Getting Healthier: It's Partly in Your Head
This has got to be the easiest way to boost the benefits of your workout: Just think about them.
Sounds crazy, right? But it was true in a study of hotel workers. Just 4 weeks after the room cleaners were educated on how their duties counted toward their exercise needs, they saw a drop in weight and blood pressure -- despite no changes in overall activity levels.
Placebo Effect at Work
Changing bed linens, vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing the bathroom floor -- it's not spin class, but it is physical activity. And if you do physically active things with the right mind-set (namely, think "This is good for me."), it could translate into greater health gains. Just chalk it up to that mind-body connection to which so many other health benefits (like the placebo effect) have been traced. (Read this article on how the mind-body connection can ease pain.)
Think About It
You need only about 30 minutes of exercise daily to meet the surgeon general's physical activity recommendations. And keep in mind that things like pulling weeds, painting the garage door, and folding laundry count toward that total. And we mean literally keep it in mind. Couldn't hurt, right? (Find out what it would take to burn off your favorite comfort food.)
Use Your Computer to Fight Flab
Clearly, too many hours sitting at the computer can be a recipe for jiggly hips and thighs.
But here's a computer pastime that fights desk-chair flab: interactive exercise programs. In a study, people who enrolled in a personalized Internet-based exercise program reported a significant bump in their activity levels at the end of a year.
Fitness at Your Fingertips
There are lots of free online options for exercise tracking, so get Googling! Here's what you want in an online exercise program: educational and motivational materials (think fitness how-to's and success stories), goal-setting options, a physical activity log where you can track your workouts, and an occasional e-mail that prompts you to use the program. People who joined an online group with these elements reported 90 minutes of physical activity per week at the 1-year mark.
3 Fall Veggies That Help Make You Younger
It's that time of year when not only leaves turn orange, but the offerings on your dinner plate do, too.
And that's a good thing, because yellow-orange veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash are chock-full of carotenoids. Why care about carotenoids? These good-for-you nutrients fight the DNA damage that can make your body old (or sick) before its time.
The Way of DNA
Over the course of your lifetime, your DNA accumulates damage every time it gets copied to create a new cell. It's like when you make a copy of a copy of a copy on the Xerox machine. Little flaws and imperfections start to show up. Same thing can happen with your DNA. And that's not such a great thing, because it can lead to that ultimate cell-replication error: cancer. (Read this article for a breakdown on nutrients that fight cancer.)
Cell-Protecting Carotenoids
Researchers suspect that carotenoids -- those plant pigments that give carrots, pumpkins, and cantaloupes their rich orange hues -- may help protect against the kind of DNA damage that happens with age, so you can go on making copies of your cells longer!
Moods That Age the Heart
When your emotions get the best of you, your body may suffer the consequences.
Researchers have discovered that depression could nudge heart attack or stroke risk higher. Which means there's no good reason to nurse a hurting heart on your own. Here's how to spot mood problems -- and plant a foot toward healthier days.
Depression/Artery Connection
In a study, people who reported mild-to-moderate depression symptoms -- specifically the physical symptoms of depression like loss of sleep and lack of appetite -- showed more signs of artery thickness compared to their more emotionally balanced peers. (Depression can be subtle. Answer these questions for a quick check of your emotional health.)
Getting Help
If your depression is mild, an increase in physical activity helps (read how), as do other healthy habits like getting enough sleep, eating right, avoiding alcohol, and reducing stress.
There's no quick fix or surefire way to get serious depression under control. But there are lots of good treatment options you can explore with your doctor. If you're feeling down for 2 weeks or longer, make an appointment.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Speed It Up Free v4.70
Speed It Up Free will speed up any computer system running Windows XP or Vista. It works by using new hard-disk optimization technology that allows your computer to read data in some cases up to 300% faster from your Hard Drive. Speed It Up Free then optimizes your RAM and makes other settings to speed up your Internet connection and overall computer performance.
[4M] [WinXP/Vista] [FREE]
Think Outside The Bottle — Take The Pledge
Bottled water corporations are changing the very way people think about water. Though many bottled water brands come from the same source as public tap water, they are marketed as somehow more pure. What’s more — bottled water corporations sell water back to the public at thousands of times the cost. Plastic bottles also require massive amounts of fossil fuels to manufacture and transport. Billions of these bottles wind up in landfills every year.
You can help reverse this trend. At events and over online networks, tens of thousands are supporting the efforts of local officials to reduce the social impact and environmental harm of bottled water by prioritizing public water systems. Taking the Think Outside the Bottle Pledge is quick, easy, and sends the message that water is a human right, not a commodity. Take the pledge!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
MICROCHIP IMPLANTS CAUSE FAST-GROWING, MALIGNANT TUMORS IN LAB ANIMALS
Damning research could spell the end of VeriChip
The Associated Press will issue a breaking story this weekend revealing
that microchip implants have induced cancer in laboratory animals and
dogs, says privacy expert and long-time VeriChip opponent Dr. Katherine
Albrecht.
As the AP will report, a series of research articles spanning more than
a decade found that mice and rats injected with glass-encapsulated RFID
transponders developed malignant, fast-growing, lethal cancers in up to
1% to 10% of cases. The tumors originated in the tissue surrounding the
microchips and often grew to completely surround the devices, the
researchers said.
Albrecht first became aware of the microchip-cancer link when she and
her "Spychips" co-author, Liz McIntyre, were contacted by a pet owner
whose dog had died from a chip-induced tumor. Albrecht then found medical
studies showing a causal link between microchip implants and cancer in
other animals. Before she brought the research to the AP's attention, none
of the studies had received widespread public notice.
A four-month AP investigation turned up additional documents, several of
which had been published before VeriChip's parent company, Applied Digital
Solutions, sought FDA approval to market the implant for humans. The
VeriChip received FDA approval in 2004 under the watch of then Health
and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson who later joined the board
of the company.
Under FDA policy, it would have been VeriChip's responsibility to bring
the adverse studies to the FDA's attention, but VeriChip CEO Scott
Silverman claims the company was unaware of the research.
Albrecht expressed skepticism that a company like VeriChip, whose primary
business is microchip implants, would be unaware of relevant studies in
the published literature.
"For Mr. Silverman not to know about this research would be negligent.
If he did know about these studies, he certainly had an incentive to
keep them quiet," said Albrecht. "Had the FDA known about the cancer
link, they might never have approved his company's product."
Since gaining FDA approval, VeriChip has aggressively targeted diabetic
and dementia patients, and recently announced that it had chipped 90
Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers in Florida. Employees in the
Mexican Attorney General's Office, workers in a U.S. security firm, and
club-goers in Europe have also been implanted.
Albrecht expressed concern for those who have received a chip implant,
urging them to get the devices removed as soon as possible.
"These new revelations change everything," she said. "Why would anyone
take the risk of a having cancer chip in their arm?"
To read the story with pictures click below:
http://www.citizensadvocate.net/newsletters/albrechtVeriChipAP.html
September 8th, 2007
Dr. Katherine Albrecht
Founder and Director, CASPIAN Consumer Privacy
The Associated Press will issue a breaking story this weekend revealing
that microchip implants have induced cancer in laboratory animals and
dogs, says privacy expert and long-time VeriChip opponent Dr. Katherine
Albrecht.
As the AP will report, a series of research articles spanning more than
a decade found that mice and rats injected with glass-encapsulated RFID
transponders developed malignant, fast-growing, lethal cancers in up to
1% to 10% of cases. The tumors originated in the tissue surrounding the
microchips and often grew to completely surround the devices, the
researchers said.
Albrecht first became aware of the microchip-cancer link when she and
her "Spychips" co-author, Liz McIntyre, were contacted by a pet owner
whose dog had died from a chip-induced tumor. Albrecht then found medical
studies showing a causal link between microchip implants and cancer in
other animals. Before she brought the research to the AP's attention, none
of the studies had received widespread public notice.
A four-month AP investigation turned up additional documents, several of
which had been published before VeriChip's parent company, Applied Digital
Solutions, sought FDA approval to market the implant for humans. The
VeriChip received FDA approval in 2004 under the watch of then Health
and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson who later joined the board
of the company.
Under FDA policy, it would have been VeriChip's responsibility to bring
the adverse studies to the FDA's attention, but VeriChip CEO Scott
Silverman claims the company was unaware of the research.
Albrecht expressed skepticism that a company like VeriChip, whose primary
business is microchip implants, would be unaware of relevant studies in
the published literature.
"For Mr. Silverman not to know about this research would be negligent.
If he did know about these studies, he certainly had an incentive to
keep them quiet," said Albrecht. "Had the FDA known about the cancer
link, they might never have approved his company's product."
Since gaining FDA approval, VeriChip has aggressively targeted diabetic
and dementia patients, and recently announced that it had chipped 90
Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers in Florida. Employees in the
Mexican Attorney General's Office, workers in a U.S. security firm, and
club-goers in Europe have also been implanted.
Albrecht expressed concern for those who have received a chip implant,
urging them to get the devices removed as soon as possible.
"These new revelations change everything," she said. "Why would anyone
take the risk of a having cancer chip in their arm?"
To read the story with pictures click below:
http://www.citizensadvocate.net/newsletters/albrechtVeriChipAP.html
September 8th, 2007
Dr. Katherine Albrecht
Founder and Director, CASPIAN Consumer Privacy
Saturday, October 20, 2007
How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!
Many of you believe watching TV is a harmless, entertaining activity worthy of your attention, but the video below will give you some eye-opening things to consider.
In just under four minutes you’ll learn why television is essentially a platform for elite advertisers to peddle their wares, and how the steady stream of images could be making your life in reality seem dull and slow in comparison.
If you watch TV, you owe it to yourself to watch this video.
In just under four minutes you’ll learn why television is essentially a platform for elite advertisers to peddle their wares, and how the steady stream of images could be making your life in reality seem dull and slow in comparison.
If you watch TV, you owe it to yourself to watch this video.
Friday, October 19, 2007
NEW HAMPSHIRE RFID STUDY COMMISSION SEES CHIPPING KIDS AND CORPSES AS ACCEPTABLE
Dr. Katherine Albrecht argued for implant restrictions, but was overridden by industry.
CONCORD, NH: The NEW HAMPSHIRE RFID STUDY COMMISSION yesterday voted in support of language that would allow guardians and parents to implant RFID microchips into children. The Study Commission was created when the state Senate killed a bill which would have required labeling on all products containing RFID-tagged products in NH and is comprised of lawmakers, industry and retail representatives, as well as members of the public and state law enforcement officials.
Dr. Katherine Albrecht, who will be speaking on RFID at the Hope for America Conference in Tempe, AZ on December 8th [conference site- http://www.rtrlive.com], was appointed to the Commission by the governor of NH to represent consumer interests. This group meets once per month and one of its tasks is to provide recommendations to the state legislature including recommendations on possible legislation.
In the Oct 17th meeting in Concord, NH several aspects of proposed legislation were debated and several important votes were taken.
In this marathon meeting spanning three and a half hour long meeting the commission voted to remove specific language in proposed legislation submitted by Rep. Neal Kurk, which was designed to raise the bar on the microchipping of humans. In a 9-5 vote, the committee voted to strike down language requiring that anyone receiving a human implant must be at least eighteen years of age and eliminated language that would have required an individual's own personal consent to receive a microchip in their body.
The original text of Rep. Kurk's legislation read, "Consent of a guardian, guardian ad litem, attorney-in-fact, parent or other agent shall not be considered adequate consent."
The new language proposed by industry representative Richard Varn removed the words "shall not" and replaced them with "shall".
In addition the Commission struck out an entire provision which would have prohibited the microchipping of corpses. There was a discussion about the fact that many people have religious objections to receiving a microchip post-mortem and see it as a desecration of their body.
The committee considered allowing a provision which would have allowed an opt-out policy wherein all corpses would be potentially subject to chipping unless the individual had opted out while alive through some applicable directive.
Once realizing that they had the majority on that point, they moved to completely strike the language prohibiting corpse chipping altogether. This was discussed after people expressed dismay that their deceased relatives had been chipped as part of the cleanup of hurricane Katrina.
"These votes were not surprising considering the makeup of the commission," said Dr. Katherine Albrecht. "Those with Pro-RFID views are disproportionately represented on the Commission. We should clarify that this is really just an advisory body, and while we will be making recommendations we're not responsible for enacting public policy. Although it seems obvious that the deck is stacked on the Commission in favor of industry, there is still a chance to get the type of bill that we want once this goes out to our legislature."
CONCORD, NH: The NEW HAMPSHIRE RFID STUDY COMMISSION yesterday voted in support of language that would allow guardians and parents to implant RFID microchips into children. The Study Commission was created when the state Senate killed a bill which would have required labeling on all products containing RFID-tagged products in NH and is comprised of lawmakers, industry and retail representatives, as well as members of the public and state law enforcement officials.
Dr. Katherine Albrecht, who will be speaking on RFID at the Hope for America Conference in Tempe, AZ on December 8th [conference site- http://www.rtrlive.com], was appointed to the Commission by the governor of NH to represent consumer interests. This group meets once per month and one of its tasks is to provide recommendations to the state legislature including recommendations on possible legislation.
In the Oct 17th meeting in Concord, NH several aspects of proposed legislation were debated and several important votes were taken.
In this marathon meeting spanning three and a half hour long meeting the commission voted to remove specific language in proposed legislation submitted by Rep. Neal Kurk, which was designed to raise the bar on the microchipping of humans. In a 9-5 vote, the committee voted to strike down language requiring that anyone receiving a human implant must be at least eighteen years of age and eliminated language that would have required an individual's own personal consent to receive a microchip in their body.
The original text of Rep. Kurk's legislation read, "Consent of a guardian, guardian ad litem, attorney-in-fact, parent or other agent shall not be considered adequate consent."
The new language proposed by industry representative Richard Varn removed the words "shall not" and replaced them with "shall".
In addition the Commission struck out an entire provision which would have prohibited the microchipping of corpses. There was a discussion about the fact that many people have religious objections to receiving a microchip post-mortem and see it as a desecration of their body.
The committee considered allowing a provision which would have allowed an opt-out policy wherein all corpses would be potentially subject to chipping unless the individual had opted out while alive through some applicable directive.
Once realizing that they had the majority on that point, they moved to completely strike the language prohibiting corpse chipping altogether. This was discussed after people expressed dismay that their deceased relatives had been chipped as part of the cleanup of hurricane Katrina.
"These votes were not surprising considering the makeup of the commission," said Dr. Katherine Albrecht. "Those with Pro-RFID views are disproportionately represented on the Commission. We should clarify that this is really just an advisory body, and while we will be making recommendations we're not responsible for enacting public policy. Although it seems obvious that the deck is stacked on the Commission in favor of industry, there is still a chance to get the type of bill that we want once this goes out to our legislature."
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Health Tips 11
Heard the Latest in Age-Fighting Nutrition?
Asking people to speak up -- or feeling compelled to pretend you heard something you didn't -- is not the way most people want to spend their retirement years.
But there may be something you can do to help slow the kind of hearing loss that comes with an accumulation of birthday candles and gray hairs: Take folic acid. Just how much do you need?
The Wonderful World of Aging Ears
There are many wonderful things about growing older (here's a great example), but losing your hearing isn't one of them. So it was good news when one study showed that a group of men and women between the ages of 50 and 70 helped put the brakes on hearing loss by taking 800 micrograms of folic acid daily for 3 years. But there are two important caveats for these findings: The research took place in a country where foods are not regularly fortified with folic acid, and the benefit to hearing was observed with only low frequency sounds.
Folic acid helps lower homocysteine, a possible culprit in some kinds of hearing loss. (Initially, all the men and women in the study had elevated homocysteine levels.) It could also be that folic acid helps boost blood circulation to key ear structures involved in age-related hearing loss. Find good food sources of folate.
How Much Do You Need?
Fortunately, many products in the U.S. are fortified with folic acid, from breads to cereals to pasta, so you probably get at least a few hundred micrograms from your diet. But it's likely you'll need a supplement to reach the RealAge Optimum dose of 700 micrograms per day. Just be sure to stay below 1,000 micrograms per day, especially if you're over 65; as you get older, folic acid could mask a vitamin B12 deficiency.
A Good Reason to Look on the Bright Side
Anxious, angry, depressed? We all feel bad sometimes. But there's one very vocal objector: your heart.
People who often get swallowed up by these and other negative moods may have a higher risk of heart disease -- even if they're otherwise healthy. But you can turn any mood around with a few simple steps.
Social Stress, Troubled Ticker
Social anxiety may have the greatest impact on heart health. In a study of healthy older men, those who scored highest on a negative-emotion scale -- especially on social anxiety measures -- had the greatest incidence of heart disease 3 years later. (Love your life! Here are five ways.)
Build Yourself Up
If stress and anxiety have taken hold of you and won't let go, something really structured like cognitive-behavioral therapy -- alone or coupled with medication -- may help improve your sense of control and boost your confidence. Here are a couple more feel-good or feel-calm techniques:
Three a Day Does Your Body Good
Oatmeal at breakfast, brown rice at lunch, and a slice of whole-wheat bread at dinner.
If these items made your menu today, you're well on your way to a reduced risk of dying from an inflammatory disease. Three servings of whole grains per day can slash your risk by more than 35 percent. What's an inflammatory disease, you ask?
Walk While You Work
Instead of sitting at your desk all day, wouldn't it be great if you could, say, walk in place at your computer and shed a few pounds?
That's exactly what researchers thought when they designed a workstation treadmill. They estimated it could help overweight people lose up to 66 pounds in a year. But because you won't find these far-thinking contraptions at your local Wal-Mart, here are a few realistic ways to make desk life less stationary.
Obese workers had to walk at a speed of only 1 mile per hour at the walk-and-work stations to burn twice the calories they normally did during a workday. And replacing just 2 or 3 hours of sitting with walk-and-work action could burn 44 to 66 pounds over the course of a year. Bottom line: Moderate activity matters. Here are some quick and easy ways to eke some exercise out of your workday:
Three a Day Does Your Body Good
Asking people to speak up -- or feeling compelled to pretend you heard something you didn't -- is not the way most people want to spend their retirement years.
But there may be something you can do to help slow the kind of hearing loss that comes with an accumulation of birthday candles and gray hairs: Take folic acid. Just how much do you need?
The Wonderful World of Aging Ears
There are many wonderful things about growing older (here's a great example), but losing your hearing isn't one of them. So it was good news when one study showed that a group of men and women between the ages of 50 and 70 helped put the brakes on hearing loss by taking 800 micrograms of folic acid daily for 3 years. But there are two important caveats for these findings: The research took place in a country where foods are not regularly fortified with folic acid, and the benefit to hearing was observed with only low frequency sounds.
Folic acid helps lower homocysteine, a possible culprit in some kinds of hearing loss. (Initially, all the men and women in the study had elevated homocysteine levels.) It could also be that folic acid helps boost blood circulation to key ear structures involved in age-related hearing loss. Find good food sources of folate.
How Much Do You Need?
Fortunately, many products in the U.S. are fortified with folic acid, from breads to cereals to pasta, so you probably get at least a few hundred micrograms from your diet. But it's likely you'll need a supplement to reach the RealAge Optimum dose of 700 micrograms per day. Just be sure to stay below 1,000 micrograms per day, especially if you're over 65; as you get older, folic acid could mask a vitamin B12 deficiency.
A Good Reason to Look on the Bright Side
Anxious, angry, depressed? We all feel bad sometimes. But there's one very vocal objector: your heart.
People who often get swallowed up by these and other negative moods may have a higher risk of heart disease -- even if they're otherwise healthy. But you can turn any mood around with a few simple steps.
Social Stress, Troubled Ticker
Social anxiety may have the greatest impact on heart health. In a study of healthy older men, those who scored highest on a negative-emotion scale -- especially on social anxiety measures -- had the greatest incidence of heart disease 3 years later. (Love your life! Here are five ways.)
Build Yourself Up
If stress and anxiety have taken hold of you and won't let go, something really structured like cognitive-behavioral therapy -- alone or coupled with medication -- may help improve your sense of control and boost your confidence. Here are a couple more feel-good or feel-calm techniques:
- Controlled breathing (Here's how to do it.)
- Muscle relaxation (Learn the technique with these tips.)
Three a Day Does Your Body Good
Oatmeal at breakfast, brown rice at lunch, and a slice of whole-wheat bread at dinner.
If these items made your menu today, you're well on your way to a reduced risk of dying from an inflammatory disease. Three servings of whole grains per day can slash your risk by more than 35 percent. What's an inflammatory disease, you ask?
The Common Thread
Inflammation. It's something that heart disease (know your risk), diabetes (could you have it and not know it?), colitis, rheumatoid arthritis (learn how to reduce flare-ups), and many other conditions have in common. But researchers suspect that the phenols, beneficial plant substances, and vitamins in good-for-you whole grains may thwart the disease-causing oxidative stress that results from inflammation. What's your whole-grain IQ? Find out here.
Also, Fabulous Fiber
Yet another reason to eat more whole grains: They're full of fiber, which can help you feel full longer (so you'll eat less) and can help keep your blood sugar levels steady and your digestive system on track. Are you getting enough? Answer these questions about your typical eating habits to find out.
Inflammation. It's something that heart disease (know your risk), diabetes (could you have it and not know it?), colitis, rheumatoid arthritis (learn how to reduce flare-ups), and many other conditions have in common. But researchers suspect that the phenols, beneficial plant substances, and vitamins in good-for-you whole grains may thwart the disease-causing oxidative stress that results from inflammation. What's your whole-grain IQ? Find out here.
Also, Fabulous Fiber
Yet another reason to eat more whole grains: They're full of fiber, which can help you feel full longer (so you'll eat less) and can help keep your blood sugar levels steady and your digestive system on track. Are you getting enough? Answer these questions about your typical eating habits to find out.
Walk While You Work
Instead of sitting at your desk all day, wouldn't it be great if you could, say, walk in place at your computer and shed a few pounds?
That's exactly what researchers thought when they designed a workstation treadmill. They estimated it could help overweight people lose up to 66 pounds in a year. But because you won't find these far-thinking contraptions at your local Wal-Mart, here are a few realistic ways to make desk life less stationary.
Obese workers had to walk at a speed of only 1 mile per hour at the walk-and-work stations to burn twice the calories they normally did during a workday. And replacing just 2 or 3 hours of sitting with walk-and-work action could burn 44 to 66 pounds over the course of a year. Bottom line: Moderate activity matters. Here are some quick and easy ways to eke some exercise out of your workday:
- Spend half your lunch hour walking.
- Take three 10-minute walking breaks.
- Fidget (here's how it helps).
- Ask your employer about subsidizing memberships at local gyms.
Three a Day Does Your Body Good
Links & Software
If you want to have some fun with your photos check out this site:
http://blabberize.com/
Or you can turn yourself into a cartoon....
http://www.befunky.com/
This free utility lets you view PDF files and edit any of the text they contain.
http://blabberize.com/
Or you can turn yourself into a cartoon....
http://www.befunky.com/
WinInizio PenSuite Platinum v2.1
WinInizio PenSuite Edition is a large collection of many famous software products that have been optimized and transformed into no-install applications to run from a USB pen-drive. Apps include IrfanView, Deepburner, Firefox, Thunderbird, and HiJack This. Conceived to be copied to a blank 512 MB USB pen-drive.
[210M] [Win98/ME/2k/XP/Vista] [FREE]
This free utility lets you view PDF files and edit any of the text they contain.
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Kin avoid a ticket!
This is pretty funny! Check out Isaac and Thorry as they avoid getting a traffic ticket in Georgia while on tour.... good stuff!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
5 Food Rules to Break
By Alan Aragon, M.S., Men's Health
It goes like this: A client looking to lead a healthier life hires me, a nutritionist, to help him improve his diet. I analyze what he's been eating, factor in his food preferences, and together we create an eating plan that fits his lifestyle and goals. Soon after, he's noticeably leaner and more energetic—a happy customer.
That's when the trouble starts. After a coworker asks him for the details of his diet, my client suddenly finds himself in a heated interrogation. Doesn't your nutritionist know red meat causes cancer? And that potatoes cause diabetes? Shouldn't he tell you to eat less salt, to prevent high blood pressure?
The upshot: Myths just made my job a lot harder. That's because nutrition misinformation fools men into being confused and frustrated in their quest to eat healthily, even if they're already achieving great results. Thankfully, you're about to be enlightened by science. Here are five food fallacies you can forget about for good.
Myth #1: "High protein intake is harmful to your kidneys."
The origin: Back in 1983, researchers first discovered that eating more protein increases your "glomerular filtration rate," or GFR. Think of GFR as the amount of blood your kidneys are filtering per minute. From this finding, many scientists made the leap that a higher GFR places your kidneys under greater stress.
What science really shows: Nearly 2 decades ago, Dutch researchers found that while a protein-rich meal did boost GFR, it didn't have an adverse effect on overall kidney function. In fact, there's zero published research showing that downing hefty amounts of protein damages the kidneys.
The bottom line: As a rule of thumb, shoot to eat your target body weight in grams of protein daily. For example, if you're a chubby 200 pounds and want to be a lean 180, then have 180 grams of protein a day. Likewise if you're a skinny 150 pounds but want to be a muscular 180.
Myth #2: "Sweet potatoes are better for you than white potatoes."
The origin: Because most Americans eat the highly processed version of the white potato—for instance, french fries and potato chips—consumption of this root vegetable has been linked to obesity and an increased diabetes risk. Meanwhile, sweet potatoes, which are typically eaten whole, have been celebrated for being rich in nutrients and also having a lower glycemic index than their white brethren.
What science really shows: White potatoes and sweet potatoes have complementary nutritional differences; one isn't necessarily better than the other. For instance, sweet potatoes have more fiber and vitamin A, but white potatoes are higher in essential minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and potassium. As for the glycemic index, sweet potatoes are lower on the scale, but baked white potatoes typically aren't eaten without cheese, sour cream, or butter. These toppings all contain fat, which lowers the glycemic index of a meal.
The bottom line: The form in which you consume a potato—for instance, a whole baked potato versus a processed potato that's used to make chips—is more important than the type of spud.
Myth #3: "Red meat causes cancer."
The origin: In a 1986 study, Japanese researchers discovered cancer developing in rats that were fed "heterocyclic amines," compounds that are generated from overcooking meat under high heat. And since then, some studies of large populations have suggested a potential link between meat and cancer.
What science really shows: No study has ever found a direct cause-and-effect relationship between red-meat consumption and cancer. As for the population studies, they're far from conclusive. That's because they rely on broad surveys of people's eating habits and health afflictions, and those numbers are simply crunched to find trends, not causes.
The bottom line: Don't stop grilling. Meat lovers who are worried about the supposed risks of grilled meat don't need to avoid burgers and steak; rather, they should just trim off the burned or overcooked sections of the meat before eating.
Myth #4: "High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is more fattening than regular sugar is."
The origin: In a 1968 study, rats that were fed large amounts of fructose developed high levels of fat in their bloodstreams. Then, in 2002, University of California at Davis researchers published a well-publicized paper noting that Americans' increasing consumption of fructose, including that in HFCS, paralleled our skyrocketing rates of obesity.
What science really shows: Both HFCS and sucrose—better known as table sugar—contain similar amounts of fructose. For instance, the two most commonly used types of HFCS are HFCS-42 and HFCS-55, which are 42 and 55 percent fructose, respectively. Sucrose is almost chemically identical, containing 50 percent fructose. This is why the University of California at Davis scientists determined fructose intakes from both HFCS and sucrose. The truth is, there's no evidence to show any differences in these two types of sugar. Both will cause weight gain when consumed in excess.
The bottom line: HFCS and regular sugar are empty-calorie carbohydrates that should be consumed in limited amounts. How? By keeping soft drinks, sweetened fruit juices, and prepackaged desserts to a minimum.
Myth #5: "Salt causes high blood pressure and should be avoided."
The origin: In the 1940s, a Duke University researcher named Walter Kempner, M.D., became famous for using salt restriction to treat people with high blood pressure. Later, studies confirmed that reducing salt could help reduce hypertension.
What science really shows: Large-scale scientific reviews have determined there's no reason for people with normal blood pressure to restrict their sodium intake. Now, if you already have high blood pressure, you may be "salt sensitive." As a result, reducing the amount of salt you eat could be helpful.
However, it's been known for the past 20 years that people with high blood pressure who don't want to lower their salt intake can simply consume more potassium-containing foods. Why? Because it's really the balance of the two minerals that matters. In fact, Dutch researchers determined that a low potassium intake has the same impact on your blood pressure as high salt consumption does. And it turns out, the average guy consumes 3,100 milligrams (mg) of potassium a day—1,600 mg less than recommended.
The bottom line: Strive for a potassium-rich diet, which you can achieve by eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and legumes. For instance, spinach, broccoli, bananas, white potatoes, and most types of beans each contain more than 400 mg potassium per serving.
In Defense of Butter
Sure, butter is rich in fat—especially the saturated kind. But most of this fat is composed of palmitic and stearic acids. Research shows these saturated fatty acids either have no effect on your cholesterol or actually improve it. Not enough to convince you that butter—in moderation, of course—isn't a dietary demon? Keep reading.
One pat of butter contains just 36 calories, and the fat it provides helps you feel full longer.
Butter is one of the top sources of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a natural fat that's been shown to fight cancer.
Studies show the fat in butter improves your body's ability to absorb vitamins A, E, D, and K. So a pat of butter on your vegetables actually makes them healthier (and tastier).
Under Pressure, FDA Reveals Deadly Drug Side Effects
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) described the risks of several medications in a new report published in its Drug Safety Newsletter for health care professionals.
The move came after the Institute of Medicine (IOM) sharply criticized the FDA in 2006, saying it has “a dysfunctional structure hindering its ability to protect public health.” The Agency has also been criticized for not monitoring drugs after they’re on the market.
The report, which fills one of the FDA’s commitments to the IOM after the criticism, details the side effects from the following drugs:
U.S. FDA Drug Safety Newsletter Fall 2007, Volume 1, Number 1
To read more go here...
The move came after the Institute of Medicine (IOM) sharply criticized the FDA in 2006, saying it has “a dysfunctional structure hindering its ability to protect public health.” The Agency has also been criticized for not monitoring drugs after they’re on the market.
The report, which fills one of the FDA’s commitments to the IOM after the criticism, details the side effects from the following drugs:
- Rituxan, a cancer drug that has been liked to a potentially fatal central nervous system disorder.
- Provigil, a narcolepsy drug that has been linked to serious skin reactions.
- Temodar, a brain cancer medicine that has been linked to fatal aplastic anemia.
- Exjade, a blood infusion drug. Reports of kidney failure, 115 deaths, and hospitalizations are suspected to be linked to the drug, although the deaths are now listed as “due to the underlying disease.”
U.S. FDA Drug Safety Newsletter Fall 2007, Volume 1, Number 1
To read more go here...
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Study ties marital strife, heart disease
A lousy marriage might literally make you sick. Marital strife and other bad personal relationships can raise your risk for heart disease, researchers reported Monday.
What it likely boils down to is stress — a well-known contributor to health problems, as well as a potential byproduct of troubled relationships, the scientists said.
In a study of 9,011 British civil servants, most of them married, those with the worst close relationships were 34 percent more likely to have heart attacks or other heart trouble during 12 years of follow-up than those with good relationships. That included partners, close relatives and friends.
The study, in Monday's Archives of Internal Medicine, follows previous research that has linked health problems with being single and having few close relationships. In the new study, researchers focused more on the quality of marriage and other important relationships.
"What we add here is that, 'OK, being married is in general good, but be careful about the kind of person you have married.' The quality of the relationship matters," said lead author Roberto De Vogli, a researcher with University College in London.
De Vogli said his research team is doing tests to see if study participants with bad relationships have any biological evidence of stress that could contribute to heart disease. That includes inflammation and elevated levels of stress hormones.
Another recent study also looked at quality of relationships but had different results. There was no association between marital woes in general and risks for heart disease or early death. But it did find, over a 10-year follow-up, that women who keep silent during marital arguments had an increased risk of dying compared with wives who expressed their feelings during fights. What appeared to matter more for men was just being married; married men were less likely to die during the follow-up than single men.
That study, of nearly 4,000 men and women, was published online in July in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.
In De Vogli's study, men and women with bad relationships faced equal risks. Volunteers filled out questionnaires asking them to rate the person to whom they felt closest on several measures. These included questions about to what extent does that person "give you worries, problems and stress?"
They also were asked about whether they felt they could confide in that person, or whether talking with that person made them feel worse.
Over the following 12 years, 589 participants had heart attacks or other heart problems. Those with the highest negative scores on the questionnaire had the highest risks, even taking into account other factors related to heart disease such as obesity, high blood pressure and smoking.
James Coyne, a University of Pennsylvania psychology professor who also has examined the health impact of social relationships, said De Vogli's results "make intuitive sense." But he said the study found only a weak association that doesn't prove bad relationships can cause heart disease.
"It is still not clear what to recommend," Coyne said.
"Do we tell people who have negative relationships to get therapy? They may have other reasons to do so, but I see no basis for them doing so only to avoid a heart attack," Coyne said.
Ending a bad marriage is not necessarily the answer either, he said, given evidence that being unmarried also could be a risk.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Health Tips 10
Have a Cuppa Calm
Do tea lovers do it better? De-stress, that is. A recent study says yes.
When a group of men were tested with two beverage choices, the men who drank a beverage that was rigged to mimic black tea's constituents recovered more quickly from stress than the group sipping a beverage missing the black tea ingredients. The credit may go to black tea's healthful polyphenols, flavonoids, and amino acids. Whatever the reason, it's a good pick-me-up when the pressure's on.
It's not just the higher caffeine content that makes black tea such a good stress fighter; both beverages tested had the same amount of caffeine.
And although all the men had a similar response to stress -- their blood pressures and heart rates increased -- the drinkers of black tea recovered more quickly. Within an hour of the stressful event, biological measures of stress, such as assessments of platelet activation and levels of the stress hormone cortisol, were lower in the men who drank the real stuff compared to those who drank the faux tea. The drinkers of black tea even felt more relaxed during the 50-minute stress-recovery time.
Tea remains a health-promoting champ for other reasons, namely, the good-for-your-heart catechins they dose you with.
For a real flavor treat, try loose-leaf teas. And if you're a loose-leaf tea newbie, here's how to get the most flavor in your cup:
Sometimes, It's Good to Overestimate
How many calories were in that restaurant meal you just downed? Any idea?
Here's a fact of life from obesity experts: We all underestimate how many calories we take in from large meals. Even people who can wear "skinny" jeans can't guesstimate correctly when the portion sizes are huge. But we are very good at estimating the calories in small meals, research shows. So if you're counting calories, make it easier on yourself, with small meals throughout the day.
Unless you're a member of a home-cooking-only club and never eat out, you know that restaurant serving sizes have grown to the bursting point. But researchers have found our perceptions are lagging behind the jumbo-size reality.
When people in a study were asked to eat a restaurant meal and estimate the number of calories they consumed, participants routinely guessed way too low when the meals were large. When the serving sizes doubled, they thought they were only getting about 50 percent more calories instead of double the calories.
Until restaurant chains start giving calorie counts on food wrappers, you're on your own when it comes to monitoring how much you consume. Here's how to help yourself to healthier eating when dining out:
All About YOU: Hold the Corn (Syrup)
Corn syrup -- it's absolutely everywhere. And it may be making you fat.
Here's why: High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), used to sweeten everything from the obvious (soft drinks) to the obscure (ketchup, salad dressing, bread), can trip up digestive system hormones that control hunger and appetite. The end result: Your brain misses out on hormone messages that signal a full stomach. Start reading labels and see if you can cut back on the 63 pounds of HFCS most people consume each year.
Your digestive system has two main hormones that control hunger and appetite. Ghrelin is secreted by the stomach and increases your appetite. When your stomach's empty, it sends ghrelin out, requesting food. Leptin tells your brain that you're full. HFCS inhibits leptin secretion, so you never get the message that you're full. And HFCS never shuts off ghrelin, so even though you have food in your stomach, you constantly get the message that you're hungry.
That's the physiology behind a theory gaining a lot of ground -- the theory that our increasing consumption of HFCS is one of many elements at play in America's obesity epidemic.
Because it's cheaper than sugar, HFCS is used to sweeten many processed foods and beverages. And although manufacturers may eliminate fat from their products, they make up for its taste with sugar and HFCS. Which means that cutting down on processed foods and sweetened drinks -- even the fat-free kind -- is a good way to reduce your intake.
Do tea lovers do it better? De-stress, that is. A recent study says yes.
When a group of men were tested with two beverage choices, the men who drank a beverage that was rigged to mimic black tea's constituents recovered more quickly from stress than the group sipping a beverage missing the black tea ingredients. The credit may go to black tea's healthful polyphenols, flavonoids, and amino acids. Whatever the reason, it's a good pick-me-up when the pressure's on.
It's not just the higher caffeine content that makes black tea such a good stress fighter; both beverages tested had the same amount of caffeine.
And although all the men had a similar response to stress -- their blood pressures and heart rates increased -- the drinkers of black tea recovered more quickly. Within an hour of the stressful event, biological measures of stress, such as assessments of platelet activation and levels of the stress hormone cortisol, were lower in the men who drank the real stuff compared to those who drank the faux tea. The drinkers of black tea even felt more relaxed during the 50-minute stress-recovery time.
Tea remains a health-promoting champ for other reasons, namely, the good-for-your-heart catechins they dose you with.
For a real flavor treat, try loose-leaf teas. And if you're a loose-leaf tea newbie, here's how to get the most flavor in your cup:
|
Sometimes, It's Good to Overestimate
How many calories were in that restaurant meal you just downed? Any idea?
Here's a fact of life from obesity experts: We all underestimate how many calories we take in from large meals. Even people who can wear "skinny" jeans can't guesstimate correctly when the portion sizes are huge. But we are very good at estimating the calories in small meals, research shows. So if you're counting calories, make it easier on yourself, with small meals throughout the day.
Unless you're a member of a home-cooking-only club and never eat out, you know that restaurant serving sizes have grown to the bursting point. But researchers have found our perceptions are lagging behind the jumbo-size reality.
When people in a study were asked to eat a restaurant meal and estimate the number of calories they consumed, participants routinely guessed way too low when the meals were large. When the serving sizes doubled, they thought they were only getting about 50 percent more calories instead of double the calories.
Until restaurant chains start giving calorie counts on food wrappers, you're on your own when it comes to monitoring how much you consume. Here's how to help yourself to healthier eating when dining out:
|
All About YOU: Hold the Corn (Syrup)
Corn syrup -- it's absolutely everywhere. And it may be making you fat.
Here's why: High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), used to sweeten everything from the obvious (soft drinks) to the obscure (ketchup, salad dressing, bread), can trip up digestive system hormones that control hunger and appetite. The end result: Your brain misses out on hormone messages that signal a full stomach. Start reading labels and see if you can cut back on the 63 pounds of HFCS most people consume each year.
Your digestive system has two main hormones that control hunger and appetite. Ghrelin is secreted by the stomach and increases your appetite. When your stomach's empty, it sends ghrelin out, requesting food. Leptin tells your brain that you're full. HFCS inhibits leptin secretion, so you never get the message that you're full. And HFCS never shuts off ghrelin, so even though you have food in your stomach, you constantly get the message that you're hungry.
That's the physiology behind a theory gaining a lot of ground -- the theory that our increasing consumption of HFCS is one of many elements at play in America's obesity epidemic.
Because it's cheaper than sugar, HFCS is used to sweeten many processed foods and beverages. And although manufacturers may eliminate fat from their products, they make up for its taste with sugar and HFCS. Which means that cutting down on processed foods and sweetened drinks -- even the fat-free kind -- is a good way to reduce your intake.
Health Tips 9
Cancer-Fighting Trace Mineral
Little things mean a lot. Especially when it comes to selenium.
Selenium's cancer-fighting reputation is growing. Prostate cancer risk seems to drop in men who get enough of the mineral, and colon cancer appears less likely to make a comeback in survivors who have high levels of selenium. More good news: You only need a smidge. Eat a few Brazil nuts or a tuna sandwich on whole wheat and you'll get the RealAge Optimum dose.
Experts think that the antioxidant mineral selenium may protect cells from damage that leads to cancer. The question is: Could a daily dose lower the cancer risk in both healthy people and cancer survivors? So far it looks promising. The challenge is to figure out how much and determine what sources are best. Some answers may come from a government-supported study called SELECT (for Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial). Researchers are testing selenium alone and combined with vitamin E in more than 35,000 men. The results won't be available for several years, but many health-savvy people try to get some selenium every day, regardless.
The RealAge Optimum dose of selenium is 200 micrograms (mcg) daily, which isn't difficult to get, once you know where to look. Half an ounce of Brazil nuts delivers a whopping 270 mcg. Tuna's another good source with 125 mcg in 6 ounces. A cup of cubed turkey contains 57 mcg. And a quarter cup of wheat germ will give you about 23 mcg.
Supplements aren't a good idea, however, because it's easy to get too much, which can be toxic. The tolerable upper limit of selenium is 400 mcg a day, so take it easy on those Brazil nuts; a little goes a long way.
Mighty Good Bacteria
What would happen if you regularly ate yogurt and cheese -- and then suddenly stopped?
Your immune system could slack off. That's exactly what happened when regular eaters went cold turkey for just 2 weeks, avoiding these and other fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, soy sauce, and kefir. The reason? Foods that are fermented provide your gut with good bacteria, which help buttress immune system function. So have some yogurt or a chunk of cheddar.
From the moment a newborn begins to eat, a colony of bacteria -- good bacteria that aid digestion and help displace bad bacteria (the kind that make you sick) -- develops in the gut. By the time the child reaches age 2, the bacteria are firmly established.
As we get older, fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and cheese help keep that intestinal bacteria thriving. In the study, adults who normally ate these foods five times a week suddenly stopped eating them. Results: Some immune system cells became sluggish, and others dropped in number.
Yogurt with active cultures (check labels), whether plain or with fruit, is one of the surest ways to get a daily dose. But if you're not big on straight yogurt, there are other tasty ways to get your fill of this immune-boosting food. These tips can help cut calories as well.
Yogurt that has active cultures contains one of several mighty microscopic immune boosters, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus GG, or Streptococcus thermophilus. Some yogurts have as many as five different cultures -- but any one of them will do the job.
Not a fan of dairy? Try fermented vegetables, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, or marinated artichokes, and fermented soy products, such as miso, tempeh, and soy sauce.
All About YOU: Body Weight Bonus
Whether you're a gym newbie or simply free-weight phobic, get this: Your own body is all you need to build muscle and strengthen bones.
Squats and lunges shape up your legs and butt as you lift your torso, arms, and head with every move. Push-ups, sit-ups, arm lifts, and arm circles strengthen and stabilize the rest of you. Here's a thought to keep you motivated: If you don't do strength-building exercises, you'll lose 5 percent of your muscle every 10 years. And with a no-gym workout, there are no excuses.
After age 35, men and women slowly lose muscle mass -- the average woman loses 2 pounds of muscle every 10 years and the average man loses 3 pounds. To stay slim, healthy, and strong, you need to counter that loss. Maintaining muscle mass at any age takes only 10 minutes, three times a week. About the slim part: A pound of muscle uses 75 to 150 calories a day to do its work; a pound of fat needs only 3 calories a day -- it does little to help your body, so it doesn't need much energy to survive. So if you have lots of muscle, you not only stay strong but also burn more calories -- which can mean staying slim, too.
One of These a Day Keeps Colds Away
'Tis the season. The season for the common cold -- that unwelcome guest in the midst of the festivities.
But you don't have to let sniffles spoil your holiday fun. Adding a little sweat to your day may help keep colds away. A new study shows that a 45-minute workout each day, 5 days a week, lowers the risk of catching a cold. And the longer you stick with a regular exercise program, the better the benefits. So dust off your walking shoes and start building up your immunity.
Past research has hinted that moderately intense activity is an immunity booster, but those studies were too short to be convincing. More recently, and for the first time, researchers took the long view and studied two groups of women -- one basically sedentary and one not -- for a year. And the results are truly motivating: Overweight couch potatoes who started exercising and stuck fairly close to their five-times-a-week workout program had a definite cold-fighting edge over a similar group of women whose regular exercise consisted of just a weekly stretching routine.
You may already be enjoying the benefits of a revved-up immune system if you are a regular exerciser. If not, get crackin'. You'll enjoy knowing that your sweat is helping ensure that you won't be sidelined by sniffles and sneezes during next year's holiday fun.
Little things mean a lot. Especially when it comes to selenium.
Selenium's cancer-fighting reputation is growing. Prostate cancer risk seems to drop in men who get enough of the mineral, and colon cancer appears less likely to make a comeback in survivors who have high levels of selenium. More good news: You only need a smidge. Eat a few Brazil nuts or a tuna sandwich on whole wheat and you'll get the RealAge Optimum dose.
Experts think that the antioxidant mineral selenium may protect cells from damage that leads to cancer. The question is: Could a daily dose lower the cancer risk in both healthy people and cancer survivors? So far it looks promising. The challenge is to figure out how much and determine what sources are best. Some answers may come from a government-supported study called SELECT (for Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial). Researchers are testing selenium alone and combined with vitamin E in more than 35,000 men. The results won't be available for several years, but many health-savvy people try to get some selenium every day, regardless.
The RealAge Optimum dose of selenium is 200 micrograms (mcg) daily, which isn't difficult to get, once you know where to look. Half an ounce of Brazil nuts delivers a whopping 270 mcg. Tuna's another good source with 125 mcg in 6 ounces. A cup of cubed turkey contains 57 mcg. And a quarter cup of wheat germ will give you about 23 mcg.
Supplements aren't a good idea, however, because it's easy to get too much, which can be toxic. The tolerable upper limit of selenium is 400 mcg a day, so take it easy on those Brazil nuts; a little goes a long way.
Mighty Good Bacteria
What would happen if you regularly ate yogurt and cheese -- and then suddenly stopped?
Your immune system could slack off. That's exactly what happened when regular eaters went cold turkey for just 2 weeks, avoiding these and other fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, soy sauce, and kefir. The reason? Foods that are fermented provide your gut with good bacteria, which help buttress immune system function. So have some yogurt or a chunk of cheddar.
From the moment a newborn begins to eat, a colony of bacteria -- good bacteria that aid digestion and help displace bad bacteria (the kind that make you sick) -- develops in the gut. By the time the child reaches age 2, the bacteria are firmly established.
As we get older, fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and cheese help keep that intestinal bacteria thriving. In the study, adults who normally ate these foods five times a week suddenly stopped eating them. Results: Some immune system cells became sluggish, and others dropped in number.
Yogurt with active cultures (check labels), whether plain or with fruit, is one of the surest ways to get a daily dose. But if you're not big on straight yogurt, there are other tasty ways to get your fill of this immune-boosting food. These tips can help cut calories as well.
|
Not a fan of dairy? Try fermented vegetables, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, or marinated artichokes, and fermented soy products, such as miso, tempeh, and soy sauce.
All About YOU: Body Weight Bonus
Whether you're a gym newbie or simply free-weight phobic, get this: Your own body is all you need to build muscle and strengthen bones.
Squats and lunges shape up your legs and butt as you lift your torso, arms, and head with every move. Push-ups, sit-ups, arm lifts, and arm circles strengthen and stabilize the rest of you. Here's a thought to keep you motivated: If you don't do strength-building exercises, you'll lose 5 percent of your muscle every 10 years. And with a no-gym workout, there are no excuses.
After age 35, men and women slowly lose muscle mass -- the average woman loses 2 pounds of muscle every 10 years and the average man loses 3 pounds. To stay slim, healthy, and strong, you need to counter that loss. Maintaining muscle mass at any age takes only 10 minutes, three times a week. About the slim part: A pound of muscle uses 75 to 150 calories a day to do its work; a pound of fat needs only 3 calories a day -- it does little to help your body, so it doesn't need much energy to survive. So if you have lots of muscle, you not only stay strong but also burn more calories -- which can mean staying slim, too.
One of These a Day Keeps Colds Away
'Tis the season. The season for the common cold -- that unwelcome guest in the midst of the festivities.
But you don't have to let sniffles spoil your holiday fun. Adding a little sweat to your day may help keep colds away. A new study shows that a 45-minute workout each day, 5 days a week, lowers the risk of catching a cold. And the longer you stick with a regular exercise program, the better the benefits. So dust off your walking shoes and start building up your immunity.
Past research has hinted that moderately intense activity is an immunity booster, but those studies were too short to be convincing. More recently, and for the first time, researchers took the long view and studied two groups of women -- one basically sedentary and one not -- for a year. And the results are truly motivating: Overweight couch potatoes who started exercising and stuck fairly close to their five-times-a-week workout program had a definite cold-fighting edge over a similar group of women whose regular exercise consisted of just a weekly stretching routine.
You may already be enjoying the benefits of a revved-up immune system if you are a regular exerciser. If not, get crackin'. You'll enjoy knowing that your sweat is helping ensure that you won't be sidelined by sniffles and sneezes during next year's holiday fun.
Health Tips 8
Undo Belly Bulge with Vitamin C
Haven't seen your waistline in a few years? Eat more oranges.
Here's why. Apple-shaped people (who carry extra pounds around their middles) are at higher risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. All of these drain the body's stores of vitamin C. Why? This antioxidant helps fight the cellular damage that comes with these problems. So help your body help you by packing in more oranges, papayas, bell peppers, and other C-rich fruits and veggies. It's the new way to eat skinny.
Ever see a rusty pipe? That same process -- called oxidation -- goes on in your insides, but in this case, it damages cells, not metal. Conditions like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes accelerate the process, "rusting" cells throughout your body, including those lining your blood vessels. And the thicker you are around the middle, the more "rusty" you're likely to be.
The best solution for reducing this damage is to lose weight -- especially around your middle. But losing belly bulge is easier said than done.
Now researchers have discovered that hourglass-shaped people have higher blood levels of vitamin C than apple-shaped people. They aren't sure why, but they're investigating some likely theories. One is that men and women who have a low waist-to-hip ratio may eat lots of vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies and take vitamins. A second possibility is that those shaped like an hourglass are healthier and not as likely as their apple-shaped peers to be obese or have ailments like heart disease and diabetes that "rust" tissues and gobble up vitamin C.
Megadosing on vitamin C won't make you slim, but eating a low-fat, high fiber diet that includes lots of C-rich produce may not only help protect your body from excessive cell damage, but also give you a good shot at getting -- and keeping -- a svelte figure.
Need More Ties That Bind?
Can you name three close friends that you see regularly? If you can't, you're not alone.
Twenty years ago, each American had about three close confidants; today, we average about two. That doesn't bode well for long-term health and well-being. Is your world getting smaller? Give -- and get -- the gift of friendship this year. Grab a plate of goodies, head next door, and say, "Hi."
Cell phones, e-mail, and text messaging let you reach out to anyone, anywhere, anytime. But despite being better connected, Americans have fewer confidants to turn to when they need help, advice, or just a willing ear and an open mind. So nurture the friendships you have, and work toward building new relationships. You'll be doing a good thing for yourself -- and your new friends. A supportive social circle can make you years younger by acting as a shield against the aging effects of stress.
Triple Play
Bone loss, back pain, high cholesterol . . . very different problems. But there's a single solution.
It's cross-training. Research shows that increasing the variety of exercises you do increases the range of benefits you get. The triple reward for consistently mixing it up: stronger bones, a limber back, and a healthier cholesterol profile.
When women who went through menopause early combined a number of different physical activities -- from strength training to jumping rope -- the results were clear: broadening their fitness menu expanded their physical benefits. After 2 years of doing cross-training workouts at varying speeds and intensities, the women had increased their bone mass, boosted their muscle strength, reduced their back pain, and improved their cholesterol profiles.
The lesson for everyone: The more you mix up your workouts, the more rewards you're likely to reap. And adding variety helps keep your interest up, too. Doing yoga or Pilates, jogging, hiking, lifting weights, biking, playing racquetball or golf, jumping rope, dancing, walking, swimming . . . it's hard to get bored when you have so many get-moving options.
Mix Up Your Fiber Fix
Man shall not live by whole-wheat bread alone.
To get the full range of heart benefits from fiber, think outside the bread box once in a while. Whole grains are great, but dip into fiber-rich fruits and veggies, as well as nuts and seeds. Fiber from different sources protects your heart in different ways.
How does your heart love fiber? Let us count the ways.
It guards against obesity, calms blood pressure, helps keep cholesterol levels normal, and lowers the concentration of homocysteine, all of which can impact cardiovascular disease. And a recent study shows that where you get your fiber affects what it does for you. Here are four key sources:
The heart-protective benefits kick in at 25 grams of total fiber a day. Just make sure those grams don't all come from one place. In addition to fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds, legumes also are a great source.
Haven't seen your waistline in a few years? Eat more oranges.
Here's why. Apple-shaped people (who carry extra pounds around their middles) are at higher risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. All of these drain the body's stores of vitamin C. Why? This antioxidant helps fight the cellular damage that comes with these problems. So help your body help you by packing in more oranges, papayas, bell peppers, and other C-rich fruits and veggies. It's the new way to eat skinny.
Ever see a rusty pipe? That same process -- called oxidation -- goes on in your insides, but in this case, it damages cells, not metal. Conditions like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes accelerate the process, "rusting" cells throughout your body, including those lining your blood vessels. And the thicker you are around the middle, the more "rusty" you're likely to be.
The best solution for reducing this damage is to lose weight -- especially around your middle. But losing belly bulge is easier said than done.
Now researchers have discovered that hourglass-shaped people have higher blood levels of vitamin C than apple-shaped people. They aren't sure why, but they're investigating some likely theories. One is that men and women who have a low waist-to-hip ratio may eat lots of vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies and take vitamins. A second possibility is that those shaped like an hourglass are healthier and not as likely as their apple-shaped peers to be obese or have ailments like heart disease and diabetes that "rust" tissues and gobble up vitamin C.
Megadosing on vitamin C won't make you slim, but eating a low-fat, high fiber diet that includes lots of C-rich produce may not only help protect your body from excessive cell damage, but also give you a good shot at getting -- and keeping -- a svelte figure.
Need More Ties That Bind?
Can you name three close friends that you see regularly? If you can't, you're not alone.
Twenty years ago, each American had about three close confidants; today, we average about two. That doesn't bode well for long-term health and well-being. Is your world getting smaller? Give -- and get -- the gift of friendship this year. Grab a plate of goodies, head next door, and say, "Hi."
Cell phones, e-mail, and text messaging let you reach out to anyone, anywhere, anytime. But despite being better connected, Americans have fewer confidants to turn to when they need help, advice, or just a willing ear and an open mind. So nurture the friendships you have, and work toward building new relationships. You'll be doing a good thing for yourself -- and your new friends. A supportive social circle can make you years younger by acting as a shield against the aging effects of stress.
Triple Play
Bone loss, back pain, high cholesterol . . . very different problems. But there's a single solution.
It's cross-training. Research shows that increasing the variety of exercises you do increases the range of benefits you get. The triple reward for consistently mixing it up: stronger bones, a limber back, and a healthier cholesterol profile.
When women who went through menopause early combined a number of different physical activities -- from strength training to jumping rope -- the results were clear: broadening their fitness menu expanded their physical benefits. After 2 years of doing cross-training workouts at varying speeds and intensities, the women had increased their bone mass, boosted their muscle strength, reduced their back pain, and improved their cholesterol profiles.
The lesson for everyone: The more you mix up your workouts, the more rewards you're likely to reap. And adding variety helps keep your interest up, too. Doing yoga or Pilates, jogging, hiking, lifting weights, biking, playing racquetball or golf, jumping rope, dancing, walking, swimming . . . it's hard to get bored when you have so many get-moving options.
Mix Up Your Fiber Fix
Man shall not live by whole-wheat bread alone.
To get the full range of heart benefits from fiber, think outside the bread box once in a while. Whole grains are great, but dip into fiber-rich fruits and veggies, as well as nuts and seeds. Fiber from different sources protects your heart in different ways.
How does your heart love fiber? Let us count the ways.
It guards against obesity, calms blood pressure, helps keep cholesterol levels normal, and lowers the concentration of homocysteine, all of which can impact cardiovascular disease. And a recent study shows that where you get your fiber affects what it does for you. Here are four key sources:
| 1. | High-fiber cereal is linked with a lower body mass index (BMI) and healthier blood pressure and homocysteine levels. |
| 2. | Fruit eaters enjoy a lower waist-to-hip ratio and lower blood pressure, too. |
| 3. | People who get their fiber mostly from vegetables reap blood pressure and homocysteine benefits. |
| 4. | Nuts, seeds, and dried fruits go hand in hand with a lower BMI, lower waist-to-hip ratio, better glucose concentrations, and lower levels of apolipoprotein (apo) B, a cholesterol marker. |
The heart-protective benefits kick in at 25 grams of total fiber a day. Just make sure those grams don't all come from one place. In addition to fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds, legumes also are a great source.
TUN3R
Internet radio has taken a lot of heat from the music industry recently, but truthfully, what doesn't kill Internet radio only makes it stronger. Despite the fact that some stations have been threatened by legal action, many others have continued on in their course of broadcasting music online to the masses, which is great to see. You may already have a number of preconceived ideas about what online radio is and how you access it, but even though that may be so, I'm sure that you'll be interested by the approach that TUN3R is taking.
One of the coolest things about this service is the initial flood of squares that you see once you arrive at the site. Each of these squares represents an online radio station, and to get a sense of what these stations are like, all you have to do is drag the orange needle around, and you'll hear the current content from the stations play through your speakers. The experience is very similar to using a radio dial, and even though it's online, you'll still feel old school. The stations have a list of songs that have been a part of their playlists, and this means that you can search for an artist that you like, and in turn, you'll find stations that have played music from that artist, and you can see what else is on their playlists in order to find out if those stations are worth listening to. This is definitely a great way to discover new online radio streams.
GoodSync v6.2.6
GoodSync is an easy, secure, and reliable way to synchronize and back up your photos, MP3s, and important files. Backing up and/or synchronizing your critical documents is as easy as one click, and can also be scheduled using a variety of automatic options. True bi-directional file synchronization prevents any data loss. GoodSync can be used to synchronize data between your desktop PC and laptop, home and office computers, computer and removable devices (USB Key, Flash Drive, CDRW disc), over a local network or the Internet.
[677.38K] [Win98/ME/2k/XP/Vista] [FREE]
DivShare
The world of Web hosting isn't exactly the easiest maze to navigate through, and that's why there's still so much confusion out there about all of the options that exist. If you're not interested in hosting a complete Web site and would rather just host your files for others to download, then I'm sure that a free service that hosts unlimited files, allows unlimited downloads, and keeps your files online forever would sound pretty good to you, and that's why I wanted to feature DivShare.
Yes, their claims are true. Once you create an account, you can take advantage of the functionality that they have to offer, and the two important words here are unlimited and forever. As soon as you've uploaded your files, you'll instantly be able to share them by linking to them or embedding them using Flash on various sites throughout the Internet, which is awesome. Paid options do exist if you want to get away from their branding and advertising, however, the free version will prove to be more than tolerable for most.
ZoneAlarm ForceField 1.0.158 beta
ZoneAlarm ForceField is a security product designed specifically to protect you while you bank, shop, or surf dangerous areas of the Internet online. It does this by creating a virtual "bubble" around your surfing session, protecting your PC from fraudulent Web sites, phishing scams, spyware Web sites, and dangerous downloads. ZoneAlarm ForceField also ensures that spyware that may already be on your PC cannot steal your information while you bank and shop. It cleans the PC after a Web browsing session to prevent your personal information from being left behind.
[4.88M] [WinXP/Vista + IE 6 or Firefox 2.0] [FREE]
Radiohead Rewrites The Rules!
Most music fans know that bands make little or nothing from CD sales. That’s where the record companies make their big bucks and get their incentive to promote the bands. Most of the band’s income comes from concerts and touring. This Is The Way It Has Always Been.
Radiohead have just re-written the rules. When their contract with EMI ran out last year, they didn’t renew. Pundits wondered “with whom will they sign?” (Well, actually not, probably. Pundits are just as likely to use prepositions to end sentences with as the next guy.)
Anyway, Radiohead’s new album, In Rainbows, will be available only two ways. By ordering ahead of time, you can get their boxed album and a bunch of goodies delivered in time for the Winter holidays for only £49 (roughly a hundred bucks US). If that doesn’t appeal to you, you can download it from the site, and you choose the price.
That’s right. Go to the site and enter your order. When you get to the checkout, you’ll see a little question mark next to the price. Click on the question mark and you’ll be told how to set your own price for the download — or get it free if you don’t feel like paying.
This is revolutionary! It takes the power away from the distributors, and puts it in the hands of the bands themselves. Their only costs are production, server time, and bandwidth, and they get to keep the change. You can bet this will spread like wildfire, and you can also bet there are some overpaid record execs gobbling the Tums tonight.
Serves ‘em right.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Euphony Groove at Mocha Maya's on 9.30.07
You can check out Euphony Groove's website here:
http://www.sonicbids.com/EuphonyGroove
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)