Health For Him

Hello, Yogurt: Welcome to Superfood Royalty

Oliver Blake — Sat, 12 May 2012 15:33:44 +0000

Is it me, or is yogurt having a moment? The studies extolling its health benefits just keep on coming. A recent MIT study made headlines when it found that yogurt made mice slimmer—and, um, sexier. (What makes mice sexy, you ask? Those on a yogurt-supplemented diet developed thicker and “shockingly shiny” fur. Males also adopted a strut-like swagger).

Related: 4 Wacky-But-Cool Uses for Yogurt >>

New research presented at the European Congress of Obesity earlier this week found that obese and normal-weight children differed drastically in the makeup of their gut microbes. These findings, while preliminary, suggest that the right microbes (which can be obtained from eating foods high in both protein and probiotics, like yogurt) may help prevent obesity.

The great sperm race? Study reveals chaotic reproductive journey

Jake Denton — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:53:10 +0000

It isn’t the most elegant of races.

In a study that attempts to elucidate one of the “central unsolved problems” in human reproduction — what separates the tens of sperm cells that find an egg, from the millions of cells ejaculated? — British researchers are reporting that sperm crawl, collide and crash head-on into the walls of the female reproductive tract in their frantic swim to the site of fertilization.

“Despite it being the thing that put all of us here, effectively, we still know almost nothing about how something so simple and key to life actually happens in the body,” said Dr. Jack

Weight Loss Support: 4 Ways You Can Encourage Your Loved Ones

Flynn Garrick — Sun, 06 May 2012 05:10:19 +0000

Offering weight loss support to your loved ones can make a big difference in their lives. Often when people are stuck in a rut, eating the same foods repeatedly, or turning to food to take away the boredom or lower their stress, the patterns can be difficult to break. The special person in your life may know that he or she needs to change things but doesnt have the motivation or support to do it. Here are four ways that you can encourage your loved ones who are struggling with weight issues.

1. Focus on the Positive

One way to help support your friends and family when they are trying to lose weight is to compliment them when you see a positive change.

Arm-to-arm variations in blood pressure may signal cardiovascular problems

Oliver Blake — Sun, 06 May 2012 01:46:39 +0000

For your next blood pressure check, you may want to roll up both sleeves, according to the May 2012 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter.

An analysis of 20 different studies found that a substantial difference between the blood pressure readings from a person’s right and left arms may signal increased risk for cardiovascular problems. People with arm-to-arm pressure differences of 15 points or more were twice as likely to have peripheral artery disease (PAD) compared with those who had similar readings in both arms. Arm-to-arm pressure differences of 10 to 15 points or more also boosted the chances of having a stroke or dying from cardiovascular disease.

Having a stroke or dying from heart disease are obviously dire concerns. B

Biologic Treatments May Ease Psoriasis

Flynn Garrick — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 23:53:41 +0000

March 28, 2012 — Two experimental biologic treatments may help treat psoriasis, researchers report in The New England Journal of Medicine.

The biologics are called brodalumab and ixekizumab. They’re both given by injection and target the same inflammation-promoting protein, interleukin-17.

In trials of each biologic, patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were followed for more than 12 weeks. People in both trials showed dramatic improvements in their psoriasis, with many experiencing total clearance of the lesions that characterize the skin condition.

“The response that we saw was utterly profound,” dermatologist Kim A. Pap

What to expect during pregnancy week 5?

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:46:28 +0000

With pregnancy week 5 a new period of your life begins. The most common symptom most women begin to experience is morning sickness. But, morning sickness is not the only thing going with you and your baby that you should expect. Here’s a brief guide to changes at the 5th pregnancy week and what is happening with you and your embryo.

Week 5 is the time that many would-be mothers realize they are pregnant. Now they have missed their last period and most likely took a pregnancy test to be sure. Even if you just discovered this, your new baby was growing all the time!

The embryo’s changes

At pregnancy week 5, your baby has grown to about 0.05 cm long. S Read more…

The Human Brain: Not a Tangle, But a Grid

Oliver Blake — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:11:43 +0000

Far from being a haphazard tangle of circuitry, the human brain is organized in a logical, simple 3D grid structure, scientists report.

Connections in the brain appear to crisscross at right angles, with no diagonals, much like well-organized city streets.

This elegant simplicity was discovered by researchers who used a special type of MRI scanner to examine the brains of humans and four different types of monkeys. The new Connectom diffusion MRI technology provides 10 times greater detail than conventional scanners, the team explained.

Viewpoints: Ryan’s budget called ‘cruel’ or ‘sophisticated’

Jake Denton — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:03:03 +0000

The New York Times: A Cruel Budget In February, after embarrassing himself by saying he was “not concerned about the very poor,” Mitt Romney explained that the government’s safety net would take care of them, and he promised to repair any holes in the net. That promise didn’t last very long. On Thursday, House Republicans approved, on a party-line vote, a disastrous new budget that would leave millions of struggling families desperate for food, shelter and health care -; and Mr. Romney has embraced it (3/29).

The Washington Post: Paul Ryan Unplugs The Political Third Rail Now he has dared again. And the absence of an apocalypse is a victory of sorts. Americans are not suddenly enthusiastic about Medicare reform.

General Information on Medicare Part B

admin — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 10:36:23 +0000

Medicare insurance has two main parts. Part A is hospital insurance cover, while Part B is supplementary medical insurance. Any person who has reached the age of 65 is eligible for both. However, there are some areas which are not covered by these plans. Those who want complete coverage can go for Medicare supplemental insurance. Also known as Medigap, it is offered by various private companies. Most New Jersey Medicare Supplemental Insurance companies offer Part C and Part D. some of them offer these two in a combined form called Medicare Advantage.

Medicare Part D is very important since it covers prescription drugs. Read more…

Build a Better Brain with Meditation

Oliver Blake — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:07:27 +0000

Looking for a way to build up your brain? Meditation might be the answer.

Recent research has documented several differences in the brain anatomy and physiology of people who meditate regularly, compared to non-meditators. Here’s a look at how meditation may literally build a better brain, whether you’re a monk who has been at it for decades or an everyday meditator who has only been practicing a few weeks.

10 Natural Ways to Sleep Better

A New Wrinkle on Brain Folds

The outermost layer of the brain, called the cerebral cortex, is where most of the flashy action happens. It’s the part of the brain responsible for higher mental functions, such as thought, memory, attention, and consciousness. Gyrif

Statins may prevent death from the common flu

Flynn Garrick — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 11:44:48 +0000

Cholesterol-lowering statins seem to reduce death among patients hospitalized with the flu, and could become an important new tool in fighting the virus that proves fatal for thousands every season, according to a study lead by Oregon public health officials.

The main treatments now for influenza are antiviral drugs, or flu shots to prevent infection.

The statins may be an effective additional treatment, according to the observational study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The data on more than 3,000 patients with lab-confirmed flu are from the 2007-2008 flu season and come from the U.S.

Drug stores sue to block Express Scripts deal

Jake Denton — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 09:12:09 +0000

Two associations of large and small drug stores today filed an antitrust lawsuit to block the proposed merger of Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc.

Filed in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh, Pa., the suit seeks to enjoin the $29 billion merger because it would allegedly harm retail pharmacies and raise the cost of prescription drugs. The suit names both Express Scripts and Medco as defendants.

Fun and exergames: Good for the heart, body, mind

Oliver Blake — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:10:55 +0000

Active-play video games may seem like kid stuff, but they are catching on with middle-aged and older adults as an enjoyable way to get moving. According to the March 2012 issue of the Harvard Heart Letter, these games may actually help people become more physically active.

Researchers are taking a close look at these “exergames” as a way to get couch potatoes moving. Even the American Heart Association has convened a summit of researchers, clinicians, and game makers to explore the influence that exergames (for example Nintendo’s Wii Fitness and Xbox’s Kinect Sports) might have on improving health and well-being.

The Harvard Heart Letter explains that exergames deliver, at best, a moderate workout.

Vacation Weight Gain and Other Scenarios that Pack on Pounds

Flynn Garrick — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 03:18:39 +0000

Many people are concerned that vacation weight gain will mar their chance to get away from work and home life for a brief period of time. If you go off on vacation and end up gaining weight while youre there, it can have a negative impact on your life when you return home as well.

Vacation weight gain does tend to be a common phenomenon, but its not difficult to combat. There are a number of other scenarios which may predispose you to weight gain in a similar way. Because its important to maintain a healthy weight be aware of the various scenarios which may cause you to gain excess weight so that youll be better able to predict them and deal with them before they can become a problem for you.

Vacation Weight Gain

There are a number of reasons why you may be more prone to gaining weight while on a vacation.