When a woman becomes pregnant, she’ll often adopt healthier habits and put the needs of her unborn child first. Studies over the past few years have proven that exercising is good for both the expectant mother and her baby. One of the most promising benefits is that exercise helps strengthen a fetus’ heart control. But, research released this week shows that exercising during pregnancy also goes a long way to help your child’s heart even after birth. That is welcome news in a society with a large focus on the heart health of school-aged children. Government organizations, school systems and …
Weight and size are hot-button issues these days. It doesn’t take a genius to see we put size zero models and actresses on the same pedestal as muscle-bound athletes. Studies show thinner adults are more successful and make more money. Then there are the assumptions and portrayals in movies and television shows of overweight and obese people as being lazy and stupid.Some people like food, others don’t know any better and are simply uneducated. But a larger percentage of overweight people have emotional problems tied to food. The differences with someone growing up using food for fuel and …
We live in a high-stress, fast-paced area. Everything seems like a competition: our jobs, size of our house, make of our car, success of our kids and even our fitness level. I mean isn’t exercise supposed to relieve stress? When it comes to the practice of yoga, you’re encouraged to leave all those loud and overpowering thoughts at the door. And for those who don’t believe yoga is a workout, give a 90-minute power class a try. The point is that yoga is an all-around workout. Yoga can improve strength and increase flexibility, but also provide numerous mental and physical health benefits. If …
Everyone knows exercise is good for you. Even so, it often manages to fall to the bottom of our priorities, especially when juggling the demands of our day. The good news is all you need are 15 minutes to provide health benefits, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Taiwan Department of Health. The results were published in the Lancet, a clinical medicine and global health journal.Fifteen minutes of physical activity a day adds three years of life expectancy, decreases cancer mortality by 10 percent and reduces the rate of cardiovascular disease by 20 percent. Regular …
The first day of school is fast approaching. Sure, stores have been filled with back-to-school supplies since mid-July, but now that it’s mid-August, it’s time to really prepare for the new academic year. With so many things to think about, it’s easy to overlook one of the most basic necessities for this transition: your child’s health.Book bags can often be a badge of honor growing up. The more it’s filled, the more respect you command, serving as a reflection for a child’s mental and physical strength. But all that weight is not good for your child’s back. The extra weight can cause muscle …
Who doesn’t know what Facebook and Twitter are these days? The two social networking sites have changed the way we communicate. While the purpose was to reconnect with old friends and connect with new people, too much time on these sites may actually do more harm than good.The American Psychological Association just had its annual convention. Among the speakers was Psychologist Larry Rosen, who has been studying the effect of technology on people for more than 25 years. His most recent studies took a look at how social networking sites affect children, and Rosen presented his findings at the …
Most of us have heard enough about nutrition to pick healthy foods from the long line up of options at the grocery store. Buzz words such as “more fiber,” “reduced fat” and “low sodium” are brightly displayed on box tops. We feel good making those purchases, assuming we are doing the best for our family and ourselves.But just because a food contains the nutrient or vitamin of the week doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for you. Food companies are capitalizing on every health craze by fortifying their products, but leaving the rest of the ingredient list the same. Quite often that ingredient …
There are a lot of medical mysteries in the world. Despite advances in science and research, we’re still missing a lot of answers—and one of the biggest mysteries surrounds autism. Part of the problem is doctors don’t know the underlying cause of the disorder. Adding to the confusion are the varying degrees to how a child can be affected by autism. Almost no two cases of autism are alike. A child can present social and communication problems, but may also have gastrointestinal issues, sleep problems, and other medical problems.But one thing is certain: the number of children with autism is …
Ever notice how a cup of coffee makes you jittery, but your co-worker might as well have an IV of it going straight from the pot to her arm? What about the “latest and greatest” diet? What works for your significant other does nothing for you. Health experts seem to promise you results with their nutrition plan, but when you try it you are left with feelings of frustration and failure.New research is shedding light on why there is so much discrepancy in how food and drink affects us. It has to do with our DNA. We know we inherit physical traits— eye color, athletic ability and height—from our…
The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that walnuts are dangerous. The FDA wrote to nut producers Blue Diamond that, “Your walnut products are drugs” — and “new drugs” at that — and, therefore, “they may not legally be marketed … in the United States without an approved new drug application.” Blue Diamond made claims that walnuts have health benefits because of the Omega 3 fatty acids they contain, and several studies back this up. But even so, the FDA told Diamond that its product is “misbranded” and that “[it] bears health claims that are not authorized by the FDA.”But not …
