August 9th 2010
According to research from California Institute of Technology and Cedars Sinai Medical Center, a brain in a state of relaxation are better able to remember new information. Although previous research have demonstrated the same things, this is the 1st piece of research which demonstrates a specific effect on memory. In other words human behavior is effected by the state of the brain.
July 31st 2010
According to reports from the Chicago Tribune, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner is important. If you get hungry at other times during the day, you should be eating smaller meals (snacks) spaced throughout the day. Making breakfast the largest meal and dinner the smallest of the day, and drinking plenty water.
Much of the above has been heard, but one small tip is brushing your teeth after each meal helps to curb your appetite, as well as the psychological attitude of if you keep your teeth clean you may be less likely to over eat between meals because you’re less likely to want to stain your teeth.
Staying mentally or physically active keeps your mind off of eating; boredom is a big cause of people eating later in the day.
July 22nd 2010
Drinking cold fluids lowers core body temperature by some 70%. Liquid calories that you consume are converted to energy and lost as heat. So if your exercise is intense you produce more heat, the heat you produce actually slows your performance because your heart has to work harder to pump extra blood from your hot muscles to the skin to dissipate the heat. Several studies have shown that consuming cold fluids while you exercise lowers your body temperature and improve your performance on average by 10% (International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, April 2010).
July 22nd 2010
Researchers at Rutgers and Columbia Universities released their study prior to publication, poor kids are more likely to be given antipsychotic drugs than middle class kids and for less serious conditions.
Previous research showed rates of illness was 2 times higher in families with poor kids, but it doesn’t explain why these kids are prescribed drugs 4 times higher than kids from middle class families. However 1 explanation may be due to doctors prescribe more drugs to Medicaid patients because the public insurer pays less for non drug treatments like counseling than private insurance companies.
The doctors believe this method is easier for patients and doctors, but what’s not clear is what they’re prescribing and for what. The study found that kids on Medicaid were significantly more likely to be prescribed antipsychotic drugs for conduct disorders, hyperactivity, aggression or defiance than middle class kids, who were more likely to be prescribed the drugs for severe mental conditions.
Medicare spends more on antipsychotics than any other drug class, $7.9 billion per year
July 20th 2010
Researcher from University of California Berkeley found that people who take naps during the day are improving their overall brain function. Scientist have long been trying to figure out whether or not mid day naps are beneficial. This study seems to suggest that naps help a person to process short term memories into long term ones, clearing the temp storage portion of the brain so that new information can take its place.
July 19th 2010
Researchers from Columbia University has found that people who consume nuts, poultry, fish, veggies, fruits and olive oil lower their risk of developing Alzheimer disease by 40%. Researchers commented that Diet is probably the easiest way to modify disease risk.
Other studies focused on food groups that are commonly associated with lowering Alzheimer disease risk. These foods have omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, B vitamins, folate and vitamin E. In this study people who ate less red meat and dairy products, consumed more fruits, veggies, nuts and fish.
A heart healthy diet protects the brain from strokes, which in turn protect people from developing Alzheimer disease. The researchers did make clear that diet only works preventatively and that there is no cure for Alzheimer however other studies do seem to indicate that high doses of certain nutrients and foods may actually reverse the serious form of dementia that afflicts more than 26 million people around world.
June 8th 2010
Research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute demonstrated that over diagnosis of cancer is a problem in the U. S. The authors of the study concluded that this development needs to be guided based on clinical and research strategies to quantify, recognize and deal with cancer ’s over diagnosis.
The finding revealed that about 25% of breast cancer detected on mammograms, 60% of prostate cancer detected with a PSA test could represent an over diagnosis. Lung cancer diagnosed with chest x-ray and sputum test estimates are that about 50% are over diagnosed. CT colonography also detects abnormalities outside the colon that can lead to miss diagnosis.
The researchers mentioned several ways to address the problem of over diagnosis, educating patients about the risks and benefits involved with early detection. Or raising the threshold at which screening test results are labeled abnormal and treatment is needed.
June 6th 2010
According to the Journal of the American Diabetic Association, inaccurate calorie labeling is widespread both in packaging and restaurant meals. The amount is significant about 5% which would add approximately 10 lbs of weight to an individual per year. Some food label did have lower than advertised calories on their labels, most calorie labels tended to be higher than whats on the label.
April 26th 2010
Study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine reports 3 years who watch TV or is exposed to TV display more aggressive behaviors than kids who do not. The researchers believe that this aggressive behavior is due to the lack of parental interest in the child which occur in households where parents watch an excessive amount of TV. Families with the TV on all the time are less likely to monitor what the child is watching, thus allowing the child to watch inappropriate shows. Another important observation in these household settings is that eating patterns are disturbed as is communication between family members in houses where the TV is on all the time.
Parents who are addicted to TV do not interact often with their children and are more likely to neglect proper discipline, resulting in increased aggressive behavior. Children in these households tend not to be read to or play outside, which leads to developmental deficiencies versus parents who limit TV viewing and spend more time with their child.
April 16th 2010
A recent study conducted in Germany found that long term physical activity resulted in anti aging effects. The protective caps found on the ends of cell chromosomes shorten with age but that they shorten slower with people who engaged in regular exercise.
Scientist believe that even moderate levels of exercise is responsible for slowing the aging process and may even reverse it. Studies have already discovered that exercise done regularly help prevent chronic diseases, by lowering cholesterol and reducing blood pressure. Once the aging process has been slowed, other diseases like cancer, stroke and diabetes can also be prevented.
Other studies have found that regular physical activity contributes to increased intelligence and bolsters learning by increasing blood flow to the brain which improve nerve function. Just another reason to get off the couch and get moving.