Health Journal Online

Author: admin

Curious About Your Aging? Here’s A Simple Test To Find Out

The speed at which a person walks and their muscle strength may indicate how well they are aging. However, researchers now say there’s an even simpler and more effective test for assessing aging: standing on one leg.

According to the latest study published in the journal PLOS ONE, balance is a better measure of biological aging than muscle strength or gait.

In the study, researchers tested 40 healthy individuals aged over 50 to assess various aspects of aging. The participants were divided into two equal groups: those under 65 and those 65 and older.

Participants took walking, balance, grip strength, and knee strength tests. For the balance assessments, they stood on force plates under different conditions: with both feet on the ground and their eyes open or closed, and on one leg (dominant and non-dominant) with their eyes open. During each balance test that lasted 30 seconds, the participants were allowed to position the lifted leg as they wished.

The researchers noted that out of all the tests, the balance test, especially tested with the nondominant leg showed the highest rate of decline with age.

There were no age-related declines in strength tests that were specific to sex, indicating that participants’ grip and knee strength declined at a similar rate regardless of gender. Also, the gait and balance test showed no significant difference in the sexes.

“Balance is an important measure because, in addition to muscle strength, it requires input from vision, the vestibular system and the somatosensory systems. Changes in balance are noteworthy. If you have poor balance, you’re at risk of falling, whether or not you’re moving. Falls are a severe health risk with serious consequences,” explained Kenton Kaufman, senior author of the study in a news release.

The good news is that even for the elderly, balance is something that can be improved with constant practice. “If you can stand on one leg for 30 seconds, you are doing well. If you don’t use it, you lose it. If you use it, you maintain it. It’s easy to do. It doesn’t require special equipment, and you can do it every day,” Kaufman said.

Source link

October 24, 2024
New Meat Preserving and Curing Guide! Off The Chart Conversion Rates!

Product Name: New Meat Preserving and Curing Guide! Off The Chart Conversion Rates!

Click here to get New Meat Preserving and Curing Guide! Off The Chart Conversion Rates! at discounted price while it’s still available…

All orders are protected by SSL encryption – the highest industry standard for online security from trusted vendors.

New Meat Preserving and Curing Guide! Off The Chart Conversion Rates! is backed with a 60 Day No Questions Asked Money Back Guarantee. If within the first 60 days of receipt you are not satisfied with Wake Up Lean™, you can request a refund by sending an email to the address given inside the product and we will immediately refund your entire purchase price, with no questions asked.

(more…)

October 24, 2024
A 12-Minute Meditation to Relax Into Your Skin
This week, Anu Gupta leads us through a detailed body scan, guiding us to relax, release, and shift our energy back to the present moment, coming back from any distracting thoughts and worries.
Here and now, we can return to our breath. Take this time to feel wonder and gratitude for every part of your physical body, from head to toe, just the way you are today. Relax and release. With this practice, you’ll cultivate a sense of grounding and openness as you let this energy of relaxation soothe your whole body.
1. Come to a comfortable seated position. As much as you can without creating tension, keep your spine long, feet planted on the ground, hands resting on your knees. Relax your shoulders, neck, and jaw, opening up your chest. Bring your eyes to a gentle close or place your gaze at a stationary point in front of you.
2. Bring your attention to your forehead. Do you notice any sensations in the forehead? Perhaps some holding, some tightness. See if you can relax and release. Consciously repeat those phrases: Relax. Release.
3. Now bring your attention to your jaw and your tongue. This is often a place we collect a lot of tension, a lot of tightness. So see if you can relax and release.
4. If the mind has begun to drift again, notice what it’s doing. Perhaps it’s thinking, or planning. Whatever it is, it’s just a habit. See if you can bring your awareness back to your jaw. This is the practice that we’re developing, the practice of returning to the present moment and bringing mindfulness to our body. Relax, release.
5. Now move your attention to your chest, releasing any holding. Feel a sense of expansion and openness. Relax. Release. Come down to your belly, noticing the expansion of the belly out on your inhales and the way it comes back in on your exhales. See if you can relax and release, refocusing your attention on your body in the now.
6. Now bring your attention to your arms. Your left arm. Your right arm. Your left hand. Your right hand. Notice if there’s any holding there. Notice the sensations of holding. Perhaps a tightness, some tingling. Be with your mind, and see if you can loosen, relax, release. We have the most nerve endings here, so often we feel a “doing” energy in our hands. But in this moment, we have nowhere to be, nowhere to go. Nothing to do, but just being aware, being mindful of what’s always here: our bodies. Relax. Release.
7. Bring your attention to your legs. Your thighs. Your knees. Notice any holding, any tension. Move down to your feet. Your left foot. Your right foot. Notice any contraction, any tension there. Gently focus on surrendering, releasing all that energy. Relax. Release.
8. Now take that energy of relaxation to all other parts of your body. See if there’s any other body part that’s holding some tension, some tightness. Right now, there is nowhere to go, no place to be but here. Savor the ease and openness of being here in your body.
9. Now bring your attention to your skin, the largest organ in our body. Notice what the skin feels like, this covering that really keeps the entirety of our body together. It regulates our body temperature, maintains homeostasis. In this moment, you’re just feeling the skin across your face, your scalp, your torso, your chest, your arms, your legs. Notice any sensations. What do they feel like? There’s no need to change them, just observe them.
10. You can bring this energy of release of relaxation to your body any time you notice holding or tension. This is the practice we’re cultivating, the practice of mindfulness. Notice if the mind has drifted. What is it doing? And see if you can bring it back to your body. Just for these last few moments, take these last few seconds to savor the openness you may feel in your body. This is available to you at any time, anywhere. By bringing awareness to your inner experience and to your body, you’ll be better able to make decisions that align with your purpose and values.
11. After your next exhale, bring your chin to your chest. If your eyes were closed, gently open them. Thank you for practicing today. Have a wonderful day ahead.
Source link
October 24, 2024
Finding Harmony: The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Work-Life Balance
Finding Harmony: The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Work-Life Balance

In today’s fast-paced world, achieving a balance between work and personal life has become a daunting task for many individuals. With the constant demands of career, family, and social responsibilities, it’s no wonder that many people feel overwhelmed and out of balance. However, finding harmony between work and personal life is crucial for one’s well-being, relationships, and overall happiness. In this guide, we will explore the importance of work-life balance, identify common barriers that hinder it, and provide practical tips and strategies to achieve a more harmonious and fulfilling life.

The Importance of Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is not just about juggling different responsibilities, but it’s about being present and engaged in all aspects of one’s life. When we feel that we have a good balance between work and personal life, we are more likely to experience:
- Improved mental and physical health
- Stronger relationships
- Increased productivity and efficiency at work
- Reduced stress and burnout
- Greater sense of purpose and fulfillment
On the other hand, neglecting one aspect of life can have serious consequences, such as:
- Decreased job satisfaction and performance
- Strained relationships and social isolation
- Physical and mental health problems
- Decreased overall well-being
Common Barriers to Work-Life Balance

Before we can achieve harmony, it’s essential to identify the common barriers that hinder a balance between work and personal life. Some of the most common barriers include:
- Long working hours and excessive overtime
- Unhealthy work culture and expectations
- Lack of clear boundaries and communication
- Poor time management and prioritization
- Unmet expectations and unrealistic goals
- Lack of support and resources
- Unhealthy coping mechanisms and stress management
Practical Tips and Strategies for Achieving Harmony

Fortunately, there are several strategies and techniques that can help individuals achieve a better balance between work and personal life. Here are some practical tips and strategies to get you started:
1. Set clear boundaries and priorities: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Prioritize your tasks and responsibilities, and learn to say no to requests that do not align with your goals and values.
2. Create a schedule and stick to it: Plan out your day, week, and month, and stick to it. Use a planner, calendar, or app to stay organized and on track.
3. Learn to delegate and outsource: Identify tasks and responsibilities that can be delegated to others, and focus on high-priority tasks that require your expertise.
4. Take breaks and practice self-care: Take regular breaks, engage in activities that bring you joy, and prioritize self-care and relaxation techniques.
5. Communicate effectively with your employer and loved ones: Establish open and honest communication with your employer and loved ones, and work together to establish a plan that suits everyone’s needs.
6. Seek support and resources: Seek support from family, friends, and professionals, and take advantage of resources such as meditation, therapy, or coaching to help you manage stress and achieve a better balance.
7. Practice gratitude and mindfulness: Practice gratitude and mindfulness techniques to help you stay present and focused, and to cultivate a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Conclusion

Achieving harmony between work and personal life is a journey that requires effort, patience, and commitment. By identifying the common barriers that hinder a balance, and by implementing practical tips and strategies, individuals can start to make significant changes. Remember that work-life balance is not about compartmentalizing different aspects of your life, but about being present and engaged in all aspects of your being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I start achieving a better work-life balance?
A: Start by setting clear boundaries, prioritizing your tasks and responsibilities, and planning out your day, week, and month.

Q: What are some healthy ways to manage stress and burnout?
A: Healthy ways to manage stress and burnout include taking regular breaks, engaging in physical activity, practicing meditation and mindfulness, and seeking support from loved ones and professionals.

Q: Why is it so hard to achieve a work-life balance?
A: Achieving a work-life balance can be challenging because of the demands of career, family, and social responsibilities, as well as the lack of clear boundaries and priorities.

Q: What are some signs that I am not achieving a good work-life balance?
A: Signs that you are not achieving a good work-life balance include feeling overwhelmed and stressed, neglecting relationships and personal responsibilities, and experiencing decreased job satisfaction and overall well-being.
October 24, 2024
History Of Eating Disorders, Pre-Pregnancy Obesity Raises Offspring’s Risk Of Mental Health Diagnosis

Children whose mothers have a history of eating disorders and obesity before pregnancy are at a greater risk of mental health diagnosis, a recent study revealed.

The results of the latest study involving a Finnish population of nearly 400,000 mothers and around 650,000 offspring revealed significant links between maternal health and the mental well-being of their children.

The research suggests associations between a mother’s history of eating disorders and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) higher than the normal weight range to most of the nine psychiatric diagnoses examined in the offspring.

The psychiatric diagnoses involved in the study include mood and anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, intellectual disabilities, specific developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, conduct disorders, social functioning and tic disorders (like selective mutism and Tourette syndrome), as well as feeding disorders in infancy and childhood.

The results showed that around 53% had pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity, nearly 6% had underweight, and 1.6% had a history of an eating disorder.

When comparing differences in the impact of maternal eating disorders and higher BMI on children’s mental health diagnoses, the study found generally stronger associations with maternal eating disorders than those linked to maternal BMI.

“The largest effect sizes were observed for maternal eating disorders not otherwise specified in association with offspring sleep disorders and social functioning and tic disorders, while for maternal severe pre-pregnancy obesity, offspring intellectual disabilities had the largest effect size,” the researchers wrote in the study published in Jama Network.

Eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) refer to a category of eating disorders that do not fit the specific criteria for more commonly recognized disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Some examples of EDNOS include behaviors such as pica, which involves cravings for and consumption of non-food items, or night eating syndrome, characterized by binge eating during the evening hours.

“The study confirms previously published associations between maternal eating disorders and BMI and offspring psychiatric disorder, but also reports new associations,” Ida Nilsson, a study author told MedPage Today.

“The findings underline the importance of considering maternal eating disorders and BMI in maternity care, aiming to reduce the number of offspring with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. The findings also strengthen the importance of the nutrition of pregnant women,” Nilsson said.

Source link

October 23, 2024
Getting Tested for STDs (for Teens)
If you and your partner are planning to have sex, or if you’ve already had it, it’s important to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). These infections spread from person to person during vaginal, oral, or anal sex; using fingers (“fingering”); or by other sexual contact.

What kinds of STD tests you get depends on what symptoms you have (if any), and your medical and sexual history. In general, you’ll first talk with the doctor before the testing is done.

What Will I Talk About With the Doctor?

Doctors will ask about your general health and sexual experience; for example, if you’ve had any STDs before and how many partners you’ve had. They’ll also ask about any symptoms (like sores, discharge, or pain). But STDs don’t always cause any symptoms so people can have one and not know it.

What Kind of STD Exam Will I Need?

The doctor will examine your genitals (the sexual or reproductive organs on the outside of the body). For females who have symptoms of STDs, this might include a pelvic exam. Those who don’t have symptoms and are just getting screened for STDs as part of a routine checkup probably won’t need a pelvic exam.

Based on what doctors learn from the talk and exam, they may take one or more of these samples:
- a blood sample (from either a blood draw or a finger prick)
- a urine (pee) sample
- a swab of the inside of the mouth
- a swab from the cervix in females
- a swab of any discharge or sores
When Will I Get the STD Test Results?

Sometimes the sample can be tested in the doctor’s office. Other times, the sample is sent to a lab and the results come back later. It depends on the office and the type of STD the doctor tested for.

What Else Should I Know?

If you’re not comfortable going to your doctor for STD testing, visit a health clinic instead. And if you need some support, ask a parent, another trusted adult, or a friend to go with you. You also can find support and more information online at Planned Parenthood.
Source link
October 23, 2024
Treat Type 1 Diabetes with a Plant-Based Diet?

Is it possible to reverse type 1 diabetes if caught early enough?

The International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention has already had its share of miraculous disease reversals with a plant-based diet. For instance, one patient began following a whole food, plant-based diet after having two heart attacks in two months. Within months, he experienced no more chest pain, controlled his cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugars, and also lost 50 pounds as a nice bonus. Yet, the numbers “do not capture the patient’s transformation from feeling like a ‘dead man walking’ to being in command of his health with a new future and life.”

I’ve previously discussed cases of reversing the autoimmune inflammatory disease psoriasis and also talked about lupus nephritis (kidney inflammation). What about type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease we didn’t think we could do anything about? In contrast to type 2 diabetes, which is a lifestyle disease that can be prevented and reversed with a healthy enough diet and lifestyle, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which our body attacks our pancreas, killing off our insulin-producing cells and condemning us to a life of insulin injections—unless, perhaps, it’s caught early enough. If a healthy enough diet is started early enough, might we be able to reverse the course of type 1 diabetes by blunting that autoimmune inflammation?

As I discuss in my video Type 1 Diabetes Treatment: A Plant-Based Diet, we know that patients with type 1 diabetes “may be able to reduce insulin requirements and achieve better glycemic [blood sugar] control” with healthier diets. For example, children and teens were randomized to a nutritional intervention in which they increased the whole plant food density of their diet—meaning they ate more whole grains, whole fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans, split peas, chickpeas, and lentils), nuts, and seeds. Researchers found that the more whole plant foods, the better the blood sugar control.

The fact that more whole fruits were associated “with better glycemic [blood sugar] control has important clinical implications for nutrition education” in those with type 1 diabetes. We should be “educating them on the beneﬁts of fruit intake, and allaying erroneous concerns that fruit may adversely affect blood sugar.”

The case series in the IJDRP, however, went beyond proposing better control of just their high blood sugars, the symptom of diabetes, but better control of the disease itself, suggesting the anti-inﬂammatory eﬀects of whole healthy plant foods “may slow or prevent further destruction of the beta cells”—the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas—“if dietary intervention is initiated early enough.” Where did this concept come from?

A young patient. Immediately following diagnosis of type 1 diabetes at age three, a patient began a vegetable-rich diet and, three years later, “has not yet required insulin therapy…and has experienced a steady decline in autoantibody levels,” which are markers of insulin cell destruction. Another child, who also started eating a healthier diet, but not until several months after diagnosis, maintains a low dose of insulin with good control. And, even if their insulin-producing cells have been utterly destroyed, individuals with type 1 diabetes can still enjoy “dramatically reduced insulin requirements,” reduced inflammation, and reduced cardiovascular risk, which is their number one cause of death over the age of 30. People with type 1 diabetes have 11 to 14 times the risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to the general population, and it’s already the top killer among the public, so it’s closer to 11 to 14 times more important for those with type 1 diabetes to be on the only diet and lifestyle program ever proven to reverse heart disease in the majority of patients—one centered around whole plant foods. The fact it may also help control the disease itself is just sugar-free icing on the cake.

All this exciting new research was presented in the first issue of The International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention. As a bonus, there’s a companion publication called the Disease Reversal and Prevention Digest. These are for the lay public and are developed with the belief I wholeheartedly share that “everyone has a right to understand the science that could impact their health.” You can go behind the scenes and hear directly from the author of the lupus series, read interviews from luminaries like Dean Ornish, see practical tips from dietitians on making the transition towards a healthier diet, and enjoy recipes.

The second issue includes more practical tips, such as how to eat plant-based on a budget, and gives updates on what Dr. Klaper is doing to educate medical students, what Audrey Sanchez from Balanced is doing to help change school lunches, and how Dr. Ostfeld got healthy foods served in a hospital. (What a concept!) And what magazine would be complete without an article to improve your sex life?

The journal is free, downloadable at IJDRP.org, and its companion digest, available at diseasereversaldigest.com, carries a subscription fee. I am a proud subscriber.

Want to learn more about preventing type 1 diabetes in the first place? See the related posts below.

Source link

October 22, 2024
NeuralExcellence – A new frontier in cognitive abilities.

Product Name: NeuralExcellence – A new frontier in cognitive abilities.

Click here to get NeuralExcellence – A new frontier in cognitive abilities. at discounted price while it’s still available…

All orders are protected by SSL encryption – the highest industry standard for online security from trusted vendors.

NeuralExcellence – A new frontier in cognitive abilities. is backed with a 60 Day No Questions Asked Money Back Guarantee. If within the first 60 days of receipt you are not satisfied with Wake Up Lean™, you can request a refund by sending an email to the address given inside the product and we will immediately refund your entire purchase price, with no questions asked.

(more…)

October 22, 2024
Vitamin D Deficiency In Kids Raises Risk Of Auto-Immune Disorders: Study Explains How

Ensure your child is getting adequate sunshine vitamins. Beyond the role of calcium absorption and bone strengthening, researchers have discovered more about its connection to the immune system. A recent study revealed how a deficiency of vitamin D in young children can raise the risk of developing autoimmune disorders.

According to the latest study published in the journal Science Advances, the deficiency of vitamin D in kids is linked to premature aging of the thymus gland. The thymus is a small lymph gland that makes and trains T-cells that are crucial for the immune system, defending the body against infections and diseases. While most of these vital cells are produced before birth, the remainder are generated during childhood, and by puberty, individuals would have developed the complete T cells for their lifetime.

“An aging thymus leads to a ‘leaky’ immune system. This means the thymus becomes less effective at filtering out immune cells that could mistakenly attack healthy tissues, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes,” said the lead author of the study John White in a news release.

Studies have shown that vitamin D is essential for immunity but according to White, the recent study findings “bring new clarity to this connection and could lead to new strategies for preventing autoimmune diseases.”

During the trial, researchers examined mice that could not produce vitamin D to assess how this deficiency affected their thymus glands. They then conducted cell analyses and gene sequencing to understand the impact of vitamin D deficiency on the immune system. The researchers expect similar findings in humans as the thymus functions similarly in both species.

Based on the study findings, researchers suggest that young children should get adequate vitamin D, either through natural sources such as fortified food and sunlight or through supplementation.

“If you have a young child, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure they’re getting enough,” said White.

Earlier research conducted by the same team in 2021, which followed up more than 10,000 children showed that early vitamin D supplementation can reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes by up to five-fold.

Source link

October 22, 2024
12 Minute Meditation: A Guided Practice to Focus the Mind
Meditation practice often feels like something to get through, something good for us, like medicine. But as we become more familiar with practicing mindfulness, we can begin to enjoy it as an opportunity to simply be—to inhabit our body and focus the mind on being wherever we are, without having to do anything in particular.

Obviously there’s nothing wrong with “doing” things—we have to do things. Doing things is great, but doing things is also challenging. Having some time when we can just be is refreshing.

No question that simply being is equally as challenging because some scary thoughts might crop up. But as we become more familiar with the process, we realize we can focus the mind and we don’t have to fully engage those thoughts or get caught up in them.

If it’s a particularly painful time, the meditation practice will be about being with that pain. We can allow it to be a bit “discontinuous,” that is, we see little gaps in the pain where bits of relaxation, and joy even, can poke through.

So, in this longer meditation practice, let’s take the time to enjoy being here.

A Guided Meditation to Focus the Mind

12 Minute Meditation: A Meditation to Focus the Mind with Barry Boyce
1. The first place to start is with spending a short period of time, in a relaxed way, on the posture. We begin with our seat. The point about our seat and our legs is just to have a base, to be supported. Nothing special about it.
- If you’re on a chair: bottoms of the feet are touching the ground.
- If you’re on a cushion: Legs can be simply crossed in front of you or they could be in a lotus posture or half-lotus posture.
- The upper body is upright but not stiff.
- Our hands can rest on our thighs in front of us with our upper arms parallel to our upper body.
- Our eyes can be open or closed, and our gaze is slightly down. Just a slight feeling of humbleness about that. And with the gaze down we’re slightly focussed inward. Our mouth can be just slightly open or closed.
That’s a practice in itself: just taking the time, taking the luxury, to establish our posture. If you have various bodily issues you just need to make adjustments for those.

That’s a practice in itself: just taking the time, taking the luxury, to establish our posture

2. Now, simply pay attention to your breathing. Now we pay attention to the breath as it comes in and goes out. The nice thing about the breath is that it’s reliable. It’s always going to be there if we’re alive. Sharon Salzberg talks about the importance of faith, and many people talk about trust. It’s a very simple type of faith or trust that something is going to continue to be there. As you find yourself lost in thought and you notice that because you have trust in the breath, you know that it will be there when you bounce off that thought and come back to the breath.

3. Pay attention to body and breath together. As we come back to and notice our breath, we’re also noticing our body, so it’s a kind of a whole body experience, resting our attention on the breath. We can also feel the temperature in the room and appreciate our ability to sense the world—that we are a sensory mechanism. The world touches us. We have an interplay going on with the world. That’s something we can appreciate. Pleasure and pain come from that sensing of the world.

4. For a little while, practice returning to the breath when the mind wanders. We’re taking time to simply be present and to develop presence. Presence meaning: able to be present for whatever comes up—up or down, could be very intense thoughts. How did the world begin. Why are we still driving so many cars? Who invented the car anyway? How do cars work? Can be cognitive, random thoughts like that. Or, could be intense emotional thoughts. Emotional thoughts carry with them a lot of “color,” and a lot of energy, and a lot of feeling of movement in the body: “I hate that,” ” love that,”—lots feeling tone to those thoughts. They can be persistent. They keep coming up, no matter how many times we go back to the breath. Or, thoughts could be just about simple sensation it’s an itch in your toe.

5. Mindfulness is an equal opportunity process: whatever comes up, we just notice it and come back. If it comes up again in another shape or form, you know to sit and come back. There’s a certain amount of simplicity and dullness about that, but over time that dullness becomes natural relaxation. There’s a feeling of strength that comes from being able to be present with whatever arises and not being so inclined to run from it.

6. Some people like to use the slogan “The present is pleasant,” but that’s not really true, necessarily. The present can contain whatever is present in that moment. If a family member has just died, it’s not going to be particularly pleasant. Taking a moment to meditate and focus the mind will be about being with that, not trying to create a pleasant experience for yourself. Usually, we’re trying to get something out of an experience. In this case, paradoxically, we are just trying to be with, rather than trying to get something out of it.

7. As we notice thoughts again and again in meditation practice, the thoughts begin to have less solid substance to them. They can feel less like something we have to fight with. We can have an appreciation that they are not facts, they’re just formulations that emerge in the mind and that beneath them is some kind of presence and awareness that continues, whatever thoughts may arise and dwell for a while and then go.
Source link
October 22, 2024