Drink Up!

Check out this great article in Yahoo! Health.

It explores some great beverages– besides water– that help you stay healthy, keep in shape and even fend off cancer. Sure, we’ve all heard that cranberry juice has great antioxidants and that OJ is a great source of Vitamin C…. But Black Tea to prevent skin cancer? Chocolate Milk to fight off belly fat? It’s worth the quick read.

One thing that the article does not mention is the high sugar content in some these drinks. The benefits are there, but opt for low-sugar or all natural whenever possible!

Don’t Vaccinate Your Chickens Before They Hatch.

In response to the recent salmonella crisis, which sickened 1300 people and forced a recall of over half a BILLION eggs, people starting pointing fingers. They pointed at the hens, of course, but also to those roosting in the White House…. the U.S. government.

Nearly a decade ago, Britain faced a similar crisis and was compelled to both recall and restructure. To avoid a repeat of their situation, they made the legal decision to vaccinate their hens against the salmonella bacteria.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, when faced with the same risk, chose NOT to vaccinate their hens… an interesting decision considering that it would only cost them about a penny per dozen eggs. They are now facing harsh criticism from consumers and industry experts who say that an investment then could have prevented the issues now.

Well, I’m pointing fingers too. And it’s not at the hens or the FDA… it’s the commercial-based chicken farms who mass produce eggs. Instead of vaccinating our poultry and ignoring this true root of this problem, why don’t we look to the source? This entire issue could have been PREVENTED by demanding better conditions at these chicken farms. Specifically, that means fewer chickens per square foot and better living conditions for the chickens.

I understand that can sounds ridiculous demanding “better living conditions” for chickens. I’m not saying that they need to lay on chaise lounges and be fed corn de creme… but the general practice right now is to stuff them into ridiculously small cages so that they are forced to sit in their own bacteria-ridden feces. How do we expect a superior product when this in the environment of cultivation?

Furthermore, do we really need more chemicals and medication going into our animal products? We’ve all heard the speculations that vaccines can be linked to cancer and autism and, although it might be a coincidence, Britain has startlingly high rates of both.

The Morals of the Story: 

1. There is no reason (aside from $$) to resort to chemicals when there are healthier alternatives. The conditions of commercial poultry farms have to change and this should be the catalyst.
2. Local organic is the safest  bet when you’re dealing with animal products.

The Exinction of Antibiotics?

Scientists give it about ten years until antibiotics are deemed entirely ineffective.

This is a scary thought when you consider the number of bacterial inefections and diseases antibiotics have combatted since introduced 67 years ago. In those couple generations, we abused antibiotics enough to create resistant genes that scoff at even the most powerful forms of the medication.

Most recently, scientists discovered a gene called NDM 1 that causes resistance in bacteria like E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae (both responsible for many human infections). The gene is already widespread in India and could spread through global travel. Currently, there are no known medications to treat NDM-produced infections.

So what does this mean for you?

Most obviously, the ‘extinction’ of antibiotics means few resources for combatting potentially-fatal infection. This could be devastating in cases of medical surgery, wherein cavities of the body are exposed to numerous bacteria.

Consider these statistics from the Health Protection Agency:   the chances of dying from hospital pneumonia or septicaemia (blood poisoning) are TWICE as high if the bacteria are drug-resistant. In the case of pneumonia, your odds of death could be as high as 60%.

So what do we do?

• PRIORITIZE. As I’ve always stressed, responsible antibiotic use is CRITICAL right now. In a society where doctors dole out meds like hot cakes, we need to tone it down and prioritize. Antibiotics should be used exclusively for surgery and serious infection.

 

• RESEARCH…OUT OF THE BOX.  Scientists also need to put money into exploring alternatives for antibiotics. And, no, I’m not necessarily saying stronger antibiotics; I would encourage them to consider herbs and natural remedies that contain antibiotic properties. Garlic, Goldenseal, Echinacea…, don’t rule these out entirely. Even derivatives of these herbs could prove beneficial.

 

• PREVENT. Perhaps above all, we should start to invest in illness prevention. Preventative medicine could be our most effective means of combatting the less severe conditions that currently warrant an antibiotic Rx. This could mean promoting probiotics and other natural remedies that bolster the immune system.

 

• CUT IT OUT! And last, but certainly not least…. GET THE ANTIBIOTICS OUT OF OUR FOOD. This responsibility lies with both the consumer and those in charge of regulating U.S. agriculture. I would venture to say that this is one of the leading causes of antibiotic resistance in our country.  

By hitting these points, we could buy ourselves a few more years of responsible antibiotic use. If the future of our health depends on it, we can’t act soon enough. Check out the entire article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/aug/12/the-end-of-antibiotics-health-infections.

High-Tech Tools for Staying Healthy

We usually revert to nature when in pursuit of wellness, but the New Age has no shortage of solutions for keeping yourself healthy. With the long-awaited debut of the iPhone 4 came a salvo of new web apps to address the user’s every need. When Apple claimed the iPhone would “change everything,” they meant everything; their applications can help you find a restaurant, track your finances, translate languages and, of course, maintain your health. Here’s a list of some of the most useful apps for staying healthy in a fast-paced, high-tech world.

• Yoga Stretch – This is a great app for those seeking physical and mental balance on a tight schedule. Yoga Stretch lets you choose your own soothing soundtrack to create a peaceful ambiance for your routine. You then follow voice prompts and instructional images that guide you through a set of yoga poses. You can customize your own session according to your personal preferences or you can try out one of their preloaded routines. So skip the yoga studio after work and channel your chi from the comfort of your own home!
• Quick Health Calculator – Diabetes is a growing epidemic in our society and awareness is often the best prevention. This app allows you to quickly and easily calculate your level of risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. By inputting height, weight, and waist measurements, you can also determine your Body Mass Index, another indicator of potential health concerns. If the Calculator determines that you are at risk, you can seek the help of a professional.
• Be Happy Now with GBM – This app claims to take you from Bummerville to Happytown in 30 seconds using unique meditation technology. GBM stands for Gratitude-Bliss Meditation, which aims to increase your sense of happiness through the art of peaceful reflection. In addition to making your day a little brighter, happiness is linked to many additional physical and mental health benefits. What’s more, a daily dose of Be Happy Now could quash your need for a daily dose of medication.
• MyNetDiary – Food and Exercise Log – Based on the popular MyNetDiary.com, this app gives you easy access to your own digital food and exercise diary, as well as your own custom weight loss program. You can use it to plan and analyze your diet, set nutritional guidelines, keep track of your meals and workouts, and view updates from your nutritionist. You can also use this app to calculate body fat, bone weight, and water and lean muscle percentages.
• Calorie Counter – To supplement your diet and exercise regimen, the Calorie Counter is an easy way to keep your diet on track and your weight in check. Use it in addition to your Food and Exercise Log to check the calorie content of your food or use it by itself when you’re looking for a reasonable meal at a restaurant.
• Quitter – For all those struggling smokers out there, the iPhone has you covered. This great app offers support and incentive to stay smoke-free by telling you how many days you’ve been without a cigarette and how much money you’ve saved by quitting. You just need to type in the price of your packs, how much you had smoked previously and when you stopped. It will do the rest of the work. Sometimes, this gentle reminder is all you need to beat the habit.
• SymptomMD – Even when you’re taking care of yourself, sometimes things come up that make you question your health. Whether you’re suffering from a bad cough or a nasty rash, this app will help you get to bottom of your ailment. Just type in your symptoms and you will get back descriptions of a few potential causes. This can be a huge help, but never diagnose or prescribe to yourself. If your symptoms are bad, make sure you consult your medical physician or Naturopathic doctor.
• Men’s Health Workouts  – Men’s Health Magazine sponsors its own app for their gentleman crowd, but ladies can also benefit from this body-building tool. The app features 23 workout options and over 150 step-by-step exercises that target the lower and upper body. Turn your iPhone into your trainer, without the cost or the sweaty spotter.

With all these capabilities at your fingertips, there’s no excuse to shortchange yourself. New technologies, like the iPhone, make it easy for you to stay healthy, even in this hectic culture. Wellness for the twenty-first century? Yes, there’s an app for that.

Posture Pointers from Planet Yoga

Leeann Carey and the team at Planet Yoga sent me this great yoga tutorial to supplement the section about alignment in my Driving Yourself Unhealthy  post. What do you have to lose but your back pain? Channel your inner-Yogi and give it a go!

Driving Yourself Unhealthy?

Driving your car every day might not be natural but, often, it’s necessary. If you live out in the backwoods like me, where the grocery store is a 30 minute ride and the only public transport is a haywagon, sometimes you just need to gas up and go.

As you could imagine, daily driving does pose some health concerns. Think about it: sitting in stressful traffic jams, stuffed in a confined space, surrounded by plastic and gas fumes…. no matter where you’re headed, illness may be just around the corner. But if you recognize some of these common bad driving behaviors and cut them out of your cruise, you can make driving a little less hard on your health.

Dining While Driving

 Mobile meals are notoriously bad for you. If it comes in a package or bag, it should bear a big red flag…it’s probably loaded with extra fat and calories. What’s more, munching while driving promotes mindless eating habits; you’ll be more likely to down a medium fry when you’re not focused on your food or your full stomach.

But it’s not a losing battle. If you must eat on the run, stick to snacks that will fill you up with some good-for-you ingredients. Stock your glove compartment with a few portioned baggies of almonds and Craisins for a snack full of protein and antioxidants. Blend a power shake of fruit, yogurt and wheat germ and bring it on the road in your to-go mug. Munch an apple to keep you full on fiber and more alert while driving. And, as always, forgo anything fried on the drive-thru menus… stick to lean meat sandwiches and egg white options whenever you can.

The Sit-and-Slouch

I give these new cars credit for trying to be posture-friendly, but the fact of the matter is, driving puts strain on the back no matter how the seat is designed.

When you sit for long periods of time, you put significant stress on the vertebrae and discs. Already in a state of discomfort, the back is then subjected to jolting and vibrations that can jiggle the alignment of the spine. Because car seats must be tilted back to allow leg room, the neck must be held at an awkward angle in order to look straight ahead. The only way to prevent this is to slouch forward and damage the natural curvature of your lumbar.

To cut down on back pain and long term injury, make sure you scatter long car trips with frequent stretching breaks. Get out, stand up, arch your back, swing your arms… release the tension from your body before it gets too comfortable and decides to stay! If you have the means, invest in a lumbar support pillow for your car seat that will keep your posture in proper alignment for the whole ride.

Cranking the AC

This has been a heavily debated theory, but new studies indicate that cars emit enough toxic fumes to cause concern. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization revealed that new cars may give off benzene, formaldehyde and other dangerous gases as a byproduct of the plastics and adhesives used in the automobile.

By blasting your air conditioning, or heat, in an unventilated car, you may be stirring up the fumes and increasing your level of exposure. It is suggested that you should keep a window cracked for several minutes after you turn on your heating and cooling system to allow fresh air to circulate.

Signs of too much exposure include headache, nausea, dizziness or drowsiness. Long-term exposure to these gases could potentially result in cancer or birth defects.

Bumping Beats

I’m of the Millenial generation and, as such, I’m rarely unplugged from my iPod. The car is no exception; in fact, it’s one of my top spots to enjoy music. Cranking your favorite tunes can make a monotonous ride more bearable and a tired driver more alert. Still, this loud habit can have a lasting effect on your hearing. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, listening to music regularly at over 85 decibels loud can lead to long-term hearing loss. The typical car stereo has a maximum volume of 110 to 170 decibels, so if you have a tendency to blast the radio, you could be creating a dangerous situation for your hearing.

The best solution to avoiding these risks is simply to turn it down. You can still enjoy great music without compromising your health and safety. 

Smoking

I don’t have to say much about this one. Smoking, especially in a confined car, is hazardous to you and those around you. The danger is so high that some states, such as Maine and New York, have pushed for or implemented a legal ban on smoking in cars. Some people claim that this is an invasion of privacy, but others don’t buy that excuse. Queens’ Environmental Protection Committee Chairman James Gennaro said it best, “Boo-hoo. You can’t subject kids to 43 carcinogens and 250 poisonous chemicals and claim privacy. Get over it. Their right to privacy doesn’t extend so far as to poisoning kids.”

Traffic Tension

We’ve all seen it. You’re sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic during rush hour and someone in the car next to you is laying on the horn, yelling profanities out the window. Or maybe you’re the one yelling. Either way, instances of “road rage” are a common occurrence on our streets.

If you have a tendency to get angry behind the wheel, or get behind the wheel when angry, you could be putting yourself and others in an unhealthy or unsafe situation. Traffic-related tension can lead to high blood pressure, headaches, backaches and the other harmful effects of stress. It also makes you a liability on the road, as your emotions could be clouding your judgment. Those of us that are prone to road rage should practice a few key actions to avoid dangerous driving.

1. Cool down before you gas up. Don’t get into a car if you’re already in a state of anger. Take a minute to get yourself together so you’ll be less likely to act it out on other drivers.
2.  Create a mobile sanctuary. The yoga studio isn’t the only place to relax. The car is a great place to practice deep breathing and listen to some soothing music. A good nature soundtrack might keep your head clear and calm. Dab on some lemon or mint essential oil to revive your senses and enjoy that time.
3. Take your time. When you’re running late, even the slightest hold up is bound to get on your nerves. Make it a priority to plan out your day, including departure times, so your travels are less chaotic. And don’t be afraid to delegate. Arrange to have the neighbors pick up your kids from school every other day, and vice versa, so you’ll have extra time to do afternoon errands. Have the husband or wife pick up the dry-cleaning on their way home from work so you don’t have to rush there before it closes. You’re not a Superhero, so you shouldn’t try to fly around the world and back before dinnertime.

Sometimes, we have no choice but to drive through life, so you might as well make it a comfortable ride. Try to break away from these bad driving habits to keep yourself healthy and out of harm’s way. There are still a lot of miles left in you, so make them count!