Green Leafy Veggies May Cut Diabetes Risk

People who add more green leafy vegetables to their diet may significantly reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a new study says.

Patrice Carter, a research nutritionist at the University of Leicester, and colleagues reviewed six studies involving more than 220,000 people that focused on the links between fruits and vegetables and type 2 diabetes.

They conclude that eating one and one half servings of green leafy vegetables per day reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by 14%.
However, they also found that eating more fruits and vegetables combined doesn’t seem to affect this risk. Fruit and Vegetable Intake Although many studies have found that diets high in fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, many people don’t seem to be getting the message, researchers say.

For example:
* 86% of adults in the United Kingdom ate less than the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, according to a 2002 study.
* 62% ate fewer than three servings.

Eat More Vegetables
The authors say that fruits and vegetables can prevent several chronic diseases, likely because of their antioxidant content.
Spinach and other green leafy veggies may reduce type 2 diabetes risk because of their high concentrations of polyphenols and vitamin C, both of which have antioxidant properties. They also contain magnesium, which may further reduce risk.
They conclude that specific, tailored advice needs to be given to people to encourage them to eat more green leafy vegetables.   Read Full Article




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Health officials gear up for flu vaccination season

 This time last year, health officials were scrambling to protect kids going back to school against what was feared to be an exceptionally deadly flu outbreak. And while that scare has passed, they don't want parents to lower their guard as another academic year approaches.

The H1N1 flu pandemic was far milder than anticipated and was officially declared over this week by the World Health Organization. 
While the United Nations agency declared the H1N1 pandemic over, it urged continued vigilance, as it disproportionately affected young people, and the message is still about vaccination.

We are now moving into the post-pandemic period. The new H1N1 virus has largely run its course,” said Margaret Chan, director-general of WHO. The announcement comes 14 months after H1N1 was declared a pandemic by the U.N. body.

According to the WHO, the virus had spread with "unprecedented speed," reaching 120 countries and territories in less than two months.

Chan says she expects the H1N1 virus "to take on the behavior of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come."

Officials point to a new recommendation from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that everyone 6 months and older be immunized against seasonal flu rather than just vulnerable groups.



Although the world is entering a "post-pandemic period," this does not mean that the H1N1 virus has gone away, Chan said. It just means the H1N1 virus will behave more like a seasonal flu virus and continue to circulate for years to come.



Officials point to a new recommendation from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that everyone 6 months and older be immunized against seasonal flu rather than just vulnerable groups.






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Communication between you and your doctors

Did you know you can help your doctors improve the care they give you? It can be as simple as telling them everything you know about your health -- past and present.

The more you share, the better they can care!

Communication between you, your primary care doctor and all the specialists you see is vital to your health and well-being.
Through this team effort, your doctors can help make sure the care you get is the best kind for you.

At every visit, tell your doctors these things about your health:


* Health status.  How you feel and any symptoms you may be having.


* History. Updates to your medical and surgical history and your family's history.


* Medicine. All the medicine you take (prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins and herbal remedies). Remember to ask if each medication is safe to take with the others.


* Doctor's visits. Other doctors you have recently seen, their telephone numbers and the reason for each visit.


* Tests. Any tests you have had. Also mention who ordered the tests, where they were done and the results of each one.


* Hospital visits. Any urgent care, emergency room visits or hospital stays and the reason for the care.

Use these tips to get the most out of your doctor's visits:

* Ask questions! Make a list of questions before your visit to make sure you get all the answers you're looking for.


* Share your symptoms and discuss your diagnosis. (A diagnosis is any health condition your doctor identifies.) Providing this information can help you and your doctor make shared decisions about your care.


* Listen carefully to what your doctor is saying. Repeat back what your doctor tells you. This helps ensure you understand it. It also gives the doctor a chance to clear up any misunderstandings.


* Get any prescriptions you need (new or renewals). Ask what each medication is for and how and when to take each one. Learn what side effects to watch for and what to do if you experience one or more of them.


* Make all follow-up appointments to be sure all your health care needs are met. Start the communication process now!




Using this list, write down some things to tell and ask your doctor at your next visit. It can make a difference.






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Men's Health, A Father's Day Gift For Us All

June is Men's Health Month! Take this opportunity to schedule your own medical checkup. Care for yourself now so you can share many happy, healthy years with the ones you love.

 

 

Why is seeing a doctor so important?

Consider the connection between these three statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention*:

1. Men are 100 percent less likely than women to seek preventive care.
2. Men have a lower life expectancy than women.
3. Men are more likely than women to die from many preventable diseases. This includes hypertension, heart disease and many cancers.

Early screening can find diseases before symptoms begin to show. The earlier a disease is found, the more likely it can be treated. So seeing your doctor and getting the screenings you need could mean the difference between finding a disease while it can still be treated and finding it when it has become serious and could cause more permanent damage.

Call your doctor today!

Throughout June, health care professionals, policy makers, the media and the public are raising awareness about the health issues that most affect men. They are also drawing attention to the effectiveness of early screening for finding and treating disease.
This month and always, men are urged to get the medical care that could make the difference.

Things you can do right now!
Men's health starts right at home. Here are some ways to get started today.

• Find a doctor you like. The more comfortable you feel with your doctors, the more likely you are to call them for medical advice.
• Know your numbers. At every visit, get your cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), Vitamin D  and blood pressure checked. Make sure to ask your doctor about the screenings that are right for you. 
• Healthy Eating. More Vegetables, grains, nuts and fruit. 

• Walking. A little exercise goes a long way toward lowering your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. It can also boost your energy and mood, help manage your weight, and even promote a better night's sleep.

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Vegetarians Might Be On To Something

The latest federal suggestions for how Americans should eat were issued on Tuesday morning: You can have an egg for breakfast, just not the bacon. There is nothing wrong with eating meat, but the government admits vegetarians might be on to something.
As always, we need to eat more vegetables and grains, and less salt. And everyone needs to cook more.
The advice comes from a 13-member board of scientists and nutritionists appointed by the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services Departments to rework the Dietary Guidelines for All Americans. 

The guidelines are reassessed every five years so the government can adjust the official federal position on what constitutes a healthy diet.
This might mean nothing to the average home cook, who worries more about braising times and bagged salad than micronutrients and milligrams. But the guidelines affect what’s served in public schools and anywhere else government money contributes to the food budget, including prisons.

It is the information on which the food pyramid is built and also forms the basis for the work of many the nation’s nutritionists and dietitians.

Perhaps most important for consumers, the guidelines are used to create the formulas in the nutritional information labels on almost every package product. For the food industry, whether pork producers, vegetable farmers or processors of potato chips and soda, even slight changes in the recommended levels of fruit, salt or other aspects of the typical American diet can mean millions of dollars won or lost in the grocery stores.

The guidelines won’t be officially issued until the fall, after the agriculture department has a chance to consider the advisory committee’s report and listen to public comment on them.

Among the suggestions:
* Lower the maximum daily amount of sodium to 1,500 milligrams from 2,300 milligrams. The current dietary guidelines suggest the lower limit for adults with high blood pressure, but the advisory committee members believe the number of people at-risk for health problems connected to sodium is so great the entire ceiling should be lower. That won’t be easy. Americans on average consume more than 3,400 milligrams daily, according to the American Heart Association.
* Eat less “solid fat,” another way to describe saturated fat. The means fewer processed meats like sausages, bacon and ribs. The total amount of saturated fat in the daily diet should drop to 7 percent of total calories, from the previously recommended 10 percent.
* Drink fewer sugar-sweetened beverages.
* Eat more seafood and low-fat dairy products.
* Eat more vegetables, cooked dry beans and peas, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds. The report suggests that people who are on a vegetarian diet have lower blood pressure and weigh less. As a corollary, access to fresh produce needs to be improved.
* Nutritional education, cooking skills and food safety needs to be strengthened, especially among families. The idea is to get people to cook and eat at home more.
* Lose the concept of “discretionary calories,” which was added in 2005. The idea was that people who ate according to the guidelines would have a handful of calories left over to indulge in ice cream or chips or other food with less nutritional value compared with the calorie hit. The more physically active you are, the more discretionary calories you could have.         Via NY Times

12 Steps To Optimal Health

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Grocery Store Wars, Check Out This Video

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Walking- It Can Boost Your Energy And Mood

There's just no question that regular physical activity is an essential ingredient of a healthy lifestyle. A little exercise goes a long way toward lowering your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. It can also boost your energy and mood, help manage your weight, and even promote a better night's sleep.
There are lots of ways to exercise. You can take a dance class, go for a swim, or join a yoga class. But the simplest way is to start walking. You can walk anywhere, anytime, with anyone. All you need are comfortable clothes and a good pair of walking shoes.

Staying motivated is half the battle when you are trying to establish and stick to an exercise routine.
Change things up by taking different routes from time to time. Invite a friend, partner or spouse along. If purpose is what keeps you going, consider walking to do your errands or park a little further away from your destination.
Enjoy your walk !


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Don't Fry Day Is May 28th

Safety Tips for Your Fun in the Sun

At last, beautiful weather is here! Before going outside, plan to protect your skin. By following some simple steps, you can help yourself avoid skin cancer -- the most common form of cancer in the US.
Skin cancer affects more than one million people in America annually. Most of these cases are thought to be sun-related. Melanoma is the most serious type of sun-related skin cancer.

 Skin cancer prevention: a concern for us all
All people are at risk for skin cancer, no matter our skin color. Unfortunately, those of us with darker complexions tend not to see ourselves as being at risk. As a result, skin cancer may not be detected early enough, making us much more likely to die from skin cancer than people with lighter complexions. So it's important for all of us to be aware of effective prevention, early detection and prompt treatment.

Make sun safety a part of your life! 

To keep your skin healthy and burn-free, follow these tips from the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention and the American Cancer Society:

1.    Avoid tanning in the sun and at the salon. You've probably heard that the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause skin cancer and wrinkles. Did you know that the same goes for tanning beds? If you want to look sun-kissed, try a sunless tanning product. It's available at most pharmacies. Don't forget to wear your sunscreen along with it!
2.    Wear lots of sunscreen. Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, even when it's cloudy out. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. It should be labeled "broad spectrum." This means that it protects you from two types of ultraviolet rays -- UVA and UVB. Put on more sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or heavy sweating.
3.    Wear protective clothing. Long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses are smart clothing options for your outdoor play.
4.    Stay in the shade, when possible. Between 10 am and 4 pm, the sun's rays are at their strongest -- and most dangerous. The shade of an umbrella or tree can keep those rays away.
5.    Be careful near the water and sand. Being on the beach or cooling off in the pool may feel great, but water and sand reflect the sun's rays, increasing the chance for sunburn.

Examining your skin

Finding skin cancer early is the best way to make sure it can be treated effectively. That's why it's important to check your skin at least once a month.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you develop or are concerned with any of the following:
·    Any change in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole or skin growth.
·    A sore that does not heal.
·    A change in the sensation, itchiness, tenderness or pain of a skin growth.
·    Redness or a new swelling beyond the border of a mole or mark.


Learn more!
For extra tips and resources, visit the Web sites of the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention and the American Cancer Society.
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Vitamin D: You Are Probably NOT Getting Enough

What vitamin may we need in amounts up to 25 times higher than the government recommends for us to be healthy?
What vitamin deficiency affects 70-80 percent of the population, is almost never diagnosed and has been linked to many cancers, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic muscle pain, bone loss and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis?
What vitamin is almost totally absent from our food supply? What vitamin is the hidden cause of much suffering that is easy to treat?
The answer to all of these questions is vitamin D.

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Talk Your Way to Good Health!

Did you know you can help your doctors improve the care they give you? It can be as simple as telling them everything you know about your health -- past and present. The more you share, the better they can care!

Communication between you, your primary care doctor and all the specialists you see is vital to your health and well-being. Through this team effort, your doctors can help make sure the care you get is the best kind for you.
At every visit, tell your doctors these things about your health:

• Health status. How you feel and any symptoms you may be having.

• History. Updates to your medical and surgical history and your family's history.

• Medicine. All the medicine you take (prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins and herbal remedies). Remember to ask if each medication is safe to take with the others.

• Doctor's visits. Other doctors you have recently seen, their telephone numbers and the reason for each visit.

• Tests. Any tests you have had. Also mention who ordered the tests, where they were done and the results of each one.

• Hospital visits. Any urgent care, emergency room visits or hospital stays and the reason for the care. 

 Use these tips to get the most out of your doctor's visits:

• Ask questions! Make a list of questions before your visit to make sure you get all the answers you're looking for.

• Share your symptoms and discuss your diagnosis. (A diagnosis is any health condition your doctor identifies.) Providing this information can help you and your doctor make shared decisions about your care.

• Listen carefully to what your doctor is saying. Repeat back what your doctor tells you. This helps ensure you understand it. It also gives the doctor a chance to clear up any misunderstandings.

• Get any prescriptions you need (new or renewals). Ask what each medication is for and how and when to take each one. Learn what side effects to watch for and what to do if you experience one or more of them.

• Make all follow-up appointments to be sure all your health care needs are met.

Start the communication process now! Using this list, write down some things to tell and ask your doctor at your next visit. It can make a difference.

Food Allergies

"Hey, do you want some?" your friend asks as he offers you a mouthwatering homemade brownie. You're tempted by the delicious dessert, but then you see the crushed peanuts on top. Darn! You're allergic to peanuts. Maybe just one little bite?

Nope. If you have a food allergy, even a very tiny bit of that food can make you sick. It's better to say no thanks to the brownie and have a nut-free dessert. Lots of kids have food allergies — about 3 million in the United States alone.

These foods cause the most food allergies:

• eggs
• peanuts and other nuts
• seafood, such as shrimp
• milk, particularly cow's milk
• soy
• wheat

What Is a Food Allergy?

Food allergies occur when your immune system makes a mistake. Normally, your immune system protects you from germs and disease. It does this by making antibodies that help you fight off bacteria, viruses, and other tiny organisms that can make you sick. But if you have a food allergy, your immune system mistakenly treats something in a certain food as if it's really dangerous to you.

Doctors believe that allergies could be hereditary, which means if your parent or other close relative has certain allergies like hay fever, you're more likely to develop the allergies. Some kids are born allergic to certain foods, whereas others develop food allergies over time. This may be due to someone's surroundings or changes in the body as they grow older.

So if you are not sure if you are allergic to something its better to not eat that item at all.

Important Things to Remember:

• Read Labels
• When handling multiple food allergies, its best to use different utensils when preparing meals
• Eat Real and Fresh Natural Foods

 There are lots of good sites to check out with alot of useful tips.
      http://allergymoms.com/index.php
      http://www.foodallergymama.com

 


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