Art Smith, Elmo Team up to Cook up Good Nutrition - ABC News

Art Smith, Elmo Team up to Cook up Good Nutrition - ABC News:

"The program provides families with an educational outreach kit which includes a video featuring four new Muppets, the 'Super foods' — banana, cheese, whole-grain roll and broccoli. The video also features Elmo and friends, plus real families, as they try new foods, learn about healthy snacks and discover the importance of sharing a meal together.

And, of course, the broccoli knows how to boogie.

Soy Isoflavones May Modify Risk of Breast Cancer

Soy Isoflavones May Modify Risk of Breast Cancer: "Those women with the highest isoflavone intake had an approximately 30 percent decreased risk of having an invasive breast tumor, and an approximately 60 percent decreased risk of having a grade 1 tumor."

No link seen between high-carb diet, colon cancer | Reuters

No link seen between high-carb diet, colon cancer | Reuters:

"For the new study, researchers followed 73,000 middle-aged and older Chinese women over a decade, looking at the association between reported diet habits and the risk of developing colon cancer.

The women...completed detailed diet questionnaires that allowed the researchers to estimate the total glycemic load of their diets.

...When the researchers divided the study participants into five groups based on dietary glycemic load, they found no evidence that the women's risk of colorectal cancer increased along with glycemic load."

Eating Peanuts While Pregnant May Up Allergy Risk

From WebMD: Eating Peanuts While Pregnant May Up Allergy Risk:

"The children were 3- to 15-months old, and none had been diagnosed with peanut allergies. Blood testing revealed that 140 had a strong sensitivity to peanuts.
....But not everyone with high IgE levels is allergic, Sicherer says.

Maternal consumption of peanuts during pregnancy was strongly predictive for this sensitivity, the researchers reported.

The study appears in the November issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology"

Green Tea Likely To Have No Effect On Breast Cancer Risk

Green Tea Likely To Have No Effect On Breast Cancer Risk:

"A new study published in the current edition of the journal Breast Cancer Research suggests that drinking green tea does not significantly decrease the risk for developing breast cancer. The study, performed by researchers from the National Cancer Center in Tokyo, Japan, calls an age-old belief into question"

and later

""Although in vitro and animal-based studies have suggested that green tea may have beneficial protective effects against breast cancer, results from human studies have been inconclusive, our large-scale, population-based prospective cohort study is one of the first to include a wide range of tea intakes; women who drank green tea less than one cup per week to those who drank 10 or more cups per day," Iwasaki says in a statement."

Study: Alzheimer's risk spikes 157% with heavy smoking - USATODAY.com

Study: Alzheimer's risk spikes 157% with heavy smoking - USATODAY.com:

"The study is the first to examine the long-term consequences of heavy smoking on Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, says the study's principal investigator, Rachel Whitmer, a research scientist with Kaiser Permanente in Oakland.
.... Compared with non-smokers, those who had smoked two packs of cigarettes a day increased their risk of developing Alzheimer's by more than 157% and had a 172% higher risk of developing vascular dementia — the second-most-common form of dementia after Alzheimer's. The research is published online in the Archives of Internal Medicine."

foodconsumer.org - Drinking green tea helps prevent breast cancer

foodconsumer.org - Drinking green tea helps prevent breast cancer:

"Adeyemi A. Ogunleye at Harvard School of Public Health and colleagues reviewed previous studies and found there was an inverse association between drinking green tea and risk of breast cancer recurrence.....

The current study is a review based on two studies of breast cancer recurrence and seven studies of breast cancer incidence associated with drinking green tea published between 1998 and 2009.

Drinking more than 3 cups of green tea a day was correlated with 27 percent reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence, the review study showed. The risk reduction was statistically significant.

Told to Eat Its Vegetables, America Orders Fries - NYTimes.com

Told to Eat Its Vegetables, America Orders Fries - NYTimes.com:

"Despite two decades of public health initiatives, stricter government dietary guidelines, record growth of farmers’ markets and the ease of products like salad in a bag, Americans still aren’t eating enough vegetables.

This month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a comprehensive nationwide behavioral study of fruit and vegetable consumption. Only 26 percent of the nation’s adults eat vegetables three or more times a day, it concluded. (And no, that does not include French fries.)

These results fell far short of health objectives set by the federal government a decade ago. The amount of vegetables Americans eat is less than half of what public health officials had hoped. Worse, it has barely budged since 2000.

Let's make the change today. Do what the government has been able to do. Join our movement: eat your veggies!

BBC News - Drinking water before meals helps dieting, says study

Drinking water before meals may be a way to lower calorie intake.

From the BBC:

"A previous study found that middle-aged and older people who drank two glasses of water before eating a meal ate between 75 and 90 fewer calories during that meal.

Professor Brenda Davy, senior author of the study, from Virginia Tech, said it was the first randomised controlled trial looking at water consumption and dieting.
She said the reason water may be so effective is because it fills up the stomach with a liquid that has no calories.

"People should drink more water and less sugary, high-calorie drinks. It's a simple way to facilitate weight management," Professor Davy said."

Study Finds Even a Little Cigarette Smoke Harms Airway - US News and World Report

Study Finds Even a Little Cigarette Smoke Harms Airway - US News and World Report:

"according to a new study that finds even low levels of smoke exposure can cause irreparable damage...

The damage occurred among 'casual' smokers and even after exposure to secondhand smoke. The initial damage, while not usually severe, can be cumulative and prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke could lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and even lung cancer, the researchers reported.

and later

"The bottom line: "There is no level of cigarette smoking or exposure to cigarette smoke that does not make the cells in your lungs sick," he said. "If you are an occasional smoker you are still at risk. Don't think that smoking one or two cigarettes a week means you are home free."

The study was based on urine tests and examination of genes looking for DNA damage.

BBC News - Green leafy veg 'may cut diabetes risk'

BBC News - Green leafy veg 'may cut diabetes risk':

"A diet rich in green leafy vegetables may reduce the risk of developing diabetes, UK research says.

In an analysis of six studies into fruit and vegetable intake, only food including spinach and cabbage was found to have a significant positive effect.

Moose Offer Trail of Clues on Arthritis - NYTimes.com

Moose Offer Trail of Clues on Arthritis - NYTimes.com:

"The arthritic Bullwinkles got that way because of poor nutrition early in life, an extraordinary 50-year research project has discovered. That could mean, scientists say, that some people’s arthritis can be linked in part to nutritional deficits, in the womb and possibly throughout childhood.

The moose conclusion bolsters a small but growing body of research connecting early development to chronic conditions like osteoarthritis..."

Fascinating! And stresses importance of diet THROUGHOUT life.

BBC News - Fit heart can slow brain ageing, US researchers say

BBC News - Fit heart can slow brain ageing, US researchers say:

Need another reason to get more exercise? Here you go:

"A Boston University team found healthy people with sluggish hearts that pumped out less blood had 'older' brains on scans than others."

Note:  I got this from the BBC and as they do over in England, added an "e" to the spelling of aging.  

Related articles by Zemanta

• Brain may age faster in people whose hearts pump less blood (eurekalert.org)
• 'Beer belly' linked to Alzheimer's disease (dailycaller.com)
• Heart Health Can Help Predict Brain Health (nlm.nih.gov)

Obesity Tops 30% in Nine States, Triple 2007 Total, U.S. Says - Bloomberg

Obesity Tops 30% in Nine States, Triple 2007 Total, U.S. Says - Bloomberg:

"The U.S. is losing the battle of the bulge.

No state in the nation met this year’s targets for reducing obesity, and the number of states reporting an obesity rate of 30 percent or more has tripled, to nine, since 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report today. About 75 million Americans now are considered obese, the Atlanta-based CDC said."

Calcium supplements may boost heart attack risk - CNN.com

Calcium supplements may boost heart attack risk - CNN.com:

"people taking calcium supplements should not stop without consulting their doctor, says John Baron, M.D. a professor of medicine at Dartmouth Medical School, in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and a co-author of the study. More research is needed to confirm and clarify the results, he says......Although the increase in risk associated with calcium supplements was small, it could represent a large number of additional heart attacks in the general population because of how many people take the supplements, the authors note....The findings do not imply that people should reduce the amount of calcium in their diet, Hayes stresses."

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Smithsonian video on the history of the potato

Hummus: great tasting, good for you, and a key to Middle East peace?

Image via Wikipedia

So might hummus be the key to world peace?   If it can get Lebanon and Israel together, who knows? 

From NPR:

"It took 300 chefs, hours of work and 10 tons of hummus, but on May 8, Lebanon broke the world record for the largest bowl of hummus.

This record more than doubles the last record of 4 tons held by Israel, which broke the former record of 2 tons held by Lebanon, which broke the modest record of 700 pounds held by Israel. This, in short, is the history of the Big War Of Hummus."

and later:

"The truth is, no one is really sure about the origins of hummus. Chickpeas were cultivated about 6,000 years ago in the Middle East and have been widely available there ever since. Archaeologists found the first evidence of hummus in the area that is now Israel from the time of the crusaders."

Phys Ed: Your Brain on Exercise - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

Get out there and exercise!

Phys Ed: Your Brain on Exercise - Well Blog - NYTimes.com:

"...mice given access to running wheels had about 50 percent less BMP-related brain activity within a week. They also showed a notable increase in Noggin, a beautifully named brain protein that acts as a BMP antagonist. The more Noggin in your brain, the less BMP activity exists and the more stem cell divisions and neurogenesis you experience. Mice at Northwestern whose brains were infused directly with large doses of Noggin became, Dr. Kessler says, “little mouse geniuses, if there is such a thing.” They aced the mazes and other tests.

Whether exercise directly reduces BMP activity or increases production of Noggin isn’t yet known and may not matter. The results speak for themselves. “If ever exercise enthusiasts wanted a rationale for what they’re doing, this should be it,” Dr. Kessler says. Exercise, he says, through a complex interplay with Noggin and BMP, helps to ensure that neuronal stem cells stay lively and new brain cells are born."

Fish oil may reduce risk of breast cancer

Fish oil may reduce risk of breast cancer:

"Regular use of fish oil supplements, which contain high levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, was linked with a 32 percent reduced risk of breast cancer. The reduction in risk appeared to be restricted to invasive ductal breast cancer, the most common type of the disease."

Related articles by Zemanta

• Fish oil linked to lower breast cancer risk (cnn.com)
• Fish oil may fight breast cancer (sciencenews.org)

Key mechanism links virgin olive oil to protection against breast cancer

Key mechanism links virgin olive oil to protection against breast cancer:

"Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Western countries. Research carried out with animal models demonstrate that a diet rich in fats is directly related to the incidence of cancer. Some types of fats however can play a protective role against the development of these tumours. Such is the case of virgin olive oil, rich in oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fatty acid, and containing several bioactive compounds such as antioxidants. A moderate and regular intake of virgin olive oil, characteristic of the Mediterranean diet, is associated with low incidences of specific types of cancer, including breast cancer, as well as with having a protective role against coronary diseases and other health problems.

The study carried out by UAB researchers decoded the mechanisms operating within the tumour cell and induced by the intake of olive oil, in comparison to those activated by corn oil, rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which increase the aggressiveness of tumours."

Related articles by Zemanta

• Olive Oil Protection Against Breast Cancer (findmeacure.com)
• Ode to Olive Oil (lifescript.com)
• Health Benefits of Olive Oil (food-facts.suite101.com)
• Olive Oil Could Guard Against Developing Ulcerative Colitis (lockergnome.com)
• Virgin olive oil and a Mediterranean diet fight heart disease by changing how our genes function (eurekalert.org)
• Fight Arthritis: 10 Foods That Help and Hurt (lifescript.com)

Coffee or tea: Enjoy both in moderation for heart benefits, Dutch study suggests

Image via Wikipedia

The article finds tea slightly better than coffee but both seemingly heart healthy!

Coffee or tea: Enjoy both in moderation for heart benefits, Dutch study suggests:

"Coffee and tea drinkers may not need to worry about indulging -- high and moderate consumption of tea and moderate coffee consumption are linked with reduced heart disease, according to a study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association"

Related articles by Zemanta

• Tea and coffee reduce heart disease (telegraph.co.uk)
• Moderate Coffee, Tea Drinking Lowers Heart Disease Risk (nlm.nih.gov)
• 13 Year Study: Coffee and Tea May Cut Heart Disease (themoderatevoice.com)
• Tea and coffee 'protect against heart disease' (news.bbc.co.uk)

Kids Think Food Tastes Better From Cartoon-Decorated Packages, Study Finds - ABC News

Kids Think Food Tastes Better From Cartoon-Decorated Packages, Study Finds - ABC News:

"Today, researchers from Yale University announced the results of a small study which confirmed that, to children at least, food that's marketed with cartoons tastes better."

I hope this one comes as a surprise to no one.

B vitamins linked to depression risk in older adults | Reuters

B vitamins linked to depression risk in older adults | Reuters:

"Older adults with relatively low intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 may have a higher risk of developing depression than those who get more of the nutrients, a new study suggests....Vitamin B6 is found in a range of foods, including beans, potatoes, bananas, meat, chicken, peanut butter and certain fish, like salmon and tuna."

Do not change diet plans etc on the basis of this one study...there are some relatively major weaknesses.

Rich or Poor, Nonsmokers Are Happier - Economix Blog - NYTimes.com

Rich or Poor, Nonsmokers Are Happier - Economix Blog - NYTimes.com:

"...survey data has found that smokers are less happy than nonsmokers across all income levels....Of course, this well-being gap presents a chicken-and-egg problem: to what extent are people worse off because they smoke, and to what extent do they smoke because they’re worse off?"

Brown Rice May Lower Risk of Diabetes, Says a Harvard School of Public Health Study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. - WSJ.com

Brown Rice May Lower Risk of Diabetes, Says a Harvard School of Public Health Study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. - WSJ.com:

"Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health say their study is the first to look at the relationship between rice intake and diabetes in a U.S. population. The authors based their findings on diet, lifestyle and health information from three studies covering 197,228 health-care workers, 80% of them women.

They found that eating five or more servings of white rice per week was associated with a slightly higher risk of type 2 diabetes than eating less than one serving a month. Eating two or more servings a week of brown rice, however, was associated with slightly lower risk."

Secondhand Smoke Linked to Mental Distress - US News and World Report

Secondhand Smoke Linked to Mental Distress - US News and World Report:

"As exposure to cigarette fumes increases among nonsmokers, so does their risk of developing serious psychological distress and of being hospitalized for mental ailments, a new study finds.
Click here to find out more!

Cigarette smokers have been shown to have more psychological problems than nonsmokers do, and new evidence suggests that nonsmokers who inhale high levels of secondhand smoke may experience nearly as much psychological distress as smokers...."

Burger & Fries Worsen Asthma, Study Suggests | LiveScience

Burger & Fries Worsen Asthma, Study Suggests | LiveScience

"Patients with asthma who ate a high-fat meal had increased inflammation in their airways soon afterward, and did not respond as well to treatment as those who ate a low-fat meal, the researchers found.

The results provide more evidence that environmental factors, such as diet, can influence the development of asthma, which has increased dramatically in recent years in westernized countries where high-fat diets are common."

The Whole Truth and Nutting But the Truth

The Whole Truth and Nutting But the Truth:

"Two large epidemiological studies, the Nurses’ Health Study (1) and the Adventist Health Study (2) assessed the diets of over 110,000 men and women in relation to coronary heart disease. Adjusting for other coronary heart disease risk factors, they linked the intake of five or more servings (five ounces) of nuts per week to a 35 – 50 percent reduction in risk of coronary heart disease incidence and death....

The article is not exactly new, but well done and good news.

Drinking alcohol while pregnant can increase childhood leukemia – Paging Dr. Gupta - CNN.com Blogs

Drinking alcohol while pregnant can increase childhood leukemia – Paging Dr. Gupta - CNN.com Blogs:

"Drinking mothers increase their unborn babies' risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) says a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention. Adding to the list of reasons not to drink while pregnant, the increased risk of AML in children between the ages of 0 and 4 was shown to increase in mothers that self-reported consuming one drink per week.

The study also took into account the kind of alcohol consumed. The risk remained the same regardless of the kind of alcohol. “The recommendation not to drink alcohol during pregnancy concerns all types of alcoholic beverages,” advises Dr. Paule Latino-Martel, the lead researcher for the study."

High-Carb Diet Hard on Women's Hearts | The Heart Health Blog From NutritionData.com

High-Carb Diet Hard on Women's Hearts | The Heart Health Blog From NutritionData.com

"The researchers in the study at hand found that the highest quartile of carb consumers and glycemic load had twice the rate of heart disease compared to the lowest quartile.

I've written in this column previously about the Cleave-Yudkin theory that excessive amounts of refined carbohydrates cause certain chronic systemic diseases such as heart disease. This new research supports that theory in women, but not in men. Other researchers have notice the connection in women."

We covered this back when the story broke, but thought you might like another person's view on it.

For High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Sweet Talk Gets Harder - NYTimes.com

For High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Sweet Talk Gets Harder - NYTimes.com:

"Early this year....ConAgra decided to reformulate one of its biggest brands, replacing the high-fructose corn syrup in Hunt’s ketchup with old-fashioned sugar. This month, new bottles featuring a banner proclaiming “No high fructose corn syrup” arrive in stores.

Hunt’s ketchup is among the latest in a string of major-brand products that have replaced the vilified sweetener. Gatorade, several Kraft salad dressings, Wheat Thins, Ocean Spray cranberry juice, Pepsi Throwback, Mountain Dew Throwback and the baked goods at Starbucks, to name a few, are all now made with regular sugar.

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Healthy Nutrition Through Behavior Modification | World of Psychology

Healthy Nutrition Through Behavior Modification | World of Psychology:

"Many people I talk to about nutrition tell me that they barely eat, or they skip breakfast. I express my shock and tell them, this is one of your major problems! Everyone needs to eat at minimum three meals a day and occasionally include a healthy snack. If someone does not eat breakfast or skips meals, they are slowing down their metabolism and telling their body to keep the fat on...."

Inspiring 87-year-old gives valuable advice for longevity

Inspiring 87-year-old gives valuable advice for longevity

"Our golden years can be filled with energy and vitality, according to Deborah Szekely, co-founder of Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. At 87 years of age, Deborah trains three days a week with a Navy Seal and three days with a Pilates instructor. She can do 10 push-ups in less than a minute without breaking a sweat. Deborah Szekely exudes inspiration."

Pretty impressive. Read her list.

Teen girls' drinking may lead to breast problems later - USATODAY.com

Teen girls' drinking may lead to breast problems later - USATODAY.com

"Research published online April 12 in the journal Pediatrics found that girls who drank the most alcohol during their teen years ...were five times more likely to develop benign breast disease as young adults than were their peers who never drank or drank less than once a week....Study co-author Catherine Berkey, a biostatistician at Harvard Medical School in Boston, said that benign breast disease is known to boost the risk for breast cancer."

Eating high glycemic index foods may put women at higher risk for heart disease | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times

Eating high glycemic index foods may put women at higher risk for heart disease | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times

"The Italian researchers discovered that the 25% of the women who ate the most amount of carbs had about twice the risk of heart disease as the 25% who ate the least amount of carbs. In terms of quality versus quantity carbs, quality won out: eating more high-glycemic index foods was more strongly linked with a greater risk of coronary heart disease than eating low-glycemic index foods. In the study, the authors wrote, "a high consumption of carbohydrates from high-glycemic index foods, rather than the overall quantity of carbohydrates consumed, appears to influence the risk of developing coronary heart disease."

The same corollaries between eating carbs, glycemic index and glycemic load were not found for men. "

mmm...let's stay tuned for the male study before putting too much weight on the last statement.

Is saturated fat back on the hook? | NutritionData.com Blog by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.

Trying to peacefully solve the conflicts between whether saturated fat does or does not cause heart problems NutritionData's Monica Reinagel offers the following:

Is saturated fat back on the hook? | NutritionData.com Blog by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.:

"Where does this leave the non-ideologue who is just trying to figure out what to eat today? Let me try to save you some neck pain. These ground rules are unlikely to change:

1. I think everyone can agree that too many refined carbohydrates is a big problem. Limit them.

2. Trans fats (from hydrogenated oils) are bad news. Avoid them.

3. In the context of a typical Western diet, shifting some of your fat intake from saturated fats (from animals) to polyunsaturated fats (from vegetable oils) appears to have some advantages in terms of heart health. But I would argue that monounsaturated fats (olive oil) and omega-3 fat (fish and flax) are even better replacement

s."

Fatty foods may cause cocaine-like addiction - CNN.com

Fatty foods may cause cocaine-like addiction - CNN.com:

"A new study in rats suggests that high-fat, high-calorie foods affect the brain in much the same way as cocaine and heroin. When rats consume these foods in great enough quantities, it leads to compulsive eating habits that resemble drug addiction, the study found.

Doing drugs such as cocaine and eating too much junk food both gradually overload the so-called pleasure centers in the brain, according to Paul J. Kenny, Ph.D., an associate professor of molecular therapeutics at the Scripps Research Institute, in Jupiter, Florida."

BBC News - 'Good fat' cuts heart risk by a fifth, study shows

BBC News - 'Good fat' cuts heart risk by a fifth, study shows:

"The Harvard Medical School reports adds weight to the growing evidence about polyunsaturated fats, found in some fish and vegetable oils.

The team analysed the findings from eight previous studies, covering more than 13,000 people, in their research.

Experts said cutting down on saturated fats, found in butter and meat, was just one part of a healthy diet.

It is recommended that adults get no more than 11% of their energy from saturated fats."

Low Levels Of Vitamin D Linked To Muscle Fat, Decreased Strength In Young People

Low Levels Of Vitamin D Linked To Muscle Fat, Decreased Strength In Young People:

"A ground-breaking study published in the March 2010 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found an astonishing 59 per cent of study subjects had too little Vitamin D in their blood. Nearly a quarter of the group had serious deficiencies (less than 20 ng/ml) of this important vitamin. Since Vitamin D insufficiency is linked to increased body fat, decreased muscle strength and a range of disorders....."

Vitamin D is relatively hard to get from food. Here are some sources.

Vitamins stored in bathrooms, kitchens may become less effective

Vitamins stored in bathrooms, kitchens may become less effective:

"High humidity present in bathrooms and kitchens could be degrading the vitamins and health supplements stored in those rooms, even if the lids are on tight, a Purdue University study shows."

Observations: Another reason vitamin D is important: It gets T cells going

Given that most are Vit D deficient, this one has big implications:

Observations: Another reason vitamin D is important: It gets T cells going:

"Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a rapidly expanding inventory of ailments—including heart disease, cancer and the common cold. A new discovery demonstrates how the vitamin plays a major role in keeping the body healthy in the first place, by allowing the immune system's T cells to start doing their jobs."

Letterman to Challenge 2010 NGA Best Bagger Champion on ‘Late Night’

Letterman to Challenge 2010 NGA Best Bagger Champion on ‘Late Night’:

"The Best Bagger National Championship, sponsored by Omaha, Neb.-based ConAgra Foods, Inc., is a yearlong, nationwide program in which the best-of-the-best grocery baggers in the country compete for prizes and the title of “America’s Best Bagger.” Contestants are judged on speed, bag-building technique, weight distribution between bags, and style, attitude and appearance. As the winner, Perry took home “bagging rights” as well as the $10,000 grand prize, the “Golden Grocery Bag' trophy, and additionally won the Pan-Oston “Best Bagger Golden Lane” for his organization.

This year’s competition also made a change in the type of bags used within competition: for the first time, reusable bags were used instead of paper and plastic. This change was in response to the increase in consumer popularity of reusable bags around the country."

Medical News: Happy People May Have Better Heart Health - in Cardiovascular, Atherosclerosis from MedPage Today

Medical News: Happy People May Have Better Heart Health - in Cardiovascular, Atherosclerosis from MedPage Today:

"Individuals who find joy, excitement, and contentment in their daily lives may be protected from cardiovascular disease, researchers found.

Higher levels of positive affect, a measure of happiness, were associated with a significantly lower risk of having a cardiovascular event over a 10-year period (P=0.02), according to Karina Davidson, PhD, of Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, and colleagues."

Area counties get low rankings in health study : Home: The Buffalo News

Area counties get low rankings in health study : Home: The Buffalo News:

"The results placed Niagara, Cattaraugus, Erie and Allegany counties among the bottom 11 counties. Ontario ranked fifth. Putnam County was first, and the Bronx was last.

The report also combined a set of 23 factors that affect health. These included smoking, diet, exercise, alcohol use, access to health care, employment, income, air quality and number of liquor stores."

Aspirin boosts breast cancer survival rate

From Physorg: Aspirin boosts breast cancer survival rate:

"An observational study of 4,164 women diagnosed with breast cancer showed those taking aspirin in the period after diagnosis had a much lower rate of recurrence, and a much higher survival rate than those who did not."

Gee, what won't aspirin do?

Soft Drinks Could Boost Pancreatic Cancer Risk - US News and World Report

Soft Drinks Could Boost Pancreatic Cancer Risk - US News and World Report:

"'Soft drinks are linked with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer,' said Noel Mueller, lead author of a study appearing in the February issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 'We can't speculate too much on the mechanism because this is an observational study, but the increased risk may be working through effects of the hormone insulin.'

Still, the report should not cause undue alarm, some say.

'The study was well designed but smaller than some previous studies that did not find a link between sugar-sweetened soft drinks and pancreatic cancer,' noted Eric Jacobs, strategic director of pharmacoepidemiology at the American Cancer Society. 'Direct evidence linking sugar-sweetened soft drinks to pancreatic cancer remains limited.'"

Soup Therapy: Detoxify, Lose Weight, and Boost Immunity on Yahoo! Health

Soup Therapy: Detoxify, Lose Weight, and Boost Immunity on Yahoo! Health:

"A healing soup can be your first step in maintaining your health and preventing illness. The therapeutic value of soup comes from the ease with which your body can assimilate the nutrients from the ingredients, which have been broken down by simmering."

Study: Cutting Salt Intake Would Boost Nation’s Health - Health News - Health.com

Study: Cutting Salt Intake Would Boost Nation’s Health - Health News - Health.com:

"The number of heart attacks in the U.S. could decline by up to 13% if adults could just slash their daily salt intake by 3 grams, or about 1,200 milligrams of sodium, according to the study, which was published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. New cases of heart disease and the number of strokes could also be expected to decline, by up to 11% and 8%, respectively.

To achieve a similar reduction in heart attacks and other heart-related problems, the researchers estimate, nationwide tobacco use would need to be halved. Alternatively, obese adults would need to reduce their body mass index by 5%,"

Friendly bacteria love the humble apple

Friendly bacteria love the humble apple:

"'In our study we found that rats eating a diet high in pectin, a component of dietary fiber in apples, had increased amounts of certain bacteria that may improve intestinal health,' said co-researcher Andrea Wilcks. 'It seems that when apples are eaten regularly and over a prolonged period of time, these bacteria help produce short-chain fatty acids that provide ideal pH conditions for ensuring a beneficial balance of microorganisms. They also produce a chemical called butyrate, which is an important fuel for the cells of the intestinal wall.'"

Candied yams or Candied Sweet Potatoes? « Inside Adams

From the Library of Congress no less:
Candied yams or Candied Sweet Potatoes? « Inside Adams:

"What we call a yam in the United States (e.g., garnet yam or jewel yam) is in fact a softer variety of sweet potatoes. True yams, native to African and Asia, are drier and starchier than sweet potatoes.

To supplement this culinary history, I needed to understand the botanical relationships between the two. Botanically, a sweet potato and a yam are both flowering plants, but that is where the similarity ends. Yams are closely related to lilies and grasses, while sweet potatoes are part of the morning glory family."

Eating for Longevity: Foods for a Long, Healthy Life

Eating for Longevity: Foods for a Long, Healthy Life:

"A growing body of findings suggests that diet is one of the important contributors to longevity and a healthy life. WebMD examined the research and talked to the experts. Here’s what’s on the menu of people who enjoy long and healthy lives."

The entire article is here.

All the normal things on the list: fruits and vegetables, nuts, berries, etc. Good advice!

Calorie culprit might be home cooking

Calorie culprit might be home cooking:

"The study looked at 18 recipes that have stayed basically the same over the past 70 years. Among the recipes were holiday staples like apple pie and sugar cookies. Calories increased for all but one of those recipes - chili con carne. Some of the recipes called for more fat and sugar than the 1936 originals, but in almost all cases, calories increased simply because the serving sizes were larger."

Taste, do not gorge. Or as the saying goes "a polite bite".

Jeff Galloway's Blog

Jeff Galloway's Blog:

"It's possible to keep your training on track, even with holiday distractions. Here are some tips that have helped many runners maintain conditioning even with holiday temptations. You'd be surprised, but even very short workouts on maintenance days can maintain your fitness, relieve stress, inject more energy and allow you to feel better during holiday festivities."

Alcohol consumption increases risk of breast cancer recurrence, study finds

Alcohol consumption increases risk of breast cancer recurrence, study finds:

"Moderate to heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages (at least three to four drinks per week) is associated with a 1.3-fold increased risk of breast cancer recurrence.... Drinking less than three drinks per week was not associated with an increased risk...Previous research has shown that consumption of alcohol is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but there are limited studies to date about alcohol's role in patient prognosis and survival among those already diagnosed with breast cancer.."

Diet Myth or Truth: Fasting Is Effective for Weight Loss

Diet Myth or Truth: Fasting Is Effective for Weight Loss:

"It's true that fasting -- that is, eating little to no food -- will result in weight loss, at least in the short term. But the risks far outweigh any benefits, and ultimately, fasting can cause more harm than good."

Health Benefits of Mushrooms

As I sit eating Portabella mushrooms I decided I should probably see if there is any news on mushrooms. And hat do you know, they seem to be good for you!

Health Benefits of Mushrooms:

"Mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium, a mineral that helps lower elevated blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke. One medium portabella mushroom has even more potassium than a banana or a glass of orange juice. One serving of mushrooms also provides about 20 to 40 percent of the daily value of copper, a mineral that has cardioprotective properties.

Mushrooms are a rich source of riboflavin, niacin, and selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant that works with vitamin E to protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Male health professionals who consumed twice the recommended daily intake of selenium cut their risk of prostate cancer by 65 percent."

Smoking costs final on Vimeo

The beginning is ok, the end sort of weak.

Smoking costs final on Vimeo:

"Professor Kenneth A. Perkins, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, delves into the behavioral economics of cigarettes, with video collected by Marketplace's Tim Werth"

Smoking costs final from Marketplace on Vimeo.

Is Folic acid dangerous? Maybe. Definitely worth more study!

Folic Acid Supplementation has had a rough few months.

A sampling of the newest research:

From today's NY Times:
"Vital Signs - Study Raises Cancer Concerns in Big Doses of Folic Acid - NYTimes.com:

"The latest study, published in the Nov. 18 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, monitored the same patients through 2007. It found that 10 percent of patients who had been treated with folic acid and vitamin B 12 had developed cancer, compared with 8.4 percent of those who had not received the treatment, an increased risk of 21 percent.""

This was also reported in the LA Times:

Folic acid and cancer: New data might add to suspicion or, better, to discussion | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times: "

Researchers in Norway analyzed data from 6,837 people with ischemic heart disease treated with folic acid, B6 and B12; folic acid and B12; just B6 or a placebo. Those treated with folic acid and B12 had higher rates of cancer, cancer deaths and deaths in general over the course of several years. Lung cancer contributed significantly to the cancer numbers."

The actual paper is from the Journal of American Medical Association:

"....Conclusion Treatment with folic acid plus vitamin B₁₂ was associated with increased cancer outcomes and all-cause mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease in Norway"

Dr. Furhman goes further referring to previous studies (smaller) that also found a relationship with folic acid and cancer. Furhman makes major efforts to say that these findings are based on synthetic folic acid and not folates in fruits and vegetables.

"Paradoxically, in people who do not take folic acid supplements there is inverse relationship between dietary folate intake and breast and prostate cancer.^14,3 Folate is an essential nutrient with vital functions. It is probable that folate levels need to be tightly regulated by the body – that the timing and dose of folate is an important determinant of whether folate has positive or negative effects. Folate's actions on DNA may prevent cancer from initiating, but may also promote the proliferation of tumor cells that may already present.¹⁵ Luckily, getting our folate exclusively from food ensures that we do not get too much. It comes naturally packaged in balance with other micronutrients and the body regulates its absorption.^9"

If that were not enough,, there is also evidence that excess folic acid during the latter part of pregnancy may lead to increase asthma risk: MedGuru citing an article in the Journal of Epidemiolgy reports that

"The researchers found that women who took folic acid supplements between 16 to 30 weeks of the pregnancy were 30 percent more likely to give birth to a child who could develop breathing problem like asthma by the time he reaches three years of age.

On the other hand, women who took the folic acid supplements prior to conception or just few weeks after conception had no such risk."

So what to do? Given the numerous tests have shown a reduction of birth defects from folic acid and those in the cancer studies were taking larger than recommended doses. As the Guardian concludes:

"If you're thinking of having a baby or are already pregnant, it's recommended that you take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, from the time you stop using contraception until week 12 of your pregnancy. In the study, the people who developed cancer had been taking double this dose for several years.

Even so, the supplements used in the study were within the supposedly safe limit for folic acid, which was thought to be around 1,000 micrograms per day. Most people get less than this. A typical British person probably gets around 302 micrograms a day, including natural folate from vegetables, and from folic acid added to foods like breakfast cereals."

Thus, I would definitely suggest asking your doctor about it one way or the other and be sure to mention these recent studies, (S)he may not have seen them yet.

PSA: Smoking is so bad it voids your computer warranty : Christopher Null : Yahoo! Tech

Yet another reason to not smoke!

PSA: Smoking is so bad it voids your computer warranty : Christopher Null : Yahoo! Tech:

"Lighting up near your computer is heresy enough that Apple says it voids your warranty should you need to bring a smoke-exposed computer in for repair.

Specifically, in at least two instances in different parts of the country, Apple has voided the warranty and refused to provide repair service on Macintosh computers exposed to environments where cigarette smoke has been present. Calling cigarette smoke residue (tar and whatnot) inside a computer a health risk and a 'biohazard,' in both cases Apple customers have been denied service despite having time left on a valid warranty."

Personal Health - Exploring a Low-Acid Regimen for Bone Health - NYTimes.com

This article from the NY Times asks some important questions. And reminds us all how little we really know.

Personal Health - Exploring a Low-Acid Regimen for Bone Health - NYTimes.com:

"Why, in Western countries that consume the most dairy foods, are rates of osteoporotic fractures among the highest in the world? And why has no consistent link been found between the amount of calcium people consume and protection against osteoporosis?...An alternative theory of bone health may — or may not — explain these apparent contradictions. It is the theory of low-acid eating, a diet laden with fruits and vegetables but relatively low in acid-producing protein and moderate in cereal grains. Its proponents suggest that this menu plan could lead to stronger bones than the typical American diet"

New type of "stuffing" /Dressing

I as talking about this last night at the Allegany Store. Carmichael is Lance Armstrong's coach.

Carmichael Training Systems: Cook it Up:

"Being an endurance athlete is all about getting more out of your body, more out of your life, and more out of just about everything. So we applied that 'get more out of it' philosophy to stuffing! Try this delicious modification to your typical stuffing for a healthy and tasty treat this holiday season. We've added carrot, apple, and green pepper, not only for some additional nutrients, but also for some crunch and taste."

Holiday meals and dog safety

Pedigree:

"Thanksgiving meals may have all your favorites, but imagine what can happen to your dog if he chows down on mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Keep in mind that the potential risks of feeding him Thanksgiving leftovers far outweigh his momentary delight. A little restraint and a yummy chew toy will keep your dog safe this Thanksgiving and for many holidays to come."

Great American Smokeout '09: Time to Quit - US News and World Report

Great American Smokeout '09: Time to Quit - US News and World Report:

"Research shows that smokers who quit at age 35 gain an average of eight years of life expectancy, and those who quit at 55 gain about five years. Even long-time smokers who quit at age 65 gain three years.

Smokers who quit before age 50 cut their risk of death within the next 15 years in half compared to people who continue to smoke. In addition, a former smoker's lung cancer risk 10 years after quitting smoking is about half that of someone who still smokes, the society said."

Time: Heart disease in Mummies? wow...

From TIME http://wellness.blogs.time.com/2009/11/18/mummies-offer-clues-about-the-history-of-heart-disease/:

"'We were struck by the similar appearance of vascular calcification in the mummies and our present-day patients,' said another researcher, Dr. Michael Miyamoto of the University of California at San Diego. 'Perhaps the development of atherosclerosis is a part of being human.'....rich people ate meat, and they did salt meat, so maybe they had hypertension (high blood pressure), but that's speculation,' Thomps"

NPR: dont_mix_plavix_and_prilosec.html?ft=1&f=103537970

- dont_mix_plavix_and_prilosec:

"FDA recommends that people on Plavix who also need something to fight heartburn take a different kind of medicine to reduce stomach acid, such as Maalox, Zantac or Pepcid.

One caveat: don't substitute Tagamet, which also seems to interfere with the critical enzyme and could reduce Plavix's effectiveness"

U.S. Smoking Rate Rises Slightly - WSJ.com

As most of you know, our Allegany Store is in midst of phasing out the sale of cigarettes. We have concluded that the lost profits (and tobacco is profitable) is not worth the harm it does to the smokers. And while we respect your freedom to smoke, if we can nudge you away from smoking it means we get to have you as a customer for a longer time. Which is a win win :)

U.S. Smoking Rate Rises Slightly - WSJ.com:

"A little under 21% of Americans were current cigarette smokers, according to a 2008 national survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A year earlier, 19.8% said they were smoking. It also is the first increase in adult smoking since 1994, experts noted."

Vital Signs - Study Suggests Skim Milk With Cocoa May Reduce Inflammation - NYTimes.com

well,maybe...

Vital Signs - Study Suggests Skim Milk With Cocoa May Reduce Inflammation - NYTimes.com:

"A new study suggests that regular consumption of skim milk with flavonoid-rich cocoa may reduce inflammation, potentially slowing or preventing development of atherosclerosis"

5 Heart-Healthy Foods from WebMD

Frozen blueberries are great in many dishes from smoothies to pancakes.

5 Heart-Healthy Foods:

"Where to start? Add these five 'super-foods' to boost nutritional goodness while eating your way to a healthier heart.
Blueberries

Blueberries top the list as one of the most powerful disease-fighting foods"

Kicking the Habit for Your Pet - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

Kicking the Habit for Your Pet - Well Blog - NYTimes.com:

"Studies show that smoking poses a significant health threat to dogs, cats and birds who inhale secondhand smoke. A study at Tufts College of Veterinary Medicine found a higher rate of mouth cancer in cats who live with smokers. Cats are particularly vulnerable because carcinogenic compounds in smoke settle on their fur, which then are ingested by the cat when it grooms. A smoker’s cat is also twice as likely to develop malignant lymphoma than a cat that lives with non-smokers.

Dogs who live with smokers are more likely to develop cancers in the nose and sinuses, according to a study at Colorado State University. Long-nosed dog breeds were at highest risk. Dogs with short or medium-length noses showed higher rates of lung cancer."

Phys Ed: The Best Exercises for Healthy Bones - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

Phys Ed: The Best Exercises for Healthy Bones - Well Blog - NYTimes.com:

"In the meantime, the current state-of-the-science message about exercise and bone building may be that, silly as it sounds, the best exercise is to simply jump up and down, for as long as the downstairs neighbor will tolerate. “Jumping is great, if your bones are strong enough to begin with,” Dr. Barry says. “You probably don’t need to do a lot either.” (If you have any history of fractures or a family history of osteoporosis, check with a physician before jumping.) In studies in Japan, having mice jump up and land 40 times during a week increased their bone density significantly after 24 weeks, a gain they maintained by hopping up and down only about 20 or 30 times each week after that.

If hopping seems an undignified exercise regimen, bear in mind that it has one additional benefit: It tends to aid in balance, which may be as important as bone strength in keeping fractures at bay. Most of the time, Dr. Barry says, “fragile bones don’t matter, from a clinical standpoint, if you don’t fall down.”"

The French Women Don't Get Fat Diet

From Web MD: The French Women Don't Get Fat Diet:

"The basic premise of French Women Don't Get Fat is that you should eat only good food of very high quality, eat it in small portions, and savor every bite.

From chocolate to champagne, eat slowly, with all your senses, and make every dining experience pleasurable so you will be satisfied with smaller portions of delicious food. No food is off limits, only large portions."

StillTasty

StillTasty - Your Ultimate Shelf Life Guide - Save Money, Eat Better, Help the Environment....

Using reliable sources, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, StillTasty offers a very user friendly guide to all kinds of food questions...

- Is it OK to put hot food directly into the refrigerator?

- How should I safely defrost fish?

- How can I make bananas ripen more slowly?

Find out if you should "keep it" or "toss it", view commonly asked questions, and more.

Processed food link to depression: research - Yahoo! News

Processed food link to depression: research - Yahoo! News:

"A diet heavy in processed and fatty foods increases the risk of depression, according to British research published on Monday.

Researchers at University College London also found that a diet including plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit and fish could help prevent the onset of depression."

‘Smart Choices’ Food Labeling Loses Support - NYTimes.com

good news!

‘Smart Choices’ Food Labeling Loses Support - NYTimes.com:

"Officials with the program said that Smart Choices would suspend most of its operations while they waited for the Food and Drug Administration to devise regulations for package-front nutrition labeling. Those rules could differ from the program’s criteria."

All cereals are not created equal

HealthNewsDigest.com:

"The least healthy breakfast cereals are those most frequently and aggressively marketed directly to children as young as age two, finds a new study from Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. The researchers’ evaluation of cereal marketing, the first such study of its kind....Researchers studied the nutrient composition and comprehensive marketing efforts of 115 cereal brands and 277 individual cereal varieties. Nineteen brands (comprised of 47 varieties) were identified as “child brands” because their cereals are marketed directly to children on television, the Internet, or through licensed characters, such as Dora the Explorer."

PS advice: oatmeal (and not the sugary instant stuff) with fruit and nuts.

wgrz.com | Buffalo, NY | NY Deposits On Bottled Water Take Effect Oct. 31

wgrz.com | Buffalo, NY | NY Deposits On Bottled Water Take Effect Oct. 31:

"Nickel deposits will be imposed on bottled water in New York state starting Oct. 31. after U.S. District Judge Deborah Batts issued an order lifting an injunction on the deposits.

All containers of water under a gallon will have a 5-cent refundable deposit, as beer and soda containers have for years."

Leading the Way...

Leading The Way: Olean grocer honored for hiring practices

From today's Olean Times Herald... We are very honored to receive this award!!


For 20 years, Park and Shop Service Stores have been recognized as an area business that people with developmental disabilities can go to as an entry-level employer. So much so, they have won the regional honor of the New York State Rehabilitation Association 2009 Buffalo Regional Corporate Business Award.

“It’s a nice honor to have,” Thomas Mahar, Park and Shop’s secretary and controller, said. “We have worked with many employees through The ReHabilitation Center. It is an honor.”

Information in the recommendation form for the stores shows that the honor comes from both ends of the relationship.

“They are well-regarded as customer-friendly, family-owned neighborhood grocery stores,” the recommendation form reads.

“The key word in their name is ‘service,’” it continues. “They built their business on this single principle, which is maintained to this day in the tradition inherited from their father. Their relationship with (The ReHabilitation Center) is a prime example of this commitment to the community.”

Started 86 years ago, when 18-year-old Fran Mahar opened his first grocery store in Olean, the mission of service has followed the organization through to the present day, Nancy Miller, director of vocational rehabilitation said."

Read the rest of the article here...

New Affordable Nutrition Index is First Measurement Tool to Evaluate Affordable Nutrition | Reuters

New Affordable Nutrition Index is First Measurement Tool to Evaluate Affordable Nutrition | Reuters:

"DENVER--(Business Wire)-- A new food rating system that analyzes both nutrition and cost value of food may now make it easier for people to find budget-friendly, nutritious foods in today`s tough economy. The Affordable Nutrition Index (ANI), unveiled today at the American Dietetic Association`s Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo by leading nutrition expert Adam Drewnowski, PhD, professor at the University of Washington, is the first and only tool that assesses food`s nutritional profile and cost value to create a nutrition-value-per-dollar score."

and later:

"Among the specific findings:

* Carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli were at the top of the ANI scale; oranges
and bananas were the top-scoring fruits in the index.
....
* Other fresh or cooked vegetables (peas, string beans, squash, lettuce) and
fresh fruits (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, grapes, nectarines,
apples) were also highly ranked."

Soups (especially reduced sodium varieties were among the highest processed foods.

Drinking Your Way to Health? Perhaps Not - Yahoo! News

Drinking Your Way to Health? Perhaps Not - Yahoo! News:

"Experts with the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association say that though these studies do show some benefits to moderate drinking, the health risks from alcohol consumption far outweigh the potential rewards."

For Older Adults, Good Nutrition and Exercise Are Key To Staying Healthy & Active | Reuters

For Older Adults, Good Nutrition and Exercise Are Key To Staying Healthy & Active | Reuters:

"This new research confirms that good nutrition and exercise are a vital part of staying healthy and feeling young - especially for older adults,' said Dr. Franco, whose previous research in nutrition and aging supports BeneVia's unique nutritional value. 'Staying healthy is a lifelong process that includes optimal nutrition and exercise, which can help maintain a healthy weight profile and prolong life expectancy.'"

Green tea may curb risk of some cancers - Yahoo! News

Green tea may curb risk of some cancers - Yahoo! News:

"Drinking green tea may lower your risk of developing certain blood cancers, but it will take about 5 cups a day, according to a study from Japan.

Drinking green tea has been associated with lower risk of dying and heart disease deaths, Dr. Toru Naganuma, at Tohoku University School of Medicine in Sendai, Japan told Reuters Health in an email correspondence."

The Food Issue - Michael Pollan's Favorite Food Rules - NYTimes.com

The Food Issue - Michael Pollan's Favorite Food Rules - NYTimes.com: "

Deciding what to eat, indeed deciding what qualifies as food, is not easy in such an environment. When Froot Loops can earn a Smart Choices check mark, a new industrywide label that indicates a product’s supposed healthfulness, we know we can’t rely on the marketers, with their dubious health claims, or for that matter on the academic nutritionists who collaborate on such labeling schemes"

Whole grains may help keep blood pressure in check - Yahoo! News

Whole grains may help keep blood pressure in check - Yahoo! News:

"Eating lots of whole grains could ward off high blood pressure, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

In the study, men with the highest whole-grain consumption were 19 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure than men who ate the least amount of whole grains."

For more on whole grains see this link from ScienceDaily.

Be wary of B vitamins for heart health - The Globe and Mail

Be wary of B vitamins for heart health - The Globe and Mail:

"In a review of eight trials involving 24,210 people, not one study supported the notion that taking B vitamins prevents heart disease. When analyzed together, the data showed that B vitamin pills were no better than placebos at guarding against heart attack, stroke or death from heart disease.

The new study was led by Venezuelan researcher Arturo Marti-Carvajal of the Cochrane Network, an international body that performs systematic reviews of medical research"

BBC NEWS | Health | Med-style diet battles 'blues'

BBC NEWS | Health | Med-style diet battles 'blues':

"The Mediterranean diet, already thought to protect against heart disease and cancer, may also help to prevent depression, Spanish researchers say.

They found depression was more than 30% less likely to develop in people who followed a diet high in vegetables, fruit and cereals, and low in red meat."

I guess if you feel good, you are less likely to be depressed, so not sure if this should be too surprising, but its confirmation is assuring.

Study Finds Fish Won't Prevent Heart Failure - Yahoo! News

Study Finds Fish Won't Prevent Heart Failure - Yahoo! News:

"...eating fish does appear to help protect against heart attacks and other cardiovascular disease, a new Dutch study finds it doesn't seem to guard against the development of heart failure.

Heart failure is a degenerative condition, but with the right treatment and lifestyle people are living longer with it. In fact, some 5.7 million Americans are living with heart failure, and 670,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, according to the American Heart Association."

Decrease Your Cancer Risk With Dark Chocolate | LIVESTRONG.COM

Decrease Your Cancer Risk With Dark Chocolate | LIVESTRONG.COM:

"To get the maximum benefits of chocolate, eat 1 to 2 oz. per day and choose dark chocolate, preferably one that is made of 65 percent cocoa. The reason? Chocolate is made from cacao beans, which are an extremely high source of antioxidants. Therefore, the higher the concentration of cocoa in the chocolate, the bigger antioxidant punch you'll get.

The Darker, the Better"

Swine flu spreads long after fever has stopped | Seattle Times Newspaper

Uh, oh...

Health | Studies: Swine flu spreads long after fever has stopped | Seattle Times Newspaper:

"Doctors know that people can spread ordinary seasonal flu for a couple of days before and after symptoms start by studying the virus that patients shed in mucus. The first such studies of swine flu are just coming out now, and they imply a longer contagious period for the bug.

In addition to the Canadian study, Dr. David C. Lye at Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore found that 80 percent of patients had it five days after symptoms began, and 40 percent seven days after. Some still harbored virus as long as 16 days later."

Newsom wants to charge stores that sell sodas

Newsom wants to charge stores that sell sodas:

"Calling soda the new tobacco, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will introduce legislation this fall that would charge a fee to retailers that sell sugary beverages."

Where does it stop?

Hand-Washing Is No Defense Against Swine Flu | Newsweek Health | Newsweek.com

StumbleUpon WebToolbar - Hand-Washing Is No Defense Against Swine Flu | Newsweek Health | Newsweek.com:

"There is virtually no evidence that people can catch the influenza virus from germs that they pick up on their hands, according to Arthur Reingold, head of epidemiology at the University of California, Berkeley, and codirector of the CDC-funded California Emerging Infections Program. Instead, humans are most likely to catch influenza by breathing in microscopic particles exhaled by infected people.

Reingold and other epidemiologists don't discount hand-washing as an important tool in public health: there is plenty of evidence that it prevents other nasty bugs, including the common cold, many respiratory infections, and viruses that cause diarrhea. But Reingold is bothered by the lack of science supporting the CDC's message, and he worries that the emphasis on a simple measure like hand-washing creates a false sense of security from H1N1 and tamps down the discussion of more difficult preventive measures."

WOW. I did not know that.

History in the News: Gladiators Were Vegetarians

History in the News: Gladiators Were Vegetarians:

"A 200-square-foot plot of land in the city of Ephesus (now in western Turkey), alongside the road that originally led from the city centre to the Temple of Artemis, is the world’s only known gladiator graveyard. The plot contains the bodies of just over 60 gladiators. Karl Grossschmidt, a paleo-pathologist from the Medical University of Vienna, recently led a research project about gladiator life, the diets of gladiators and the causes of their deaths. Scientists carried out isotopic analyses of bone fragments from the graveyard, measuring trace chemical elements such as calcium, strontium and zinc. The results of the study were reported in an article by Andrew Curry published in the November/December issue of Archaeology magazine (a publication of the Archaeological Institute of America).

"

Put all that low-cal, high-nutrition zucchini to work | Detroit Free Press | Freep.com

Put all that low-cal, high-nutrition zucchini to work | Detroit Free Press | Freep.com:

"The zucchini we enjoy today was developed in Italy and is a member of the cucumber and melon family. Zucchini's principal nutritional attribute is its low calorie content.

Because this summer squash is more than 95% water, it has just 19 calories per cup. Zucchini provides a good source of vitamin C, fiber, potassium and magnesium -- all nutrients that appear beneficial in lowering the risk of high blood pressure."

How Much Omega-3 Fatty Acid Do We Need To Prevent Cardiovascular Disease?

How Much Omega-3 Fatty Acid Do We Need To Prevent Cardiovascular Disease?:

"A team of French scientists have found the dose of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) that is 'just right' for preventing cardiovascular disease in healthy men. In a research report appearing in the September 2009 print issue of The FASEB Journal, the scientists show that a 200 mg dose of DHA per day is enough to affect biochemical markers that reliably predict cardiovascular problems, such as those related to aging, atherosclerosis, and diabetes"

Mediterranean Diet Tops Low-Fat Regimen in Study of Diabetics - Bloomberg.com

Mediterranean Diet Tops Low-Fat Regimen in Study of Diabetics - Bloomberg.com:

"Newly diagnosed diabetics who were overweight better managed their disease by eating a Mediterranean diet rich in fish, fruits and vegetables instead of one low in fat, an Italian study found.

The proportion of those on the low-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet who needed diabetes medicine after four years was 44 percent compared with 70 percent for the low-fat regimen,"

How to Walk Off 5 Times More Belly Fat | Active.com

Don't have time to workout? That may not be a problem, just workout harder.

How to Walk Off 5 Times More Belly Fat | Active.com:

"Researchers from the University of Virginia found that women who did three shorter, fast-paced walks a week (plus two longer, moderate-paced ones) lost 5 times more abdominal fat than those who simply strolled at a moderate speed 5 days a week, even though both groups burned exactly the same number of calories (400) per workout"

Low-carb Diets Linked To Atherosclerosis And Impaired Blood Vessel Growth

Can not say I am surprised, but with many of you on low carb diets this is important!

Low-carb Diets Linked To Atherosclerosis And Impaired Blood Vessel Growth:

"...mice placed on a 12-week low carbohydrate/high-protein diet showed a significant increase in atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the heart's arteries and a leading cause of heart attack and stroke. The findings also showed that the diet led to an impaired ability to form new blood vessels in tissues deprived of blood flow, as might occur during a heart attack."

Heart Association Wants You To Cut Out Most Sugar - ABC News

Heart Association Wants You To Cut Out Most Sugar - ABC News:

"...the American Heart Association (AHA) wants the average American to take a break from this love affair. Under new recommendations the AHA advises women eat no more than about six teaspoons every day in added sugars and men eat no more than 10 teaspoons.

If Americans followed the guidelines, the average person would cut their added sugar consumption by more than 70 percent."

BTW there is a cool video that is also available in the story. It shows how much sugar is in various items.

Livestrong Day Bake Sale

As part of the Livestrong Days' (October 2-3) BonaResponds Work Day and Bake Sale, Park and Shop has agreed to both host a part of the bake sale and also sell specially packaged baking items that will be perfect for the bake sale.


With each package, you will get 2 foil pans, and two items to cook. This was you can cook one for yourself and donate one to the bake sale.

In addition, in the package will be a flier/brochure with information on Livestrong and BonaResponds. Look for these package at all Park and Shops in the weeks leading up to Livestrong Day!


Cross Posted on BonaResponds and ParkandShop Blogs

Back to school nutrition tips

Back to school nutrition tips:

"Studies show people who eat breakfast have more strength and endurance, concentrate better, solve problems more easily and maintain their weight better. Everyone is rushed in the morning, but even a quick bite is better than nothing - a piece of toast, fruit or yogurt are all great choices. For healthy quick breakfast ideas visit the Mayo Clinic."

5 Tips to Speed Up Your Metabolism | Active.com

5 Tips to Speed Up Your Metabolism | Active.com:

"John Berardi, Ph.D., C.S.C.S., author of The Metabolism Advantage. 'You can't affect how many calories it takes to keep your heart beating, but you can burn an extra 500 to 600 calories a day by exercising properly and eating right.' And by making a few changes to your routine."