Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

One Word: Amazing

Published by James Fishman on January 30th, 2012

 

A lady who was born with Sacral Agenesis, gave birth not once, but twice, to two healthy children.  The disorder she was born with rednered her with half a body.  Her parents made the decision to amputate her legs – a decision Rose later said she was happy about – so that she wouldn’t be confined to a wheelchair and could lead a “normal” childhood.  At school they wanted her to be fitted with prosthetic legs so she’d “fit in” more but she fought them and won.

Anyway, some years later she met Dave Siggins, they fell in love and got married.  Siggins does not have any kind of disability.  He managed to take her problems in his stride, joking that he didn’t have to worry about her getting cold feet before the wedding and that the cake was bigger than the bride!  The two had a normal sex life with Dave again joking that her legs don’t get in the way.

Rose found out she was pregnant two years into their relationship.  Every doctor told her to abort except Dr. Wilson who pointed out, “this couple have committed themselves to a pregnancy and she is, basically, laying her life on the line because nobody knows what this means, no-one has lived this experience before.”  He did however warn that should she go ahead, she could die.  She told her mother that if it came to it, the baby – not her – should be saved.

Her miracle baby was born but then two years later Rose’s mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer so it was left to Rose to hold the family together. Meanwhile her father had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia, so, like her mentally disabled brother, did not understand what was happening. Rose looked after them all and then had another baby of her own!

When asked quite simply, how she does it, she replies, “a lot of people with disabilities feel that life owes them something, and I was raised in a way that no, no-one owes you a dime. The world doesn't owe you anything, this is what you have and you use your resources and you get through life. My personal opinion is, get up and go for it, just do it.”

Like I said, one word: amazing.

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Coffee and Type 2 Diabetes

Published by James Fishman on January 22nd, 2012

Research has found that those who drink a lot of coffee have a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.  According to a report in the ACS’ Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry compiled by Kun Huang, Ling Zheng et. al, those who drink at least four cups of coffee per day have a 50 percent lower risk of developing this debilitating disease (which accounts for up to 95 percent of cases of diabetes).  Perhaps even more interesting, each additional Cuppa Joe that is consumed per day brings with it a further 7 percent of reduced chance of being afflicted with Type 2 diabetes.

Coffee Composition

So what is it in coffee that is causing this preventive health benefit?  According to the study, it appears that one of the substances in the beverage is a potential hIAPP blocker.  hIAPP – human islet amyloid polypeptide – could be able to be blocked by a substance contained in coffee.  The researchers have identified two categories of compounds contained in coffee that “significantly inhibit hIAPP.”

So keep the dark brown granules in your cup and throw over that boiling water without any guilt of coffee being bad for you.
 

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Interesting Nutritious Food for Toddlers

Published by James Fishman on January 17th, 2012

With the incidence of obesity and diabetes on the increase, many organizations in the UK are realizing how important it is to provide healthy, nutritious meals for kids in preschools to start the education early. The National Day Nurseries Association, the National Child-minding Association and the Pre-School Learning Alliance are backing the School Food Trust program that is implementing nutritious food programs for the kids.  So what will be happening is that chicken nuggets and fish fingers won’t be welcome on the menu anymore.  New nutrition guidelines will be put in place and food such as risotto, vegetable stew and tuna. 

The UK Government has backed these guidelines.  Currently, preschools are spending a very small amount of money – around 30 cents – on each child’s meal.  Research has (not surprisingly) shown that only one third of parents are satisfied with the food their children are receiving.

Healthy Snacks

Once on the subject of healthy, nutritious food for kids, snacks have been brought under the limelight as well.  For example, instead of granola bars that are mainly chocolate-based, or potato chips, vegetable sticks, rice-cakes and fruit are being suggested as a replacement. 

One of the reasons this scheme is being implemented is because kids are just not getting the appropriate food which means they are not consuming energy-rich foods or enough vitamins and minerals.  The plan has received the full backing of Sarah Teather, the Children’s Minister and Lib-Dem MP.

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Make 2012 Your Get Fit Year

Published by James Fishman on January 10th, 2012

New Year’s Resolutions are very popular, but it seems that they are often difficult to carry through and, at some time around February, one finds they have readopted their old habits.  This is especially true when it comes to exercise and healthy eating.  But the truth is, any changes one makes do not have to be so dramatic.  As well, it is important –vis-à-vis exercise – to find something that is not boring.

Suggestions for Getting Fit

So here are a few suggestions for ways to get fit.  Check out the different Workout DVD’s available such as Jari Love’s Extremely Ripped Boot Camp DVD for $14.99.  This is perfect for those who never feel as if they have enough time.  In fact, any DVD is good for that as it can be done at home. This one offers six 10-minute workouts exercising abs and cardio and using weights. In addition there are two 30-minute workouts and an even longer one that spans for 18 music tracks.  Or, if you just want to focus on cardio or abs, that is another option.  This DVD certainly will not leave you bored.

For those who feel the need to get out, walk more.  You do not necessarily have to spend the money to sign up for a gym membership if you don’t want to spend the money.  Just take every opportunity to walk, put on a pedometer and see how many steps you clock up each day.  Also, find a friend to team up with for fitness so you can encourage each other.

Eating Better

Eating healthily does not necessarily mean cutting out all the good, fun treats.  A bit of modification is needed. Ensure the house is stocked with fruit and vegetables – for those who despise raw vegetables, make soups instead.  When going out to dinner, choose healthier options like fish rather than pasta and either just have a bite of dessert or order a coffee to finish off your meal.  There are many – easy – ways to introduce healthier eating habits into your life. 

So don’t make a New Year’s Resolution, just make 2012 the year that you will be getting as healthy as possible.

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One Whole Century, He’s Still Serving Patients

Published by James Fishman on January 4th, 2012

Yes, indeed.  A doctor who just turned one hundred, is still making house calls to his patients.  According to Dr. Fred Goldman, this is a crucial part of his work since a lot of them are too sick to leave their houses.   He has been serving his patients faithfully for 76 years and a couple of weeks ago, tons of them came to throw him a surprise birthday party.  But it ended up with him surprising them as he showed up an hour-and-a-half early.  Still, there must have been some surprise element as he said he nearly had a heart attack on seeing so many people gather there for him.

At 100-years old, Goldman is the oldest licensed physician who is practicing medicine in Ohio.  At the party he couldn’t stop himself from being in his natural element by asking his patients about their various ailments.

Still, some people are surprised that his patients are so loyal to him.  Why would they want to be treated by such an elderly doctor?  Well, one of his patients – fourth generation – explained it simply:  “he’s seen it all and he knows everything.”  Now that is a pretty tough argument with which to contend.

Goldman’s Later Career Path

In 2007, Dr. Goldman asked Dr. Leo Wayne – who was 81-years-old at the time – to join him.  But Wayne was ready to retire, and, at age 96, Goldman cut back from five to three eight-hour work days.  Wayne said he would not suggest Goldman retire.  He is a great diagnostician, knows his patients and realizes he’s still up to the job.  In addition, he said that most people his age don’t feel a thing; “they’re dead,” he added, to a roar of laughter from the crowd.

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Why Breaking the Bulge is so Hard

Published by James Fishman on December 13th, 2011

There have been many studies over the years as to why it is apparently so tough for some people to lose weight.  But now, new research is indicating that those who are losing the battle shouldn’t feel so bad.  Apparently, they might not be 100% to blame.  In theory, our taste-buds did originally crave healthy food, but over the years have been genetically-engineered to crave high fat, sugar and calorie foods.  In other words, the problem is, we’ve created foods that taste better than nature’s so it has become tougher to market cucumber than a bucket of popcorn.

This leads to greater problems as unhealthy foods can be extremely addictive.  One study even showed that when rats were given processed foods regularly, their brain chemistry changed and they became obese, losing the capacity to determine when they were hungry and refused healthy food.

Good News for Bulge Battlers

It’s not all doom and gloom though for those battling the bulge.  It is possible to become “addicted” to healthy foods once you eat lots of them and quit with the unhealthy ones.  For example, Marcia Pelchat, a food psychologist, gave test participants a low-fat drink that wasn’t so tasty and after drinking it for a while, they enjoyed it.  So if you don’t initially like tomatoes, try eating them every day for a couple of weeks and see if your taste-buds adapt.

Like any habit, eating unhealthily takes time to change.  But if you keep at it, there is a way to become a healthy eater and win the battle against the bulge for good.

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