and juice forms, but they taste great.”
Researchers gave ten trained athletes 1 ounce of an antioxidant-filled tart cherry juice concentrate twice a day for seven days before and two days after a session of intense strength training. The athletes’ recovery time improved significantly with the aid of the cherry juice concentrate. Athletes returned to 90 percent of normal muscle force within 24 hours with the aid of the cherry concentrate, compared to only 85 percent without cherry concentrate – which is a significant percentage difference when it comes to the effect it could have on an athlete’s next performance.
This research is the most recent of many studies which have linked cherries to muscle recovery. Researchers believe that cherries’ anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds are the major contributors to quicker muscle recovery.
“Cherries are what I call an ultimate super food,” said registered dietitian and author, Dr. Wendy Bazilian. “Not only are they a perfect complement to a training routine since they’re available year-round in dried, frozen, and juice forms, but they taste great.”
News Article: Visualizing and Planning are Key to Healthier Eating
The best way to improve eating habits is to create an action plan to do so and visualize yourself carrying that plan out, McGill researchers report in their study recently published in Psychology and Health. In the study, 177 students aimed to consume more fruit over the next week than they had before.
Although all of the participants consumed more fruit that week than they had before, those who planned and visualized were significantly more successful. Those students who wrote down an action plan and visualized in their minds how they were going to carry out that plan – where, how, and when they would buy, prepare and eat more fruit – wound up consuming twice as much fruit as those who simply decided to eat more fruit without visualizing and planning how they would do so.
Researchers borrowed the visualization techniques used in the study from sports psychology.
“Athletes do lots of work mentally rehearsing their performances before competing and it’s often very successful,” said researcher, Bärbel Knäuper of McGill’s Department of Psychology. “So we thought having people mentally rehearse how they were going to buy and eat their fruit should make it more likely that they would actually do it and this is exactly what happened.”
The researchers conclude that their study has pointed to a simple, yet effective method of making healthier choices.
Although all of the participants consumed more fruit that week than they had before, those who planned and visualized were significantly more successful. Those students who wrote down an action plan and visualized in their minds how they were going to carry out that plan – where, how, and when they would buy, prepare and eat more fruit – wound up consuming twice as much fruit as those who simply decided to eat more fruit without visualizing and planning how they would do so.
Researchers borrowed the visualization techniques used in the study from sports psychology.
“Athletes do lots of work mentally rehearsing their performances before competing and it’s often very successful,” said researcher, Bärbel Knäuper of McGill’s Department of Psychology. “So we thought having people mentally rehearse how they were going to buy and eat their fruit should make it more likely that they would actually do it and this is exactly what happened.”
The researchers conclude that their study has pointed to a simple, yet effective method of making healthier choices.
News Article: New Dietary Guidelines May Lower U.S. Cancer Rates
The recently released 2010 Dietary Guidelines were welcomed enthusiastically by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). AICR is a leading American cancer research organization that concentrates on the role of diet, weight, and physical activity on cancer risk and survival. AICR experts say the Dietary Guidelines put the emphasis in all the right areas when it comes to cancer prevention, particularly the area relating obesity to cancer risk.
“We’re thrilled to see obesity prevention, and thus cancer prevention, being placed front-and-center where they belong,” AICR researcher, Susan Higginbotham said.
A major area of emphasis in the Guidelines was the benefits of a plant-based diet; the importance of consuming fresh vegetables and fruits was heavily stressed.
“For years, the science on cancer risk has shown that diets emphasizing a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans are cancer-protective,” Higginbotham affirmed.
The Guidelines also emphasized avoiding sugary drinks and highly processed, calorie-dense foods, and limiting sodium intake. The link between excess body fat and the development of many types of cancers has been increasingly strengthened. Colecretal, esophageal, endometrial, kidney, pancreas, post-menopausal breast, and gallbladder cancers have all been linked to obesity.
Experts at AICR say that the 2010 Dietary Guidelines clearly present the best advice for preventing not only cancer and obesity, but heart disease and many other chronic diseases as well. An estimated 1/3 of the most common types of cancer could have been prevented through healthy diets and increased physical activity, according to AICR.
“What the Dietary Guidelines are saying is we must all work to make it easier for Americans to make healthy choices. That's something we at AICR agree with,” Higginbotham said.
“We’re thrilled to see obesity prevention, and thus cancer prevention, being placed front-and-center where they belong,” AICR researcher, Susan Higginbotham said.
A major area of emphasis in the Guidelines was the benefits of a plant-based diet; the importance of consuming fresh vegetables and fruits was heavily stressed.
“For years, the science on cancer risk has shown that diets emphasizing a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans are cancer-protective,” Higginbotham affirmed.
The Guidelines also emphasized avoiding sugary drinks and highly processed, calorie-dense foods, and limiting sodium intake. The link between excess body fat and the development of many types of cancers has been increasingly strengthened. Colecretal, esophageal, endometrial, kidney, pancreas, post-menopausal breast, and gallbladder cancers have all been linked to obesity.
Experts at AICR say that the 2010 Dietary Guidelines clearly present the best advice for preventing not only cancer and obesity, but heart disease and many other chronic diseases as well. An estimated 1/3 of the most common types of cancer could have been prevented through healthy diets and increased physical activity, according to AICR.
“What the Dietary Guidelines are saying is we must all work to make it easier for Americans to make healthy choices. That's something we at AICR agree with,” Higginbotham said.
News Article: Facelift Aftermath – Overall, Patients Feel Younger, More Confident, and Happier
A detailed analysis on the outcomes of 122 facelift patients’ procedures found that the overwhelming majority felt highly satisfied with their results and rated themselves as looking an average of 12 years younger than before the surgery. The study appeared in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and involved 122 (82 women and 11 men) patients who had undergone facelifts between 2002 and 2007.
"These findings support the recommendation of surgical facial rejuvenation to patients who wish to look younger," plastic surgeon, Dr. Eric Swanson of Leawood, Kansas, writes.
The average age of the participants was 57 years old and most had other cosmetic procedures done at the same time as their facelift. Ninety-seven percent of patients reported that the results met their expectations while 40% rated their results as better than they had expected.
Nearly 90% said they received positive reactions from others in regards to their new appearance while only 7% received negative reactions. Over 80% of patients said their self-esteem was improved after the surgery and 70% reported improved quality of life as well.
Over one-third reported some kind of complication, though most were temporary problems and only 2% claimed to be unhappy with their scars. On a scale from 1 to 10 the average pain rating was 5, lasting an average of ten days. Recovery time was extensive, averaging 24 days off from work.
Patients were able to resume driving after about two weeks and sleep comfortably again after two and a half weeks. Patients reported it took about a month before they looked “presentable” to be seen in public and two and a half months before they felt they were “back to normal.”
"Well-informed patients are more likely to be satisfied,” Dr. Swanson concluded.
"These findings support the recommendation of surgical facial rejuvenation to patients who wish to look younger," plastic surgeon, Dr. Eric Swanson of Leawood, Kansas, writes.
The average age of the participants was 57 years old and most had other cosmetic procedures done at the same time as their facelift. Ninety-seven percent of patients reported that the results met their expectations while 40% rated their results as better than they had expected.
Nearly 90% said they received positive reactions from others in regards to their new appearance while only 7% received negative reactions. Over 80% of patients said their self-esteem was improved after the surgery and 70% reported improved quality of life as well.
Over one-third reported some kind of complication, though most were temporary problems and only 2% claimed to be unhappy with their scars. On a scale from 1 to 10 the average pain rating was 5, lasting an average of ten days. Recovery time was extensive, averaging 24 days off from work.
Patients were able to resume driving after about two weeks and sleep comfortably again after two and a half weeks. Patients reported it took about a month before they looked “presentable” to be seen in public and two and a half months before they felt they were “back to normal.”
"Well-informed patients are more likely to be satisfied,” Dr. Swanson concluded.
News Article: Many Women Want Medical Help for Sexual Issues After Cancer Treatment, But Few Receive It
A new study shows that over 40 percent of women who survive breast and gynecologic cancers desire medical help for post-treatment sexual issues, but few get such help. The study consisted of a survey of 261 cancer survivors and was published online in the journal, Cancer.
A woman’s sexuality is impacted both physically and psychologically after cancer treatment, senior author of the study, Stacy Tessler Lindau, MD, said. Sexual issues after gynecological and breast cancer treatments are well documented; in addition to a number of physical sexual problems, many cancer survivors struggle with body-image problems due to appearance changes because of treatment. However doctors rarely talk to women about cancer’s impact on their sexuality.
The average age of the survey participants was 55 years old. Forty-two percent said they were interested in receiving medical help for sexual problems, while on 7 percent of the patients surveyed reported having asked for such help. The results of the surveys reveal a significant, unmet need of women who survive gynecologic and breast cancers, the authors said.
“Anything that affects the female sexual organs will have repercussions on body image and on a woman’s sex life,” said lead author of the study, Emily Hill, MD.
Lindau is the director of the clinic Program in Integrative Sexual Medicine for Women and Girls with Cancer (PRISM) at the University of Chicago. The PRISM clinic was started in 2008 and is staffed with specialists in gynecology, psychology, physical therapy oncology, and nursing to comprehensively address female sexual concerns, post-cancer. It is one of the few such clinics in the nation to offer such a program. Lindau is working with other physicians in both Illinois and around the country to help build similar programs nationwide.
A woman’s sexuality is impacted both physically and psychologically after cancer treatment, senior author of the study, Stacy Tessler Lindau, MD, said. Sexual issues after gynecological and breast cancer treatments are well documented; in addition to a number of physical sexual problems, many cancer survivors struggle with body-image problems due to appearance changes because of treatment. However doctors rarely talk to women about cancer’s impact on their sexuality.
The average age of the survey participants was 55 years old. Forty-two percent said they were interested in receiving medical help for sexual problems, while on 7 percent of the patients surveyed reported having asked for such help. The results of the surveys reveal a significant, unmet need of women who survive gynecologic and breast cancers, the authors said.
“Anything that affects the female sexual organs will have repercussions on body image and on a woman’s sex life,” said lead author of the study, Emily Hill, MD.
Lindau is the director of the clinic Program in Integrative Sexual Medicine for Women and Girls with Cancer (PRISM) at the University of Chicago. The PRISM clinic was started in 2008 and is staffed with specialists in gynecology, psychology, physical therapy oncology, and nursing to comprehensively address female sexual concerns, post-cancer. It is one of the few such clinics in the nation to offer such a program. Lindau is working with other physicians in both Illinois and around the country to help build similar programs nationwide.
News Article: Americans’ Allergy Knowledge Could Use Some Improvement
A recent survey conducted by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) found that only 21% of Americans realize that allergists are the best doctors for treating allergies and only 38% recognize allergies as a serious condition that can be life-threatening. The survey, conducted online in January 2011, consisted of 1,020 Americans (503 men and 517 women) and was a representative sample size of adults over 18.
While only 21% of Americans correctly identified allergists as the type of doctors who should be seen for optimal treatment of allergies, 29% named a general practitioner, family doctor or internist, and another 29% said they did not know. Participants with allergies didn’t do much better; only 23% of those with allergies named an allergist as the appropriate specialist to treat their condition.
Women were more likely to recognize allergies as a serious condition that could cause death than men – nearly half of women compared to only 30% of men. Also, those with allergies were less likely to recognize their condition as serious than those without. One quarter of those suffering from allergies thought that allergies were not serious, though they can make you miserable compared to only 19% of those without allergies.
“Allergies can make you miserable and sufferers need to know that allergists are the best trained specialists to treat anyone with allergic conditions,” said Stanley Fineman, M.D., president-elect of the ACAAI. “Allergists conduct appropriate testing to identify what’s triggering the allergy, its severity, and the best treatment plan. No one needs to suffer. We can help all patients find relief.”
Approximately 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies, according to the ACAAI. To find an allergist and to improve your allergy knowledge, visit AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org.
While only 21% of Americans correctly identified allergists as the type of doctors who should be seen for optimal treatment of allergies, 29% named a general practitioner, family doctor or internist, and another 29% said they did not know. Participants with allergies didn’t do much better; only 23% of those with allergies named an allergist as the appropriate specialist to treat their condition.
Women were more likely to recognize allergies as a serious condition that could cause death than men – nearly half of women compared to only 30% of men. Also, those with allergies were less likely to recognize their condition as serious than those without. One quarter of those suffering from allergies thought that allergies were not serious, though they can make you miserable compared to only 19% of those without allergies.
“Allergies can make you miserable and sufferers need to know that allergists are the best trained specialists to treat anyone with allergic conditions,” said Stanley Fineman, M.D., president-elect of the ACAAI. “Allergists conduct appropriate testing to identify what’s triggering the allergy, its severity, and the best treatment plan. No one needs to suffer. We can help all patients find relief.”
Approximately 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies, according to the ACAAI. To find an allergist and to improve your allergy knowledge, visit AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org.
News Article: Cell Phones and Brain Health
Experts from Environmental Health Trust (EHT) report that cell phone radiation has been proven to excite the brain in specific ways, calling for the need of a major research program on cell phones and brain health. EHT is a nonprofit research and educational group.
Researchers led by the director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse have found that only 50 minutes of cell phone radiation significantly affects brain function. These affects dealt with changes in the metabolism of glucose, the brain’s main fuel source. Chair of EHT’s Board, Dr. Ronald B. Herbman, said the reports indicated that even short-term direct exposure to cell phones can increase glucose in the brain.
“We know that increased glucose also occurs with infections and other inflammatory processes and leads to the production of potentially damaging reactive oxygen radicals that can alter the ways that cells and genes work,” Herbman said.
Senior Science Advisor to EHT, Lloyd Morgan, explained how increased glucose in the brain indicates excitability. The areas of the brain where glucose levels were increased due to cell phone use were areas involved in sensing, decision making and repression of antisocial behavior to name a few, Morgan reported.
The major health concerns regarding cell phone use include the risks for developing brain tumors or brain cancer after heavy, long-term use. Until further research is carried out, EHT encourages all people to take simple precautions to reduce their exposure to microwave radiation from cell phones. Recommendations include using speakerphones and headsets, reducing call time, choosing texting over calling as often as possible, and limiting children’s use of cell phones especially.
EHT is currently working with experts and governments of the United States, Finland, France and Israel to encourage a major research program dedicated to discovering more about cell phone use and impact on the brain.
Researchers led by the director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse have found that only 50 minutes of cell phone radiation significantly affects brain function. These affects dealt with changes in the metabolism of glucose, the brain’s main fuel source. Chair of EHT’s Board, Dr. Ronald B. Herbman, said the reports indicated that even short-term direct exposure to cell phones can increase glucose in the brain.
“We know that increased glucose also occurs with infections and other inflammatory processes and leads to the production of potentially damaging reactive oxygen radicals that can alter the ways that cells and genes work,” Herbman said.
Senior Science Advisor to EHT, Lloyd Morgan, explained how increased glucose in the brain indicates excitability. The areas of the brain where glucose levels were increased due to cell phone use were areas involved in sensing, decision making and repression of antisocial behavior to name a few, Morgan reported.
The major health concerns regarding cell phone use include the risks for developing brain tumors or brain cancer after heavy, long-term use. Until further research is carried out, EHT encourages all people to take simple precautions to reduce their exposure to microwave radiation from cell phones. Recommendations include using speakerphones and headsets, reducing call time, choosing texting over calling as often as possible, and limiting children’s use of cell phones especially.
EHT is currently working with experts and governments of the United States, Finland, France and Israel to encourage a major research program dedicated to discovering more about cell phone use and impact on the brain.
News Article: Vitamin D Deficiencies Linked to Allergies in Children
A nationally representative study of over 3,000 children indicates that low levels of vitamin D are associated with allergy development in children. The study was published in the February 17 online edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Researchers investigated Vitamin D levels in blood collected from over 3,100 children and adolescents and 3,400 adults between 2005 and 2006. A blood test that measured sensitivity to 17 different types of allergens was conducted. No correlation between vitamin D levels and allergies was found in adults; however, in children and adolescents, correlations between low vitamin D and sensitivity to 11 of the 17 allergens tested were found. Among these were environmental allergens such as dog and ragweed allergies as well as food allergies.
Further, children who had vitamin D deficiencies were found to be 2.4 times more likely to have peanut allergies than children with sufficient vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as having less than 15 nanograms of the vitamin per milliliter of blood whereas sufficient vitamin D was defined as having more than 30 nanograms of the vitamin per milliliter of blood.
Researchers emphasize these discoveries only indicate correlation, not causation between vitamin D deficiency and allergies in children. However, senior author of the study, Michal Melamed, still stresses the importance of children consuming adequate amounts of vitamin D.
Researchers investigated Vitamin D levels in blood collected from over 3,100 children and adolescents and 3,400 adults between 2005 and 2006. A blood test that measured sensitivity to 17 different types of allergens was conducted. No correlation between vitamin D levels and allergies was found in adults; however, in children and adolescents, correlations between low vitamin D and sensitivity to 11 of the 17 allergens tested were found. Among these were environmental allergens such as dog and ragweed allergies as well as food allergies.
Further, children who had vitamin D deficiencies were found to be 2.4 times more likely to have peanut allergies than children with sufficient vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as having less than 15 nanograms of the vitamin per milliliter of blood whereas sufficient vitamin D was defined as having more than 30 nanograms of the vitamin per milliliter of blood.
Researchers emphasize these discoveries only indicate correlation, not causation between vitamin D deficiency and allergies in children. However, senior author of the study, Michal Melamed, still stresses the importance of children consuming adequate amounts of vitamin D.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
News Article: Trans-fats May Increase Risk for Depression
Eating fatty “comfort” foods to cheer you up may do just the opposite, according to new research that linked increased trans-fat consumption to increased risk of depression. The study was conducted in Spain and tracked the dietary habits, mental health, and lifestyles of 12,059 college graduates over the course of six years.
None of the participants had depression at the beginning of the study, but by the end of the six-year period, 657 cases were identified through self-reported questionnaires filled out every two years. The study showed a correlation between increased trans-fat consumption and the development of depression. Those who derived the highest percentage of their daily calories (at least 0.6%) from trans-fats had a 42% increased risk of depression compared to those who consumed the least amount of trans-fats.
For Americans, these results are especially bad news, but also especially important. The average Spaniard derives 0.6% of his or her daily calorie intake from trans-fats whereas trans-fats account for a whopping 2.5% of the average American’s daily calories. Even worse is that most Spaniards get their trans-fats from natural sources such as milk, butter, meat, and cheese whereas Americans get many of their trans-fats from processed snack foods, fried or fast food. In short, not only do Americans eat more overall, but they also consume worse quality food than Spaniards do.
The authors also point out that high trans-fat intake is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and that many individuals with cardiovascular disease are also depressed. It is suggested that these two conditions may share a common cause.
“Bad fat (trans-fat) increases inflammation in the body. In the heart, that contributes to the buildup of plaque that can cause heart disease. In the brain, substances secreted by inflammation may interfere with neurotransmitters that affect mood,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
The authors admit the study cannot offer a definitive answer as to whether trans-fat intake contributes to depression or whether those who are prone to depression chose poorer quality diets. However the researchers did exclude cases of depression that were diagnosed within the first two years of the study, which significantly strengthens the notion that trans-fat consumption comes before depression.
None of the participants had depression at the beginning of the study, but by the end of the six-year period, 657 cases were identified through self-reported questionnaires filled out every two years. The study showed a correlation between increased trans-fat consumption and the development of depression. Those who derived the highest percentage of their daily calories (at least 0.6%) from trans-fats had a 42% increased risk of depression compared to those who consumed the least amount of trans-fats.
For Americans, these results are especially bad news, but also especially important. The average Spaniard derives 0.6% of his or her daily calorie intake from trans-fats whereas trans-fats account for a whopping 2.5% of the average American’s daily calories. Even worse is that most Spaniards get their trans-fats from natural sources such as milk, butter, meat, and cheese whereas Americans get many of their trans-fats from processed snack foods, fried or fast food. In short, not only do Americans eat more overall, but they also consume worse quality food than Spaniards do.
The authors also point out that high trans-fat intake is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and that many individuals with cardiovascular disease are also depressed. It is suggested that these two conditions may share a common cause.
“Bad fat (trans-fat) increases inflammation in the body. In the heart, that contributes to the buildup of plaque that can cause heart disease. In the brain, substances secreted by inflammation may interfere with neurotransmitters that affect mood,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
The authors admit the study cannot offer a definitive answer as to whether trans-fat intake contributes to depression or whether those who are prone to depression chose poorer quality diets. However the researchers did exclude cases of depression that were diagnosed within the first two years of the study, which significantly strengthens the notion that trans-fat consumption comes before depression.
News Article: Risk of Hypertension in Egg-Donated Pregnancies
Women impregnated as a result of egg donation are often categorized as high-risk patients. The reasoning for this was recently explored in an article from the University Hospital Aachen in Germany. Their report is contains information that any woman who is considering receiving an egg donation should know.
The authors of the article used data from cases they had encountered in their own hospital to support their assessment. In reviewing their case files, they reported that within the past four years, eight women who had received egg donations had to receive treatment for pregnancy-induced hypertension. Three of these eight pregnancies had to be terminated due to a threat to the mother’s life. The other five had milder hypertension.
The authors say women should be aware of the risk of hypertensive disorder associated with egg donated pregnancy. They recommend women who choose egg donation should be closely monitored by their doctors throughout their pregnancy and that doctors should give such patients specialized materno-fetal medicine.
The authors of the article used data from cases they had encountered in their own hospital to support their assessment. In reviewing their case files, they reported that within the past four years, eight women who had received egg donations had to receive treatment for pregnancy-induced hypertension. Three of these eight pregnancies had to be terminated due to a threat to the mother’s life. The other five had milder hypertension.
The authors say women should be aware of the risk of hypertensive disorder associated with egg donated pregnancy. They recommend women who choose egg donation should be closely monitored by their doctors throughout their pregnancy and that doctors should give such patients specialized materno-fetal medicine.
News Article: Link Between Economic Insecurity, Stress, and Obesity
American University researchers claim that the obesity crisis could be due in part to growing economic insecurity, stress, and a sense of powerlessness in nations where high-sugar and high-fat foods pervade. For the first time in the world’s history, there are currently more overweight than underweight adults worldwide.
“When I began looking into the issue of obesity, I realized the most overweight are the least privileged members of society,” researcher, Jon D. Wisman said. “It was those people who possessed the least control over their lives and thus suffer the greatest insecurity and stress.”
Wisman said that the least privileged tended to be minorities, and amongst the minorities, the most overweight tended to be women. Wisman also pointed out how stress increases cortisol production in the body and increases in cortisol cause the body’s appetite for high fat and high sugar foods to increase as well.
In addition, the researchers indicated that technological advancement and economic progress have increased incomes and lowered the cost of food, therefore promoting greater calorie intake. At the same time technological advancement and economic progress have also decreased calorie expenditure.
Since 1980, the number of Americans who are obese has doubled. Although the researchers acknowledge economic insecurity cannot account entirely for this, they point out that 1980 marked the beginning of a time period of mass economic insecurity – with increasing health care costs, economic uncertainty, unemployment, and stress.
To further support the notion that increased economic insecurity has led to increased obesity, the researchers also indicated how obesity did not increase between 1960 and 1980. During that 20-year span, unemployment was low and many social programs which reduced economic insecurity significantly had been put into place.
“The (obesity) epidemic really began around 1980 when the safety nets began to fall apart,” Wisman said. “It is going to take a serious reassessment of social organization in order to fix this situation.”
“When I began looking into the issue of obesity, I realized the most overweight are the least privileged members of society,” researcher, Jon D. Wisman said. “It was those people who possessed the least control over their lives and thus suffer the greatest insecurity and stress.”
Wisman said that the least privileged tended to be minorities, and amongst the minorities, the most overweight tended to be women. Wisman also pointed out how stress increases cortisol production in the body and increases in cortisol cause the body’s appetite for high fat and high sugar foods to increase as well.
In addition, the researchers indicated that technological advancement and economic progress have increased incomes and lowered the cost of food, therefore promoting greater calorie intake. At the same time technological advancement and economic progress have also decreased calorie expenditure.
Since 1980, the number of Americans who are obese has doubled. Although the researchers acknowledge economic insecurity cannot account entirely for this, they point out that 1980 marked the beginning of a time period of mass economic insecurity – with increasing health care costs, economic uncertainty, unemployment, and stress.
To further support the notion that increased economic insecurity has led to increased obesity, the researchers also indicated how obesity did not increase between 1960 and 1980. During that 20-year span, unemployment was low and many social programs which reduced economic insecurity significantly had been put into place.
“The (obesity) epidemic really began around 1980 when the safety nets began to fall apart,” Wisman said. “It is going to take a serious reassessment of social organization in order to fix this situation.”
News Article: Yearly Mammograms Starting at Age 40 Save 71% More Lives than Standard Procedure
A new study challenges the current U.S. Preventative Service Task Force recommendations for breast cancer screenings, as it shows mammograms performed on younger women more frequently than recommended result in more lives saved. The research appears in the February issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.
The Task Force’s current recommendations are that women should be screened every other year from ages 50-74, whereas the American Cancer Society recommends that women should be screened every year from ages 40-84. The study found that the Task Force’s recommendations reduced cancer deaths by 23 percent whereas the American Cancer Society’s recommendations reduced cancer deaths by 40 percent – a difference of 71% more lives saved.
“Mammography is one of the few screening tools that has been proven to save lives and our analysis shows that for maximum survival, annual screenings beginning at 40 is best,” said director of breast imaging at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mark Helvie, M.D.
The current breast cancer statistics, according to the American Cancer Society, are that 209,060 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 40,230 will die from the disease.
“This data gives women more information to make an informed choice about the screening schedule that’s best for them,” Helvie added.
The Task Force’s current recommendations are that women should be screened every other year from ages 50-74, whereas the American Cancer Society recommends that women should be screened every year from ages 40-84. The study found that the Task Force’s recommendations reduced cancer deaths by 23 percent whereas the American Cancer Society’s recommendations reduced cancer deaths by 40 percent – a difference of 71% more lives saved.
“Mammography is one of the few screening tools that has been proven to save lives and our analysis shows that for maximum survival, annual screenings beginning at 40 is best,” said director of breast imaging at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mark Helvie, M.D.
The current breast cancer statistics, according to the American Cancer Society, are that 209,060 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 40,230 will die from the disease.
“This data gives women more information to make an informed choice about the screening schedule that’s best for them,” Helvie added.
News Article: Increasing Numbers of Girls are Entering Early Puberty
A recent study on breast development in young American girls has shown that higher numbers of girls are beginning puberty at ages 7 and 8 than there were 30 or even 10 years ago. The study was published in an online paper called Pediatrics.
The data examined was gathered from 1,239 girls between the ages of 6 and 8 from New York City, Cincinnati, and the San Francisco Bay area. The data showed higher proportions of girls with early breast development than were found in studies done 10 and 30 years prior.
Of the five stages of breast development, known as the Tanner Breast Stages, 10.4% of white, 23.4% of black, and 14.9% of Hispanic girls had reached breast stage 2 or higher by age 7. And by age 8, 18.3% of white, 42.9% of black, and 30.9% of Hispanic girls had reached breast stage 2 or higher. The percentage of early breast development in white girls showed the greatest increase when compared to earlier studies.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Frank Biro, and his colleagues said their study was not representative of all girls in the U.S. and that further research would be needed to gain an accurate sample. However, Biro asserts that if this is an accurate population-wide trend, it could have important health implications that would need to be considered.
Previous studies have shown that girls who reach puberty earlier run a higher risk of breast cancer later in life. They are also more likely to engage in risky behavior. Also, due to the fact that girls who enter puberty earlier are psychologically younger than they appear and may be expected to act older, their emotional and mental development can be affected. Other studies have shown that girls who enter early puberty are at higher risk for depression as well.
As for what the reasons for these findings could be, researchers could only speculate. A correlation was found between BMI and breast development; more obese girls with higher BMIs tended to reach puberty earlier than girls with lower BMIs. Biro said that increasing obesity rates could have something to do with earlier puberty rates.
The data examined was gathered from 1,239 girls between the ages of 6 and 8 from New York City, Cincinnati, and the San Francisco Bay area. The data showed higher proportions of girls with early breast development than were found in studies done 10 and 30 years prior.
Of the five stages of breast development, known as the Tanner Breast Stages, 10.4% of white, 23.4% of black, and 14.9% of Hispanic girls had reached breast stage 2 or higher by age 7. And by age 8, 18.3% of white, 42.9% of black, and 30.9% of Hispanic girls had reached breast stage 2 or higher. The percentage of early breast development in white girls showed the greatest increase when compared to earlier studies.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Frank Biro, and his colleagues said their study was not representative of all girls in the U.S. and that further research would be needed to gain an accurate sample. However, Biro asserts that if this is an accurate population-wide trend, it could have important health implications that would need to be considered.
Previous studies have shown that girls who reach puberty earlier run a higher risk of breast cancer later in life. They are also more likely to engage in risky behavior. Also, due to the fact that girls who enter puberty earlier are psychologically younger than they appear and may be expected to act older, their emotional and mental development can be affected. Other studies have shown that girls who enter early puberty are at higher risk for depression as well.
As for what the reasons for these findings could be, researchers could only speculate. A correlation was found between BMI and breast development; more obese girls with higher BMIs tended to reach puberty earlier than girls with lower BMIs. Biro said that increasing obesity rates could have something to do with earlier puberty rates.
News Article: A Good Relationship Helps You Live Longer
A recent study that appeared in the British Medical Journal indicates that romantic relationships can be highly beneficial to overall health, so long as partners are chosen carefully. The study, led by researchers from Cardiff University in Wales, included one billion participants from across Europe and found that those in stable relationships had mortality rates fifteen percent lower than the general population’s.
The researchers found that marriage in particular increased both male and female longevity and tended to benefit wives mentally and husbands physically. It was also found that 18- to 25-year-olds involved in romantic relationships experienced better mental, but not physical health. Research also showed that those with several partners tended to have shorter lifespans than those in long-term relationships.
Despite the positive findings on romantic relationships in conjunction with overall health, researchers emphasize that it would be wrong to assume that any kind of romantic relationship is better than being single. In fact, singles enjoyed better mental health than those in strained relationships. Also, breaking up was, unsurprisingly, found to have a negative impact on the physical and mental health of both males and females.
However, the researchers concluded that avoiding relationships at the risk they might go wrong in order to prevent damage to health is not at all advisable. They encourage avoiding bad relationships but affirm that the benefits of a good one far outweigh the drawbacks of a bad one.
The researchers found that marriage in particular increased both male and female longevity and tended to benefit wives mentally and husbands physically. It was also found that 18- to 25-year-olds involved in romantic relationships experienced better mental, but not physical health. Research also showed that those with several partners tended to have shorter lifespans than those in long-term relationships.
Despite the positive findings on romantic relationships in conjunction with overall health, researchers emphasize that it would be wrong to assume that any kind of romantic relationship is better than being single. In fact, singles enjoyed better mental health than those in strained relationships. Also, breaking up was, unsurprisingly, found to have a negative impact on the physical and mental health of both males and females.
However, the researchers concluded that avoiding relationships at the risk they might go wrong in order to prevent damage to health is not at all advisable. They encourage avoiding bad relationships but affirm that the benefits of a good one far outweigh the drawbacks of a bad one.
News Article: Lightly Steamed Broccoli Contains Powerful Anti-Cancer Enzyme
Eating broccoli may significantly lower your risk of developing cancer because of the enzyme, myrosinase, it contains, researchers from the University of Illinois wrote in Nutrition and Cancer. Researchers warn that overcooking broccoli destroys the enzyme, so the vegetable must only be steamed lightly.
The health benefits of broccoli have been researched for years and another one of its ingredients, sulforphane, is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer qualities. Many people take broccoli powder supplements for this purpose.
However the authors of the study say, similar to overcooked broccoli, broccoli powder alone does not offer anywhere near as many health benefits as lightly steamed broccoli does. A major reason for this is because broccoli powder does not contain the myrosinase enzyme.
Researchers found that combining broccoli powder with sprouts of broccoli produced sulforaphane levels nearly twice as high as were produced by powder alone. The ingredients in broccoli have been found to lower not only your risk of cancer (breast and lung in particular), but heart disease as well, the authors added.
The health benefits of broccoli have been researched for years and another one of its ingredients, sulforphane, is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer qualities. Many people take broccoli powder supplements for this purpose.
However the authors of the study say, similar to overcooked broccoli, broccoli powder alone does not offer anywhere near as many health benefits as lightly steamed broccoli does. A major reason for this is because broccoli powder does not contain the myrosinase enzyme.
Researchers found that combining broccoli powder with sprouts of broccoli produced sulforaphane levels nearly twice as high as were produced by powder alone. The ingredients in broccoli have been found to lower not only your risk of cancer (breast and lung in particular), but heart disease as well, the authors added.
News Article: Lightly Steamed Broccoli Contains Powerful Anti-Cancer Enzyme
Eating broccoli may significantly lower your risk of developing cancer because of the enzyme, myrosinase, it contains, researchers from the University of Illinois wrote in Nutrition and Cancer. Researchers warn that overcooking broccoli destroys the enzyme, so the vegetable must only be steamed lightly.
The health benefits of broccoli have been researched for years and another one of its ingredients, sulforphane, is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer qualities. Many people take broccoli powder supplements for this purpose.
However the authors of the study say, similar to overcooked broccoli, broccoli powder alone does not offer anywhere near as many health benefits as lightly steamed broccoli does. A major reason for this is because broccoli powder does not contain the myrosinase enzyme.
Researchers found that combining broccoli powder with sprouts of broccoli produced sulforaphane levels nearly twice as high as were produced by powder alone. The ingredients in broccoli have been found to lower not only your risk of cancer (breast and lung in particular), but heart disease as well, the authors added.
The health benefits of broccoli have been researched for years and another one of its ingredients, sulforphane, is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer qualities. Many people take broccoli powder supplements for this purpose.
However the authors of the study say, similar to overcooked broccoli, broccoli powder alone does not offer anywhere near as many health benefits as lightly steamed broccoli does. A major reason for this is because broccoli powder does not contain the myrosinase enzyme.
Researchers found that combining broccoli powder with sprouts of broccoli produced sulforaphane levels nearly twice as high as were produced by powder alone. The ingredients in broccoli have been found to lower not only your risk of cancer (breast and lung in particular), but heart disease as well, the authors added.
News Article: When it Comes to New Year’s Resolutions, “Why” is More Important than “How”
Which is a more effective way to achieve your New Year’s goal – devising a detailed plan on how you will reach it or focusing on why you want to reach it? According to researcher and assistant professor, Julia Bayuk, the why is more important than the how.
Those who create detailed plans to achieve their New Year’s resolutions will have a harder time reaching their goals than those who simply think about their goal and remind themselves why they want to reach it, Bayuk says.
“Planning can actually make you more narrow minded,” Bayuk explained. “I might be so focused on this plan that when there’s other opportunities to achieve the same goal, I might not take advantage of them.”
She uses an example of a dieter who plans to restrict her calorie intake and passes up the chance to join a friend at the gym or for a walk. In one of the tests that Bayuk and her collaborators conducted, participants all wanted to achieve the goal of saving money.
Some were told to formulate a saving plan while others were told not to plan, but to think of all the reasons why they wanted to save money. Later, the participants were given the chance to buy snacks. The non-planners were much better at avoiding the temptation than the planners were.
Bayuk says that anyone with a New Year’s Resolution should forget about traditional, planning-based mindsets and instead focus on why. She suggests strategically placing notes around your house reminding yourself why your resolution matters.
Those who create detailed plans to achieve their New Year’s resolutions will have a harder time reaching their goals than those who simply think about their goal and remind themselves why they want to reach it, Bayuk says.
“Planning can actually make you more narrow minded,” Bayuk explained. “I might be so focused on this plan that when there’s other opportunities to achieve the same goal, I might not take advantage of them.”
She uses an example of a dieter who plans to restrict her calorie intake and passes up the chance to join a friend at the gym or for a walk. In one of the tests that Bayuk and her collaborators conducted, participants all wanted to achieve the goal of saving money.
Some were told to formulate a saving plan while others were told not to plan, but to think of all the reasons why they wanted to save money. Later, the participants were given the chance to buy snacks. The non-planners were much better at avoiding the temptation than the planners were.
Bayuk says that anyone with a New Year’s Resolution should forget about traditional, planning-based mindsets and instead focus on why. She suggests strategically placing notes around your house reminding yourself why your resolution matters.
News Article: Data Shows Increasing "Marriage Gap" Between Highly Educated and Moderately Educated Americans
The latest national data indicate that marriage amongst “moderately educated” Americans, a 58% majority, is in trouble whereas marriage is growing stronger amongst highly educated Americans. “Moderately educated” refers to those who have a high school diploma, possibly some post-secondary education, but no four-year college degree, also called “Middle Americans.”
Middle America is experiencing increased divorce and birth out-of-wedlock rates while the opposite is true amongst highly educated and affluent Americans whose marriages are growing more stable than ever. This is a result of what researchers call, a remarkable reversal of historic trends. Researchers are calling this the “marriage gap.”
Increases in unemployment, declines in religious attendance, and shifts in attitudes towards marriage are the major trends accounting for the retreat from marriage in Middle America. While educated Americans seem to be embracing pro-marriage mindsets, Middle Americans are losing faith in marriage.
What is known as the “marriage mindset” – religious attendance and faith in marriage as a way of life – is now stronger amongst highly educated Americans than in moderately educated Americans. Highly educated Americans are also now more likely to attend church on a weekly basis than moderately educated Americans, whereas in the ‘70s, the opposite was true.
Data shows that moderately educated Americans have also become dramatically more likely to have children outside of marriage. For example, in the early ‘80s, only 13% of babies born to moderately educated women were born outside of marriage. Nowadays, the rate of babies born outside of marriage amongst moderately educated mothers has soared up to 44%. Data also shows that divorce rights have gone up amongst the moderately educated and down amongst the highly educated.
“Marriage plays a central role in securing the American Dream…”sociologist, W. Bradford Wilcox of University of Virginia said. “Adults and children fortunate enough to live in an intact, married family are much more likely to succeed in school and the workplace, to acquire a home of their own, and to experience upward mobility.”
Wilcox believes this growing marriage gap should be a concern to all Americans.
Middle America is experiencing increased divorce and birth out-of-wedlock rates while the opposite is true amongst highly educated and affluent Americans whose marriages are growing more stable than ever. This is a result of what researchers call, a remarkable reversal of historic trends. Researchers are calling this the “marriage gap.”
Increases in unemployment, declines in religious attendance, and shifts in attitudes towards marriage are the major trends accounting for the retreat from marriage in Middle America. While educated Americans seem to be embracing pro-marriage mindsets, Middle Americans are losing faith in marriage.
What is known as the “marriage mindset” – religious attendance and faith in marriage as a way of life – is now stronger amongst highly educated Americans than in moderately educated Americans. Highly educated Americans are also now more likely to attend church on a weekly basis than moderately educated Americans, whereas in the ‘70s, the opposite was true.
Data shows that moderately educated Americans have also become dramatically more likely to have children outside of marriage. For example, in the early ‘80s, only 13% of babies born to moderately educated women were born outside of marriage. Nowadays, the rate of babies born outside of marriage amongst moderately educated mothers has soared up to 44%. Data also shows that divorce rights have gone up amongst the moderately educated and down amongst the highly educated.
“Marriage plays a central role in securing the American Dream…”sociologist, W. Bradford Wilcox of University of Virginia said. “Adults and children fortunate enough to live in an intact, married family are much more likely to succeed in school and the workplace, to acquire a home of their own, and to experience upward mobility.”
Wilcox believes this growing marriage gap should be a concern to all Americans.
News Article: Emotions and Conflict in Romantic Relationships
Fights in romantic relationships can produce some of the most intense kinds of emotions. New research from Baylor University has investigated and classified these emotions.
Dr. Keith Sanford of Baylor and his research team studied 105 college students in romantic relationships over the period of eight weeks. They discovered links between different types of emotion, different types of underlying concern, and different types of perceived emotion of partners.
Sanford differentiated between two types of negative emotions – “hard” and “soft” emotions. Hard emotion is associated with asserting power and soft emotion is associated with expressing vulnerability.
Two types of underlying concerns were also identified – “perceived threat” concerns and “perceived neglect” concerns. Perceived threat involved perceptions of one’s partner being hostile, blaming, controlling, or critical. Perceived neglect involved perceptions of one’s partner failing to make desired contributions to the relationship or failing to demonstrate adequate levels of commitment or investment in the relationship.
Perceived threat and perceived neglect were associated with increases in one’s own hard or soft emotions. The effects of perceived neglect were also found to be stronger than those produced by perceived threat.
The study found that when people perceived threat, they observed increases in their partner’s hard emotion and when they perceived neglect, they observed decreases in soft emotion or increases in flat emotion.
Sanford said one of the most interesting findings related to the complexities of soft emotion. Perceived partner soft emotion was associated with a decrease in one’s own concerns of neglect. Soft emotion in oneself however, was associated with increased concerns of partner neglect.
Sanford said this finding is consistent with the notion that soft emotion is socially centered and attachment-related. The study appeared in the journal, “Personal Relationships.”
Dr. Keith Sanford of Baylor and his research team studied 105 college students in romantic relationships over the period of eight weeks. They discovered links between different types of emotion, different types of underlying concern, and different types of perceived emotion of partners.
Sanford differentiated between two types of negative emotions – “hard” and “soft” emotions. Hard emotion is associated with asserting power and soft emotion is associated with expressing vulnerability.
Two types of underlying concerns were also identified – “perceived threat” concerns and “perceived neglect” concerns. Perceived threat involved perceptions of one’s partner being hostile, blaming, controlling, or critical. Perceived neglect involved perceptions of one’s partner failing to make desired contributions to the relationship or failing to demonstrate adequate levels of commitment or investment in the relationship.
Perceived threat and perceived neglect were associated with increases in one’s own hard or soft emotions. The effects of perceived neglect were also found to be stronger than those produced by perceived threat.
The study found that when people perceived threat, they observed increases in their partner’s hard emotion and when they perceived neglect, they observed decreases in soft emotion or increases in flat emotion.
Sanford said one of the most interesting findings related to the complexities of soft emotion. Perceived partner soft emotion was associated with a decrease in one’s own concerns of neglect. Soft emotion in oneself however, was associated with increased concerns of partner neglect.
Sanford said this finding is consistent with the notion that soft emotion is socially centered and attachment-related. The study appeared in the journal, “Personal Relationships.”
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