Translate to your own language

Become a member of ADDY as me with my link and get $25 to kickstart your own investing journey 🏠

December 22, 2013

Can Aspirin really be used to cool a bad temper?

Can Aspirin really be used to cool a bad temper?
By stockimages/freedigitalphotos.net
About 16 million Americans suffer from IED, which often causes road rage. (Thinkstock)The ever-so-annoying advice to "take a chill pill" might just ring true, according to a recent study that suggests anti-inflammatory medications such as Aspirin could reduce aggression in certain people.

Researchers from the University of Chicago and the University of Colorado claim to have found biological markers which show a connection between inflammation in the body and an anger-related condition called intermittent explosive disorder (IED).
"We don't yet know if the inflammation triggers aggression or aggressive feelings set off inflammation, but it's a powerful indication that the two are biologically connected, and a damaging combination," explains senior study author Dr. Emil Coccaro from the University of Chicago.
Read the whole article here http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/shine-on/aspirin-really-used-cool-bad-temper-214006479.html

December 10, 2013

Lululemon brings its Luon pants back-no more see thru!

10-Dec-2013 It is unbelievable how much trouble a pants see thru  can make! In resent interview with Bloomberg TV the founder of Lululemon Chip Wilson blamed  some women's bodies imperfection for  fabric pilling and the famous see thru problem.  Well , today he is stepping down as chairman of Lululemon. One metaphorically can say that he was squeezed like lemon between imperfect woman's legs . You can see the interview here Chip Wilson-says-pants-don-t-work-for-some-bodies .
5-Jul-2013 Followup on the story below: 

Lululemon's sheer-pants scandal is ancient history in fashion years by now, and many still believe it got way more attention than it merited to begin with. (Was it truly necessary for them to fire their Chief Product Officer Sheree Waterson afterwards? We still think they should've sold that batch of see-through pants at a discount and called it a day. However, Lululemon's announcement that CEO Christine Day is stepping down seems a little too soon after the Luon debacle to be pure coincidence. What do you think about that?

Lululemon is starting to get its Luon black yoga pants, which were pulled in March for being too sheer, back into its stores.The company has said it expects to lose $57 million to $67 million in revenue because of the pants problem.But that hasn't mattered much to its stock.Since the company announced it was pulling the pants off shelves, its shares are up about 18 per cent. As we said before there is no such a thing as bad publicity. See how it all started here The butt is covered … for now.

October 30, 2013

BPA and male sexual dysfunction



BPA and other estrogen-like chemicals are increasingly being linked to male sexual dysfunction and development impairments of the brain and thyroid. Such as dropping semen counts, undescended testes, erectile dysfunction, and others.
BPA is one of the 5 most commonly used chemicals in the world. It’s in plastics, DVDs, sunglasses, and used as a powder coating on printed receipts.


October 18, 2013

The well balanced diet that incorporates a “rainbow of natural colors”

rainbow of natural colors
Image courtesy of Supertrooper/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Eating a well balanced diet that incorporates a “rainbow
of natural colors” is a great way to benefit from all the fantastic phytonutrients discovered.

Below is the list of 10 foods that pack a wallop

Tomatoes - Cooked tomatoes contain Lycopene, a very potent and powerful
antioxidant capable of neutralizing free radicals. Studies indicate that the increased Lycopene from cooked or stewed tomatoes are linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer and other digestive tract cancers as well as protection from developing arteriosclerosis. Uncooked tomatoes are also a very good source of vitamin C.
Spinach - Naturally loaded with iron and the B vitamin- Folate (Folic Acid) which has been shown to help prevent neural tube defects in babies and it also helps lower homocysteine levels in your blood. Homocysteine is an amino acid metabolite that irritates and damages blood vessels which is linked to heart disease.Spinach also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful phytochemicals that may ward off macular degradation , which is a leading cause of blindness.

Red Wine - The French eat a diet rich in cheese and buttery sauces but suffer far less heart disease than Americans. This goes against everything you are told by the majority of “medical experts.” They tell you that eating all that animal fat (saturated fats) found in rich gravies, meat and cheese is linked to heart disease and heart attacks. Americans have been restricting their dietary intake of these natural saturated fat foods, yet the rate of heart disease continues to rise. The French people on the other hand continue to consume these natural foods as they please and are not plagued by high rates of heart disease. They call this the “French Paradox” and what they found is that the French people consume much larger amounts of red wine than most Americans.
It’s not the alcohol in the red wine that benefits you, (alcohol is very damaging to your body) but the wonderful antioxidants known as polyphenols found in red grapes and the resveratrol which is a natural component of the red grape skin and seeds.
The polyphenols found in red wine are very good at neutralizing harmful free radicals and the latest research is showing that they may also “inhibit the production of endothelin 1, a peptide that contributes to hardening of the arteries.” Resveratrol is mentioned for its unique ability to boost HDL (the good form) of cholesterol, but there are literally hundreds
of scientific studies that also show Resveratrol to be a potent cancer fighter and preventer.

Nuts - loaded with natural fats that can actually lower high triglycerides and LDL (the bad form) cholesterol while raising HDL (the good form) cholesterol as well. There are very few foods or nutrients which can lower LDl and raise HDL at the same time. Eating these natural fats in place of the “man made” unsaturated fats like hydrogenated vegetable oils found in potato chips, margarine and donuts, is a very healthy idea.
Broccoli - Loaded with many potent phytochemicals including sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol that “may detoxify cancer causing substances before they have a chance to cause harm.” Broccoli is a great source of beta carotene, fiber and vitamin C. Just 1 cup of broccoli actually contains more vitamin C than an orange.
Oats- While consuming oats is a good source of fiber, the biggest benefit may be in its
ability to help lower high cholesterol. Oats naturally contain beta glucans which can lower
cholesterol levels by getting rid of excess precursors to cholesterol found in your intestines.
Oats are also a natural source of the very beneficial vitamin E like compound called “Tocotrienols”
Salmon- Salmon are a good source of the beneficial Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Among other things, Omega 3 Fatty Acids are well known for their benefits in helping to “prevent platelets in your blood from clumping together and sticking to your arterial walls in the form of plaque. They also drive down triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol.” Researchers are now also suspecting that the Omega 3 Fatty Acid DHA may be beneficial in protecting your brain cells from damage and thus help to prevent the development of Alzheimers disease as well.

Garlic- Garlic is loaded with sulfur based compounds called allyl sulfides. These sulfides are what gives garlic that strong smell and they are responsible along with other substances for the benefits of protecting your heart. Garlic may also have antifungal and antibacterial properties as well.
Green Tea- Green tea contains powerful phytochemicals known as polyphenols. One type of polyphenol called a catechin, may inhibit the growth of new blood vessels that would normally feed and nourish a tumor. These same catechins may also prevent DNA damage from occurring to your cells that normally is caused by various carcinogens. Recent reports suggest that using green tea as a mouthwash may be very beneficial to inhibit cavity causing bacteria.
Blueberries- Pound for pound blueberries contain more antioxidants than any other fruit or
vegetable. One of the most highly beneficial phyto nutrients found in blueberries is a flavonoid called- “anthocyanin.” The anthocyanins found in blueberries are well known for their ability to combat free radical damage that is linked to heart disease and cancer, but recent studies involving rats have demonstrated that the anthocyanins found in blueberries may be very beneficial to boost brain function.
When elderly rats were fed cyanin for 9 weeks, they outperformed a control group at navigating mazes and balancing on logs. After four months the elder rats that were given the anthocyanin performed the memory tasks just as well as the younger rats. Blueberries also seem to help fight urinary tract infections much like cranberries.

And Now the Bad News: Potatoes
Potatoes are supposed to be one of the world's greatest foods, filled with calcium, niacin, iron, vitamin C and plenty of carbohydrates. A diet of milk and potatoes, the textbooks say, will provide all the nutrients the human body needs. But there is trouble lurking beneath the skin. According to a controversial new theory, potatoes, eaten in large quantities by a population increasingly sedentary and overweight, may be a major contributor to America's alarming rates of heart disease and diabetes.
The problem, according to Meir Stampfer, a nutrition professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, is potato starch. When you eat a potato and that starch hits the saliva in your mouth, its tightly bundled molecules immediately get turned into sugars, which make a beeline for the blood. "You ate a potato," says Stampfer, "but your body is getting pure glucose." The flood of blood sugar sets off a chain reaction. Insulin pours out of the pancreas. Triglycerides shoot up. HDL (good) cholesterol takes a dive. "It's a perfect setup for heart disease and diabetes," says Stampfer.
This is not just a potato problem. It's also a problem with white bread, bagels and most white rice. But couch potatoes don't have to give up their spuds altogether, as long as they eat them in moderation. Or they could switch to sweet potatoes and yams, which metabolize less rapidly and wreak less havoc with blood sugar.
Based on an article in Time Magazine




September 17, 2013

What is the real reason for low libido in men?

Rolling Pebbels : What is the real reason for low libido in men?
courtesy of photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Increased body fat and decreased sexual desire in middle aged men may be a result of low levels of estrogen a new study shows.
Previously, a drop in testosterone production might have been suspected as the culprit, but researchers said a decline in estrogen may be part of the problem.
Traditionally, a diagnosis of male hypogonadism - a drop in reproductive hormones sharp enough to have physical effects - was based solely on a measurement of testosterone levels.
These diagnoses have increased dramatically in recent years - leading to five times as many testosterone prescriptions in 2000 as in 1993. Yet doctors understand little about the exact levels of testosterone needed to support normal function.
Testosterone production also has a direct impact on estrogen levels in men, since a portion of the male hormone is always converted into estrogen. That makes it hard to know which hormone is needed, and in what quantity, to counteract the symptoms that appear in older men.
To find out, researchers suppressed all natural hormone production among more than 300 male test subjects, aged 20 to 50. Half of the subjects were given a daily dose of a testosterone gel or a placebo for 16 weeks. The other half were given the gel plus a drug that inhibits the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.
The results of the study suggest that testosterone regulates lean body mass and muscle strength, while estrogen impacts the accumulation of body fat. And sexual function was impacted by both hormones: a lack of estrogen decreased desire, while a low level of testosterone impeded erectile function.
The study can be found in the New England Journal.






August 06, 2013

Study links obesity, heart risk

Photostock/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Curtesy of Photostock/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
A 30-year study finds the risk for heart disease rises the longer someone is obese.

Young adults who remain obese for two decades or more double their risk of developing a marker of heart disease in middle age, a study found.
Every year of obesity raises the risk of developing coronary artery calcification, a silent predictor of heart disease with mild to no symptoms, by two to four per cent, according to research in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The study is the first to show that how long a person is obese can independently contribute to heart risk, said Jared Reis, the lead study author and an epidemiologist at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, which is based in Bethesda, Md.
In the new study, Reis' team used scans to track calcium buildup in the heart arteries in almost 3,300 adults 18 to 30 years old. When the study began in the mid-1980s, none of the participants were obese.
During the course of the study, however, more than 40 percent became obese and 41 percent developed abdominal obesity (excess belly fat). Those who became obese tended to stay obese for years, the researchers noted.
The investigators found that 27.5 percent of these long-term obese participants showed signs of heart disease, and the problem got worse the longer the individual had been obese.
More than 38 percent of those with more than 20 years spent obese had calcified arteries compared with only about a quarter of those who never put on that level of excess weight, the findings showed.
Among those with overall obesity, 6.5 percent had more dangerous "extensive" arterial calcification, as did 9 percent of those with obesity centered around the belly area. In contrast, only about 5 percent of those who were not obese had this extensive calcification, the researchers found.
Reis said the findings could have dire implications as Americans age.
"With the increased prevalence of obesity over the last 30 years, younger individuals are becoming more obese at a younger age than in previous generations," he noted. "This longer duration of obesity may have important implications on the future burden of subclinical heart disease and potentially rates of clinical heart disease in the United States."








June 12, 2013

This Sexual Problem May Reveal a Weakened Heart

Impotence may signal heart disease.Men with increasingly severe impotence problems are wise to take immediate heart-healthy steps. That is because a new health breakthrough found that impotence is linked to a higher risk of heart disease and even death.
Published in PLOS Medicine, the large-scale study shows that the risk of future cardiovascular disease and death rises as erectile dysfunction (ED) becomes more severe. This is the case even for men with no history of heart problems. This is the first study to show that severity of impotence corresponds to a higher risk of heart disease hospitalization and all-cause mortality.
Australian researchers examined the link between severity of self-reported impotence and those issues in 95,000 men over the age of 45. It included more than 65,000 men without known heart disease, and more than 29,000 men with heart disease.
During two years of follow-up, there were 7,855 hospitalizations for heart disease, and after three years, there were 2,304 deaths. Researchers found that men who did not have heart disease but had severe ED had a relative 35% increased risk of hospitalization and a relative 93% increased risk of all-cause mortality. For men with heart disease and severe ED, the numbers were 64% and 137%, respectively.
The researchers say this is important, as it highlights the need to consider impotence in relation to a wide range of heart problems. They stressed that it is unlikely that ED causes heart disease. Instead, the culprits are conditions such as atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) that are contributing to both.
Most importantly, men who are experiencing significant impotence problems are wise to get some testing to assess their risk for heart disease. Meanwhile, making lifestyle changes to promote heart health is an important step.
based on:
This Sexual Problem May Reveal a Weakened Heart
Banks, E., et al., “Erectile Dysfunction Severity as a Risk Marker for Cardiovascular Disease Hospitalisation and All-Cause Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study,” PLoS Med. 2013; 10(1): e1001372.

May 01, 2013

DIY: Dr. Oz natural banana Botox mask for wrinkles

by adamr/Digitalphotos.net

Have you seen pictures on internet or  magazines (especially the tabloid ones) of celebrities faces hard to recognize after Botox "face lift-up" With the following easy to prepare and apply recipe you would indulge yourself without any risk.  Here's Dr. Oz' DIY banana, yoghurt and honey face mask recipe to use instead of Botox to get rid of wrinkles! Why does this ultra yummy face mask work? The lactic acid found in the yogurt gently exfoliates your skin while the honey moisturizes your face. Banana nourishes and moisturizes your skin as well. Amazing!!

Ingredients

- 1/4 cup yogurt
- 1/2 banana
- 1 tsp honey

Instructions

1. Mash up half a banana with the back of a fork (the more ripe the banana, the better!)
2. Mix in 1/4 cup yogurt and 1 tsp of honey
3. Spread the face mask all over your face
4. Relax for 15 minutes
5. Rinse off your face well 


The peel of the banana is worthy of mentioning because it contains a number of antioxidants and can be used as home remedy to cure allergies, bruises, mosquito bites, skin irritation, warts, treating acne, and wrinkles.   To use the peel in these situations,  just apply a section of the banana peel to the affected areas and leave it on for half an hour everyday until there is noticeable change.
Ironically the above recipe works  for your hair equally well.


Enjoy!

April 15, 2013

G-string or shorts… what will you be wearing in summer?



Lingerie shorts are getting more and more popular. The twin trends of retro and shapewear have something to do with that. Briefs can be longer and go all the way up to the waist. Long live comfort!
Lieve Vermeire, brand design manager of Marie Jo explains - Past Marie Jo collections were typically short on shorts. Rio briefs and G-strings were the best sellers. But that started to change a few seasons back. It’s come so far that shorts are the biggest trend this spring.
Make no mistake – G-strings and even Rio briefs are still in demand. G-strings continue to be a firm favourite in the collection, but at the same time shorts are growing in popularity. The shapewear trend and the huge demand for retro are driving interest in shorts. Women are looking for a new type of comfort. It’s okay to cover up more.  See their trendy shorts here g-string-or-shorts-what-will-you-be-wearing-summer

April 10, 2013

Boost of Protein for middle-eged men and other words of wisdom

Curtesy of Photostock/FreeDigitalPhoto.net
Hitting 40 marks a turning point for many men and their health.

Their metabolism slows, leading to the dreaded belly and the first signs of aging and long-term disease — raised blood cholesterol and high blood pressure — begin to appear.

Increased body mass index (BMI) and heightened sense of mortality is often enough to kick start a new regimen, which usually means choosing low-fat foods and taking up jogging as an obvious health choice.There are strong indications that such diets for man in their fifties and up could be making their long-term health worse.Why? Low fat diets are usualy high in sugar and carbs - upto 67%.

Men heading toward the big 6-0 want to keep or build muscle mass, they need to increase the amount of protein they eat - especially after each resistance workout. One study found that doubling intake from 21 grams to 42 grams of protein is optimal for building more muscle fibers and keeping a toned physique. But no one should get all that protein from fatty meat.

For every meal, energy should, instead, come from protein (in the form of meat, fish, eggs and cheese) and a wide variety of fruit, vegetables and salads.

When we consume proteins, the body breaks them down into amino acids, which are absorbed through the wall of the bowel and form skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and all the organs such as the brain and the heart.

Consider grains and vegetables: beans, lentils, brown rice and our favorites - almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, cashews and pine nuts. spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, chia, tofu and tempeh are also rich source of proteins.

Here are some more key recommendations from Dr Clark author of the book "Health Revolution For Men".

Forget the jogging if you are overweight with poor muscle tone, jogging is a fast track to ruining your hip and knee joints and put unbearable strain on your heart and lungs.

Instead, start exercising slowly and build up your fitness gradually by walking for 20 minutes five times a week, and adding some gentle muscle-building exercises (such as lifting light weights) and stretching.

Exercise your smooth muscle
To ‘exercise’ the smooth muscles, you need roughage (such as green vegetables). This stretches the muscle fibres and helps to press food through the bowel. If you don’t have roughage in your diet, the bowel isn’t stimulated and it becomes dormant — a major cause of bowel cancer.

Water is also vital — drink regularly, not just when you feel thirsty. This keeps the bowel’s contractor muscle moving, prevents constipation and prevents many of the typical diseases that occur in middle age such as cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis and peptic ulcers.

De-stressing is vital: eat healthily and at regular intervals (hunger and poor diet put extra stress on the body), get plenty of sleep and exercise, and try relaxation techniques and deep breathing exercises.

Drink alcohol with moderation. Drink eight to ten cups of water a day. fruit juice is ‘far too high in sugar for general consumption’, coffee causes dehydration and should be restricted to two cups a day, tea to three cups (herbal tea is unlimited), but alcohol is allowed, in moderation.

‘Beers have high carbohydrate content and therefore a greater likelihood of promoting the development of diabetes than those drinks with a low carbohydrate content, such as red wine,’ says Dr Clark, recommending alcohol consumption is limited to two small glasses of red wine per day.

Save your sex life

Testosterone levels naturally fall with age (at a rate of 1-2 per cent per year after the age of 40), but a dwindling libido can also be a symptom of excessive stress and poor diet. Poor nutrition causes physical and mental fatigue, leaving little left over for social interest, let alone sexual activity. Obesity itself also limits libido. In one French study, obese men were 69 per cent less likely to have had more than one sexual partner in a year than men of normal weight.

Another problem at this age can be impotence, which can be an early sign of coronary heart disease and diabetes. It can also be due to atherosclerosis, a systemic condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries, leading to restricted blood flow in the penis.

So how to resolve a flagging libido? Once again the process is simple, says Dr Clark: Reduce refined carbohydrates, reduce stress levels and take more exercise. 

All will help ensure the body is working at optimum levels.


Adapted from
1.Health Revolution For Men by Dr Charles Clark and Maureen Clark © 2012 Dr Charles Clark and Maureen Clark

2.Sources on Internet

March 26, 2013

Cold Sore Symptoms and Help

Polling Pebbles :  Cold sore on  lower lip
Cold Sore on lower lip  - Rolling Pebbles Files©

Cold sores aren’t a problem for everyone but for those who suffer, outbreaks can be painful, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. In fact, up to 90 per cent of adults carry  herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), but only 20 to 40 per cent will ever experience a cold sore outbreak. When most people hear herpes they think of the sexually transmitted infection that causes sores in the nether regions (genital herpes) and they’d be right. Most cases of genital herpes are caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) while most cold sores are cause by HSV1 but both viruses can (although much less common) cause sores in the opposite region if the active virus comes in contact with that region (you possibly can imagine how). Most cold sore sufferers aren’t exactly sure when they first encountered the virus, but once contracted the virus never leaves the body.
Not everyone’s cold sore is triggered by the same thing. But there are several common factors that may cause your outbreaks. Knowing general cold sore triggers can help you identify personal triggers and take the necessary steps to manage them.
First, boost your immune system by getting plenty of rest and exercise and eating a balanced diet. Avoiding the stress in your life is also important. Keep your lips moisturized – drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and use sunblock on your lips all year round to protect your lips from sun and from winter cold.
Treat your cold sore early for best results. The best time to start treatment is when that tingling sensation first happens, before any visible sign of a cold sore appears. When it comes to treating a cold sore, you’ll hear advice on everything from home remedies to lip balm cures.
Learn the cold sore facts so you can face every cold sore with confidence. Ice, vinegar, tea bags, camphor, menthol or phenol may provide temporary relief, but they won’t make your cold sore disappear faster. Look for products that contain the medicinal ingredient, docosanol, which is clinically proven to shorten the duration of a cold sore.It is marketed by Healthcare Brands under the name Erazaban in Europe and Abreva in U.S.A. and Canada.

Remember to avoid transmitting the virus to others through skin contact (kissing is the first thing coming to mind). Cold sores are most contagious when someone has an open blister present on their lips until the point where the blister has completely healed.  At the same time, note that certain people can spread the virus through their saliva even if there is no open blister present.Also, wash your hands frequently if you’ve touched your lips or brushed your teeth to avoid spread of the virus.

March 25, 2013

Lawmaker Seeks To Ban Drivers From Wearing Head Mounted Displays Like Google Glass

Lawmaker seeks to ban Google Glass use while drivingA lawmaker in West Virginia is seeking to ban the use of Google Glass, and other Google Glass-esque products, while driving. Gary G. Howell, a republican in the West Virginia Legislature, believes that Google Glass poses the same dangers, if not worse, as texting and driving. He does have a valid point, because how safe can it be to watch a YouTube video while heading to the grocery store?

If the legislation passes, using Google Glass while driving would incur a hefty fine. For the first offense, you will be charged $100. Every offense following will incur an accumulative $100 charge (i.e 2nd offense = $200, 3rd offense = $300, and so on). Driving while wearing Google Glass wouldn’t be worth the risk, especially since buying the device itself will cost you a fortune.
It should be noted that Howell doesn’t hate the idea of Google Glass, and in fact sees it as the future. However, he believes that using Google Glass will pose a great danger to drivers, especially the younger, teen drivers. He stated, “We heard of many crashes caused by texting and driving, most involving our youngest drivers. I see the Google Glass as an extension.”
Howell also says that even if his proposal isn’t turned into a law, he believes that similar bills will be filed by other legislatures. Many debates have already surfaced over the proposed bill. Many cars already have heads-up display (HUD) systems that can be just as distracting as Google Glass. And Google Glass is much more safer than looking down at your phone while texting. Your eyes (at least one) will still be on the road, and your hands will still be on the wheel.
It all depends on what happens when the device actually comes out, and if people are responsible enough to use it. We shouldn’t really have to worry about too many teens buying Google Glass when it comes out and using it while they’re driving, because its doubtful that many of them can afford its high price-tag.

Update
LA ,Calif, December 4/2013 We learned that the first ever citation was issued for using Google Glass.
A woman has pleaded not guilty to what is believed to be the first traffic citation alleging a motorist was using Google’s computer-in-an-eyeglass.
The device known as Google Glass, not yet widely available to the public, features a thumbnail-size transparent display above the right eye.
Cecilia Abadie was pulled over on suspicion of speeding in October. The officer saw she had Google Glass and tacked on a citation usually given to drivers who may be distracted by a video screen.


March 22, 2013

Meditation and Brain power

There is a surge in interest in mind calming exercises not only among celebrities and super models.Meditating every day for 5 minutes in the morning and at night eases stress, strengthening our focus and improves our health.
A study, published 2011 in the journal Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, suggests that meditating for just 30 minutes a day for eight weeks can increase the density of gray matter in brain regions associated with memory, stress, and empathy.Other researches point out that meditation helps you out to handle multitasking better.It also makes genes that produce inflammation-triggered proteins less active.Remember the rescent theories that the inflammation is the biggest culprit causing latter atherosclerosis for instance.Check out the book " The end of illness " by David Agus on the subject.Back to the meditation - regular meditators who are 40 to 50 years old have areas in their cerebral cortex that is as thick as the one of 20-30 years olds,defying the long held belief that age inevitably thins the cortex.Meditation does not have to be static - check out the " walking meditation " as well.

March 20, 2013

Lululemon supplier says see-through yoga pants made to specs as retailer’s stock falls (There's no such thing as bad publicity)

The Taiwanese supplier behind the see-through yoga pants recalled by Lululemon Athletica Inc said on Tuesday it followed design specifications and the Canadian retailer had merely misjudged customer tastes.Lululemon said late Monday it had recalled batches of its stretchy black signature yoga pants because of an unacceptable “level of sheerness” created during the manufacturing process.By now you may have heard that Lululemon's latest batch of popular black yoga pants are too racy for the average yogi -- but fans of the form-fitting favourites have taken to social media to suggest creative solutions.Some people even commented that "The material may not have changed, but something did - the clientele. Sorry ladies, some of you just stretch the material too much"

March 12, 2013

New index aims to predict lifespan and cut medical costs

Want to know how long you’ll live? San Francisco researchers developed a new 12-item “mortality index,” which aims to predict how long people older than 50 will live, to help curb costly medical procedures and limit health screenings. The index is based on data of more than 20,000 adults over the age of 50 from 1998 until 2008, from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally-representative sample of independently living U.S. adults. Intended for use by doctors, the test estimates which older adults are not expected to live 10 years or more. This could help doctors treating patients less likely to live avoid prescribing harsh medical treatments and cancer screenings. Women less likely to live, for example, may not need cervical cancer screenings, because the cancer would take time to develop and not end up being the cause of death.Described as a “simple checklist,” each item on the index is assigned a point value, with 26 being the overall highest score, or most likely to die. That person would be a man, at least 85-years-old, a smoker, and have a BMI more than 25, among other things. You can check the index here in pdf format: The index


March 08, 2013

Fearless female travellers

On March 8th is the celebration of International Women's Day! Here are 10 adventurous and thrill-seeking women who made a difference in the world of travel.The list starts with Amelia Earhart followed with 9 more brave and adventurous women.
Fearless female travellers

March 06, 2013

New hope for Alzheimer's patients


The first U.S. experiments with "brain pacemakers" for Alzheimer's are getting under way. Scientists are looking beyond drugs to implants in the hunt for much-needed new treatments.
The research is in its infancy. Only a few dozen people with early-stage Alzheimer's will be implanted in a handful of hospitals (as of Mid January 2013). No one knows if it might work, and if it does, how long the effects might last.More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's or similar dementias, and that number is expected to rise rapidly as the baby boomers age. Today's drugs only temporarily help some symptoms. Attempts to attack Alzheimer's presumed cause, a brain-clogging gunk, so far haven't panned out.The new approach is called deep brain stimulation, or DBS. While it won't attack Alzheimer's root cause either, "maybe we can make the brain work better," said Dr. Douglas Scharre - Ohio State neurologist.Similar experiments are reported at the University of British Columbia and John Hopkins University.The procedure requires implanting electrodes in the brain and send puses from battery-powered generator near the collarbone , sending the tiny shocks up patients neck and into their brain.


See  another related article about the effect of Cycling therapy for Parkinson's.








March 04, 2013

Cycling Therapy for Parkinson's

In a study conducted at the Cleveland Clinic, a series of scans on the brains of 26 Parkinson’s patients who used exercise bikes three times a week for two months were taken.
Some patients  pedalled at their own pace, while others undertook ‘forced-rate’ cycling, in which they were made to pedal faster by motors fitted to their bikes.
The scans revealed pedalling, particularly vigorous pedalling, boosted connections between brain regions linked to movement.The results show that forced-rate bicycle exercise is an effective, low-cost therapy for Parkinson’s disease.The scientists are now studying how patients fare with exercise bikes in their homes. They also want to see whether other forms of exercise such as swimming and rowing have similar benefits.
The charity Parkinson’s UK welcomed the research, saying the balance and co-ordination can be badly damaged as the disease progresses.
However, it also cautioned that not all patients will be capable of exercising intensely.

February 26, 2013

Playtex 'Fresh + Sexy Wipes' Suggest You Should Be Insecure About Your Intimate Parts

According to a Playtex survey released earlier this month, 35 per cent of Canadians reported having sex just a few times a month while 19 per cent are only doing it once a month or less. With the average between-the-sheets session lasting a mere six minutes, I’m willing to bet that most of us spend more time each day waiting for the bus or standing in line at Starbucks than we do being intimate with our partners.

Married versus dating? 63% of Canadians who are dating are having sex at least a few times per week while married folk are only clocking in at 36%. A whopping 20% of daters are doing it every day. (Rah! Rah! Or is it raw, raw?) This is where we all sigh. It is so fresh in the beginning. Only 2% of those married manage to do it every day. Every day? There is no way those people have kids. Heck, I'd say they don't even have jobs!
  
The survey breaks that wish fulfillment down by sex. 38% of men and 23% of women would like sex every day. 44% of men and 49% of women would it a few times per week. 15% of men and 23% of women would like to stick to a few times per month. The percentage is low but the survey does say a small group would go for once a month or less. Hmmm, somebody needs a refresher course in something other than missionary in bed under the covers with the lights out. A little more aural and oral goes a long way.

What factors would contribute to higher satisfaction in the bedroom?
 33%: Better physique  
14%: If my partner had a better physique
(Hmmm, if we turn out the lights is that proverb true? At night, all cats are grey.)
 
30%: More spontaneity  
28%: More romance  
24%: More experimentation
 21%: If my partner had an increased libido 18%: A deep emotional connection with my partner
 

The survey showed that people have a few turn-offs starting with hygiene. Come on folks, these are easily correctable.
 63%: Bad body odors  
58%: Bad breath 35%: Not feeling fresh or clean  
35%: Poorly groomed private parts  
15%: Perspiration


The original report  can be found below:
http://files.newswire.ca/1073/FreshandSexyReport.pdf



February 22, 2013

More facts about Vitamin D

 This month, anyone who lives north of sunny Atlanta is sunshine starved and therefore Vitamin D deficient. So, unless you have plans to fly south soon, you had better have a backup plan.
Milk (and some brands of milk products, like yogurt) are Vitamin D fortified.
But, the amounts aren’t high enough to ensure you are topped up to a protective level to prevent osteoporosis, cancer and, studies are showing, many other chronic illnesses.Here are some good sources:

  1. Salmon
  2. Cod liver oil
  3. Liver
  4. Eggs
  5. Caviar
  6. Greek caviar dip taramosalata 
Above is reblogged from Metronews

Helth organizations reticently upgraded their daily overall recommended doses of Vitamin D to  1000UI (international units) from different sources (sun,food,supplements). It is reported that for cancer prevention, individuals taking 1,000 IU of oral vitamin D daily had a lower incidence of colon cancer.
See also Low levels of vitamin D in blood double risk of bladder cancer in this blog.

February 21, 2013

Teeth whitening–Is whiter and brighter safe?

Various product for teeth whitening today promise snow white teeth.
Usually you leave them from 5 to 30 minutes on your teeth – strips,gel trays.
They are designed to restore tooth’s enamel by removing debris and dirt.
They all contain hydrogen peroxide,which releasing oxygen molecules in your mouth that react chemically with staining materials and lift them off.
 Different product have different content of hydrogen peroxide.It is topically 15% in drugstore products to upto 40% in the dental office.There is a widely spread myth that hydrogen peroxide can immediately damage the tooth's enamel.According to the dentists there is no evidence of damage in short term.It is not yet know if the extreme or prolonged use can cause harm.Home made whitening formulas such ones made with lemon juice,baking soda or crushed strawberries as they bathe teeth in acid. As a result you may end up with more sensitive teeth and lose some tooth structure.
What to expect when you use hydrogen peroxide strips or gel? The product usually include test picture showing shades of the enamel discoloration. Before you start using the product, you match your teeth color to the one on the picture. At the end of the treatment course, you can see the overall effect. My personal experience is that the improvement is 1-3 steps. The effect of the whitening is not permanent. Smoking and other factors will affect how long it will last.

Tip: Check with your dentist if they can make you free personal silicon cast which you can fill with the gel and snap on the teeth. It is usually a courtesy service they do for long term patients.

 

February 20, 2013

Van Gogh's masterpiece is slowly turning brown as a result of exposure to LED lighting

They are some of his best-known work and the colour yellow was, for Vincent van Gogh, a symbol of happiness. So the idea that any of his series of vivid masterpieces – Sunflowers – is slowly turning brown would surely have been painful to the Dutch painter.
The renowned canvases are among dozens of great works that are said to be changing colour, and now scientists have revealed that this is due to exposure to energy-efficient lights installed in art galleries and museums across the world.
Scientists have discovered that the bright-yellow pigment featured in several famous artworks becomes unstable under LED lights and, over time, turns a shade of brownish green. A sample of 14 works from the period between 1887 and 1890 were tested for the reaction which affects the oil paint colour known as chrome yellow. It was favoured by 19th-century artists and has been found in important works by Paul Cézanne and Paul Gauguin.
Researchers have now warned galleries and museums to reconsider the use of some LED lighting to prevent the colours in such paintings deteriorating further.
Claus Habfast, from the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France, where some of the artworks were studied, said: "LED lights appear to have many advantages but museums should carefully consider that paintings from the Van Gogh era could be affected by them.
"Paintings that have moderate darkening will find this accelerates in the coming years.
"Of course, it's not advisable to put these paintings in the dark because they are part of the cultural heritage of humankind and the public wants to see them. But museums have to strike the right balance."
LED lighting has become an increasingly popular choice with art institutions in recent years as an energy-efficient alternative to fluorescent light bulbs. It was also thought to provide better protection for pictures by avoiding the harm caused by the effects of natural light and other forms of illumination.
But a series of experiments provoked by art curators' growing fears that a number of their masterpieces were darkening in colour has suggested that some types of LED lights may be to blame for the damage.
A team of scientists in France and Germany used ultra-powerful X-ray technology to analyse the bright-yellow tones in paintings by Van Gogh, Cézanne and Gauguin.
The research focused on three shades of chrome-yellow paint, which is otherwise known as lead chromate. The most regular form of this colouring, middle yellow, was found to be chemically stable. But two other variations – primrose and lemon shades – began to turn brown or olive green when placed under the green-blue rays emitted by some LED lights.
Letizia Monico, who was part of the research group that conducted the experiment, said they found a number of masterpieces had been affected by this reaction.
She said: "We have found the unstable forms of chrome yellow in several well-known paintings, such as Portrait of Gauguin and the famous Vase with Sunflowers at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam."
Find the whole story here: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/sunflowers-wilt-van-goghs-masterpiece-is-slowly-turning-brown-as-a-result-of-exposure-to-led-lighting-8449304.html




February 17, 2013

Surprising effects of green tea on cancer

You might want to consider switching your black tea to green based on two recent human clinical studies into the anti-cancer effects of catechins, antioxidants found in green tea leaves.
Prostate cancer results
A study published in the journal Cancer Research showed that men who supplemented with 600 mg a day of green tea catechins exhibited a preventive effect in the transition from pre-malignant prostate lesions to full blown prostate cancer. Only 3% developed prostate cancer, compared to 30% in the group not taking catechins. The catechins group also had consistently lower PSA levels.

Breast cancer study
In a study reported by the American Association for Cancer Research, a group of women diagnosed with hormone-receptor negative breast cancer were given various doses of green tea catechins (400, 600 or 800 mg, twice daily) or a placebo for a period of six months. The green tea catechins encouraged cancer cell suicide (a good thing!) and inhibited signaling pathways within cancer cells linked to the spread of tumours.

How much?
Although animal studies have shown that high doses of catechins may damage the liver, humans have not shown liver damage at dosages used in the studies above.

Hepatologists suggest not supplementing with more than 10 mg of catechins per kilogram of body weight, daily. For green tea drinkers, 10 cups per day is the recommended limit.
Supplement containing 600 mg of green tea extract could be a typical dose. It also contains chromium and hydroxycitric acid. The synergistic effect of these three ingredients has been shown to help keep blood sugar and triglycerides in the ideal range, burn excess body fat and enhance lean mass when combined with exercise and adequate protein intake
Which type?
  •  White tea is very unprocessed, and likewise there's more beneficial chemicals or compounds associated with it.
  • Green tea is a little bit more processed, it's been steamed a little bit more; oxidation of the chemicals occur.
  • Black tea is the most processed of the tea leaves. The chemicals become more oxidized and there's fewer reported benefits from black tea than green or white tea.

February 13, 2013

R.I.P. Incandescent Light Bulbs: 1879-2013

 
Have you replaced all your incandescent light bulbs with CFLs yet?  I haven’t, but I have made a start replacing the bulbs as they have burned out.  My guess is that I have about one half of my lighting by CFLs now with more to come.  My conclusion is that CFLs serve the purpose but they flat do not put out the same amount of light even though I am saving energy.  They are terrible for reading, at least in my opinion.  A good old 150 or 200 watt incandescent cannot be beat.
As of the first of the year, the manufacture and sale of 75-watt incandescents is against the law.  That ban happened to 100-watt bulbs last year.  Next year, 60 and 40-watt bulbs go on the no-no list.  All of that is due to the controversial Energy Independence and Security Act (ESIA) of 2007.  The Act does not ban the actual use or purchase of these bulbs, just their manufacture and sale.  As a result, it is hard to find a 100 watt bulb these days.  The same for 75 and 60 watters.  In fact most incandescents are in short supply.  Several key light bulb factories in the U.S. have closed as a result.  The whole idea is to force us all to save energy buy using more expensive CFL and LED bulbs.  Watch out for the light bulb police.
I had a couple of recessed kitchen floods go out recently.  I really had to shop around for some of these.  It took three stops before I found what I needed in a Home Depot.  I paid just under $10 for a package of three 65-watt floods.  The LED equivalents were $27 a pop.  That make me wonder if light bulb manufacturers are cutting down on all bulbs, banned or not.  I wonder when the light bulb smuggling and black market will begin?
One thing I did notice during bulb shopping was the increase in the number of halogen bulbs.  These are incandescents but with the halogen gas they put out more lumens per watt than your basic incandescent.  These are the legal incandescents.  For example, the legal 72-watt halogen puts out the same lumens as an old style 100 watter.  This is a good interim choice if you are still an incandescent lover.
I think the big question for the home owner is: Am I really saving money?  Probably not.  According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the Department of Energy, residential lighting represents only 9 to 13% of total electrical power usage.  Most electrical energy goes to refrigerators, air conditioning, water heaters, and other appliances.  So if you replace all your bulbs with CFLs or LEDs you are only saving a fraction of your total electrical bill.  Offset that with the higher cost of these high tech bulbs and you may break even.  Since the newer bulbs last much longer, you may eventually come out ahead financially, but you won’t actually feel any difference in the meantime.  Is this saving energy?  Yes, but is a small percentage per home.  But it does add up if others are doing the same.
Find more here: http://demo.electronicdesign.com/blog/communiqu





10 Steps to Remove BPA from Your Body in Less Than a Week BPA is Everywhere.

It’s in everything we touch, everything we eat, everything we buy: it’s hidden in grocery store receipts and beauty products, in coffee cups and soda cans, in the very food and water we need to live. So, what’s the big deal? We’ve survived so far. Or… have we? Cancer and autoimmune disease rates continue to rise steadily. In 2009, EWG tests found estrogen-disrupting  levels of BPA in 9 of 10 umbilical cord blood samples. We all have BPA in our bodies. There’s nothing we can do about it. Right?
 

You can Remove BPA from Your Body.

And you can do it in less than a week. BPA is metabolized by the body very quickly. A recent study found that participants were able to reduce the levels of BPA in their body by 65% in three days just by avoiding packaged foods. By eliminating additional hidden sources of BPA in your environment you can increase that number, as well as reducing many other toxic chemicals that are found in plastics like phthalates, and polyethylene. Here’s how.

1. Just Say No to BPA-loaded Receipts
Did you know that some receipts contain 250 to 1,000 times the amount of BPA typically found in a can of food?  If that isn’t scary enough, BPA transfers readily from the receipt to skin and cannot be washed off. Different types of receipts contain varying levels of BPA. If you aren’t sure whether or not a merchant uses BPA in their receipts, either ask directly or let them know early in the transaction that you will not need your receipt. Gas station receipts are particularly notorious for containing huge amounts of BPA.
2. Avoid Packaged Food
True, you might have to give up potato chips. But, maybe that’s not such a bad thing. So, what will you possibly eat? There are many safe options available to replace the packaged staples in your kitchen. You can buy fresh bread from the bakery in paper, milk in glass bottles, bring a glass container for cheese and meat from the deli, buy cereal in bulk, get beans and grains from the bulk bin in your own cloth or paper bag. Forgo the packaged salad greens for unpackaged – use cloth or paper bags in the produce aisle.
3. Switch to a Safe BPA-free Water Bottle
You know that funny taste that your plastic water bottle gets when you leave it in the sun? That’s the taste of chemicals leaching into your water. Doesn’t sound very refreshing, does it? There are many safe stainless steel and glass alternatives to plastic bottles. My favourites are those made with 100% safe glass, with stainless steel or silicone in place of a plastic top. If you choose a stainless steel option, make sure to get one that is not lined with plastic. While you’re at it, skip the water cooler for fill-ups. Those big plastic jugs are loaded with BPA too. Tap is safer.
4. Store Food in Glass
Did you know that even “safe” plastics can leach toxic chemicals³ once they are washed in a dishwasher or scrubbed with detergent and a sponge? Why take the chance? Ditch those plastic tubs in place of safe all-glass alternatives. For on the go or smaller items, forgo plastic wrap and plastic sandwich bags in place of small glass containers, wax paper bags, or parchment paper.
5. Avoid Canned Foods
92% of all canned food is lined with BPA coating. Look for alternatives in glass jars (most will have BPA lined lids but overall contamination is much less) or stick to these safe BPA-free brands: Eden Foods (except tomatoes), Wild Planet tuna, Vital Choice tuna, Native Forest  and Native Factor canned goods.
6. Give up Soda

Believe it or not, even aluminum soda cans are lined with BPA. If you can’t give up soda, you can always buy a brand that comes in a glass bottle.

7. Eat at Home
Most  food  in restaurants originates from highly packaged sources or is stored in plastic. As a result, almost all restaurant food is loaded with BPA. Eating at home and bringing your lunch to work more often will help reduce the BPA in your body.

8. Make your Own Coffee
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a local coffee shop that brews in glass, a cup of  to-go coffee comes in contact with BPA during each stage of the brewing process. From the plastic bag the beans are stored in, to the hot plastic coffee maker it’s brewed in, the thermos it’s kept hot in, and the plastic – lined cup it’s served in. For a BPA- free brew, buy beans from bulk, store in glass, and drip brew with paper filters, a stainless steel filter and glass carafe, or stainless steel French press. Pour into a ceramic cup and, voila! BPA-free coffee to go.

9. Buy Personal-care Products in Glass, Paper or Metal.
BPA, phthalates, and other toxic chemicals can leach into beauty products from a plastic container and absorb into your skin. Work to eventually phase out these items by replacing them with safe-packaged alternatives as they run out. If you are on a budget, most beauty products can be made from simple ingredients.
10. Replace Plastic Items with Safer Alternatives
Because BPA, phthalates and other plasticizers are not chemically bound to the plastics they’re added to, they are continuously released into our air and transferred to our skin when touched. Begin to replace plastic items in your household as you are able. Children are especially vulnerable to plastic chemical exposure. Gradually replace children’s toys and tableware with safer, non-plastic options. Even choosing natural fibres over synthetic clothing (did you know spandex is made of plastic?) can reduce the amount of plastic chemicals stored in your body.
 

Of course, we can never completely eliminate plastic from our lives

But, the more plastic we avoid, the less BPA in our bodies. Have I eliminated synthetic clothing? Um, no. And I do eat a bag of potato chips now and then. Although it can be done in 3 days, gradual changes will result in a slow and steady reduction of BPA too. It’s all about knowing how BPA gets into our bodies and cultivating an awareness of plastic so we can consider opportunities to avoid it. It’s about empowering ourselves with the knowledge to make healthy choices.


Search This Blog