The Science of Aphrodisiacs - US News and World Report

Given all of the recent talk about watermelon, this is noteworthy.

The Science of Aphrodisiacs - US News and World Report:

"They've been touted to increase sex drive, boost arousal, and put men and women in the 'mood' for hundreds of years. But the skeptical consider aphrodisiacs—foods, drinks, and now cleverly marketed extracts and supplements—to be more mental than physical. A brief look at some of the more notorious of these purported libido enhancers reveals both flimsy claims and some sound science."

The article looks at watermelon, chocolate, oysters, and other foods.

Vitamin B, Folate Supplements Won't Help Heart - US News and World Report

Vitamin B, Folate Supplements Won't Help Heart - US News and World Report:

"'This confirms what a lot of recent studies have found -- no benefit of taking vitamin B supplements to reduce the risk of heart disease, and it raises a few red flags,' said Alice H. Lichtenstein, Gershoff professor of nutrition at Tufts University, Boston.

In the new study, reported in the Aug. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, physicians at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway, enrolled almost 3,100 volunteers. Three-quarters of them took various doses of vitamin B and folic acid (which is chemically a B vitamin), while the others got a placebo, an inactive substance.

The study was ended early, after an average follow-up of 38 months, because 'we could not detect any preventive effect of intervention with folic acid plus vitamin B12 or with vitamin B6 on mortality or major cardiovascular events,' the researchers reported."

Another one bites the dust.

Smoking doubles stroke risk in younger women | Health | Reuters

Smoking doubles stroke risk in younger women | Health | Reuters:

"Younger women who smoke have more than double the risk of stroke compared to nonsmokers, with the heaviest smokers among them having nine times the risk, according to a U.S. study published on Thursday."

Runners' High: Joggers Live Longer - TIME

Runners' High: Joggers Live Longer - TIME: "

"the data showed that exercise was a boon to health. Over the years, compared with the never-exercisers, people who exercised regularly — in addition to running, activities included biking, aerobic dance and swimming — showed improved aerobic capacity, better cardiovascular fitness, increased bone mass, fewer inflammatory markers, less physical disability, better response to vaccinations and even improved thinking, learning and memory. They also lived significantly longer."

BBC NEWS | Health | Hour's exercise 'to lose weight'

Better go workout for a bit longer...

From WebMD:

"A new study says that obese and overweight women need to cut calories and exercise 275 minutes a week more than their baseline physical activity -- or at least 55 minutes a day, five days a week to lose weight and keep it off.

The research was led by John M. Jakicic, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues."

BBC NEWS | Health | Hour's exercise 'to lose weight':

"Thirty minutes a day is good for general health, but if you want to lose weight, you need to be doing more, and if you want to sustain weight loss, you need to be doing even more than that"

Compound in Red Wine Fights Ravages of Age - washingtonpost.com

Compound in Red Wine Fights Ravages of Age - washingtonpost.com:

"...red wine is a good source of resveratrol,' he added. 'And, in this mouse study, we have shown that this particular compound has very strong positive effects on preventing cardiovascular disease, reducing heart inflammation, keeping bone health in terms of structure and function, and maintaining loco-motor and balance activity. So, if these effects translate into humans, it will have a very good impact on the standard of human health.'
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De Cabo conducted the research with David A. Sinclair, of Harvard Medical School. Their team is publishing its findings in the July 3 online issue ofCell Metabolism."

Study shows how broccoli fights cancer - Yahoo! News

Study shows how broccoli fights cancer - Yahoo! News:

"Just a few more portions of broccoli each week may protect men from prostate cancer, British researchers reported on Wednesday. The researchers believe a chemical in the food sparks hundreds of genetic changes, activating some genes that fight cancer and switching off others that fuel tumors, said Richard Mithen, a biologist at Britain's Institute of Food Research."

Lack of 'Good' HDL Cholesterol Linked to Memory Loss - US News and World Report

Lack of 'Good' HDL Cholesterol Linked to Memory Loss - US News and World Report:

"The study, published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association, underscores the dangers of allowing HDL levels to fall as you age, which often occurs with a sedentary lifestyle and expanding waistline;"

MedHeadlines - High-carb, high-protein breakfast for losing weight

MedHeadlines - High-carb, high-protein breakfast for losing weight:

"the big breakfast diet calls for a daily breakfast composed of foods high in carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. What’s more, with this diet, breakfast is so big it provides approximately half of a full day’s calorie count.

The main trick to the big breakfast diet is to eat lots of whole-grain, complex carbohydrates and lean proteins, such as fat-free milk, yogurt, and eggs. Add fruits and veggies to round out a breakfast that controls appetite until lunchtime at the same time it will minimize cravings for sweets and starches of poor nutritional value."

Tracking Top Number in Blood Pressure May Be Enough - US News and World Report

Tracking Top Number in Blood Pressure May Be Enough - US News and World Report:

"'Rising systolic pressure is the most significant factor in causing strokes and heart disease,' he said. 'That's what we need to be focusing on.'

Using systolic blood pressure alone after age 50 should simplify treatment for doctors, policymakers and even drug companies by getting them to focus on ways to lower systolic pressure, Williams said....

For people under 50, the scenario may be different....For these patients, there needs to be a continued emphasis on both systolic and diastolic blood pressures...."

Read the whole article here.

WHFoods: Avocados

I have been jokingly saying that I may be able to live on avocados since my trip to Missouri where I decided they were close to perfect since did not need refrigeration, kept me full for a long time, and had good blend of nutrients and good fats. I found this when searching for more on the avocado:

WHFoods: Avocados: "

"Enjoying a few slices of avocado in your tossed salad, or mixing some chopped avocado into your favorite salsa will not only add a rich, creamy flavor, but will greatly increase your body's ability to absorb the health-promoting carotenoids that vegetables provide.

A study published in the March 2005 issue of the Journal of Nutrition...adding avocado to a salad of carrot, lettuce and baby spinach or to salsa greatly increase study participants' absorption of carotenoids from these foods, but the improvement in carotenoid availability occurred even when a very small amount-as little as 2 ounces-of avocado was added."

3 tips for how to live to 100 - Healthy Living on Shine

3 tips for how to live to 100 - Healthy Living on Shine:

"Eating five servings of fruits and veggies a day, being active, not smoking, and drinking in moderation could add 14 years to your life, according to new British research. Too tall an order? Tackle just the exercise part: A recent study by the National Cancer Institute found that older people who got at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week were less likely to die over the next seven years than those who didn't.

Do something fun.

Women who are feeling “happy, excited or content” have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6—two markers of inflammation linked to heart disease,"

New Hints Seen That Red Wine May Slow Aging - NYTimes.com

New Hints Seen That Red Wine May Slow Aging - NYTimes.com:

"Red wine may be much more potent than was thought in extending human lifespan, researchers say in a new report that is likely to give impetus to the rapidly growing search for longevity drugs"

Ways to avoid plastic

Team Beachbody:

"...there is no best piece of advice to give out. But based on the latest science, along with some anecdotal lore and a dose of common sense, here are our recommendations for avoiding potential risks."

one look in:

"4. Don't put plastic in the microwave. Even "microwave safe" plastics may leach hazardous materials. Don't use plastic wraps, either. Phthalates, the last targeted elements in plastic wrap, were outlawed in 2006; but companies don't list what's in plastic wrap, so you're taking a risk by using it. Using glass containers with a paper towel covering is your safest option."

Study explains why vitamin D prevents prostate cancer

Study explains why vitamin D prevents prostate cancer:

"A study by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center provides an explanation why vitamin D may prevent prostate cancer and maybe other types of cancer.

Many epidemiologic and laboratory studies have showed that vitamin D may protect against many types of cancer including prostate cancer and it may be used both as a preventative and a therapeutic agent. The Canadian Cancer Society has already recommended daily use of 1,000 IU of vitamin D to prevent cancer."

Vitamin D sure is on a roll. From its role in bone formation, to its seeming anti-cancer properties. It is a hot one! How can you get Vitamin D? Here is how from a previous post.

ABC News: Low Vitamin D May Worsen Breast Cancer

ABC News: Low Vitamin D May Worsen Breast Cancer:

"Researchers found for the first time that women who were vitamin D deficient at the time of their breast cancer diagnosis were 94 percent more likely to have their cancer spread, and 73 percent more likely to die from their cancer, compared with women who were not vitamin D deficient."

Where can you get vitamin D? Cod liver oil is very high in it. But many other foods (from milk to cereals) are supplemented.

Exercise when young may cut breast cancer : Booster Shots : Los Angeles Times

Exercise when young may cut breast cancer : Booster Shots : Los Angeles Times:

"Exercise — do it early and often.

Women who exercise regularly between ages 12 and 35 may cut their risk of breast cancer by 23%, according to information gleaned from 65,000 women enrolled in the Nurses Health Study II, a prospective study of registered nurses"

Quick Benefit to Smoking Halt, With a Caveat, Study Finds - New York Times

Quick Benefit to Smoking Halt, With a Caveat, Study Finds - New York Times:

"Women who stop smoking can enjoy major health benefits within five years, but it can take decades to correct respiratory damage and shed the added risk of lung cancer, researchers reported on Tuesday."

Please don't smoke. I have been trying for years to get the stores to remove them completely. It is a slow process, but you can help! Complain to the store manager and write to the main office!

Drinking Loads Of Water Does Not Seem To Improve Health

Drinking Loads Of Water Does Not Seem To Improve Health:

"There is little evidence that drinking loads of water, a recommended 8 glasses of 8 ounces (8x8) per day, improves your health, say scientists from the University of Pennsylvania. The two kidney experts explained that unless you are an athlete or live in a hot place, drinking extra water may be a waste of time.

You can read about this study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, April 2nd online issue. The Editorial will be published in the journal's June, 2008 issue."

Beet Juice Lowers Blood Pressure

I heard this on Paul Harvey today. 2 glasses a day seems like a lot, but....

Beet Juice Lowers Blood Pressure:

"Drinking two cups of beet juice a day may reduce blood pressure, a study shows.

The British researchers who conducted the study say the findings add even more weight to the importance of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

That's because beets (known as beetroot in Britain) are loaded with the nutrient nitrate. Spinach, lettuce, and other green, leafy vegetables also have high levels of nitrate.

Previous studies have shown that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables lowers blood pressure. Antioxidants often get the credit, but several recent studies have suggested that nitrates may play a much bigger role. How nitrates work to lower blood pressure has been more of mystery"