can he change a fitness tracker of your life? Employees here at Adventist HealthCare find that these popular devices like Fitbit and Jawbone, can inspire the small changes that have a big impact over time.
Recently, our division of wellness, LifeWork strategies, challenged employees to "Appalachian Trail Challenge" Inspired by the 2168-mile hike from Maine to Georgia. Employees trained teams to achieve the goal of logging 56,000 steps challenge - or an average of 8,000 steps per day. - More than six weeks on their fitness trackers
the idea was that in groups of 8 to 10, teams of employees could cover a distance equivalent to the Appalachian Trail over the duration of the challenge, said Michaela Graminski, the coordinator of wellness strategies for LifeWork who coordinated the effort. the teams trained at various Adventist HealthCare entities with employees competing for the rights as well as weekly gifts and a grand prize of bragging.
first, the logging of steps was true sport . Colleagues whipped each other into action and found simple ways to add steps. We jogged in front of the copy machine, parked our cars further away from the front door, and we walked the stairs during the breaks. Every day we connected to our well-being of the company portal to check the rankings and stay motivated.
As the weeks rolled on, these small steps processed in leaps and bounds, both in fitness and in our relationships. Motivated step to strengthen our rankings but we could, we added walks after dinner with our families. We have planned "walking meetings' instead of sitting in the office. We connected through applications and by text message to encourage each other in 5K races, and laughed as we ran laps around our houses to reach the daily goals
When completed challenge, we have more than conquered the Appalachian Trail Virtual employees recorded a total of 51,722,427 steps -.. approximately 24,487 miles, slightly more a tour around the world. Better yet, many of us have lost weight. We also developed all kinds of wacky habits for fitness work in our daily routine, and we formed new relationships with colleagues and our families.
Perhaps most importantly, we learned that the way to stay in shape doesn 't have to be a giant trek. in fact, when you start tracking small walks life, you realize that they add much more than you expect.
A disagreement between the members of the Board who hold the largest annual meeting of HIV / AIDS in North America led to his site Web used to go very dark in early July and confusion where the conference will take place in 2014.
20-year-old Conference on retroviruses and opportunistic infections (CROI) draws up 4,000 researchers worldwide, and its Web-Site rich archive summaries, webcasts and podcasts is becoming a go-to place for researchers, community advocates, historians and journalists. The non-profit Foundation CROI and earnings-CROI LLC put on the meeting, and the dispute involves a falling out between the two groups. "I am not allowed by our confidential agreement to disclose anything," said Chairman of the Foundation Board CROI Constance Benson, a researcher on HIV / AIDS at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD ). "We have reached an impasse this past two years on various issues and decided we needed to go in a different direction."
CROI LLC is led by Melissa Sordyl, co-founder of secretariat of the meeting and conference, who also served on the board of the Foundation CROI with a group of high-powered researchers on HIV / AIDS. in an email, Sordyl explained that "LLC is CROI secretariat of the conference and that is why the site is more active. " She said that the confidentiality agreement has also limited its ability to discuss details.
husband Benson, UCSD HIV / AIDS clinician and researcher Robert Schooley, launched CROI with Sordyl after the US government began to restrict travel of its scientists international conferences in the early 190s several revolutionary discoveries were announced at the meeting over the years, including the successful combinations of antiviral drugs, the origins of HIV and cure of Timothy Brown. According CROI Foundation tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service in 2010, it became a big business, with nearly $ 8.9 million in net assets. (It is not clear from the reports how much tax CROI LLC has received payment for his services.)
defenders of HIV / AIDS in particular lobbied CROI Foundation to resurrect the site quickly. "CROI is established as the most important scientific meeting on HIV and commitment to the site is unprecedented in the medical field and should be a model for other diseases," writes Simon Collins, co-founder of information HIV treatment in the UK i-Site base in an e-mail to others in the advocacy community. "The website is a vital resource not only as a record of previous meetings, but as a free research tool, freely accessible. i-Base, and many other community organizations, goes to considerable effort to include links to abstracts, posters, presentations and webcasts in our reports. The reliability of the original URL is a key aspect of the site. The lack of communication is not helpful. "
Benson said CROI Foundation has partnered with the International Antiviral Society-USA, a non-profit headquartered in San Francisco, California, which will serve the new secretariat and organize the meeting . Benson said they will announce later today that the meeting will take place from 3 to March 6 Boston. regarding the site, Benson says they want to restart as soon as possible, but it is not known how archival documents, which CROI LLC owns, appear. "We are going ahead with the setting regardless of the content we have on the new site," Benson said. "We are in discussion about what can be done to restore the previous materials on site."
* Clarification, July 29, 19:05: This article has been updated to explain why the site went dark.
How are you physically active? You can walk, organized sport, work with a trainer, or take part in fitness classes. These options are very beneficial, but what about weight training?
Also known as resistance training, this type of exercise has many health benefits. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), weight training increases the metabolic rate, help burn fat, strengthens and tones muscles and increases bone density. The strength and resistance training exercise is one of four types of exercise and endurance, balance and flexibility. All these elements result in a well-rounded exercise routine.
Some women may be reluctant to participate in weight lifting activities to avoid looking too muscular. Never scared! With the lifting of moderate weight, toning muscles, but will not increase significantly in size. "For a woman to develop" bodybuilder "muscles, it would be necessary to exceed the recommended amount of strength training, take hormones and focus intensely on increasing muscle mass" (AHA).
did you know?
physical activity is anything that gets you moving your body and burn calories (AHA).
The American Heart Association recommends 40 minutes of aerobic exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity three to four times a week to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
If the whole body is engaged through multiple planes of motion, more work is done in less time (AHA)
Tips for resistance training at home
potato sack Deadlifts. - take a bag of apples land and bend at the waist, lowering the potatoes. Lift the bag squeezing the hamstrings and glutes. 3 sets, 15 reps
Island Press -. Hold the edge of the counter and do a push-up, ensuring that the back is straight and the core is engaged. 3 sets, 15 reps
Soup Fly -. Keep a can of soup in each hand and start with the arms down by your sides. Raise both arms until they are parallel to the floor. 3 sets, 15 reps
Dish Wash Toe Raises -. Stand upright and balanced with the feet forward, raise heels as high as possible. Challenge yourself with weights
Sources :. The American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Strategies LifeWork, Adventist HealthCare. The Health Council of the week is for educational purposes. For more information, consult your doctor. feel Please free to copy and distribute this health resource.
After 31 years Zac Vawter lost part of his leg in a motorcycle accident, a team of doctors decided to create a new type of prosthesis: one whose movements he could handle with his mind, with "flex" one foot was gone. The method is similar to that tried in people who have lost an arm: Doctors at North-West University and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago pulled muscles damaged nerves in the amputated leg and connected Vawter in the thigh muscle in the thigh, which had been left intact. When Vawter imagined moving his missing leg, his thoughts have caused various models contraction of the thigh was left. Electrodes stuck to his skin picked up the signals and relayed to sensors on the prosthesis (above), who played the way he wanted to move. The result, described today The New England Journal of Medicine , was not perfect. Vawter sometimes stumbled, but he was able to walk safely outside, climbing stairs, and kick a ball. The authors note that there are still challenges to refine the technique, partly because the electrodes can get uncomfortable.
What your children do in their free time? Are they constantly moving and participate in extracurricular activities or sports or are their eyes constantly fixed on the shelves, TV, or video games? Healthy lifestyles and habits are formed at a young age and the choices they make today can affect their health as they age.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, one in three children in the US is overweight or obese. A child is defined as "affected by obesity" if their body mass index for age (or BMI for age) percentile is above 95 percent. A child is defined as "overweight" if their BMI percentile for age is more than 85 percent and less than 95 percent. Childhood obesity puts children at risk for health problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. The conditions which were once considered as adults.
Fortunately, obesity in childhood and adulthood is preventable! Healthy lifestyles, including healthy eating and physical activity can reduce the risk of obesity and related diseases. Use the beginning of a new school year to make some changes in the lives of your family. Take your child a healthy balanced lunch to bring to school and encourage them to be active during school recess or physical education. Work with your child's doctor if you have concerns about your child's health condition to develop a plan for changes and healthy living goals.
Did you know?
1-3 American children are overweight or obese.
over the past 30 years childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled among teenagers.
obesity can cause adverse health effects such as heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes
Childhood obesity often leads to obesity in adulthood (CDC).
Obesity not only contributes to poor physical health, it also has an emotional impact health.
Prevention Tips
Encourage healthy eating habits - provide vegetables, fruits and whole grain products and serving portions of reasonable size
Making favorite healthy dishes - include more vegetables and reduce added fats and sodium
Remove calorie-rich temptations -. offer treats in moderation
Help your children understand the benefits of physical activity - benefits include strong bones, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and increase the esteem self
help children stay active - children and adolescents should participate in at least 60 minutes of activity every day of the week
Reducing sedentary time - limit the time to screen more than two hours per day
Sources: The American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allows Move.gov, Action obesity, USDA LifeWork EAP and Adventist HealthCare strategies. The Health Council of the week is for educational purposes. For medical advice, consult your doctor. Feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.
Why lucky few can eat the contents of their heart -
Boston- We all know people who seem to be born with good genes, they can smoke, never exercise, or consume large amounts of bacon, but they are apparently healthy. Now, researchers have found that people who carry a rare genetic mutation that controls the levels of certain fats, or blood lipids, are protected against heart disease. The result, reported yesterday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, suggests that a drug mimicking this effect could prevent heart disease, a major killer.
Triglycerides are lipids that the body made of unused calories in foods and later burns fuel. Doctors often monitor blood levels of the patients of these compounds due to the higher levels have been linked to increased risk of heart disease.
A processing triglyceride player is a protein called ApoC-III which is encoded by the gene APOC3 . It was five years ago, researchers discovered a mutation in APOC3 in 5% of the Amish population in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Those who have this variant had exceptionally low triglyceride levels after eating a milkshake loaded with fat. They also had only half as many ApoC-III proteins in the blood, and they were less likely to develop coronary artery calcification, which can lead to coronary heart disease.
The Amish group was too small to allow researchers to directly link gene mutation to less heart disease, however. And it is not known whether the gene appear among non-Amish people.
Now, researchers have found APOC3 mutations in the general population of the United States. They sequenced the DNA encoding the protein, or exomes, 3734 white and African-American volunteers, then combed through the data for genetic variants linked to triglyceride levels. Some people have turned out to be the Amish APOC3 mutation or one of three other variants APOC3 which also disables the copy of the gene. When the team examined the DNA of a larger group of about 111,000 people, they found that almost a 0 worn one of four APOC3 variants, reported Jacy Crosby the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, representing a large consortium called the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Exome sequencing project.
500 people with one of these APOC3 not only had less ApoC-III variants their triglyceride levels 38% lower than the average person and blood; they also had a 40% lower risk of coronary heart disease, the effects include heart attacks. This result strengthens the link between APOC3 and heart disease and also supports a possible prevention strategy, Crosby said: Reduce levels of ApoC-III protein could potentially lower lipid levels and protect against heart disease. Such a drug already in clinical trials, she noted.
The new study "is exciting, but we must be cautious" about whether such a drug will work, said geneticist Stephen Rich of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Indeed, inhibition of ApoC end of life can not imitate -III be born with APOC3 mutation, which protects for a lifetime, he said.
In the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, "Life begins again when it gets crisp in the fall. "most people use the beginning of the new year to set resolutions but why should we wait until January to create a fresh start with healthy habits? autumn is a season of transition for the world that we surrounds, making it the perfect time to start a transition of our own. with the holidays just around the corner, why not use that time to get a head start on adding some healthy habits to your routine?
when setting goals, it is important that you make realistic and achievable. Do not set a goal to run a half marathon next week, when you're not able to comfortably run one mile! Start by setting smaller goals and work up to larger goals more difficult. Apart from establishing SMART goals, set goals that you enjoy and look forward to achieving. If your goal is to become more active, find ways to make it more attractive for you.
Enjoy this summer and autumn to integrate into your goals. Go outside! There is nothing like the ideal temperature of the crisp fall air and the view of the changing leaves. Find a local park or trail that can help you increase your physical activity while being outside. Use single seasonal harvest. Add the autumn healthy foods like squash, pumpkin, potatoes and sweet potatoes in recipes to make them both festive and nutritious. Last but certainly not least, involve your family. Autumn is filled with plenty of opportunities to spend quality time with people you love.
Did you know?
Top level athletes, business people and performing successfully in all areas all set goals.
The first step in setting personal goals is to consider what you want to achieve in your life.
to give a broad balanced coverage of all important areas of your life, try to set goals in categories such as career, education, financial, family, or make your own categories
Tips to set SMART objectives
S ! - A specific goal has a much greater chance of suffering from a general
M - .. Establish concrete criteria for measuring your progress towards your goal
a - When you identify goals that are most important to you, they become to seem more accessible
R -. for a goal to be realistic, there must be something that you are willing and able to work on
T -
Sources objective must be grounded in a time :. Mindtools, University of Virginia, LifeWork strategies. EAP and Adventist HealthCare. The Health Council of the week is for educational purposes. For medical advice, consult your doctor. Feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.
Painkillers May Curb Memory Loss Medical Marijuana -
A plant to remember. painkillers can reduce the deterioration of the sometimes caused by marijuana memory.
Bogdan / Creative Commons
medical marijuana can relieve pain and nausea, but it can also cause a reduction in attention and memory loss. A new study in mice found that taking medications of over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen can help reduce these side effects.
"This is what we call a seminal paper," said Giovanni Marsicano, a neuroscientist at the University of Bordeaux in France who was not involved in the work. If the results are confirmed in humans, they "could expand the medical use of marijuana," he said. "Many people in clinical trials are down on treatments because they say:" I can not work. I stoned all the time. "
People have used marijuana for hundreds of years to treat conditions such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Of mice studies have shown it can reduce some of the neuronal damage seen in Alzheimer's disease. the main psychoactive ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is approved by the Food and Drug administration to treat anorexia in AIDS patients and nausea caused by chemotherapy. Although recreational drug users usually smoke marijuana, prescription patients THC taken in capsule form. Many people find difficult side effects to bear, though.
the exact cause of these effects is unclear. in the brain, THC binds to receptors called CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are involved in the development of the nervous system and the perception of pain and appetite. receptors are normally activated by similar compounds, called endocannabinoids, which are produced by the human body. When one of these compounds bind to CB1, it suppresses the activity of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The enzyme has many functions. For example, analgesics such as ibuprofen and aspirin work by blocking COX-2. Researchers have speculated that the suppression of COX-2 could be the cause of the side effects of THC, such as memory problems.
But that is not what the researchers found in the new study. A team led by Chu Chen, a neuroscientist at the Louisiana State University in New Orleans, found that giving THC to mice increases the activity of COX-2. Blocking this activation attenuated memory problems and learning triggered by THC. For example, mice that received a daily dose of THC for a week had trouble remembering the location of a hidden platform in a water tank. If COX-2 was blocked, however, the THC found mice given the platform as fast as mice that were not treated with THC did. This suggests "that unwanted side effects of cannabis could be eliminated or reduced ... by administering an inhibitor of COX-2 ," the authors write today cell .
Raul Gonzalez, a psychologist at Florida International University in Miami, praises the "elegant set of experiments." But he warns that it is not known whether the inhibition of COX-2 blocking the beneficial effects of marijuana. In the study, Chen and colleagues showed that some positive effects of THC, such as that observed in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease are still visible if the mice also receive a COX-2. But such an inhibitor may also interfere with the positive effects of THC on other disorders such as AIDS, Gonzalez wrote in an email. "It is far too early to tell, but the current study will undoubtedly stimulate new exciting research."
A conclusion of the paper is that THC and endocannabinoids can cause the opposite effect when they bind to the CB1 receptors, Marsicano says. This suggests that it may be too simple to think of a CB1 receptor such as a simple switch that always does the same thing if activated, he said. For example, CB1 can come in slightly different forms, and THC can be particularly good at binding to one of these forms.
The authors argue that a painkiller like aspirin can also prevent some of the disadvantages of cannabis abuse. But Gonzalez warned that smoked cannabis contains many more active compounds that THC is the case, and they may also be involved in impair memory and other side effects.
As for people who use marijuana for recreational purposes, take ibuprofen and could kill the buzz they seek, Marsicano says. For example, he said, deficiencies in working memory can make people prone to jump from one topic to another in the course of the conversation, and they can have fun doing it. "So what we call side effects can attract people to marijuana in the first place."
FDA is taking steps to reduce antibiotics in livestock -
There are many culprits in the growing problem of microbial resistance to antibiotics that makes these precious drugs advocates ineffective public health but often link to agriculture. Farmers give more than 70% of the antibiotics used in the US to improve health and promote the growth of livestock and poultry. Yesterday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced changes in the agricultural use of antibiotics to protect medical drugs.
The American Society for Microbiology applauded the move in an email, calling it "a major step to address antibiotic resistance globally." But critics worry about what they consider an important gap, and they say that the measures do not go far enough.
Farm animals are often given a steady dose of antibiotics added to their diet in order to stimulate growth and prevent the onset of disease. Unfortunately, the practice increases the risk of microbial resistance evolution and eventually spread to humans. In final guidance published on 11 December, the FDA asked companies that produce drugs for animals to voluntarily change their labels. Should they announce more improved growth and feed efficiency of antibacterial drugs that FDA believes medically important to humans.
If the labels are changing, drugs are not available over the counter. Instead, farmers or food plants would require a prescription from a veterinarian, who may approve the use for the treatment of sick animals or prevention of disease in people considered "at risk." The FDA wants to hear businesses within 3 months about their plans to change the label and will give them 3 years to implement. The agency has preferred a voluntary approach because it says regulatory measures would take longer, cost more, and be more disruptive to the industry. The companies support the plan.
The Johns Hopkins Center for a Sustainable Future (CLF), which recently released a report critical of the use of antibiotics in agriculture, is skeptical that voluntary action sufficient to protect public health . "[T] he guidelines will probably not change the way these medicines are used in food animals," according to a statement released today. "The FDA can take care if companies call the growth promotion or disease prevention, but bacteria are not," said Keeve Nachman, a scientist of Environmental Health at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Bloomberg in Baltimore, Maryland, in the statement. "If antibiotics are used in the same way, they will have the same effect."
Christine Hoang, deputy director for scientific affairs at the American Veterinary Medical Association, provides that the change will lead to less use of antibiotics overall. FDA guidelines specify when the drugs are to be used for medical purposes, she noted, for example by providing antibiotics for piglets that are shipped to a facility with outstanding disease. "All veterinarians know that you can not deviate from the label," she says Science Insider. "You could lose your license." Almost all states require a prescribing veterinarian to get acquainted with the keeping and care of animals by a client, even if they do not require a visit for each prescription.
CLF wants FDA to eliminate all uses of antibiotics for disease prevention. Hoang, however, said that such a ban could be a "very serious problem for food security." If animals become ill, she said, the disease can cure their gastrointestinal tissue, which increases the risk of fecal contamination during slaughter, which could add to the spread of resistant microbes. Healthy animals are important for food safety, said Hoang.
Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) a longtime proponent in Congress of tighter restrictions on antibiotics in agriculture, in a statement that the FDA is short train. "FDA volunteer orientation is an inadequate response to the overuse of antibiotics to farm without enforcement mechanism and no steps to success," she wrote. "Unfortunately, this orientation is the biggest step the FDA has taken a generation to fight against the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture business, and it unfortunately falls short of what is needed to deal with a crisis public health. "
Now that Halloween is over and you are left with more candy that you can the handle, it is important to brush on that smile - word game. Having good oral hygiene can have positive effects on your health and wellbeing. Read on to learn more about improving your oral health!
One way to improve your oral health is to have a well balanced diet. Eating fruits like apples and pears can strengthen your teeth and gums while fighting against the bacteria that cause plaque and bad breath. On the other hand, stay away from refined sugary snacks and drinks that can lead to cavities and tooth decay. A diet rich in fruits and diet low in refined sugars also reduces the risk of obesity and other chronic health problems.
Scientists have also found a link between the mouth and the body. Good oral health can improve your self-esteem, reduce your risk of heart disease, prevent memory loss and reduce the risk of infection and inflammation in the body.
Did you know
bacteria as plaque can cause cavities and gingivitis
the average person should brush 6 minutes per day - 2 .. minutes after every meal
Flossing once a day for 2 to 3 minutes a day removes plaque between teeth where a toothbrush can not reach.
Tips for Oral Health
Use a fluoride toothpaste with a soft bristle toothbrush, and do not forget to replace all three month
Spend at least two minutes using a recommended technique, which includes 30 seconds brushing each section of your mouth (upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left) morning and night.
How you hold the toothbrush depends on which part of the tooth you brush. Do you know the recommended techniques for brushing each side of the tooth
Source :? OralB, Harvard University, US Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health, LifeWork Strategies EAP, and Adventist HealthCare. The Health Council of the week is for educational purposes. For medical advice, consult your doctor. Feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.
The holiday season is a time of celebration and joy, but also can be a source of financial stress. Holiday meal, entertaining and gifts all have the potential to put us in a large amount of debt that can put a damper on our holiday fun. Let us remember to spend wisely this season and make the new year a success!
When shopping for meals, make a list of what is needed for lunch and stick to your list. Always use coupons and shop for deals at the grocery store. If someone offers to bring a dish, or help prepare, say yes! It will benefit your wallet and mental health to accept help when offered.
If you have decided to give gifts this year, consider starting a cheaper tradition such as group outings. Gifts are not always necessary for the joyous celebration. If you decide to buy gifts, cut costs by organizing a gift swap. Consider spending less and make your gift more meaningful.
When buying in person, try using debit or cash. When shopping online, always use a credit card. Remember, you have the option to view your statement before paying anything. Always spend within your means and take advantage of sales.
In short, make your goal this holiday season to ring in the new year with no new debt. Consider the tips below.
Did you know?
Interest adds up! $ 5,000 balance at an interest rate of 15%
Total charges: $ 5,000
monthly payment: $ 250
Payoff time 24 months
Total debt paid: $ 6,000
the National Retail Federation reports Americans spent an average of $ 730 in gifts, food, decorations and other purchases holiday-related in 2013 .
15.4% of retailers in 2013 began sales of holiday 1st October (Statista).
Sources: Stephen Hannan, Statista, LifeWork EAP strategies and Adventist HealthCare. The Health Council of the week is for educational purposes. For medical advice, consult your doctor. Feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.
Good workout. A new study helps explain the link between exercise and weight loss.
Maridav / iStockphoto / Thinkstock
Just in time for all the resolutions of those New Year to exercise more, scientists have a better idea of how the body turns pain into gain. Exertion stimulates the muscles to release a molecule that alters the fat cells, transforming them into machines burn calories, a research team has found.
The exercise works the muscles, but affects cells throughout the body, even in the brain. An important player in this process is a protein called PGC-1α. In exercising muscles it activates genes that ramp up energy consumption. But its impact goes beyond these tissues. The protein invites somehow indirectly, for example, white fat variety of energy storage that platelets our hips and stomach to switch on genes that are characteristic of brown fat, a form that burns calories. PGC-1α does not move outside of the muscle cells, so researchers are not sure how influence spreads, however.
Sifting through the secretions of PGC-1alpha-making muscle cells, Robert Gerszten of Harvard Medical School in Boston and colleagues caught a molecule that could be making the call to deals of the protein: β-aminoisobutyric (BAIBA). They found that induced BAIBA white fat cells become more like brown fat cells, changing their gene activity patterns. And it stimulates other types of cells, fueling fat metabolism in the liver, the team also revealed today Cell Metabolism .
These effects can lead to a healthier metabolism. When the mouse lapped water laced with the molecule, rodents lost weight and were better absorb glucose.
Do BAIBA produce similar changes in humans? The researchers analyzed blood samples from more than 00 subjects in the famous Framingham Heart Study, which has been probing the causes of cardiovascular disease for over 60 years. The team found levels of Baiba lower in people who had risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, such as high insulin levels and high cholesterol. However, after softies taking part in another study began an exercise program, BAIBA concentration in their blood jumped 17%, the researchers determined.
These results suggest that molecular BAIBA's envoy PGGC-1α. But BAIBA is not the only messenger. There are two years, a group that included some of the authors on the current paper identified another example: irisin proteins. But because exercise triggers complex effects in multiple tissues and organs, "it is not surprising that other factors could be found here," said metabolic physiologist Christopher Newgard of Duke Medical Center University in Durham, North Carolina, who was not connected either to irisin or BAIBA research. "This document should be noted, and this factor deserves more attention." One question scientists should focus on, he said, is whether BAIBA levels fall as people become obese.
it is too early to say whether BAIBA can be developed into a drug that could help people lose weight or repel metabolic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. "We will intensively study in animals to see if a bizarre side effects, we have not picked up, "says Gerszten. Meanwhile, if you want to keep your New Year's resolution, you should probably stick to that gym membership.
As our region is hunkering down for the 2016 storm, it is important to think about how this snowstorm could affect your heart.
"colder temperatures combined with physical activity of shoveling snow is a recipe for putting your heart a great stress," says David Brill, MD, interventional cardiologist with Adventist HealthCare Washington Adventist Hospital Medical Group and Adventist. "shoveling like any vigorous activity a risk 50 times higher for heart attack for inactive people compared to people who keep in shape."
Tips for shoveling snow
If you have decided to shovel snow, Brill said keep in mind there are many ways to make the safest snow removal :.
Take breaks during shoveling and pay attention to how your body feels during your breaks
Treat shoveling like a workout, and avoid eating a large meal before shoveling (a small snack is ok).
Use a small shovel to avoid raising significant amounts of snow and push the snow from the road instead of the lift.
Dress warmly and drink lots of water.
Know the warning signs of a heart attack and what to do if you or someone else symptoms.
symptoms of a heart attack
Chest discomfort: pressure, pressure, fullness or pain in the center of the chest
Upper body discomfort: discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
Breathlessness
other signs: These may include sweating cold, nausea and dizziness
"If the symptoms do not go away with 5 to 10 minutes of rest, call 911," says Brill.
for cardiac Winter weather advice of Dr. Brill, listen to his interview on WTOP radio. Adventist heathcare Washington Adventist Hospital and Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center are accredited Chest Pain Centers recognized for excellence in the treatment of heart attack by the Society of cardiovascular patient care.
To learn if your heart is in the job, make a risk assessment for heart free online www.TrustedHeartCare.com.
Celebrating differences. migration of the Gypsies in India 1000 years ago ( see map ) set the stage for a revealing study of how diseases can influence the genome
( Top) Corbis. (Bottom) Mr. Netea AND al./Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
The Black Death not only destroy millions of Europeans during the 14th century. He left a mark on the human genome, favoring those who carried certain genes of the immune system, according to a new study. These changes may help explain why the Europeans react differently than others to certain diseases and have different sensitivities to autoimmune disorders.
geneticists know that human populations are changing the face of illness. Some versions of our genes help us fight against infection better than others, and people who carry these genes tend to have more children than those who do not. Thus, the beneficial genetic versions persist, while other versions tend to disappear as those who wear them die. This weeding out all but the best genes is called positive selection. But researchers are struggling to identify positively selected genes in humans, as many genes vary from one individual to another.
Enter Mihai Netea, an immunologist at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre in the Netherlands. He realized that in his home country, Romania, the existence of two distinct ethnic groups the opportunity to see the hand of natural selection in the human genome. There are a thousand years, the people-commonly known as gypsies-Rroma migrated to the north of India Europe. But they married little with European Romanians and therefore very distinct genetic origins. Yet, living in the same place, both groups had the same conditions, including the Black Death, which has not reached the northern India. Thus, the researchers looked for genes favored by natural selection by searching for similarities in the European Roma and Romanians are not found among North Indians
Netea. Jaume Bertranpetit evolutionary biologist of the University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain; and their colleagues searched for differences to more than 196,000 places in the genomes of 100 Romanians from Europe and 100 Rroma. For comparison, the researchers also cataloged the differences 500 people living in the northwest of India, where the Rroma came. They then analyzed the genes that changed the most to see which were most favored by selection.
genetically, Rroma are still quite similar to the Northwest Indians, although they have lived side by side with the Romanians for a millennium, the team found. But there were 20 genes in the Rroma and Romanians who had changes that are not visible in the Indian versions of these genes Netea and colleagues report online today in the Proceedings of the national Academy of sciences . These genes "have been positively selected for Romanians and Gypsies, but not for Indians," says Netea. "It is a very strong signal."
These genes included one for the pigmentation of the skin, the one involved in inflammation, and that associated with susceptibility to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. But those Netea and Bertranpetit were most excited were a group of three immune system genes found on chromosome 4. This gene codes for Toll-like receptors, proteins that cling to harmful bacteria in the body and launches a defensive response . "We knew they must be important for host defense," said Netea.
What events in history may have favored these versions of genes in Roma and Romanians but not among the Indians? Netea and his colleagues tested the ability of Toll-like receptors to react to Yersinia pestis , the bacterium that caused the black death. They found that the strength of the immune response varied according to the exact sequence of Toll-like receptor genes.
Netea and Bertranpetit propose that the Roma and European Romanians came to have the same versions of these genes of the immune system due to pressure evolution Y. pestis . other Europeans, whose ancestors also faced and survived the black Death, made similar changes in the genes of Toll-like receptors. But the people of the China and Africa and two other locations, the black death has not reached, do not have these changes. (There were multiple plagues throughout history worldwide, but none were as deadly as the Black Death, which killed about one in four Europeans, and thus exerted strong selection.) The similarities in other genes were probably caused by other conditions experienced by the Roma and the Europeans, but not the Indians.
"the use of two people living in the same geographical area is very smart," says geneticist human population Oscar Lao Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, who was not involved in the study. "This experimental evidence is very important," he added. It shows that the plague bacterium interacts effect with the proteins encoded by genes favored by natural selection. "This should be the goal of all these types of analyzes."
"There is a beautiful hypothesis they put forward," agrees Lluis Quintana-Murci, the human population geneticist at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, who was not involved in the study. Genetic changes can have modern effects. "The presence of these particular versions of these genes may provide the basis of evolution to explain why some people are more at risk" for certain types of disease, said Douglas Golenbock, an immunologist at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester " The side effect. seems that Europeans have a proinflammatory immune system than those who have never experienced the black death. "
However, Lao and Quintana-Murci ask whether the convergence of these genes could be explained another way. It is possible that these favorable versions were introduced in the Rroma by crossing between Rroma and the Romanians, they suggest. additional sequencing convergent genetic regions should answer this question, said Quintana-Murci. It is also important to check how these toll-like receptors respond to other deadly bacteria to see if other diseases could have been the cause of change. This is likely to happen, Quintana-Murci added. "This will inspire other laboratories to see if other bacterial infections could also explain the [selection] ".
How do you measure success? Does the size of your home or your salary? Is the number of friends in your network? Here's a new idea: try to measure your success with the amount of smiles you inspire
14th to 20th February is Random Acts of Kindness Week !. This festival encourages people to commit acts kind, regardless of size, and to see and feel the BIG impact. Life can be confused with a stressful job, negative news and unfortunate circumstances, but kindness spread through your actions can turn someone's day around in an instant!
Whether you keep the door to a stranger or help someone with their groceries, you can make a huge difference in someone's day. Kind acts not only help others, but you can help! Science has shown that the implementation of random acts of kindness can increase your sense of belonging and self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and decrease blood pressure (Behavioral Medicine, 05).
Try performing a random act of kindness every day this week in celebration of the holiday. You may find that you want to celebrate every week of the year!
Did you know?
Altruism is the practice of unselfish concern for the welfare of others. Acts of kindness certainly fit this definition.
Acts of kindness leads to the release of oxytocin, a hormone that dilates blood vessels, causing reduced blood pressure.
uniform acts of altruism can lead. to self-realization, reducing depression, delayed mortality, and an increase in welfare
Spread the Love:
smile to a stranger. You never know how their day is going and this simple gesture could change their entire outlook.
compliment a colleague. Do not let their work ethic and passion go unnoticed. Show your peers that they are appreciated!
Volunteering for your favorite cause. If it is something you are short, make a small donation. Take a little weight your portfolio could bring a lot of joy in your heart.
For more act of kindness ideas, visit Random Acts Kindness' website.
Sources: Behavioral Health, Dr. David R. Hamilton, New Center, Random Acts of Kindness. LifeWork Strategies EAP and Adventist HealthCare. The Health Council of the week is for educational purposes. For medical advice, consult your doctor. Feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.
Your heart surgery is complete, and you are finally able to go home.
You spent some time recovering in the hospital, but you must continue to take care of yourself at home. It can be a bit of an adjustment to go from your usual routine to adjust your activities after heart surgery, but it can be done.
Here are some general steps to follow while you heal your heart surgery. Recovery involves both physical and emotional healing.
Activity
After heart surgery, your body has to heal for several weeks. The best way to find your normal activities at home is to use a slow progressive plan. Over time, you should be able to perform routine household tasks, take part in recreational activities, and return to work.
Get up and get dressed every morning. Do not stay in bed
Wear comfortable casual clothing every day or to help you return to a regular daily routine.
break long tasks into shorter parts, and the space between them during the day.
Stop your tasks before you get tired. If you do too, you'll probably be tired the next day and need to rest.
Rest
During the day, the balance of your activity with periods of rest. Your body can give you signals that show you need rest. These signals include symptoms such as:
Breathlessness
Fatigue
Vertigo
Pain
Discomfort
Try to plan ahead for short periods of rest so you will not get too tired.
stairs
you can climb stairs. Make sure to go slowly at first. Take your time. Remember that it takes more energy to climb stairs than walking. If you feel tired or short of breath as you climb, stop, rest, then continue. Use only the banister for balance. Do not pull you up the stairs.
conduct
Do not drive a car after your visit with your surgeon. This office visit is usually four weeks after surgery. A car accident may affect your breast bone (sternum). You can ride in a car. Either ride in the back seat, or riding in the front seat, move the seat back as far as possible. Use a pillow between your chest and the seat belt for comfort and to prevent irritation. Do not take long trips until your doctor says you can. When you are entitled to travel, it is important to stop frequently to walk and stretch your legs.
swimming
daily shower. Do not take tub baths. Avoid hot water, which can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy. Try to have someone else close the first time you take a shower. Avoid rubbing the wound. After the shower, you may want to take some rest before getting dressed. This will help prevent you from tiring.
Sex
Many patients are concerned about the resumption of sexual activity after surgery. It often depends on how you feel physically and mentally. Most doctors agree on these guidelines. When you can climb two flights of stairs without being too tired or short of breath, you are physically able to resume sex
feelings
The recovery of cardiac surgery also involves emotional healing. Remember that healing takes time. You will have good days and bad days. As you increase your daily activity, follow your exercise plan and get plenty of rest. This way you help you on the path to emotional healing.
Meanwhile, you are likely to feel different kinds of emotions. You can feel fear, anger, denial, frustration and sadness. If you go through this, it is important to realize that these feelings are perfectly normal. Not only our body but also our feelings go through a period of adaptation to a change in our health
For more information on heart surgery at UPMC, visit our What to Expect: . cardiac surgery booklet.
blues flu vaccines. A new study says that live vaccines against influenza may increase susceptibility to these bacterial infections.
US Navy
influenza vaccines save millions of lives worldwide each year, but even heroes have their faults. A vaccine against influenza live attenuated, which contains weakened versions of the flu virus, the mouse makes it more vulnerable to bacterial infections in the nasal passages. The vaccine used in the study is similar to FluMist, including 13 million doses have been distributed in the United States this year. The work helps explain why runny nose were occasional aftereffect of FluMist in clinical trials.
"This study is an easy target for the anti-vaccine movement, but our findings should not be a concerned parent less likely to vaccinate their children," says Michael Mina, a virologist at Emory University in Atlanta , who led the research.
in the early days of getting the flu, a person becomes susceptible to opportunistic bacteria. Microbes like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus that cause strep and staph throat infections, respectively, pounce on the exhausted immune system, causing secondary disease.
Mina wondered if vaccines against influenza attenuated could do the same. Some tests FluMist clinics, for example, recorded a slight increase in runny nose in children aged between 6 months and 5 years, a week after they got the vaccine. But no study had tried to understand what could be the cause of the side effect of studying in an animal model.
Mina and his colleagues mutated the H3N2 flu virus to mimic the weakened strain included in the vaccine FluMist. The mice then received this prototype vaccine or placebo either before or after being exposed to S. pneumoniae or S. aureus .
Both bacteria thrived after mice were vaccinated, but only in their nasal passages and upper respiratory tract, reports the Mina team in MBIO . Although similar infections can cause a runny nose in humans, they are much less dangerous staph infections and streptococci in the lungs and lower respiratory tract. In fact, no infection at all transpired in the lower respiratory tract of the vaccinated mice, which explains why zero rodents experienced a serious illness or died after bacterial exposure.
Although the findings are valid in humans, a slight increase in the risk of nasal discharge should not prevent anyone from getting a vaccine against influenza, said Mina. Overall, get vaccinated effectively reduces the risk of bacterial infection by preventing influenza and therefore the host of possible secondary infections.
And at the end of the day, this is only a mouse model, says Vincent Racaniello, a microbiologist at Columbia University. Still, he says, it raises a question about this mystifying vaccine: "When you Misdirect the immune response to a virus, why the bacteria take over?"
Then Mina will search for human tendencies heading towards Bangladesh, where large-scale trials of FluMist in children are underway. It will collect nasal swabs of children vaccinated to determine if the reasons for the mouse model are true. Dhaka a city with the population density can attend a slight increase in bacterial infections during mass vaccinations, he said.
According to Mina, some scientists in the field of the thought of his study should not be published because it casts a negative light on vaccines, but this research benefits ultimately the public, says Peter Palese, chairman of microbiology at the medical school Icahn Mount Sinai in New York City. "Vaccines are still the best ways to fight against the flu and many other diseases. Mice are not men, but it is important to learn about possible complications. "
Recent reports about contaminated food instilled in the hearts and stomachs of Chipotle Mexican Grill eaters. Although it can get to be very careful of eating out during an outbreak of E. coli, there are additional ways to prevent food poisoning.
Foodborne diseases affect 1-6 Americans each year (about 48 million), but this number may be prudent given the most of us keep stomach pain to ourselves (CDC) . Symptoms may last from several hours to several days and can include mild discomfort, nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea. Some cases of food poisoning, particularly organizations such as E. coli O157: H7, Listeria, Vibrio vulnificus and Clostridium botulinum (botulism) can have serious consequences such as kidney failure or even death, in people with the immune system is weakened (foodsafety.gov).
never fear, there is good news! Scientifically proven methods can prevent insects from the stomach at bay. Take a look at four simple steps to food safety and foodsafety.gov visit for details!
Foil Food Poisoning
Do not leave food at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
wash surfaces and hands before and after working with poultry.
Keep an eye on the current outbreaks to prevent contaminated items in the grocery store.
Always wash fruits and vegetables. Even those who peel, such as melons and cucumbers!
Let the leftovers after 3-4 days. When reheating leftovers, heat to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Listen to your instincts ... before your gut talks back! When it comes to spoiled food, you're better safe than sorry
Guard Your Gut
Do not be fooled :. Meat is an obvious culprit in foodborne disease, but a CDC study shows that 46% of the cases relate to fruits, vegetables and nuts. Always wash products; even fruits with peels. Cut fruit can spread contaminants
Know Your Beef :. It is okay to eat your steak "still mooing" because the bacteria are killed during the cooking process. Ground meat, such as hamburgers, can have harmful bacteria mixed in the grinding process, so you want the well minced meat
numbers do not lie :. About 50% of raw chicken carcasses have significant levels of campylobacter and 4 in 5 cases of food poisoning come from contaminated poultry. Cook chicken to 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds to prevent the disease "
For disease symptoms and sources of foodborne :. Foodsafety.org
Sources:.. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CNN health, Foodsafety.gov LifeWork Strategies EAP and Adventist healthCare health Council of the week is for educational purposes for medical advice, consult your doctor Sentez-.. free to copy and distribute this health resource.
What is Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries? -
Atherosclerosis, also called hardening of the arteries or artereosclerosis, is a common medical condition that can increase your risk of heart disease.
getting to know your risks and understand how to make healthy choices for your heart, you can reduce your chances of developing this condition.
What Is Atherosclerosis?
you might not think about them very often, but your arteries do important work. When they are smooth, soft, and not clogged, blood can flow through them easily, bringing oxygen and nutrients to your organs and tissues. This keeps your body on track and working in the right direction.
Atherosclerosis occurs when plaque forms on your arterial walls. The plate is composed of cholesterol, fatty deposits, calcium and other substances in the blood.
When plaque builds up, it can make your arteries hard and narrow or blocked. This can lead to serious problems, even life-threatening, including:
Heart attack
Stroke
peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition that occurs when blood flow to your arms, legs, or pelvis becomes blocked
What are the symptoms of atherosclerosis?
Many people with atherosclerosis do not know they have it. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
Chest Pain
Heart attack, which can be fatal
stroke symptoms such as dizziness or weakness
Leg, arm or pelvic pain
Who is at risk for atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis can happen slowly over time. As you age, your risks become higher
Some conditions and habits that can accelerate plaque buildup include :.
high cholesterol
Hypertension
smoking
Diabetes
Being overweight or obese
not getting regular exercise
Have an unhealthy diet
atherosclerosis prevention and staying healthy
You can reduce your risk by making choices heart healthy, including:
a healthy diet for the heart
Staying at a healthy weight
Get regular exercise
quit
Talk to your doctor about what is right for you, and how you can stay on track with healthy -habitudes heart. Learn more by visiting UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute online.
New parents are still excited for the first word of their baby. While babies usually start to say their first words around 12 months, everyone develops a little differently. Speech comes easily for some babies; for others it is a little slower.
"Speech is something we all do, usually without much thought or work," says Jessica Smith, a language speech pathologist who works with children in Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Centre. "But when a child has trouble communicating, it quickly becomes frustrating for the child and his parents."
Fortunately, there are a few, simple daily things we can do to help our children develop their speech and language skills, long before they are ready to say their first word. It's easy to remember ABC:
A talk lways with your baby
B e that follow the word and hearing milestones
C ommunicate concerns with your baby's pediatrician
always talk with your baby
the best way to help your baby develop a strong vocabulary: talking with her
"We are wired to learn language through our ears," said Carolyn Horton, an audiologist at Shady Grove Medical Center "in their babies first year are just enjoying everything around them -. the sights and sounds "
Here are some simple ways to talk with your baby and expose it to a wide vocabulary :.
describe the world around her, colors his room for animals in a book, and the trees and flowers outside.
Read books. Reading for just 15 minutes daily is one of the best ways to give your baby the building blocks it needs to develop speech. the stories, rhymes and pictures in books can help develop a rich vocabulary and a love of language that will last a lifetime.
play. babies love pat-a-cake, "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider" and peek-a-boo.
Sing songs and say nursery rhymes. The soothing cadence many songs and rhymes also help strengthen the skills of the word of your baby before she can even sing or say rhymes with you.
Make sure to follow the speech and hearing milestones.
parents are always quick to record the first words of their baby. Since speech and hearing go hand in hand, it is important to monitor the hearing milestones along talking
Here are some steps to look with your baby's speech and the development of hear:.
startled at loud sounds 3 months
Babbles 6 months
Waves hello or goodbye 12 months
Following, the simple commands to a single stage by age 2
hear you call from another 4-year part of
most people outside family usually include age speech 4
tells a short story of 5 year
you can get the complete list of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Communicate concerns with your pediatrician.
Discuss your concerns about the speech or your baby's hearing development with your pediatrician. The gut feeling of a parent is often more accurate than any checklist.
"I practice for 30 years, and I still think that the concern of a parent is very important and must be taken seriously," says Carolyn.
Your pediatrician can refer you to a speech therapist or audiologist for a full assessment. for more information about Adventist HealthCare therapy programs, please call 240-826-7123.
BodyChangers UPMC is a management program and weight loss support that helps members achieve their weight loss goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle through a range of exercise classes, education and support groups, and group outings. Based at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, UPMC BodyChangers creates a similar supportive community of individuals who want to be happy, healthy, energetic and fit by taking better care of themselves.
ScienceShot: new stem cells with a genetic match for adults -
YG Chung et al., Cell Stem Cell (2014)
replacement tissues which prevents rejection by the immune system of a patient is a step closer to the clinic, the researchers created human embryonic stem cells carrying the DNA of specific adults. In theory, these stem cells may form any cell type of the organism and can be used in new treatments for Parkinson's disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and spinal injuries spinal. The researchers reported the creation of stem cells using skin cells of a 35-year-old male and a 75-year-old male yesterday Cell Stem Cell . Scientists have built on the work of a team led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov of the Health & Science University in Portland Oregon. The group Mitalipov removed the nucleus containing DNA from human eggs and replaced with cells from the skin of infants and fetuses, a technique called nuclear transfer of somatic cells (SCNT). SCNT has been used to clone Dolly the sheep in 1996. Rather than humans clones, researchers take the early stage embryos resulting from SCNT then derive stem cells (photo above, marked by red fluorescence). Mitalipov The group was the first to get to work SCNT in humans, as they reported in Cell in 2013. But they used donor cells from fetuses and infants. The team of the new study showed that, with minor modifications, the technique works for adults.
Eat fresh, healthy, and to be respectful of the environment are not always easy to do, in particular on a budget. Be warned supermarket and buy seasonal products are smart ways to save green in your wallet and your planet! Use these tips to make this season healthy, happy and profitable
Eat Seasonal :. buying produce in season is fresh, nutritious, tasty, and cheaper! Support your local farmer's market, open spring to autumn, and reduce your carbon footprint! Save gas and money while enjoying delicious seasonal foods
Eat the Rainbow. Fruits and vegetables contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals. Very often the color of our products we can say its benefits. Vitamin A, for example, are usually found in red and orange products. Vitamin C is usually found in green products or citrus. To maximize vitamin and mineral absorption, make your plate look like the bow! Try to eat lots of different colors throughout your day
In the New With :. If you ever find yourself craving new flavors, be adventurous! Get a new fruit or vegetable every time you shop. You can find a new favorite! Some delicious fruits that are currently in season include apricots, grapefruit, mangoes, kumquats, honey dew melon and much more!
Spring is the salad!
Spring weather is notorious for drastic climate change in the week. Salads can be refreshing or warm up your tummy depending on the preparation.
Assemble the heat in your salad by adding warm vinaigrette, freshly grilled chicken and sauteed mushrooms with lemon juice for vitamin C.
a hot day, add extra shine to moisture and flavor by incorporating strawberries or citrus slices, and crisis nuts.
Stock and try another combination of seasonal fruits and vegetables at every meal!
Sources: Urban Education Centre on sustainability. Eat seasonally, United States Department of Agriculture, Montgomery County Maryland. LifeWork Strategies EAP and Adventist HealthCare. The Health Council of the week is for educational purposes. For medical advice, consult your doctor. Feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.
Regardless muffin, bagel or pizza crust, bread instills fear in the hearts of dieters everywhere. The bread is sometimes known as the culprit for unwanted weight gain, but is he really doing the damage we believe?
The answer is both yes and no. Bread is a starchy food that is calorically dense. Refined grains, like white bread, pretzels and bagels are carbohydrates that are low in fiber and not very filling. This combination causes net sugar peaks in the blood, which are related to the development of diabetes. While refined carbohydrates give you a spike in energy, this energy is not sustainable, making it easy to consume large quantities and gain weight while not feeling satisfied.
Unlike refined grains, whole grain breads can be incorporated into a well-balanced diet and can support weight loss. Whole grains are fibrous carbohydrates, which do not cause sharp peaks of sugar in the blood and are digested more slowly. Whole grains contain more vitamins, minerals and fiber, and therefore are more nutritious and filling. Whole grains are wheat, rye, barley, quinoa, millet, teff, wild rice, oats, buckwheat and amaranth, to name a few. Those on a diet of 00 kcal should eat about six ounces of grains per day (AHA). Beware though, just a bagel (whole wheat or refined) can be half your recommended daily intake alone, so choose your cereal wisely!
In summary, regarding bread, fear not! portion control and the ingredients are essential to make your grain count
rye Regulation :.
Make at least half your whole grains
Buy bread with at least 2 grams of fiber
Choose bread with no more than 110 calories / serving
Cut the unnecessary sugar selecting a bread with less than 4 grams of sugar per serving
Find a bread with 3+ grams of protein for a more filling effect
bread goal with zero grams of saturated fat
Sources: American Heart Association, WebMD, whole grains Council, LifeWork EAP strategies and Adventist HealthCare. The Health Council of the week is for educational purposes. For medical advice, consult your doctor. Feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.
We all look forward to delight and drink the holiday season, but the extra calories may curb the festive food and drinks. Creating substitutions and new choices to enjoy your favorite winter drinks will ensure you stay heart healthy and look good in your photos with family and friends.
Eggnog
Mix them. Fill your glass with half to three-quarters of low-fat items or skim milk and eggnog party. You will always have the taste without all the calories.
Act like a child. Remove alcohol. This simple step will reduce the calorie content.
Cut the fluff. Move over this large dollop of whipped cream to avoid extra sugar and saturated fats.
Find an alternative in its many versions to low-fat or non-dairy.
Hot Chocolate
Skip the heavy stuff. If you order a hot chocolate at a restaurant or cafe, ask that it be done with a low-fat or skim milk and no whipped cream.
to make instant hot chocolate at home, look for packages of products marked "low fat / fat free" or "low sugar / sugar free." Make sure you add the mixture to low-fat milk, skim milk or hot water.
Go easy on the toppings. Use five to eight mini marshmallows instead of great. If using whipped cream, look for low-fat versions and stick to less than a tablespoon. If you have hot chocolate regularly, try to limit the trim to "occasionally treats" because they can pack a lot of added calories and sugars.
Apple Cider
Read labels. When buying cider at the store, check its added sugar content. Many products contain added sugars, which can increase your calorie intake and make weight gain. Choose low-sugar and sugar-free options
. Do yourself. When making cider at home, use apple juice low sugar content and a variety of spices (such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg and whole cranberries). You will keep the flavor while cutting calories.
Cocktails and other alcoholic beverages
Enjoy cocktails. Serve non-alcoholic versions of your favorite cocktails to reduce calories. Be sure to check the nutrition label because sometimes products that are alcohol have more added sugar.
Break it up. To reduce the amount of high-calorie drinks you consume during a holiday gathering, drink a glass of water or sparkling water between each drink. This will help fill your stomach, leaving less room to overindulge.
Drug could protect against exposure to radiation -
radiation recovery. drugs could one day help save the lives of those who were exposed to high levels of radiation, as in the case of a nuclear accident.
Kimimasa Mayama / Reuters
He can not work against Godzilla, but a new drug could protect people against lethal doses of radiation. The compound already in clinical trials for treating a blood disorder, may also make radiation therapy for safer cancer.
"What's really exciting about this work is that they not only found this against measure to mitigate radiation-induced [damage], but the fact that it works in a time window 24 hours after exposure, "says oncologist David Kirsch of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.
radiation first strikes the bone marrow, wiping the production of cells important to the fight against infections, clotting, and to carry oxygen through the body in the blood. at high levels, radiation chips and the gastrointestinal tract and damage the outer layers of the intestine and colon, and causing fluid loss, diarrhea, vomiting and local infections, which can become systemic and lead to death. the condition is known as the gastrointestinal syndrome induced by radiation (RIGS), and n ' there are no approved drugs to treat it.
Researchers have suspected that two proteins called hypoxia-inducible factors 1 and 2 (HIF-1 and HIF-2) play a role in maintaining the integrity of the gut during different periods of stress. To test whether they were related to RIGS, Amato Giaccia radiation oncologist at the School of Medicine of Stanford University in California engineered mice lacking a protein called PHD family that normally destabilize HIF-1 and HIF-2. Without PHD, mice have levels higher HIF protein than usual. While normal mice all died within 10 days of exposure to high radiation dose for the abdomen, 70% of mice lacking PHD were alive after 30 days. "We were very surprised by the magnitude of the response," said Giaccia.
Next, the team tried to replicate the results with a drug. They turned to dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG), a compound known to block the PHD proteins and already in clinical trials to treat chronic anemia. as mice lacking PHD, the animals that received a dose of DMOG-even 24 hours after exposure to radiation-survived longer than usual. Two thirds of them were still alive 60 days after exposure, today reports the team in Science Translational Medicine . DMOG did not change the initial damage to the gastrointestinal tract by the radiation, but it helped the gut recover. Boosted levels of HIF protein in particular, HIF-2α, the researchers showed, were the key to recovery.
"what we do with DMOG is that we change the physiology of normal tissue allow time to repair and regenerate," Giaccia said.
new discoveries, Kirsch says, point to an intervention that could be given within 24 hours of an emergency radiation such as fusion nuclear reactors in Fukushima, Japan, in 2011, to save lives.
Giaccia also asked whether the results can benefit cancer patients. DMOG as a drug, he said, could facilitate the toxicity accompanying radiotherapy. Patients taking this could also tolerate higher doses of radiation, applied more widely throughout the body, killing cancer cells than current methods.
But Kirsch warns that it is too early to say whether DMOG or other PHD-blocking drugs, can be used in patients with cancer. "There is some literature suggesting that targeting the HIF pathway may actually protect tumor radiation," he said, which would be against-productive. "Further studies should be done to show that these compounds did not affect tumor response."
Whether you choose to hike, bike or dance your way through the woods, safety is the key! Hiking is a form of exercise that many people are involved in on a daily basis. It allows an engaging with nature, climb mountains, walk through the lakes, explore wildlife and take in the fresh air! While walking is a great form of exercise, it can also be dangerous if you are not aware of their surroundings and prepared for the trip. Remember, no one plans to get lost!
Some may have different ideas of their "ideal hiking day", but we should all consider some key tips to make our hiking an enjoyable, safe and fun. Always consider hiking with others; a group is much more wildlife intimating a lonely soul! Keep an eye on marked trails and always follow them. Wear a hat, clothing in layers and wear a whistle to increase comfort and prevent unwanted critters. Before starting your trip, how long you plan to be and bring plenty of water and nutritious food to keep your energy.
Hiking is a great form of exercise and a great way to take in some Vitamin D especially in mild weather. On a sunny day, call a friend, break a sweat and have a great experience with nature! The world is full of beautiful views; put on your hiking boots and start walking.
Safety Tips for hiking
Bring a hiking buddy
Wear long sleeves, long pants and long socks to keep ticks away
pack lots of water
Follow the marked trails
Carry a whistle to use if in danger
Top Hiking in the US
Yosemite National Park
grand Canyon
Yellowstone National Park
Appalachian Trail
Cascade Mountain
Old Rag Mountain
Sources: National Institute of health, Ministry of health and social services, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, News Report of the United States, strategies LifeWork of Adventist HealthCare. The Health Council of the week is for educational purposes. For more information, consult your doctor. feel Please free to copy and distribute this health resource.
Myths about shots are many. Among the most popular - and perhaps one of the most dangerous -. Is that stroke is something that happens only to the elderly
In fact, a recent report from the American Stroke Association showed a sharp increase in hospitalizations for men and women aged 15 to 44, while the rate decreased by 25 percent in older people.
Lower your risk is the best way to avoid the impact blows life changing can have on you and your family. When strokes occur, prompt action is essential to minimize damage. The window of opportunity for the most successful treatment is just three hours after the start
Prevention :. What you can do
"Heart disease increases your chances of having a stroke, so it is important to control the risk factors," says Lawrence Wechsler, MD, chair of neurology department of UPMC.
While you can not do anything about your age, family history, or ethnicity (African Americans have a higher incidence of stroke), you can control blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity and smoking.
"you are at risk every time your blood pressure or cholesterol are rising. It is far better to prevent stroke than to face the consequences, "says Dr. Wechsler
Treatment :. Time lost is brain Lost
Every minute after the start of a race means a greater risk of permanent damage or death. One of the best treatments for ischemic stroke - when a blood clot blocks flow to the brain - is the rapid administration of tissue plasminogen activator called thrombolytic drug (t-PA). While UPMC doctors have had success beyond three hours with a special procedure to recover the blocking or dissolve with drugs administered directly into the clot, time is critical.
For patients with hemorrhagic stroke caused by bleeding in the brain, swift action is needed to repair the blood vessel leaking.
911 call
If you think someone has suffered a stroke, call for emergency medical help immediately for treatment can begin immediately.
specialized stroke centers - such as the Institute of stroke UPMC UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Shadyside, UPMC St. Margaret and UPMC Mercy - have experts available 24 hours day, seven days a week to diagnose and treat patients. The UPMC diseases telemedicine program also uses technology to provide rapid treatment for patients in other hospitals of UPMC through western Pennsylvania.
Think FAST
Use this simple acronym to help determine if you witness a stroke:
F as the person can smile (or is that one side of the face droop)
a rms :? Can the person raise both arms (or the fact of a lateral drift down) S peech :? the person speak clearly or to repeat a simple sentence
T ime: Call 911 immediately if someone has one of these warning signs
Act FAST
Strokes require immediate medical attention, to know the warning signs is critical, said William Kristan, MD, chairman of emergency medicine at UPMC Passavant. Symptoms of a stroke may include sudden onset of:
Paralysis or weakness of the face or limbs, especially on one side of the body
Balance problems or walking
vision problems
speech
Confusion
language problems or understanding
severe headache
for more information on the diagnosis of stroke and management, c ontact the UPMC stroke Institute to schedule an appointment or ask a question to 412-232-8840 .
It is a sad fact that children born in poverty begin disadvantage and continue to fall further behind children who are more privileged as they grow. In developing countries, mainly in Africa and Asia, some 0 million children under 5 will not reach the same steps-for physical growth, educational attainment and income later as children who are less fortunate. But a new analysis of a long-term study in Jamaica shows that surprisingly simple ways to stimulate the mental development of children can have dramatic benefits later in life.
The children were participants in the study of Jamaica, a project to improve cognitive development began in the mid 1980s by health experts child Sally Grantham-McGregor of University Susan Walker College London and the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. They focused on children aged between 9 and 24 months whose growth was delayed, placing them in the bottom 5% of the height of their age and sex (easy to quantify the tonnage of extreme poverty) . Children of normal size in the same areas were also studied for comparison.
For 2 years, community health workers visited families weekly. One group received nutritional assistance only (a formulation containing 66% of recommended daily calories and vitamins and minerals). One group received a mental and social stimulation program only, and one group received stimulation and nutritional assistance. A final group had no intervention and served as a control. The mental stimulation program was to give parents simple picture books and toys handmade, and encourage them to read and sing to their children and provide the names of objects, shapes and colors. They also learned better ways to converse and respond to their toddlers. These daily interactions are not always part of the culture in low income countries, says Paul Gertler, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley. "Parents may have five or six children and a few toys. They might be really working hard and have a lot of competing demands. They may not have learned to talk to their children, or scale and it is effective", they say he previous research demonstrates the importance of everyday conversation to the mental development of children. a recent study suggests that children of affluent parents are more successful in life largely because their parents longer speak their
follow-up studies. next 20 years revealed that Jamaican children who received mental stimulation had better grades and higher IQs showed fewer signs of depression, and got less fighting. the new study, reported online today in Science , focused on the economic success of young adult children. Gertler, Grantham-McGregor, Walker and his colleagues tracked 105 of the 129 children of causing stunted growth. Those who received the stimulation intervention had gained 25% more than children in the control group. Even more exciting, Gertler noted, is that they had closed the gap in physical and economic stature between themselves and the children in their neighborhoods with normal weight and height. Adding nutritional assistance to mental stimulation did not improve the results further, and food aid on its own had no effect, probably because this type of intervention must be used before the growth of a child was stunted, said Gertler.
"mental and social stimulation for about 1 year really," said Gertler. "It was enough to reduce and eventually eliminate inequalities in the long term." Gertler emphasized that interventions were inexpensive, consisting of toys, books, and conversation, cheap, high-tech gadgets like iPads, for example.
Jere Behrman, an economist at the University of Pennsylvania who was not involved in the research, said the study is the first to demonstrate a long-term economic benefit to early intervention stimulus programs in developing countries. But it is safe to say that the program significantly reduces inequality. "a 25% increase in earnings will d improve the welfare of people who are very poor, and this is something to rejoice. But it can not reduce global inequality by many. "He noted that, although children mentally stimulated taken to other poor children who are not undernourished, their future earnings begin to compare with those of children easier.
Yet Behrman agrees that the simplicity of the interventions in the study of Jamaica is a point in his favor. "Flying world-class psychologists to work with children for hours would yield results impressive, but it would not be easy to replicate. "the methods of the study of Jamaica are now used in Bangladesh, India and Colombia. the study provides evidence that" homemade toys and weekly visits someone from within the community can also have a dramatic impact, "says Behrman.
Joan Lombardi, who was assistant secretary for the development of early childhood in the US Department of Health and Human 2011-09 of services and is now a senior adviser at the Bernard van Leer Foundation in the Hague, the Netherlands, the study adds to the growing body of research from around the world confirming that what is happening in early years has a long-term impact on health, learning and well-being. "Investing in the early years to pay back," she said. "It is time to translate this science increasingly in improving policies and new investments in young children and their families around the world."
* Clarification, June 2, 11:29: This article has been updated to clarify that, according to Jere Behrman, the study is the first to demonstrate an economic advantage for early intervention programs that focus on mental and social stimulation in developing countries. Behrman research in Guatemala has shown that programs to improve nutrition for infants and toddlers can improve earnings in adulthood.
