Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Can Diet Soda Raise Your Stroke Risk?
In this study, volunteers were followed for over 9 years. Appox. 900 of them reported not drinking any diet soda, while appox. 160 reported drinking one or more diet sodas a day. At the end of the study, diet soda consumption, as well as salt intake, was linked to higher rates of strokes, heart attacks and other lethal vascular events.
Read the whole story at:
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/10/diet-soda-and-stroke-is-there-a-link/
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sex After Kids.
When was the last time you had sex? If you can’t remember, chances are you’re married with children. But does that mean you have to go without? Read on for ways to bring back the bedroom bliss…
If you make it past eleven months with no sex whatsoever, you can declare yourself a born-again virgin!”
While sleepless nights are the norm for many new parents, it’s not always exhaustion that’s to blame for post-child celibacy. Many women are self-conscious about their post-baby bodies.
Remember when you used to tear each other’s clothes off. But with pregnancy weight still hanging on, many women don’t feel very sexy or attractive. And your boobs are so huge and swollen, the last thing you want is for your husband to touch you!”
Sometimes, one partner harbors resentment toward the other and withholds sex as punishment.
One Chicago mom says she hated that her husband went to work every day and left her home to handle their newborn.
“Even when he was home, much of the responsibility fell on me. I was furious and jealous,” she says. So she used the “Honey, I have a headache” excuse more than a few times to “get even.”
All this leads to the big question: Is anyone with kids getting any?
About 15%-20% of all marriages are “sexless,” according to a recent Newsweek study, meaning the couples have sex no more than 10 times a year. You read that correctly – that’s less than once a month! And those statistics continue to climb.
Mainly because most women are overworked, overcommitted and overextended financially. And stress is hardly an aphrodisiac.
So what can you do if you’ve lost the lust and want it back?
Make your marriage – and your sex life – a priority, not an afterthought, advises Rachel Blakeman, a Manhattan psychotherapist and managing editor of The Candidate, a psychoanalytical journal.
“Both partners need to make a commitment to bring the passion back into the relationship,” Blakeman says. “Couples should begin by communicating their sexual needs and openly discussing how they can be fulfilled.”
Part of that discussion must include a sex plan for where, when and how often. Then stick to it – even if you’re tired, unenthused or covered in baby food. Remember the movie 9½ Weeks? A little applesauce behind the ears can be sexy… go with it!
“If we want it, we have to seize the moment,” says Christina H. of New York City. “The second our daughter goes down for a nap, we jump on each other – in the kitchen, the living room, whatever. It’s a challenge – but exciting too.”
It isn’t impossible to get your mojo back, Blakeman says – even if it seems like ages since you last made love.
“You and your husband were a team before baby came along. And you can reclaim that intimacy with a little effort.”
Rev Up the Romance
Blakeman suggests taking these 7 simple steps to jump-start your sex life now.
1. Schedule “we” time. Get a Saturday-night sitter, and plan a regular date night. Or just watch a baseball game or movie at home together while drinking beer. It’s about quality – not quantity – and finding the time to be a couple without your little munchkins in the middle.
2. Make the first move. If your spouse isn’t in the mood, take the initiative. Don’t take it personally if he doesn’t take the bait. Just like you, he may simply be too exhausted or stressed. As the saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again… tomorrow.
3. Dress the part. Sleeping in a ratty T-shirt might be comfortable, but it’s not going to make your hubby hot for you. Break out the lacy lingerie or even just a fitted tank top. Better yet, go to bed in the buff.
4. Set the stage. Light candles. Give each other massages. A little ambience goes a long way.
5. Reconnect. Make eye contact, talk to each other (don’t just text or email), hold hands, and really listen to what your spouse has to say.
6. Relive the past. Go to your old haunts – the restaurant where you had your first date, the park bench where he popped the question. Flip through old photo albums from when you were first dating and reminisce about the romantic things you did together. It’s bound to stir up memories… and maybe something else too!
7. Get away, even for a day. Take a break from the everyday, even if it’s only for one or two nights. (Enlist family, friends or a sitter to watch the kids.) Alone time can do wonders for your relationship.
Is Your Love Life in a Lull?
Write down your answers to each question, then check your results at the end of the article.
1. The last time you had sex was:
A) Last night… and the night before… and the night before that.
B) Our anniversary… last year.
C) When the Olsen twins were still in diapers.
2. Your idea of a romantic evening is:
A) A candlelit dinner at a fancy French restaurant.
B) Hamburgers and "Seinfeld" reruns.
C) Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.
3. Your hubby says, “Let’s do it!” You reply:
A) “Last one naked wears the French maid outfit!”
B) “OK, but after I help the kids with their homework.”
C) “Do what?”
4. The song title that best describes your sex life is:
A) “Dirrty!”
B) “What Have You Done for Me Lately?”
C) “Hi-ho, Hi-ho, It’s Off to Work I Go!”
5. Which adjective would your spouse use to describe you in bed?
A) Adventurous
B) Indifferent
C) Comatose
If you answered 3 or more A’s: You have a hot and happening sex life!
You prove that even frazzled moms can be sizzling spouses. Go, girl – you're our hero!
If you answered 3 or more B’s: You’re slowly sinking into a sexless existence!
But you're too tired to realize it. All your chores and activities as a mom are taking their toll on your love life. May we suggest a double espresso... and a game of strip poker?
If you answered 3 or more C’s: It’s time to put away the chastity belt!
You might be feeling loveless these days, but it's not hopeless. You just need to make more time to be together as a couple – not a couple of parents.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Widely used in Europe…Natural Sedative Restores Youthful Sleep.
The Titles below are from the April 2011 edition on Life Extensions Magazine!
If you find yourself routinely struggling to fall asleep—or stay—
asleep—you’re not alone. A staggering 30% of Americans suffer
from chronic insomnia, while approximately 60 million experience
problems falling asleep in a given year.
In addition to it’s impact on mood and quality of life, chronic
insomnia can increase one’s risk for most degenerative diseases.
In search for natural ways to combat this health threat, researchers
have located a set of nutritional compounds called bioactive milk peptides that promote sustained and restful sleep patterns while including a state of relaxation.
Nearly one-third of American adults struggle with chronic insomnia, yet few are aware of the magnitude by which it increases risk for serious disease. Find out how a proprietary nutritional compound widely used in Europe can safely induce relaxation and restful sleep patterns.
The aging of the immune system–termed immunosenescence–increases risk of cancer and infectious illnesses like pneumonia. Cancer patients are especially hard hit with immune suppression caused from the various toxic therapies. Find out what some cancer patients are using to shore up their compromised immune systems.
While a single night of poor sleep can make you look a decade older, chronic insomnia’s long-term impact is more than cosmetic. It gradually destroys skin tissue and may cause dermatitis, eczema, and other skin conditions. The good news is there are clinically validated natural interventions that both combat insomnia and restore skin health.
Egregious manufacturing errors by the world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers are being routinely uncovered, yet the public remains largely unaware. Consumers meanwhile are being misled by baseless attacks against compounding pharmacies. Discover the shocking truth about serious quality-control lapses at Big Pharma.
In a landmark study, University of California researchers reversed functional declines in immune cells taken from humans 65 years and older using an analog of the infamous drug thalidomide. Find out how very low doses of this drug may someday reverse the decline in immune function that accompanies normal aging.
The dermatological procedure known as microdermabrasion ranks among the most popular ways to restore aging skin in the US today. Unfortunately, it’s both expensive and poses some health risks. A novel exfoliant that harnesses the unique properties of amber crystals has been identified as an effective, affordable, safe alternative.
The aging of the immune system–termed immunosenescence–increases risk of cancer and infectious illnesses like pneumonia. Cancer patients are especially hard hit with immune suppression caused from the various toxic therapies. Find out what some cancer patients are using to shore up their compromised immune systems.
Life Extension Magazine® is extraordinarily easy to use, easy-to-navigate … with the same flip-the-page feeling you get from your printed copy, plus a few extra advantages. You can choose to search out a topic or keyword. Skim quickly. Skip ahead. Even order products. Now all that convenience is right at your fingertips., and conveniently delivered electronically right to your home computer.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Meditation for People Who Don't Like to Meditate. Choose a technique that suits your personality.
Meditation for People Who Don't Like to Meditate
Roger Walsh, MD, PhD
University of California, Irvine
W
e have heard all about the benefits of meditating. For decades, studies have shown that meditation helps with depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, pain, high blood pressure, self-esteem, self-control, concentration and creativity. Yet for many people, meditation seems daunting. Maybe you find it hard to sit still... to clear your mind... to make the time...or to stick with it long enough to experience the effects.
Key to success: Choose a technique that suits your personality, schedule and level of experience, then do it consistently. Twenty minutes or more daily is a good goal, but even five minutes is helpful if you do it every day -- and some techniques take almost no time at all.
IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER...
The methods below are effective yet simple enough for a novice. Start with just a few minutes, and work your way up.
Single-tasking. A time-crunched society encourages multitasking -- so you sort mail while on the phone and listen to audiobooks while driving. What you may not know: The simple act of focusing fully on a single task is a meditative exercise. It improves your powers of concentration, alleviates stress and boosts mood by enhancing your appreciation of the here-and-now. Try: Once or twice each day, give your complete attention to just one activity. Example: When you fold the laundry, don’t turn on the TV -- just enjoy the softness of the fabrics and the soothing rhythm of your hand motions.
Focused breathing. Sit in a quiet place, on the floor or in a chair, keeping your back straight so your lungs can expand. Pay attention to your breathing. Feel the air moving through your nostrils as you slowly inhale and exhale... feel your abdomen rise and fall. Then choose either of these sites (nostrils or abdomen) and focus fully on the sensations there. Soon you may notice that your mind has wandered. Don’t berate yourself -- this happens even to experienced meditators. Simply return your attention to the breath.
Centering prayer. Choose a phrase or a word that is spiritually meaningful for you, such as God is love or shalom. With each breath, repeat it silently to yourself. Again, if your thoughts start to stray, just calmly return to your prayer.
IF YOU HATE TO SIT STILL...
Some people can’t stop squirming when they try to meditate. Solution: Moving meditation.
Qigong, tai chi or yoga. These practices combine specific movements with a contemplative focus on the body, so you exercise while you meditate. Many health clubs, adult-education centers and hospitals offer classes in these techniques. Referrals: National Qigong Association (888-815-1893, www.nqa.org)... American Tai Chi Association (703-477-8878, www.americantaichi.net)... Yoga Alliance (877-964-2255, www.yogaalliance.org).
Mindful eating. Eat a meal alone, in silence, savoring the experience. When you first sit down, spend a moment enjoying the colors and aromas of the food. Take a bite and chew slowly. How do the taste and texture change as you chew? What sensations do you perceive as you swallow? Surprise: You are meditating. Continue to eat each bite as consciously as you can, never rushing.
IF YOU CAN’T FIND THE TIME...
Some days you may not have even five minutes to meditate -- but you can take just a moment.
Three breaths. Whenever you feel tense, take three long, deep breaths. Even a few conscious inhalations and exhalations will calm you. Also use cues in your environment as regular reminders to focus and breathe deeply. Example: Take three slow breaths every time you hang up the phone... walk through a doorway... or get into your car.
Beauty in the moment. Three times a day, look around you and notice something lovely -- the scent of someone’s perfume, the happy sound of children playing. Explore the experience with your full attention. Example: A light breeze is blowing. Watch the graceful way it makes the grass sway... listen to it whisper as it moves through the trees... feel its gentle touch on your cheeks. Notice your emotions of pleasure and appreciation -- and carry them with you as you continue through your day.
IF YOU ALREADY LOVE TO MEDITATE...
If you are an accomplished meditator and want to enrich your experience, try these more advanced techniques...
Contemplative reading. Select a brief passage -- two or three sentences -- from a philosophy book, religious text or other writing that is meaningful to you. Read it slowly and reflectively, over and over. If your reading brings up insights, ponder them. If your mind drifts to unrelated thoughts, return to reading.
Inquiry. Sit and focus on your breathing. When a thought, feeling, sound or other sensation enters your awareness, instead of turning your attention back to the breath, explore the experience. Does it seem to have a shape or image associated with it? Does it change or fade away as you examine it? Examples...
You notice a tickle in your shoulder. As you study it, you note that it feels diffuse... then localizes in one spot... then moves to a different area and prickles... then disappears.
You are feeling anxious. Rather than trying to figure out what is causing this, note where the anxiety manifests in your body (a fluttery stomach, a tight muscle)... any images and thoughts associated with it... and how those images and thoughts change as you observe them.
When a particular sensation passes, return your attention to your breath until the next sensation enters your awareness... then explore this new one. Over time, this enhances awareness and acceptance.
Bottom Line/Women’s Health interviewed Roger Walsh, MD, PhD, professor of psychiatry and human behavior in the School of Medicine, and of anthropology and philosophy in the School of Humanities, both at University of California, Irvine. He has done extensive research on Asian philosophies, religion and the effects of meditation and has received more than 20 national and international awards. He is author of Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind (Wiley), which contains a foreword by the Dalai Lama.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Nearly 12 million people in the United States are cancer survivors.
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Nearly 12 million people in the United States are cancer survivors, almost four times as many as 40 years ago, reflecting big strides in cancer detection and treatment and the effect of an aging U.S. population, U.S. health officials said on Thursday.
But many of the survivors face a lifetime of side effects caused by their treatments, according to figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute.
The researchers found there were 11.7 million cancer survivors in 2007, up from 9.8 million in 2001 and 3 million in 1971.
"It's good news that so many are surviving cancer and leading long, productive, and healthy lives," CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said in a statement.
"Preventing cancer and detecting it early remain critically important as some cancers can be prevented or detected early enough to be effectively treated."
CDC researchers estimate that of the 11.7 million cancer survivors who were still alive on Jan. 1, 2007, 7 million were age 65 or older.
Nearly 13 percent of the 307 million people living in the United States in 2009 were over age of 65, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Elderly people are more susceptible to cancer.
Of the total, slightly more than half of the cancer survivors -- 54 percent -- are women. Breast cancer survivors make up the biggest group, making up 22 percent of all cancer survivors, followed by prostate cancer survivors at 19 percent and colorectal cancer survivors at 10 percent.
The estimates exclude skin cancers other than melanoma because they are rarely fatal.
Among all survivors, 4.7 million were diagnosed with cancer 10 or more years earlier, according to the report.
But surviving cancer is only the first step, and doctors and public health experts need to focus on the special needs of cancer survivors, health experts said.
Several studies suggest cancer survivors have higher risks of diabetes, heart and kidney disease.
"Unfortunately for many cancer survivors and those around them, the effect of cancer does not end with the last treatment," said Julia Rowland, director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship at the National Cancer Institute, a part of the National Institutes of Health.
"Research has allowed us to scratch the surface of understanding the unique risks, issues, and concerns of this population," Rowland said.
The American Cancer Society estimates there were 1.5 million new cancer cases in the United States in 2010 and 569,490 deaths.
The full report can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Can Diet Soda Raise Your Stroke Risk?
In this study, volunteers were followed for over 9 years. Appox. 900 of them reported not drinking any diet soda, while appox. 160 reported drinking one or more diet sodas a day. At the end of the study, diet soda consumption, as well as salt intake, was linked to higher rates of strokes, heart attacks and other lethal vascular events.
Read the whole story at:
Monday, March 7, 2011
It's an age-old question: why am I sleeping poorly?
(CBS News) It's an age-old question: why am I sleeping poorly?
A new study from the National Sleep Foundation says the active use of electronic devices, like smart phones or video games, one hour before going to bed might be what's keeping us awake.
The study also reveals that 43 percent of adults reported they rarely get a good night's sleep during the week, while 60 percent complained of sleep problems, like waking up in the middle of the night.
"Early Show" Contributor Taryn Winter Brill, who, like many, goes to bed with the TV on or has her laptop or BlackBerry close by, decided to set up an unscientific sleep experiment to find out why she is sleep-deprived.
What happened when Winter Brill pulled the plug on all of her technology? She shares the results with "Early Show" viewers and co-anchor Erica Hill:
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Drink small amounts of caffeine every few hours to...
Drink small amounts of caffeine every few hours to keep going on little sleep. Low doses of caffeine throughout the day are more effective at maintaining alertness than a large cup of caffeinated coffee in the morning. Drink four to six ounces at a time to stay alert and think more clearly.
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