Todays Health Article     

American Heart Month            

February 4th, 2011                              

 Today, because more than one-third of our children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, the 7th edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans places stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity….(click here for the full press release)                

 Resource http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm                

 WASHINGTON on Jan. 31, 2011,  announced the release of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius released of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Basically, is the federal government’s evidence-based nutritional guidance; to promoting health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity, through improved nutrition and physical activity.               

American Heart Month-February  

Perhaps the timing of this release ( January 31st, 2011) was intentional to help persuade and encourage those, to reduce the risks of chronic diseases, reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and to improve nutrition and physical activity. You would or could actually imagine that they took the very reguirements to preventing heart disease or reducing your risks from a heart maual. Perhaps they are working hand and hand. For our sakes I hope so. We all could apply these guidlines for better health today:     My Life Check (mylifecheck.heart.org)         

Promoting Health

 It is encouraging to know there are those, setting guidelines for us at the kitchen table, but it is another issue, for the every day person to follow through. Most likely the guideline will be read by few, and followed by less, and soon forgotten. “Unless we promote good health as an activity that can become part of our mindset, our habits, our culture, and our very existence. choices will be made by us. Good or Bad.”  The guideline is encouraging and promoting eating less, exercising more, which is practical for all.. Continues to promote eating more fish and drinking more water, leaving alone sugary drinks and red meat. Suggests larger portions of fruits and vegetables… all which is important to improve our health.             

Overweight and Obesity                    

Obesity occurs over time when you eat more calories than you use. It is that simple!  The balance between calories-in and calories-out, can differ for each person. Some facts  that might tip the balance, may include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods and not being physically active.          

 ”Being obese increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancers. If you are obese, losing even 5 to 10 percent of your weight can delay or prevent some of these diseases. ”  NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases             

To Improve  Nutrition Today

We seem to enjoy the food we eat,  just need to enjoy less of it. More is not always better here, unless it’s your fruit and veggies, which seems to fall short. This is a proven method for weight control avoiding oversize portions. Remember  this. a “reasonable” portion is the size of your fist. And a “serving size” of fish, poultry, or meat is about the size of the palm of your hand.        

Some guidlines suggested:       

• Make half your plate fruits and/or vegetables.
• Concentrate on veggies and fruit of color – dark green, red, and orange. 
•  legumes – dried beans, peas and lentils. 
• Fat free or low fat (1 percent) milk. Give yourself one month to try a lower fat version. You might be surprised. 
• Compare the sodium content on food labels and choose the foods with lower numbers. 
•  For those who have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease, cut your sodium intake to no more than 1500 milligrams a day. 
• Drink water,  instead of sugary drinks

Physical Activity   

If you are 1 of the 64 out of the 100 who are falling short of exercise, most likely you are not burning up the calories you are consuming, that’s why it so important to balance exercise with the food intake. There are too many forms of exercise to mention here, but my suggestion is to fine one you are happy with, that’s important, or shortly you will quit. When I had my office job, I used to park my car several blocks, just to get some walking in, to and from my desk. It could be that simple.   To help, this calculator estimates the number of Calories that you burn during exercise and daily living. The report generated by this calculator also includes information about your Body Mass Index (BMI), and lists your recommended daily intakes for individual nutrients. Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/tools/calories-burned#ixzz1D3CqhvD0    

Todays Health Comments

Today we must consider where  you and I must improve regarding the food we enjoy, the proportions we eat, and the exercise we get. It is no longer a secret that America has reach epidemic proportions, regarding obesity and weight problems. Have you walked down a busy sidewalk lately?  You have to search to find those who are not. I do mean that in any demeanor way, but a reaching out to help those who will only suffer the effects of ill-health, chronic diseases, diabetes, and heart disease. Can you imagine that if you lose just 5 to 10% of body eight for obesity, you can extend your life and even eliminate some risks. Let us start today by taking just these simple steps. Dj

Todays Health Article

January 20, 2011

We are into a brand new year and new  marketing strategies will be placed upon us. New billboards with the scrumptious looking hamburgers that are seen on the way to work, local  junk food adds from the super market every Thursday, the TV every night, and do not forget, the upcoming Super Bowl and their enticing commercials.  The question on everybody’s mind… Are you eating Naughty, Naughty? 

The Fact is… Many of you are!

Why express the same old story… that we have a growing world wide problem of  obesity. Yes, this is not my first article on the subject. Naughty, Naughty, I am guilty of writing “Naughty Foods Taste So Good” and “Why Naughty Is Winning And  Nice Is Not”.

WHY?

The fact is… 64%  of us, are unhealthily overweight! “It is to the very  point where eating can and is actually endangering our lives.” If  you have lived from the 50′s forward, you may have noticed that there have  been some individuals that have eaten unhealthily. This has escalated to where we are today mainly, because, “Naughty Foods Taste So Good”!  So we have chosen the naughty foods over the nice. The fastest growing segment of overweight and obese is our youth. The question is… When are the Naughty foods going to lose their presence and when are the adults going to take a stand and become examples?

Merry Go Around

Now the population as a whole  recognizes that naughty foods… which are loaded with all those calories and sugars, yet have this mentality that I will enjoy my naughty food today and diet tomorrow. Unfortunately, the same thought process continues each day until adverse health effects emerge. That another note, is why dieting has become a household word. So many people are on this merry go around where they eat, diet, and the eat again. How many people do you know like that?

Is it, our conscious thought?

 It is just another article, on  a subject that  everybody knows, leading to this problem, but it  just has not sunk in yet. Perhaps it just doesn’t want to be heard! The answer is, if this just reaches just one persons conscious thought and  results in taking action , than this was all worth it. So with some thought, are your actions here today, leading  to some conscious thought that these Naughty Foods may be hazardous to your health!

 Warning Labels…Health Issues

“Although may be part of the label, the fine print that doesn’ t get read anyway.  It’s the grams of sugar or it’s calorie count that is being ignored. Our consensus, is most people eat by what may make them feel good, or by how sweet it is, or how good it taste going down, or just how much I can eat, based on my emotion at the time.” dj author Naughty Foods Taste So Good

 Why obesity is becoming  a major concern… If this was an illness or disease that was impacting  64% of the population, with the many health issues, it would be consider a national epidemic. Yet unlike the underdeveloped countries where many face starvation, obesity doesn’t exist.  So if you live in the land of plenty… we eat with same mentality… plenty.

 The fact that it is easier for us to put on weight but harder for us to shed it. Now our elderly group are facing the greatest effect of being over weight. It can put unnecessary stress on the joints and accelerate the affects of arthritis, osteoporosis and other bone and muscle disorders and illnesses.

It can also bring about the onset of diabetes, which is more common in seniors than in any other age group as it is.

Today’s Health Comments

It all comes down to identifying these naughty foods. You and I know, moderation is the key here. While a  little of what he or she loves to eat, no matter how unhealthy it may be, is not going to have a dramatic impact, so long as the sugars and calories are a consideration, with routine exercise. What you must keep in conscious thought, is maintaining  a balanced nutritious diet.  A well balanced diet can boost your health, but a poor diet can actually cause it to deteriorate. By eating healthily on a regular basis, you can  change your diet and reap the rewards.

 Todays Health Article

`Yes, those health benefits acclaimed from some  beverages, if  you do drink too much,  their health benefits vanish!

Now, summer is coming, and some of you feel that these  beverages  are just part of your life. You  have  this  need to  satisfying  your ongoing thirst.

Can these drinks be actually healthy?

Oooops… I forgot to mentioned, the drinks we are discussing, because if you have had more than 1 or 2. by the time you finish reading this article. you will either not  be able to finish or the health benefits will no longer be of any benefit.Yes they will have vanished, and now become a health risk.

 OK, here it is… some will argue that these  beverages, drinks such as beer, wine, or your favorite margarita are  healthy if drank in moderation. This means, just because you may benefit from 1 or 2 drinks, DON’T  Get CONFUSED,  that more is better, because that is far from the truth, actually creating health risks if you do.

 With some research, a bottle of beer, glass of wine, or even a margarita all have about the same amount of alcohol. The kicker here is…despite wine’s popular image, experts say  they’re all probably equally good for your health when consumed in moderation.

“If you drink alcohol, beer, or wine in moderation, it probably does have a reasonably healthy effect,”

says Gerald Fuller, PhD, a biochemist at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.

Fuller says it’s the ethanol, a pure form of alcohol found in all types of alcoholic beverages, that makes the various libations good for you, but only in moderation. That means an average of no more than one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men. More than that, and the benefits evaporate quicker than the frothy head of a freshly poured beer. ( Vanished)

Studies have shown that ethanol can have a variety of positive effects on heart health such as raising HDL (the “good” cholesterol) levels, preventing dangerous blood clots, and allowing the blood to flow more smoothly throughout the body, which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Alcohol may also boost your health in several other ways as well. Studies have suggested that moderate alcohol consumption can increase insulin sensitivity, which can reduce the risk of diabetes, ward off some types of cancer, and prevent bone loss.

“We do know that ethanol itself has an effect, but there are lots of products in beer and wine such as hops and grape skins that may also have benefits,” Fuller tells WebMD. But he says researchers still haven’t exactly defined what those effects — both positive and negative — may be.

Alcohol Tips

* There is No Need To Start for its health benefits and some people such as pregnant women.people with liver disease, people on medications, and those recovering from alcohol addiction,the risks of drinking way outweigh the health benefits gained. There are other alternatives to receiving the same benefits without the use of alcohol/

*Drinking in moderation is the KEY Word if you do drink .(no more than one drink per day for women, and no more than two drinks per day for men).

*Asking for Help, if you think you have a problem. Talk to your Doctor or a health professional.

*People who drink may benefit from getting  multivitamin with folic acid, since alcohol  has a depletion effect on our body’s nutrients, and those nutrients need to be replaced by either a healthy diet or vitamins.

Todays Health Site is taking an open minded position with this article…

 The Key to drinking Alcohol, is Moderation, or simply all of the health benefits from drinking,  vanish. If you have drank more than the 1 or2 drinks, just like the magician who vanished from the crowd, the ill effects takes on another side which can lead to several illnesses. These drinks can wear many faces, good or bad, depending on the person drinking them and the amount drank. Drinking is a personal responsibility to our health as well to others well being. If others are not, reach out, you may save someones life. To a healthier Life. Do Not Drink and Drive!

.

 Is the question pushy, invading our personal well being, or are we just being arrogant, and telling our Doctor to mind his own business. Otherwise we, the public, will deal with matter when we so choose to so. Is it just a topic, Obesity, that just rubs us the wrong way and we just can not deal with it today.

Yet Obesity, is explosively growing at Epidemic Rates.  Can we personally get control of our eating habits before its too late? The statistics say otherwise. The facts are growing as we speak.

My Question to you…  Should someone, anyone, or your Doctor tell you…

• In the United States, it is estimated that 93 million Americans are obese.
• Obese individuals are at a higher risk for impaired mobility.
• Low-income minority populations tend to experience obesity at higher rate and are more likely to be overweight.
• Almost 112,000 annual deaths are attributable to obesity.
• In the United States, 40 percent of adults do not participate in any leisure-time physical activity.
• African-American adults have the highest obesity rates — 37 percent among men and nearly 50 percent among women. For Hispanic women, the rate is 43 percent. Hispanic and black children have higher rates than non-Hispanic whites.

 The media has been overloaded with facts… do we need our personal Doctor to hammer these facts into our head before  we take some form of action. What is their medical responsibility to us as patients. I find from my own experience, is most people are herded through like cattle. so they might see all the patients, for their pertinent needs, leaving little time to address additional medical needs. Perhaps that not the case in the smaller towns or rural areas.

Perhaps Doctors are just giving up on us, admitting that only half of their obese patients have received advice, perhaps they feel its just a waste of their time. After all they probably take note from regular visits that their patients are continually getting heavier, and the patient has not taken any action or addressed any concerns about loosing some of those extra pounds.

Today, you have to take a little initiative, ask questions, seek your Doctors advise, and then put that info into practice. After all, it is your  health and it is not going to happen by just pondering about it.

Everywhere  you turn, thru someone, a  magazine, TV, or  the many other media these days, you are bound to be exposed with the same old story: The startling and ever-growing worldwide problem of obesity.

WHY?

The fact is… More and more people are unhealthily overweight! “It is to the very  point where eating can and is actually endangering our lives.”

 There has always been some individuals that have eaten unhealthily, mainly because, “Naughty Foods Taste So Good”!  Now the population as a whole,  considering how we eat these days, are we are getting the right amounts of nutrients.

Is it our conscious thought about what we put into our bodies … essential?

Why another article on  a subject that  everybody claims to know but doesn’t want to listen! The answer is, if this just reaches just one persons conscious thought and  results in taking action , than it was all worth it.

Perhaps before our intake of all those naughty foods, which are loaded with all those calories and sugars, you know the ones I am talking about, the ones some people would die for (literally), a bell would go off in our heads, saying “What I am about to eat is hazardous  to my health”!

For some people, warning labels…are just another part of the lable or the fine print that doesn’ t get read anyway, let alone it’s grams of sugar or it’s calorie count. Our consensus is most people eat by what may make them feel good, or by how sweet it is, or how good it taste going down, or just how much I can eat, based on my emotion at the time.

If some one has come up as to why obesity is becoming  a major concern…is because food is readily available  in most countries, unlike the underdeveloped countries where many face starvation. Those countries who proclaim to live in the land of plenty…eat with same mentality…plenty.

As we get older, our metabolism slows down and we can no longer burn calories at the same rate as we used to. Fact, it makes it easier for us to put on weight but harder for us to shed it. Having said that, our elderly group face the greatest effect of being over weight. Being overweight can put unnecessary stress on the joints and thus accelerate the affects of arthritis, osteoporosis and other bone and muscle disorders and illnesses. It can also bring about the onset of diabetes, which is more common in seniors than in any other age group as it is.

While a  little of what he or she loves to eat, no matter how unhealthy it may be, a regular balanced nutritious diet is just what the doctor orders!

A well balanced diet can boost your health, but a poor diet that does not fulfil all bodily nutritional requirements can actually cause it to deteriorate.

All should enjoy life to the fullest extent, but eating healthily on a regular basis can actively extend the amount of time you have left to enjoy it! Make the most of  life. Revolutionize your diet and reap the rewards

 Todays Health Articles  or links on Related info.

Enjoy A Happy and Healthy Life”

Todays Health Drinks