Quantcast
Channel: Latest News
Viewing all 5527 articles
Browse latest View live

Half Of British Women 'Can't Afford' Dentist

0
0

Half of British women don’t go to the dentist more frequently because they can’t afford it, a new poll by Simplyhealth suggests.

Cost was the primary reason cited by women in a poll of almost 12,000 adults, with one in five saying they feared the price would be too high due to the length of time they’d left since their last visit.

According to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), people shouldn’t leave longer than 24 months between appointments.

The British Dental Association’s chief executive, Peter Ward, pointed out that during times of financial anxiety, dental care can get ‘deferred’.

“Achieving short-term money savings at the expense of longer term health problems really isn’t wise though,” he adds.

“ Neglecting your oral health can increase both the complexity of the problem and cost of the treatment you must eventually have.”

The BDA highlights that some people do not have to pay for NHS treatment, these include include people who are on income support, those under 19 and receiving full-time education, and pregnant women or those who have or had a baby in the previous 12 months.

James Glover from Simplyhealth says: "With 22% of people that have visited the dentist receiving bills of over £300, and 44% of these paying for the treatment by credit card, it is vital that individuals plan how to cover these costs. Dental plans and cash plans are a great way of helping individuals and families to spread the cost of visiting the dentist, ensuring dental care is affordable even when finances don't allow."


'I Wanted To Be The Healthy, Beautiful Person I Knew I Was On The Inside'

0
0

Got a success story of your own? Send it to us at success.stories@huffingtonpost.com and you could be featured on the site!

Name: Natt Smith
Age: 25
Height: 5'5"
Before Weight: 211 pounds

How I Gained It: I have been a bit heavy my entire life and coming from a family of naturally thin people, I would often ask the question "Why me?" When it came to food I never felt satisfied and I would beg my mom to give me seconds or thirds. She did her best to distract me, but when she wouldn't give in I would scream and cry till she gave me what I wanted. If she didn't, I went in the fridge when she wasn't looking and took it on my own. When I was in second grade, a schoolmate told me I was fat, so I started a series of very unhealthy yo-yo diets. It continued on throughout my teens, when I ballooned to 211 pounds. The problem with overeating is the vicious cycle it creates. I was depressed because of how I was getting teased at school -- it was so bad that I memorized where certain bullies were throughout the day so I could try my best to avoid them. To numb the pain I would go home and drown my sorrows in a box of blueberry Pop-Tarts and a large Little Caesars pizza, which would only propel me to feel worse for the amount of calories I consumed. The pain never subsided.

The Breaking Point: I was walking down the science hall and one of the notorious school bullies poured milk over my head and followed me around making mooing sounds, pausing only intermittently to ask why I was so fat. I went home and had a good cry, and from that moment on I decided I was no longer going to give the power to other people's cruel words. I wanted to be the healthy, beautiful person I knew I was on the inside.

How I Lost It: I started off walking. I would walk for four to five miles a day. When I became stronger, I started kick-boxing classes and running on a treadmill. I figured out my resting metabolic rate, and would not eat calories beyond what I burned. I had lost 56 pounds when I stepped foot into high school, and for the first time in my life I was thriving. Unfortunately, over the course of high school and university I ended up gaining most of the weight back, as is the case for many people who lose a significant amount of weight.

In 2009, I moved to Busan, South Korea. Deciding to embrace the new change in my life, I continued my journey to become a healthy adult. I thought cardio was the key to weight loss, and while it is important, it was when I started doing a combination of cardio and strength training that I started seeing real results. About eight months ago I started researching a plant-based, whole-foods diet. I watched documentaries, became part of the vegetarian movement here in Busan and read everything I could before deciding that veganism was the right option for my life and what I wanted out of it. I have since lowered my blood pressure and decreased my body fat. I wake up feeling energized and fall asleep easily. I have stronger and healthier hair, skin and nails, and I have managed to get to a very healthy 137 pounds. I have never been happier, and I will carry on my life fighting the good fight for a healthier mind and body.

After Weight: 135 pounds
2012-04-17-Natt2.jpg

Check out more of our inspiring weight loss stories below:

For more on weight loss, click here.

Unexpected Hurdle For Breastfeeding Moms

0
0

There are many known challenges for breastfeeding moms. Nipple soreness, low milk supply, poor hygiene in public nursing facilities, straight-up societal ignorance… The list goes on. But, money? Despite all of these other roadblocks, most new moms have heard someone herald the benefits of "free milk." Now, according to a new study by sociologists Phyllis Rippeyoung and Mary Noonan, it looks like that sound-bite is inaccurate -- economics may be to blame for mothers not being able to nurse their babies for as long as they should.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for one full year, but government statistics show that only 23.8 percent of moms do so -- 74.6 percent start off nursing, and only 44.3 percent make it to the six-month mark. And while there are doctors, lactation consultants and a host of products to help moms overcome the physical hurdles, there has been little research into how to help them with other roadblocks.

Researcher Phyllis Rippeyoung, one of the researchers who wanted to investigate this situation further, told MSNBC that her own experience made her curious about how work -- and therefore money -- impacts nursing.

"I was a grad student at the time driving back and forth between teaching and classes, and my milk was drying up since I couldn’t drive and pump at the same time. It was a very difficult thing, but I had to stop breast-feeding. If I’d continued I couldn’t have worked at the same time," she said.

What she found, along with co-researcher Mary Noonan is that mothers who "breastfed for six months or more suffered 'more severe and more prolonged earnings losses' than mothers who breastfed for a shorter amount of time, or not at all," Miller-Miccune reports.

Out of 1,313 women who participated in their study, moms who breastfed for "long durations" saw a steeper decline of income earned in five years than moms who did not. Researchers accredit more time spent out of work and less hours worked as reasons for their findings.

Obama's health care reform legislation requires employers to provide nursing mothers with breaks and a place to pump. While many companies do strive to comply, women still face challenges handling both work and breastfeeding -– pumping at the office means a few hours away from the desk. And still, other women may only have a bathroom in their workplaces making the practice even more difficult to maintain.

NY Times columnist, KJ Dell'antonia points out that many mothers won't be surprised by the findings. "It comes … from the annals of 'duh:' we knew that," she says. Simply put: Moms who breastfeed can’t spend as much time working as those who do not.

But, perhaps these new findings will provide greater encouragement for companies to support working mothers when they return after a maternity leave. Moms and "lactivists" are in a seemingly never-ending fight to gain acceptance for breastfeeding wherever and whenever a baby is hungry. Most recently, the City of Seattle passed a law that makes breastfeeding a civil right, meaning it is now illegal to ask a mom to stop nursing in any given place. However, beyond legislative rights, Dell’antonia identifies "that not every woman has that 'choice' available." Mothers who work outside the home are only allotted 12 weeks maternity leave.

Researchers noted that long-duration breastfeeders are "more likely to be married to college-educated men who make enough money to support the family while the wife takes a leave of absence". Miller-McCune's Tom Jacobs says there is a clear explanation for a wide gap between moms who breastfeed and moms who don't -- some women, especially those in lower income brackets, may have "a lack of options," he writes.

The study suggest that one solution “would be to pass a federal law protecting women's rights to breastfeed at work" that is implemented more strictly than the 2010 health care reform act.

Jacobs writes that "it’s not enough to simply tell mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding. Real changes need to be made in both the home and at the workplace to make it feasible for more women to simultaneously earn a living and nourish their baby."

Why Just Letting It Go Could Improve Your Well-Being

0
0

Letting things go when they are no longer a feasible option could help to improve your well-being and fitness levels, according to a new study.

Researchers from Concordia University and McGill University found that among breast cancer survivors, letting go of unrealistic goals and making new, achievable ones is linked with a higher quality of life and an increase in physical activity.

"By engaging in new goals a person can reduce the distress that arises from the desire to attain the unattainable, while continuing to derive a sense of purpose in life by finding other pursuits of value," study researcher Carsten Wrosch of Concordia University said in a statement. "Abandoning old goals allows someone to invest sufficient time and energy in effectively addressing their new realities."

The study, published in the journal Psycho-Oncology, included 176 people, ages 28 to 79. Everyone in the study had been diagnosed with breast cancer at least 11 months prior to the study, and had undergone treatment at least three months prior to the study.

At the start of the study, the researchers asked all the study participants to report how well they were able to change their goals based on feasibility. They were also asked to report their physical activity levels, their sedentary activity levels, daily health symptoms like pain or nausea and their general emotional well-being.

The researchers had the study participants self-report these same factors again after three months, and found that the people who were more likely to be able to change their goals were also the ones who got more exercise, had better well-being and had fewer health symptoms.

Previously, a study in the journal Science suggested that letting go of regrets is also mentally healthy. That's because regrets become less valuable as we age, and actually letting go of regret and not ruminating on it may be the more emotionally healthy choice.

Sickening Egyptian ‘Farewell Intercourse’ Law That Allows Men To Have Sex With Dead Wives

0
0

The Egyptian parliament is allegedly planning to introduce a hugely controversial ‘Farewell Intercourse’ law that will allow men to legally have sex with their deceased wives for up to six hours after their death.

This sickening law, which believes the ‘marital bond’ should still exist even after one of the partners have died, has been drawn up by the Islamist-dominated parliament but is yet to be passed, reports the al-Ahram newspaper.

The post-mortem sex law was originally raised by Moroccan cleric Zamzami Abdul Bari in May 2011.

In a further blow to women’s rights, another proposed law is to have the minimum age of marriage lowered to 14.

Following this news, Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW) have appealed against these proposed laws, according to Al Arabiya News.

The head of the NCW sent out a message to the Egyptian People’s Assembly Speaker, Dr Saad al-Katatni, urging them to address the concerns of Egyptian women, who are understandably disgusted by the proposals.

In an article by Egyptian journalist Amro Abdul Samea from the al-Ahram newspaper said: “Talawi tried to underline in her message that marginalising and undermining the status of women in future development plans would undoubtedly negatively affect the country’s human development, simply because women represent half the population.”

The law has also provoked a fierce reaction between local journalists.

Adding to the controversy, Egyptian journalist Jaber al-Qarmounty has said: “This is unbelievable. It is a catastrophe to give the husband such a right."

“Has the Islamic trend reached that far? Is there really a draft law in this regard? Are there people thinking in this manner?”

Although there have been reports that this law could be false and planted into the media by sources close to former dictator Hosni Mubarak, there has been no formal confirmation as of yet.

However, in an article by The Christian Science Monitor, the chances of this law passing is “zero”.


Could Vitamin E Help Fight Cancer?

0
0

The verdict has not been totally clear on vitamin E's role in cancer prevention -- some research has suggested the vitamin might help to protect against cancer, while others have shown it either not having an effect on cancer risk or even increasing cancer risk.

But now, a new study in the journal Cancer Prevention Research shows that two forms of vitamin E -- found in corn, soybean and canola oils -- may have cancer-fighting properties.

"Our message is that the vitamin E form of gamma-tocopherols, the most abundant form of vitamin E in the American diet, and delta-tocopherols, also found in vegetable oils, are beneficial in preventing cancers while the form of vitamin E, alpha- tocopherol, the most commonly used in vitamin E supplements, has no such benefit," study researcher Chung S. Yang, director of the Center for Cancer Prevention Research at Rutgers, said in a statement.

Yang and his colleagues fed animals the vitamin E form that is found in the vegetable oils, and found that the gamma and delta-tocopherol forms of vitamin E worked to stop cancer from developing and growing.

Yang added that a past study in the journal Cancer Prevention Research shows that the delta-tocopheral vitamin E form stops colon cancer development in rats more so than other kinds of vitamin E.

Last year, a study of 35,533 men was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing that taking vitamin E supplements is actually linked with an increased prostate cancer risk. However, Yang said that the vitamin E supplements in that study had the alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E -- not the delta or gamma-tocopheral versions. Therefore, he said, more research is needed to see the effects of all the different kinds of vitamin E.

HuffPost blogger Craig Cooper, founder of Cooperative Health, wrote in a blog post last year that there are actually eight forms of vitamin E -- and some may have different effects than others on cancer.

Best And Worst Nuts For Your Health

0
0


By Amanda MacMillan

Nuts are nature's way of showing us that good things come in small packages. These bite-size nutritional powerhouses are packed with heart-healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals.

Here's a look at the pros and cons of different nuts, as well as the best and worst products on supermarket shelves today. Of course, you can get too much of these good things: Nuts are high in fat and calories, so while a handful can hold you over until dinner, a few more handfuls can ruin your appetite altogether. And although nuts are a healthy choice by themselves, they'll quickly become detrimental to any diet when paired with sugary or salty toppings or mixes.

For more on diet and nutrition, click here.

'Faulty Gene' Fix Could Slow Spread Of Pancreatic Cancer

0
0

A new discovery may offer a glimmer of hope to patients with one of the deadliest cancers, research has shown.

Scientists have identified a previously unknown faulty gene that appears to play a key role in some aggressive forms of pancreatic cancer.

But studies suggest the defect could be fixed using experimental drugs which have already shown promise in lung cancer.

The gene, called USP9x, could be affected in around one in seven pancreatic cancers.

Research on human cell lines and mice have shown that the gene is switched off by chemical "tags" on the surface of its DNA.

Lead scientist Professor David Tuveson, from Cancer Research UK's Cambridge Research Institute, said: "Drugs which strip away these tags are already showing promise in lung cancer and this study suggests they could also be effective in treating up to 15% of pancreatic cancers."

The research is reported in the latest online edition of the journal Nature.

Pancreatic cancer kills around 8,000 people in the UK each year. Although survival rates are improving, fewer than one in five patients survive more than a year after diagnosis.

The scientists screened a mouse version of pancreatic cancer for genes that sped up cancer growth.

They uncovered many genes already known to be involved in the disease. But surprisingly, the most common gene fault was one with no previous links to any cancer type.

Prof Tuveson said: "The genetics of pancreatic cancer has already been studied in some detail, so we were surprised to find that this gene hadn't been picked up before.

"We suspected that the fault wasn't in the genetic code at all, but in the chemical tags on the surface of the DNA that switch genes on and off, and by running more lab tests we were able to confirm this."

Colleague Dr David Adams, from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, said: "The human genome sequence has delivered many new promising leads and transformed our understanding of cancer. Without it, we would have only a small, shattered glimpse into the causes of this disease. This study strengthens our emerging understanding that we must also look into the biology of cells to identify all the genes that play a role in cancer."

Dr Julie Sharp, senior science information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "These results raise the possibility that a class of promising new cancer drugs may be effective at treating some pancreatic cancers.

"Fewer than 20% of people survive pancreatic cancer for a year after diagnosis - a situation that has improved little in the last 20 years. Studies like this one are part of Cancer Research UK's commitment to invest more in hard-to-treat cancers like pancreatic cancer, hopefully improving treatment to save more lives in the future."


Another Reason Why Dark Chocolate (In Moderation!) Is Good For You

0
0

Hooray! -- even more research shows why dark chocolate (in moderation) has heart-healthy benefits.

Researchers from San Diego State University conducted a small controlled study illustrating that eating dark chocolate has positive effects in lowering blood sugar levels and "bad" cholesterol levels and increasing "good" cholesterol levels -- all of which could have positive effects on heart health.

The study was presented at the Experimental Biology 2012 meeting.

For the study, researchers had 31 people eat either 50 grams of regular dark chocolate (70% cocoa), dark chocolate (70% cocoa) that has been overheated, or white chocolate (0% cocoa). The study participants ate their assigned chocolate for a 15-day period; their blood glucose, circulating lipids, blood pressure and blood flow were all measured before and after the study.

But while the researchers found a positive effect of eating the dark chocolate in the study, they cautioned that chocolate is also high in saturated fat and calories, and must therefore be eaten in moderation.

For more sweet benefits of chocolate, click through the slideshow:


Why A Quarter Of Women Don't Use Sun Cream On Holiday

0
0

Almost a quarter of British women do not plan to use sun cream on their summer holidays abroad, a survey by Macmillan Cancer Support has found.

The poll of 1,500 women, conducted ahead of Sun Awareness Week which starts today, showed 22% do not wear creams to protect them from UV rays when they are abroad.

The most common reasons given were that they do not sunburn, that it is too expensive or that they think it does not work.

Almost half said they thought using after-sun cream corrected some of the damage done to their skin.

Macmillan Information Nurse specialist Carol Goodman said: "As people are preparing to go abroad for their annual holiday, it is very concerning that nearly a quarter of British women are putting themselves at risk of skin cancer by not wearing any suntan lotion abroad.

"Over 2,500 people die of skin cancer every year and so it is a real issue."

Macmillan advises applying sun cream half an hour before going into the sun and applying a second layer once it has sunk into the skin to ensure getting the protection the bottle suggests. It should then be reapplied every hour.

For more information visit www.macmillan.org.uk/skin or call 0808 808 00 00. The survey was conducted by Toluna Group on behalf of Macmillan and took place online during February 28 and March 2.

Shallow Society Is Alienating Children, Warns Head

0
0

Children risk becoming "alienated" in a society that values material success and achievement above all else, a leading headteacher is warning.

Youngsters must be given a "sense of belonging" before they can be successful, according to Richard Harman, headmaster of Uppingham School and chairman of the Boarding Schools Association (BSA).

He warns that the UK's education system and culture has its priorities "upside down", and that "proper order" must be restored to stop future generations growing up "forever insecure".

In his speech to the BSA's annual conference for headteachers in Bristol tomorrow, Harman will say: "The culture we live in has come to value material success and achievement above belonging and community.

"We can help redress that balance in our schools and I would argue, as 21st Century boarding school leaders, we're called to do so. If we do it well, we'll be doing a great service to the world, for our youngsters will go on to be leaders of the future in one way or another.

"If, on the other hand, we forget this mission, if we allow the next generation to lose its sense of belonging, its ability to live and work together in spite of differences, if we lose those very things that make boarding schools such special places, then we risk unravelling the fabric of society. And I think in many parts of our world this is already happening. We can see the results all around us. The flipside of belonging is alienation."

Harman cites evidence which argues that after the most basic human needs for safety, warmth and shelter have been met, the next most important thing for the human psyche is is a sense of love and belonging.

"In the past few decades we've forgotten that a sense of belonging must be built before we can attain lasting achievement and self-esteem, otherwise the whole structure is in danger of collapse.

"No wonder we have a generation of youngsters who suffer from self-esteem that is either too low or unjustifiably high. The over emphasis on material success and, in education, on valuing attainment only, with too little attention paid to establishing a sense of belonging, has meant that some fundamental values have been inverted.

"Essentially, our education system and our culture have got things upside down. We've told our children that they will reach a sense of belonging by means of achieving material success, instead of the other way round.

"It's like a parent who says to their child, 'You'll earn my love and you'll belong here only once you've achieved certain things', rather than 'I love you, you belong, now go out and risk success'.

He adds: "It's important that the proper order is restored; otherwise we'll go on producing generations of children with a belonging deficit, forever insecure. Boarding schools can make a contribution here."

Harman will also say that education is not just about qualifications.

"Qualifications in Maths, English or Chemistry are a necessary, but not sufficient part of this kind of education.

"Now more than ever, I think it's important to re-affirm that real education is not something that is done to someone but is rather what happens between people in community. This sense of relationship, this sense of belonging is one of the most precious things we foster in our pupils, and it's something that society at large seems to have forgotten."

A Third Of Doctors Fob Off Young People With Cancer Symptoms

0
0

Two thirds (61%) of young people with cancer visited GPs with at least one of the most common cancer symptoms - yet for a third (28%) their doctors took no action, according to research.

A quarter (26%) visited GPs four times or more before their symptoms were taken seriously and they were referred to a specialist.

The research, conducted at Teenage Cancer Trust's 2012 conference for 300 young cancer patients, looked at the experiences of 13- to 24-year-olds when they first experienced symptoms of cancer.

Researchers said their findings highlight "the serious issue of delayed diagnosis" in the age group.

Misdiagnoses and feedback from GPs included:

  • Infection or virus (15%)

  • It's nothing/you're attention seeking (12%)

  • Sports injury (10%)

  • Stress, depression or psychosomatic (6%)

  • "Take painkillers" (5%)

  • Eating disorder (2%)

  • "Come back in six months"

Three patients were told specifically "you don't have cancer".

Other misdiagnoses included telling patients they were suffering indigestion, vertigo and swine flu.

Professor Sir Mike Richards, national clinical director for cancer, said: "Early diagnosis is best achieved through the education of young people to increase their confidence in talking to doctors and helping everyone recognise the signs and symptoms of cancer in this age group.

"This is a major programme of work, and something which we are working closely with Teenage Cancer Trust to achieve."

More than a third (34%) of young cancer patients believe learning about cancer at school would have helped them identify their symptoms sooner.

The majority (59%) also want to see the signs and symptoms of cancer included in the national curriculum.

The findings come as Teenage Cancer Trust launches the first Teenage Cancer awareness week.

Running from today to May 4, the week will educate young people, parents, teachers and health professionals about the signs and symptoms of cancer in 13 to 24-year-olds.

The charity has also produced a schools pack to help teachers talk about cancer in the classroom.

Simon Davies, chief executive of Teenage Cancer Trust said: "We have been urging for cancer to be on the national curriculum for many years. "We're still waiting.

"That's why we've developed our own education team to help teachers tackle this difficult topic and created Teenage Cancer awareness week to help raise awareness of the five most common signs of cancer.

"Young people need GPs to take a 'three strikes' approach.

"If a young person presents with the same symptoms three times, GPs should automatically refer them for further investigation.

"The two week referral for suspected cancer is a major breakthrough but young people won't benefit until GPs think cancer quicker."

Five of the most common symptoms and warning signs in youngsters are unexplained and persistent:

  • Pain
  • A lump, bump or swelling
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Significant weight loss
  • Changes in a mole

Is Parkinson's Disease More Likely To Strike People With This Personality Trait?

0
0

Some personality traits appear to be linked with the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, a new study suggests. The results show patients with Parkinson's disease are more likely to be cautious and avoid taking risks compared with people who don't have Parkinson's.

13 Foods With More Saturated Fat Than A Cheeseburger

0
0

By now, we know there are both "good" fats and "bad" fats. But what's the difference?

First, the good. Unsaturated fats, which include both monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, are found primarily in plant-based sources and can decrease cholesterol levels and inflammation and regulate heart rhythms, according to Harvard School of Public Health. These fats can be found in avocados, nuts, fish, flaxseeds and olive, peanut and canola oil, to name a few. (For examples of foods that can naturally lower your cholesterol, click here.)

And now for the bad. Trans fats, which are created during processing, raise bad (LDL) cholesterol and lower the good (HDL). And saturated fats, which are found mostly in animal products and some plant oils, can raise blood cholesterol levels, and ultimately increase the risk of both heart disease and stroke, according to the American Heart Association.

Together, decreasing consumption of the bad fats and increasing consumption of the good, can help you to lower overall cholesterol. (It's important these steps happen in tandem -- cutting out saturated fats, for instance, and replacing them with refined carbohydrates certainly won't improve health.) But even unsaturated fats can be bad for your health when not consumed in moderation -- the American Heart Association recommends limiting fat intake to 25 to 35 percent of your daily total calories, with most of that coming from the "good" fat category.

So what to avoid? The American Heart Association reports that saturated fats occur naturally in animal-based foods such as fatty beef, lamb, pork, poultry with skin, cream, butter and cheese, as well as certain plant-based foods, such as palm oil and coconut oil.

According to the most recent USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, people should consume no more than 10 percent of daily calories from saturated fats by replacing them with the unsaturated kind -- that adds up to about 22 a day for someone on a 2,200-calorie-a-day diet.

Certain foods blow that count right out of the water in a single serving. Cheeseburgers, for instance, have a bad reputation when it comes to saturated fats. And a well deserved one: a quarter pounder with cheese at McDonald's has 12 grams, while a Whopper sandwich with cheese at Burger King has 16 (almost enough for a whole day's worth in a single meal -- before the fries). But burgers aren't the only saturated fat culprit -- to help you make more sound choices, we rounded up just a few offending meals from popular restaurants.


Can Simply Thinking About Your Phone Lead To A Car Crash?

0
0

New research shows that just thinking about receiving a call or a text message is enough to raise the risk of a crash.


Is 'Sleep Diet' The Easiest Way To Stay Slim... Ever?

0
0

A "sleep diet" may be the best way to slim for someone with an inherited tendency to put on weight, research suggests.

Sleeping more than nine hours a night appears to suppress genetic factors that lead to weight gain, a study has found.
In contrast, getting too little sleep seems to have the opposite effect.

Previous research has shown an association between poor sleep and obesity, but the new findings reveal a complex interaction between sleep and genetic factors linked to body weight.

Scientists made the discovery after studying 1,088 pairs of identical and non-identical twins.

Twin studies help researchers to unravel genetic and environmental influences. Only identical twins share exactly the same genes, and are therefore subject to the same genetic effects, so differences between them are likely to be due to environmental factors.

Non-identical twins do not share the same genes, and may exhibit genetic differences.

The new study found that heritability of body mass index (BMI) - a measurement relating weight and height - was twice as high for short than for long sleepers.

For twins sleeping less than seven hours a night, genetic factors accounted for 70% of differences in BMI.

In the case of twins averaging more than nine hours of sleep, only 32% of weight variations could be attributed to genes.

Dr Nathaniel Watson, from the University of Washington, who led the US study, said: "The results suggest that shorter sleep provides a more permissive environment for the expression of obesity related genes.

"Or it may be that extended sleep is protective by suppressing expression of obesity genes."
The findings were published today in the journal Sleep.

Participants in the study slept for 7.2 hours a night on average. They were mostly young, with an average age of 36.6, well educated, Caucasian and female.

Their average BMI was 25.3, which falls just inside the "overweight" category. Clinical obesity is defined by a BMI of 30 or above.

A total of 38% were female-female identical twins, which made up the most common pairing.

In their paper, the scientists suggest that hectic modern western lifestyles may contribute to obesity.

"Modern society with its ubiquitous technology often can cause misalignment between sleep need and sleep actualisation," they wrote. "This frequently has adverse consequences for cognitive (mental) function and metabolic, cardiovascular, and immunologic health.

"Indeed, over the past century habitual sleep duration has dropped 1.5 hours per night and since 2001 the percentage of US adults getting at least eight hours of sleep per night on weeknights has fallen from 38% to 27%."

They added: "Evidence is mounting that chronically reduced sleep times are associated with obesity."

Sleep may influence weight by affecting hormones, glucose metabolism and inflammation, said the scientists.

Some studies have associated long sleep duration with heart disease, insulin resistence (a precursor to diabetes) and early death.

"We did not observe this in our sample, but our sample is much younger than those used in studies that established these adverse associations," the researchers wrote.

They said it was likely an individual benefited from more sleep "until sleep need and sleep actualisation are balanced".

Quick Study: Should Kids Take On Vegan Diets?

0
0
Quick Study [kwik stuhd-ee]: The Huffington Post Canada's tips to make your life a little sweeter, five minutes at a time. Think of it as a cheatsheet for your general well-being.

Apparently 'Old McDonald Had A Farms' doesn't cut it when it comes to early childhood education any more. Vegan is Love: Having Heart and Taking Action isn't the typical bedtime story you'd find parents reading to their kids before kissing them goodnight -- unless that parent likes to leave images of bloody steaks in meat lockers lingering in the dreams of their six year old.

The picture book, which was released last week, is being slammed as inappropriate, with experts saying the graphic images are akin to brainwashing children to think that veganism is the only lifestyle capable of "standing up for yourself and all other living beings and that is love."

The book also reignites the debate of whether a vegan diet is right for young children. A diet that's free of meats or foods produced by animals has been found to have benefits like lowered risk for diseases, physical perks, and an overall healthier lifestyle. But many parents and nutritional experts question whether the same applies to those who are still growing.

The vocal vegan community online appears to be quite supportive of the idea -- as one woman wrote on Twitter:

Babies and children THRIVE on plant-based diets! “@snobunni101 RT @EuroVegan: #vegan is safe for all ages! http://t.co/skPvjHe6”

For Timi Gustafson, a clinical dietician based in Seattle, Washington, it's a question of nutrition. As he wrote in Seattlepi.com, infants and toddlers are at a stage of rapid growth and development and shouldn't face any dietary restriction.

Gustafson also noted, however, that a vegan diet differs from the typical North American diet, which is typically calorie laden and high in sugar and fats. By adopting a vegan diet, children and their parents could lay down the framework for a healthier style of eating in the future.

Other risks potentially faced by children on a vegan diet are a lack of calories, as the diet tends not to be calorie-dense, as well as a lack of protein, which is consumed primarily from meat. Both calories and protein are prime sources of energy.

SEE: The 5 nutrients vegans need to keep in mind. Story continues below:

TEXT VERSION OF SLIDESHOW HERE

While the vegan diet certainly presents inherent risks and benefits for kids, Gustafson said it's ultimately the child's choice as to their everyday diet.

"What matters most is that children don’t feel forced to stay within strict dietary limits that don’t allow for some flexibility... it’s the same with all diet and lifestyle changes – if [the habits] don’t become natural, they won’t last long," said Gustafson.

SLIDESHOW TEXT VERSION:

  • Ask any pediatrician and they'll tell you that calcium is key to the growth of strong and healthy bones in children. The problem is that since most Canadians get their calcium from dairy products, vegans are often left to find alternative source, such as through pills or supplements.
  • Skip out on iron and you'll probably have to skip out on most of life. That's because you'll be feeling tired, weak, breathless, or suffering from headaches-- all signs of iron deficiency. Fortunately for vegans, dark leafy vegetables can provide a good source of iron if meat is off the table.
  • Protein plays an important role in any diet. It not only serves as a source of energy but also as a building block to keep your body in tip-top shape. It's a nutrient that provides amino acids which helps repair injuries such as tears to muscle tissue or cuts to the skin. For an animal-free source of protein, vegans can look to nuts and beans.
  • Think of Vitamin D as the precursor to calcium. While calcium helps with the development of strong bones, the body still needs something to help absorb all that calcium. That's where vitamin D comes into play and vegans can look to the sun and supplements for their animal-free sources of vitamin D.
  • For vegans, vitamin B-12 is tough to come by since it's a vitamin that only occurs naturally in animal products. Fortunately, an increasing number of products -- like soy milk and cereals -- are being fortified with synthetic vitamin B-12 which can lower the risk to to brain damage and damage to the central nervous system.

Computers Plus Exercise Equals Better Memory Function: Study

0
0

Keep typing and take a walk every day to prevent memory loss -- that's the message behind the Mayo Clinic's most recent study about brain function.

"We know that physical exercise is independently associated with cognitive function, and in 2010, our group reported that moderate physical exercise seemed to be beneficial as well," Dr. Yonas Geda, an associate professor of neurology and psychology and a physician scientist with the Mayo Clinic, told The Huffington Post Canada. "So we asked a simple question - how about if we combine the two?"

The study looked at the computer usage and physical activity of 926 people, ages 70 to 93, and assessed whether or not the subjects were experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a stage defined by professionals as being between normal aging and more pronounced form of dementia.

For the subjects who neither exercised nor used a computer, 20.1 per cent were cognitively normal and 37.6 per cent showed signs of MCI. Those who exercised and used computer almost flipped the numbers exactly -- 36 per cent were cognitively normal, and 18.3 per cent showed signs of MCI.

"We found there was indeed a synergistic action between computer activities and physical exercise," says Dr. Gepa, referring to the process wherein two elements create a result not possible with either on its own.

Moderate exercise has been linked to increased memory function in many studies, and Dr. Gepa feels this indicates his results would translate to younger populations as well.

The best results were for those who exercised moderately five to six times a week, but even once a week was helpful, Dr. Gepa emphasizes. "You should never underestimate any small amount of activity," he says.

He referred to Dr. James Levine's NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) research, which posits that all the small movements we make throughout the day can add up to the kind of activity we need for both physical and mental health.

SEE: Small changes you can make in your own life to increase physical activity:

Hang Dry Your Clothes
The next time you're lucky enough to have a hot and sunny day, don't think of it as a opportunity to hide in your fortress of air conditioning, but rather as a chance to let your clothes hang to dry. By hanging your clothes to dry instead of using a machine dryer, you make more movements and save money on your electricity bill. It's a win-win manoeuvre.

Hand Wash And Dry Your Dishes
Ask yourself this: "do three plates really justify using a dishwasher?" Your probably already know the answer, so break out those rubber gloves and get washing. Just think of all the extra calories you're burning instead of being a slave to a water-guzzling machine.

Toss The Takeout Menu
Stop reaching for the phone and reach for a knife and cutting board instead. After all, what business does a person trying to be healthy have ordering food from a takeout joint?

Park As Far Away As Possible
If you're looking to squeeze in any extra exercise in your hectic schedule, try parking a little bit further from the entrance of your workplace. The extra distance will allow you to burn some calories -- or at the very least, prepare you for the eight-hour grind that's to come.

Opt For Stairs Whenever Possible
The hierarchy of transportation in buildings is as follows: stairs > escalators > elevators, both in terms of calories burned and in efficiency. Think about the last time you had to wait for an elevator: Couldn't have all that time you spent standing aimlessly been put to use by taking the stairs?

Ditch The Remote
In an age of PVR, Netflix and Apple TV, the remote is your best friend. But the next time an irritating commercial comes up or you're sick of that Seinfeld re-run, try getting up, walking to the TV and manually changing the channel. Now, repeat the exercise every time that happens and you've got yourself a recipe for a workout.

Cleaning Your Windows
Why hire a professional window cleaner when you can get a workout and save money in the process? Between the stretching, the repetitive motion of squeegeeing, and climbing up and down on a step ladder, window cleaning in an easy way to burn calories and save a few bucks too.

Pick Up A Push Mower
If you want a surefire way to burn calories this summer, give the poor kid down the street a break and mow your own lawn. And if you really want to push yourself, invest in a push mower. They're quiet, require next to no maintenance and you can keep all that extra gas that would have gone to a power mower where it belongs: in your car.

Pick Up A Rake
Picture this: a beautiful autumn day with hues of orange, red, and yellow juxtaposed across a clear blue sky... all ruined because the jerk next door decided to rev up the leaf blower. Don't be that jerk neighbour. Instead, opt to rake your leaves, as it's an easy opportunity to burn some calories during a season when most people are stuffing themselves with Thanksgiving dinner.

Hand Wash Your Car
It's tempting to take your car in for a touchless car wash but just think of all those potential movements you could be making going down the drain instead. Between the lifting of heavy buckets of soapy water and stretching out to make sure you don't miss a spot, hand washing a car provides plenty of exercise in an era of luxury and convenience.

'I Am A Brand-New Person'

0
0

Got a success story of your own? Send it to us at success.stories@huffingtonpost.com and you could be featured on the site!

Name: Iris Osorio
Age: 30
Height: 4'11"
Before Weight: 283 pounds

How I Gained It: I am a stay-at-home mother of three. I was a type-2 diabetic and my blood sugar would get as high as 800. I didn't care, because I loved to eat! I ate all day and sat around watching TV. I never said no to any food. I ate almost 6,000 calories a day. I ate late at night, right before bed, every day of my life.

Breaking Point: My last hospital visit was the worst. I lost my vision and it scared me. I asked God, "Please, I promise I will change if you give me back my sight." When my sugars came back down to normal, I did.

How I Lost It: I joined MMAXOUT gym. Working with my trainer, Hamilton Vidal Newton, changed my life! People would always look at me when I walked in because I was so big and think I couldn't do it. Well, I showed them! I didn't give up and made it through the whole hour. I was so proud of myself and had the biggest smile on my face. I am now certified in kickboxing and teach classes. I love kickboxing and step classes. I have a lot of drive -- if I want something, I work hard to get it!

I used a low-carb diet and it worked. If I do have a cheat meal, I do it only once every six months. Now, I have been eating so well for so long that unhealthy food makes me sick.

I am no longer on my meds and have never been healthier! I eat, sleep and breathe fitness. I dream of new workouts I can teach my class. I want to help people not get to where I was. I felt like I was in jail in my own body, but I broke free. Yes, it is hard work, but at the end of the road there is a new you waiting. I am so proud of myself for what I have done! I am a brand-new person, and I would not trade it in for the world!

After Weight: 143 pounds
2012-04-23-Iris2.jpg

Check out more of our inspiring weight loss stories below:

For more on weight loss, click here.

11-Year-Old Girl Wins £10 Million NHS Compensation

0
0

A girl who suffered devastating injuries at birth is to receive compensation worth £10.8 million.

The sum awarded to 11-year-old Milly Evans at London's High Court today is thought to be one of the highest - if not the highest - clinical negligence awards.

After Milly's birth at Lincoln County Hospital, on March 1 2001, she was transferred to the neo-natal unit, where she underwent resuscitation and suffered a seizure.

Her parents, Andy and Kate, claimed that if the baby's heart had been properly monitored, the midwife would have spotted her fetal distress sooner, and Milly would have been delivered earlier without suffering catastrophic injury.

Their counsel, Susan Rodway QC, told the judge, Sir Robert Nelson, that it was a tragic case. She said: "It is yet another incident of an avoidable accident at birth which caused devastating injuries."

Milly suffers from cerebral palsy and requires 24-hour care and help with all aspects of daily living.

She is confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak, although her intellect has remained fairly well intact and she communicates through sophisticated eye-gaze equipment.

She sat smiling in court as the judge approved a settlement involving a lump sum of £5.866 million and lifelong periodic payments rising to £204,000 a year.

He had heard that United Lincolnshire Hospital NHS Trust admitted liability in March 2010 but had contested the amount of damages until the parties recently reached agreement.

He told 45-year-old Mr Evans, a former squadron leader in the RAF and member of the Red Arrows display team, who was unable to continue his career because of Milly's disabilities, that he and his 41-year-old wife, Kate, had both done a "fantastic" job.

"The love and devotion you have shown to Milly with her problems has been enormous," he added.

Paul Rees QC, for the trust, paid tribute to the family and offered them an unreserved apology for the events surrounding Milly's birth.

Mr Rees added: "No amount of fine words can put right that wrong. I know that and everyone in court knows that. But they are entitled to hear in open court that apology."

The family's lawyers, Access Legal from Shoosmiths, said that the money would ensure that Milly had a positive life experience as far as possible given her condition.

She would now be able to have a specially-adapted home, with hoists and a hydrotherapy pool, which would be big enough for her to access all rooms.

Partner Denise Stephens said: "Milly is an amazing girl, with a beautiful smile and a sense of humour.

"She requires round-the-clock care and attention, and will do so for the rest of her life.

"It was crucial, therefore, that we were able to secure a compensation award of this size to provide for Milly's needs."

Mrs Evans, who lives with her family in Lincolnshire, said later: "Milly is a very beautiful, bright, kind and loving daughter, with a wicked sense of humour.

"Unfortunately, she is trapped inside a body that does not function, and she is not able to do the very basic things that we all take for granted.

"I feel utter grief and loss for the life that Milly could have had if she had she not been injured.

"Milly is a very much-loved member of the family and we all feel privileged to have such a lovely daughter.

"The family have been through a very difficult time. The money will never make up for the mistake that condemned Milly to a lifetime of dependency on others.

"However, it will ensure that Milly is provided with full-time care and equipment throughout her life. We now want to build a loving and secure life for Milly in a new adapted home.

"Milly is incredibly hard-working, adventurous and positively enjoys many activities. including sailing.

"We are over the moon that not only will Milly be looked after financially for the rest of her life, we can now pay for the
technology and modifications needed to help her achieve her full potential."

Viewing all 5527 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images