Noise Impact On Health

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Noise is a sound or sounds which interfere. Noise can cause various disorders such as disorders of physiological, psychological disorders, communication disorders and deafness. There is a disorder characterized form of Auditory disorders, such as disruption of the hearing and non Auditory disorders such as communication failure, safety hazard, the decline in work performance, stress and fatigue. More detailed noise impact on the health of workers is described as follows: 

1. Physiological Disorders
In general, high-pitched noise is very annoying, especially when intermittent or the coming of a sudden. Disorders can include increased blood pressure (± 10 mmHg), increased pulse rate, constricting peripheral blood vessels, especially on the hands and feet, and can cause pale and sensory disorders.
High-intensity noise may cause dizziness / headaches. This is due to noisy situations can stimulate the vestibular receptors in the inner ear which will cause evek dizziness / vertigo. Feelings of nausea, insomnia and shortness of breath disbabkan by noise stimulation of the nervous system, balance organs, endocrine glands, blood pressure, digestive system and electrolyte balance.
2. Psychological Disorders
Psychological disorders can be discomfort, poor concentration, insomnia, and irritability. If the noise is received in a long time can cause psychosomatic illness in the form of gastritis, heart, stress, fatigue and others.
3. Communication Disorders
Communication failure is usually caused by masking effect (hearing sounds that cover the less obvious) or interference sound clarity. Communications talks should be done by shouting. This disorder causes disruption of the work, to the possibility of errors because they do not hear the signal or sign of danger. This communication failure is not directly endanger the safety of a person.
4. Balance Disorders
Very high noise can cause the impression of walking in space or drift, which can cause physiological disorders of dizziness (vertigo) or nausea.
5. Effect on hearing
The main influence of noise on health is damage to the sense of hearing, which causes progressive deafness and this effect has been known and widely accepted from a bygone era. At first the effect of noise on hearing loss is temporary and pemuliahan occur rapidly after work in noisy areas was stopped. However, when working continuously in the area of ​​noise there will be deaf and unable to settle back to normal, usually starting at a frequency of 4000 Hz and then widening kefrekuensi around and finally on the frequency that is usually used for conversation.

5 Foods That Make Sleep Well

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Sleep has become a routine of a human. As a result, sometimes we ourselves did not see it as an important activity. Though in poor sleep, a person becomes excited, weakness, drowsiness. Even result in diseases such as hypertension, stress, cancer, and obesity. Apparently sleep is so important to humans and health. For people with insomnia (difficulty sleeping), they will do things to get quality sleep. Well, here are five types of food that can make you sleep better.

1. CheeseChoose a soft cheese. These foods contain a perfect source of protein and amino acid tryptophan which can help you improve the quality of sleep. Casein proteins that exist in soft cheese will distribute amino acids into muscle tissue a few hours after you consume. Consumption of soft cheese with a tablespoon of natural almond butter. This will help you get a better break.2. OatmealMost people eat these foods at breakfast. As a result rarely seen as snacks for the night. Serotonin content of an existing fact in the oatmeal gives a calming effect and can reduce stress. Before you sleep, eat oatmeal mixed with apple slices, then add cinnamon and condensed milk. You'll definitely sleep better.3. Beans or Peanut ButterOther foods that can be consumed is peanuts or peanut butter natural. Nuts are a food source rich in niacin, a nutrient that is able to release serotonin from the body. But you must keep this food consumption in normal levels. Because nuts are high in fat and high calories. With a reasonable level, nuts can be a menu for the diet.4. Warm milkKnown to most people is a hot drink make more sense of calm. For the milk itself, not warm which gives such a calming effect, but the content of the amino acid tryptophan which is in milk. In addition, milk also contains calcium that is good. Calcium helps people organize the production of melatonin, a substance that naturally regulate human sleep-wake cycle. Drink warm milk with one tablespoon of honey, this will help there to feel calm also reduces stress.5. WineThis fruit contains the hormone melatonin helps you sleep. By consume wine regularly can help you organize your wake and sleep cycles naturally. This fruit also make you sleep more quickly each night.

Benefits of tomatoes and papaya

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1. TOMATO FRUIT
- tomato contains vitamins A, B1 and C.
- tomatoes can help cleanse the liver and blood of our hearts.
- tomatoes may prevent various diseases and other health problems such as:
a. bleeding gums.
b. night blindness / kotok chicken.
c. blood clotting.
d. appendix.
e. prostate cancer and breast cancer.


2. PAPAYA FRUIT
- Papaya contains vitamin C and provitamin A.
- papaya can help break down dietary fiber in the digestive system.
- papaya can mebuat gastrointestinal smooth food.
- papaya can cope with or treat various diseases and other health problems such as:
a. heal wounds.
b. eliminate the infection.
c. eliminate allergies

ideal body shape

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1. Eating patterns of discipline, which means eating 5-6x a day, high protein, low carbohydrate and low fat. The goal is to increase metabolism and sharpen our muscle mass.
 2. The pattern of regular exercise, meaning exercise in a week flat menu for all parts of our muscles. For example we want to shape your abdominal muscles but still need to pay attention to leg exercise. Also, try to always precede the big muscles (chest, back, shoulders, legs) a new small muscles (arm, abdomen and calf) when trained in 1 session.
 3. Get plenty of rest pattern, meaning that we destroy the muscle in training sessions and break repair our muscles become bigger and stronger. So the quality and quantity of the high break will help us achieve the goal.   4. Supplements are telling pattern, which means that we must choose the type of jelly supplements that will help our program. For example in a Six Pack program, which is needed is a protein supplement (either Amino or Whey Protein) and fat-burning (Ultra Ripped Fast Acting Formula or Red Zone.)

Scientists Discover New Malaria Mosquitoes

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Scientists recently identified species of malaria mosquito which is a sub group of Anopheles gambiae, malaria spreading mosquito species in Africa.
These new mosquitoes are outside the previous classification, because it nests outside human habitation, where scientists used to take samples of mosquitoes.
According to BBC, scientists from the Pasteur Institute, Paris, France, led by Dr. Michelle Riehle discovered the new type of mosquito after collecting samples of mosquito larvae from ponds and pools of mud in Burkina Faso for four years. The team then did an observation in the laboratory on these blood-sucking insects.
The observation found that there are many differences between this new mosquito with the Anopheles gambiae that has been known previously. Concern also grew after the team conducted breeding of several generations of themosquitoes and found that this new mosquito species are more susceptible to malaria parasites than mosquitoes which nests inside a room.
Based on the results of the study, the researchers speculated that this new type of mosquito is the latest development of mosquito evolution. Therefore, they urged further investigations to be able to take anticipatory action in controlling malaria. In addition, they also stressed the need for new strategies in sampling of mosquito or larvae so that it can produce more complete findings.
On the other hand, a research to find out more details about the spread of malaria in a region, a multinational project (AvecNET) with a fund of 12 million euros was also launched. The study, led by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, was aimed to reveal what the malaria mosquito prey, when they eat, in what areas, and whether they are contagious and whether mosquitoes are nesting outside the home also plays a role in malaria transmission.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are more than 200 million cases of malaria worldwide each year. This disease had caused death of hundreds of thousands of people per year with the biggest victims in Africa. Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite that is spread through the bite of female anopheles mosquito.

POSTED by http://medicmagic.net/scientists-discover-new-malaria-mosquitoes.html

A Women’s Weight Can Add 7 Kilograms if She Dates

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Romantic relationships are beneficial to mental health and happiness. But often love becomes one of the factors causing the body size to get larger.
According to a study by the obesity community, women who dates on average gain more weight as much as seven kilograms in five years. Those who live in happy marriages tend to increase weight eight kilograms in 10 years. And newly married couples will grow one kilogram in a few months.
“Changes in diet when together influence body weight,” says Lauren Antonucci, Director of the Nutrition Center of New York, according to Shape.
This happens because women do not require as much energy as a man. Thus, women tend to get fat faster when they are in a romantic relationships.
There are several tricks that can be done so that the body does not get fab because of the above factors, here they are:
Eat more slowly
When dating, many couples spend time with eating and drinking. We recommend that you begin to eat after your partner eats. When the dish arrived, tell him about something to make him begin to eat. Thus, your partner will eat first and you will tend not to rush to finish a meal in your own plate.
Consume filling appetizers
Choose low-calorie appetizers, like tuna tartare which is enough to fill the stomach until the main course arrives.
Set menu limits
You’ll tend to eat more when with a partner. So, set limits. Better order some drinks in glasses rather than bottles. If he orders a cup of ice cream after dinner, you should order a cup of tea or coffee.
‘Sweating’ dating
Meet in a different atmosphere, like during exercise. “The time for exercise will make you closer as well as feel better with your own body.” Antonucci said.
Light dating
Dating does not mean you should continue to be around food. Occasionally, date in the park and picnic with light snacks. It’s more fun.
Limit snacks in your kitchen
Avoid storing high-calorie foods that can be reached easily. Save chips, cookies, and candy in a cupboard which is difficult to reach. Instead provide healthy snacks that can be reached every time like yogurt and fruits.
Find support
If your partner does not support the diet plan, look for two people who supports your intention. Colleagues who can share healthy foods can divert attention from ice cream and other high-calorie foods. Your healthy lifestyle and the people around you will spread it around.

Posted By http://medicmagic.net/a-womens-weight-can-add-7-kilograms-if-she-dates.html

One Sneeze Can Transmit Flu

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It only needs one sneeze from an infected person to spread flu germs in a room and the contamination of the flu virus can last for hours.
Flu is one of the most easiest and quickly transmitted disease. This is because it only takes one sneeze for the flu to spread the disease to others.
Researchers reveal small drops of coughs or sneeze from an infected person can float around the air in concentrations large enough to spread the disease. Therefore it is very easy for someone to contract flu if they are in the same room.
Breathing air containing influenza viruses from a room, plane, train or other public transport can infect people in just 1 hour from after the infected person sneezes.
Researchers from Virginia Tech, collected air samples from a health clinic waiting room, three treatment rooms and three cross-country flight. It is obtained that half of the air sample contain small droplets containing influenza virus.
“Given the concentration and amount of virus there is, then someone who breathe the air more than one hour is enough to induce an infection,” said Dr. Linsey Marr as the leader of the study, according to Dailymail
The results obtained are every one cubic meter of air contains an average of 16,000 flu virus particles, and the flu virus can survive in the air for hours. These results have been published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.
“Small aerosol virus survive in the air for days. In this case the flu virus in the air can be lost through mechanisms such as ventilation which usually takes one hour,” he said.
When someone cough,s generally they will issue a 3000 drop of saliva at speeds up to 50 mph, whereas if someone sneezes, it would contain 40,000 drops at speeds over 100 mph.

Posted by http://medicmagic.net/one-sneeze-can-transmit-flu.html

MEDITATION HELPS ACCELARATE HEALING

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Meditation is believed to be similar to a powerful medicine to overcome stress, depression and various chronic diseases.
This method is proved by a physician and a paragliding enthusiast Danni Penman. Some time ago, he admitted that he  fell from a height of 9 meters after sliding off the hills.
His legs were injured. One of the foot between the heel was detected to be lifted to the knee. In one part of the tibia was also seen broken.
“Line of the shin bone were sticking through the fabric of my jeans,” said Danni Penman to the Daily Mail.
Doctors say that three surgeries were needed to connect the bones. Each surgery can be carried out within a period of 18 months. “Obviously I was sad,” he said.
But Danni did not give up. For faster healing he routinely performed meditation for 30 minutes. This method was recommended by Mark Williams, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Oxford.
Mark found that meditation can heal any disease quickly. A research on meditation was done by Mark for over 20 years and was released in the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
So what about the results of meditation Danni did? Danni’s fracture recovery went faster. It only took 17 weeks to undergo bone surgery stage.
Compared with the condition of ordinary people with no meditation which recovery takes about 18 months of each surgical removal of iron.

Posted by http://medicmagic.net/meditation-helps-accelerate-healing.html

Herbal treatments for depression

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You may think that there is no help for depression without getting a medical doctor to prescribe something. However this is not the case. You can get herbal treatments to help you with your depression and make you feel good about yourself once again. You will see that there are different things available and you will want to make the right choices for what you need the most.
One type of depression treatment through herbs is St. John's Wort. These are sold over the counter in many stores. You will find that this is one of the most common forms of herbal treatments for depression that you can find. Many people are relying on it to help them cope through their depression and make them feel better completely. In most cases, it has been proven to work for their needs.
You should first talk to your health care provider before you start to take St. Johns Wort for your depression. You will want to make sure that your body is able to handle the treatment and that you will not have any interactions from the medicine. You will want to make sure that you are able to take it and hopefully see the helpful effects that it can do for your body.
There have been many studies about St. John's Wort and depression. Many of the researchers believe that it is a great form of treatment and can help with anyone's depression. If you are not sure, you should take the time to get as much information about the herb as you can. You will want to make sure that you are following the best advice so that you are able to feel better in a short amount of time.
There are other methods of herbal treatment for depression and it will be up to you and your health care provider to determine what is best for you. Do not give up and keep on looking for something that will work. There is a method of treatment out there for you and all you have to do is take the time to look. You will find the herbs and the remedies to help you live a better and happier life with no depression to deal with.
Feeling good is important and no one should have to live with depression. You need to be able to feel good about who you are and what you are feeling. With the right help, you can get to where you want to be and not have to worry about taking the mind numbing medications that most physicians prescribe for depression. You will want to try the herbal remedies first to see if you can get any type of relief this way.

WOMEN AND ALCOHOL

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Women’s drinking patterns are different from men’s—especially when it comes to the type of beverage, amounts, and frequency. Women’s bodies also react differently to alcohol than men’s bodies. As a result, women face particular health risks and realities.
Women should be aware of the health risks associated with drinking alcohol, especially because most women drink at least occasionally, and many women drink a lot.

Why do women face higher risk?

Research shows that women start to have alcohol-related problems at lower drinking levels than men do. One reason is that, on average, women weigh less than men. In addition, alcohol disperses in body water, and pound for pound, women have less water in their bodies than men do. So after a man and woman of the same weight drink the same amount of alcohol, the woman’s blood alcohol concentration will tend to be higher, putting her at greater risk for harm. Other biological differences, including hormones, may contribute, as well.

What are the health risks?

Liver Damage: Women who drink are more likely to develop alcoholic hepatitis (liver inflammation) than men who drink the same amount of alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis.
Heart Disease: Chronic heavy drinking is a leading cause of heart disease. Among heavy drinkers, women are more susceptible to alcohol-related heart disease than men, even though women drink less alcohol over a lifetime than men.
Breast Cancer: There is an association between drinking alcohol and developing breast cancer. Women who consume about one drink per day have a 10 percent higher chance of developing breast cancer than women who do not drink at all.
Pregnancy: Any drinking during pregnancy is risky. A pregnant woman who drinks heavily puts her fetus at risk for learning and behavioral problems and abnormal facial features. Even moderate drinking during pregnancy can cause problems. Drinking during pregnancy also may increase the risk for preterm labor.

Some women should never drink at all, including:

  • Anyone under age 21
  • Anyone who takes medications that can interact negatively with alcohol
  • Anyone who is pregnant or trying to conceive
 BY : http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/womensfact/womensfact.htm

Itchy Skin: Imaginary Bugs Often Blamed

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Dermatologists Say Patients Have a Hard Time Believing Itch Is a Psychiatric Condition :
 
May 16, 2011 -- People with a “delusional bug syndrome” are convinced that bugs, worms, germs, or other creepy crawlers are infesting their skin and often see skin doctor after skin doctor to find out what is causing the infestation. Often, patients bring in samples of the insect and request a skin biopsy.
But new research published online in the Archives of Dermatology finds that in the case of delusional skin infestation, neither samples nor biopsies show any evidence of skin infestation.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., reviewed 108 people with symptoms resembling delusions of parasitosis (infection with a parasite). Some of the patients brought samples, others had biopsies of their skin, and some had both.
“When we looked at what they brought in and when we looked under the microscope, we never found a parasite,” says study author Mark Davis, MD, a professor of dermatology at the Mayo Clinic.
Of 80 self-procured specimens, 10 were insects, but nine of them were not capable of infestation. One person brought in a sample of pubic lice, which is technically capable of infestation, but not the type that could cause head-to-toe itching. The other specimens were dead skin, plant material, or environmental debris.
Slightly more than 60% of these patients were diagnosed with dermatitis, which is characterized by inflamed, itchy skin, the study showed.
There are no exact numbers on how many people have delusional skin infestation, but it is “relatively frequent,” Davis says.

Invisible Bug Syndrome Is Psychiatric Illness

This is a psychiatric condition, but people with a “delusional bug syndrome” typically see a dermatologist.
“The patient refuses to believe it is a psychiatric disorder because they have a false, fixed belief, so even if you present them all of the evidence, they still believe they have parasites invading their skin,” Davis says. “They travel from center to center for another opinion because they really believe their skin is infected.”
It is a devastating illness, he says.
“They are very upset because they believe their skin is infested with all sorts of nasty things and we don’t see anything or find anything with a biopsy and yet they are in our office, their lives are ruined, and they want treatment,” Davis says. “Patients say ‘you are just missing it and not looking carefully enough,’ and just walk out.”

Dermatologists' Dilemma

This condition is the bane of many dermatologists’ existence, says Bruce Strober, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City. “People with delusions of parasitosis are a great challenge to us,” he says. “It's clearly a psychiatric disorder that requires psychiatric medication and counseling. Unfortunately, these patients are rarely amenable to those approaches.”
Donald S. Waldorf, a dermatologist in Nanuet, N.Y., has seen his fair share of patients with a delusional bug syndrome. As a result, he has developed his own approach to treating these patients.
“They often come in with a bag of stuff, including threads and dead skin, but nothing real and capable of infestation,” he says. “They also dig at and scratch their skin.”
Waldorf will often prescribe topical agents to prevent infections from scratching and may suggest steroids to reduce inflammation. Sometimes, he will prescribe psychiatric medications.
“They won’t go to a psychiatrist,” he says. “If tell them to go, I will have lost them, so I basically give them support and prevent infection,” he says.

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD 
By Denise Mann
WebMD Health News

The HPV Vaccine in Men

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One of the big debates about using the HPV vaccine in men has had to do with the fact that it's mostly been promoted as an anti-cancer vaccine. Although HPV related cancers - such as rectal, throat and, penile cancers - do affect men, they are not generally considered to be as big an issue as cervical cancer is in women. Furthermore, many of these cancers are more common in men who have sex with men, a category which many parents - rightly or wrongly - do not think contains their sons. Thus, the benefits of the vaccine for young men have largely been seen as indirect - protecting their partners - even though they should see some direct benefits as well.
These direct benefits were recently confirmed by the publication of the results of a large Phase III vaccine trial of Gardasil in 16-26 year old men. The study, which appeared in the February 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, found that Gardasil was quite effective in reducing genital warts in men who had not been previously exposed to the covered types of HPV. This adds to the evidence which, only last month, led to the FDA approval of the vaccine for preventing anal cancer in both men and women.
Right now, universal vaccination of young men is unlikely to be recommended for a variety of reasons - including the fact that the vaccine is expensive and vaccination simply may not be a cost effective solution to HPV related health problems. Still, there is a growing amount of evidence that HPV vaccination may be, at least, worth talking about with your teenage sons. If nothing else, doing so may be a good way to initiate important discussions of safe sex.

By Elizabeth Boskey, Ph.D.

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The Double-Edged Sword of “Healthy” Fast Food

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What’s on the menu at the big fast food chains lately? Oddly enough, the answer is… “health food!” Even more incongruous, many are marketing their food for weight loss. Healthy weight loss food at Taco Bell and McDonalds? Is this a noble move to be applauded, is it a big corporate money grab, or is it a double edged

sword?

Remember Jared Fogle, the Subway guy? He lost 245 pounds while eating at Subway regularly. He simply picked the lower calorie menu items. Seeing an opportunity, the local store owner pitched Subway corporate with an idea. Before long, Jared was the company spokesperson in their nationwide advertising campaigns which became known as The Subway Diet.

Sales doubled to 8.2 billion. How much the increase came from the weight loss ads is unknown, but there’s little doubt that using weight loss as a marketing platform was a boon for the sandwich maker. Other fast food chains picked up the weight loss torch where Subway left off.



The latest is the Taco Bell Drive through diet, with their own skinny spokesperson: Christine! The ads, which are admittedly conservative, perhaps due to more stringent FTC laws, say Christine lost 54 lbs over 2 years by reducing her calories to 1250 a day, and choosing Taco Bell’s new lower calorie “Fresco” items.


These include “7 diet items with 150 to 240 calories and under 9 grams of fat.” For example, there’s a chicken soft taco with only 170 calories and 4 grams of fat.

For people who refuse to give up eating at fast food restaurants, this is arguably a positive thing. Take my brother for example, He’s not a total junk food junkie, but left to his own devices, he WILL make a beeline to Taco Bell and McDonalds.

I went to McDonalds with him a few months ago (I was dragged there), and he was about to order a bacon cheeseburger. I glanced at the menu and said, “That’s 790 calories!” I glanced down at his belly then continued, “Look, they have chicken wraps. Why don’t you have one of those?” Without questioning me, he agreed, apparently happy to get any McDonalds fix.

Right there at the counter they had the nutrition information sheets:

McDonald’s honey mustard grilled chicken wrap: 260 calories, 9 grams fat, 27 grams of carbs, 18 grams of protein.

That saved him 530 calories. Am I happy there was something with only 260 calories on the menu? Absolutely. Do I applaud the fast food restaurants for offering lower calorie choices? You bet. But the big question is: are these really “healthy choices?”

A few journalists and bloggers recently answered, “These fast food diet items are NOT healthy, they’re only ‘healthi-ER.’”

I think they’re both mistaken. I think this food is not healthy nor is it healthier. It’s only lower in calories. If you eat lower calorie food, that can help you lose weight and if you lose weight, that can improve your health. But what if your definition of healthy food includes nutrition, nutrient density and absence of artificial ingredients?

Let’s take a look at that very low calorie chicken wrap. Is it really healthier just because it’s got 1/3 the calories of a bacon cheeseburger?

Here’s the ingredients straight from McDonald’s website:

McDonald’s Grilled Chicken Breast Filet (wrap): Chicken breast filets with rib meat, water, seasoning (salt, sugar, food starch-modified, maltodextrin, spices, dextrose, autolyzed yeast extract, hydrolyzed [corn gluten, soy, wheat gluten] proteins, garlic powder, paprika, chicken fat, chicken broth, natural flavors (plant and animal source), caramel color, polysorbate 80, xanthan gum, onion powder, extractives of paprika), modified potato starch, and sodium phosphates. CONTAINS: SOY AND WHEAT. Prepared with Liquid Margarine: Liquid soybean oil, water, partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oils, salt, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, soy lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservative), artificial flavor, citric acid, vitamin A palmitate, beta carotene (color). (and don’t forget the 800 mg of sodium).

HOLY CRAP! Shouldn’t chicken breast be just one ingredient… chicken breast?

This is not food. It’s more like what author Michael Pollan would call an “edible food-like substance.”

What about the honey mustard sauce? The first ingredient after water is… SUGAR!

The flour tortilla ingredients? Enriched bleached wheat flour, also made with vegetable shortening (may contain one or more of the following: hydrogenated soybean oil, soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated cottonseed oil with mono- and diglycerides added), contains 2% or less of the following: sugar, leavening (sodium aluminum sulfate, calcium sulfate, sodium phosphate, baking soda, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate), salt, wheat gluten, dough conditioners, sodium metabisulfite, distilled monoglycerides.

Trans fats? Sugar? Aluminum? Stuff you can’t pronounce and have to look up to find out it’s preservatives and disinfectants?

Don’t confuse the issues: weight loss and health…. Calories and nutrition. There IS a difference, and that is what makes “healthy” fast food a double edged sword at best.

Some people, like my brother, simply aren’t going to give up fast food completely. If I can get him to make better bad choices, that could help him control his weight. If that works, then I’m pleased that the fast food restaurants have such choices to offer.

But if you wanted to make a good choice - a healthy choice - you’d forget about “driving through” anywhere on a regular basis. You’d shop for whole, fresh, natural real food, keep a well-stocked kitchen… and learn how to cook.

The Subway diet, the Drive Through diet, or the Weight Watchers approved McDonalds menu (yes its true, what a pair that is!) Don’t kid yourself – this is not only not healthy, it’s not healthier – it’s lower calorie junk food.

“Welcome to our restaurant sir. Would you like a large plate of dog poo or a small plate of dog poo?”

“No thank you, I will take neither. No matter what the serving size, crap is still crap.”

Train hard and expect success!

Tom Venuto, author of
Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle
www.BurnTheFat.com

Recall of Generic Citalopram, Finasteride Labels of Generic Antidepressant, Prostate Drug Switched

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March 28, 2011 -- Pfizer subsidiary Greenstone LLC has recalled some of its generic citalopram antidepressant and its generic prostate drug finasteride because of a label switch.
The recall includes citalopram 10-milligram tablets in a 100-count bottle and finasteride 5-milligram tablets in a 90-count bottle. Both of the recalled medicines carry the lot number FI0510058-A on the label.
Citalopram is an antidepressant. Finasteride is used to treat the enlarged prostate condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.
Women who are pregnant, or who may become pregnant, should not take or handle finasteride. The drug can cause abnormal genital development in male fetuses.
Citalopram can pose a danger to people taking the class of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Citalopram may also be dangerous for people taking pimozide, an antipsychotic drug used to reduce verbal or motor tics.
People who have taken either of the recalled medications should contact their doctor immediately. Patients taking citalopram should immediately get replacement medication, as halting treatment abruptly could lead to discontinuation symptoms or worsening of depression.
Greenstone says the recall "is due to the possibility that incorrect labels have been placed on the bottles by a third-party manufacturer."

Sports, Fortified, and Energy Drinks

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The thirst for energy has opened up an extensive market for various potions. Sports drinks, energy cocktails, and fortified liquids are among the plethora of choices available for the drained and dehydrated.
Sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade are often no better than water, say experts, but they may make it easier for some people to get enough fluids in their system. They come in a variety of flavors and colors.
"If a sports drink will get someone to drink a little bit more than they would have if they were just going to drink water, then it's probably a good choice for them," says Moore, noting the importance of keeping hydrated. Sports drinks usually contain water, which is essential for energy production and proper functioning of the body. Hydration needs vary, depending on the individual, activity level, and the environment.
The caveat with sports drinks and flavored waters is that they contain calories, whereas water has none. This may be an important consideration for the weight conscious.
Many sports and fortified liquids also contain sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes to replace minerals lost in sweat. Electrolyte replacement is important for the physically active and for those who may be working in hot and humid environments.
"For most people who are not physically active, they don't need electrolyte replacement at all," says Moore. Most people just need to be properly hydrated, and that can be achieved with water or juice.
Some sports, fortified, and energy drinks also contain substances such as caffeine, chromium, amino acids, and proprietary blends.
Caffeine has been shown to improve athletes' reaction time, but it can also have undesired effects such as addiction, anxiety, and a fast heart rate.
Chromium is an essential mineral that may help control blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin sensitivity. Controlling blood sugar levels may regulate energy, says Mary Ellen Camire, PhD, professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Maine. The mineral can be found in beef, broccoli, processed ham, grape juice, and bananas.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and can be found in meat, cheese, soy, nuts, and fish. Makers of the sports drink Cytomax combined amino acids with a non-acid form of lactic acid. The resulting product, alpha L-polylactate, an ingredient in the drink, is supposed to provide sustained energy and reduce fatigue under endurance exercise.
For this reason, Camire says such drinks are more appropriate for athletes and not for people with regular, everyday activities. She also points to a recent study that shows the concoctions could cause gastrointestinal problems.
Some fortified and energy drinks have so-called propriety blends that sound mysterious. Moore says marketers play on the aura of secrecy to sell products. "There really isn't any magical formulation," she says.
If you look at the labels of energy drinks such as Red Bull, Red Stallion, and Sobe Adrenaline Rush, you will see that common ingredients include inositol and taurine. They don't have any special energy-boosting powers, says Moore, noting that our bodies already make inositol and taurine from the foods we eat. Inositol is a chemical found in foods including beans, brown rice, and corn. Taurine is an amino acid found in foods from animal sources.

Tips for Better Work-Life Balance

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If you're feeling overworked and finding it more challenging than ever to juggle the demands of your job and the rest of your life, you're not alone.
"A lot of people are having a more difficult time finding balance in their lives because there have been cutbacks or layoffs where they work. They're afraid it may happen to them, so they're putting in more hours," says psychologist Robert Brooks, PhD, co-author of The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life.

"But even if you don't have much control over the hours you have to work, you can ask yourself: In what other ways am I bringing greater enjoyment into my life?" Brooks says. "Focus your time and attention on things you can control."
Here are five ways to bring a little more balance to your daily routine:

1. Build downtime into your schedule.

When you plan your week, make it a point to schedule time with your family and friends and activities that help you recharge.
If a date night with your spouse or a softball game with friends is on your calendar, you'll have something to look forward to and an extra incentive to manage your time well so you don't have to cancel.
"It helps to be proactive about scheduling," says Laura Stack, a productivity expert in Denver and author of SuperCompetent: The Six Keys to Perform at Your Productive Best. "When I go out with my girlfriends, we all whip out our cell phones and put another girls' night out on the calendar for one month later," she says.
Stack also plans an activity with her family -- like going to a movie or the park -- every Sunday afternoon. "We do this because if there's nothing on the schedule, time tends to get frittered away and the weekend may end without us spending quality time together," she says.
Michael Neithardt, an actor and television commercial producer in New York City, wakes up three hours before he has to leave for work so he can go for a run and spend some time with his wife and baby.
"A lot of my friends tend to wake up, shower, and go straight to work. And they often complain about having no time to do anything," he tells WebMD in an e-mail. "I find that if I can get those three hours in the morning, I have a more productive and peaceful workday. I can sure tell the difference when I don't."

2. Drop activities that sap your time or energy.

"Many people waste their time on activities or people that add no value -- for example, spending too much time at work with a colleague who is constantly venting and gossiping," says Marilyn Puder-York, PhD, a psychologist and executive coach in New York and Connecticut. She recommends taking stock of activities that aren't really enhancing your career or personal life and minimizing the time you spend on them.
You may even be able to leave work earlier if you make a conscious effort to limit the time you spend on the web and social media sites, making personal calls, or checking your bank balance. "We often get sucked into these habits that are making us much less efficient without realizing it," Stack says.

3. Rethink your errands.

Consider whether you can outsource any of your time-consuming household chores or errands.
Could you order your groceries online and have them delivered? Hire a kid down the street to mow your lawn? Have your dry cleaning picked up and dropped off at your home or office? Order your stamps online so you don't have to go to the post office? Even if you're on a tight budget, you may discover that the time you'll save will make it worth it.
Stack also suggests trading services with friends. Offer to do tasks that you enjoy or that you were planning to do anyway.
"You could exchange gardening services for babysitting services," Stack says. "If you like to cook, you could prepare and freeze a couple of meals and give them to a friend in exchange for wrapping your holiday gifts."

4. Get moving.

It's hard to make time for exercise when you have a jam-packed schedule, but experts say that it may ultimately help you get more done by boosting your energy level and ability to concentrate.
"Research shows exercise can help you to be more alert," Brooks says. "And I've noticed that when I don't exercise because I'm trying to squeeze in another half hour of writing, I don't feel as alert."
Samantha Harris, a lawyer who works for a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia, says she recently started sneaking in a trip to the gym two or three mornings a week before her family wakes up. "It's been a real boost in terms of the way I feel for the rest of the day," she says. "I feel like my head is clearer and I've had a little time to myself."

5. Remember that a little relaxation goes a long way.

Don't get overwhelmed by assuming that you need to make big changes to bring more balance to your life. Brooks recommends setting realistic goals, like trying to leave the office earlier one night per week.
"Slowly build more activities into your schedule that are important to you," he says. "Maybe you can start by spending an hour a week on your hobby of carpentry or planning a weekend getaway with your spouse once a year," he says.
Stack points out that even during a hectic day, you can take 10 or 15 minutes to do something that will recharge your batteries. "Take a bath, read a trashy novel, go for a walk, or listen to music," she suggests. "You have to make a little time for the things that ignite your joy."
Foods That Boost Your Mood and Energy

By Jen Uscher
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

10 Ways to Reduce Stress While You Quit Smoking

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any smokers think that lighting up helps them relax. They’re fooling themselves, experts say.
“Nicotine withdrawal makes people feel jittery and anxious, which smokers often confuse with feeling stressed,” says Steven Schroeder, MD, director of the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center at the University of California, San Francisco. “Lighting up makes them feel better, not because that cigarette eases stress but because it’s delivering the next dose of nicotine.”
Breaking free of nicotine addiction can be stressful, of course. Stress is one of the leading reasons why people falter in their efforts to quit. “Stress releases a brain chemical called epinephrine, which interferes with the ability to focus and think clearly,” says Bruce S. Rabin, MD, PhD, medical director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Healthy Lifestyle Program and an expert on stress. “When you’re trying to quit smoking, that can make it hard to stay focused on the goal.”
Fortunately, a wide range of strategies can help you get through the tough times without being overwhelmed by stress.  Here are 10 ways to reduce stress while you quit smoking.

1. Cut yourself plenty of slack.

Don’t be hard on yourself while you’re quitting. Kicking the habit is tough enough. Recognize in advance that you’ll experience stress. Understand that your temper may be short and that you may feel discouraged and even depressed. Try not to be critical of yourself or others. Remember: quitting is your most important goal. Try to have an optimistic, “can-do” attitude. “Optimism turns out to be one of the most important determinants of success,” says Rabin. “If people are convinced they can do it, they stand a much better chance of succeeding. If you’ve tried and failed before, don’t let that discourage you. Most smokers have to try several times before they succeed.

2. Resolve short-term problems in advance.

If you can easily resolve any nagging short-term stresses, do it before you quit. Fix that leaky faucet. Clean up the clutter that’s been bugging you. Clear away as many stressful issues as possible.

3. Set long-term worries aside for now.

The first few weeks of quitting are the hardest. During that period, don’t burden yourself unnecessarily by worrying about long-term problems. Make a deal with yourself that you’ll worry about them later, after you’ve made it through the first few weeks. Focus on the here and now.

4. Learn to recognize signs of stress.

The sooner you deal with stress, the less likely it will be to derail your efforts to quit. Signs of stress include a feeling of being overwhelmed and unable to cope, anxiety, restlessness, headaches, sleeplessness, depression, agitation, and anger. As soon as you feel yourself under stress, act fast.

5. Do things you enjoy doing.

One of the simplest ways to ease stress is to distract yourself with activities that give you pleasure. Listen to a favorite recording. Watch a comedy movie. Take the dog out for a run. Play with your kids. Enjoy a warm shower. Luxuriate in the bathtub. Beyond helping you let off steam, life’s simple pleasures can remind you of why you want to quit in the first place, strengthening your resolve to stick with it.

6. Get moving.

Many studies show that physical activity can help ease stress and anxiety. Exercise even appears to boost brain chemicals associated with feelings of well-being. “Antidepressants help only about half of people with mild to moderate depression. Physical activity, on the other hand, eases depression in about 80% of people,” says Rabin. Almost any kind of activity helps. But doing something you really enjoy, such as swimming or walking in a beautiful area, may be especially helpful for easing stress.

7. Practice relaxation.

Stress reduction techniques also help many smokers quit. These include yoga, progressive relaxation, guided imagery, deep breathing exercises, and various forms of meditation. Mindfulness meditation, which encourages focusing on the here and now, has also been shown to help smokers kick the habit. No one technique works for everyone, so it’s worth trying out a few in advance. If possible, get comfortable with a few stress-reduction techniques before your quit date.

8. Put it in writing.

“Writing about something that’s bothering you -- whether it’s a long-time worry or something that happened yesterday -- can be a powerful way to ease stress,” says Rabin. His advice: Find a quiet place and spend 15 minutes writing about what’s nagging at you. Don’t reread or revise. Just write. Afterward, tear up what you’ve written and toss it away. “Just the act of writing can be enormously helpful in sorting out how you feel and putting stresses into perspective,” says Rabin.

9. Call on a friend.

Being with other people helps relieve stress. Before you quit, make a list of the people you can turn to for support and a friendly conversation. Turn to them when you’re beginning to feel stressed. “Social support turns out to be one of the most important determinants of success for smokers trying to quit,” says Scott McIntosh, PhD, associate professor of community and preventive medicine at the University of Rochester in New York and director of the Greater Rochester Area Tobacco Cessation Center.

10. Be patient.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed during the first few days of quitting. Almost all ex-smokers experience moments when they doubt their resolve. Remind yourself frequently: The effects of nicotine withdrawal get weaker every day that you don’t smoke. Every time you resist lighting up, you’re one step closer to a smoke-free life. Even when you’re over the hardest first few weeks, expect to hit some rough patches. “It takes about six months for remodeling in the brain to change behavior and make it second nature,” says Rabin. But once that occurs, you’ll be comfortable in your new life as a nonsmoker -- and happier and healthier for it.


 
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