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2001 to 2003 FYI's: Page Three

 

 

51
Children At Risk for Weight Gain
New research from Rockefeller University in New York may soon be able to predict if children are at risk for weight gain later in life. The research is part of a larger effort to unearth the genetic and chemical signals inside the brain that scientists believe may control appetite and weight regulation.

52
Unscented or Fragrance Free?
Often, manufacturers add just enough fragrance or scent to mask other offensive smelling ingredients, but not enough to create a new scent. This is permissible because there are no legal definitions for the terms. The cosmetics industry can use scents and fragrances but still label their products as if they are free of them. Although it is not required, most manufacturers do list, even when the promotional wording on the packaging states otherwise. If in doubt, you can call or write the manufacturer.

53
Depression - how do we know when it is severe enough to warrant a visit to the doctor?
People with emotional symptoms such as pessimism, hopelessness, sadness and anxiety are relatively easy to diagnose. It gets more difficult when a person primarily has physical symptoms such as fatigue, poor concentration, insomnia or over-sleeping, undereating or overeating, stomach problems or even back pain. Free depression screenings are available from professionals across the nation.

54
May is National Salad Month!
The Association for Dressings and Sauces shares recipes and facts in a free brochure called "Dress It Up!". Here are some examples of information included:
*The earliest versions of Russian dressing contained not only mayonnaise, pimentos, chives, ketchup and spices, but a distinctly Russian ingredient as well: Caviar.
*More than 60 million gallons of salad dressing are consumed each year.
*Ranch is America's favorite dressing, followed by Italian, creamy Italian, Thousand Island, French and Caesar.
NOTE: Brochure may no longer be available.
See also: BellyBytes.com Healthy Salad Recipes

55
Free Publications from the National Institute of Mental Health!
Visit the Web site - Then click on the "Publications" tab!

56
Diary Book
Why Diary Book? The Diary Book, as the name implies, is software for those who wish to keep a journal, a diary of daily life. Not only does the software include a text editor, but also an event reminder, address book, plus an alarm. These additional features make the Diary Book much more useful to busy people. And best of all, it is FREE! Keep a diary of your diet!!
NOTE: Original link no longer online.
See also: Keeping a Food Diary

57
From the USDA
The Interactive Healthy Eating Index (IHEI) is an online dietary assessment tool that includes nutrition messages. After providing a day's worth of dietary information, you will receive a "score" on the overall quality of your diet for that day. This "score" looks at the types and amounts of food you ate as compared to those recommended by the Food Guide Pyramid. It also tells you how much total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium you have in your diet.

58
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Neary 70-percent of African-American women are overweight or obese. In response, several health organizations developed Sisters Together, a program to encourage African-American women to eat better and exercise more. The program features four free health publications. For more information, call (877) WIN-4627
NOTE: Telephone number may no longer be available.

59
Candy Creations
This summer, candy lovers get a treat in a great-tasting candy, with no sugar, put on the market by Equal. The candy is called "Perfect Pleasures" and is the first-ever line of sugar-free hard candy under the Equal sweetener brand, made by confectionery manufacturer Simply Lite. The flavors include Intense Fruits, (watermelon, green apple, lemon and cherry), Chocolate Cremes, Caramel Cremes and Mint Trio (peppermint, spearmint and cinnamint). You can purchase Equal Perfect Pleasures at your local area Walmart. Free samples will be distributed at various events in the coming months. The tasty candy will soon be available nationwide at major food, drug and mass retail chains.

60
For your health, eat red!
The National Cancer Institute reports that deep red or bright-pink fruit and vegetables contain phytochemicals that help your body fight disease and promote good health.
These phytochemicals include lycopene - which is found in watermelons, pink grapefruit and tomatoes - and anthocyanins found in strawberries, raspberries and beets. Lycopenes help reduce the risk of several kinds of cancer while anthocyanins help control high blood pressure and protect against diabetes-related circulatory problems. Women should eat at least seven fruits and vegetables daily and men should strive for nine, says the Institute.

61
More than beauty marks . . .
If you have six or more moles, each measuring at least one fifth of an inch, consider yourself more at risk for developing skin cancer and be extra careful about sun exposure. Flesh color and flat moles count, too.

62
Body Smarts Creamy Fruit Chews
Body Smarts Creamy Fruit Chews satisfy sweet cravings with a healthy twist: A serving provides all the day's vitamin C and nearly one-third of the calcium - plus a whopping six grams of fiber.

63
To calculate the percentage of calories from fat:
Find out the number of grams of fat and total calories of the dish.
Each gram of fat contains 9 calories;
So multiply the number of fat grams by 9 and divide the sum by the total number of calories.
For example, if 1 serving of a dish has 13 grams of fat and 415 calories:
13 grams X 9 calories = 117 calories
117/100 X 100 = 28 percent

64
Eat the wrapping?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has developed a way to turn fruits and vegetables into paper-thin wraps that may replace the plastic films covering your favorite microwave meals. When heated, these edible packages dissolve to become sauces for the foods they cover. The multipurpose wraps, expected to hit stores before year's end, also come in rolls, so toss the tin foil and instead cover leftover pasta with a healthy tomato-sauce film.

65
Shocking News About Muscle Stimulators
The belts featured on television informercials that promise tight abs without all the work of crunches may be tempting, but they could also be unsafe, says the FDA. Many are marketed without receiving FDA approval, and therefore may not comply with electrical safety standards. People who have used these devices have reported to the FDA that they were shocked, burned and bruised and experienced skin irritation and pain while using them. A few have even interfered with implanted devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators. Although applying electrical current to muscles causes muscles to contract and will strengthen and tone to some extent, current research indicates that the results are not as great as those you would receive from regular exercise and a healthy diet. In other words, don't substitute a belt for a workout.

66
Brochure Called "Veggies"
The American Institute for Cancer Research, hoping to encourage everyone to eat a more plant-based diet, is giving away a new, 44-page brochure called "Veggies". The brochure offers inventive ways to prepare and serve vegetables. Along with 21 recipes, the booklet offers selection and storage advice, cooking and seasoning tips and sauce suggestions. To read it online, go to http://www.aicr.org. Free copies can be ordered at the Web site or by calling (800) 843-8114, Extension 74.
(NOTE: May no longer be available)
The goal of the brochure is to encourage us to fill our plates two- thirds full with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans and only one-third-full with meat, chicken or fish.

67
Drug Alert for Diabetics
People who take Glucophage (metformin) to control type 2 diabetes should see their doctor in regard to potential kidney disease, or if they are taking drugs for heart failure. There is a warning in the drug package insert that states those with these conditions should avoid taking Glucophage because of the risk of lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the blood that is fatal in about half of all cases). Studies show that nearly a quarter of the patients taking this drug meet at least one of the criteria and are still taking the drug. Sadly, doctor's are careless in their prescriptions at times so it is more important we, the people make it our business to be well informed regarding any medications we put into our bloodstream. The FDA has concurred that this does seem to be a problem.

68
Diabetes Development in the Works
A new diabetes development involving liposuction may prove beneficial. A study is underway to see whether liposuction can help prevent the disease. Extra abdominal fat raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the adult-onset variety that 90-percent of diabetics in the United States have. Doctors know the risk drops when people lose weight the old-fashioned way. This new study will follow overweight diabetics who have liposuction to remove ten or more pounds to see if this fat removal method has the same benefit as natural weight loss.

69
How would I know if I have diabetes?
With the growing "epidemic" of diabetes, I get asked this all the time. I hope this helps some - and do share! As many as one-half of persons with type 2 diabetes are unaware that they have the disease. For this reason, it is particularly important to pay attention to the signs and symptoms of diabetes and its risk factors. Some of the signs of either type 1 or type 2 diabetes are: - being very thirsty
- urinating often
- feeling very hungry or tired
- losing or gaining weight without trying
- having sores that heal slowly
- having dry, itchy skin
- having blurry eyesight
- losing the feeling in your feet or having
tingling in your feet
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often develop over a short period of time. In type 2 diabetes, symptoms develop more slowly, and some persons never have any symptoms of the disease. If you are regularly having any of these signs and symptoms, you should tell your doctor.
Source:  FDA

70
Exercise in a Pill?
Scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSMC) have identified a protein enzyme that, when overactive, produces the muscular effects of aerobic exercise - without the exercise. They think that someday they will be able to isolate the enzyme and put it in a pill. Called calmodulin- dependent protein kinase (CaMK) the enzyme transforms fast-twitch muscle fibers to slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are much less likely to fatigue and are necessary for endurance. The enzyme has only been tested on mice so far, so we can't get too excited as yet, but a little hope isn't a bad idea! It could take some time - perhaps even decades - before it could be marketed and distributed. When it does become available, it will likely be prescribed only to those who have congestive heart failure. What does make this good news for everyone is it shows how far research is coming in helping us with our problem of excess weight. With every little discovery we are one step closer to finding real solutions - which will not take decades. Maintain your hope - but also maintain good diet and exercise habits - with those you can never go wrong.

71
Tax Soda and Snacks to Promote Health
"Measure Recommended in the American Journal of Public Health
WASHINGTON - Health advocates at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and Yale University recommended in a paper in the June issue of the American Journal of Public Health that soft drinks and snack foods be taxed to provide funding for nutrition and health campaigns."
Read more:
You can also download a report in .pdf format titled, "Small Taxes on Soft Drinks and Snack Foods to Promote Health".
Against this? Let your State and Federal Senator's know!

72
Give Healthier Treats for Halloween
Instead of the traditional sugar-laden treats, hand out one of these healthier alternatives Halloween night:

73
Nature - a Cheat
Nature is a cheat. Calories in minus calories out equals weight, but people of the same age, sex, height and weight can have differences of as much as 1,000 calories a day in "resting metabolic rate" - one reason your neighbor's gluttony and your own starvation can result in the same readout on the scale. While people of normal weight average 25 billion to 35 billion fat cells, obese people can inherit a billowing 135 billion. A roll of the genetic dice adds more variety: At least 240 genes affect your weight.
See also: Metabolic Syndrome

74
Just Ten Minutes!
Ten minutes of exercise doesn't sound like much, but if you do it four times a day for a total of 40 minutes of exercise, you could get the same benefits you would get if you did it all at once. The conclusion is that exercise does not have to be grueling or take a large amount of time to be beneficial. Many people find an exercise plan like this much easier to adhere and stick to because they easily find the time and don't worry about feeling exhausted.

75
Healthy Eating and Healthy Weight
The recent release of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid has generated a lot of attention. We've asked Donald Hensrud, M.D., to explain how the new pyramid helps with weight control. Dr. Hensrud is a physician in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Hensrud is editor in chief of the new book Mayo Clinic on Healthy Weight. See: New Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid

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