The annual F as in Fat is out, and the news is not good. Only one state had an obesity rate of less than 20% — that’s the percentage of people who are obese, not merely overweight. Even worse, the rate of obesity increased in 23 states. Childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years. People are getting fatter, with 2 out of every 3 people being either overweight or obese. Obesity is a direct threat to living a long and healthy life.
Obesity Epidemic Continues
On July - 3 - 2009Comments Off on Obesity Epidemic Continues
Vegetarians at Lower Risk for Some Cancers
On July - 1 - 2009Comments Off on Vegetarians at Lower Risk for Some Cancers
The results of a huge study involving over 60,000 people in Britain have just been published in the British Journal of Cancer. The results? “The incidence of some cancers may be lower in fish eaters and vegetarians than in meat eaters.” The incidence of some of those cancers is lower by 45%. One particular rare cancer was 75% less common in vegetarians.
Sunscreen Redux: Sunscreen Against The Machine
On June - 29 - 20092 COMMENTS
Today is predicted to be the hottest day yet this year here in Las Vegas. Weathermen are promising 106°F, that’s 41°C for our metric friends. That means it is a good day to stay inside. Summer in the desert is like that.
Regardless of whether you live in the desert, sunscreen is a vital part of aging against the machine. We have talked about sunscreen before, but a day like to brings the need for sun protection into sharp focus. Sunscreen protects skin not only from direct DNA damage but also from less direct photodamage to the connective tissue that gives skin it’s full youthful appearance. Using sunscreen makes not only good health sense but can help keep you looking younger longer. Read the rest of this entry »
The Mediterranean Diet Redux
On June - 26 - 20092 COMMENTS
Over the years, there has been a lot said about the “Mediterranean Diet.” In short, people who eat like the modern-day Greeks or coastal Italians — lots of vegetables, some olive oil, relatively little meat and meat products, moderate wine consumption — tend to live longer. Researchers have recently completed a study of 23,000 people in Greece over the course of a decade to find out what they are doing right, and the results have just been published in this weeks British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Folate and Vitamin B12 Reduce Cervical Cancer Risk
On June - 24 - 20091 COMMENT
Researchers have long known that cervical dysplasia — a condition that can lead to cancer 66% of the time — is often associated with low levels of B vitamins, particularly folate (folic acid) and B12. A new study asked the obvious question: if women supplement with folate and B12, does their cancer risk drop?