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Author: Nathan
December 6, 2010

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a proposal to liberalize the guidelines for Lap-Band weight loss surgery.
Previous guidelines required a very high level of severe obesity OR severe obesity combined with hypertension or diabetes or etc.
New guidelines will likely double the number of persons qualifying for the surgery.

Help yourself

POLITICAL INCORRECTNESS ALERT:

Physicians are supposed to screen such candidates after exercise and diet have failed, or proceed when collateral medical conditions are very serious.
New regulations  will potentially cause of rush of surgeries by patients who would be better off with fork control and more exercise. Many health providers think so, but aren’t likely to say so loudly in public.
The surgery should be the last resort. Surgery does have side effects, and every surgery has infections risks.

Right lifestyle for health

Let's try this before we resort to stomach stapling.

And there is a significant cost for each surgery.
There is no cost in driving past fast food joint.
The Lap-Band is already approved to treat adults with a body-mass index of 40 or more or a BMI of 35 with at least one obesity-related condition such as Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. Allergan(drug manufacturer) wants to market the device to all adults with a BMI of 35 or those who have a BMI of 30 and one obesity-related condition.
Body-mass index is a measure of weight relative to height. A person who is 5 feet, 5 inches and weighs 180 pounds has a body-mass index of 30.
The panel’s vote makes it more likely that the FDA will grant the approval. Panelists also called on Allergan(the manufacturer) to conduct a large, long-term study of the device.
Allergan said the decision “reflects consensus that there is a need for additional, effective treatment options for patients who are currently obese.”
The FDA said the Lap-Band is less effective than other kinds of stomach-shrinking surgery, such as a procedure that staples the stomach, but “substantially better than traditional behavioral or medical therapy.”
Obesity medicines
Even as the Lap-Band looks for a bigger market, regulators have grown tougher this year on obesity medicines. In October, the FDA declined to approve drugs from Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Vivus Inc. The same month Abbott Laboratories removed its weight-loss drug Meridia from the market under FDA pressure, with the agency saying the “very modest weight loss” from taking Meridia didn’t justify its risk of heart attack or stroke.

November 24, 2010

Soft drinks are bad for you

Soft drinks and obesity

Coke:

Put silver into Coke for 12 hours to let the stains dissolve; Polish silver with cotton cloth and then dry it.
Ever wondered how sodas affect your stomach?
Let`s consider what doctors and health clinics have to say about the dangers of drinking soft drinks.
If you look at the list of ingredients in most soda pops, you will likely see most or all of these listed:
caffeine
carbonated water
phosphoric acid
sugar or high fructose corn syrup
aspartame
acesulfame-k
sucralose
People drink more soft drinks

Soft drinks industry

The United States ranks first among countries in soft drink consumption.

According to the National Soft Drink Association (NSDA), consumption of soft drinks is now over 600 12-ounce servings (12 oz.) per person per year. Since the late 1970`s the soft drink consumption in the United States has doubled for females and tripled for males. The highest consumption is in the males between the ages of 12 – 29; they average 1/2 gallon a day or 160 gallons a year.
Drinking one or more carbonated beverages per day may increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to a new study published in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association.
The most commonly associated health risks are obesity, nutritional deficiencies, tooth decay, diabetes, osteoporosis and bone fractures, heart disease, food addictions, blood sugar disorders and other eating disorders, neurotransmitter dysfunction from chemical sweeteners, and neurological and adrenal disorders from excessive caffeine.
The relationship between soft drink consumption and body weight is so strong that researchers calculate that for each additional soft drink consumed, the risk of obesity increases 1.6 times.
Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus must be maintained in the proper balance for bone health.  When too much phosphorus is in the blood, calcium is leached from the bones, causing osteoporosis.  Even in citrus sodas which contain citric acid instead of phosphoric acid, calcium is needed to normalize blood pH.  It has been said that the fastest growing group of people with osteoporosis in this country is teenagers….because of the huge number of sodas they consume.
Diet sodas that are low in calories are high in sodium. Too much salt in the diet may cause more calcium to be excreted in the urine and increase the risk of osteoporosis.
What about  ADHD in kids?

ADHD in kids

ADHD in kids

Most children diagnosed with ADHD are actually suffering from severe nutritional imbalances that can be easily corrected through changes in diet. Soft drinks are the single greatest source of caffeine in childrens diets; a 12-ounce can of cola contains about 45 mg
For anyone over age 40, soft drinks can be especially hazardous because the kidneys are less able to excrete excess phosphorus, causing depletion of vital calcium. Excessive consumption of soft drinks, which are high in phosphorus, can also deplete you of calcium and increase your chances of osteoporosis
So what to drink?
Water. But room temperature please. Don’t drink iced water.

November 23, 2010

My conclusion after studying all this: Use your common sense!

Overeating is bad for you

Stuffed!

Eat and drink what you like.

Moderation is the key! Everything in moderation. And you will be fine.

Now read on.

A new study.

The results of the study revealed how moderate alcohol consumption can help to prevent heart disease by blocking the signals of molecules linked to plaque build-up in arteries.

Drinking “small amounts, regularly, is how to get the best effect,” “It’s the people who drink one to two drinks a day who have the best protection” from heart disease.

However, large amounts of alcohol and binge drinking can be harmful to the heart and can lead to stroke, according to the American Heart Association.

The study was published Nov. 18 in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.

The finding demonstrates how alcohol works to benefit the heart – and paves the way for future research for a drug that can mimic alcohol.

“If we can understand the mechanisms mediating the beneficial effects of moderate alcohol consumption, we can develop therapy that can mimic good effects without the intoxicating and deleterious effects of alcohol,” researcher said.

Real-life applications

But what counts as a “healthy” dose of alcohol? The Mayo Clinic recommends healthy women drink no more than three drinks on one occasion, or seven drinks a week, and healthy men ages 65 and younger drink no more than four drinks per occasion, or 14 drinks a week. Healthy men ages 65 and older should drink no more than three drinks per occasion, or seven drinks a week.

A 12-ounce beer, 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits counts as one drink, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Try other versions of alcohol: instead of beer, cider, Bailey’s and Kahlua, try dry wine, red wine or spirits. Don’t drink chip stuff. Remember: Calories from alcohol tend to be stored in the abdomen. People who are overweight actually gain weight more easily when they consume alcohol.

Now about the food.

Don’t go to a party hungry: we often eat faster and more when we are hungry – therefore eat a wholesome breakfast and lunch on the day to avoid overeating at the party.

My only advice: enjoy the food, enjoy the holidays. Positive emotions are good for you.

But here are some suggestions:

Watch your portion: treat yourself a nice drink, dessert, chocolate or sweets without guilt, but always watch your portion. Go for small portions.

I also suggest to consider supplements to help digestion.

Food and alcohol

Enjoy holidays!

Drink plenty of water: alcohol and coffee can dehydrate your body. But don’t drink iced water and don’t drink water right after meal-water dilutes digestive enzymes in your stomach and slows digestion.

Physical activity: take nice brisk walks with your loved ones and enjoy their company in the holiday season.

I propose a toast: enjoy your holidays!

November 19, 2010

(Reuters) – A third of Americans say they have gone without medical care or skipped filling a prescription because of cost, compared to 5 percent in the Netherlands, according to study released on Thursday.
The study is the latest in a series by the non-profit Commonwealth Fund showing that while Americans pay far more per capita for healthcare, they are unhappier with the results and less healthy than people in other rich countries.
The study published in the journal Health Affairs also showed that 20 percent of U.S. adults had major problems paying medical bills, compared with 2 percent in Britain and 9 percent in France, the next costliest country.
“U.S. adults were the most likely to incur high medical expenses, even when insured, and to spend time on insurance paperwork and disputes or to have payments denied,” the report reads.
The Commonwealth Fund, which advocates for U.S. healthcare reform, commissioned a Harris Interactive poll of nearly 20,000 people in 11 countries between March and June.
“What we are hearing directly from adults around the world, and what we hear regularly at home, is that there is substantial room for improvement in the U.S. health insurance system,” said Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis.
Roughly 45 million people 65 and older have coverage through the nation’s Medicare program for the elderly and disabled.
The system leaves 47 million without any health insurance, and last week the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 59 million Americans had no insurance for at least some of the beginning of 2010.
The 10 other countries in the survey — Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland — all provide a mix of public and private insurance.

Broccoli not ice cream

This is not political. It is about your health. It is about health and well being of America.

We as a country spend more on health (sickness) care and get less.
I have said it before. We the people need to educate ourselves and to take control of our lifes!
Start now! Today!  No healthcare system will help you unless YOU change your bad habits!

November 16, 2010

Be happy!

Positive thinking

Positive thinking and feeling good about yourself.

We don’t have to feed ourselves negative thoughts about our body size, but we do have to be realistic about what goes on when we are overweight. There’s nothing wrong with being positive about our bodies and striving to be the best we can be. But just because someone has a positive mental perception of their body doesn’t always mean it’s physically good for them to be that way.
I don’t accept the idea that you should practice “feel good” self acceptance no matter what. It works both ways.
Work hard to look good! Eat right. Exercise!. And yes-practice positive attitude!
All of the above will help you to be healthy, fit and positive.
Don’t fool yourself that you are great and beautiful just the way you are. ALWAYS strive to improve yourself inside and outside. Nothing will happen without the effort!
Any achievement requires work. Just do it.
Don’t look for excuses like “I am beautiful just the way I am”
Get to work! And be positive!
Your self image has just as great an impact on your physical health as your nutrition and exercise program!
In recent times, it has been proven that our thoughts and emotions directly affect the state of our physical health. This is called the “mind-body” connection. This connection is made possible because of special chemical messengers, called neuropeptides, which help our body’s organs communicate directly with the brain.
Whenever you have a thought or emotion, your brain releases neurotransmitters and hormones, which trigger physical responses in your body. If you are caught in a stressful situation and you react to it with a negative thought (or words!), your heart starts racing and your body releases two powerful stress hormones, cortisol and adrenalin. When these hormones are secreted in response to continual stress, they have very negative impacts on your body. They accelerate brain aging, increase fat storage, suppress your immune system, and cause muscle and bone loss.
Sometimes we tend to focus on the negative aspects of our bodies and our life’s circumstances. Next time you look in the mirror, notice what thoughts arise. If a stressful circumstance arises, do you immediately think about the worst-case scenario or the positive side of the situation?
1   I enjoy eating healthy food.
2   I value my health.
3  I am successful at accomplishing my goals.
4  I look great and have loads of energy.
5  I love the way my body looks. (more and more)
6  I feel strong today.
So it’s a great day today! I feel great! Let’s get to work!

November 8, 2010

Margarine or butter

What is better?

A tablespoon of butter is 100 calories.  A tablespoon of Margarine is 100 calories. Butter, as an animal fat, contains both saturated fats and cholesterol – the two dietary ingredients that increase blood cholesterol. Saturated fats can raise LDL cholesterol (also known as “bad” cholesterol), which raises total blood cholesterol as well. Cholesterol in foods, on the other hand, has little effect on blood cholesterol in most people. But for some, even a little dietary cholesterol can cause a soar in blood cholesterol levels.

Some facts about margarine
Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eating the same amount of butter, according to a recent Harvard Medical Study
Look for the amount of trans fats in margarine.
Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for Less than 100 years!
Margarine is high in trans fatty acids
Margarine lowers quality of breast milk
We didn’t find any research on this but there are studies on how a mother’s eating of trans fats affects the level of trans fats in her milk. One study, for example, comparing Canadian breast milk to Chinese breast milk found that Canadian mothers had 33 more trans fats in their milk than the Chinese mothers.  So the quality of the breast milk can be affected by the consumption of trans fats.
When margarine was first introduced to the marketplace, it was loaded with trans fats. The trans fats were created through hydrogenation – the very process used to solidify liquid vegetable oil into a spread.
In defence of Margarine
Saturated and trans fats (trans-fatty acids) are less healthy kinds of fats. They can increase your risk of heart disease by increasing your total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol isn’t technically a fat, but it’s found in food derived from animal sources. Intake of dietary cholesterol increases blood cholesterol levels, but not as much as saturated and trans fats do, and not to the same degree in all people.
Just like saturated fats, trans fats increase LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) and lower HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol).
In recent years, food manufacturers and the general public began to realize the negative health effects of trans fats. As a result, manufacturers have created non-hydrogenated margarine, which is now widely available.
Non-hydrogenated margarine contains no trans fat, and it’s softer than the first-generation margarine stick.
Instead of hydrogenating liquid vegetable oil, manufacturers now add a tiny amount of modified palm and palm kernel oil to enhance the spreadability of margarine, creating a soft margarine that’s trans fatty acid free.

November 4, 2010

Freands and health

Good friends

It looks like one of the best way to gain a long life is to a have a wide social group, as it was stated in a big research report on Tuesday in the Plos Medicine journal.

A new study shows that if you don’t have friends is worst than being fat or smoking.
Having friends can also be extremely important when it comes to the health of the individual. It has been revealed that the people who have strong social relationships have 50 percent more chances of surviving than the ones who do not have too many friends. This means that having friends is just as important as quitting  smoking, as twice more beneficial than exercising.  Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a  psychologist at Brigham Young University in Utah, who was also the leader of the study, stated that the social relationships should be taken very seriously because they can decrease the risk of dying. The study was conducted over a period of 7.5 years, during which more than 308,000 patients were analyzed.
The researchers analyzed the social situation of the individual in different manners. They wanted to see how many friends these persons have, if they are married or if they live alone. They also analyzed peoples’ perceptions about their relationships, and how well the people managed to integrate in the social communities. The results showed that the people who have very strong social relationships have the highest chances of living a longer life than the ones who have a weaker social  relationship. The study involved people of all races, ages, and genders. The scientists observed that they were able to predict much better the odds of surviving if they analyzed different aspects of the social relationships, such as the number of friends, the marital status, and so on.
It is extremely important to be surrounded by people all the time. There is no purpose to be lonely because it has been proved that loneliness can lead to various illnesses.
My advice? Have a lot if good friends, enjoy life, live long and prosper!
Friends are your health insurance!

November 2, 2010

Should you buy organic?

Dangerous food

Here are some shortcuts to getting the benefits of organic without the cost:

• Avoid synthetic colorants.
• Choose foods without labels, which are better than packaged foods.
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, preferably with a vegetable brush, which can enhance pesticide removal. Some foods absorb more pesticides than others and are easier to clean. The top five common items that I recommend always be washed are peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery and nectarines.
• Peel fruit if possible since that removes pesticides and allows you to save money by buying nonorganic.
• Buy seasonal fruits. It lowers your grocery bill. And bear in mind, frozen veggies retain most of the health benefits of fresh ones.
Most important, remember: When it comes to food, buy organic if you can afford it to help the planet. If not, you can still eat healthily with a few precautions. Food is an affordable medicine for all of us.
Eggs
Organic.
The feed given to the hens may include organic supplements like flaxseed meal, which increases vitamin A and omega-3 acids and improves taste. The birds are better treated too, with more room to move around.
Price: $4.39 a dozen for grade-A large brown eggs
Conventional
The pluses are price and availability. It’s just easier and cheaper to buy nonorganic.
Price: $3.79 a dozen for grade-A large brown eggs
Verdict: Organic. The treatment of the birds seals the deal. An industrial hen in a battery cage is not a pretty sight.
Milk
Organic
Cows that produce organic milk are not treated with antibiotics or hormones; this is especially important, as drug-resistant bacteria and early-onset puberty in girls continue to be on the rise.
Price: $6.39 per gal.
Conventional
Cost. There’s real sticker shock in paying a $3.50 premium per gallon, especially if you have milk-gulping kids in the house.
Price: $2.89 per gal.
Verdict: Go organic if you can; the extra chemistry in commercial cows is just too much.
Steak
Organic
Grass-fed cattle have a higher ratio of omega-3 acids, which may reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. There may also be a lower risk of E. coli transmission thanks to reduced crowding.
Price: $6.59 per lb. for 85%-lean ground beef
Conventional
One word: taste. Grain-fed beef is fattier; that means tastier. Another word: price. Grass-fed beef is simply out of reach for many people.
Price: $4.49 per lb. for 85%-lean ground beef
Verdict: Opt for organic if you can afford it; it’s better for you — and much better for the cows.
Fruits/vegetables
Organic
The pesticide risk is lower, and if the food is local and in season, it will taste better than produce that ripens during shipping. Better for the planet too.
Price: Bananas, 54¢ each.
Conventional
The price is lower, and not everyone has a handy farmers’ market close to home. There is not much nutritional difference between conventional and organic produce.
Price: Bananas, 45¢ each.
Verdict: Conventional. Eating any produce is better than not eating it at all. Price matters — though the environment does too.

November 1, 2010

Junk food

They raise total cholesterol levels and gum up arteries.

Most of us know by now that the main villains are saturated fats, found chiefly in meat and high-fat dairy products, and trans fats, found in fried foods, cakes, crackers, and some margarines. They raise total cholesterol levels and gum up arteries.

Unsaturated fats

Unsaturated fats are essential to good health.

Unsaturated fats, which mostly come from plants and fish, are essential to good health.

The recent Optimal Macronutrient Intake Trial for Heart Health (OmniHeart) study showed that a diet rich in unsaturated fats lowers blood pressure and reduces overall heart disease risk.
Currently, the modern diet is tipped heavily toward omega-6s, says Floyd Chilton, PhD, director of the Bontanical Lipids Center at Wake Forest University. “In the average western diet, the ratio is about 9:1 omega-6s to omega-3s. In some individuals we’ve studied, the ratio is as high as 40:1.”
No one knows what the optimum balance should be. There’s good evidence that the diet of hunter-gatherers — and thus the diet our bodies evolved to eat — had a ratio of 2:1 omega-6s to omega-3s.
Restoring something close to that balance could help fight many of the chronic diseases that plague us. “Omega-6s fatty acids regulate genes that spark inflammation.
And inflammation is increasingly being seen as the central process in heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and other chronic health problems.”

Type of harmful fat

Food source

Saturated fat

Animal products (such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy products, lard and butter), and coconut, palm and other tropical oils

Trans fat

Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, commercial baked goods (such as crackers, cookies and cakes), fried foods (such as doughnuts and french fries), shortening and margarine

Dietary cholesterol

Animal products (such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy products, lard and butter)

October 28, 2010

Food for healthy libido

Healthy and happy

A British study has determined two things— first, that men’s sex drives outlast women’s, and second, the strength of your sex drive depends on your overall health.

The reason guys perpetually chase after younger women has been explained away by science many, many times. Today, another study surfaced claiming that men have higher sex drives later in life, outlasting their female counterparts, which may be yet another evolutionary explanation for the Hugh Hefners of the world.
Oats and other unrefined grains. Oatmeal is a popular breakfast.  Some may not know it but the favorite breakfast is also a libido enhancing food.  Oats and other unrefined grains give high levels of energy and increase stamina which a man needs in bed.
Celery. This vegetable is another important factor in enhancing male libido.  It has androsterone which is responsible for hormonal reaction in men.  As a result, more pheromones are released and the sexual drive is improved.
Avocado. Avocado is rich in Vitamin B6.  This vitamin is essential in the production of testosterone.  Eating avocado a day can increase sexual drive.
Asparagus. Asparagus is another vegetable that can enhance male libido.  It contains vitamin E which is vital in augmenting testosterone level.  Including asparagus in your diet may actually help your performance in bed.
Nuts. Nuts are rich in essential fatty acids and zinc.  These are vital in a healthy production of testosterone.  Examples of nuts that you should munch on are almonds, pine nuts, peanuts, walnuts and cashews.
Almonds, or any type of nut for that matter, are full of essential fatty acids that help keep your hormones at balanced levels. Prefer them toasted? It will help keep your sex organs in tip-top shape. “They’re also a very good source of energy,” says Dr. Michael Aziz, author of The Perfect 10 Diet.
Garlic. This may come as a surprise to some people, but garlic is a good testosterone food.  It has allicin which is a strong compound responsible for increasing testosterone levels.  Allicin easily breaks down easily so eat garlic before going to bed.  However, do not forget to brush your teeth before doing anything so your partner would not get turned off with the smell of your breath.

natural supplement for male libido

Prime™ Time Performance Formula for Men

Natural libido enhancement can be acquired through a lot of foods.  However, do not be too greedy in eating these so called testosterone foods.  It is because too much testosterone can also be harmful to one’s health.

If you want a more regulated but natural libido enhancement, you may also use male sexual health enhancers that are out in the market today.

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