Reverse Memory Loss

The baby boom generation is expected to bring a wave of new Alzheimer’s cases  Thus, the number of Americans with the memory-robbing disorder projected to triple over the next three decades. Many experts say that related healthcare costs could hit $1.5 trillion by 2050, unless new treatments are developed.

 

The good news: A half-dozen strategies have been proven to combat age-related mental declines and dementia.  These strategies may even slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, according to many of the nation’s leading mental-health specialists.

According to studies, we are basically developing dementia to some degree or another from age 40.  As people reach 40, we see lots of early dementia, loss of metabolism, loss of energy in the brain, and then people forget, their judgment’s impaired studies show.

 

These trends can be reversed by using a six-step strategy to maintain a healthy mind and body — a prescription for healthy living that research shows can reverse and even prevent age-related mental declines.

 

No. 1: Exercise. The first step is always to look at your weight - it turns out that obesity is very dementia causing. There are a lot of women that are thin, flabby — or what we call normal weight obesity. They have normal weight but they are still obese because they are not fit.  Thus, the basic rule is you really have to exercise an hour a day.

 

No. 2: Sleep: You have to sleep…seven hours every night.  Studies have shown that about 30 million Americans have chronic sleep problems, which increases the risk for heart disease, depression, and other serious health problems. Many resort to sleeping pills, which carry risks when taken long term. A better options is resorting to mild sleep-inducing alternatives like chamomile tea and managing stress.

 

No. 3: Mental function. Anxiety, depression, addictions, and other mental-health disorders can increase the risk for developing Alzheimer’s later in life, many studies show.  That is why it is critical to manage such conditions effectively with antidepressants, therapy, and other mental-health strategies.

 

No. 4: Early testing. It is recommended that you work with your doctor to determine your “baseline” cognitive abilities, memory, verbal IQ, and judgment skills.  A brain scan can also provide details on how well your brain is functioning.  In addition, you might consider memory games that you can find on the internet or your smart phone.

 

No. 5: Diet and nutrition: Eating a healthy diet is critical to maintaining your mental edge as you grow older.  I would suggest the Mediterranean diet (Mediterranean diet), drinking lots of green tea, and avoiding sugary high-carb processed foods as much as possible.

 

No. 6: Natural hormones. As we age, our levels of natural hormones decline.  That is why it is important to consider bio-identical hormone supplements, if you are deficient.

The Mediterranean Diet

 A true Mediterranean diet consists mainly of fruits and vegetables, seafood, olive oil, hearty grains, and more, in other words, foods that help fight against heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, and cognitive decline.  It is a diet worth chasing; making the switch from pepperoni and cheese to fish and avocados may take some effort, but you could soon be on a path to a healthier and longer life.

The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid is based on the dietary traditions of Crete, Greece, and southern Italy circa 1960 at a time when the rates of chronic disease among populations there were among the lowest in the world, and adult life expectancy was among the highest, even though medial services were limited.

Aside from eating a diet consisting mainly of fresh and homegrown foods instead of processed goods, other vital elements to the Mediterranean diet are daily exercise, sharing meals with others, and fostering a deep appreciation for the pleasures of eating healthy and delicious foods.

Following a Mediterranean diet has many benefits, but there are still a lot of misconceptions on exactly how to take advantage of the lifestyle to lead a healthier, longer life.  The following are some myths and facts about the Mediterranean diet.

Myth 1: It costs a lot to eat this way.
Fact: If you are creating meals out of beans or lentils as your main source of protein, and sticking with mostly plants and whole grains, then the Mediterranean diet is less expensive than serving dishes of meat, cheese, and processed foods.

Myth 2: If one glass of wine is good for your heart, than three glasses is three times as healthy.
Fact: Moderate amounts of red wine (one drink a day for women; two for men) certainly has unique health benefits for your heart, but drinking too much has the opposite effect.  Anything more than two glasses of wine can actually be bad for your heart.

Myth 3: Eating large bowls of pasta and bread is the Mediterranean way.
Fact: Typically, Mediterraneans do NOT eat a heaping plate of pasta the way Americans do. Instead, pasta is usually a side dish with about a 1/2-cup to 1-cup serving size.  The rest of their plate consists of salads, vegetables, a small portion of meat, and perhaps one slice of bread.

Myth 4: If you follow the traditional Mediterranean diet then you will lose weight.
Fact: Those living on Greek islands do NOT enjoy good cardiovascular health just by eating differently; they walk up and down steep hills to tend to their garden and animals, often living off what they can grow themselves.  Physical labor plays a large role.

Myth 5: The Mediterranean diet is only about the food.
Fact: The food is a huge part of the diet, yes, but do NOT overlook the other ways the Mediterraneans life their lives.  When they sit down for a meal, they do NOT sit in front of a television or eat in a rush; they sit down for a relaxed, leisurely meal with others, which may be just as important for your health as what is on your plate.

A traditional Mediterranean diet consisting of large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish and olive oil, along with physical activity, reduces the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. More specifically:

Protecting against type 2 diabetes. A Mediterranean diet is rich in fiber, slowing down digestion and preventing huge swings in blood sugar.

Preventing heart disease and strokes. Refined breads, processed foods, and red meat are discouraged in a Mediterranean diet, and it encourages drinking red wine instead of hard liquor, which have all been linked to heart disease and stroke prevention.

Keeping you agile. The nutrients gained with a Mediterranean diet may reduce a senior’s risk of developing muscle weakness and other signs of frailty by about 70 percent.

Reducing risk of Alzheimer’s. Researchers speculate that the Mediterranean diet may improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels and overall blood vessel health.  All of the above factors may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Halving the risk of Parkinson’s disease. In a diet containing high levels of antioxidants that prevent cells from undergoing a damaging process called oxidative stress, the risk of Parkinson’s disease is also cut in half.

Increased longevity. When there is a reduction in developing heart disease or cancer, as in the case when you follow a Mediterranean diet, there is a 20% reduced risk of death at any age.

You can do it.  Research backing up the Mediterranean diet as a way to prevent vascular disease is NOT really that difficult to follow.  The Mediterranean diet includes generous quantities of olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish; limited portions of red meats or processed meats; and moderate amounts of cheese and wine.  So how can you make the switch?  Start with small steps, jump-starting your effort with these top five tips:

1. Sauté food in olive oil, not butter.
2. Eat more fruits and vegetables by having them as a snack, or adding them to other recipes.
3. Choose whole grains instead of refined breads and pastas.
4. Substitute fish for red meat at least twice per week.
5. Limit high-fat dairy by switching to skim or 1% milk from 2% or whole milk.

 

Are Flu Shots Harming Seniors

There seems to be a lot of talk regarding the flu shot.

 

Seniors are urged to get the flu shot by their doctors and pharmacists as well as by family and friends out of concern that a bout of flu could be fatal.  This has been going on for years.  Even when I was NOT a senior, the doctor's first question was, have you gotten your flu shot yet?  Today, many are asking the question if seniors should get the flu shot?   "Absolutely not," says holistic family physician Dr. David Brownstein. "The vaccine is basically worthless."

 

One of the main reasons the flu vaccine was developed was an attempt to protect seniors from dying from the illness, says Dr. Brownstein. "Seniors are the most vulnerable part of our population," he continues to say, "their immune systems just don't respond to the vaccine.

 

In addition, he says, "Since the government began keeping track, there has been no decrease in the numbers of flu cases in seniors even though about 80% of them are vaccinated. The same number of seniors die from the complications of flu as before, so that alone shows it's just not effective." 

 

A review of 75 studies found that flu vaccinating for seniors was ineffective at preventing flu complications.

 

In addition, the CDC announced as late as last week that the current flu vaccine is a poor match for the strain that is making people sick this season, but people are still being urged to get a flu shot.  Heck, that should give you confidence to go out and get the flu shot no matter what age you are! 

 

When you couple the lack of effectiveness with the mercury, formaldehyde and other toxins in the vaccine, seniors are the last people who should be getting the flu shot.  Mercury, I'm told, is in almost all flu vaccines given to seniors.  In addition, mercury is a potent neurotoxin and is linked to numerous neurological and immune system problems.

 

In reading up on the flu shot, I've learned that the flu vaccine can cause side effects including severe allergic reactions and that it has been liked with narcolepsy in children and an increased risk of Alzheimer's in seniors.  Maybe, there is a reason that I listen to my wife all these years (a retired nurse now).

 

In my opinion, as well as several doctors that I've spoken to, there is no doubt that the flu vaccine can lead to Alzheimer since many flu vaccines are preserved with mercury, as I said, and it is a known brain toxin.

 

Why is it that if you die or other serious side effects take place because of the flu shot, neither victims nor their families are allowed to file lawsuits for damages.  Is it because the United States government gives the manufacturers of vaccines complete immunity.

 

There are natural options that do a better job protecting against the flu and other viral illnesses, in my opinion, such as

 

• Diet. A healthy diet keeps the immune system strong, and eliminating white or refined sugar is a main key.

 

• Water. Drinking enough water keeps the immune system functioning.  Take your weight, divide by two, and the result is how many ounces of water you should drink every day.

 

• Vitamin A. Take 25,000 to 100,000 units a day for seven to ten days at the first sign of flu.

 

• Vitamin D. Take 6,000 to 10,000 units of vitamin D3 daily.

 

• Vitamin C. Take an average dose of 1,000 to 6,000 milligrams every day.  Heck, if thirsty, drink orange juice. 

 

I'm sure there are more natural ways to fight the flu, but the above are the most common and easy to obtain by seniors.

 

Cigarettes Cause One-Third of US Cancer Deaths Says Report

Despite large declines in smoking rates in America, cigarettes still cause about one-third of cancer deaths in the United States, according to a new study.  

The American Cancer Society wrote recently, "Our results indicate that cigarette smoking causes about three in 10 cancer deaths in the contemporary United States. Reducing smoking prevalence as rapidly as possible should be a top priority for U.S. public health efforts to prevent future cancer deaths"

The data for the new cancer death estimate does NOT include deaths from secondhand smoke.  In addition, it does NOT include deaths from other types of tobacco use such as cigars, pipes, or smokeless tobacco.  It does NOT matter to me since I think that all types of smoking is disgusting!

The study appears in the journal "Annals of Epidemiology".

 In the 1980s, a study concluded that 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States were caused by smoking.  Since that time, the only study conducted was the latest study done by researchers at the American Cancer Society recently.

 The researchers at the American Cancer Society said the rate of smoking-related cancer deaths in 2010 (people used in recent study) is higher than the rate three decades ago.  However, they noted that does NOT mean falling smoking rates have not helped reduce cancer deaths.

 Additional factors contributed to the higher rate in 2010.  Those factors include an increasing number of cancers known to be caused by smoking, rising lung cancer death rates among women smokers, and progress in reducing deaths from cancers caused by factors other than smoking, the researchers said.

Cholesterol And Your Child

 

High cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The risk is higher in people who have a family history of heart disease, have diabetes, are overweight or obese, have unhealthy eating habits, are inactive, or who smoke. Talk with your doctor about whether your child or teen needs to be screened for high cholesterol.

How does the doctor know that my child has high cholesterol?

To test for high cholesterol, your doctor can do a blood test called a lipid panel. However, screening is usually not done unless there is a family history of high cholesterol or the child or teen has diabetes.

If your doctor recommends a lipid panel, talk to him or her about what levels are right for your child’s age and development. The American Academy of Pediatrics generally recommends the following levels for children and teens 2 to 19 years of age:

Total cholesterol (mg/dL)

Acceptable — less than 170
Borderline — 170-199
High — 200 or greater

LDL cholesterol (mg/dL)

Acceptable — less than 110
Borderline — 110-129
High — 130 or greater

What can I do to help prevent my child from having high blood cholesterol levels?

Help your child maintain a healthy weight by teaching him or her to make good choices about diet and exercise.

Offer your child at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and other foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, such as whole grains and fish. Encourage your child to avoid saturated and trans fats, which can raise cholesterol levels. Also limit overall cholesterol intake.

You also can help your child form healthy habits regarding exercise and activity. Encourage your child to choose activities he or she enjoys. Involve the whole family in active time, such as walking, bike riding, bowling and more. Limit screen time (the time your child spends watching TV, or playing video or computer games).

If your child or teen’s cholesterol levels are high and healthy eating and exercise do NOT lower them, especially if he or she has diabetes or is overweight or obese, your family doctor may consider prescribing a cholesterol-lowering medicine. Not all medicines are safe for use in children so do not offer your child cholesterol-lowering medicine that isn’t specifically prescribed to him or her.

10 BENEFITS JUICING LEMONS

The recipe is really simple – a cup of warm water (not hot) and the juice from half of a lemon.
10 BENEFITS JUICING LEMONS

 Lemons are the topic of the day. I always loved the taste of lemons, especially in my green juices.

1. Antibacterial

When you ingest lemon juice the acid from the lemon juice acts as a antibacterial force inside your stomach.

You can also use lemons to clean your cutting boards and counters.

2. Vitamin C

Besides boosting your immune system, vitamin C helps destroy H. pylori, which is a type of bacteria in your stomach. H. pylori is being research for it’s ability to cause stomach ulcers.

Here is a great stomach and gut tonic. This will help you go to the restroom and it will help your stomach fight off any unwanted bacteria like H. pylori. The tonic includes: 1 cup of warm water, 1/2 lemon (juiced), 1 teaspoon of ground flaxseed.

3. Alkalize the Body

Believe it or not but lemon are alkalizing for the body. Many people think since lemons are sour they are actually acidic inside your body. Inside your body lemons don’t act acidic, instead they have alkalizing properties that keep your pH balance.

It’s best to start your day with warm water and lemon juice.

4. Liver Cleanser

Lemons help stimulate your liver and helps flush out toxins like uric acid and also liquefies the bile. This is part of the reason why lemons are used as a great cleanser.

5. Vitamin P

Vitamin P is a flavonoids. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that help neutralize free radials associated with cellular damage and aging. Flavonoids also help reduce inflammation.

 6. Anti-cancer Properties

Lemons contain 22 anti-cancer properties like limonine which slows the growth of tumors.

 7. Protection Against Rheumatoid Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative disease that occurs with aging. Foods rich in vitamin C helps protect agains inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

 8. Cleans You Out and Aids in Digestion

Lemon juice like most fresh vegetable juices contain pectin fiber. Pectin fiber is a type of water soluble fiber that helps reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Another great thing about pectin is that it keeps you feeling full and reduces cravings.

 9. Natural Diuretic

Lemon juice and warm water also help increase the rate of urination. This is great because toxins and other harmful substances are pushed out of your body, leaving your body in a alkaline state.

 10. Hydration of Lymph System

Warm water and lemon juice supports the immune system by hydrating and replacing fluids lost by your body. When your body is deprived of water, you can definitely feel the side effects, which include: feeling tired, sluggish, decreased immune function, constipation, lack of energy, low/high blood pressure, lack of sleep, lack of mental clarity and feeling stressed just to name a few.

Is Fluoride Dangerous

Did you know, that the average tube of toothpaste has enough fluoride to kill a child. Yet fluoride is enthusiastically hailed in ads as a dental savior.

 

It is praised by many dentists and governmental agencies.  However, fluoride toothpaste must carry a poison warning and directions to seek medical attention if more than the recommended amount is ingested.

 

While fluoride is credited with helping prevent cavities, the naturally occurring mineral is dividing the medical community and prompting governmental review of how much is too much.

 

Did you know that more than half of this country’s community water supplies have added fluoride.  Many experts are calling for a change, demanding that levels for fluoride in water supplies be lowered because of concern over fluorosis, a condition marked by white lines or spots on teeth caused by too much fluoride.

 

It has bee said, that almost half of U.S. adolescents have fluorosis.  However, the risks may reach much further than cosmetic mottling of tooth enamel.

 

Studies have shown that fluoridation of the water supply is associated with an increase of certain cancers and causes thyroid problems.

 

While critics of fluoride, at one time, were once considered a fringe group, they are now finding themselves gaining a voice in mainstream medical circles.

 

A study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an agency that I feel has over regulated American live and needs to be defunded, found that long-term high intake of fluoride can increase the risk of brittle bones, fractures, and bone abnormalities.  Other studies that have been conducted recently have suggested that excessive levels of fluoride may be linked to neurotoxicity, hormone problems, and cancer.

 

Beyond the contentious debate over whether fluoride leads to serious health concerns is the fact that many people doubt whether fluoride even helps improve the cavity rate of adults.

 

Phone your local water utility can tell you whether your water supply has added fluoride.  If it does use fluorida, consider a home filtration system that removes it.  Remember, NOT all filtration systems eliminate fluoride.  Make sure that you purchase a reverse osmosis filtration.

NEW STUDY: Grape Seed Extract Fights Cancer

Since Biblical times, moderate wine consumption has been recommended for its supposed health benefits.  Some imbibers even say “Good health!” as they raise their glasses in cheery toasts before their first sips.

 

A recent study, published in the medical journal Plos One, demonstrates for the first time that grape seed extract is a wonder supplement in the fight against cancer.  In addition, it also reduces chemotherapy’s painful side effects.

 

The researchers say adding grape seed extract to chemotherapy is a new approach to bowel cancer treatment, enhancing chemotherapy’s cancer-beating effects and reducing intestinal damage.

 

If you do NOT know, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cancer killer in the United States.  Only lung cancer is more deadly.

 

Grape seed extract is commonly sold at health food stores, drugstores, and supermarkets. It is also widely available on the Internet.

 

Capsules rather than powder are “the preferred way to take grape seed extract because (they are) more tolerable  due to (powder’s) astringent taste and unappealing brownish red color,” says Dr. Amy Cheah, a medical science researcher at the school of agriculture, food and wine at Australia’s University of Adelaide, who led the cancer study.

 

Rich in vitamin E, flavonoids, and a powerful nutrient called linoleic acid, grape seed extract  has no side effects and is usually taken because of its “antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer properties and to promote cardiovascular health,” says Dr. Cheah

 

More research will be done to discover whether grape seed extract works as well with other types of cancer.  

 

“This is the first study showing that grape seed extract can enhance the potency of one of the major chemotherapy drugs in its action against colon cancer cells,” said Dr. Cheah.

 

In addition, grape seed extract has been know as a mighty weapon against varicose veins.  Like garlic, grape seed extract also improves blood flow and stops your blood from clumping and clotting.

 

Now the Australian study has found that grape seed extract led to a 55% decrease in chemotherapy-induced inflammation and a 26% increase in chemotherapy’s ability to kill cancer cells.

 

In addition to the above, the researchers found no side effects on healthy intestinal tissue from the use of grape seed extract in high concentrations.

 

The team’s conclusion, as reported in Plos One: “Grape seed extract may represent a new therapeutic option to decrease the symptoms of intestinal mucositis [inflammation and ulceration] while concurrently impacting on the viability of colon cancer cells.”

 

Grape seed extract is fairly new to the U.S., however, it has been used for years in Europe to treat a number of diseases.  In addition, herbal expects have for years recommended taking 50 mg a day.

 

Research has shown that it is beneficial for a number of heart conditions also, including high cholesterol.  As I've said above grape seed extract has also been used to treat chronic venous insufficiency for poor circulation and eye disease related to diabetes.

 

Word of caution: grape seed extract may interact with some blood thinners and NSAID painkillers such as aspirin, so check with your doctor if you take any of these medications and willing to take grape seed extract.

 

 

 

Depression Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency

Recent research at the University of Georgia College of Education, shows that people who struggle with depression may have a vitamin D deficiency.  As you might know, depression usually intensifies during winter months.   Thus, many are worried that we might have more people depress in the coming months.

Vitamin D is produced by the skin when exposed to sunlight.  Thus, summer months.
  

Researcher Alan Stewart said a review of more than 100 articles and found a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and seasonal depression.

Vitamin D, which has been nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin”, is also involved in the synthesis of serotonin and dopamine within the brain, both chemicals linked to depression, according to the researchers.
  

"Seasonal affective disorder is believed to affect up to 10 percent of the population, depending upon geographical location, and is a type of depression related to changes in season," said Stewart.  Alan Stewart went on to say, "People with SAD have the same symptoms every year, starting in fall and continuing through the winter months."

 

Infection Prevention Tips For Staying Healthy

There are a number of ways to prevent infection and to stay healthy.  However, the main ways are listed in thus article.

1.  Hand Hygiene

Most infections are spread by picking up germs on our hands from contact with other people or by touching contaminated surfaces.  This is probably the number 1 cause of spreading infections.  Thus, clean, healthy, intact skin is the best barrier against infection.  One of the best ways to stay healthy is to wash or decontaminate your hands.  "Hand hygiene" describes either hand washing or decontaminating hands. Washing hands removes the germs from your hands.  Decontaminating kills the germs on your hands with the use of alcohol-based hand rubs (commonly found in stores now a days).  If your hands are visibly dirty, wash away the dirt.  Otherwise, decontamination is a convenient way to kill the germs.

When should I perform hand hygiene?

• Before you eat
• Before and during food preparation, especially when handling meat, eggs or poultry
• Before applying makeup
• Before handling contact lenses
• Before treating a cut or wound
• Before and after caring for someone who is ill
• After using the restroom
• After changing diapers
• After you sneeze or cough
• After touching animals and pets
• And anytime your hands are visibly dirty.

How do I wash my hands well?

• Wet hands with water that is a comfortable temperature
• Apply soap and rub hands together for at least 20 seconds
• Be sure to cover all surfaces, especially under nails, around rings, your thumbs and around your wrists
• Rinse hands well
• Dry your hands with a paper towel or clean cloth towel
• Use the towel to turn off the faucets.

How do I use alcohol-based hand rubs?

• Apply a quarter-sized amount to one hand
• Rub your hands together until they are dry, making sure that you cover all surfaces of your hands (do not rinse your hands).

2.  Cover your cough

Another common thing that people do is NOT cover when coughing.  Many respiratory diseases can be spread person-to-person by respiratory droplets.

How do I prevent spreading a respiratory infection to others?

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing
• If a tissue is not available, sneeze or cough into your sleeve to contain the droplets (do NOT sneeze or cough into your hands)
• Clean hands with soap and water or decontaminate hands with an alcohol-based hand rub
• Stay home if you are ill.

Keep your immunizations up-to-date

Vaccines are not just for children!  Adults need to be vaccinated against infectious diseases too.  Each year, over 40,000 adults die in the United States from a vaccine-preventable disease.

What vaccines do I need?

• Get your flu shot every year.  Flu viruses change slightly each year so it is important to get vaccinated every year, beginning in October and through the season, which lasts until May

Take antibiotics correctly and only when necessary

• Antibiotics work for bacterial infections but do not work for viral infections
• Do NOT insist that your healthcare provider give you antibiotics if you do NOT need them
• If you need an antibiotic, take them as exactly as your healthcare provider prescribed them and finish all of the medicine
• Do NOT take someone else's antibiotics or give yours to someone else.

Healthy Weight Loss and Dieting Tips

In our eat-and-run, massive-portion-sized culture, maintaining a healthy weight can be tough—and losing weight, even tougher. If you have tried and failed to lose weight before, you may believe that diets do NOT work for you. You are probably right: traditional diets do NOT work—at least not in the long term. However, there are plenty of small but powerful ways to avoid common dieting pitfalls, achieve lasting weight loss success, and develop a healthier relationship with food.

The key to successful, healthy weight loss

Your weight is a balancing act, but the equation is simple: If you eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight. And if you eat fewer calories than you burn, you lose weight.

Since 3,500 calories equals about one pound of fat, if you cut 500 calories from your typical diet each day, you will lose approximately one pound a week (500 calories x 7 days = 3,500 calories). Simple, right? Then why is weight loss so hard?

All too often, we make weight loss much more difficult than it needs to be with extreme diets that leave us cranky and starving, unhealthy lifestyle choices that undermine our dieting efforts, and emotional eating habits that stop us before we get started. But there is a better way! You can lose weight without feeling miserable. By making smart choices every day, you can develop new eating habits and preferences that will leave you feeling satisfied—and winning the battle of the bulge.

Getting started with healthy weight loss

While there is no “one size fits all” solution to permanent healthy weight loss, the following guidelines are a great place to start:

Think lifestyle change, NOT short-term diet. Permanent weight loss is NOT something that a “quick-fix” diet can achieve. Instead, think about weight loss as a permanent lifestyle change—a commitment to your health for life. Various popular diets can help jumpstart your weight loss, but permanent changes in your lifestyle and food choices are what will work in the long run.

Find a cheering section. Social support means a lot. Programs like Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers use group support to impact weight loss and lifelong healthy eating. Seek out support—whether in the form of family, friends, or a support group—to get the encouragement you need.

Slow and steady wins the race. Aim to lose one to two pounds a week to ensure healthy weight loss. Losing weight too fast can take a toll on your mind and body, making you feel sluggish, drained, and sick. When you drop a lot of weight quickly, you are actually losing mostly water and muscle, rather than fat.

Set goals to keep you motivated. Short-term goals, like wanting to fit into a bikini for the summer, usually do NOT work as well as wanting to feel more confident or become healthier for your children’s sakes. When frustration and temptation strike, concentrate on the many benefits you will reap from being healthier and leaner.

Use tools that help you track your progress. Keep a food journal and weigh yourself regularly, keeping track of each pound and inch you lose. By keeping track of your weight loss efforts, you will see the results in black and white, which will help you stay motivated.

Keep in mind it may take some experimenting to find the right diet for your individual body. It is important that you feel satisfied so that you can stick with it on a long-term basis. If one diet plan does NOT work, then try another one. There are many ways to lose weight. The key is to find what works for you.

Healthy dieting and weight loss tip #1:

Diets, especially fad diets or “quick-fix” pills and plans, often set you up for failure because:

You feel deprived. Diets that cut out entire groups of food, such as carbs or fat, are simply impractical, NOT to mention unhealthy. The key is moderation.

You lose weight, but can NOT keep it off. Diets that severely cut calories, restrict certain foods, or rely on ready-made meals might work in the short term but do NOT include a plan for maintaining your weight, so the pounds quickly come back.

After your diet, you seem to put on weight more quickly. When you drastically restrict your food intake, your metabolism will temporarily slow down. Once you start eating normally, you will gain weight until your metabolism bounces back.

You break your diet and feel too discouraged to try again. When diets make you feel deprived, it is easy to fall off the wagon. Healthy eating is about the big picture. An occasional splurge will NOT kill your efforts.

You lose money faster than you lose weight. Special shakes, meals, and programs are NOT only expensive, but they are NOT practical for long-term weight loss.

You feel lost when dining out. If the food served is NOT on your specific diet plan, what can you do?

The person on the commercial lost 30 lbs. in two months—and you have NOT. Diet companies make a lot of grandiose promises, and most are simply unrealistic

Healthy dieting and weight loss tip #2:
                        
We do NOT always eat simply to satisfy hunger. If we did, no one would be overweight. All too often, we turn to food for comfort and stress relief. When this happens, we frequently pack on pounds.

Do you reach for a snack while watching TV? Do you eat when you are stressed or bored? When you are lonely? Or to reward yourself? Recognizing your emotional eating triggers can make all the difference in your weight loss efforts:

If you eat when you’re stressed, find healthier ways to calm yourself. Try exercise, yoga, meditation, or soaking in a hot bath.

If you eat when you’re feeling low on energy, find other mid-afternoon pick-me-ups. Try walking around the block, listening to energizing music, or taking a short nap.

If you eat when you’re lonely or bored, reach out to others instead of reaching for the refrigerator. Call a friend who makes you laugh, take your dog for a walk, or go out in public (to the library, mall, or park—anywhere there’s people).

Healthy dieting and weight loss tip #3:

We live in a fast-paced world where eating has become mindless. We eat on the run, at our desk while we work, and in front of the TV screen. The result is that we consume much more than we need, often without realizing it.

Counter this tendency by practicing “mindful” eating: pay attention to what you eat, savor each bite, and choose foods that are both nourishing and enjoyable.

Healthy dieting and weight loss tip #4:

Counting calories and measuring portion sizes can quickly become tedious, but you don’t need an accounting degree to enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables. It’s generally safe to eat as much as you want, whenever you want.

The high water and fiber content in most fresh fruits and vegetables makes them hard to overeat. You’ll feel full long before you’ve overdone it on the calories.

Healthy dieting and weight loss tip #5:

If you have ever found yourself polishing off a pint of ice cream or stuffing yourself with cookies or chips after spending a whole day virtuously eating salads, you know how restrictive diet plans usually end. Deprivation diets set you up for failure: you starve yourself until you snap, and then you overdo it, cancelling out all your previous efforts.

In order to successfully lose weight and keep it off, you need to learn how to enjoy the foods you love without going overboard. A diet that places all your favorite foods off limits will NOT work in the long run. Eventually, you will feel deprived and will cave. And when you do, you probably will NOT stop at a sensible-sized portion.

Healthy dieting and weight loss tip #6:

 Eat early, weigh less. When you eat—as well as how much—may also affect your weight. Early studies suggest that consuming more of your daily calories at breakfast and fewer at dinner can help you drop more pounds. Eating a larger, healthy breakfast can jump start your metabolism, stop you feeling hungry during the day, and give you more time to burn off the calories.

Serve yourself smaller portions. One easy way to control portion size is by using small plates, bowls, and cups. This will make your portions appear larger. Do NOT eat out of large bowls or directly from the food container or package, which makes it difficult to assess how much you’ve eaten. Using smaller utensils, like a teaspoon instead of tablespoon, can slow eating and help you feel full sooner.

Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time. You will be more inclined to eat in moderation if you have thought out healthy meals and snacks in advance. You can buy or create your own small portion snacks in plastic bags or containers. Eating on a schedule will also help you avoid eating when you are NOT truly hungry.

Cook your own meals. Cooking meals at home allows you to control both portion size and what goes in to the food. Restaurant and packaged foods generally contain a lot more sodium, fat, and calories than food cooked at home—plus the portion sizes tend to be larger.

Do NOT shop for groceries when you are hungry. Create a shopping list and stick to it. Be especially careful to avoid high-calorie snack and convenience foods.

Out of sight, out of mind. Limit the amount of tempting foods you have at home. If you share a kitchen with non-dieters, store snack foods and other high-calorie indulgences in cabinets or drawers out of your sight.

Fast for 14 hours a day. Try to eat your last meal earlier in the day and then fast until breakfast the next morning. Studies suggest that this simple dietary adjustment—eating only when you are most active and giving your digestive system a long break each day—may help you to lose weight.

Healthy dieting and weight loss tip #7:

Get plenty of exercise. Exercise is a dieter’s best friend. It NOT only burns calories, but also can improve your resting metabolism. No time for a long workout? Research shows that three 10-minute spurts of exercise per day are just as good as one 30-minute workout.

Turn off the TV. You actually burn less calories watching television than you do sleeping! If you simply can NOT miss your favorite shows, get a little workout in while watching. Do easy exercises like squats, sit-ups, jogging in place, or using resistance bands or hand weights.

Drink more water. Reduce your daily calorie intake by replacing soda, alcohol, or coffee with water. Thirst can also be confused with hunger, so by drinking water, you may avoid consuming extra calories.

Health Eating Tip

Healthy eating tip:  Set yourself up for success

To set yourself up for success, think about planning a healthy diet as a number of small, manageable steps rather than one big drastic change.  If you approach the changes gradually and with commitment, you will have a healthy diet sooner than you think.

Simplify.  Instead of being overly concerned with counting calories or measuring portion sizes, think of your diet in terms of color, variety, and freshness.  This way it should be easier to make healthy choices.  Focus on finding foods you love and easy recipes that incorporate a few fresh ingredients.  Gradually, your diet will become healthier and more delicious.

Start slow and make changes to your eating habits over time.   Trying to make your diet healthy overnight is NOT realistic or smart. Changing everything at once usually leads to cheating or giving up on your new eating plan.  Make small steps, like adding a salad (full of different color vegetables) to your diet once a day or switching from butter to olive oil when cooking.  As your small changes become habit, you can continue to add more healthy choices to your diet.

Every change you make to improve your diet matters.  You do NOT have to be perfect and you do NOT have to completely eliminate foods you enjoy to have a healthy diet.  The long term goal is to feel good, have more energy, and reduce the risk of cancer and disease.  Do NOT let your missteps derail you—every healthy food choice you make counts.

New Evidence Cellphones Cause Cancer

The evidence is growing that using cellphones increases the risk of developing glioma, a deadly form of brain cancer.  A recent Swedish study found that people who talked on cellphones for more than 25 years had triple the risk compared to those who used the phones for less than a year.

 

The Swedish study, which was published in the journal Pathophysiology, found that people who used the phones the most — a total of 1,486 hours — doubled their risk of being diagnosed with glioma.  A previous Swedish study found that people who used cellphones regularly before the age of 20 quadrupled their risk of the rare tumor.  An article, also published in Pathophysiology stated that brain cancer is only the "tip of the iceberg" because the rest of the body shows effects other than cancers.

 

The actual numbers of gliomas caused by cellphones may be much higher since many gliomas are never reported.  In addition, we see a higher number of gliomas over the next ten years since more and longer use of cellphones is now taking place.  In addition, more younger people are also using cellphones. 

 

The microwaves emitted by cellphones have been shown to cause DNA damage and induce inflammation — chronic inflammation in tissues eventually leads to cancer in a higher number or users. 

 

Other past research has also linked cellphones with cancer and other health problems.

 

Researchers at Tel Aviv University examined the saliva of men who used their cellphones for at least eight hours a month and compared it to people who did NOT use cellphones at all, or only used them to send text messages.  The results of that study showed that the saliva of those who were heavy users showed high amounts of oxidative stress, which damages DNA and is an important risk factor for cancer and cause the development of tumors.

 

Researchers at the Israeli Weitzmann Institute of Science found cellphones increased the risk of tumors in the salivary glands by 50 percent.  The risk was even higher if the caller always used the same ear and did NOT use a hands-free gadget, or used the phone while in a rural area where reception was poor.  In this study, the researchers found that a call lasting just 10 minutes can trigger changes in brain cells that are associated with cancer.

 

Past studies have shown that cellphones also affect brain function.  A Russian study found that children who used cellphones had poorer memories than those children who did NOT and a British study found that cellphones increased the risk of memory loss, sleeping disorders, and headaches in children.

 

An animal study conducted at Yale University found that cellphones caused changes in brain development that could cause hyperactivity. "We have shown that behavioral problems in mice that resemble ADHD are caused by cellphone exposure in the womb," said senior researcher Dr. Hugh S. Taylor, a reproductive specialist. "The rise in behavioral disorders in human children may be in part due to fetal cellular telephone irradiation exposure."

 

In a study from the University of Toronto, it was found that an increased risk of auto accidents for up to 15 minutes occurred after a call was completed.

 

Cellphones could also be making men less fertile it seems.  Many men carry their cellphone in their pants pocket, which allows their sperm to be exposed to harmful radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation.  This study was published in the journal Environmental International, found that sperms' normal ability to move toward an egg dropped in men who carried cellphones in their pockets.

 

In my opinion, we are just learning of the health hazards of cell phone use.  More and more studies show considerable evidence that cell phones damage the brain as well as other tissues and organs.

 

Childhood Obesity: How Parents Can Help Their Kids From Being Overweight!

Childhood obesity is a serious health condition that negatively affects children's health and well-being due to excess body fat.

In the US, it is estimated that one out of every five children is overweight or obese and the number is growing.

Childood obesity puts children at risk of developing serious health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases later in life. It can also lead to depression and low self-esteem.

Unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activities and sedentary lifestyles are the major cause of childhood obesity, although there are some genetic and hormonal factors that contribute to it.

Parents' lifestyle can have a huge impact on their kids since children learn best through example. Hence parents need to adopt a good and healthy lifestyles too. Below are a few tips to help your kids avoid being overweight.

Healthy eating habits: Encourage your child to eat healthy foods. Provide them lots of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products. Ask them to drink plenty of water instead of sugar-sweetened drinks. Include low-fat dairy products, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans in their diet for protein.

Breakfast: Never let your child skip his/her breakfast. This is the most important meal of the day. Studies have linked eating breakfast with maintaining a lower body mass index (BMI) over time. Also, eating cereal for breakfast regularly has been linked to healthy weight in kids.

Frequent meals: Give your kids smaller but more frequent meals. This will keep them away from being overly hungry and therefore from reaching for more caloric junk food.

Physical activity: Encourage your child to stay active everyday. Research suggests that children and teens should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week. Plan for a family physical activity time on a daily basis such as, brisk walks, bike rides, swimming, active games, etc,. Limit the amount of time children spend on TV and computers.

Check-ups: Take your child to a doctor for child check-ups at least once a year. This will help determine their ideal weight preventing them from becoming overweight as well as protecting them from other health problems.

Healthy Heart Means A Healthy YOU

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.  Thus, it is important to reveal warning signs as soon as possible in order to prevent further problems.  Read up on these key facts and learn how to manage and improve your heart health.

Sleep seven to eight hours to protects your heart
People who sleep less than 6 hours a night show tree times the risk of developing heart disease than those who get seven to eight hours. Sleep helps to regulate insulin activity. Lack of sleep causes your more resistance to insulin that results in higher blood sugar levels and will contribute to heart disease due to weight gain. Exhaustion is another symptom of heart disease that is often ignored in females. If you notice that you are persistently exhausted, even after sleeping well, consult your physician.

Dropping just 10 pounds reduces the risk of heart disease 

Sure, weight matters, but your waistline can be an even better indicator of your heart health. Females with waistlines over 40 inches and males with waistlines over 45 inches are at increased risk of heart disease. Studies show that losing even just 10 to 15% of your weight can significantly improve your heart health. And 25 to 55 minutes of aerobic exercise at least four times a week can help to strengthen your heart and reduce bad cholesterol and high blood pressure, especially if combined with a healthy diet.

Laughter actually relaxes your arteries

Laughter is truly the best medicine. The body responds to laughter by lowering stress hormone- cortisol’s levels. Having lower levels of cortisol decreases blood pressure and helps boost your immunity as well as your mood. Studies show that individuals with depression are twice as likely to have a heart attack, so be sure to add a dose of laughter to your life each day.

One drink per day can strengthen your heart

You certainly have heard that drinking a glass of red wine every day can help improve heart health because of its rich antioxidant content that help protect blood vessels of heart and may lower cholesterol. But did you know that not only red wine but beer also help? It contains high levels of vitamin B6- fighter against the homocysteine buildup, one of the damaging chemicals linked to heart disease. Always be careful not to overdo it; too much of anything is bad for you and even alcohol. It will cause high blood pressure, high triglycerides, heart failure, arrhythmias and heart muscle damage. If you do not drink, you should not start.

Knowing your family history is the main key to your healthy heart

Knowing your family history can help to stay on track with your healthy heart. If anyone in your family has experienced heart problems, your risk for developing cardiovascular disease increases. Make sure to tell your doctor about your family history.

Snoring can be a red flag for a heart problem

Do NOT ignore your snore; it is a common medical condition, which increases the risk of developing heart problems. Sleep apnea is a chronic illness that makes it difficult to breathe properly while sleeping, often resulting in snoring. Overweight people are more likely to develop sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea increases susceptibility to high blood pressure and heart disease.
Losing a teaspoon of salt daily takes pressure off your heart
Salt is one of the most overlooked ingredients when looking at nutritional facts. High sodium is linked to development of high blood pressure and increased heart work that leads to heart disease. Check your sodium intake, especially if you are over 55 years old. Do you have high blood pressure? Then, cut out 1 tsp a day which will send you on your way to better heart health.

 

Daily Tips To Help YOU Stay Healthy

I challenge you to do most of the things mentioned every day this week to stay health:

 It is a universally acknowledged truth that you need to begin your day calmly.  Thus, I suggest that you do at least 10 of the things that I've mentioned below.

• Try relaxing for two minutes before your students arrive in the morning.
• At the first break of the day step out of auto-pilot and clear your mind by eating a piece of fruit mindfully. Focus on the experience of eating without multi-tasking or your mind wandering.
• After work or during lunch go for a walk on your own. Focus on what you see, smell, hear, taste, and feel. Don’t use the time to make plans or dwell on problems.
• Think about how the week is going and watch for things that are starting to worry you.
• Half way through the day, why not reduce muscle tension? Tense your shoulders without straining, then relax while breathing deeply. Feel the stress fading away. 
• Avoid the enemies of sleep. Keep a regular sleep schedule, have a relaxing bedtime routine, eat healthily and get regular exercise.
• Try the three-minute breathing space during lunchtime. Sit comfortably and focus on your breath. Your mind will wander, gently bring it back.
• You could also take a five-minute lunchtime vacation. Picture yourself in the most relaxing place you can imagine. You will feel more refreshed on your return.
• Laughing has wide-ranging benefits, improving cardiovascular health and helping you connect with others so start the day with a chuckle.
• Challenge negative self-talk. Work on reducing the “should/shouldn’t/must” statements to reduce stress and increase confidence.
• Identify a buffer zone. Respite from work demands is essential for health and performance. What can you do after work to help you recover?
• Make sure you eat regularly and stay hydrated. This is particularly important (but less likely) when we are busy and stressed.
• Think positive. Focusing on your negative traits and behaviors means that you turn a blind eye to your positive qualities.
• Make a list of things that help you relax. Then choose one and do it without feeling guilty.

Does Exercise Really Make Us Smarter?

We have been told in past years that exercise improves our brains.  But does it really enhance our mental abilities, or do our expectations give our brains a boost instead (placebo effect)?

The placebo effect is perhaps best known as it relates to drugs.  If a person believes that a drug works, their body may create the results expected by taking the drug even though they are taking a fake look-alike called a placebo.

Placebos are important, because they help scientists to control for people’s expectations.  As I said, if people believe that a drug will lead to certain outcomes, their bodies may produce those results, even if the volunteers are taking a look-alike dummy pill.  As mentioned, that is what is known as the placebo effect, and its occurrence suggests that the drug or procedure under consideration is NOT as effective as it might seem to be; some of the work is being done by people’s expectations, NOT by the medicine.

Recently, some scientists have begun to question whether the apparently beneficial effects of exercise on thinking might be a placebo effect.  While many studies suggest that exercise may have cognitive benefits, those experiments all have had a notable scientific limitation: They have not used placebos.

Studying this issue, however, is NOT easy since there is no placebo for exercise and no way to blind people about whether they are exercising.  They know if they are walking or cycling or NOT.

 

Thus, researchers at Florida State University in Tallahassee and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came up with a clever workaround.  The researchers decided to focus on expectations, on what people anticipate that exercise will do for thinking.  If people’s expectations jibe closely with the actual benefits, then at least some of those improvements are probably a result of the placebo effect and NOT of exercise.

 

The scientists had seen this situation at work during an earlier study of video games and cognition. Past research had suggested that playing action-oriented video games improves players’ subsequent thinking skills.  But when scientists in the new study asked video-game players to estimate by how much the games would improve their thinking, the players’ estimates almost exactly matched the gains seen on cognitive tests after playing.  In other words, the cognitive benefits of playing video games appear to be largely a result of a placebo effect.

The new study, which was recently published, had the researchers repeat the above experiment but focused on exercise.  Recruiting 171 people through an online survey system, they asked half of these volunteers to estimate by how much a stretching and toning program performed three times a week might improve various measures of thinking, including memory and mental multitasking.

 

The other volunteers were asked the same questions, but about a regular walking program.

 

In actual experiments, stretching and toning regimens generally have little if any impact on people’s cognitive skills.  However, walking seems to substantially improve thinking ability.

 

But the survey respondents believed the opposite, estimating that the stretching and toning program would be more beneficial for the mind than walking.  The volunteers’ estimates of the likely cognitive improvements from gentle toning averaged about a three on a scale from one to six. The estimates of benefits from walking were lower.

 

The above info, while they do not involve any actual exercise, is good news for people who do exercise.  “The results from our study suggest that the benefits of aerobic exercise are not a placebo effect,” said Cary Stothart, a graduate student in cognitive psychology at Florida State University, who led the study.

 

If expectations had been driving the improvements in cognition seen in studies after exercise, Mr. Stothart said, then people should have expected walking to be more beneficial for thinking than stretching.  They did NOT, implying that the changes in the brain and thinking after exercise are physiologically genuine.

 

The findings are strong enough to suggest that exercise really does change the brain and may, in the process, improve thinking.   The findings should spur the rest of us to move, since the benefits are, it seems, not imaginary, even if they are in our head.

So How Effective Is Banaba Leaf Extract For Lowering Blood Sugar & Glucose Levels?

Research has shown banaba leaf is effective for lowering blood glucose in people with regularly high blood sugar. It may also aid weight loss if high blood sugar has led to obesity. Experts say the reason banaba leaf can have a positive effect on blood sugar levels is because it contains a natural concentration of corosolic acid, which mimics the function of insulin by aiding the metabolism of glucose.

Warnings & “Scams”

As with anything, there are always potential “negatives” and here are a few things you want to watch out for. Generally speaking, Banaba has been shown to be safe, when taken in proper dosages. However, a few things to consider:

As seen in the clinical studies, you want to ONLY use the“extract” form and NOT the “raw powder” – which doesn’t have any glucose lowering or health benefits.

The CORRECT extract for use is standardized for 1.5%Corosolic Acid

You don’t want to take only Banaba by itself, because you would need a very high dosages to feel the glucose lowering benefits. And not only are there potential side-effects at higher dosages – such as liver stress, but your body will adapt quicker and thus, an even higher dose will be required over time.

It’s best to combine it with other ingredients (more on this below) for improved benefits and reduced side-effects.
But, don’t go out and spend your hard-earned money on Banaba Leaf just yet …

“So, What’s YOUR Best & Safest Solution?…”

 

I’ll be honest with you. No one single ingredient works at 100% effectiveness forever, let alone for every person. And that includes Banaba or any other single herb or nutrient.

 

Think about it. Just like you don’t eat only broccoli for best health, you don’t want to use only one herb or nutrient either.

The most effective and safest products use a combination of different nutrients and ingredients, at specific proven dosages, creating a special synergy which will dramatically help lower blood sugar & glucose, without serious negative side-effects.

Now, based on my research, the following ingredient have been scientifically shown to work, they’re effective and safe for both short and long-term usage:

• Combination of BOTH Chromium Piconlinate & Polynicotinate (ChromeMate®)
• Alpha Lipoic Acid (NA-R version is best)
• Cinnamon Extract (4:1 ratio)
• Bitter Melon
• Gymnema Sylvestre Extract (75% Gymnemic Acids)
• Bilberry Leaf Extract (25% Anthocyanosides)
• Fenugreek Extract
• Banaba Leaf Extract (1% corosolic acid)
• L-Taurine

Additionally, whatever product you select – make sure it has contains some essential vitamins and minerals, that are typically lacking and not being absorbed properly by individuals with glucose problems. The most important are:

• Magnesium (as Glycinate & Citrate)
• Vitamin C
• B-Vitamins (B1, B3, B5, B6 and B12)
• Zinc Picolinate
• Manganese
• Selenium
• Biotin (very important)

When the above ingredients are combined together in proper ratios, the “synergy” creates a much more effective solution, at a lower dose – WITHOUT your body adapting or having negative side-effects. That’s the secret!…

Confused? Too Many Options & Choices?
Here’s What Other People Have Done…

Now, you might be thinking, “Geez, I don’t want to take 20-30 pills a day, buying a bunch of bottles and herbs” and I don’t blame you. Who has the time OR money?…

Fortunately, there’s “all-in-one” solution called Blood Sugar Optimizer™, which contains the above key ingredients, in specific extracted dosages — in addition to a couple other helpful ingredients.

The feedback has been amazing and since the product has been around for almost a decade, you know it works!

Anyways, there’s a  free video about how Blood Sugar Optimizer™ works, how you’ll benefit, the clinical studies, reviews, etc… Take a look and let me know what you think!



Sitting is Unhealthy … Unless You’re Physically Fit

The health risks of prolonged sitting:

A new study that was recently conducted has found that it is NOT so bad for you if you are physically fit.  Prolonged sitting at your desk at work or sitting on your couch and in your car for a prolonged period has previously been linked to obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.

The study, was conducted at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas.  The study enrolled 1,304 men between 1981 and 2012.  The participants reported on how much time they spent watching TV and sitting in their cars and took a treadmill test to determine their physical fitness.  Results showed that once physical fitness was factored in prolonged sitting.  Prolonged sitting was associated only with a higher ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol, NOT the long list of health problems identified in earlier studies.

Of course, this undoubtedly will NOT be the last word on the subject, but it does hint that for those with desk jobs, long commutes and some TV time, the impact of sitting on health may NOT be as bad as previously thought.