Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Hunger - Food - Opportunity
Have you ever been so hungry you feel as if you wanted to murder someone? So hungry that you get angry at every person that walks by? Today at work I was that person, I went to work at 12 and by 5 I was so hungry that I wanted to kill all my students (I work at KUMON a tutoring place), finally I decided to call my brother and ask him to bring me food or at least money, when he finally came and I got my food and ate I realized how thankful I was to be able to eat. As I ponder on how lucky I was to be blessed with food I began to think about the fact that I can’t go without food for 5 hours so how can kids anywhere else go without food for days. I am thankful for everything I have. 2008 has blessed me with opportunities, love & health =) Bring on 2009!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
12 Brain Rules
The brain is something that truly fascinates me, I think its because it can relate to any aspect of your life. You can choose any job that doesn't require medicine but the brain will still be a main foundation to what your doing in life.
Rule #1: Exercise boosts brain power.
The human brain evolved under conditions of almost constant motion. From this, one might predict that the optimal environment for processing information would include motion. That is exactly what one finds. Indeed, the best business meeting would have everyone walking at about 1.8 miles per hour.
Researchers studied two elderly populations that had led different lifestyles, one sedentary and one active. Cognitive scores were profoundly influenced. Exercise positively affected executive function, spatial tasks, reaction times and quantitative skills.
So researchers asked: If the sedentary populations become active, will their cognitive scores go up? Yes, it turns out, if the exercise is aerobic. In four months, executive functions vastly improve; longer, and memory scores improve as well.
Exercise improves cognition for two reasons:
Exercise increases oxygen flow into the brain, which reduces brain-bound free radicals. One of the most interesting findings of the past few decades is that an increase in oxygen is always accompanied by an uptick in mental sharpness.
Exercise acts directly on the molecular machinery of the brain itself. It increases neurons’ creation, survival, and resistance to damage and stress.
The human brain evolved under conditions of almost constant motion. From this, one might predict that the optimal environment for processing information would include motion. That is exactly what one finds. Indeed, the best business meeting would have everyone walking at about 1.8 miles per hour.
Researchers studied two elderly populations that had led different lifestyles, one sedentary and one active. Cognitive scores were profoundly influenced. Exercise positively affected executive function, spatial tasks, reaction times and quantitative skills.
So researchers asked: If the sedentary populations become active, will their cognitive scores go up? Yes, it turns out, if the exercise is aerobic. In four months, executive functions vastly improve; longer, and memory scores improve as well.
Exercise improves cognition for two reasons:
Exercise increases oxygen flow into the brain, which reduces brain-bound free radicals. One of the most interesting findings of the past few decades is that an increase in oxygen is always accompanied by an uptick in mental sharpness.
Exercise acts directly on the molecular machinery of the brain itself. It increases neurons’ creation, survival, and resistance to damage and stress.
Rule #2: The human brain evolved, too.
The brain is a survival organ. It is designed to solve problems related to surviving in an unstable outdoor environment and to do so in nearly constant motion (to keep you alive long enough to pass your genes on). We were not the strongest on the planet but we developed the strongest brains, the key to our survival.
The strongest brains survive, not the strongest bodies. Our ability to solve problems, learn from mistakes, and create alliances with other people helps us survive. We took over the world by learning to cooperate and forming teams with our neighbors.
Our ability to understand each other is our chief survival tool. Relationships helped us survive in the jungle and are critical to surviving at work and school today.
If someone does not feel safe with a teacher or boss, he or she may not perform as well. If a student feels misunderstood because the teacher cannot connect with the way the student learns, the student may become isolated.
There is no greater anti-brain environment than the classroom and cubicle.
The brain is a survival organ. It is designed to solve problems related to surviving in an unstable outdoor environment and to do so in nearly constant motion (to keep you alive long enough to pass your genes on). We were not the strongest on the planet but we developed the strongest brains, the key to our survival.
The strongest brains survive, not the strongest bodies. Our ability to solve problems, learn from mistakes, and create alliances with other people helps us survive. We took over the world by learning to cooperate and forming teams with our neighbors.
Our ability to understand each other is our chief survival tool. Relationships helped us survive in the jungle and are critical to surviving at work and school today.
If someone does not feel safe with a teacher or boss, he or she may not perform as well. If a student feels misunderstood because the teacher cannot connect with the way the student learns, the student may become isolated.
There is no greater anti-brain environment than the classroom and cubicle.
Rule #3: Every brain is wired differently.
What YOU do and learn in life physically changes what your brain looks like – it literally rewires it. We used to think there were just 7 categories of intelligence. But categories of intelligence may number more than 7 billion—roughly the population of the world.
No two people have the same brain, not even twins. Every student’s brain, every employee’s brain, every customer’s brain is wired differently.
You can either accede to it or ignore it. The current system of education ignores it by having grade structures based on age. Businesses such as Amazon are catching on to mass customization (the Amazon homepage and the products you see are tailored to your recent purchases).
Regions of the brain develop at different rates in different people. The brains of school children are just as unevenly developed as their bodies. Our school system ignores the fact that every brain is wired differently. We wrongly assume every brain is the same.
Most of us have a “Jennifer Aniston” neuron (a neuron lurking in your head that is stimulated only when Jennifer Aniston is in the room).
What YOU do and learn in life physically changes what your brain looks like – it literally rewires it. We used to think there were just 7 categories of intelligence. But categories of intelligence may number more than 7 billion—roughly the population of the world.
No two people have the same brain, not even twins. Every student’s brain, every employee’s brain, every customer’s brain is wired differently.
You can either accede to it or ignore it. The current system of education ignores it by having grade structures based on age. Businesses such as Amazon are catching on to mass customization (the Amazon homepage and the products you see are tailored to your recent purchases).
Regions of the brain develop at different rates in different people. The brains of school children are just as unevenly developed as their bodies. Our school system ignores the fact that every brain is wired differently. We wrongly assume every brain is the same.
Most of us have a “Jennifer Aniston” neuron (a neuron lurking in your head that is stimulated only when Jennifer Aniston is in the room).
Rule #4: We don't pay attention to boring things.
What we pay attention to is profoundly influenced by memory. Our previous experience predicts where we should pay attention. Culture matters too. Whether in school or in business, these differences can greatly effect how an audience perceives a given presentation.
We pay attention to things like emotions, threats and sex. Regardless of who you are, the brain pays a great deal of attention to these questions: Can I eat it? Will it eat me? Can I mate with it? Will it mate with me? Have I seen it before?
The brain is not capable of multi-tasking. We can talk and breathe, but when it comes to higher level tasks, we just can’t do it.
Driving while talking on a cell phone is like driving drunk. The brain is a sequential processor and large fractions of a second are consumed every time the brain switches tasks. This is why cell-phone talkers are a half-second slower to hit the brakes and get in more wrecks.
Workplaces and schools actually encourage this type of multi-tasking. Walk into any office and you’ll see people sending e-mail, answering their phones, Instant Messaging, and on MySpace—all at the same time. Research shows your error rate goes up 50% and it takes you twice as long to do things.
When you’re always online you’re always distracted. So the always online organization is the always unproductive organization.
What we pay attention to is profoundly influenced by memory. Our previous experience predicts where we should pay attention. Culture matters too. Whether in school or in business, these differences can greatly effect how an audience perceives a given presentation.
We pay attention to things like emotions, threats and sex. Regardless of who you are, the brain pays a great deal of attention to these questions: Can I eat it? Will it eat me? Can I mate with it? Will it mate with me? Have I seen it before?
The brain is not capable of multi-tasking. We can talk and breathe, but when it comes to higher level tasks, we just can’t do it.
Driving while talking on a cell phone is like driving drunk. The brain is a sequential processor and large fractions of a second are consumed every time the brain switches tasks. This is why cell-phone talkers are a half-second slower to hit the brakes and get in more wrecks.
Workplaces and schools actually encourage this type of multi-tasking. Walk into any office and you’ll see people sending e-mail, answering their phones, Instant Messaging, and on MySpace—all at the same time. Research shows your error rate goes up 50% and it takes you twice as long to do things.
When you’re always online you’re always distracted. So the always online organization is the always unproductive organization.
Rule #5: Repeat to remember.
The human brain can only hold about seven pieces of information for less than 30 seconds! Which means, your brain can only handle a 7-digit phone number. If you want to extend the 30 seconds to a few minutes or even an hour or two, you will need to consistently re-expose yourself to the information. Memories are so volatile that you have to repeat to remember.
Improve your memory by elaborately encoding it during its initial moments. Many of us have trouble remembering names. If at a party you need help remembering Mary, it helps to repeat internally more information about her. “Mary is wearing a blue dress and my favorite color is blue.” It may seem counterintuitive at first but study after study shows it improves your memory.
Brain Rules in the classroom. In partnership with the University of Washington and Seattle Pacific University, Medina tested this Brain Rule in real classrooms of 3rd graders. They were asked to repeat their multiplication tables in the afternoons. The classrooms in the study did significantly better than the classrooms that did not have the repetition. If brain scientists get together with teachers and do research, we may be able to eliminate need for homework since learning would take place at school, instead of the home.
The human brain can only hold about seven pieces of information for less than 30 seconds! Which means, your brain can only handle a 7-digit phone number. If you want to extend the 30 seconds to a few minutes or even an hour or two, you will need to consistently re-expose yourself to the information. Memories are so volatile that you have to repeat to remember.
Improve your memory by elaborately encoding it during its initial moments. Many of us have trouble remembering names. If at a party you need help remembering Mary, it helps to repeat internally more information about her. “Mary is wearing a blue dress and my favorite color is blue.” It may seem counterintuitive at first but study after study shows it improves your memory.
Brain Rules in the classroom. In partnership with the University of Washington and Seattle Pacific University, Medina tested this Brain Rule in real classrooms of 3rd graders. They were asked to repeat their multiplication tables in the afternoons. The classrooms in the study did significantly better than the classrooms that did not have the repetition. If brain scientists get together with teachers and do research, we may be able to eliminate need for homework since learning would take place at school, instead of the home.
Rule #6: Remember to repeat.
It takes years to consolidate a memory. Not minutes, hours, or days but years. What you learn in first grade is not completely formed until your sophomore year in high school.
Medina’s dream school is one that repeats what was learned, not at home, but during the school day, 90-120 minutes after the initial learning occurred. Our schools are currently designed so that most real learning has to occur at home.
How do you remember better? Repeated exposure to information / in specifically timed intervals / provides the most powerful way to fix memory into the brain.
Forgetting allows us to prioritize events. But if you want to remember, remember to repeat.
It takes years to consolidate a memory. Not minutes, hours, or days but years. What you learn in first grade is not completely formed until your sophomore year in high school.
Medina’s dream school is one that repeats what was learned, not at home, but during the school day, 90-120 minutes after the initial learning occurred. Our schools are currently designed so that most real learning has to occur at home.
How do you remember better? Repeated exposure to information / in specifically timed intervals / provides the most powerful way to fix memory into the brain.
Forgetting allows us to prioritize events. But if you want to remember, remember to repeat.
Rule #7: Sleep well, think well.
When we’re asleep, the brain is not resting at all. It is almost unbelievably active! It’s possible that the reason we need to sleep is so that we can learn.
Sleep must be important because we spend 1/3 of our lives doing it! Loss of sleep hurts attention, executive function, working memory, mood, quantitative skills, logical reasoning, and even motor dexterity.
We still don’t know how much we need! It changes with age, gender, pregnancy, puberty, and so much more.
Napping is normal. Ever feel tired in the afternoon? That’s because your brain really wants to take a nap. There's a battle raging in your head between two armies. Each army is made of legions of brain cells and biochemicals –- one desperately trying to keep you awake, the other desperately trying to force you to sleep. Around 3 p.m., 12 hours after the midpoint of your sleep, all your brain wants to do is nap.
Taking a nap might make you more productive. In one study, a 26-minute nap improved NASA pilots’ performance by 34 percent.
Don’t schedule important meetings at 3 p.m. It just doesn’t make sense.
When we’re asleep, the brain is not resting at all. It is almost unbelievably active! It’s possible that the reason we need to sleep is so that we can learn.
Sleep must be important because we spend 1/3 of our lives doing it! Loss of sleep hurts attention, executive function, working memory, mood, quantitative skills, logical reasoning, and even motor dexterity.
We still don’t know how much we need! It changes with age, gender, pregnancy, puberty, and so much more.
Napping is normal. Ever feel tired in the afternoon? That’s because your brain really wants to take a nap. There's a battle raging in your head between two armies. Each army is made of legions of brain cells and biochemicals –- one desperately trying to keep you awake, the other desperately trying to force you to sleep. Around 3 p.m., 12 hours after the midpoint of your sleep, all your brain wants to do is nap.
Taking a nap might make you more productive. In one study, a 26-minute nap improved NASA pilots’ performance by 34 percent.
Don’t schedule important meetings at 3 p.m. It just doesn’t make sense.
Rule #8: Stressed brains don't learn the same way.
You brain is built to deal with stress that lasts about 30 seconds. The brain is not designed for long term stress when you feel like you have no control. The saber-toothed tiger ate you or you ran away but it was all over in less than a minute. If you have a bad boss, the saber-toothed tiger can be at your door for years, and you begin to deregulate. If you are in a bad marriage, the saber-toothed tiger can be in your bed for years, and the same thing occurs. You can actually watch the brain shrink.
Stress damages virtually every kind of cognition that exists. It damages memory and executive function. It can hurt your motor skills. When you are stressed out over a long period of time it disrupts your immune response. You get sicker more often. It disrupts your ability to sleep. You get depressed.
The emotional stability of the home is the single greatest predictor of academic success. If you want your kid to get into Harvard, go home and love your spouse.
You have one brain. The same brain you have at home is the same brain you have at work or school. The stress you are experiencing at home will affect your performance at work, and vice versa.
You brain is built to deal with stress that lasts about 30 seconds. The brain is not designed for long term stress when you feel like you have no control. The saber-toothed tiger ate you or you ran away but it was all over in less than a minute. If you have a bad boss, the saber-toothed tiger can be at your door for years, and you begin to deregulate. If you are in a bad marriage, the saber-toothed tiger can be in your bed for years, and the same thing occurs. You can actually watch the brain shrink.
Stress damages virtually every kind of cognition that exists. It damages memory and executive function. It can hurt your motor skills. When you are stressed out over a long period of time it disrupts your immune response. You get sicker more often. It disrupts your ability to sleep. You get depressed.
The emotional stability of the home is the single greatest predictor of academic success. If you want your kid to get into Harvard, go home and love your spouse.
You have one brain. The same brain you have at home is the same brain you have at work or school. The stress you are experiencing at home will affect your performance at work, and vice versa.
Rule #9: Stimulate more of the senses.
Our senses work together so it is important to stimulate them! Your head crackles with the perceptions of the whole world, sight, sound, taste, smell, touch, energetic as a frat party.
Smell is unusually effective at evoking memory. If you're tested on the details of a movie while the smell of popcorn is wafted into the air, you'll remember 10-50% more.
Smell is really important to business. When you walk into Starbucks, the first thing you smell is coffee. They have done a number of things over the years to make sure that’s the case.
The learning link. Those in multisensory environments always do better than those in unisensory environments. They have more recall with better resolution that lasts longer, evident even 20 years later.
Our senses work together so it is important to stimulate them! Your head crackles with the perceptions of the whole world, sight, sound, taste, smell, touch, energetic as a frat party.
Smell is unusually effective at evoking memory. If you're tested on the details of a movie while the smell of popcorn is wafted into the air, you'll remember 10-50% more.
Smell is really important to business. When you walk into Starbucks, the first thing you smell is coffee. They have done a number of things over the years to make sure that’s the case.
The learning link. Those in multisensory environments always do better than those in unisensory environments. They have more recall with better resolution that lasts longer, evident even 20 years later.
Rule #10: Vision trumps all other senses.
We are incredible at remembering pictures. Hear a piece of information, and three days later you'll remember 10% of it. Add a picture and you'll remember 65%.
Pictures beat text as well, in part because reading is so inefficient for us. Our brain sees words as lots of tiny pictures, and we have to identify certain features in the letters to be able to read them. That takes time.
Why is vision such a big deal to us? Perhaps because it's how we've always apprehended major threats, food supplies and reproductive opportunity.
Toss your PowerPoint presentations. It’s text-based (nearly 40 words per slide), with six hierarchical levels of chapters and subheads—all words. Professionals everywhere need to know about the incredible inefficiency of text-based information and the incredible effects of images. Burn your current PowerPoint presentations and make new ones.
We are incredible at remembering pictures. Hear a piece of information, and three days later you'll remember 10% of it. Add a picture and you'll remember 65%.
Pictures beat text as well, in part because reading is so inefficient for us. Our brain sees words as lots of tiny pictures, and we have to identify certain features in the letters to be able to read them. That takes time.
Why is vision such a big deal to us? Perhaps because it's how we've always apprehended major threats, food supplies and reproductive opportunity.
Toss your PowerPoint presentations. It’s text-based (nearly 40 words per slide), with six hierarchical levels of chapters and subheads—all words. Professionals everywhere need to know about the incredible inefficiency of text-based information and the incredible effects of images. Burn your current PowerPoint presentations and make new ones.
Rule #11: Male and female brains are different.
What’s different? Mental health professionals have known for years about sex-based differences in the type and severity of psychiatric disorders. Males are more severely afflicted by schizophrenia than females. By more than 2 to 1, women are more likely to get depressed than men, a figure that shows up just after puberty and remains stable for the next 50 years. Males exhibit more antisocial behavior. Females have more anxiety. Most alcoholics and drug addicts are male. Most anorexics are female.
Men and women handle acute stress differently. When researcher Larry Cahill showed them slasher films, men fired up the amygdale in their brain’s right hemisphere, which is responsible for the gist of an event. Their left was comparatively silent. Women lit up their left amygdale, the one responsible for details. Having a team that simultaneously understood the gist and details of a given stressful situation helped us conquer the world.
Men and women process certain emotions differently. Emotions are useful. They make the brain pay attention. These differences are a product of complex interactions between nature and nurture.
What’s different? Mental health professionals have known for years about sex-based differences in the type and severity of psychiatric disorders. Males are more severely afflicted by schizophrenia than females. By more than 2 to 1, women are more likely to get depressed than men, a figure that shows up just after puberty and remains stable for the next 50 years. Males exhibit more antisocial behavior. Females have more anxiety. Most alcoholics and drug addicts are male. Most anorexics are female.
Men and women handle acute stress differently. When researcher Larry Cahill showed them slasher films, men fired up the amygdale in their brain’s right hemisphere, which is responsible for the gist of an event. Their left was comparatively silent. Women lit up their left amygdale, the one responsible for details. Having a team that simultaneously understood the gist and details of a given stressful situation helped us conquer the world.
Men and women process certain emotions differently. Emotions are useful. They make the brain pay attention. These differences are a product of complex interactions between nature and nurture.
Rule #12: We are powerful and natural explorers.
The desire to explore never leaves us despite the classrooms and cubicles we are stuffed into. Babies are the model of how we learn—not by passive reaction to the environment but by active testing through observation, hypothesis, experiment, and conclusion. Babies methodically do experiments on objects, for example, to see what they will do.
Google takes to heart the power of exploration. For 20 percent of their time, employees may go where their mind asks them to go. The proof is in the bottom line: fully 50 percent of new products, including Gmail and Google News, came from “20 percent time.”
The desire to explore never leaves us despite the classrooms and cubicles we are stuffed into. Babies are the model of how we learn—not by passive reaction to the environment but by active testing through observation, hypothesis, experiment, and conclusion. Babies methodically do experiments on objects, for example, to see what they will do.
Google takes to heart the power of exploration. For 20 percent of their time, employees may go where their mind asks them to go. The proof is in the bottom line: fully 50 percent of new products, including Gmail and Google News, came from “20 percent time.”
Go on this website to read more facts about the brain http://www.brainrules.net/exploration
Vitamins
Vitamin A:
The body does not store this vitamin and the body requires daily 5,000 units of this vitamin. It is essential to the skin and the eyes and, in turn, strengthens hair and nails.
Effects of insufficient supply of this vitamin:
Red dots on its skin diseases in the eyes, hair dry and weak and prone to infections.
Food that contains:
Green beans, carrots, liver, kidneys, peaches, plums, egg, milk and its byproducts, dried apricots and plums.
Vitamin B:
Is not stored in the body, so it must be daily supply. It is the vitamin of the vitality and energy.
Food that contains:
It is found in cereals. The richest source is brewer's yeast.
Vitamin B-1:
Helps the respiration and oxygenation of the cells and the smooth functioning of the digestive tract, heart, the glands, brain and nervous system.
Food that contains:
Milk and its byproducts, bean, spinach, peas, egg yolk, raw cabbage, carrots, hazelnuts and walnuts, broccoli, tomatoes, lentils, bananas and peaches.
Vitamin B-2:
This vitamin whose daily consumption of 2.5 mg should be about helping the oxygenation of the cells, strengthens vision, hair, nails and skin.
Effects of insufficient supply of this vitamin:
Anemia, hair and lack of vitality.
Food that contains:
The brewer's yeast, milk, plums, fish, spinach and legumes.
Vitamin B-6:
It produces antibodies and red blood cells, helps digestion and is essential for the smooth functioning of the female sexual organs. It is currently being studied as a potential medicine to cure sterility. It is also used to counter juvenile acne.
Food that contains:
Brewer's yeast, the grains, the bread, egg yolk and raw salads.
Vitamin B-12:
Such an anti-vitamin is essential for the metabolism of fats and proteins
Food that contains:
milk, eggs, liver, kidneys and fish.
Vitamin C:
This vitamin is used increasingly in modern medicine to combat many diseases. Among its tasks is to strengthen the intercellular substance strengthen the walls of the blood capillaries and gums. It helps fight infections and heal wounds. Normally you need a dose of 1,500 units a day.
Food that contains:
Cantaloupe, oranges, strawberries, raw cabbage, cucumbers, pineapple, apple, pear, avocado and lettuce.
Vitamin D:
It is the vitamin that controls phosphorus and calcium in the body. It is indispensable for the maintenance of bones and teeth.
Food that contains:
The sun's rays, fish, sardines and egg.
Vitamin E:
Helps prevent heart disease and hypertension counter.
Food that contains:
It is found in large amounts in natural foods, without chemical processing.
The body does not store this vitamin and the body requires daily 5,000 units of this vitamin. It is essential to the skin and the eyes and, in turn, strengthens hair and nails.
Effects of insufficient supply of this vitamin:
Red dots on its skin diseases in the eyes, hair dry and weak and prone to infections.
Food that contains:
Green beans, carrots, liver, kidneys, peaches, plums, egg, milk and its byproducts, dried apricots and plums.
Vitamin B:
Is not stored in the body, so it must be daily supply. It is the vitamin of the vitality and energy.
Food that contains:
It is found in cereals. The richest source is brewer's yeast.
Vitamin B-1:
Helps the respiration and oxygenation of the cells and the smooth functioning of the digestive tract, heart, the glands, brain and nervous system.
Food that contains:
Milk and its byproducts, bean, spinach, peas, egg yolk, raw cabbage, carrots, hazelnuts and walnuts, broccoli, tomatoes, lentils, bananas and peaches.
Vitamin B-2:
This vitamin whose daily consumption of 2.5 mg should be about helping the oxygenation of the cells, strengthens vision, hair, nails and skin.
Effects of insufficient supply of this vitamin:
Anemia, hair and lack of vitality.
Food that contains:
The brewer's yeast, milk, plums, fish, spinach and legumes.
Vitamin B-6:
It produces antibodies and red blood cells, helps digestion and is essential for the smooth functioning of the female sexual organs. It is currently being studied as a potential medicine to cure sterility. It is also used to counter juvenile acne.
Food that contains:
Brewer's yeast, the grains, the bread, egg yolk and raw salads.
Vitamin B-12:
Such an anti-vitamin is essential for the metabolism of fats and proteins
Food that contains:
milk, eggs, liver, kidneys and fish.
Vitamin C:
This vitamin is used increasingly in modern medicine to combat many diseases. Among its tasks is to strengthen the intercellular substance strengthen the walls of the blood capillaries and gums. It helps fight infections and heal wounds. Normally you need a dose of 1,500 units a day.
Food that contains:
Cantaloupe, oranges, strawberries, raw cabbage, cucumbers, pineapple, apple, pear, avocado and lettuce.
Vitamin D:
It is the vitamin that controls phosphorus and calcium in the body. It is indispensable for the maintenance of bones and teeth.
Food that contains:
The sun's rays, fish, sardines and egg.
Vitamin E:
Helps prevent heart disease and hypertension counter.
Food that contains:
It is found in large amounts in natural foods, without chemical processing.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Advertising affecting our health
A ban on fast food advertisements in the United States could reduce the number of overweight children by as much as 18 percent, according to a new study being published this month in the Journal of Law and Economics. A ban on fast food television advertisements during children's programming would reduce the number of overweight children ages 3-11 by 18 percent, while also lowering the number of overweight adolescents ages 12-18 by 14 percent.
Between 1970 and 1999, the percentage of overweight children ages 6-11 more than tripled to 13 percent. Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 also saw a significant increase, reaching 14 percent.
Research indicates that there is an 80 percent chance an overweight adolescent will be an obese adult and that over 300,000 deaths can be attributed to obesity and weight in the United States every year.
A 2006 report issued by the Institute of Medicine indicated there is compelling evidence linking food advertising on television and increased childhood obesity. "Some members of the committee that wrote the report recommended congressional regulation of television food advertisements aimed at children, but the report also said that the final link that would definitively prove that children had become fatter by watching food commercials aimed at them cannot be made," says Grossman.
So as you can see there is a pathos appeal in food advertising because it deals with our emotions. Food propaganda urges us to go out and try all kinds of foods. Be smart when choosing you can be affecting your health.
Between 1970 and 1999, the percentage of overweight children ages 6-11 more than tripled to 13 percent. Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 also saw a significant increase, reaching 14 percent.
Research indicates that there is an 80 percent chance an overweight adolescent will be an obese adult and that over 300,000 deaths can be attributed to obesity and weight in the United States every year.
A 2006 report issued by the Institute of Medicine indicated there is compelling evidence linking food advertising on television and increased childhood obesity. "Some members of the committee that wrote the report recommended congressional regulation of television food advertisements aimed at children, but the report also said that the final link that would definitively prove that children had become fatter by watching food commercials aimed at them cannot be made," says Grossman.
So as you can see there is a pathos appeal in food advertising because it deals with our emotions. Food propaganda urges us to go out and try all kinds of foods. Be smart when choosing you can be affecting your health.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
10 Dietary Mistakes to Avoid
Not eating enough protein especially in the day
The government's recommendation for protein—a measly 0.4 grams per pound of body weight—is barely half of what you need to build muscle, which in turn will help you burn fat. This applies to women as well: You need protein
Skipping breakfast
I don't mean grabbing a soda or eating a quick doughnut; I mean consuming whole foods such as oatmeal, eggs, fruit, milk, and yogurt. Your brain and body both need these nutrients to function.
Skipping other meals because you don't think ahead
Maybe you're in meetings all day and haven't eaten for six hours. When you finally do, you choose badly because you're absolutely starved. What's more, you eat too quickly when you're famished, outracing your body's "fullness" signal. Instead, aim to eat every three hours.
Eating carbs only
A plain bagel alone, or with orange juice, is one of the worst breakfasts you can eat. Dreadful. Your blood sugar will light up like fireworks on the Fourth of July. This stimulates the release of the hormone insulin, which signals your body to stop burning and start storing fat. It also triggers hunger, making you reach for something else that will skyrocket your blood sugar again. Better to start your day off with eggs (protein), turkey bacon (fat), and a side of fruit (healthier carbs).
The government's recommendation for protein—a measly 0.4 grams per pound of body weight—is barely half of what you need to build muscle, which in turn will help you burn fat. This applies to women as well: You need protein
Skipping breakfast
I don't mean grabbing a soda or eating a quick doughnut; I mean consuming whole foods such as oatmeal, eggs, fruit, milk, and yogurt. Your brain and body both need these nutrients to function.
Skipping other meals because you don't think ahead
Maybe you're in meetings all day and haven't eaten for six hours. When you finally do, you choose badly because you're absolutely starved. What's more, you eat too quickly when you're famished, outracing your body's "fullness" signal. Instead, aim to eat every three hours.
Eating carbs only
A plain bagel alone, or with orange juice, is one of the worst breakfasts you can eat. Dreadful. Your blood sugar will light up like fireworks on the Fourth of July. This stimulates the release of the hormone insulin, which signals your body to stop burning and start storing fat. It also triggers hunger, making you reach for something else that will skyrocket your blood sugar again. Better to start your day off with eggs (protein), turkey bacon (fat), and a side of fruit (healthier carbs).
Stop planning your meals around snacks. Just plan frequent meals. When you do the "s" thing, you're not saving yourself calories from a meal. Oftentimes you're upping your calories.
Non-diet soda, potato chips, cookies, popcorn, and white bread have made America fat. The empty calories are bad enough, but the real damage comes from the havoc these wreak on your blood sugar.
Just because some box of crap you bought at the store says "fat free" doesn’t mean you can eat twice as much of it without ballooning your belly. You'll still be consuming a bunch of calories. What's worse, the phrase non-fat is usually code for—you guessed it—more
Generally speaking, plant fats are healthier than animal fats. But the fats in fish are an exception, especially those from darker fleshed ones like salmon. The omega-3 fatty acids they contain are just what the doctor ordered to keep your ticker ticking. (The U.S. government doesn’t provide RDAs for omega-3s, but they should.) In the meantime, substitute fish for another animal protein several times a week and supplement with omega-3s for good measure.
Your factory-installed thirst mechanism is a lemon. By the time you crave water, you're already dehydrated. That can short-circuit today's workout and eventually wreck your health, which is a shame, since all you have to do is turn on a faucet. Drink a minimum of 12 6-ounce glasses of non-caffeinated fluids per day, plus an additional 6 ounces for every 15 minutes of training.
Not everything in the center aisles of your local supermarket is junk—hey, canned tuna is useful—but the vast majority of what you'll find there has been pumped full of chemicals and processed beyond belief. Unless you need a greeting card, a magazine, or a can of shaving cream, stay on the store's periphery, where all the fresh stuff lies.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Snoring
I can admit there are times where I snore like a beast (usually when I am sick), so I wanted to stop especially because in the future when I'm with my significant other( husband, boyfriend whatever), I wouldn't want to wake him because of my snoring that would be so embarrassing, (but of course if I'm sick he better suck it up). So I decided to solve this mystery they call snoring,and find some cures for those of us who snore like animals.
Snoring the biggest irritation known to any couple
is like all other sounds, is caused by vibrations that cause particles in the air to form sound waves, the sound of snoring is caused when there is a small blockage that impedes the passage of air from the back of the mouth and nose. Snoring is not considered a disease but it indicates that something does not work very well.
Snoring the biggest irritation known to any couple
is like all other sounds, is caused by vibrations that cause particles in the air to form sound waves, the sound of snoring is caused when there is a small blockage that impedes the passage of air from the back of the mouth and nose. Snoring is not considered a disease but it indicates that something does not work very well.
Among the most common causes of snoring are:
Alcohol
Alcohol
Nasal congestion by colds or allergies Enlarged tonsils Sleep Apnea Overweight Last month of pregnancy Deformations in the nose Any person can snore. Studies estimate that 45% of men and 30% of women snore on a regular basis
Recommendations
Avoid alcohol and tranquilizers These two elements can depress the central nervous system and relax the muscles of the diaphragm and jaw which increases snoring.
Recommendations
Avoid alcohol and tranquilizers These two elements can depress the central nervous system and relax the muscles of the diaphragm and jaw which increases snoring.
Avoid gaining weight When you are overweight, especially in neck, it can make it difficult to breathe because that weight is pressing on a respiratory tract. It is advisable in this case to lose weight.
Take action if you suffer from allergies People who suffer from respiratory allergies may sleep with an open mouth which causes snoring. It is recommended, to use a humidifier in the room.
Sleeping on your side Some studies have shown that snoring occurs when a person sleeps. Therefore, it is recommended to sleep on your side.
Establish regular sleep patterns
See a doctor If a person snore so strong that can be heard outside the bedroom, you may be suffering from a condition which is known as sleep apnea where the person may even stop breathing when sleeping.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Hiccups
Hiccups
This past weekend I went to the doctor but not because I was sick but instead because I had a case of the hiccups for more than a couple of minuets. Actually they lasted about 10 minuets and of course like any other mom, my mom send me to the doctor to see what was wrong. I got to the Doctor and as I waited to get checked all of a sudden the hiccups stopped (it was really weird). So my blog today is about hiccups what they are and what are some remedies you can use to get rid of them.
Have you ever had the hiccups for more than a couple seconds?
This past weekend I went to the doctor but not because I was sick but instead because I had a case of the hiccups for more than a couple of minuets. Actually they lasted about 10 minuets and of course like any other mom, my mom send me to the doctor to see what was wrong. I got to the Doctor and as I waited to get checked all of a sudden the hiccups stopped (it was really weird). So my blog today is about hiccups what they are and what are some remedies you can use to get rid of them.
Have you ever had the hiccups for more than a couple seconds?
Definition
"A hiccup basically is where there is an involuntary spasm of this muscle called the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a pretty big muscle that sits right below the lungs and it helps us to breathe normally but it can go a little haywire," said Dr. Arfan Din.
Almost everyone has had hiccups. "Singultus" is the medical term for hiccups, derived from the Latin word "singult," which means the act of catching your breath while sobbing, an apt description of the way hiccups sound. Although they can be embarrassing — especially if the "hic" pops out of your mouth in a quiet room or during a meeting — hiccups are rarely cause for concern.
They can be caused by:
"A hiccup basically is where there is an involuntary spasm of this muscle called the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a pretty big muscle that sits right below the lungs and it helps us to breathe normally but it can go a little haywire," said Dr. Arfan Din.
Almost everyone has had hiccups. "Singultus" is the medical term for hiccups, derived from the Latin word "singult," which means the act of catching your breath while sobbing, an apt description of the way hiccups sound. Although they can be embarrassing — especially if the "hic" pops out of your mouth in a quiet room or during a meeting — hiccups are rarely cause for concern.
They can be caused by:
Highly spiced meal
Carbonated beverages
Intense emotions
Nervousness
Smoking
Cold air or cold drink
Carbonated beverages
Intense emotions
Nervousness
Smoking
Cold air or cold drink
Folk remedies
Remedy # 1: Ingesting one teaspoon of sugar normal dry. * I actually do this *
Remedy # 2: With the thumb and the index pull your tongue out slightly
Remedy # 3: Slightly frightening to the person who has the hiccups. * I do this too*
Remedy # 4: A natural remedy is to keep a piece of ice for a minute near the Adam's apple.
Remedy # 5: Sink your finger in the upper part of your stomach while you count to sixty.
Remedy # 2: With the thumb and the index pull your tongue out slightly
Remedy # 3: Slightly frightening to the person who has the hiccups. * I do this too*
Remedy # 4: A natural remedy is to keep a piece of ice for a minute near the Adam's apple.
Remedy # 5: Sink your finger in the upper part of your stomach while you count to sixty.
It is important to note that if the popular remedies are not effective and continuous hiccups with a prolonged duration (from one hour to 12 hours) and makes frequent, and there should be a visit to the doctor as this may be indicative of a more serious problems as cancer, kidney failure, liver disease, nervous system problems or heart.
Go on this website to learn more about your hiccups http://cbs13.com/goodquestion/2.485791.html
Go on this website to learn more about your hiccups http://cbs13.com/goodquestion/2.485791.html
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Natural Travel Kit
Natural Travel Kit
So in class today there were these long discussions on what activities were going to take place for the holidays so here is a natural kit that one might consider taking if anything occurs when traveling.
For intestinal parasites
Fruit: Papaya
Properties: It is diuretic, laxative, nutritious and has qualities vermifyga (expels intestinal parasites)The best way is to eat natural, cooked in liquid milk or canned.
Fruits: Grapefruit
Properties: The grapefruit seed extract may be very suitable for avoiding most of intestinal worms (also could run the extract of garlic or garlic oil). At the same time the grapefruit seed extract helps us to combat colds and the majority of infections (angina, otitis, cándidas, cystitis, etc ...).
For sunburn
Plant: St. John's wort
Properties: The St. John's wort is excellent, apart from sunburn, in case of hives, sores or blisters on the feet or as a moisturizer.
Plant: Calendula
Properties: The calendula calm irritation armpits, genital areas, English, etc. produced by heat or sweat. It may also be valid in case of eczema
Plant: The aloe Vera or SábilaProperties Anti-inflammatory, laxative, high-dose laxative helps aged or irritated skin, sores, bruises, minor burns, pigmentation, insect bites, eczema nuts, grains, acne, canker sores, bleeding gums, inflammation of the eyelids
For the dizziness and vomiting
Plant. Ginger
Properties: digestive stimulant that prevents dizziness and vomiting and is also suitable for pregnant women.
To help sleep on a long journey or for combat stress of the journey
Plant: Valerian
Properties. Sedative recommended in case of timely or chronic insomnia, stress and mild anxiety states.
Bruises & dislocations
Plant: ArnicaProperties: It is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory herbal products for external use. It is also analgesic, antiseptic, antimicrobial, healing and relieves muscle pain.
For something cold and fever
Plant: ulmaria
Properties: It is stated in colds and flu, but also in rheumatic pain and urinary disorders.
To reduce the swelling of insect bites
Plant: Calendula
Properties: The creams and ointments with marigold are very effective, and prevent further infection to develop.
So in class today there were these long discussions on what activities were going to take place for the holidays so here is a natural kit that one might consider taking if anything occurs when traveling.
For intestinal parasites
Fruit: Papaya
Properties: It is diuretic, laxative, nutritious and has qualities vermifyga (expels intestinal parasites)The best way is to eat natural, cooked in liquid milk or canned.
Fruits: Grapefruit
Properties: The grapefruit seed extract may be very suitable for avoiding most of intestinal worms (also could run the extract of garlic or garlic oil). At the same time the grapefruit seed extract helps us to combat colds and the majority of infections (angina, otitis, cándidas, cystitis, etc ...).
For sunburn
Plant: St. John's wort
Properties: The St. John's wort is excellent, apart from sunburn, in case of hives, sores or blisters on the feet or as a moisturizer.
Plant: Calendula
Properties: The calendula calm irritation armpits, genital areas, English, etc. produced by heat or sweat. It may also be valid in case of eczema
Plant: The aloe Vera or SábilaProperties Anti-inflammatory, laxative, high-dose laxative helps aged or irritated skin, sores, bruises, minor burns, pigmentation, insect bites, eczema nuts, grains, acne, canker sores, bleeding gums, inflammation of the eyelids
For the dizziness and vomiting
Plant. Ginger
Properties: digestive stimulant that prevents dizziness and vomiting and is also suitable for pregnant women.
To help sleep on a long journey or for combat stress of the journey
Plant: Valerian
Properties. Sedative recommended in case of timely or chronic insomnia, stress and mild anxiety states.
Bruises & dislocations
Plant: ArnicaProperties: It is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory herbal products for external use. It is also analgesic, antiseptic, antimicrobial, healing and relieves muscle pain.
For something cold and fever
Plant: ulmaria
Properties: It is stated in colds and flu, but also in rheumatic pain and urinary disorders.
To reduce the swelling of insect bites
Plant: Calendula
Properties: The creams and ointments with marigold are very effective, and prevent further infection to develop.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Forgotten but not gone
Nerve cells retain many of their newly created connections and if necessary, inactivate only transmission of the information. This makes relearning easier.
Thanks to our ability to learn and to remember, we can perform tasks that other living things can not even dream of. However, we are only just beginning to get the idea of what really goes on in the brain when it learns or forgets something. What we do know is that changes in the contacts between nerve cells play an important role.
Scientists have recently been able to show that new cell contacts established during the learning process stay put even when they are no longer required.This enables our brain not only to learn very complex associations and sequences of movement, such as riding a bicycle, skiing, speaking different languages or playing an instrument, but to retain your ability to relearn these skills quickly long after you have put them aside.
Unhappy People Watch TV, Happy People Read/Socialize
Do you consider yourself to be a happy person?
While searching for information for my blog I came across this article which talked about unhappy people and how they are unhappy because of TV! Weird right who ever was to think that to much television can actually make one sad.
A new study by sociologists at the University of Maryland concludes that unhappy people watch more TV, while people who describe themselves as "very happy" spend more time reading and socializing. Analyzing 30-years worth of national data from time use studies and a continuing series of social attitude surveys, the Maryland researchers report that spending time watching television may contribute to viewers' happiness in the moment, with less positive effects in the long run.
"Addictive activities produce momentary pleasure and long-term misery and regret," says Martin likens
So now that you know will you watch less TV?
While searching for information for my blog I came across this article which talked about unhappy people and how they are unhappy because of TV! Weird right who ever was to think that to much television can actually make one sad.
A new study by sociologists at the University of Maryland concludes that unhappy people watch more TV, while people who describe themselves as "very happy" spend more time reading and socializing. Analyzing 30-years worth of national data from time use studies and a continuing series of social attitude surveys, the Maryland researchers report that spending time watching television may contribute to viewers' happiness in the moment, with less positive effects in the long run.
"Addictive activities produce momentary pleasure and long-term misery and regret," says Martin likens
So now that you know will you watch less TV?
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