Category: Women's Health

Q. Dr. Giurini, can you explain how your shoes affect your spine and back?
A. Feet are like the foundation of a building; they are the foundation of the body. If the feet are mechanically unsound, they can change the relation alignment of all the structures above them. I often see patients with a mechanically “unsound” foot who are experiencing pain. By wearing shoes that don’t give the proper support, they can exacerbate the problem. Part of any evaluation for low back pain should be to look at the structures below, including the feet.

Q. So your shoes can contribute to or exacerbate back pain?
A. It’s a definite possibility. If a person is having low back pain and the physician can’t find a cause within the back itself, we need to look at the foot and how it functions in gait and how the entire lower extremity is aligned. In some cases, more supportive shoes or a shoe insert may help solve the problem

Whether you spend most of your day on your feet because you have to, or because you know you need the exercise, a pair of well cusioned, flexible, breathable walking shoes will make your day a whole lot better. You select the best walking shoe by knowing your foot type and by selecting the manufacturer and style that matches your personal need. In the long run, the best walking shoe is the one you want to wear.

Buy Impact Control Walking Shoes for Rigid Feet

“Rigid” feet are high arched and tend to stay straight and rigid at the moment of impact with the ground. They do not conform to the shape of the ground on impact. They leave a high-arch impression in wet sand. Stress fractures are more likely than with any other foot type.

People who use monosodium glutamate, or MSG, as a flavor enhancer in their food are more likely than people who don’t use it to be overweight or obese even though they have the same amount of physical activity and total calorie intake, according to a study in the journal Obesity.

“We found that prevalence of overweight was significantly higher in MSG users than in non-users,” He said. “We saw this risk even when we controlled for physical activity, total calorie intake and other possible explanations for the difference in body mass. The positive associations between MSG intake and overweight were consistent with data from animal studies.”

As the percentage of overweight and obese people around the world continues to increase, He said, finding clues to the cause could be very important.

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other health organizations around the world have concluded that MSG is safe,” He said, “but the question remains – is it healthy?”

“Sustainability” is the current favorite buzz word of the environmental movement. But what if you applied the concept of sustainability to your weight-loss and health-improvement efforts?

The results would be life altering, says Joe Dillon. And Joe should know. He has coached 22 Olympic Gold Medal Winning athletes. Since 1979, Joe has coached literally thousands of one-on-one clients from athletes to doctors to CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies. An inspirational speaker, Joe has spoken to millions of people including national sales meetings, all the major dental meetings, medical schools and was Speaker of the Year for Vistage, the world’s largest organization of CEO’s. Born in 1944, Joe is 7 percent body fat with a resting heart rate of 40. Dillon clearly walks his talk.

“Health and fitness are attainable at any age, no matter how busy you are,” says Sandy Terrien, Dillon’s business partner and a nationally recognized speaker and certified personal trainer and fitness consultant. Born in 1957, Sandy is 10 percent body fat with a resting heart rate of 42.

“Improving our health – and in direct correlation, our lives – is a prime objective for many of us,” Dillon says. “Occasional diets and sporadic exercise, fads or ignoring the problem, won’t get the job done. What’s needed is a fully-aware, whole-life approach.”

If you’re considering taking steps to alter your health and change your life, evaluate any fitness plan on the following points, Dillon advises:

Sustainability

“There’s no quick fix,” Dillon says. Optimal health is a way of life. “We live and teach a practical, sustainable lifestyle. Our program works at home, at the office, on business trips and even on vacations.” Joe travels over 300,000 miles a year. Whatever you do counts. “Our program is about progress, not perfection,” says Joe. “It has to work for you and in your life.”

Safety

“Our number one rule is: ‘First do no harm,’ ” Dillon notes. “Our program is safe and optimal for pregnant women, lactating women, new born infants, as well as both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. “

Scientific

Is your new plan based on consensus science and the most current research available? Programs like The Joe Dillon Difference, that are based on empirical research and proven science, provide maximum opportunity for success and also allow flexibility to evolve as new information becomes available. Apply empirical principles to your own progress, as well self measurement, annual blood tests and physicals to measure and substantiate your results. “Listen to your body is what we teach,” says Dillon. “We encourage you to pay attention to the feedback your body gives you and we teach you how to tailor our program to exactly meet your body’s needs – all based on empirical scientific evidence.”

Simplicity

“We all have busy lives,” Terrien says. “We believe a healthy lifestyle should be simple and practical enough to work in the real world.” Complicated systems and unrealistic goals make it harder to achieve life-changing results. “We will teach you 4 simple principles that are safe, scientific, effective, and life changing.”

Self-Responsibility

“There is only one person who cares about your health. You. If you don’t care, no one cares,” Dillon says. “Your health is your choice. Actions, like the food you put in your mouth, have consequences. All change is internal. We will teach you how to transform your life. And always remember: You are worth it”

How much would you be willing to pay to avoid having your life cut short by a terrible illness? Most people would say, “Anything!”

Jeff Bucher of Fond du Lac, Wis., believes the $1 a day he began spending a little over a year ago saved his life.

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Bucher’s narrow escape began in November of 2006, shortly after his 41st birthday.

“I realized I was huffing and puffing every time I went up the stairs,” Bucher says. “Finally, I decided enough was enough. It was time for me to join a gym and get in shape.”

Bucher found the help he needed at an Anytime Fitness club near his office – and exercising quickly became a habit. The fastest-growing fitness club chain in America, known for its 24-hour gyms in small towns all over the country, offered precisely the amenities Bucher was looking for.

“The gym was quick and convenient for me,” he says. “It had all sorts of free weights and treadmills, as well as elliptical and exercise machines, and dues were very affordable. After years of doing nothing, exercising just felt good. I found myself thinking about it all the time.”

Weight loss helped detect cancer

In less than a year, Bucher lost 40 pounds of fat and gained 10 pounds of muscle — and because he also acquired a new awareness of his body, he noticed an unusual growth in his pelvic region.

“My doctor diagnosed me with follicular lymphoma and said I was lucky,” Bucher recalls. “Most people with my type of cancer don’t realize they have it until it’s stage three or four. By then, their prognosis is not good. My cancer was caught during stage one.”

Bucher immediately began radiation treatments and within five weeks was cancer free.

“This case is a dramatic example of how becoming physically active can save your life. But for most people, exercise is a great way to prevent problems from cropping up in the first place,” says Dr. Marc Manley, vice president and medical director for population health at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.

“Being physically fit helped me endure the side effects of my treatment,” Bucher says. “Now, more than ever, I’m determined to stay in shape, so that I’ll notice any changes right away if the cancer returns.”

Many insurance companies now offer their members an incentive for living healthy lifestyles. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, for example, reimburses $20 of the monthly membership dues for members who work out at a qualified gym at least 12 times a month.

“The health benefits of physical activity are well-documented. People who exercise are more likely to maintain a lower weight, and our research shows they have lower health care costs than those who don’t exercise regularly. So, from a business standpoint, it only makes sense to encourage people to exercise,” says Dr. Manley.

According to the American Heart Association, regular physical activity has many health benefits. Working out regularly can:

* Help to maintain a healthy weight;
* Reduce the risk of dying prematurely from heart disease and other conditions;
* Reduce the risk of developing diabetes;
* Reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure;
* Reduce blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure;
* Reduce the risk of developing colon and breast cancer.

“I can’t say enough about the importance of physical activity. People need to realize it’s like the fountain of youth,” says Dr. Manley.

Bucher is a true believer in that concept. “As soon as doctors told me it was okay for me to return to the gym, I couldn’t wait to get in there and do some bench presses and lat pulls — anything to release some endorphins. I just wanted to beat up the cancer.”

“Exercising is the least expensive thing you can do to improve the quality of your own life,” says Mark Daly, Anytime Fitness’ national media director. “Our clubs don’t have pools, racquetball courts, or saunas, but we do feature all the top-notch exercise equipment most people need. At Anytime Fitness, we’re all about providing convenient and affordable fitness options for busy people who just want to get in, work out, and get on with their lives.”

As for Jeff Bucher, he says his medical scare reaffirmed for him what’s really important in life – his family and his health. That’s why he recently expanded his Anytime Fitness club membership to include his wife and their four daughters. These days, it’s not uncommon to see the entire Bucher family working out side-by-side on elliptical machines.

Chocolate milk has scored a valuable spot on and off the court. Studies suggest the unique mix of key nutrients in chocolate milk can help refuel and rehydrate your body after exercise, making it an ideal post-exercise choice.

“Athletes who choose chocolate milk can help benefit their body and their training,” says Cal Dietz, head Olympic strength coach at the University of Minnesota. “That’s why coaches are increasingly encouraging teen-athletes to drink lowfat chocolate milk to help replenish muscles after practice. Researchers theorize the ratio of carbohydrates and protein in chocolate milk helps muscles recover. Plus, it tastes good and provides nine essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and potassium – nutrients especially important for teen diets.”

Scientists have evaluated chocolate milk as a post-exercise drink and have identified several reasons why it may be an effective recovery aid: chocolate milk contains a combination of carbohydrates and protein to help replenish exhausted muscles after exercise, and it provides fluids and electrolytes such as potassium to assist with re hydration.

Additionally, chocolate milk has high-quality protein that helps build lean muscle when combined with exercise and the added bonus of providing additional nutrients not found in most traditional sports drinks. Milk contains nine essential nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D to maintain bone strength, and high-quality protein that along with exercise helps build muscle. Just three 8-ounce glasses of lowfat or fat-free milk provides about half of the protein teenagers of all fitness levels need each day.

Now high school teams who refuel with chocolate milk can become a Body by Milk MVP (Milk’s Valued Players). The National Milk Mustache got milk? campaign kicked-off the first-ever Refuel Your School contest to reward 25 high school athletic teams that choose chocolate milk to refuel and rehydrate after that big game, practice or workout. Winning teams across America will score a Refuel Rally at their schools, a $1,000 new equipment grant, adidas gear and more.

High school athletes (ages 13 to18 years old) are encouraged to visit refuel.bodybymilk.com and get their game on by uploading a photo or video showcasing how their team chooses milk to refuel and rehydrate post-workout. Participants can also nominate their team coach for the first-ever Body by Milk Coach of the Year award.

Individuals who are physically active during their leisure time appear to be biologically younger than those with sedentary lifestyles, according to a report in the January 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Regular exercisers have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, obesity and osteoporosis, according to background information in the article. “A sedentary lifestyle increases the propensity to aging-related disease and premature death,” the authors write. “Inactivity may diminish life expectancy not only by predisposing to aging-related diseases but also because it may influence the aging process itself.” read entire article…

Millions of Americans use supplements to enhance their health every day, studies show. But did you know that some supplements – those that contain artificial coloring, chemicals, sweeteners and other additives – may actually be detrimental to your health?

A growing body of evidence suggests that many of the additives found in our food and some health supplements may cause adverse reactions in some people. In fact, one study by researchers at North Shore Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York, found a link between certain foods and additives like artificial coloring and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

“Many of the so-called vitamins and supplements marketed as improving health are actually filled with potentially harmful artificial ingredients,” says Nancy Leavitt, president and founder of Dr. Organics, a company that specializes in organic and all-natural health supplements. “That’s one reason why more and more people are turning to organic products for greater health benefits. One recent study by Datamonitor indicates that by 2009, Americans will spend $20 billion annually on natural and organic products.”

If you are currently taking a dietary supplement, or considering adding one to your health regimen, consider these facts:

* Up to 70 percent of solid vitamins or supplements are simply excreted from the body, according to numerous studies.

* Liquid supplements offer much higher absorption rates – up to 90 percent depending on the supplement.

* The increase in the number of Americans with food allergies can be directly linked to the pervasive use of and consumption of artificial ingredients, many health experts agree.

* In 2007, nearly 70 percent of Americans took dietary supplements, according to a survey commissioned by the Council for Responsible Nutrition.

* Many supplement users take handfuls of multiple products to achieve different health benefits, from cardiovascular to bone and joint support and to fulfill daily vitamin requirements.

“Clearly demand is growing for a dietary supplement that is organic in nature, provides complete health benefits and offers optimum absorption and efficacy,” Leavitt says. “Products like Dr. Organic’s new Body Shot, a physician’s grade liquid supplement, are finding growing consumer interest in the marketplace.”

Factors that differentiate the new Body Shot product from other supplements include:

* The use of all-natural preservatives and organic ingredients.

* High antioxidant content, as well as a bone and joint complex, and heart complex ingredients. Acai berry, recognized as a top source of antioxidants, builds the immune system, protects the heart and supports prostate health.

* CoQ10, a compound that shows signs of promoting greater heart health.

* Easy-to-maintain, once-a-day use eliminates the need for multiple supplements to fulfill multiple health goals.

“Until now, products of this caliber have been really geared toward elite athletes, but Body Shot is intended to also provide optimum health benefits for everyone – from Baby Boomers to children,” Leavitt says.

A recent study from the American Obesity Association found that nearly 62 percent of the female population is categorized as overweight. For women looking to shed a few pounds in the New Year it’s important to start a new health and fitness regimen now, especially since high-calorie meals have pushed you further from your weight loss goals.

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A recent study from the American Obesity Association found that nearly 62 percent of the female population is categorized as overweight. For women looking to shed a few pounds in the new year, it’s important to start a new health and fitness regimen as soon as possible. However, women need to be cautious as they start a fitness program, because as many studies indicate, a woman’s biomechanics make her more vulnerable than men to certain conditions such as a variety of knee problems, ankle sprains and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. According to physical therapist Megan Barclay, this increased vulnerability is exacerbated in overweight women because for every extra 10 pounds a woman carries on her bone structure, the force on her knees increases by 30 to 60 pounds per step. So, it is important to consider the following tips to prevent injury and keep your weight loss on the right track:

1.) Discuss with your doctor: Before beginning any new fitness routine, it’s imperative to speak with a physician. Barclay suggests, “it’s a good idea to have your doctor take readings of your heart rate, blood pressure and other vital statistics to not only get a benchmark, but also determine what types of exercises are safe for you to do.” Once this is established, the physician can help design a personalized plan that allows for incremental increases in intensity. “The doctor may also recommend working with a professional, like a physical therapist or certified personal trainer to make sure risk-free habits are established,” says Barclay.

2.) Get Ultra Support: Not surprisingly, overweight women tend to experience a higher incidence of mechanical knee problems and are four times more likely to have osteoarthritis of the knee. “It’s important for overweight women to have proper knee support while they are working out to help prevent injury,” says Barclay. She recommends Wellgate for Women’s new Queen Sized Ultra Knee Support, which is the first and only over-the-counter knee brace made to fit plus-size women weighing more than 160 pounds. “Now women can get the support they need from a knee brace that fits them properly, is made of a soft, breathable fabric and even comes with a patent-pending control top,” she says. The Wellgate for Women brace, which is only $13.99, is available at most mass market retailers such as Kmart and Wal-Mart and fits women sizes 16 - 3XL.

3.) Baby steps: The most common mistake made when beginning an exercise regimen is overdoing it. Luckily, one of the most effective exercises for starting down the path to fitness is also one of the simplest — walking. “Walking is low-impact so it won’t strain knees or joints. It also helps strengthen your heart and lungs and improves circulation,” says Barclay. “Start today and work your way up to 30 to 60 minutes of relatively vigorous walking, three to five times a week.” Taking a different route each day can help to keep this workout new and exciting.

4.) Make it mental: “Don’t forget that your mind is a muscle, too,” says Barclay. “Keeping your mind healthy and focused and your self-esteem high is just as important as keeping the rest of the body in shape.” Find a workout buddy, enlist your spouse or take along the dog — anything to motivate you mentally will help you stay on track with your new program.

Achieving health, fitness and weight-loss goals may seem harder for those with more weight to lose, but small steps now can help build momentum for the rest of the year and prevent larger health problems down the line.

Passion. Romance. Love. In this season when we celebrate the feelings of the heart, it’s also fitting that we should celebrate heart health. This is especially true for women. Sadly, heart disease is the number one killer of women over the age of 25 in the United States.

The American Heart Association is trying to change this situation with its “Go Red for Women” program, which encourages women to love their hearts by understanding the risks they face and how to reduce them.

“We can no longer ignore heart disease,” says Jennifer Mieres, MD, national spokesperson for “Go Red for Women” and director of nuclear cardiology for New York University School of Medicine. “While awareness is important, it’s time for women to take action now.”

So what can you do to keep yourself heart-healthy? Here’s some good advice from the American Heart Association.

1. Stay Active

Your heart is a muscle — treat it like one. The only way to build muscle strength is to exercise. Current guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate daily activity.

No time to exercise? That’s okay. Don’t think exercise, think action. Instead of the elevator, take the stairs whenever possible; take a walk after dinner instead of sitting down and watching TV; park a few blocks from the office or store and walk the rest of the way.

2. Eat Smart

Healthy food habits can help you reduce three risk factors for heart attack and stroke — high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and excess body weight. Set the stage for success by eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, cereal and grain products, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, legumes, nuts, fish, poultry and lean meats. You should also eat foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. Keep healthy snacks, such as pre-cut fruits and vegetables on hand, and drink plenty of water.

3. Take Time to Just Relax

We all feel stress from time to time, but too much stress over a long period of time, and unhealthy responses to it, may create health problems in some people. If you frequently feel exhausted at the end of the day both physically and emotionally, instead of turning to an unhealthy solution like drinking or smoking, find ways to relax.

There are a number of methods you can use: deep breathing, mental imagery, or simply turning on some soft music and lighting a fragrant candle when you come home for the day.

“The very act of lighting a candle has been proven to help reduce the stresses of every day living,” says Rick Ruffolo, senior vice president of brand, marketing, and innovation at the Yankee Candle Company. “The soft glow of candlelight coupled with your favorite scent can have a calming influence, which helps your body rest and recharge.”

Lighting a candle can help your heart and the hearts of the women you care about — mother, sister, daughter and friends — through Yankee Candle’s “Light a Candle for your Heart” program, now in its third year of supporting the “Go Red for Women” movement.
According to Ruffolo, “We all care about the women in our lives. Most of our customers are women, so at Yankee Candle — we’re even more passionate about supporting causes that help our customers live healthier lives.”

Yankee Candle has donated over $150,000 the last two years to help encourage all women to adopt a healthier lifestyle including regular exercise, eating right, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking. The company hopes to top that number this year through donations generated by the sale of its candles. Learn how you can help at www.yankeecandle.com.

4. Quit Smoking

If you smoke cigarettes (or cigars), your risk of developing coronary heart disease is two to four times that of nonsmokers. You also have a higher risk of illness and death from heart attack, stroke and other diseases, including lung, mouth and throat cancers; chronic lung diseases and infections; congestive heart failure; and peripheral vascular disease (in the legs and arms).

The good news is that when you stop smoking — no matter how long or how much you’ve smoked — your risk of heart disease and stroke starts to drop. It is cut in half after one year without smoking, then continues to decline until it’s as low as a nonsmoker’s risk.

5. Maintain a Healthy Weight

If you have too much body fat, particularly around the waist area, you’re putting yourself at risk for a myriad of health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Try to reach a healthy weight — and stay there. To lose weight, most women should eat 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day, but not less than 1,200.

So – start a new tradition this year – one that will help your heart and the hearts of those you love for years to come. To learn more about heart-healthy habits go to www.goredforwomen.org. Happy Valentine’s Day!

pH may be one of those things everyone learned in chemistry and thought, “When will I use this in life?” The reality is that it affects your life every day. We all were taught that pH is the measure of how acidic or basic a liquid is, but in practical application, what pH represents is way more than some litmus papers or the table of elements. It plays a valuable role in maintaining balance and creating optimal health. Here are just a few examples of how pH matters in your everyday life.

* Avoid the fizz
Sometimes the only thing that goes perfectly with a slice of late night pizza is an ice cold soda. But soda can do a lot more than contribute to an increase in your waistline; it can actually cause your teeth to decay at a quicker rate.

In fact, according to recent study from the American Dental Association, people who consumed sugared sodas three or more times daily had 17 to 62 percent more tooth decay than those who did not drink sugared sodas. The problem is that our teeth are protected by our saliva, which is alkaline (low in acid) with a pH of 7.2 and above. The acid found in soda (phosphoric and citric acids) is known to have a high acidic pH level anywhere from 2.5 to 3.3, which can be highly erosive to the enamel of your teeth. In addition, the sugar from the soda provides food to the bacteria in the mouth that cause tooth decay.

Don’t worry, there is some good news: you don’t have to give up your love for the carbonated beverage. If you ever have a craving for a fizzy drink, opt for the diet version. The non-nutritive sweeteners found in diet soft drinks have not been proven to directly affect dental decay. If you must have regular soda, try drinking through a straw that is positioned toward the back of the mouth; this method is the best way known to reduce the abrasive potential of the soft drink.

* What you need to know to stay healthy down below
Every woman knows that even a small change can cause big trouble in the vaginal area. Sometimes unpleasant odors, unusual discharge, itching or burning can occur, leaving you to wonder what’s going on and how it can be fixed. Don’t just assume it is a yeast infection — it could be something more! Pick up an over-the-counter pH test like the Vagisil Screening Kit for Vaginal Infections. You can test your pH level to help determine what could be going on and whether or not you may need to see a doctor for medical treatment.

Why pH? Well, a normal vaginal pH of 3.5 to 4.5 is optimal for maintaining balance of the necessary good bacteria in the vagina. Yeast infections do not change your vaginal pH, so if you have a reading between 3.5 and 4.5, accompanied by symptoms such as those previously mentioned, it may indicate yeast, which can be treated with an over-the-counter product. However, if this is your first yeast infection, see a doctor. But if the vaginal pH value is 5.0 or higher, contact a doctor right away. You may have an infection that requires a prescription.

* Beat Smelly Feet
If taking your shoes off often causes noses around you to wrinkle and tends to clear the room, you may have Bromhidrosis, commonly known as smelly feet. Smelly feet are often singled out as belonging to athletes, but strong foot odor is actually a condition that is universally experienced because feet tend to sweat a lot.

Perspiration is normal and healthy, but when it becomes excessive, it can leave a foul odor lingering on feet and in your shoes. As a result of being inside a closed shoe all day, perspiration on the feet cannot evaporate like on other parts of our body. A moist foot in an enclosed space helps the bacteria that make isovaleric acid grow. This acid is what causes smelly feet.

The best way to prevent smelly feet is to keep your feet clean and dry. After showering, be sure to dry your feet completely, especially between the toes, to eliminate any additional moisture. Sprinkle your feet or the inside of your shoes with a foot powder like Odor-Eaters foot powder. Since it is specifically designed for the foot, it works better than regular talcum powder to keep the odor neutralized all day. The baking soda it contains can help neutralize the acids that cause smelly feet. Don‘t forget to air out your shoes daily. Alternating shoes regularly will also help to reduce odor by starting the day with dry shoes. Feet definitely sweat profusely with exercise; so if you go to the gym, be sure to get a few sets of gym sneakers to alternate every other day.

People who have good physical function after the age of 40 may lower their risk of stroke by as much as 50 percent compared to people who are not able to climb stairs, kneel, bend, or lift as well, according to research published in the latest issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

From 1993 to 1997, researchers examined nearly 14,000 men and women between ages 40 and 79 in the United Kingdom who had not suffered a stroke, heart attack or cancer. Researchers monitored how many strokes were suffered in this group through 2005.

The study found that people who reported good physical function — regardless of age, sex, cholesterol level and other factors — had a 50 percent lower risk of stroke than those with the lowest test scores. The better a person’s physical function, the lower their risk of stroke.

“People who reported better physical function had significantly lower risk of stroke,” says study author Phyo Kyaw Myint, MRCP, with the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. “This is independent of the known risk factors for stroke in the general population.”

Myint says people with poor physical function may represent a high-risk population for stroke. “Physical function may identify apparently healthy men and women at an increased risk of stroke who may benefit the most from preventative treatments.”

Myint says it’s also possible that poor physical function may reflect underlying health issues, such as chronic inflammation, which may lead to vascular disease. He says increasing physical activity and eating more fruits and vegetables, which has been associated with better physical function, may also help to reduce stroke risk.

Other ways to help reduce the risk of a stroke include:

* Eating a low-salt, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.

* Controlling high blood pressure.

* Quitting smoking.

The study was supported by Cancer Research U.K., the Medical Research Council (U.K.), and the Stroke Association (U.K).

For more information, visit the American Academy of Neurology’s website at www.aan.com.

Organic products are becoming an important part of a healthy lifestyle, recent studies show. A Newcastle University study sponsored by the European Union and several food companies, shows that organic foods provide increased health benefits. The study concluded that eating organic food in place of conventionally farmed food was the equivalent of eating an extra portion of fruit and vegetables every day.

It’s no wonder that worldwide retail sales of organic food and personal care products have grown an annual average of 23 percent over the last 10 years. Additionally, consumer spending for natural and organic personal care products is expected to rise to $20 billion by 2009, according to a recent Datamonitor study.

“Organic products promote the health and wellness of our body and world,” says Daria Myers, global president of Origins, the beauty and wellness company that emphasizes preservation of the planet as one of its founding principles. “Chemical pesticides and fertilizers have been found to be harmful to farm workers and damage ecosystems on the farm and the surrounding waters. We’ve found people are looking for an organic alternative. With our most recent collection, Origins Organics, we are providing consumers who desire to be even more eco-conscious another choice.”

But what do you look for when choosing organic products? How do you know something is truly organic? Here are a few simple tips:

Defining Organic

The term “organic” refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. Organic farmers and businesses seek to reduce or eliminate practices that harm soil life, deplete non-renewable resources or pose hazards to air and water quality.

“When you’re using organic farming methods, you don’t use synthetic herbicides, pesticides or other artificial chemicals,” says organic farmer, Cheryl Rogowski of W. Rogowski Farm. “We find natural ways to help the crops grow like diversifying and carefully selecting our crop varieties, rotating crops each year to effectively hide them from insects, and using compost and green manure crops as fertilizer.”

While the organic movement is most often associated with food products, its reach is much broader. It’s showing up in a variety of areas including personal care products because of its many benefits.

Natural vs. Organic Products

Organic refers to items that are produced in accordance with stringent, approved methods. Organic products have ingredients that are grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, sewer sludge or genetically modified seeds. Natural products are those derived from natural ingredients like a plant source, which retain their natural properties in the finished product. All organic products are natural, but not all natural products are necessarily organic.

Regulating True Organic Products

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certification and seal are the best way to know for sure that products truly are organic. Under the USDA regulations, personal care products labeled as “Organic” or “Certified Organic” must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients. Products labeled as “Made with Organic Ingredients” must contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients.

Beauty Product Regulations

So what are the regulatory differences for organic food and organic personal care products in the United States? According to USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards, they are the same. The same guidelines a farmer has to follow to certify yogurt or cereal must be adhered to by companies trying to obtain the USDA certification and seal for personal care products.

The Certification Process

Since the seal has only been available since August 2005 for personal care products, there are very few products available that meet the USDA National Organic Program’s stringent standards. The USDA website says a Government-approved certifier must inspect the farms where ingredients in a product are grown to make sure the farmers are following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards before a product can be labeled “organic.” Even the facilities where the products are made and packaged must follow rigorous USDA NOP regulations.

Finding Organic Products

Origins recently introduced a new collection called Origins Organics certified under USDA NOP standards. Origins Organics uses Certified Organic ingredients grown and harvested according to regulated organic farming methods. Six of the products have the USDA seal, which means they have at least 95 percent organic ingredients. The other three are “Made with Organic Ingredients” and have between 70 and 95 percent organic ingredients. These three are also certified by the USDA NOP. Organic products, including food, personal care, clothing, and others are becoming more widely available at major retail stores and smaller boutique stores. Remember to look for the USDA organic seal to know you are using something good for yourself and the environment.

High-impact sports have been linked to increased bone density in young athletes. Now, research shows that these sports are also beneficial for the bone health of older competitors.

In a study of 560 elderly athletes competing in the Senior Olympic Games, investigators discovered that athletes participating in high-impact sports showed statistically significantly greater bone mineral density than those in low-impact sports. After controlling for confounding variables, the researchers also found that high-impact sports significantly contributed to bone mineral density according to the study abstract.

“We know that persistent participation in impact sports can positively influence the bone health of both men and women, and this is true for even the oldest athletes,” Vonda J. Wright, MD, said during her presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 74th Annual Meeting. “These data imply that exercise in general, and high-impact exercise in particular, should be used as a tool for maintaining bone health while aging.”

Wright said. “… the greatest impact of exercise in healthy people can be seen in those participating in periods of intense exertion.” “We found that those people participating in higher-resistance or high-impact sports had a statistically significantly higher bone density than those participating in the less high-resistance sports categories…. the bone density could be attributed to those participating in high impact sports,” Wright said.

“This is interesting in light of the fact that in 2001, we also studied these senior Olympians and found that overall, osteopenia and osteoporosis were less prevalent in senior athletes than the general population,” she said.

“Even in the most elderly women, [there was] a very high percentage of even women in their 80s having normal bone density.” That study also showed lower rates of osteoporosis in women who competed in weight-bearing sports compared those participating in non-weight-bearing physical activity, she said.

Adapted from an article by Gina Brockenbrough

For more information on this study:

Vonda J. Wright, MD, can be reached at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Center for Sports Medicine, 3200 S. Water St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203; 412-687-3900; e-mail: drwright@seniorsportsandfitness.com. She has no conflicts to disclose.
Wright V, Kaz R, Irrgang JJ, et al. Participation in high impact sports predicts bone mineral density in senior Olympic athletes. #429. Presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 74th Annual Meeting. Feb. 14-18, 2007. San Diego.

Each year, we learn more about the tremendous health benefits of staying physically active and being properly nourished throughout our lives. The work of scientists, health professionals, and older adult volunteers has greatly increased our knowledge about the aging process and how we can maintain strength, dignity, and independence as we age.

Essential to staying strong and vital during older adulthood is participation in regular strengthening exercises which help to prevent osteoporosis and frailty by stimulating the growth of muscle and bone.

Feeling physically strong also promotes mental and emotional health. Strength training exercises are easy to learn, and have been proven safe and effective through years of thorough research.

Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Tufts University, with the help of older adults, have created this book, Growing Stronger: Strength Training for Older Adults to help you become stronger and maintain your health and independence. I encourage you to read it carefully and begin using this strength training program as soon as possible. It can make a profound difference in your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Let us aim, as a nation, to Grow Stronger together. To your health—

David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, National Center for Primary Care
Morehouse School of Medicine
United States Surgeon General, 1998-2002

Tags: strengthening exercises, Strength training exercises