Parents and Teen Obesity

Did you know that you are your children’s role model not just in terms of attitudes but in terms of food attitudes.

Researchers from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research found that if parents eat five servings of fruits and vegetables, their children follows but if parents eat junk foods, children do the same.

Some of the findings were as follows:

•Teens whose parents were drinking soda every day are 40 percent more likely to follow and drink soda every day themselves.
•Teens whose parents were eating fruits and vegetables are 16 percent more likely to do the same.
•Almost half of the adolescents whose parents drink soda every day eat fast food at least once a day, while 39 percent of teens whose parents do not drink soda eat fast food at least once daily.

Good habits indeed start at home. Parents should set a good food example for their children for them to be healthy and disciplined.

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Tips on How to Live to Be 100

Want to live to be 100? Here are some tips from Dr. Andrew Weill:

Tip 1: Stay Physically Fit

Even if you’re 90 or up with shaky knees, you should still stay fit and active. Engage yourself in simple routines such as daily walks or hobbies like gardening and playing tennis. Avoid strenuous exercises when it is not applicable to your age.

Tip 2: Be Positive

Always have a positive outlook in life. Manage your stress to prevent any health issues. Avoid having negative thoughts that can result to having a health disorder.

Tip 3: Interact with People

Have a socially-active life. Always interact with your family and friends who make you happy. Join community groups and participate in community-related activities because it does not only make you socially-active but it also gives you something to spend your time with.

Tip 4: Be Spiritually Active

Whatever your religious beliefs are, it is important to have a connection with what you see as a higher power. That helps you have purpose in life and an optimistic outlook on events.

Longer life means being healthy and living healthy. You can do it. And of course, remember to live your life to the fullest.

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Truth About Eggs & Cholesterol Levels

A new research from the University of Surrey published in the Nutrition Bulletin of the British Heart Foundation has found that eating eggs does not significantly raise the body's cholesterol levels. Although eggs are in fact a high-cholesterol food, the researchers note that only one-third of the body's cholesterol comes from dietary sources; the rest is produced by the body from saturated fats. As a consequence, saturated fat intake plays a far more significant role.

"The ingrained misconception linking egg consumption to high blood cholesterol and heart disease must be corrected," researcher Bruce Griffin said. "The amount of saturated fat in our diet exerts an effect on blood cholesterol that is several times greater than the relatively small amounts of dietary cholesterol."

The researchers note that other factors, such as obesity, a sedentary lifestyle or smoking also have greater effects on cholesterol levels or the risk of cardiovascular disease than egg consumption does.

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Sports Drink May Damage Your Teeth

Though some might see sports drinks as a healthier alternative to soda, a new study shows that the citric acid they contain can damage teeth.

The finding comes from a study involving teeth from cows. New York University College of Dentistry researchers cut the teeth in half and placed them in top-selling sports drinks. After soaking for up to 90 minutes, the enamel coating of the teeth was partially eaten away. This allowed the drinks to leak into the bonelike material underneath the enamel, causing the teeth to soften and weaken.

Study leader Dr. Mark Wolff, chairman of cariology and comprehensive care at the NYU College of Dentistry, said: "Perhaps surprisingly, brushing immediately after having a sports drink might actually cause more damage, as the softened tooth enamel is vulnerable to the abrasiveness of toothpaste."

According also to him in preventing this kind of tooth erosion, consume sports drinks in moderation and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth, to allow softened enamel to re-harden. "If you frequently consume sports drinks, ask your dentist if you should use an acid-neutralizing, re-mineralizing toothpaste to help re-harden soft enamel," he added.

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Smoking Mom May Cause SIDS

We all know that smoking is very detrimental to your health. But here is an alarming new fact: Smoking by mothers has replaced infants sleeping on their stomachs as the greatest modifiable risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.

SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant aged one month to one year.

A recent study found that when mothers smoke, the sleep arousal process of infants, which awakens them in response to a life-threatening situation, is altered, increasing the risk for SIDS.

Infants who have been exposed to smoke have reduced sub-cortical activation to cortical arousal. They also have lower rates of full cortical arousal from sleep and higher rates of sub-cortical activations than infants of nonsmoking mothers. Decreased cortical arousals from sleep have been observed in infants who later died of SIDS.

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Most Important Fruits and Veggies to Buy Organic

With the economy in recession, many people are trying to save as much as possible in as many ways as possible. Because often organic products are more expansive than conventional products, buying conventional products as opposed to organic may be one of your choices to save money.

If you do, here is a list of the most important fruits and vegetables to buy organic, and a list of the ones you can most safely buy conventional.

The 15 to buy organic (they are usually the most contaminated by pesticides):

1. Peach
2. Apple
3. Sweet Bell Pepper
4. Celery
5. Nectarine
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes – Imported
11. Carrot
12. Pear
13. Collard Greens
14. Spinach
15. Potato

The 15 with the least amount of pesticide residues, so you can buy conventional:

1. Onion
2. Avocado
3. Sweet corn (frozen)
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet peas (frozen)
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon
13. Broccoli
14. Tomato
15. Sweet potato

Another important step is to wash your produce before you eat. This will not thoroughly eliminate the pesticides from your produce but it will reduce the levels.

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Loose Weight With Chromium Picolinate

According to a study conducted by the researchers from Louisiana State University (LSU) and the University of Florida, taking chromium picolinate as a daily supplement that can reduce hunger, fat cravings and food intake,

As part of their study, they assigned 42 healthy, non-smoking, overweight women with carbohydrate cravings to take either a 1,000 microgram chromium picolinate or a placebo. Researchers measured the women’s food intake in every meal at the beginning of the study, after one week and after eight weeks.

The participants, then, reported that their cravings for carbohydrates, sweets, and high-fat food were decreased after taking the chromium picolinate, greater than those taking placebo. Hunger level and food intake of those taking placebo decreased by only 8 percent but those taking chromium picolinate decreased by 25 percent. In addition, women taking chromium supplement lost an average weight of 0.5 kilograms (1.1 pounds) but those taking placebo gained an equivalent amount.

The body needs chromium in metabolizing carbohydrates, protein and fat. Chromium is found in whole grains, brewer’s yeast and animal products like cheese, pork kidney or lean meats. However, the body’s ability to absorb chromium is low, that’s why researchers are looking for more bioavailable forms of nutrient. Studies suggested that chromium picolinate might be one such form.

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Eating Fish Makes Your Kids Smarter

Want to have smarter kids? Then make sure they eat fish.

According to a new study conducted among 15-year-old boys, it was discovered that children who eat fish at least once a week are smarter.

Boys that ate fish once a week have an intelligence improvement of 6 percent while those that ate fish even more regularly have an average of 11 percent.

As measured by verbal and visuo-spatial intelligence tests, a study was conducted to monitor the diets of 3,972 boys for three years, aging from 15 to 18 and they found a direct correlation between fish eating and cognitive skills.

As a result of the study, they found that those who ate fish more than once a week have an average of 12 percent higher than those boys who ate fish less than once a week.

The improvement among the boys were not influenced by the educational levels of the parents, because these boys came from different groups with different social backgrounds.

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Tips on Preventing Hemorrhoids

Although nobody likes to talk about it, hemorrhoids are very common and can be very painful and in cases, hard to treat.

Here are some steps that can prevent hemorrhoids.

• Take foods that have lots of fiber such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains which can relieve constipation and consequent straining at stool.
• Avoid taking strong spices such as red pepper and mustard and drinks such as coffee and alcohol which can inflame the lower Gl tract.
• Drink lots of water every day to help maintain consistency in stools.
• Exercise regularly for healthy digestion and regular bowel function.
• Avoid prolonged sitting that can result to hemorrhoids.
• Avoid stress which can lead to the disturbance of the balance of the nervous system which controls bowel function. Try to practice a relaxation technique to manage your stress.
• Try supplements such as Triphala which is an excellent bowel regulator or take one teaspoon of liquid aloe vera after meals.
  
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Tips to Prevent Glaucoma Naturally

Glaucoma is the world’s second leading cause of blindness. The damage it does to your optic nerve is related to increased pressure in your eye and leads to vision loss. In a healthy eye, the aqueous humor, the watery fluid that is naturally present in your eyeball, is regularly drained. To those with glaucoma the drainage system doesn’t work properly, so the fluid builds up in your eye, causing increased pressure, which causes nerve fibers that are essential to vision to die.

Anyone can be at risk especially those that are over 60 years old, with chronic diseases, with eye injuries, and have a family history of glaucoma.

Here are some tips to help prevent glaucoma:

•Take animal-based omega-3 fat supplement which contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which promotes healthy retinal function.
•Take lutein and zeaxanthin which are both important for your eyesight.
•Avoid trans fats which can interfere with omega-3 in your body.
•Eat dark-colored berries to prevent and reverse macular degeneration.

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The Most Inspiring Version of a Wonderful Song

Once I heard that when we look back at the greatest times in our lives, we find that they were not the times when we had the most, but the times when we had the greatest people with us. Could be our parents, friends, a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife, or maybe even (and actually often) a pet.

Sometimes we forget that. And getting caught up on having more and doing more, we forget to enjoy more, especially one another.

I hope this video uplifts you the way it uplifted me.

Mercury in Softdrinks and Snacks?

Here is one more dangerous thing about soda: It can contain mercury, a very dangerous heavy metal which has been found to be contaminating much of our food supply.

Sodas contain high amounts high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS is used to replace sugar in many processed foods such as soft drinks, breads, cereals, meats, soup, yogurt, and a lot more.

An alarming fact about HFCS is that it was found to contain mercury.
In the first study conducted, mercury was found in nine out of 20 samples of commercial HFCS. In the second study conducted by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), they’ve detected mercury in nearly one-third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products.

HFCS are made by using caustic soda to separate corn starch from the corn kernel. The caustic soda that is used is mercury-grade and because mercury cells are used, the caustic soda can be contaminated with mercury and then transfers the mercury contamination to the HFCS.

Mercury is dangerous because it is one of the most toxic elements and is cumulative which means that it does not pass out of your body easily but accumulates there. Chronic mercury poisoning can result in anger, memory loss, insomnia, headaches and a lot more. It can also affect pregnant women developing child.

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How To Overcome Your Fear of Flying

Are you afraid of riding on an airplane? Do your knees shake and your heart beats with fear?

Here are some tips to ease your mind and relax your heart.:

•You can bring medications, listen to music or learn breathing techniques to relieve stress and ease your worries about the flight.

•Familiarize yourself with facts about airplanes and air travel so that you make yourself almost close to flying.

•Put in mind that planes are really made to fly and not to stay on the ground.

•Airplanes have skilled personnel to keep your safety.

•Engine failure is less likely to happen because planes are made to fly safely and there are skilled pilots who will ensure your safe travel.

•The bumps and jolts are natural. It’s just like driving your car over potholes and humps on the roads.

•The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires every airline to follow strict maintenance schedules for all planes before allowing them to fly.

•Pilots are highly trained, skilled, experienced and are medically tested regularly.

•Airport security is always imposing strict rules in checking the passengers, their luggage’s and the air crafts before the first flight of the day.

So, are you still afraid of flying? Just think of this. Statistics show that you are more likely to win mega-millions in the lottery than be involved in a plane crash. Feeling better now?

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How To Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s is a dreaded disease. Actually, it is considered by some researchers and doctors as the new diabetes.

Although we don't have a cure or a sure way to prevent it, here are some habits that may help:

Drink Apple Juice
A recent discovery from the researchers of the University of Massachusetts shows that drinking apple juice may help delay the occurrence of the feared Alzheimer’s disease. According to their study, those who drink apple juice each day produce less beta-amyloid, a small protein fragment which is responsible for forming the “senile plaques” which are often found on the brains of the persons affected by the disease.



Avoid Cigarettes and Alcohol
Studies prove that heavy smokers and drinkers are affected by Alzheimer’s disease earlier than those who do not engage in such habits.

Have an Active Mind
Active persons are less likely to get Alzheimer’s disease than those who are inactive. Older people are the most common victims of this disease so to avoid it they should have an active lifestyle. They should exercise to keep their body healthy and their minds Alzheimer’s free.

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Teen Stress and Adult Life

Teenage years are one of most memorable periods in our lives. It is where you experience all your "firsts"-first love, first broken heart, first fight with parents or peers, and the list goes on. Teen years is a period where teenagers experience all the possible feelings and emotions, whether positive or negative, good or bad.

However, according to UCLA researchers, negative emotions such as depression or stress during teenage years can cause a negative effect during adulthood. A normal, healthy teen that experience a stressful situation will likely to develop a higher level of an inflammatory marker called C-reactive protein or CRP. CRP was found out to later develop as cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Stressors such as conflict with family or friends and social rejections are just some of the most frequent and powerful predictors of psychological distress among individuals. This means that the daily interpersonal stress that we have encountered during our high school years are associated with elevated level of inflammation which will possibly develop into CRP, even among healthy teenagers.

The message to parents is that although we don't want to overprotect teenagers and keep them from going through important learning experiences, we also want to be loving, caring and careful, because what happens to teenagers can have an strong effect later in their lives.

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Tips When Ordering In Fast Food Chains

Although it is not the ideal, sometimes we may find ourselves having to eat fast food.

Hera are some tips from Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. in case you have to eat at a fast food restaurant:

1. No matter how hungry you are, you are better off ordering a small amount of food and making up for it with healthier foods later. Don't super-size or add on items.
2. Pile on the lettuce, tomato and other vegetables that come with your order, to add some fiber and antioxidants.
3. If you order a salad, choose the low-fat dressing, and add sparingly. One serving of full-fat dressing can be equal to the amount of fat in a cheeseburger!
4. Finally, ask to see a list of the nutritional content of menu items. Some restaurants have them posted - if they don't, ask for them, and ask yourself if you really want to eat there.

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To Live Longer, Exercise!

We are all aware of the benefits of exercise. We know that regular exercise helps us make our bodies fit and healthy. However, as they approach middle age, many people find it more difficult to find time for exercise.

A new research has been conducted to find how changes in physical activity levels after middle age influence mortality. Researchers found that "Increased physical activity prolongs life among middle aged and older men, though there might be a period of 5-10 years before an effect is seen on total mortality, write the authors. This effect is the same as smoking cessation. They suggest further research should investigate whether and to what extent increased physical activity affects mortality in the period soon after the change, while the effects in other age groups and in women also need to be studied."

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How To Prevent Accidental Poisoning

Here are some tips on how to prevent accidental poisoning inside our homes:

According to Dr. Cyrus Rangan, Assistant Medical Director and Director of the Los Angeles Medical Toxicology Education Program, California Poison Control System, "It is critical that all consumers are aware of all the potential hazards in their home including the proper ways to store food and to dispose of medications."

When disposing medications and prescriptions it is important that we seal it carefully to avoid children and even pets from having access to it. You can also crush or dissolve the tablets in water to avoid contact with the children. Dispose the water in solid grounds.

The following are some additional poison prevention tips from the CPCS:
-- Keep the number 1-800-222-1222 on or near all phones.
-- Keep medicines and cleaning products out of reach of children and in
locked cabinets.
-- Always keep products in the containers they came in.
-- Never keep cleaning products, gasoline, antifreeze, pain and paint
thinners, or lighter fluid in something you would use for food or a
beverage.
-- Do not store food and household cleaners in the same cabinet.
-- Never call medicine candy.
-- Do not take medicine in front of children; they love to do what adults
do.
-- If you are in the middle of taking medicine or using a cleaning
product and you need to answer the door or phone, take it with you.
-- If you are a grandparent, be sure to keep your medicine and vitamins
where your grandchildren can't get to them.
-- Keep things like make-up perfume, cigarettes, alcohol and vitamins
where children can't reach them.

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Think Positive For A Healthier You

As we find ourselves in the middle of an economical crisis, many times it's difficult to stay positive in general. But staying positive and thinking happy thoughts can actually bring other benefits aside from uplifting our spirits.

Researchers from University of Pittsburgh fount out that optimistic people were:
* 14 percent less likely to die from any cause than pessimists
* 30 percent less likely to die from heart disease after eight years of follow-up
* Less likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes or smoke cigarettes
Aside from these, optimistic people live longer life that cynical ones. At a separate study conducted at Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, researchers found out that happy people were:
* Do better at work, school and sports
* Are less depressed
* Have fewer physical health problems
* Have better relationships


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