Handling Your Weight Loss Efforts During The Holidays

If you are planning your holiday meals and activities and weight loss is on your list, there are some actions that can help you succeed.

1- Control hunger by drinking water before meals, it is an effective way to aid a weight loss diet.

According to a research report, those who drink 2 glasses of water before meals lose more weight  than those on a calorie reduce diet only. The difference is  about 4 1/2 pounds. To make use of this finding, drink two glasses of water before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

2-Here are some weight loss tips that can be added to your physical exercise and diet plans. It is from an article in the USNews& World Report.

They are not to replace exercise or diet but to compliment them, six are mentioned:

• Hot soup
• Don't eat heavily just before bed
• Live like a city dweller
• Try a dash of chilli pepper
• Weigh yourself once daily
• Limit caloric beverages

Read how to incorporate them in your daily routine.

3- Remember to ask for gifts of health, gifts that would make it easy to start a weight loss initiative in the New Year.


4- Make realistic New Year resolutions, example set a goal to lose 5-10% of your body weight, this way you wouldn't be too hard on yourself.

5- Calculate your body mass index(BMI) for your weight health status before you start on a weight loss program.

6- Join a FREE weight loss program here.
 

Another Good Reason to Exercise Regularly

 When the flu season is here many of us head to the doctor's office for the good old  flu shot.  A flu shot is recommended for all, especially for children and the elderly.

A study found that exercise and mediation can also prevent colds and flus.

According to researchers those who involve themselves in regular meditation or exercise regularly have fewer colds and flus than those who participate in neither.

The study involved 149 participants.

In a randomized trail they were split into three groups:
1-Those who participated in mindless meditation
2-Those who had regular moderate-intensity exercise
3-A control group that did neither.


Group 1 had 257 days of the cold or flu

Group 2 had 241 days

The control group had 453 days.

The study ran from September 2009 to May 2010.

Read about the report in the spec.com.
TheSpec - Meditation, exercise may help limit cold, flu, study...

Both meditation and regular exercise are effective in controlling blood pressure and in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

It is not surprising that they have a positive effect on the immune system.

Study Linked Education to Prevention Of Alzheimer's

Education and healthy living have been linked to the prevention of Alzheimer's,

A study done at the University of California found that a factor with a big impact on alzheimer's disease is low education.

Researchers believe that education even at a young age can contribute to development of the brain, giving the person the brain power that can be carried on into old age.

According to the study, in the USA the health risk factor with the greatest impact is physical inactivity. This could be because of the sedentary lifestyle, as 1/3 of the population is sedentary.

The study used a mathematical model to estimate the impact of seven risk factors for the disease, they are:
1-Smoking
2-Depression
3-Low education
4-Diabetes
5-Too little exercise
6-Obesity
7-Hypertension

Smoking had the second greatest impact in the USA, followed by hypertension.

The result of this study points to education and a healthy lifestyle as preventative measures against the disease.

Education can be a foundation for learning healthy habits from a young age, this can be carried on to developing healthy lifestyles throughout adulthood.

Education can also help the person to appreciate healthy living.

It is never too late to learn and eliminate these seven health risks factors. According to the report reducing them by 25 % would mean 3 million less cases of alzheimer's worldwide.

For more on Consumer Health Education, Click Here.

Care Giving To Individuals With COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease. Persons living with it are often too disabled and are unable to take control of their health. This requires care-givers to assist with decision making and Self-Care.

Care-givers can improve the quality of life of the loved one by assisting with their receiving treatment.

Care givers can contribute by being knowledgeable, by:

• Knowing the risk factors for the disease is a first step.
• Knowing what medications the love one is taking.
• Knowing when to call a doctor
• Knowing what health professionals are available

COPD is a non-communicable disease the risk factors are, smoking, indoor and outdoor air pollution, overweight and unhealthy eating. Once a diagnosis is made, support and encouragement to eliminate these risk factors will go a long way  to aid recovery.

Care givers care can be a substitute for self-care by:
-Giving support and encouragement during difficult times.
-Giving support and encouragement to change unhealthy habits
-Involving the love one in his own care
-Encouraging his independence whenever possible
-Assisting with transportation and mobilizing
-Help with keeping appointments

This is an excellent article on how care givers can help with treatment, it covers the health care team, visits to the doctor, common treatments and when to call a doctor.

Click to read the article on how care-givers can help with treatment.


COPD is a chronic disease,  prevention is better that cure and more effective in not having the disease. Self Care at home before symptoms of the disease develop is a preventative action.


After developing COPD, Self Care at home will improve quality of life of the individual and prevent worsening of the disease.


For details about how we can all Self Care and be our first health insurance, Click Here

Alcohol Use Links to Smoking

Are you a smoker trying to quit?
Here is a tip:Stay away from alcohol if you want to succeed.

A health study has linked smoking cessation with the use of alcohol.   According to the study alcohol may be used as a coping mechanism rather than the cause of a problem.

The study was done to examine the relationship between the urge to smoke and alcohol use by adults trying to quit. Women were chosen because it is believed that it is more difficult for them to quit that men.

The participants were 302 female ages 18-70, they were all trying to quit. They kept a record describing their urges to smoke and they completed assessments when they felt the urge to smoke.

Result
The participants reported:

1. A stronger, higher urge to smoke on the days that the drank alcohol and that the urge began before they drank
2. On the day that they woke up with stronger urges to smoke, alcohol was more likely to be consumed

The researchers believe that  the alcohol consumption was a result of the urge to smoke and used as a coping mechanism.
Click here to read more on this.

Based on the result of these findings alternative coping strategies could be beneficial in any smoking cessation.

Quitting the smoking habit isn't easy and many people return to it before giving up completely.

Want to quit? TRY this free program. It is an eProgram that educates and motivates.
Click Here

Strokes And Their Risk factors

A stroke is a cardiovascular disease(CVD) which is the number 1 killer globally. Millions of people die each year due to a stroke.

Types of Strokes
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, the blockage could be due to a blood clot or fatty deposits in the lining of the blood vessels. The obstruction prevents the flow of blood to the brain.

About 85% of strokes are of this type, they are ischemic strokes.

A stroke can also occur when an artery ruptures or when there is bleeding between the brain and the tissue covering it. This is a  hemorrhagic stroke.

Risk factors
Some risk factors are avoidable, some are not. The major risk factors are fortunately the avoidable ones, they are:


Physical inactivity- Physical inactivity is the cause of 20% of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Physical inactivity increases one's risk for a stroke by 50%.

The recommended physical activity to prevent non-communicable diseases such as strokes is 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobics each week.  Brisk walking is an example.


Unhealthy eating- When salt, saturated and trans fat are consumed without limits, they turn any diet into an unhealthy one. There are daily recommendations to control their use and to prevent chronic diseases such as strokes.  A diet deficient of vegetables and fruit is a major risk factor.

Unhealthy eating is the cause of 11% of strokes.

Hypertension-High blood pressure, a reading of 140/90 or more accounts for about 1/2 of all cases of strokes.  The risk for CVD's doubles as the reading  increases.


Other Risk Factors:

• Obesity
• High cholesterol
• Smoking- Your chances of another or dying are increased if you smoke
• Age- The risk doubles every decade after 55
• Hereditary- The risk is increased if a first blood relative has had one
• Diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle

A patient who has suffered a stroke will be given: emergency care, treatment to prevent another stroke and /or treatment for the complications of the stroke.

Prevention
Prevention starts early in life. Those who pursue a healthy lifestyle working towards reducing risk factors will decrease their chances of ever developing CVD's.

These habits will do it:

• Quit Smoking
• Keep physically active
• Reduce sedentary time 
• Eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables
• Limit fat intake
• Develop a healthy eating pattern
• Maintain a health weight

Self care throughout the lifespan is a very important preventative measure against all cardiovascular diseases. Self care is health care provided by you at home. Even if you suffer a stroke you will need to self care at home to make good recovery and improve quality of life.

For more information and to learn how to self care at home .Click Here.

Preventing Blindness With Diabetes

Diabetes is a non-communicable disease that is not only preventable but is treatable.

Although hereditary is a risk factor for diabetes, one can develop the disease through an unhealthy lifestyle.  One can also prevent diabetes by developing a healthy lifestyle.

One complication of diabetes is vision impairment, it can lead to blindness. To prevent blindness due to diabetes there are recommended things that you should do. Read about them, they are from an article  in the USNews.

Got Diabetes? Do These Things or You May Go Blind - US News and World Report

1. Closely monitor your blood sugar.
2. Keep blood pressure under control
3. Get cholesterol levels checked
4. Exercise and maintain a healthy diet
5. See an opthalmologist annually

Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes, lifestyle changes must be made to control blood sugar. With a healthy lifestyle it is possible to get rid of your diabetes and therefore remove the risks of vision impairment.

Self-care on a regular basis will ensure a healthier lifestyle and good eye health.

Self-care would include the removal of avoidable health risk factors; it is easier to control your diabetes without other risk factors.

The risk factors that you need to avoid are:smoking, overweight/obesity, unhealthy eating, alcohol abuse and a sedentary lifestyle.


Self-care also involves keeping medical appointments, taking prescribed medications and being alert to changes in your condition.

Diabetes is a disease that is managed at home, you can do so with good self care. You can learn how to self care. CLICK HERE for more information.

A Study Linked Drinking Coffee To Health Benefits

Researchers of a large Finnish study found drinking coffee to be associated with certain health benefits.

 The study involved 60,323 Finns who completed a questionnaire about their medical history, socioeconomic factors and dietary lifestyle habits. Researchers followed the participants for a period of 19.3 years.

Participants were divided into five categories of coffee consumption:

1. 0-1 cups
2. 2-3 cups
3. 4-5 cups
4. 6-7 cups
5. 8 or more cups

The Result 

One hundred and twenty eight were diagnosed with liver cancer. The researchers  noted an inverse association between coffee drinking and the risk of primary liver cancer.

American researchers analyzed data on 82,314 women and 41,736 men. They were followed over a 20 year period. They filled out questionnaires every 2 to 4 years. The questionnaire included:

• Health conditions
• Smoking
• Coffee consumption
•  Dietary habits

The researchers compared the frequency of deaths from:

1. Any cause
2. Deaths due to heart disease
3. Deaths among people with different coffee drinking habits

The result: People who drank more coffee were less likely to die during the follow up period.  Regular coffee drinking has also been associated with a decrease in deaths from heart disease.

Good nutrition, as reflected in a healthy diet is key to the prevention of diseases and premature deaths. Limiting sugar, cream and milk when drinking coffee is advisable.  It is best to avoid sugar and use low fat milk for the full health benefits.

Health Care Begins At Home

It is important to know that health care does not begin with a visit to a medical specialist or health professional.

Health care begins at home before the need to seek medical attention. Health care will also continue at home after seeing a health professional.

No matter what the outcome is after seeing a health professional your health care must continue, this is where we, the individuals come in.

The simple things that we do in our every day lives can provide us with health care long before a visit to a medical doctor.  Although they have been given secondary importance

with health care systems, we can take these measures to prevent unnecessary use of these systems.

If you are wondering, well who is providing health care at home?  The answer is 'the individual'. Health care at home is self-care to prevent disease and premature deaths. Self-care will prevent unnecessary visits to a health care provider, save you unnecessary medical costs and insure you a healthy life.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control(CDC) have embraced health care at home(self-care), by setting standards and guidelines for the prevention of non-communicable diseases(NCD's).   NCD's can be prevented by developing a healthy lifestyle before the need for medical attention.

Should medical intervention be necessary, knowing how to self-care will ensure a complete and speedier recovery. Self care at home will continue without medical supervision.

One can implement health care at home(self care) by keeping risk factors out. The absence of these risk factors is one's first health insurance, they are:

• Unhealthy eating
• Smoking
• Physical in-activity
• Overweight/ obesity
• Alcohol abuse
• Air-pollution

 There is a consumer health education program that  prepares individuals to provide self care at home. It focuses on eliminating or reducing health risk factors. The person is encouraged to take responsibility and control of his/her health.
Click here for more information.

Athletes Face Heat Related Illnesses.

During hot weathers, athletes must be alert to heat illnesses.  If precautions are not taken they can develop heat related illnesses due to overheating.

Taking precautions to protect one's health from excessive heat is just as important as fitness and exercise.
 
Heat illnesses can be heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, fortunately there are warning signs. 

Warning Signs of Heat Illness

• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Stumbling
• Confusion  

Should an athlete be experiencing signs of a heat illness the following actions should be taken: stop all exercise, find a cool spot immediately and drink plenty of cold fluids.

Preventing Overheating 
The following precautions can be taken to prevent overheating.

• Reduce the intensity of exercise that lasts longer than 15 minutes-
• Drink plenty of fluids 2 hours before start of the event and again 20 minutes before
• Drink fluids every 20 minutes during play.
• For exercise that last more than an hour, drink fluids that contain glycose and electrolytes
• Wear light weight, light colored clothing
• For practice and play requiring travel to a hotter environment take time to allow your body to adjust to the new temperature.

 If you are starting a more strenuous exercise during hot weather, take time for your body to adjust to new conditions.

Acclimatization should take place over 14 days. If there is no time to acclimatize, a limit should be placed on the time spent in practice or at the event.

If you have any tips for athletes, to avoid heat related illness, leave them with your comments.

Internet Workers Health A Risk

Millions of people rely on the Internet to earn a living or run a business. Are their health at work given enough attention?

 

Are computer users taking work-related health risks seriously enough?

 

In a report on workplace wellness, experts say that occupational health is not getting the attention it deserves. The health risks are high given most people between the ages of 22 and 65 spend 45% of their waking hours at work.

 

For Internet workers who spend 12 hours a day on the computer and get about 7 hours sleep per 24 hours, this is about 2/3 of their waking time.

 

In considering job related illnesses and injury Internet workers and computer users must consider the following risk factors:

• The sedentary lifestyle
• Overuse of the Computer
• The desk and chair
• Overuse of the Laptop
• Vision

 Internet workers must also consider their general health outside their workplace. Being in a sedentary workplace is only one risk factor, there are other such as: unhealthy eating, air pollution, smoking, overuse of alcohol and hereditary factors

 

 

After working with computers over a long period there is increased risks for certain injuries and diseases.

 

These are some

• Typing can cause injury to the nerves in the wrist causing carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Incorrect posture can lead  to sore muscles and repetitive stress injuries.
• Dry eyes is a syndrome in which the eyes lose moisture due to infrequent blinking.
• Frequent Laptop users face additional health risks due to positioning of laptops; they are at risk for aching neck, throbbing head and tingling fingers.

 

Research studies have found that sitting for six or more hours a day(even if physically active otherwise) can lead to cardiovascular disease and premature deaths.

 

Internet workers and computer users who spend 12 hours a day at work are at increased risk. They are at risk for obesity and obesity related illnesses.  If regular physical activity is not part of their lifestyle they are at increased risks for chronic diseases, injury and premature deaths.

 

Internet workers can protect their health at work and off work by being their first health insurance.
It can be done online, at home or office.
Click For Details

Some Important Facts About Suicide

One million people die each year prematurely by suicide, the number of deaths exceeds the number of deaths due to homicide and war combined.

The most common risk factor for suicide is mental illness,

The risk of suicidal behaviour is increased 10 times in the mentally ill. In the USA, 90% of suicides were diagnosed as mentally ill before dying.

 The predisposing mental disorders are:

• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Alcohol
• Substance abuse

Other risk factors include:

• Family history of suicidal behaviour or suicide.
• Previous suicide attempt
• Poor socio-economic status
• Poor physical health
• Stressful events
• Relationship breakup
• Financial difficulties
• Disagreements with family/spouse

Stigma
When it comes to preventing suicide, stigma is a major problem.

This is a statement by World Suicide Prevention Day, "Comprehensive local or national plans for the prevention of suicide will not reach their full potential until the problem of stigma is effectively removed"

One reason for the stigma associated with suicide is the lack of knowledge about suicide and mental illness. Stigma is further magnified when there is lack of appropriate care for the mentally ill. 

Stigma can be reduced by increasing public awareness. Stigma can be removed through community based programs, programs that will provide knowledge about the characteristics and treatment of mental illness and the prevention of suicide

Stigma can result in discrimination and unlawful restriction of the freedom of the mentally ill. Discrimination can prevent mentally ill persons from seeking professional help.

Health Benefits of Drinking Water

Water also called H2O has a multitude of uses. Water quenches the thirst; water hydrates the body and keeps it functioning at its optimum.

Water is useful for cooking, drinking, bathing, cleaning, for agriculture and for livestock. Water makes the garden grow.

Above all water has many health benefits.

These are some health benefits of water, taken from the USNews.

• Keeps you hydrated.
• Makes you feel full.
• Flushes your system of toxins.
• Keeps your bowel movements regular
• Helps you sweat.
• Helps with exercise.
• Helps with calorie reduction.

Click  here to read  about them in more detail. 

Nutrition And Healthy Bones In Later years

As the body ages our bones are particularly affected, they can become weak, brittle and break.  Osteoporosis, a disease of the bone is common.

The two nutrients required to protect our bones and keep us in good health are calcium and vitamin-D. For strong bones and to prevent osteoporosis and fractures they are vital.

Supplements play a role in getting adequate amounts, but there are foods that will give you the natural forms of these two nutrients while providing for healthy eating.

Attached is an article that mentions some foods that are good sources of both calcium and vitamin-D.

Here is the list of foods with calcium and vitamin-D for healthy bones:

• Yogurt- Fortified with vitamin D. 1 cup is the daily requirement for calcium.
• Milk-1%, 2% or skim milk gives 30% of calcium and is low fat.
• Low fat cheese- It only takes a small amount, about 1.5 ounces is 30% of calcium.
• Sardines-High in omega 3 fatty acids, they are also good source of both calcium and vitamin D.
• Salmon- High in Omega-3 fatty acids-3ozs is 100% of the daily requirement of vitamin D.
• Spinach-This green leafy vegetable has all the nutrients of vegetables-1 cup is 25% of daily. the requirement of calcium.
• Cereals-Good source of vitamin D.
• Tuna-Good alternative to red meat-A 3oz can is 39% of vitamin D.
• Collard green leafy vegetables.
• Orange juice.

 Click here to read about them.

There is a recommended daily food intake for our age and gender. To work out the daily food intake for individuals. CLICK HERE.

Including the above food products in the diet each day will provide the nutrition necessary for healthy bones.

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About Visual Impairment

_______________________________________________________________________________
People who are visually impaired do not see well enough to perform everyday tasks, even with the aid of glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery.

Blindness, the most severe form of visual impairment, deprives people the ability to move about unaided.

Most forms of visual impairment and blindness can be avoided or can be readily treated or cured with well known and inexpensive measures.

The four levels of visual function are:

1. Normal vision
2. Moderate visual impairment
3. Severe visual impairment.
4. Blindness

Both moderate and severe visual functions are considered low vision. Low vision and blindness are  classified as visual impairment.

Persons At Risk- Persons at risk are those living in developing countries,  age 50 and over and children under 15.

The main causes of visual impairment are cataract, glaucoma, myopia and astigmatism.

Prevention is important and effective in reducing the number of persons with visual impairment, 80% of cases are preventable. Some reasons for the progress made in prevention are:

• Raising awareness on a global level
• Expanding eye services to include primary and secondary healthcare systems
• More programs on a national level to prevent and control visual impairment
• Early diagnosis of diseases that cause visual impairment
• Patient education that aims to prevent visual impairment

This fact file  from World Health Organization highlights figures for blindness and visual impairment
Read the fact sheet

The Importance Of The Food Groups In Our Diet

_____________________________________________________________________________
Our body needs the right nutrients in the right amount to prevent diseases, to recover from unavoidable illnesses, for health and vitality.

The body gets its nutrients from carbohydrates, fats, protein,vitamins and minerals. The sources of each vary but they are obtained by eating foods from all four food groups.

The food groups are not of equal importance.
Good nutrition involves eating more of the important ones and less of the least important. Good nutrition involves watching certain foods, limiting some and even avoiding some


For the purpose of communicating the nutrition necessary for health and vitality, I am using Canada Food Guide.  Canada Food Guide uses a rainbow to illustrate food groups and their importance in our diet. 

The four groups of foods that provide the body with nutrients are:

1. Vegetables and fruits
2. Grain products
3. Milk and milk alternative
4. Meat and meat alternatives

The food groups are listed in order of importance, with Vegetables & Fruits the most importance. Meat & Meat Alternatives is the least important food group.

Their degree of importance is significant because the importance we place on a food product will affect our eating habits.

For good nutrition or healthy eating habits we will need to plan for meals consisting of more vegetables and fruits than grains.  We will need a diet of more grain products than milk or meat, and so on.

Individuals who find it difficult to place the right importance on a food product may develop unhealthy eating patterns.

 This Healthy Eating Guide has been taken from Canada Food guide. It has been simplified so that anyone can use it to work out their daily food intake. CLICK HERE..

Canada Food Guide.

Sugary Drinks-A Risk For Type 2 Diabetes

 ___________________________________________________________________________________
Too much sugar in the diet has been associated with an unhealthy diet and consumers have been warned against sugary drinks. 

Overweight and obese individuals are especially at risk because they need to control their calorie intake to be a healthy weight.

A research report  found that the risk for type 2 diabetes is significantly increased with one serving of sweetened soft drink per day.

For the study, researchers collected data on consumption of:

1. Juices
2. Nectars
3. Sugar sweetened soft drinks
4. Artificial sweeteners

The data was take from 8 European patient groups involved in an investigation of cancer & nutrition.  There were 12,403 diabetics and  over 16,000 participants, randomly selected.

After taking total energy and body mass index(BMI) into account, researchers found one sweetened soft drink per day increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 18%.  Pure fruit juices and nectars were not associated with diabetes and when the BMI's were taken into account, artificial sweeteners could not be linked to the increased risk.

According to the study, even normal weight or thin individuals can develop type 2 diabetes due to the consumption of one sugary sweetened soft drink per day.

Healthy eating is an important lifestyle habit to prevent diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes, respiratory disease and obesity. 

Click here for a guide to your daily food intake.

Food Safety-The Focus Of World Health Day

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World Health Day is celebrated each year on April 07. This year the theme is 'Farm to Plate, Make Food Safe.'

The World Health  Organization(WHO)is highlighting the challenges and opportunities associated with food Safety.

Everyone must strive to ensure the food that he/she eats is safe. Safety begins with growing and producing food and ends with the consumer handling food at home for eating.

Food safety is an integral part of a healthy eating lifestyle, yet many overlook it,  placing all emphasis on what is healthy to eat.  Even the most healthy food can become the most unhealthy if not safe for consumption.

After reading this article and watching this video, you can improve your eating habits by making your food safe and free from contaminants.

How much do you know about food safety?

 Take the Quiz.

Here are the five keys to safe food:

1. Keep clean
2. Separate raw and cooked foods
3. Cook thoroughly
4. Keep food at safe temperature
5. Use safe water and raw material

Download A PDF to the five keys to safer food.

Watch the video

Do You Need a Budget For Successful Weight Loss?

If you think you need a budget to start and maintain your weight loss you may be missing out on making healthy weight decisions.

There are several weight loss programs, some are diet plans, some are fitness programs and some are a  combination of diet and fitness.

Many people drop out of  these programs for financial reasons.

Some of these programs are expensive and without realistic goals may leave you feeling ripped off.
 Long-term financial commitment may not be possible especially if it takes a year or more to reach your goals.

Fitness programs alone will not give you the type of weight loss you need,  diet alone may not be enough.

This is a way to start on a weight loss plan without a budget, it gets you started quickly and allows to make a long-term commitment.  It helps you combine exercise and diet using the resources you have.

Clicking on the link below will get you started.


Tips for Success

• Assess your weight health first
• Set a goal to lose 5-10% of your weight
• Remember a little weight loss is a good change
• Combine healthy eating and physical activity
• Don't give up

To learn how to lose weight and create a plan of your own without a budget CLICK HERE
You will view a sample letter.

HPV Vaccine Not A Cause Of Promiscuity

HPV vaccine is a preventative measure against cervical cancer. The Cancer society recommends that girls and women between the ages of 11 and 45 be vaccinated to reduce the risk of the disease.

The shots apparently work best when started before the person becomes sexually active, but parents raised concern that they may be a cause of promiscuity.

A study that used medical outcomes data to examine consequences of human papillomavirus(HPV) vaccine, found that the vaccine does not cause promiscuity in girls.

The study involved 1,400 girls in a health program in Atlanta.

Researchers looked for markers of sexually activity after vaccination against HPV. They examined records of up to 3 years on whether the girls had:

• Sought birth control advice
• Tests for sexually transmitted disease
• Tests for pregnancy
• Had become pregnant

The human papillomavirus is a leading cause of cervical cancer.

Read more on the study.

Health Risks Of Heavy Backpacks

Parents are you aware of, or informed about the health risks of backpacks? 

According to a study a significant number of school-age children carry backpacks too heavy for them. The excess weight can cause permanent damage.  Many of these children suffer back pains, scoliosis or even curvature of the spine.

Experts say that backpacks should not exceed 10% of a child's body weight. The study  found that 76% of children carry backpacks in excess of 10% of their body weight,  while 20% carry in excess of  15%,

The study involved 1,403 students between the ages of 12 an 17 from eleven schools in Northwestern Spain.

According to the report in the thespec.com, about 26 per cent reported experiencing back pain for more than 15 days during the previous year and 70 per cent were diagnosed with scoliosis or curvature of the spine.

Click here to read about the report in more detail.

The Use Of Saw Palmetto In BPH

 Prostate enlargement is a condition in which the prostate cells divide too rapidly making the gland too large.The condition is called benign prostatic hyperthropy( BPH).

Extract of saw palmetto, a herb is used as an alternative medicine and is known to reduce symptoms of the condition. It reduces the hyperplasia associated with BPH and relieves the urinary symptoms. It can be taken as a herbal supplement, to promote healthy prostates or on prescription by a physician for BPH.

They are available in capsule form, as teas or tintures. It is apparently less expensive than drugs used for the same purpose.

Side effects: Side effects are rare and are less than other other drugs used for treating the disease. For this it is considered safe for use. They are nausea, upset stomach and headaches.  

About the herb- Saw palmetto boosts the immune and endocrine systems. It is also used as a tonic to enhance strength and vitality. It has other benefits such as:

• Enhances sexual desire and functioning
• Stimulates hair growth
• Increases breast size
• Anti-inflammatory properties

If you believe your symptoms are that of BPH and would rather alternative treatment, ask your doctor about saw palmetto herbal medicine. Other herbal medicine used with saw palmetto are flax seed oil and zinc, they can be used in combination with it.

Reports on treatment for BPH.

 Take care of your prostate health by being your first health insurance. You can learn about what it takes to be your first health insurance.

Learn how to be your first health insurance and protect your health.  Click Here.

Breast Cancer And Exercise In Specific Years

Exercise is well known as a preventative measure against cancer and other noncommunicable diseases.
The amount of physical activity recommended by experts to prevent it and other and chronic diseases is 150 hours per week of moderate intensity. This is to protect the health from chronic diseases.

The chronic diseases are:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease(COPD)
• Obesity and related illnesses

Other more vigorous exercise such as running, jogging, cycling, swimming have added health benefits especially for overweight and obese people.

One study; however, has linked exercise during specific years of life to the  prevention of breast cancer.  In this study researchers used 1,500 women with breast cancer and 1,500 without breast cancer. They were interviewed about activities that they had been involved in throughout their lifespan.

The study focused on physical activity, the recreational type such as:
1-Walking
2-Running
3-Jogging
4-Biking
5-Gardening

They were not interested in the occupational type of activities.

The researchers found that exercise at any intensity, during the reproductive and post menopausal years was more effective in the prevention of breast cancer.

The study was reported in TheSpec.com.  Click here to read it.

Weight Loss Resolutions- Tips For Success

Planning To Lose Weight In The New Year

How can overweight and obese people make New Year resolutions and succeed ? By taking these important steps:

• Assessing their weight health using the body mass index (BMI).
• Setting realistic goals
• Making long-term commitments
• Making lifestyle changes

Plan for changes with eating habits and level of physical activity.  Both must be combined for success.

New eating habits involve healthy eating and calorie control, while improved activity levels involve fitness and exercise. Both are necessary for successful weight loss and are present in any weight management program.

Healthy eating will maintain general good health and reduce the calories eaten, while physical activity will burn calories and fat.

Burning more calories than you eat will leave the body with a calorie deficit that will lead to weight loss; this should be the outcome of any weight loss plan.

The following video is about developing eating habits to lose weight, some people prefer to use the term 'dieting' some as a 'weight loss diet.' I prefer to use the term 'healthy eating'

Watch this video on healthy eating.

If you are starting on a commercial weight loss program, select a program that involves both diet and exercise. If you choose a diet plan only,  implement exercise at home. If you choose a fitness or workout program only, you must implement a healthy eating/diet plan at home.
 You do not need a budget to take control of your weight. You can plan and implement a weight loss program at home by developing your own weight loss plan. It will save you money and will allow you to make long-term commitments.

There is a weight loss program that will teach you how to lose weight at home. You will learn how to lose weight and develop your own program at the same time. It is free and focuses on health management. Read about it.

You can Click Here to start. You will be doing  it all at home.

New Year Resolutions Tips For Diabetics

If you are a diabetic, here are some tips to keep you at home and out of hospital.

1. Do a daily foot check
2. Take care of teeth and gums
3. Go easy on salt
4. Instead of butter use olive oil Stop smoking
5. Fend of depression They are from an article in USNews&World There is also a video on managing diabetes.