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May 7, 2012 | 
Author Every time I’m at the grocery store, I am torn deciding if I should be buying organic foods. I try to eat healthy, and wonder if I’m doing more harm than good if I buy non-organics.
Organics are foods that meet the standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Animals can’t be given antibiotics or growth hormone. Farmers can’t use chemical fertilizers or pesticides on their fruits and vegetables.
In a 2010 study, researchers analyzed fruits, vegetables and juices consumed by elementary school children and found 11 different synthetic pesticides being ingested. Some experts say the pesticide levels in most people’s bodies were too low for concern. However, other experts disagree. Laura Vanderburg, a biologist at Tufts University says, ”The hormones are incredibly potent. Even if a chemical is present in only trace amounts, it can still be at a level where it’s incredibly biologically active.”
So based on that knowledge, it seems like a wise decision to buy organic when I can. However, ther are certain foods that don’t absorb pesticides or are peeled and aren’t worth the price. These include asparagus, avocados,bananas, broccoli, cabbage, kiwi, mango, onions, papaya and pineapple.
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As the weather improves with the arrival of spring, it sometimes gets difficult to stay focused when it’s beautiful outside. This really affects students as they are preparing for final exams of the school year. Here are some tips to help keep your kids focused, and even though these tips are recommended for children, they are certainly applicable to adults as well.
Moving the body motivates the brain. Have them get some exercise before they do their homework. Whether it be riding their bike, going to baseball practice or walking the dog, it’s important they have a chance to move around before sitting down to focus.
Turn off the TV and the computer. The distractions may be too appealing and homework will take a lot longer with attention being pulled in another direction.
Make a list. Everything that needs to get done should be on that list, and it gives a great sense of accomplishment with each item that is crossed off.
Try to avoid conversation during studying. Distracting chatter will make them lose focus and waste time going over material they were only partially absorbing.
Take breaks. Depending on their age, have them take a break every 20 minutes or so. Move around, get a drink, but then back to work. Don’t let them get involved with TV or computer during these breaks.
Some of us cry at the drop of a hat, while others tend to be more stoic. In very simple terms, we cry when we are happy or when we are sad.
But crying is more complicated than that. According to Stephen Sideroff, PhD, a staff psychologist at Santa Monica–University of California Los Angeles & Orthopaedic Hospital, ”people cry in response to something of beauty. There, I use the word ‘melting.’ They are letting go of their guard, their defenses, tapping into a place deep inside themselves…it’s a build-up of energy with feelings.”
Additionally, it is believed that crying releases stress hormones. Crying is often referred to as a “good cry”. This is generally the case, but some may feel worse if they are already suffering from depression. And women cry more than men because that’s always been more socially acceptable. However, that may be changing. People who show their emotions are usually thought of as more honest. When someone cries, it shows their vulnerability, Sideroff says. “I think in general, people are uncomfortable with vulnerability.” When the crier exhibits vulnerability, “it’s shifting the level of intimacy of the environment.”
“Those who suppress emotions and cannot cry may be jeopardizing their physical health”, says Jodi DeLuca, a neuropsychologist at Tampa General Hospital. She cites a saying attributed to British psychiatrist Henry Maudsley, among others: “The sorrow which has no vent in tears may make other organs weep.”
UCLA scientists have linked two genes involved with serotonin production to a higher risk of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These recent findings suggest susceptibility to PTSD may be inherited, which would help with screening and treatment of the disorder. These genes, called TPH1 and TPH2, control production of serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood, sleep and alertness. Pinpointing these genes will help neuroscientists classify the disorder based on brain biology instead of clinical observation. PTSD is currently identified on a trial and error approach. Medications known as SSRIs, or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, prolong the effect of serotonin in the brain by slowing its absorption by brain cells. Gene therapy could be an alternative treatment for the disorder.
Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, emotional numbness or hyper alertness, among others.
This study is significant for military leaders, as they can assign soldiers who are at a higher risk of PTSD to more appropriate combat duties. To have had this knowledge previously could have spared many returning war veterans from the debilitating effects of PTSD.
We are constantly hearing of the benefits of walking. It is such an easy way to get exercise, and has such a positive effect on the body and the brain. Walking helps to decrease the risk of heart disease and Type II diabetes. It helps relieve anxiety and lowers your BMI. The idea of 10,000 steps a day originated in Japan and the Surgeon General endorses this as a guideline to improve health.
First off, get a pedometer. They are readily available and are not an expensive investment. Once you see the amount of steps you normally take in a day, you can start adding to that to achieve the goal of 10,000 steps. If you feel like this is an unattainable amount, start by increasing your usual amount by 20% each week, until you work up to 10,000 steps. You will start to see the benefits which is the best way to stay motivated. Have friends or coworkers get on board with this as well and you can motivate each other to improve your overall health. You’ll be glad you did!
3-D viewing can be an excellent way to enhance the movie experience. In addition to theatres screening 3-D movies, many new home systems are equipped with 3-D glasses to bring your viewing to a whole new level. Sounds great, unless you’re a migraine sufferer.
3-D works by forcing your eyes to view something slightly different and then for your brain to reconcile the disparity, thus creating the 3-D image.
The eye strain can cause nausea, headaches and wooziness in some. Additionally, most action movies have incredibly loud sound effects. This extreme stimulation of the senses can leave you feeling pretty lousy if you are prone to headaches. So the good news is your old TV with basic two dimensional viewing may not only save you money but may also spare you a headache.
Before every appointment, we always check the patient’s blood pressure. Often we hear, “Are my numbers normal?”
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. It’s recorded as two numbers, systolic-the pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood, over diastolic-the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats. An ideal blood pressure reading is a systolic of less than 120, and a diastolic of less than 80(120/80).
Trying to maintain normal blood pressure is vitally important as high blood pressure increases your risk of stroke, heart attack and congestive heart failure. It’s estimated that one in four adults have high blood pressure.
Try lowering your salt intake, in addition to eating more fruits and vegetables. Whole grains, poultry and fish are foods that are good choices in a healthy diet. Try to reduce your intake of red meats, sweets and sugared soda. Adhering to these simple suggestions can affect your blood pressure and overall health greatly.
During recent studies it is estimated that migraineurs experience nausea 92% of the time during some of their attacks. This common symptom associated with migraines often leaves patients unable to take an oral triptan medication and keep it in their stomach long enough to absorb the medication. Although there are injectable or intranasal triptans available, not all patients feel comfortable giving themselves an injection or do not like the taste associated with the intranasal form. There is a new transdermal sumatriptan patch that is currently in phase III of study and will hopefully be available to migraine sufferers by prescription soon. The benefits of the transdermal sumatriptan include bypassing the GI system and the liver and the medication is able to be absorbed properly into underlying tissues. The transdermal sumatriptan also does not cause any further nausea associated with the migraine. The transdermal patch had significant results of pain relief and freedom from nausea, photophobia and phonophobia at the 1 and 2 hour mark.
Milk and dairy are important for every diet. Research shows it can be especially important for improving bone health while cutting calories because bone strength can be depleted during dieting. Recommended amounts are three to five servings per day of low-fat milk (one cup), 3/4 cup yogurt or 1.8 ounces cheese. This may seem like a hefty amount of calories, yet an added perk is conjugated linoleic acid, found in these foods, which may help with fat loss.
The old adage states “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” As difficult as stressful situations may be, people facing challenges are more resilient in later stressful situations. According to Mark Seery, assistant professor in social psychology at the University at Buffalo, “Adversity can toughen people. You might see situations as manageable, not overwhelming.” Further research shows that even those with chronic pain who had dealt with difficulties were less likely to let pain affect them as much as those who had led a more trouble-free life.
