A study recently published by the BMJ, the British Medical Journal, shows that following the Mediterranean Diet can lead to a longer healthier life.
The diet is primarily comprised of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and legumes.
A moderate amount of alcohol, specifically wine, and only eating small portions of meat are also noted to be contributing factors in the diet. The study also shows that cereals, seafood, and low dairy intake does not appear to increase longevity. Protecting the brain from degeneration, reducing the chance of developing heart disease, and lowering the chances of developing cancer are some positive side-effects of the diet that were found in an earlier research.
23,349 healthy men and women who had not previously been diagnosed with heart disease, cancer, or diabetes were part of this study. They were followed for a period of 8 and 1/2 years, during which time their food intake was monitored to see how closely the Mediterranean diet was adhered to. The study concluded in June of 2008, and in general those who most closely followed the diet were found to have lived longer and were healthier.
So for those who want to live longer, be healthier, or lose weight might be wise to consider the Mediterranean diet as a perfect way to do just that. If it helps, think of it as a lifestyle change not a diet.
There will be a lot of happy people today who can grin at being slightly overweight when they read about the facts in a new study that was reported in the journal “Obesity” by Statistics Canada researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland State University.
Apparently a study in the U.S. published in 2005 in the “Journal of the American Medical Association”, which came up with similar results, didn’t get the publicity that this study has gotten.
A 12-year (1994/1995 through 2006/2007) study of 11,326 adults in Canada, which studied the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and death, found that underweight people were 70% more likely (the most dangerous BMI) than people of normal weight to die, and extemely obese people were 36% more likely to die.
However, overweight individuals were 17% LESS likely to die unless they were obese (whose risk had the same result as people of normal weight).
So those with a BMI index that falls into the “overweight” range will probably live longer than a person with an “ideal” BMI!
According to one of the study’s authors, David Feeny, PhD, “…it is surprising that carrying a little extra weight may give people a longevity advantage.”
However, you really shouldn’t try to add pounds just because of this study. Many other factors have to be considered including the tendency to increase blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes with increased pounds. Continue to eat properly and exercise to promote your good health.
Dangerous MRSA infections may come from an unexpected source. According to a study published in the July 2009 issue of the Lancet Infectious Diseases, cats, dogs, and horses have been shown to carry Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a particularly nasty form of bacteria that resists treatment by antibiotics. MRSA can cause disfiguring infections and serious complications, or even death.
Dogs and cats usually carry a different form of Staphylococcus, but they can acquire MRSA from humans. Pets can act as reservoirs of the bacteria, so that infection can be passed back and forth between humans and their domesticated companions. Of particular concern are dog and cat bites, because these deep puncture wounds can harbor MRSA and provide an ideal environment for infection to flourish. Bites on the human hand, forearm, neck, and head are the most prone to infection. Children are most often bit in these areas because they are short. Cat bites usually cause deeper puncture wounds than dog bites and carry more risk of infection.
“Pet owners are often unaware of the potential for transmission of life-threatening pathogens from their canine and feline companions,” the researchers said. Doctors treating such wounds should be aware of the animal’s history and the risk of MRSA infection, so that appropriate treatment can be administered.
Farrah Fawcett, a model and star of such movies such as 1997’s ‘The Apostle’ and 2004’s ‘The Cookout’, is said to be, by close friends and family, showing signs of improvement during her fight with Anal Cancer which she has been diagnosed with for nearly 4 years. She started showing improvement after a Bishop visited the actress. After the Bishop left, she was able to cut her food and eat it by herself. The food was said to be a steak from her favorite restaurant, The Palm.
Recently, Fawcett’s 91 year old father from Houston visited her and he was “overwhelmed by the healing environment that Fawcett’s inner circle of friends and family have created” which was stated in a recent posting on her own official website, farrahfawcett.com. The website has received so much helpful and emotional support from fans, that the administrators are working out a plan to have the postings on the website to be sent to her as letters, which will be shown to her by assistants.
Fawcett’s publicist, on his official blog, confirmed that the former pin-up model is showing signs of improvement
From hitmanpr.blogspot.com:
“Farrah as we announced on www.FarrahFawcett.US is improving. Farrah sat up in bed and ordered Joan Dangerfield to run to The Palm Restaurant (her favorite restaurant) to get her favorite steak. This event happened coincidently after a visit from the Bishop and Sister Mary. Farrah a devote Catholic has known The Bishop and Sister Mary for years. Greg Lott her longtime friend and business partner arranged the visit for the Holy duo. The Bishop and Sister Mary have created a “healing light” of an environment according to Farrah’s inner circle. Greg Lott has still not been allowed by Alana Stewart or Ryan ‘Neil to see his friend. ”
Back in 2007, the cancer was in remission, which gave time for Farrah to recover. But in 2008, the cancer came back and she was back in an ill state. She is expected to keep on recovering as she receives support from her fans, friends, and family.
A new study released on Monday revealed the “Eco-Atkins” diet may be able to lead the world to a healthier society.
A mere forty-four people that were over weight and with high levels of LDL, were the participants in the study that researchers took and divided them up into 2 groups of twenty-two.
While one of the groups adhered to a low-carb, vegetarian Eco-Atkins diet the other group was a controlled group that ate high carb, low fat diet. Both of these diets consisted of a restriction of caloric intake and both groups lost an average of 9 pounds within a 4 week period. The only difference in results was that the group that participated in the Eco-Atkins diet had a lower level of LDL and blood pressure, while the other group did not show any significant result.
The researchers that did the study claim that these results can help those in need of not only losing weight, but lower their bad cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Experts do agree that the study reveals encouraging results, but a larger group and longer study needs to be done in order to get the full analysis of what the Eco-Atkins diet can really do for individuals that need a healthier life.
Farrah Fawcett has spent the last few years battling anal cancer. During this time, Fawcett has held her head high, facing the struggle with dignity and candor. While the actress’ loved ones have been by her side throughout, now the entire world seems to offer support and love for the ailing actress.
It has clearly been a difficult time for Fawcett, since her cancer has relapsed and spread to her liver, leaving her mostly confined to bed during the last few months. On top of that, she has had to fight for her privacy, proving a breech at her treatment facility in Los Angeles. Then, as news of her worsening condition spread, she was even subjected to painful discussion by actress Melissa Joan Hart, who carelessly commented that she hoped that Fawcett would not die just yet in order for Hart to keep her place on the upcoming cover of People Magazine.
Yet, even with all of this turmoil, both good and bad, Fawcett has also focused on the people in her life. The latest reports suggest that the actress nearly married her longtime partner Ryan O’Neal while in Germany. The pair did not follow through only due to a lack of time to complete the necessary procedures.
What the future holds for Fawcett, it is not certain. There will likely be more good days and unfortunately some bad ones, but with the love of her friends and family, it is clear that Fawcett will soldier on until the end.
The ECO Atkins diet is like the traditional Atkins diet but without the meat. The traditional Atkins diet is famed for being low in carbohydrates, especially the simple ones that carry minimal nutritional content. Vegetables fit into this classification as they are known to possess a high degree of complex carbohydrates and very little fat and simple sugars.
A typical breakfast may include a banana and a slice of whole wheat bread. The banana offers a high amount of potassium while the whole wheat bread is a supplier of complex carbs necessary to keep up energy levels throughout the day.
The good thing about the ECO Atkins diet is that picking is not illegal. A snack of fresh carrots or beats, without the high calorie dip, is perfect for easing those hunger pangs. These can be flavored with lemon juice and maybe some red pepper powder.
Just because they are vegetables does not mean they have to be boring. You can jazz up a some asparagus by rubbing them with extra virgin olive oil and tossing them on the open grill. Also, adding exotic Asian spices like plum or prune sauce can give vegetables that added flare to make them much more appeasing to the taste buds.
Over the last year, women in Quebec were faced with the uncertain and disturbing notion that their breast cancer screening results could have been faulty. After several test results turned out to be wrong at a single facility, allegations were brought up concerning the methods used at the facility and the accuracy of the results, prompting an inquiry under nation-wide scrutiny.
Though the report concluded that there was no wrongdoing by the lab, it also recommended that over two thousand women be retested for breast cancer as a precautionary measure, more to reassure patients than because the results were questionable.
The report did say that there could be up to a five percent margin of error in the tests, meaning some patients may receive different results the second time. While this may seem substantial, the inquiry found that the rate of incorrect results was actually similar to other labs across Canada and that the disparity was not as unusual as the allegations suggested.
Even with the erroneous results, the report strongly asserted that this did not indicate that any woman received incorrect treatment, since all doctors take multiple factors into consideration when making a diagnosis, not just one test results.
Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. announced today that it has received FDA approval to market an at-home wrinkle removing laser that will be available without a prescription. Partnering with Johnson and Johnson Consumer Cos. PMTI will now begin to sell a laser device that will treat periorbital wrinkles. The antiaging industry is a huge market. Light based therapies have been use for decades. Physicians and clinics have large, expensive lasers used to treat wrinkles in their offices. Spas and salons often make use of the same technology for facials and for hair removal. Now consumers will be able to perform similar treatments themselves at home.
Not only is this a great day for consumers but also for Palomar Medical Technologies as news of the FDA approved at-home wrinkle laser sent the price of PMTI’s stock up more than thirty percent. Palomar has been a leader in the development of light based treatment for the skin. Focusing on wrinkle reduction and hair removal Palomar has made a name for themselves developing this technology for physician offices, spa, clinics and salons. As this technology becomes available for home use Palomar has once again established itself as a leader.
The ill stricken Farrah Fawcett who was diagnosed with anal cancer back in 2006, and is just given weeks left to live, is showing signs of improvement.
Fawcett had a visit recently from a bishop that once he left the bed ridden actress became famished for food. Friends said that she was ravenous on her website.
The meal she ate was reportedly from her favorite restaurant, The Palm, which consisted of a steak. It was said that the star cut it up and ate it all by herself.
On Farrah’s website, FarrahFawcett.us a note was posted that Farrah’s dad had come to visit her from his hometown in Houston. The post tells that her father stated that she is fighting a good fight and the environment that Farrah is in that her friends and family have made for her is a good healing environment.
It was said that Farrah and her longtime lover had plans to get married in Germany while she was receiving treatment there, but as they were looking into legal matters of the wedding, it became too late for them to have the ceremony with Farrah’s turn for the worse had come.
She is confined to her bed on IV’s for nourishment.
The former icons doctors are only giving her four weeks left to be here. Fawcett’s long three year battle with the disease and aggressive treatments may soon be over, unless a miracle does happen. Her friends and family are praying for one and it may happen with the improvement that she has shown.