Monday, June 23, 2008
Classic Singapore, some 50 years ago
Singapore River, most of the river traffic has cleared up and the shop houses have been converted to bars, clubs and expensive restaurants and there's a hooters too.
Chinatown
Fitzpatrick's. One of the earliest supermarkets.
Hawkers like these were really popular for a meal.
Fullerton Post Office, now has been converted to Fullerton Hotel.
Look how wide the roads are!
Bird's eye view of the Padang
Indeedidly dee, we had a drive in movie "theater"
Such beautiful buildings. What a pity to be torn down.
Hmmmmm... Clifford Pier perhaps
Replaced with sky scrappers now
Old fashion bus stop. My grandma used to dress like that.
Beautiful pair of crimson red kitty heels for sale. Simply cannot part with it but absolutely have to because I got the wrong size!!! I wear size 39 and it says size 39 on the bottom but this fits a size 37-38. Worn once for a dinner and had to walk home barefooted.
Bought it for: SGD$69, selling for SGD$35.
Gripz is a super cool shoe store at Far East Plaza and has been featured in many magazines. This is one of those places where you JUST have to get something.
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Bought it for: SGD$69, selling for SGD$35.
Gripz is a super cool shoe store at Far East Plaza and has been featured in many magazines. This is one of those places where you JUST have to get something.
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.
.
.
Chrestomanci wouldn't find this useful.... hahahaa
(NaturalNews) Research by academics at the University of Southampton in collaboration with occupational therapy clinicians into the effectiveness of wearing a particular type of silver ring to alleviate symptoms of arthritis has found some benefits to their use.
The research, which was carried out by academics from the University's School of Health Professions and Rehabilitation Sciences and the School of Electronics & Computer Science in conjunction with Occupational Therapy at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, found that silver ring splints are effective in controlling hyperextension deformity of finger joints, which is common in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
These silver ring splints are elegant rings, which have replaced bulky, plastic ones and are worn to give joints back their stability. Many patients think they look better than the plastic ones and they are also stronger and more durable.
The paper, Three Dimensional Function Motion Analysis of Silver Ring Splints in Rheumatoid Arthritis, which was awarded the Arthritis Research Campaign Silver Medal at the British Society of Rheumatology's annual meeting, was honoured for its interdisciplinary approach.
The research work was funded by a grant awarded by Wessex Medical Research. The research team consisted of Dr. Cheryl Metcalf, an engineer at the University of Southampton's School of Electronics and Computer Science, Caroline Spicka studying for her MSc at the University and Dr. Jo Adams Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy at the University, and a clinical occupational therapist from Royal Hampshire County Hospital.
Silver Rings Splints can be purchased without prescriptions. I found one company, Silver Ring Splint Company, that specializes only in Silver Rings Splints and can be found at (http://www.silverringsplint.com/index.html) .
The research, which was carried out by academics from the University's School of Health Professions and Rehabilitation Sciences and the School of Electronics & Computer Science in conjunction with Occupational Therapy at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, found that silver ring splints are effective in controlling hyperextension deformity of finger joints, which is common in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
These silver ring splints are elegant rings, which have replaced bulky, plastic ones and are worn to give joints back their stability. Many patients think they look better than the plastic ones and they are also stronger and more durable.
The paper, Three Dimensional Function Motion Analysis of Silver Ring Splints in Rheumatoid Arthritis, which was awarded the Arthritis Research Campaign Silver Medal at the British Society of Rheumatology's annual meeting, was honoured for its interdisciplinary approach.
The research work was funded by a grant awarded by Wessex Medical Research. The research team consisted of Dr. Cheryl Metcalf, an engineer at the University of Southampton's School of Electronics and Computer Science, Caroline Spicka studying for her MSc at the University and Dr. Jo Adams Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy at the University, and a clinical occupational therapist from Royal Hampshire County Hospital.
Silver Rings Splints can be purchased without prescriptions. I found one company, Silver Ring Splint Company, that specializes only in Silver Rings Splints and can be found at (http://www.silverringsplint.com/index.html) .
Friday, June 20, 2008
Singapore Food post
Singapore favourites!
Otak
Satay and malay rice dumplings kueh tu pat
Mee Siam without the gravy
Dosai Masala
Onion dosai masala
Teh Tarik (tea pulled)
Otak
Satay and malay rice dumplings kueh tu pat
Mee Siam without the gravy
Dosai Masala
Onion dosai masala
Teh Tarik (tea pulled)
Extracted from 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto
ALMONDS
Obesity: Women who'd eaten a serving of almonds had higher levels of cholecystokinin (a hormone which helps you feel full) than men did, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. So while almonds may leave both women and men with a feeling of 'satisfaction', women may stay full longer.
Alzheimer's: Mice with an Alzheimer's-like disease were fed an almond-rich diet. After four months, those animals did much better on memory tests than those fed the usual food.
Heart health: American research has found that eating almonds reduces the risk of heart disease as effectively as some statins.
Top tips: Make sure you are buying 'the real McCoy' - many imported almonds are not almonds at all, they're apricot kernels; these look similar but the taste and health benefits are not the same. Also look for almonds in the shell that don't rattle when you shake them. Rattling may be a sign that the almonds are old.
ASPARAGUS
Digestive health: Asparagus contains inulin, a carbohydrate that is not digested but promotes friendly bacteria in the large intestine. Asparagine, a natural chemical in asparagus, encourages the body to excrete water.
Diabetes: A study reported in the British Journal of Medicine found that an extract of asparagus significantly increased the action of insulin, which helps mop up excess blood sugar.
Heart health: Just one serving of asparagus supplies almost 60 per cent of the daily recommended intake of folate, one of the B vitamins. Folate helps reduce levels of homocysteine, a substance in the blood, which at high levels can increase the risk of heart disease.
Top tips: Trim off some of the bottom of the asparagus and store upright in a container with a little water to keep it fresh.
Cauliflower
Cancer: Cauliflower contains a compound called indole-3-carinol (I3C) which has cancer fighting properties. Scientists have also found that the chemical sulphoraphane, found in cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, stopped lung cancer cells in an animal trial, and helped kill off and stop the growth of prostate cancer cells in a test tube study on human cells.
Dandruff: Biotin, a water-soluble vitamin found in cauliflower, has been shown to control dandruff.
Arthritis: A team of researchers who followed a group of women for more than ten years found those who ate more cruciferous vegetables had a decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Top tips: Munching crunchy foods such as cauliflower before bed may help stop jaw-clenching while sleeping.
EGGS
Vision: According to one study, people who ate foods high in the natural chemicals lutein and zeaxanthin had a 20 per cent reduction in developing cataracts and a 40 per cent reduction in developing macular degeneration, an eye disease that affects the retina and is more common in the over-60s. Eggs are a good source of these chemicals.
Obesity: The hunger fighting power of eggs means an egg first thing in the morning may lead to reduced calorie consumption for the rest of the day, according to a report in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Top tips: Keep your eggs in the fridge and they will stay good for a month. The quality of egg protein is the highest of any whole food product, second only to human breast milk.
Fig
Skin disorders: Figs contain a substance that, when combined with exposure to ultraviolet light, was found to help several skin diseases and certain forms of lymphoma in some studies.
Diabetes: Figs are higher in fibre than any other fresh or dried fruit per serving, containing about five to six grams per portion of three figs. The type of fibre found in figs may reduce the risk of developing adult-onset diabetes (type 2) by slowing down the digestion and absorption of sugars in foods.
Top tips: The white 'frost' that occurs on dried figs is called 'sugaring'. It's caused by the sugars from the fig rising to the surface. Keep refrigerated to reduce frost.
GUAVA
Diabetes: Diabetic mice who received guava juice for four weeks experienced a reduction in glucose of nearly 25 per cent.
Heart health: Guava has been shown to markedly reduce bad cholesterol and improve the good kind and reduce blood pressure as well.
Antibacterial: Guava leaves have antibacterial properties and have been shown to have a highly lethal effect on salmonella and other harmful bacteria.
Top tips: Ripe guava bruise easily and are highly perishable. They must be eaten within a few days.
KIWI
Heart disease: Norwegian scientists have found kiwi fruit helps a component of red blood cells called platelets become less sticky.
Cancer: Eating kiwi fruit daily can protect DNA against damage that may lead to cancer. More significantly, kiwi seems to help repair the damage caused to DNA. A variety of naturally occurring substances have also been discovered in kiwi fruit that are effective in killing oral tumour cells.
Macular degeneration: Kiwi is an excellent source of lutein and zeaxanthin, natural chemicals found in the human eye. Diets rich in lutein are protective against cataracts and other forms of macular degeneration.
Top tips: The skin is an excellent source of nutrients and fibre.
Mushrooms
Prostate cancer: Many mushrooms contain large amounts of selenium, a cancer-busting mineral. In studies, white button mushroom extract suppressed the growth of prostate cancer cells and decreased tumour size.
Immune system: Mushrooms contain substances that may help the immune system remove abnormal cells that cause disease.
Migranes: Psilocybin, originally an extract of certain psychedelic mushrooms, is being studied for migraine headaches.
Top tips: Don't wash mushrooms, they act like a sponge and can soak up water. Gently wipe them with a damp cloth or soft brush instead.
OREGANO
Cancer: A tablespoon of oregano packs the same antioxidant strength as an apple. It also contains important phenolic acids that might prevent certain types of cancers from forming.
Antibacterial: Oregano has been found to damage E. coli bacteria and Giardia lamblia, a nasty parasite that causes diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Top tips: Fresh oregano can be kept in the fridge for up to three days.
POTATOES
Diabetes: Potato peel added to the diet of diabetic rats significantly reduced blood sugar levels.
Cancer: They contain proteins called lectins, which inhibit tumour growth.
Top tips: It's a myth that all the nutrition is within the skin of the potato; more than 50 per cent of the overall nutrition content can be found in the potato itself! Washing your face with cool potato juice clears up blemishes.
QUINOA
Weight management: Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) refers to the seed, about the size of millet, of the Chenopodium or 'Goosefoot' plant. It contains more protein than any other grain. Quinoa makes you feel fuller than rice and wheat, so it's good for fighting obesity.
Vaccine helper: Research has shown the potential of quinoa as a 'helper' for vaccines. Quinoa enhances antibody responses in mice.
Top tips: Be careful not to add too much water or cook it too long, since quinoa can become mushy; it takes only 15 minutes to cook.
STRAWBERRIES
Anti-inflammatory: Strawberries block the enzymes responsible for promoting inflammation in the body.
Diabetes: Strawberries help control type 2 diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels after a starchy meal. Thrombosis: An animal study found strawberries had a powerful anti-clotting effect.
Top tips: Don't remove the stalks until after washing, or the berries will absorb excess water, damaging their flavour and texture.
TEA
Cancer: Tea contains antioxidants that help prevent certain types of cancer, such as oral, skin, digestive, ovarian and lung.
Obesity: Japanese research has found drinking green tea might reduce body fat.
Osteoporosis: Though too much caffeine is bad for bone health, a study found that older women who drank tea had greater bone density than those who didn't.
Top tips: Teabag tea tends to be ground finer, providing more surface area to extract more antioxidants when submerged in hot water.
WALNUTS
Cancer: Walnuts are packed with a form of vitamin E that may help fight breast, prostate and lung cancer.
Diabetes: They might improve insulin resistance in those with type 2 diabetes.
Sleep: Walnuts contain a powerful antioxidant melatonin, which promotes restful sleep. A U.S. study found eating walnuts increased blood levels of melatonin three-fold.
Top tip: Shake the nut; if it rattles or feels light it may be withered. Shelled walnuts will stay fresh for up to three weeks if refrigerated in a tightly covered container.
Obesity: Women who'd eaten a serving of almonds had higher levels of cholecystokinin (a hormone which helps you feel full) than men did, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. So while almonds may leave both women and men with a feeling of 'satisfaction', women may stay full longer.
Alzheimer's: Mice with an Alzheimer's-like disease were fed an almond-rich diet. After four months, those animals did much better on memory tests than those fed the usual food.
Heart health: American research has found that eating almonds reduces the risk of heart disease as effectively as some statins.
Top tips: Make sure you are buying 'the real McCoy' - many imported almonds are not almonds at all, they're apricot kernels; these look similar but the taste and health benefits are not the same. Also look for almonds in the shell that don't rattle when you shake them. Rattling may be a sign that the almonds are old.
ASPARAGUS
Digestive health: Asparagus contains inulin, a carbohydrate that is not digested but promotes friendly bacteria in the large intestine. Asparagine, a natural chemical in asparagus, encourages the body to excrete water.
Diabetes: A study reported in the British Journal of Medicine found that an extract of asparagus significantly increased the action of insulin, which helps mop up excess blood sugar.
Heart health: Just one serving of asparagus supplies almost 60 per cent of the daily recommended intake of folate, one of the B vitamins. Folate helps reduce levels of homocysteine, a substance in the blood, which at high levels can increase the risk of heart disease.
Top tips: Trim off some of the bottom of the asparagus and store upright in a container with a little water to keep it fresh.
Cauliflower
Cancer: Cauliflower contains a compound called indole-3-carinol (I3C) which has cancer fighting properties. Scientists have also found that the chemical sulphoraphane, found in cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, stopped lung cancer cells in an animal trial, and helped kill off and stop the growth of prostate cancer cells in a test tube study on human cells.
Dandruff: Biotin, a water-soluble vitamin found in cauliflower, has been shown to control dandruff.
Arthritis: A team of researchers who followed a group of women for more than ten years found those who ate more cruciferous vegetables had a decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Top tips: Munching crunchy foods such as cauliflower before bed may help stop jaw-clenching while sleeping.
EGGS
Vision: According to one study, people who ate foods high in the natural chemicals lutein and zeaxanthin had a 20 per cent reduction in developing cataracts and a 40 per cent reduction in developing macular degeneration, an eye disease that affects the retina and is more common in the over-60s. Eggs are a good source of these chemicals.
Obesity: The hunger fighting power of eggs means an egg first thing in the morning may lead to reduced calorie consumption for the rest of the day, according to a report in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Top tips: Keep your eggs in the fridge and they will stay good for a month. The quality of egg protein is the highest of any whole food product, second only to human breast milk.
Fig
Skin disorders: Figs contain a substance that, when combined with exposure to ultraviolet light, was found to help several skin diseases and certain forms of lymphoma in some studies.
Diabetes: Figs are higher in fibre than any other fresh or dried fruit per serving, containing about five to six grams per portion of three figs. The type of fibre found in figs may reduce the risk of developing adult-onset diabetes (type 2) by slowing down the digestion and absorption of sugars in foods.
Top tips: The white 'frost' that occurs on dried figs is called 'sugaring'. It's caused by the sugars from the fig rising to the surface. Keep refrigerated to reduce frost.
GUAVA
Diabetes: Diabetic mice who received guava juice for four weeks experienced a reduction in glucose of nearly 25 per cent.
Heart health: Guava has been shown to markedly reduce bad cholesterol and improve the good kind and reduce blood pressure as well.
Antibacterial: Guava leaves have antibacterial properties and have been shown to have a highly lethal effect on salmonella and other harmful bacteria.
Top tips: Ripe guava bruise easily and are highly perishable. They must be eaten within a few days.
KIWI
Heart disease: Norwegian scientists have found kiwi fruit helps a component of red blood cells called platelets become less sticky.
Cancer: Eating kiwi fruit daily can protect DNA against damage that may lead to cancer. More significantly, kiwi seems to help repair the damage caused to DNA. A variety of naturally occurring substances have also been discovered in kiwi fruit that are effective in killing oral tumour cells.
Macular degeneration: Kiwi is an excellent source of lutein and zeaxanthin, natural chemicals found in the human eye. Diets rich in lutein are protective against cataracts and other forms of macular degeneration.
Top tips: The skin is an excellent source of nutrients and fibre.
Mushrooms
Prostate cancer: Many mushrooms contain large amounts of selenium, a cancer-busting mineral. In studies, white button mushroom extract suppressed the growth of prostate cancer cells and decreased tumour size.
Immune system: Mushrooms contain substances that may help the immune system remove abnormal cells that cause disease.
Migranes: Psilocybin, originally an extract of certain psychedelic mushrooms, is being studied for migraine headaches.
Top tips: Don't wash mushrooms, they act like a sponge and can soak up water. Gently wipe them with a damp cloth or soft brush instead.
OREGANO
Cancer: A tablespoon of oregano packs the same antioxidant strength as an apple. It also contains important phenolic acids that might prevent certain types of cancers from forming.
Antibacterial: Oregano has been found to damage E. coli bacteria and Giardia lamblia, a nasty parasite that causes diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Top tips: Fresh oregano can be kept in the fridge for up to three days.
POTATOES
Diabetes: Potato peel added to the diet of diabetic rats significantly reduced blood sugar levels.
Cancer: They contain proteins called lectins, which inhibit tumour growth.
Top tips: It's a myth that all the nutrition is within the skin of the potato; more than 50 per cent of the overall nutrition content can be found in the potato itself! Washing your face with cool potato juice clears up blemishes.
QUINOA
Weight management: Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) refers to the seed, about the size of millet, of the Chenopodium or 'Goosefoot' plant. It contains more protein than any other grain. Quinoa makes you feel fuller than rice and wheat, so it's good for fighting obesity.
Vaccine helper: Research has shown the potential of quinoa as a 'helper' for vaccines. Quinoa enhances antibody responses in mice.
Top tips: Be careful not to add too much water or cook it too long, since quinoa can become mushy; it takes only 15 minutes to cook.
STRAWBERRIES
Anti-inflammatory: Strawberries block the enzymes responsible for promoting inflammation in the body.
Diabetes: Strawberries help control type 2 diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels after a starchy meal. Thrombosis: An animal study found strawberries had a powerful anti-clotting effect.
Top tips: Don't remove the stalks until after washing, or the berries will absorb excess water, damaging their flavour and texture.
TEA
Cancer: Tea contains antioxidants that help prevent certain types of cancer, such as oral, skin, digestive, ovarian and lung.
Obesity: Japanese research has found drinking green tea might reduce body fat.
Osteoporosis: Though too much caffeine is bad for bone health, a study found that older women who drank tea had greater bone density than those who didn't.
Top tips: Teabag tea tends to be ground finer, providing more surface area to extract more antioxidants when submerged in hot water.
WALNUTS
Cancer: Walnuts are packed with a form of vitamin E that may help fight breast, prostate and lung cancer.
Diabetes: They might improve insulin resistance in those with type 2 diabetes.
Sleep: Walnuts contain a powerful antioxidant melatonin, which promotes restful sleep. A U.S. study found eating walnuts increased blood levels of melatonin three-fold.
Top tip: Shake the nut; if it rattles or feels light it may be withered. Shelled walnuts will stay fresh for up to three weeks if refrigerated in a tightly covered container.
Always handy to have a hat in hand in case of bird poopage.
Very fancy, old girl still got it.
Perfect for poking people
Let's hope it doesn't rain
Left over wedding material perhaps
Fabulous! Good for tickling
Very beautiful
Blah
Exquisite
It might be real?
Looks edible
I wonder whose face she used for the mold
Tsk tsk, she didn't get the memo. No PVC this year.
Modern robin hood
How interesting. her dress matches too.
Ahhh ingenius! Pretty and fragrant too
.......... well........... here's to CHEESE!!!
To bad they don't have hats... for BUTTS!!!
Very fancy, old girl still got it.
Perfect for poking people
Let's hope it doesn't rain
Left over wedding material perhaps
Fabulous! Good for tickling
Very beautiful
Blah
Exquisite
It might be real?
Looks edible
I wonder whose face she used for the mold
Tsk tsk, she didn't get the memo. No PVC this year.
Modern robin hood
How interesting. her dress matches too.
Ahhh ingenius! Pretty and fragrant too
.......... well........... here's to CHEESE!!!
To bad they don't have hats... for BUTTS!!!
Underaged schoolgirls' made pact to get PREGNANT at the same time
School officials in America are investigating claims that a group of underage girls made a pact to get pregnant and raise their babies together.
The pledge came to light in Gloucester, Massachusetts, after several girl pupils kept returning to the school clinic for pregnancy tests and were distraught to find the results were negative.
The students with positive tests celebrated with high fives and immediately started making plans for baby showers.
About eight girls - all aged under 16 - are believed to have decided to try and conceive at the same time.And, according to Time magazine, the girls weren’t necessarily too choosy about the fathers. One was said to be a 34-year-old homeless man.
Parents and teachers believe hit comedies like ‘Juno’ and ‘KnockedUp’ that glamourised young unwed mothers may have played a part in the sudden rise in pregnancies at the New England secondary school.
In all, 17 girls are pregnant at the 1,200-student school, more than four times the number last year.
The scandal has divided the fiercely Catholic, mostly white, fishing town perched on scenic Cape Ann that has been hit by high unemployment in recent years.
Angry parents resisted plans to hand out contraceptives at the school after the nurse on campus carried out more than 150 pregnancy tests.
The nurse and the school's medical director are said to have resigned in protest following hostility from the community over proposals to prescribe contraceptives regardless of parental consent.
Family groups have blasted ‘Juno’ in particular for its controversial storyline involving a schoolgirl’s handling of an unwanted pregnancy.
The comedy won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay earlier this year and a Best Actress nomination for star Ellen Page.
Gloucester High School headmaster Joseph Sullivan said officials started looking into the spike in pregnancies last October after an unusual number of girls filed into the clinic to see if they were expecting.
‘Some girls seemed more upset when they weren’t pregnant than when they were,’ he told Time.
‘We found out that one of the fathers is a 34-year-old homeless guy.’
The expectant mothers and their parents refused to give interviews.
‘Families are broken,’ said school superintendent Christopher Farmer.
‘Many of our young girls are growing up directionless.’
A classmate of the girls involved in the pregnancy pact added: ‘No-one’s offered them a better option.’
Jeanie: Oh, so getting pregnant gives them a direction in life!? Someone please give Betty Friedan from the other side.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tuna Sushi Contains Hazardously High Levels of Mercury
For all you sushi lovers out there. This is has been reported numerous times and no matter how I advise people to eat tuna in moderation..... they usually give me the STFU look.
(NaturalNews) A study conducted by the New York Times has found dangerously high levels of mercury in tuna sushi sold in New York City.
Investigators for the Times purchased 44 pieces of tuna sushi from local stores and restaurants. More than half of the locations sold sushi that tested so high for mercury that eating six pieces per week would expose a person to unsafe levels, according to standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA standard presumes that the average adult weighs 154 pounds. People weighing less than that should consume even less mercury.
Eight of the 44 pieces tested had mercury levels high enough that eating even two or three pieces a week would exceed the EPA's "safe" intake levels. With concentrations of more than one part per million, this sushi exceeds the "action level" at which the FDA is empowered to take it off the market.
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, known to accumulate in the bodies of predatory and long-lived fish in particular. In 2004, the FDA and EPA warned children and women who might become pregnant to eat only limited amounts of certain kinds of canned tuna. Fresh tuna, however, was not included in the warning.
The fresh tuna sampled in the Times study contained significantly more mercury that is usually found in canned fish.
A 2007 survey conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene found that the average New Yorker has blood mercury levels three times higher than the national average.
Levels among Asians and higher income groups, both of which are known to eat more seafood, are even higher.
Numerous studies have linked seafood consumption to high blood mercury levels.
"The current advice from the FDA is insufficient," said Philippe Grandjean, of the Harvard School of Public Health and the Department of Environmental Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark. "In order to maintain reasonably low mercury exposure you have to eat fish low in the food chain, the smaller fish, and they are not saying that."
(NaturalNews) A study conducted by the New York Times has found dangerously high levels of mercury in tuna sushi sold in New York City.
Investigators for the Times purchased 44 pieces of tuna sushi from local stores and restaurants. More than half of the locations sold sushi that tested so high for mercury that eating six pieces per week would expose a person to unsafe levels, according to standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA standard presumes that the average adult weighs 154 pounds. People weighing less than that should consume even less mercury.
Eight of the 44 pieces tested had mercury levels high enough that eating even two or three pieces a week would exceed the EPA's "safe" intake levels. With concentrations of more than one part per million, this sushi exceeds the "action level" at which the FDA is empowered to take it off the market.
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, known to accumulate in the bodies of predatory and long-lived fish in particular. In 2004, the FDA and EPA warned children and women who might become pregnant to eat only limited amounts of certain kinds of canned tuna. Fresh tuna, however, was not included in the warning.
The fresh tuna sampled in the Times study contained significantly more mercury that is usually found in canned fish.
A 2007 survey conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene found that the average New Yorker has blood mercury levels three times higher than the national average.
Levels among Asians and higher income groups, both of which are known to eat more seafood, are even higher.
Numerous studies have linked seafood consumption to high blood mercury levels.
"The current advice from the FDA is insufficient," said Philippe Grandjean, of the Harvard School of Public Health and the Department of Environmental Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark. "In order to maintain reasonably low mercury exposure you have to eat fish low in the food chain, the smaller fish, and they are not saying that."
Get a pet today! Pets help improve health and aid in recovery
My house pet Baby!
(NaturalNews) There is now evidence showing that domestic animals not only provide great companionship, but they can also help prevent illness. A recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota has highlighted the importance of regular contact with pets. The study showed that having a cat for a pet can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by just under 50 percent.
The study included 4,500 adults between the ages of 30 and 75 years. The study participants were followed for 10 years. The conclusion was that cat owners had a 40 percent lower risk of a fatal heart attack.
The correlation between stress and anxiety and cardiovascular problems has been standard information for years. The conclusion is that owning pets relieves some of the factors leading to these health problems. Another study published in 2007 concluded that dog owners had lower cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure. Again, the conclusion is that dogs (as well as cats) directly improve humans' health by improving stress levels.
Owning a pet can also improve a patient's chances of survival after suffering a life-threatening illness. The effect pets have on blood pressure is thought to be the reason. Pets also help cut rehabilitation time following a stroke.
There is a charity that takes pets to patient centers to aid patients in their various recoveries. It is called Pets as Therapy (PAT) and was formed in 1983 by a group of pet owners who were sure that their pets could help others in need. Their initial goal was to help elderly patients who had been forced to give up their own pets to enter care facilities. The mission of PAT has grown over the years to now encompass the animals being used for desensitization in phobia patients, for aiding in stroke rehabilitation, for helping people regain the use of limbs again and for relearning how to talk.
There are thousands of facilities that PAT animals frequent each year. After a slow start, there is now a waiting list. There are currently 3,600 dogs and 92 cats that work in the organization. The animals wear a brightly colored PAT vest and they are always freshly groomed to ensure sanitary conditions for patients.
Each PAT animal is carefully assessed prior to using them to make sure that they are properly behaved and will remain calm when they come into contact with patients.
Part of the benefit of pet ownership, especially among the elderly, is that a pet fulfills a need to be needed. Very often the emotional support given freely by an animal is far more meaningful than what can be offered by a human. Studies have also shown that children who have pets have higher self-esteem and are more emotionally secure and stable. Some teachers are even introducing pets into their classrooms to enhance the learning environment for children.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Big breakfast everyday people!
Study Shows 600-Calorie Breakfasts Reduce Food Cravings Later in the Day
By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
June 17, 2008 -- Eating a 600-calorie breakfast rich in carbohydrates and protein helps dieters lose more weight long term than eating a modest breakfast and following a lower-carb eating plan, according to a new study.
Breakfast and weight loss have long been linked, but the new research zeroes in on how to help dieters stick with a plan and not regain the lost weight by adjusting the amount of carbohydrates, protein, and calories eaten early in the day.
"Those on the 'big breakfast diet' feel less hungry before lunch and all day," says Daniela Jakubowicz, MD, an endocrinologist in Caracas, Venezuela, and a clinical professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, who led the study. She is presenting her findings this week at ENDO 08, the 90th annual meeting of The Endocrine Society in San Francisco.
With colleagues from Virginia Commonwealth University, Jakubowicz assigned 94 obese, physically inactive women, on average in their 30s, to two groups:
* The low-carb diet group of 46 women was instructed to eat a small breakfast totaling about 290 calories that was low in carbohydrates and typically didn't include bread. A sample breakfast might have included a cup of milk, one egg, three slices of bacon, and two teaspoons of butter. When they visited the study center, these women ate breakfast there and their food was monitored. They ate an average of 1,085 calories a day.
* The big-breakfast group of 48 women was told to eat a breakfast of about 610 calories. A sample breakfast: a cup of milk, turkey, cheese, two slices of bread, mayonnaise, 1 ounce of chocolate candy, and a protein shake. They could eat the breakfast in stages from the time they got up until 9 a.m. This group averaged 1,240 calories a day.
Both groups stayed on the diet for four months to lose weight, and then shifted to maintenance mode for the last four months.
At the four-month mark, the dieters eating the modest breakfast dropped about 28 pounds, while those on the big breakfast plan lost 23 pounds.
The real differences showed up at the eight-month mark, when the low-carb dieters had regained an average of 18 pounds and the big-breakfast eaters continued to lose, dropping another 16.5 pounds on average.
In all, members of the big-breakfast group lost more than 21% of their body weight; low-carb group members lost 4.5%.
A bonus, says Jakubowicz, is that the big-breakfast dieters reported less hunger and fewer cravings for carbohydrates than the other group.
Big Breakfast Diet
Some of the study findings make perfect sense and are well known to nutrition experts, says Joan Salge Blake, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association and a professor of nutrition at Boston University, who reviewed the study for WebMD.
By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
June 17, 2008 -- Eating a 600-calorie breakfast rich in carbohydrates and protein helps dieters lose more weight long term than eating a modest breakfast and following a lower-carb eating plan, according to a new study.
Breakfast and weight loss have long been linked, but the new research zeroes in on how to help dieters stick with a plan and not regain the lost weight by adjusting the amount of carbohydrates, protein, and calories eaten early in the day.
"Those on the 'big breakfast diet' feel less hungry before lunch and all day," says Daniela Jakubowicz, MD, an endocrinologist in Caracas, Venezuela, and a clinical professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, who led the study. She is presenting her findings this week at ENDO 08, the 90th annual meeting of The Endocrine Society in San Francisco.
With colleagues from Virginia Commonwealth University, Jakubowicz assigned 94 obese, physically inactive women, on average in their 30s, to two groups:
* The low-carb diet group of 46 women was instructed to eat a small breakfast totaling about 290 calories that was low in carbohydrates and typically didn't include bread. A sample breakfast might have included a cup of milk, one egg, three slices of bacon, and two teaspoons of butter. When they visited the study center, these women ate breakfast there and their food was monitored. They ate an average of 1,085 calories a day.
* The big-breakfast group of 48 women was told to eat a breakfast of about 610 calories. A sample breakfast: a cup of milk, turkey, cheese, two slices of bread, mayonnaise, 1 ounce of chocolate candy, and a protein shake. They could eat the breakfast in stages from the time they got up until 9 a.m. This group averaged 1,240 calories a day.
Both groups stayed on the diet for four months to lose weight, and then shifted to maintenance mode for the last four months.
At the four-month mark, the dieters eating the modest breakfast dropped about 28 pounds, while those on the big breakfast plan lost 23 pounds.
The real differences showed up at the eight-month mark, when the low-carb dieters had regained an average of 18 pounds and the big-breakfast eaters continued to lose, dropping another 16.5 pounds on average.
In all, members of the big-breakfast group lost more than 21% of their body weight; low-carb group members lost 4.5%.
A bonus, says Jakubowicz, is that the big-breakfast dieters reported less hunger and fewer cravings for carbohydrates than the other group.
Big Breakfast Diet
Some of the study findings make perfect sense and are well known to nutrition experts, says Joan Salge Blake, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association and a professor of nutrition at Boston University, who reviewed the study for WebMD.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Higher educated people have higher life expectancies
Source: Natural News
(NaturalNews) New research reveals that death rate differences between the highly educated and poorly educated sectors of the population are growing wider and more pronounced. Americans who have less than a high school education have a greater risk of dying early than comparative college graduates. This risk has risen most quickly for white women and the premature death rates have fallen the fastest for black men who are college graduates.
Whites who drop out of high school are four times more likely than white college graduates to die at a young age. This difference is three times higher than rates that existed from the early 1990s. Blacks have similar trends, though they are less pronounced.
This trend is indicative of the overall health of our country's population. Those people with resources at their disposal and higher incomes are doing well and those without resources are declining.
The study compared the mortality rates between the years of 1993 and 2001. For purposes of the study, deaths of people between the ages of 25 and 64 were utilized. All of these deaths were considered premature because they occurred at ages that were considered lower than the life expectancies for the groups studied.
White women high school dropouts showed the biggest decline in heath. Their mortality rate rose by approximately 3 % per year over a nine-year period. Accidents, heart attacks, emphysema, and cancer were the causes of approximately half of the increase. This group of women had mortality rates 3.8 times college graduate rates.
White men high school dropouts also showed a large health decline, their mortality rate rose approximately 1 % per year. For these men, accidents, suicides, and cancer were the main causes of their mortality rates. These men were 4.4 times more likely to die prematurely than their college graduate counterparts.
Black males with college degrees showed a dramatic mortality rate improvement -- approximately 6 % over the nine year period. Black female college graduates had mortality rates that were 3 % lower per year. For both blacks and whites examined in the study, education exerted a stronger influence on men than women.
The study did not include the reasons behind these disparities. Speculating is interesting, however. Researchers suggest that the best explanations are likely the increase in obesity, blood pressure, and tobacco use among the less educated groups.
This study has been published in PloS One. This is a journal published by the Public Library of Science. The study based its findings on vital statistics from 43 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Seven of these states originally included had incomplete education information and had to be excluded. The study included only non-Hispanic whites and blacks due to problems reporting other racial and ethnic groups.
(NaturalNews) New research reveals that death rate differences between the highly educated and poorly educated sectors of the population are growing wider and more pronounced. Americans who have less than a high school education have a greater risk of dying early than comparative college graduates. This risk has risen most quickly for white women and the premature death rates have fallen the fastest for black men who are college graduates.
Whites who drop out of high school are four times more likely than white college graduates to die at a young age. This difference is three times higher than rates that existed from the early 1990s. Blacks have similar trends, though they are less pronounced.
This trend is indicative of the overall health of our country's population. Those people with resources at their disposal and higher incomes are doing well and those without resources are declining.
The study compared the mortality rates between the years of 1993 and 2001. For purposes of the study, deaths of people between the ages of 25 and 64 were utilized. All of these deaths were considered premature because they occurred at ages that were considered lower than the life expectancies for the groups studied.
White women high school dropouts showed the biggest decline in heath. Their mortality rate rose by approximately 3 % per year over a nine-year period. Accidents, heart attacks, emphysema, and cancer were the causes of approximately half of the increase. This group of women had mortality rates 3.8 times college graduate rates.
White men high school dropouts also showed a large health decline, their mortality rate rose approximately 1 % per year. For these men, accidents, suicides, and cancer were the main causes of their mortality rates. These men were 4.4 times more likely to die prematurely than their college graduate counterparts.
Black males with college degrees showed a dramatic mortality rate improvement -- approximately 6 % over the nine year period. Black female college graduates had mortality rates that were 3 % lower per year. For both blacks and whites examined in the study, education exerted a stronger influence on men than women.
The study did not include the reasons behind these disparities. Speculating is interesting, however. Researchers suggest that the best explanations are likely the increase in obesity, blood pressure, and tobacco use among the less educated groups.
This study has been published in PloS One. This is a journal published by the Public Library of Science. The study based its findings on vital statistics from 43 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Seven of these states originally included had incomplete education information and had to be excluded. The study included only non-Hispanic whites and blacks due to problems reporting other racial and ethnic groups.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Beware!
Source: Daily Mail
Gardeners have been put on alert for a deadly fungus that lurks in compost heaps and in piles of rotting leaves.
Doctors issued the warning after a man died from inhaling the Aspergillus fungal spores.
The 47-year-old, a welder from Buckinghamshire, became ill less than 24 hours after spreading rotting tree and plant mulch, the Lancet medical journal reports.
In an article entitled Gardening Can Seriously Damage Your Health, the man's doctors said that while such an extreme reaction to the fungus was rare, it could be considered an 'occupational hazard' for gardeners.
The unnamed man was admitted to Wycombe Hospital, Buckinghamshire, early last year suffering chest pain, shortness of breath, muscle pain and a cough.
At first it was thought he had pneumonia, but a battery of antibiotics failed to improve his condition and within 24 hours he became so short of breath that he had to be transferred to intensive care.
There his body became overwhelmed by the infection - his heart sped up, his blood pressure fell, his temperature rose and his kidneys started to slow down. When tests revealed the presence of the fungus, he was started on appropriate drugs and transferred to specialist regional centre, where he was placed on a heart-lung machine.
However, his condition continued to worsen, and soon afterwards he developed kidney failure, and then died.
Doctors who questioned the man's partner discovered that his symptoms had started just hours after he had been engulfed by 'clouds of dust' while dispersing rotting tree and plant mulch in his garden.
It seems the dust was loaded with the Aspergillus fungus, which grows on soil, plant debris and rotting vegetation in the autumn and winter.
Occasionally, it is found inside buildings, especially in air conditioning systems and hospitals.
Most people are either immune to the fungus or have a sufficiently healthy immune system to fight the infection.
But in asthma sufferers it can produce coughing and wheeziness.
In people with weak or damaged immune systems, such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and Aids patients, the fungus can cause pulmonary aspergillosis - the condition seen in this case.
The doctors wrote that while the man was outwardly healthy, smoking and welding could have damaged his lungs, increasing his vulnerability.
The British Lung Foundation advised gardeners to wear masks when working with large quantities of compost or leaves.
A few months ago a man in Scotland caught Legionnaires' disease from a bag of fertiliser, and spent seven weeks in intensive care.
Is Fat, Tired and Depressed a New Medical Syndrome? (Source: Natural news)
(NaturalNews) Why is your body putting on unusual mass in the hip area, shoulders, in fat, and growths? Sometimes this mass appears to be healthy. How much sense does it make to get bigger and heavier and lose your teeth, hair, bone density or discs in your spine? Why do some people simply lack the spark to move? Are they simply inferior humans (as they are sometimes treated)?
The answers to all these questions might be found in an exploration of the human body from a new perspective.
While the ensuing discussion will reveal a pattern that might well make up a medical syndrome, the reality is that there is no drug that has any hope of mitigating it, so it will probably never appear in medical texts. This discussion and its content will be very useful to natural healers and to those working hard to heal themselves and feeling very frustrated and exhausted.
The first understanding of this medical syndrome appeared when I started studying Contact Reflex Analysis. This revelatory art has revealed much to enlightened and chosen people throughout its evolution. One thing it does is allow you to very quickly assess the organs for electro-activity outside of the optimum.
In the text that I studied, I found that there were references to degenerative conditions and to cancer and abnormal size development being caused by exhaustion of three organs in particular: the heart, adrenal glands and thyroid.
This was not entirely new to me, I was aware of how much inflammation in the whole system contributed to many things, such as fatigue, aging, heart disease, depression, degenerative conditions and so forth. Inflammation is naturally checked by the adrenal glands. When they become exhausted, the person starts to develop sensitivities and becomes sick in some way or another. That person is on the path to degenerative disease.
I was also aware because of my study in iridology how much the heart related to the whole endocrine system and nervous system.
In Dr. Versandaal's book on Contact Reflex Analysis (CRA), he also talked about tired brains, lacking CSF and weak pineal gland in relation to stress and exhaustion. As a lad, I had been treated by someone using this technique for an extreme phobia. It was my CerebroSpinal Fluid that was treated then and in only 6 weeks I was symptomless. This was after years of extreme fear that totally interfered with normal life.
When I got good enough at CRA to include it in my practice, I started seeing a pattern emerge that was related to all sorts of things, not just obesity, tiredness depression and so-called "laziness." It appeared when people had degenerative discs, it appeared when bone mass was disturbed, it appeared when people were just mysteriously sick, it appeared when people had candida, it appeared when people were hormonally, emotionally or mentally unstable. It appeared in all cases of cancer and abnormal growths.
This pattern included four things in nearly every case:
1. The brain was tired or Cerebral Spinal Fluid was out of balance
2. The heart was showing malnutrition and lack of electrical activity in itself
3. The adrenal glands were exhausted or functioning below or above their desired level
4. The thyroid was showing imbalance
Each of these feed back on each other. At first, I would find one of these and the others would emerge later in turn as the body was ready to heal and deal with them. Later, I got better at testing this pattern and could detect all of them at once by following some of Dr. Versandaal's techniques.
The tired or imbalanced brain causes a greatly decreased ability to look at stressful situations constructively. While at least four possible imbalances can be tested for in the brain, I found that the herbal formula I favored (Dr. Christopher's Master Gland Formula) would usually treat all of those cases simultaneously. When it would not, fresh rosemary and St. John's wort would.
When the person has a decreased ability to benefit from stressful situations and is more inclined to be distressed by them, the adrenal glands and heart will immediately begin to suffer.
Actually, the heart can be causal as well, as it gets low, the whole body is drained to feed it and the brain can seem tired and unable to perform its proper function or deal with anything extra.
The thyroid being low causes a general state of malnutrition where there is excess weight and extra burden on the elimination organs and brain. It is well understood that a low thyroid will often result in depression.
The real mass, though, comes from the heart and adrenal glands being out of balance. The heart being low will frequently cause the shoulders or the hips to gain mass. Sometimes this mass appears healthy and desirable, but it is the result of compensation, so it is not healthy. The body tries to build mass to provide strength in the body that will take the load off of the heart. It will build mass any way that it can and not necessarily with any logic, or success. It is the result of the promotion of growth in the body which can take the form of fat or masses of abnormal cells or bones or muscle.
The adrenal glands being low will cause inflammation markers in the blood to elevate and the heart will then suffer and need more and more.
The description of the possible outcomes of this pattern could go on for days. Suffice it to say this: the pattern of an out of balance or malnourished heart, adrenal glands, thyroid and brain could cause about 90% of what people complain about today. It will definitely cause a host of symptoms that will make life less vibrant and pleasurable to live and which might lead to genuine behavioral, anatomical and physiological syndromes or diseases.
The scary thing is the number of people with this blend. Even among raw foodists, whose philosophy I advocate and believe in, there seems to be a lingering evidence of this pattern that they need extra help to heal.
Theoretically, the decreased load of eating raw foods and the greatly diminished adrenal stimulation (while simultaneously nourishing the adrenal glands) that occurs with eating raw food wisely would result in the adrenal glands, at least, being omitted from this pattern, but this is not what I am finding.
This leads me to suspect lifestyle and environmental factors as players in this pattern. This pattern might well someday be seen as the medical syndrome of the last 50 years and the next 50 years.
While lifestyle and environmental factors probably need to be addressed, most of us would find our power to do something on a large scale limited to complaining and blaming. Rather than seeking a cause to blame, it seems more appropriate to step up to the metaphorical plate and do what is needed to heal this condition.
The answers to all these questions might be found in an exploration of the human body from a new perspective.
While the ensuing discussion will reveal a pattern that might well make up a medical syndrome, the reality is that there is no drug that has any hope of mitigating it, so it will probably never appear in medical texts. This discussion and its content will be very useful to natural healers and to those working hard to heal themselves and feeling very frustrated and exhausted.
The first understanding of this medical syndrome appeared when I started studying Contact Reflex Analysis. This revelatory art has revealed much to enlightened and chosen people throughout its evolution. One thing it does is allow you to very quickly assess the organs for electro-activity outside of the optimum.
In the text that I studied, I found that there were references to degenerative conditions and to cancer and abnormal size development being caused by exhaustion of three organs in particular: the heart, adrenal glands and thyroid.
This was not entirely new to me, I was aware of how much inflammation in the whole system contributed to many things, such as fatigue, aging, heart disease, depression, degenerative conditions and so forth. Inflammation is naturally checked by the adrenal glands. When they become exhausted, the person starts to develop sensitivities and becomes sick in some way or another. That person is on the path to degenerative disease.
I was also aware because of my study in iridology how much the heart related to the whole endocrine system and nervous system.
In Dr. Versandaal's book on Contact Reflex Analysis (CRA), he also talked about tired brains, lacking CSF and weak pineal gland in relation to stress and exhaustion. As a lad, I had been treated by someone using this technique for an extreme phobia. It was my CerebroSpinal Fluid that was treated then and in only 6 weeks I was symptomless. This was after years of extreme fear that totally interfered with normal life.
When I got good enough at CRA to include it in my practice, I started seeing a pattern emerge that was related to all sorts of things, not just obesity, tiredness depression and so-called "laziness." It appeared when people had degenerative discs, it appeared when bone mass was disturbed, it appeared when people were just mysteriously sick, it appeared when people had candida, it appeared when people were hormonally, emotionally or mentally unstable. It appeared in all cases of cancer and abnormal growths.
This pattern included four things in nearly every case:
1. The brain was tired or Cerebral Spinal Fluid was out of balance
2. The heart was showing malnutrition and lack of electrical activity in itself
3. The adrenal glands were exhausted or functioning below or above their desired level
4. The thyroid was showing imbalance
Each of these feed back on each other. At first, I would find one of these and the others would emerge later in turn as the body was ready to heal and deal with them. Later, I got better at testing this pattern and could detect all of them at once by following some of Dr. Versandaal's techniques.
The tired or imbalanced brain causes a greatly decreased ability to look at stressful situations constructively. While at least four possible imbalances can be tested for in the brain, I found that the herbal formula I favored (Dr. Christopher's Master Gland Formula) would usually treat all of those cases simultaneously. When it would not, fresh rosemary and St. John's wort would.
When the person has a decreased ability to benefit from stressful situations and is more inclined to be distressed by them, the adrenal glands and heart will immediately begin to suffer.
Actually, the heart can be causal as well, as it gets low, the whole body is drained to feed it and the brain can seem tired and unable to perform its proper function or deal with anything extra.
The thyroid being low causes a general state of malnutrition where there is excess weight and extra burden on the elimination organs and brain. It is well understood that a low thyroid will often result in depression.
The real mass, though, comes from the heart and adrenal glands being out of balance. The heart being low will frequently cause the shoulders or the hips to gain mass. Sometimes this mass appears healthy and desirable, but it is the result of compensation, so it is not healthy. The body tries to build mass to provide strength in the body that will take the load off of the heart. It will build mass any way that it can and not necessarily with any logic, or success. It is the result of the promotion of growth in the body which can take the form of fat or masses of abnormal cells or bones or muscle.
The adrenal glands being low will cause inflammation markers in the blood to elevate and the heart will then suffer and need more and more.
The description of the possible outcomes of this pattern could go on for days. Suffice it to say this: the pattern of an out of balance or malnourished heart, adrenal glands, thyroid and brain could cause about 90% of what people complain about today. It will definitely cause a host of symptoms that will make life less vibrant and pleasurable to live and which might lead to genuine behavioral, anatomical and physiological syndromes or diseases.
The scary thing is the number of people with this blend. Even among raw foodists, whose philosophy I advocate and believe in, there seems to be a lingering evidence of this pattern that they need extra help to heal.
Theoretically, the decreased load of eating raw foods and the greatly diminished adrenal stimulation (while simultaneously nourishing the adrenal glands) that occurs with eating raw food wisely would result in the adrenal glands, at least, being omitted from this pattern, but this is not what I am finding.
This leads me to suspect lifestyle and environmental factors as players in this pattern. This pattern might well someday be seen as the medical syndrome of the last 50 years and the next 50 years.
While lifestyle and environmental factors probably need to be addressed, most of us would find our power to do something on a large scale limited to complaining and blaming. Rather than seeking a cause to blame, it seems more appropriate to step up to the metaphorical plate and do what is needed to heal this condition.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Yoga for Metabolic syndrome X (source: Natural News)
(NaturalNews) The benefits of yoga are increasingly well known. Deep relaxation and a strong body are continually proven results of a regular yoga practice.
Now a recent study in Channai, India has shown that a yoga practice is fantastic for treating metabolic syndrome x. It can actually reverse the clinical and biochemical changes associated with this aging syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is one of the biggest causes of premature aging and heart disease. It is a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects a large number of people, and prevalence increases with age. Some studies estimate the prevalence in the USA to be up to 25% of the population.
Metabolic syndrome is also known as metabolic syndrome X, syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome.
It is a catch all phrase that describes a pre-diabetic state that includes symptoms such as:
* Fasting hyperglycemia -- diabetes type 2 or impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or insulin resistance
* High blood pressure
* Central obesity (also known as visceral, male-pattern or apple-shaped adiposity), overweight with fat deposits mainly around the waist
* Decreased HDL (Bad) cholesterol
* Elevated triglycerides
This can result in a multitude of problems including fatigue, depression, diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and liver disease.
Dr. R.P. Agrawal, of the SP Medical College, Bikaner, India, and colleagues evaluated the beneficial effects of yoga and meditation in 101 adults who showed symptoms of metabolic syndrome. In the study, 55 adults received three months of regular yoga including standard stress management yoga poses and a form of transcendental meditation daily. During that time they continued to receive their standard care.
The results show that yoga is anti-aging, lowers blood pressure, and is beneficial for treating metabolic syndrome x. Waist circumference, blood sugar, and triglycerides were significantly lower, and "good" HDL cholesterol levels were higher in the yoga group as compared to controls.
Yoga has been known to balance the endocrine system and hormones for centuries. Now it is also being recognized as a way to balance blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of diseases brought on by a classically western diet.
Other benefits of yoga are:
* Body becomes more supple, flexible, strong and fit
* More Grace
* Better posture
* Better physical appearance... brighter eyes, improved skin etc.
* Longevity
* Easier breathing
* Better sleep
* Increased concentration and focus
* Better coping skills and less stress
* More energy and vitality
* Less illness
* Increased self respect and self esteem
This study is published in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.
Now a recent study in Channai, India has shown that a yoga practice is fantastic for treating metabolic syndrome x. It can actually reverse the clinical and biochemical changes associated with this aging syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is one of the biggest causes of premature aging and heart disease. It is a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects a large number of people, and prevalence increases with age. Some studies estimate the prevalence in the USA to be up to 25% of the population.
Metabolic syndrome is also known as metabolic syndrome X, syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome.
It is a catch all phrase that describes a pre-diabetic state that includes symptoms such as:
* Fasting hyperglycemia -- diabetes type 2 or impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or insulin resistance
* High blood pressure
* Central obesity (also known as visceral, male-pattern or apple-shaped adiposity), overweight with fat deposits mainly around the waist
* Decreased HDL (Bad) cholesterol
* Elevated triglycerides
This can result in a multitude of problems including fatigue, depression, diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and liver disease.
Dr. R.P. Agrawal, of the SP Medical College, Bikaner, India, and colleagues evaluated the beneficial effects of yoga and meditation in 101 adults who showed symptoms of metabolic syndrome. In the study, 55 adults received three months of regular yoga including standard stress management yoga poses and a form of transcendental meditation daily. During that time they continued to receive their standard care.
The results show that yoga is anti-aging, lowers blood pressure, and is beneficial for treating metabolic syndrome x. Waist circumference, blood sugar, and triglycerides were significantly lower, and "good" HDL cholesterol levels were higher in the yoga group as compared to controls.
Yoga has been known to balance the endocrine system and hormones for centuries. Now it is also being recognized as a way to balance blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of diseases brought on by a classically western diet.
Other benefits of yoga are:
* Body becomes more supple, flexible, strong and fit
* More Grace
* Better posture
* Better physical appearance... brighter eyes, improved skin etc.
* Longevity
* Easier breathing
* Better sleep
* Increased concentration and focus
* Better coping skills and less stress
* More energy and vitality
* Less illness
* Increased self respect and self esteem
This study is published in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.
Fast Facts About Women in Business in America (Source:Naturalnews)
The number of women-owned businesses continues to grow at twice the rate of all U.S. firms, and their economic influence is increasing at speeds exceeding the national average.
* Growth rates are higher than average among women-owned firms with $1 million or more in sales and 100 or more employees, yet most women-owned firms are very small, with no more than 10 employees.
* Women-owned firms continue to face challenges, including access to capital, access to markets and access to training and technical assistance.
* In 2004, women accounted for more than 51 percent of the United States population and 47 percent of the American labor force.
* As of 2006, there were an estimated 10.4 million privately-held businesses in which a woman or women owned at least 50 percent of the company. Among them, 7.7 million were majority-owned.
* Between 1997 and 2002, women-owned firms increased their employment by 70,000, whereas firms owned by men lost 1 million employees.
* Between 1997 and 2002, an average of 424 new women-owned firms were started every day, translating into nearly 775,000 start-ups per year and accounting for 55 percent of new firm start-ups.
* Between 1997 and 2002, women-owned firms increased by 19.8 percent and women owned employer firms (firms with one or more paid employees other than the owner) increased by 8.3 percent.
* Women-owned businesses exhibited the same tenacity and survival rates as the average U.S. firms, with more than two-thirds (68.5%) of women-owned employer business locations in existence in 1997 still in operation four years later. Among all employer establishments, 69.8 percent remained in business in 2001.
* Between 1997 and 2001, women-owned employer establishments proved to be more resilient than employer firms overall during the period, with a 9.3 percent decline in employment among those firms in business in 1997 –- compared to a 10.9 percent decline among all establishments.
* An estimated $546 billion is spent annually on salaries and benefits by women-owned businesses.
* The workforces of women-owned firms show more gender equity. Women business owners overall employ a roughly balanced workforce (52% women, 48% men), while men business owners employ 38 percent women and 62 percent men, on average.
* While women-owned family businesses are somewhat smaller in size compared with the average annual revenues of their male-owned counterparts ($26.4 million vs. 30.4 million), they generate their sales with fewer median employees, employing 26 individuals compared with 50 at male-owned family firms. This means that female-owned family businesses are 1.7 times more productive than male-owned family firms.
Additional sources:
Report from Center for Women's Leadership at Babson College
* Growth rates are higher than average among women-owned firms with $1 million or more in sales and 100 or more employees, yet most women-owned firms are very small, with no more than 10 employees.
* Women-owned firms continue to face challenges, including access to capital, access to markets and access to training and technical assistance.
* In 2004, women accounted for more than 51 percent of the United States population and 47 percent of the American labor force.
* As of 2006, there were an estimated 10.4 million privately-held businesses in which a woman or women owned at least 50 percent of the company. Among them, 7.7 million were majority-owned.
* Between 1997 and 2002, women-owned firms increased their employment by 70,000, whereas firms owned by men lost 1 million employees.
* Between 1997 and 2002, an average of 424 new women-owned firms were started every day, translating into nearly 775,000 start-ups per year and accounting for 55 percent of new firm start-ups.
* Between 1997 and 2002, women-owned firms increased by 19.8 percent and women owned employer firms (firms with one or more paid employees other than the owner) increased by 8.3 percent.
* Women-owned businesses exhibited the same tenacity and survival rates as the average U.S. firms, with more than two-thirds (68.5%) of women-owned employer business locations in existence in 1997 still in operation four years later. Among all employer establishments, 69.8 percent remained in business in 2001.
* Between 1997 and 2001, women-owned employer establishments proved to be more resilient than employer firms overall during the period, with a 9.3 percent decline in employment among those firms in business in 1997 –- compared to a 10.9 percent decline among all establishments.
* An estimated $546 billion is spent annually on salaries and benefits by women-owned businesses.
* The workforces of women-owned firms show more gender equity. Women business owners overall employ a roughly balanced workforce (52% women, 48% men), while men business owners employ 38 percent women and 62 percent men, on average.
* While women-owned family businesses are somewhat smaller in size compared with the average annual revenues of their male-owned counterparts ($26.4 million vs. 30.4 million), they generate their sales with fewer median employees, employing 26 individuals compared with 50 at male-owned family firms. This means that female-owned family businesses are 1.7 times more productive than male-owned family firms.
Additional sources:
Report from Center for Women's Leadership at Babson College
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