Archive for December, 2006
Which is better : LASIK Or LASEK Eye Surgery
Patients opting for LASIK or LASEK surgery, but are having a hard time deciding what is better for their eyes, can possibly decide now. A new study conducted for comparing both the techniques, which was based on eye to eye comparision, found that there is little difference in the results of both the eye surgery techniques.
It was found that vision correction surgery patients will get just as good results from LASIK as from LASEK. Both surgeries make use of lasers to cut the flaps in the cornea to correct its shape. But in LASEK (laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy), only the outside surface of the cornea is cut. This may avoid some of the flap problems that may arise from deeper cuts made during LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) surgery.
But it looks like LASEK recovery is a bit longer, and there is usually more pain after surgery. Some doctors opt for LASEK, whereas some swear by LASIK.
The study concluded that both procedures seem safe, effective, and predictable. It was noted that eyes treated with LASEK had a slightly better vision. But the difference was too small for people to notice.
Weight Loss May Lower Prostrate Cancer Risk In Men
Here’s another reason for men to lose weight this holiday season: A new study found that losing weight reduces the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
The study conducted on nearly 70,00 men found that men who lost more than 11 pounds had a lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer than men whose weight remained the same. This study also indicates that weight loss can decrease the risk of severe prostrate cancer.
Men should avoid putting on extra weight as they get older, and if they are already overweight, it’s high time that they lose some pounds.
Apart from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for men, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths for U.S. men. About 1 in every 6 men gets affected with prostrate cancer during his lifetime.
So hit the gym and lose the flab !!!
Drink Tea To Boost Your Memory
A research team from Newcastle University found that drinking regular cups of green and black tea may improve your memory by inhibiting the activity of key enzymes in the brain that are associated with memory.
It was found that both green and black tea inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzyme. But green tea went a step further, because it obstructed the activity of beta-secretase in the brain which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It was also found to have continued inhibitive effect for a week, whereas black tea’s enzyme-inhibiting properties lasted for only one day.
The researchers hope that their findings may help in developing an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease. Although there is no total cure for Alzheimer’s, it is possible to slow the development of the disease. Researchers feel that tea may the same effect as drugs specifically designed to combat the condition.
Some NewYear Resolutions For A Healthier You
Year after year, you may find yourself making new year resolutions but never really being successful in keeping them. New Year is not just about making resolutions, it is about achieving them. Set challenging and specific goals that are realistic at the same time.
Don’t expect dramatic results that will happen overnight. Create smaller goals that will eventually lead you towards your big goal. For example, if you want to lose 20 pounds, start by setting smaller goals such as losing 5 pounds this month and then 6 pounds in the next month and so on …
It is better to write down your resolutions, and post them somewhere you can see every day, so that you don’t forget them and keep reminding yourself.
1. Get in shape: Go to gym atleast 5 times a week, and workout for 60 to 90 minutes. Or do some aerobics at home. Play some music and work out with your whole family.
2. Walk everyday: Make it a point to walk briskly for atleast 30 minutes everyday, early in the mornings or in the evenings. If you feel too bored to walk alone, take your pet for a walk. Or else make it a family affair. Walking together can be loads of fun and healthy for the whole family.
3. Eat healthier: Consume low-fat milk and yoghurt. Eat atleast 5 fruits and 5 veggies every day, and limit your consumption of junk foods. Cut down your intake of fries and oils, and substitute bad oils with healthier options such as olive oil. Don’t deprive yourself of pies and cookies altogether, it is okay to indulge yourself once in a while.
4. Kick your bad habits: Cut down your intake of alcohol, wine, colas and sodas. Also kick your smoking habit. It’s never too late to ditch your bad habits and start afresh with life. Break down your long-term plans into smaller and easier steps. Suppose you plan to quit smoking completely by year end, then you need to cut down the number of cigarettes you smoke every day and then slowly quit smoking altogether.
5. Organize your life: Make a list of all the tasks according to their priorities and try to accomplish them one by one. Set realistic goals, that you can achieve. Work hard in your professional life and be true to yourself.
6. Have more fun: Schedule fun activities, like bike riding, cycling, swimming, soccer, skiing, snow boarding etc. Apart from fun, all these activities give you the much needed physical-exercise to keep you fit and healthy.
7. Spend wisely and get rid of debts: Free youself from debts if any, by paying a small amount each month. Try to save money from your earnings to buy something you always wanted. Don’t spend too much on unnecessary and unimportant stuff.
8. Spend more time with family and friends: You may have been ignoring your family and friends due to your busy schedules, so try to reserve a few hours for them each day or atleast on weekends. Play with your kids for 2 to 3 hours on sundays and bond with your family. Go out for dinner once a week with your family and once with your friends. Watch a movie together.
9. Reward your success along the way: But do not reward with food. Rewards encourage you to attain your goals, that look difficult to achieve. Celebrate little milestones by treating yourself to a movie, or buy new clothes or music CD. Setting up a reward system is an excellent strategy to help you stick to your long-term goal.
10. Be positive and stay motivated: Track your progress from time to time. Don’t make excuses or blame others if you are unsuccessful. Take responsibility and bring the changes you want in your life. And yes, don’t give up if you fail at some attempts. The game is not over if you think it is over. It is over the moment you give up thinking that it’s over !!! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU !!!
Do Some Housework To Reduce The Risk Of Breast Cancer
Good news for all ya women who work at home - A new research shows that women who exercise by doing the housework can reduce their risk of breast cancer.
The study conducted on 200,000 women from 9 European countries found that doing household chores was far more cancer protective than playing sport.
We have long known that physical exercise can reduce the risk of breast cancer, but we are glad to know that something as simple and cheap as doing housework can help. Tasks like cleaning, cooking, washing, dusting, mopping and vacuuming are all better than having a physical job.
The latest study took both pre and post-menopausal women into account and studied a range of activities, including work, leisure and housework. It was observed that housework can cut breast cancer risk by 30% in pre-menopausal women and 20% in post-menopausal women.
The results suggested that moderate forms of physical activity, such as housework, may be more important than less frequent but more intense recreational physical activity in reducing breast cancer risk. Doctors also suggest men and women to maintain a healthy weight and do regular exercise to reduce the risk of cancer.
Some Healthy Foods For You …
1. Many people ditch the watermelon just because it’s all water. But the melon has 40% more lycopene, a cancer-fighting agent, than tomatoes. The deeper the red, the more the lycopene.
2. Eat some sage to boost your memory. The herb ’sage’ has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. And a dose of sage may give your memory a slight boost for several hours. Try sage-tea occasionally before exams, presentations, or interviews.
3. Beans and legumes are packed with powerful antioxidants. Darker beans like black beans contain more of cancer and heart disease fighting phytochemicals. Eat one half-cup serving thrice in a week.
Do You Know What Happens If You Smoke Just One Cigarette
You may be thinking that only long-term cigarette smoking leads to lung cancer and heart disease. But a recent study proved that smoking just one cigarette can also be disastrous and bad for your health. Read on …
- Smoking just one cigarette lowers the blood levels of Vitamin C in your body.
- It also lowers the levels of other important antioxidants in your body for sometime.
- It stops blood vessel walls from releasing nitric oxide, a substance that helps them relax and open.
- These changes combine to pinch the coronary arteries. The narrowed blood vessels make it difficult to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the hard working heart muscle.
- And yes, it is bad for your memory. It has been found that men who smoke heavily start losing their memory during their 40s and 50s, but men who don’t smoke have better memories.
The message is right and clear folks - even a single cigarette can stress the heart. So quit smoking !!!
Also read: Top 15 Reasons To Quit Smoking Now and Smokers Must Quit, Not Just Cut Back .
Now Universal Studios Theme Park Bans Trans Fats
After several restaurants and food joints, the latest theme park to ban artery clogging trans fats from their foods is Universal Studios park in Hollywood, where the menu changed on Christmas Eve to cut unhealthy fats from many junk food favorites.
The early reviews are encouraging and positive and people have liked their fries and chicken without the unhealthy trans fat. Universal Parks & Resorts, home to movie-inspired thrill rides is now offering healthier menus at its three domestic attractions in California and Florida. Earlier, the entertainment giant Walt Disney Co., had announced in October that it will serve more nutritious kids’ meals and phase out the artificial fats at its resorts.
Universal is offering its customers other healthier options too, like salads and fruit bowls. Trans fats are cheaper to produce and give a longer shelf life to food but they also increase the risk of a heart disease by raising the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood.
Brazil Stunned By Fourth Anorexia Death In 2 Months
Millions of Brazilians faced starvation and struggled for food in the past. But these days the nation is transfixed by another sort of starvation - anorexia among the successful and well off.
This is the fourth case of a young women who died of anorexia in recent weeks in Brazil. Anorexia became big news in Brazil with the death of 21-year-old super model Ana Carolina Reston that was splashed across all television channels and the front pages of newspapers nationwide.
Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormal fear of becoming obese, an aversion to food and severe weight loss.
Since the death of supermodel Ana Carolina, in November, there has been a long debate in the fashion circles for banning ultra-thin models. Now the most recent victim is a 23 year-old teacher, Beatriz Cristina Ferraz Lopes Bastos, whose death on Sunday at a hospital was reported by a national television news program.
According to reports, she was 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighed only 77 pounds. The blonde Bastos, was also a skilled pianist, amateur historian and author of a literature column for a hometown web site.
Ana Carolina Reston, who died of a generalized infection caused by anorexia nervosa was 5 feet 8 inches tall but weighed just 88 pounds. Then 2 days later, a college student Carla Sobrado Casalle, 21, also died of anorexia. She was also around 5 feet 9 inches and weighed just 99 pounds. Then a third anorexia victim died later in the month.
People fail to understand that beauty and fashion are all about health. To know how to cure anorexia naturally, visit Home Remedies For Curing Anorexia And Eating Disorders.
Excess Of Sugary Drinks May Put Kids at Risk
According to a U.S. study, drinking lots of soda, fruit juices and other sugary drinks may put kids’ health at risk, leading to teen obesity and poor health as young as age 13. what you eat does have an impact on your health, and you can see the effects of lifestyle choices even at a young age of 13.
The study showed that by the age of 13, most kids who drank more sugary drinks showed high risk of developing metabolic syndromemetabolic syndrome indicating a person could be headed towards type 2 diabetes, heart disease or stroke. They also showed other risk factors like a big waistline, high blood pressure, and a low level of good HDL cholesterol. These kids were consuming more servings of sweetened beverages like fruit juices, soda, sports drinks and flavored beverages with added sugar.
But it doesn’t mean that juices, sodas and other sugary drinks are totally bad. It just means that too much of these can be bad in the long run. Since there are no kid-sized soda or cola bottles, and no 6-ounce glasses at home, the kids get used to drinking in whatever size is available for adults. And moreover, kids who drink sugared drinks do not drink sufficient milk, thus leading to calcium deficiency. Too many sugary drinks displace other healthy components of a child’s diet.
These findings could be a wake-up call for parents and may help them in making wise decisions about their children’s food habits. Here are some helpful tips:
- Do not add sugar in fruit juices. Keep it as natural as possible.
- Cut down your intake of colas and sodas. They contain empty calories and may make you obese.
- Opt for healthier foods such as milk and fresh fruits.
Get more information on healthy eating habits in children.
How To Watch T.V For Hours Without Packing On Pounds???
A report shows that the average American spends four hours and 35 minutes in watching television every day. And in a week, television viewing adds up to more than 30 hours, that goes well beyond a part-time job.
Sitting for long hours glued to the television, without any physical activity will only add up to your pounds. And most of the times, people eat more while watching T.V unknowingly. And what more, they also eat unhealthy and junk food while watching their fav. television shows.
But T.V time can be turned into useful time by doing some other healthy activities while watching television. Many people complain of not having enough time to do a workout, so make this time a mini workout, by using these simple tips:
1. Keep aside your remote control, instead do some walking. Get up every now and then to change the channel and volume.
2. Watch your favorite television show while working out. People generally watch television with the whole family, and this can be a great time to work out with your family. This can be fun and a great way to bond with your family members.
3. Whenever there is a commercial break, do several sets of crunches to tone the ab muscles, and other strength-training exercises or stretches to improve the flexibility. Keep some weights and exercise bands near your T.V to start an activity whenever you feel like or when there is a break.
4. Do not watch T.V while dining. It has been observed that people tend to eat more unconsiously while watching T.V.
5. Do some breathing exercises and yoga to tone up your body and make your muscles more flexible.
6. If there is a break, go down your stairs and come back.
7. Even if you are watching your favorite television show, there are many moments when you feel bored. Use this time to plan what you want to have for dinner or prepare the list of healthy foods you can get from the grocery shop. One of the secrets to healthier eating is to plan meals ahead, as this allows you to grocery shop more efficiently.
8. Many people say that they eat better and healthier when they bring their lunch to work, instead of going for junk food. But they don’t get the time to prepare their lunch or pack healthier snacks like fruits for work. Commercials offer plenty of time to do these tasks.
9. Clean up the mess and make your room tidy while watching T.V. Let this be like competition where you do some running and brisk walking to clear up the mess.
10. Many people munch on chips and crispies while watching T.V. Instead, opt for healthier foods like salad or fresh fruits. And instead of colas and sodas, choose plain water, it is much more healthier.
Big Belly Increases Your Risk Of A Heart Disease
A new study shows that obesity in the abdomen matters even more than obesity overall. The more bigger your belly, the greater will be your risk of developing a heart disease.
Waist circumference is mostly used to measure obesity in the abdominal area. There are several ways of measuring a person’s waist, but if your doctor or nurse evaluates with a caliper, it is likely to be more standardized and less prone to error.
Taking the Body mass index (BMI), to judge a person’s heart disease risk based on obesity, is wrong because muscular people tend to have a high BMI and be perfectly healthy.
The study was conducted by taking the sagittal abdominal diameter, or SAD, which is the distance from the back to the upper abdomen midway between the top of the pelvis and the bottom of the ribs.
It was observed that men with the largest SAD were 42 percent more likely to develop heart disease and a large SAD increased heart disease risk by 44 percent for women.
This relationship between SAD and heart disease risk was strongest among the youngest men and women, indicating that people who develop obesity younger in life are more likely to have serious problems.
Get tips on Eating For A Healthy Heart.
Build Stronger Bones To Prevent Osteoporosis
Bone loss is a major problem today in young adults. During your childhood and adolescence, your bone mass increases and you have healthier bones. But once you hit 30, the pendulum swings the other way and you start losing more bone than you build. Women, ofcourse, lose bone faster due to declining estrogen. Other reasons may be low calcium intake, less physical activity, chronic stress and decreased ability to absorb calcium as you age.
Follow these tips to prevent bone loss:
1. Increase your intake of calcium: Consume low-fat milk, yoghurt and calcium-enriched juices everyday. Also include beans, green leafy vegetables, cereals, soy foods and cottage cheese in your daily diet.
2. Be physically and aerobically active. Take a walk every day. You can also jog or bike for 30 minutes a day. But do not overdo jogging or running. This strengthens the leg bones and muscles and lowers excess body fat.
3. Keep your stress levels under control through meditation and breathing.
4. Simply jump up and down for 2 minutes. This is the best exercise for preventing osteoporosis. But don’t lock your knees when you land and wear athletic shoes. The jolt that your hipbones get instructs them to make more bone. You can also try yoga, Tai Chi, gigong, pilates and martial to help build and maintain strong bones.
5. Lift weights atleast twice a week. This increases muscle mass and strength, stimulates bone building and increases your calorie burn.
Young Girls To Be Vaccinated Against STD In UK
According to the Department of Health in Britain, girls as young as 12 will be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease which can cause cervical cancer .
The scheme requires all girls to be immunized against the human papilloma virus (HPV) before they become sexually active. The HPV virus is one of the main causes of cervical cancer, which kills around 1,000 women a year in the country.
The vaccine got licensed in Britain earlier this year and a handful of British parents have already begun buying the injection for their daughters through private clinics.
But we guess, getting immunized at the tender age of 12 could make the girls more casual in matters relating to sex and they may not think twice about indulging in sex, since they are already immunized. what do you feel, please let us know ..
Now A Virtual Meal Technology For Lonely Souls
This bit of news may come as a huge relief to all old-age people who live alone, far from their busy children. Harvey Bumpus whose wife died more than a year ago, doesn’t like to eat alone. But his family is scattered across the country and he eats alone most nights, by heating up a simple meal of oatmeal or hot dogs.
But now the technology consulting company Accenture is in the process of developing a system called “The Virtual Family Dinner” that would allow millions of families to get together virtually as often as they like. The concept is quite simple. Suppose an elderly woman in California makes dinner for herself and when she gets ready to sit down and eat, the system detects it and alerts her son in Chicago. The son then goes to his kitchen, and a small camera and microphone capture what he is doing. There are speakers and a screen, that allows him to hear and see his mother, who has a similar setup.
Dadong Wan, a senior researcher in Accenture, Chicago labs says, “We are trying to really bring back the kind of family interactions we used to take for granted”.
Experts feel that such interactions could address a growing problem in the elderly who eat alone, as they don’t eat enough or eat the wrong kind of food, and could have a host of physical and mental problems that may become life-threatening.
The prototype may be available in about two years, and will cost around $500 to $1,000 per household.
Some Quick Fruit Solutions For You …
1. Eat a papaya for dessert tonight. Papaya is high in soluble fibre and can help lower your blood sugar.
2. Include beans in your daily diet as they provide heart-healthy fibre and better artery flexibility.
3. Eat fruits rich in ellagic acid, as it kills cancer cells. Ellagic acid is found in fruits such as pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries etc.
4. Eat spinach as it is extremely good for the eyes. Certain antioxidants found in dark leafy vegetables can prevent cataracts and protect from damage caused by ultraviolet rays.
5. Orange is good for your teeth. So eat lots of oranges this festive season.
Woman With 2 Wombs Gives Birth To Triplets
In a first-of-its kind case, a woman with two wombs has given birth to triplets, who are all doing fine. Hannah Kersey, 23, gave birth to three girls in a Southmead Hospital in Bristol. The kids spent nine weeks in the hospital.
There was a pair of identical twins delivered from one womb and a single baby from the other, who were delivered by Caesarean section seven weeks early. The girls are all healthy now.
Yakoub Khalaf, a consulting gynecologist at Guy’s and St. Thomas’s Hospital said, “There haven’t been any similar account where three healthy babies are born of two wombs. Multiple pregnancies tend to be risky, and delivering triplets under such abnormal circumstances was even riskier”.
He said that triplets delivered from two wombs has never been recorded earlier and this lady was extremely lucky.
Think Before Putting That Cookie In Your Mouth
Christmas is a time for feasting and treats, but you may end up adding all those unwanted calories to your body without realising it. Eating that christmas pie, gingerbread cookies and burger, will definitely cost you.
You may be surprised to know that to burn off the calories from one gingerbread cookie, you will have to swim for 18 minutes. And the fruitcake will take an 84-minute walk. The martini and party mix will take 47 minutes on the bike.
Even a half-pound of prime rib will cost you 230 minutes of yoga. And a starbucks Caramel Macchiato will require 38 minutes on the bike, and if you add a piece of coffee cake, then it will take 81 minutes extra. If you have a whopper from Burger King, you will have to walk 173 minutes.
These calculations were listed in a new book that shows the calorie content of 7,500 foods and tells you how long it will take to work it off. Charles Stuart Platkin, is the author of “The Diet Detective’s Count Down” and other books. Platkin spent nearly a year compiling the list, which includes fast-food dishes, popular restaurant menu fare and most grocery items.
The book could come in handy for people who nibble without giving a thought. Fruits and veggies are the best bargains he mentioned.
Platkin said that the book is not designed for people to look before eating each bit of food. Instead it can just provide a frame of reference. Even if dieters don’t exercise, they’ll probably think twice before eating that slice of pumpkin pie.
How To Make Low Fat Christmas Cake
Christmas is a great time to indulge your tastebuds, and give yourself a treat. But some of you who are calorie-conscious, may be thinking of skipping the christmas cake. Remember christmas celebrations can never be complete without a cake. Here is a recipe for making a low-fat christmas fruitcake. Enjoy and savour it, without feeling guilty.
Ingredients:
Mixed dry fruits (raisins, chopped dates, cranberries, cherries and apricots): 2 cups
Dark brown sugar: 3/4 cup
Orange juice: 1 1/4 cups
Lemon: 1, juice and zest
Medium orange: 1, juice and zest
Salt: 1/4 tsp
Chopped walnuts: 1/3 cup
Egg whites: 2
All-purpose flour: 1 3/4 cups
Baking powder: 1 tbsp
Preparation:
1. Take a glass bowl and put all the dried fruits in it. Pour 1 1/4 cup of orange juice over the dry fruits and let it soak for at least 4 to 5 hours or preferably overnight.
2. Now preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and spray a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Then add sugar, lemon juice and its zest, orange juice and its zest, chopped walnuts and egg whites to the dry fruit mixture. And stir well.
4. Take a large bowl, and mix the flour, baking powder and salt in it. Now stir in the fruit mixture and blend until it is just moist. Transfer all this to the loaf pan and bake for 1 hour (or until a knife inserted in it comes out clean). Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before using the wire rack to cool completely.
5. Voila, your low-fat christmas cake is ready !!!