Overweight toddlers, especially those of Hispanic origin, seem to be more prone to iron deficiency, new research concludes.
Twenty percent of children ages 1 to 3 years are iron deficient, compared with 7 percent of toddlers of normal weight, scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center said. Low blood iron levels reduce the amount of oxygen carried through the body, leading to mental and behavioral delays, the Associated Press reported.
Experts advised that toddlers should eat iron-rich foods including meats, beans, eggs, spinach, and fortified breads, the wire service said. Those who are still fed from bottles tend to drink low-iron milk and juice at the expense of eating sold foods, said study co-author Jane Brotanek.
"What you put in your baby's bottle can affect your child's future," she said.
Hispanic toddlers are more likely than those who are white or black to be obese, which could explain their increased tendency to be iron deficient, Brotanek said. Twelve percent of Hispanic toddlers were iron deficient, compared to 6 percent of whites and 6 percent of blacks, the AP reported.
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]]>A study, which was published in BMC Genomics, an on-line open-access journal, was able to explain why those people who used to smoke still have a higher risk for lung cancer development than those who never had the bad habit.
NO SMOKING PLEASE.
]]>It's no secret that salads made with mixed leafy greens are good for you. But preliminary research on a class of flavonoids called flavones may provide yet one more compelling reason to eat your greens (and other veggies, too). A collaborative study from Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Harvard School of Public Health, the University of Athens in Greece, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that these substances may decrease breast cancer risk.
Researchers looked at the diets of 2,000 Greek women and noted that for every .5 milligram of flavones—the amount in a cup and a half of raw spinach or about 2 cups of shredded iceberg lettuce—consumed per day, their risk of breast cancer dropped by 13 percent. You can also up your flavone intake by munching on a celery stick or sweet red or green peppers.
Further studies are being conducted to see if the results stand up. Even if they don't, you can't go wrong: Eat a bowl of leafy greens, and you'll still get a healthy dose of calcium, cancer-fighting antioxidants, and vitamin K.
Have A Green food$BE healthy $ BE wealthy.
]]>Cranberries
They earn super status for their ability to help fight off nasty urinary tract infections. About 10 ounces of juice a day does the trick. Plus, recent research shows that cranberries might also help fend off colds and fight stomach bugs, gum disease, and certain types of cancer. Add a little unsweetened cranberry juice to smoothies, and sprinkle some dried berries into cereal and muffin mix.
Walnuts
These nuts are rich in omega-3s, which help reduce inflam-mation and increase good cholesterol. They may even help with depression and reduce your risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Top your salad with 1/4 cup or try them in pesto.
Beans
The humble legume may prevent heart disease and help head ?off colon cancer. Rich in two heart-friendly phytochemicals, beans are packed with magnesium, potassium, folate, and fiber. Get a 1/2 cup five to six times per week by adding canned kidney and garbanzo beans (rinse and drain first) to salads, burritos, and dips.
Fish
Studies show that eating seafood rich in omega-3s at least twice a week could reduce your risk of heart disease. And the reports say women of childbearing age and nursing mothers can safely eat as much as 12 ounces of seafood a week if they avoid high-mercury swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel; albacore tuna should be limited to 6 ounces a week.
Tomatoes
Loaded with the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes and ?cooked tomato products pack a big health punch (at 32 milligrams, 1 cup of spaghetti sauce serves up the day’s recommended intake). Studies show that women with lycopene-rich diets can have as much as a 50 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer. The antioxidant can also lower your blood pressure and bad cholesterol, and may even reduce your risk of getting macular degeneration and a host of cancers.
BE HEALTHY $ BE WEALTHY.
]]>Take a Good Look at Yourself
by Arianne Cohen
How accurately do you see yourself? A basic litmus test tells you if you’re seeing yourself as the world sees you.
Write down 20 sentences that start with the phrase “I am,” such as “I am outgoing” or “I am a good mother,” self-awareness expert Stephen Franzoi, PhD, suggests. Have a trusted friend make her own “You are” list. Then compare.
Your “I am” and “You are” results probably won’t match perfectly (most people overlap on less than one-fifth of the descriptions). But if you see yourself as refined and sophisticated and your friends think you’re goofy and boisterous, you may need to do some self-reflection and start paying more attention to others’ reactions to you.
]]>According to an Aug. 22 press release, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) announced the presentation of a study to determine how effective mind-body therapies (MBT) are in reducing high blood pressure or hypertension.
About 30 percent of adults in America currently have high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Further, nearly a third of those with high blood pressure don't know they have it. High blood pressure is known to be a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease, and it's a leading cause of doctor visits in the country. According to the CDC, it was estimated that the direct and indirect costs of high blood pressure in the U.S. in 2006 would be $63.5 billion.
The CDC says that high blood pressure can be prevented or controlled through lifestyle changes and with medications when needed. However, the AANP asserts that approximately 50 million Americans are believed to have hypertension and that control of it is terribly inadequate, especially in light of hypertension's prevalence and the medical conditions associated with the disease.
According to the AANP, about 42 percent of the population have used complementary and alternative medicine to treat their health care problems, including approximately 3 million people who have tried mind-body techniques to treat their hypertension.
The team of researchers systematically studied the efficacy of mind-body therapies versus placebo or active control therapies. The main focus was on changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, both before and after intervention. They compared mind-body techniques, including meditation, yoga, and guided imagery, (alone or in combination with conventional medical treatment), to conventional treatment alone and to no intervention while on a wait list.
Of the three mind-body therapies analyzed (yoga, meditation, and guided imagery), yoga demonstrated the most significant results, although meditation also demonstrated positive results in lowering high blood pressure.
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BE HEALTHY $ BE WEALTHY.
Like all food, "negative calorie" foods actually do have calories. The difference between these foods and the rest is that these "negative calorie" ones burn up more calories during the process of digestion than they actually have in themselves. These foods force our bodies to work harder to break down the nutrients in the food.
For example, a medium apple is about 90 calories. But your body might burn 110 calories just to digest it. The result you get is a net loss of 20 calories just by eating alone.
A 25-calorie piece of broccoli requires 80 calories to digest. That's 55 calories burned just by eating one piece of broccoli!
If you are looking to lose some weight and it seems overwhelming, try putting more of these negative calorie foods in your diet. You can shed some pounds without starving or having to exercise.A vegetarian diet consisting mostly of fruits and vegetables, was adhered to by research subjects as an experimental study on the reversal of heart disease. As a result each of the research subjects (all suffering from heart disease), lost an average of 20 pounds without cutting calories or limiting serving sizes.
Some Negative Calorie Fruits
Apples,
Blueberries,
Cranberries,
Grapefruit,
Lemons,
Mangos,
Oranges,
Pineapple,
Papayas,
Raspberries,
Strawberries,
Tangerines
Some Negative Calorie Vegetables
Asparagus,
Beets,
Broccoli,
Cabbage (green),
Carrots,
Cauliflower,
Celery (one of the best)
Chicory,
Chili Peppers,
Cucumbers,
Endive,
Fennel,
Gourd,
Garlic,
Leek,
Lettuce,
Onions,
Prunes,
Radishes,
Rhubarb (great source when stewed)
Spinach,
Tomato,
Turnip,
Zucchini
Just remember, if you are going to incorporate negative calorie foods into your diet be sure not to over-do yourself. Eating only these types of foods can weaken the muscles through a lack of protein. Also, if you're trying to lose weight you should know that by eating these foods you must be careful to not use their benefits as an excuse to eat way too much. Remember to eat in moderation and not just gorge because you think you can't get fat. You might not put on the extra pounds but you are doing yourself a disservice by letting your mind think it is okay to overeat constantly.
BE HEALTHY $ BE WEALTHy.
Heartburn occurs when stomach contents and gastric acid are regurgitated into the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach.
Heartburn can be more than just uncomfortable, it can be a sign of a serious problem called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Symptoms of GERD include burning chest pain, regurgitation of bitter or sour liquid, difficulty swallowing, and excessive clearing of the throat.
Left untreated, persistent heartburn/GERD symptoms can lead to severe complications such as esophageal strictures or a precancerous condition called Barrett's Esophagus. In rare cases, people with persistent heartburn/GERD develop esophageal cancer.
Eating smaller meals, controlling your weight, avoiding tight-fitting clothes, and avoiding heavy lifting/straining are all ways of reducing heartburn. Don't lie down after meals, because that makes it easier for stomach contents (including acid) to back up into the esophagus. Do not eat for three to four hours before you go to bed.
Avoid common heartburn triggers such as smoking, caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, fatty and spicy foods, and tomato sauces.
Pregnancy may increase the risk of GERD symptoms.
Infrequent heartburn can be controlled with antacids, H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors.
See a doctor if you: have heartburn two or more times a week; don't get lasting relief from medication; have difficulty swallowing, especially solid foods; have choking, wheezing, hoarseness or unexplained weight loss; experience chronic or recurrent GERD symptoms that last for more than a year.
TAKECARE ABOUT ur HEALTH.HEALTH is more than WEALTH.
A new study found that teens who reported using their cell phones after bedtime just once a month nearly doubled their odds of being very tired a year later. Those who gabbed away after lights out once a week were more than three times as likely to be tired.
The study only looked at students in Flanders, Belgium. But one U.S. pediatrician said the findings probably hold true for American kids, too.
"You have a population that's always tired to begin with," said Dr. Irwin Benuck, an attending physician at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Add nighttime cell-phone use to the mix, and the findings are "very predictable and not surprising," added Benuck, who's familiar with the study.
Study author Jan Van den Bulck, a researcher at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, surveyed 1,656 secondary school students; the average age in one group was 13.7 years and 16.9 years in the other.
Only 38 percent of the teens surveyed said they never used their cell phones after bedtime. Using the phone right after lights out increased the risk of being "very tired" a year later by 2.2 times; those who talked or text messaged between midnight and 3 a.m. raised their risk nearly fourfold.
Van den Bulck blamed cell phone use for tiredness in about one-third of all the children. "There is no safe dose and no safe time for using the mobile phone for text messaging or for calling after lights out," Van den Bulck wrote in the study.
In an interview, the author said parents may be in the dark about the nighttime activities of their kids. "It is a very typical phenomenon -- kids grow up with new technologies that adults discovered at a much later age, and, as a result, they use these technologies in ways adults can't even imagine," Van den Bulck said. "Concerned parents often think they know what their kids are up to, but often they don't."
Why would using a cell phone just once a month raise the risk of tiredness? "Possibly kids who say they don't use their phone underestimate the real frequency of the behaviors. Or maybe once you've started considering using the phone, you remain 'switched on,' " Van den Bulck said. "After all, don't forget that cell phone use requires at least two people. People who call may expect to be called as well -- even if you don't call much, you may still end up being awake, awaiting a potential call."
So what's a parent to do? Simple, Van den Bulck said: Restrict or forbid cell phone use after bedtime. "To teenagers, I would say: Be strong! You may feel that you need to stay connected with your friends all night, but you gain nothing by tiring yourself out, which is what you would be doing."
DO U WANT 'HEALTH or WEALTH'?
HEALTH is MORE ABOVE ALL.BE HEALTHY..BE WEALTHY.
The World Health Organization reports that four in ten leading causes of disability worldwide are related to mental illness. In the next 15 years, the burden of mental illness is expected to rise, particularly in developing countries, where an increasing number of individuals are entering the age of risk for these disorders and are increasingly affected by violent conflicts, civil wars, displacement and disasters. To ensure that mental health services are incorporated in all levels of health services, we must address the serious shortage of mental health resources and service providers, and the large technical gaps in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness around the world.
But there is also good news. Today we are in a better position to make use of the accumulated wealth of knowledge and the technologies that allow us more effectively to manage, treat and prevent a wide range of mental and neurological problems. With the current treatments, most persons with mental, brain or behavioral disorders can become functioning and productive members of the community and live normal lives.
HEALTH IS MORE THAN WEALTH.BE HEALTHY $U "ll BE WEALTHY.
You've heard of vitamin C and calcium. But have you gotten the word on all the other nutrients you need for a healthy diet?
Chances are you're not getting enough of some important nutrients -- like these five that get scant attention. You should try to get them from food, but if you think you're falling short, ask your doctor about supplements.
Iron
The name symbolizes strength. Still, up to three out of four adolescent girls and women of childbearing age don't get enough of this vital mineral, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Causes include menstrual bleeding and iron-poor diets, .
Iron is essential to building red blood cells that transport oxygen through your body. It's also important to your immune system and mental faculties.
The amount of iron you need varies widely by age, gender and circumstances. Your body absorbs iron from beef, chicken and fish more easily than iron from egg yolk, cereal, dried beans, peas and dark green leafy vegetables.
Selenium
This antioxidant mineral works with vitamins A, C and E, as well as the mineral zinc, to protect cells from damage. Selenium may help us avoid prostate, colon and lung cancer,
Meats, seafood, grains and seeds offer selenium, but the amount in foods varies widely by region. "The soil content determines the selenium content in foods," Dr. Rosenbloom explains.
You need 55 micrograms (mcg) per day, but don't overdo: More than 400 mcg daily can cause skin inflammation, convulsions and other problems.
Vitamin D
To get enough vitamin D, head outdoors: Your liver makes this vitamin after your skin absorbs sunlight. Foods (with the exception of fish oils and some fatty fish) offer little natural vitamin D, but it's added to milk. Vitamin D helps your body absorb and metabolize calcium, strengthening bones. "It's just as important as calcium," Dr. Rosenbloom says.
A sunscreen of 30 SPF or greater appears to block vitamin D production, she adds. Sunscreen users can absorb vitamin D from milk -- but if you don't drink milk, don't forsake your sunscreen. Ask your doctor what's right for you.
Heed the intake suggestions below. More than 2,000 IU daily can be toxic.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K helps make your blood clot and works with calcium and vitamin D to build strong bones.
Normal bacteria in your digestive system help make vitamin K. "If you're not eating green vegetables, it's difficult to get enough vitamin K," says Susan A. Nitzke, Ph.D., R.D., an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin. Your body also can make vitamin K from eggs, milk and meat.
Vitamin K can interfere with blood-thinning medications, Dr. Nitzke warns. Talk with your doctor if you're on such medication or you're not sure.
Zinc
Zinc's functions in the body are many and diverse. It is involved in many enzyme and metaloenzymes. Specific functions in humans are difficult to pinpoint but deficiency has been clearly associated with problems such as growth failure, dermatitis, birth defects, decreased sperm production and changes in the competency of the immune system.
Zinc has been popular among supplement users but claims that it shortens colds apprear to be unfounded.
You can find zinc in many foods, including red meat, wheat bran, almonds, peanut butter and tuna. Vegetarians need more zinc than people who eat animal products.
Do you want HEALTH or WEALTH?
Healthy food ,Healthy mind.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who experience high levels of stress and anxiety appear to be more likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) following a severe gastric infection, UK and New Zealand researchers report
particularly stress, anxiety and a tendency to push oneself to keep going when ill and then collapse in response, interact with the physical illness in causing IBS," Moss-Morris told Reuters Health.
The subjects completed a questionnaire, covering aspects of personality and their behavior at the time of the initial infection. They were then checked 3 and 6 months later to see if they had developed IBS. The researcher found that 49 of the patients had the condition at both follow-up points.
Depression and perfectionism were not significantly associated with the onset of IBS. However, a variety of other factors were.
These included significantly higher levels of perceived stress and anxiety. IBS patients were also significantly less likely to rest in the face of their illness, and exhibited "all-or-nothing" behavior by continuing their activities despite their symptoms until they were forced to stop.
These patients were prone to view illness in a particularly pessimistic fashion. Being female was also an important risk factor.
The study "shows more clearly than most the psychological factors that are associated with the development of IBS."
DO U WANT HEALTH or WEALTH?
BE PEACEFUL $ BE HEALTHY.
Digestion plays a crucial role in healing, because our physiology depends on digestion for constant renewal. A holistic interpretation of digestion is to see it as the means of extracting intelligence from food and then processing it in a way that supports the inherent wisdom of the body as a whole.
Try these Ayurvedic tips to help ensure that your digestion is comfortable and efficient.
1. Eat in a settled and quiet atmosphere.
Try to set everything else aside at mealtimes to allow your body to concentrate on eating and digesting. When you put your attention solely on your meal, you are able to savor all the flavors with discernment.
2. Take a few minutes to rest quietly after your meal.
When you are finished eating, relaxing kick-starts the digestive process in an effortless way. A sense of calm before, during, and after mealtimes can be a major benefit to digestion and general health.
3. Always sit down to eat.
Sitting down relaxes the digestive tract, focuses awareness on the act of eating, and enhances your enjoyment of food.
4. Don't eat when you're upset.
Eating when you are emotionally unsettled can trigger gastrointestinal discomfort. If you're upset at mealtimes, postpone eating until you feel more composed.
5. Avoid overeating.
Ayurveda suggests we eat only to about three-fourths of our actual capacity. Eating beyond this point doesn't allow the stomach to function properly.
6. Avoid cold foods and iced drinks.
Cold foods and drinks put out the digestive fire, inhibit our digestive enzymes, and numb our taste buds.
7. Don't talk while chewing your food.
The acts of chewing and swallowing are what really allows us to deeply extract the flavor of our food. Talking while there is food in your mouth distracts you from what you are tasting.
8. Eat at a moderate pace.
This means eating neither too quickly nor too slowly. Getting into the habit of putting your fork or spoon down between bites helps set a steady pace.
9. Don't eat until your previous meal has been digested.
Eating only when your stomach is calling for more requires a high level of body consciousness. For most people, complete digestion takes from three to six hours. If you have to snack, keep it simple -- a piece of fruit or a warm beverage.
10. Favor meals made with freshly cooked foods.
Fresh foods are intelligent foods and contain the greatest life force. A delicious, freshly prepared meal stimulates the appetite and gets the secretion of digestive enzymes going even before you start to eat.
DO U WANT HEALTH or WEALTH?
TAKE HEALTHY FOOD $ BE HEALTHY.
]]>Many of the more delicate greens, such as the various lettuces, watercress, endive, and arugula are best served raw. Hardier greens such as kale, mustard greens, and Swiss chard are delicious when lightly steamed or sautéed. To complement the more assertive flavors of hardy greens, experiment with your choice of accompaniments, such as olive oil, fresh herbs, chopped garlic, red pepper flakes, or ginger. For a delicious way with raw greens, try our recipe for Organic Field Greens with Apple Vinaigrette.
Eat your colors!
Along with the "six tastes" of Ayurveda (sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter, astringent) filling your plate with a variety of "colors" is another message from nature that will encourage a long and healthy life. Foods that are deep blue, purple, red, green, or orange are leaders in antioxidants and contain many nutrients that boost immunity and enhance health. Examples include:
Green: Broccoli, kale, spinach, cabbage, peas, avocado, collard greens
Red: Red tomatoes (particularly cooked), red peppers, red/pink grapefruit, watermelon, red grapes, beets, red cabbage, apples, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, cranberries
Orange/yellow: Squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, pumpkin, cantaloupe, mangoes, oranges, papaya, nectarines
Deep blue/purple: Plums, blueberries, blackberries, purple grapes, eggplant (with skin)
Healthy food $Healthy body.
Do you want health OR Wealth?
It's definitely HEALTH.
LAUGH $LAUGH $ become healthy.
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