Health Tips and News Updates

NATURAL HEALTH:  Tips to fight the winter blues   Niagara Gazette — Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that affects many individuals especially in regions that experience longer and colder winters. The farther north you are from the equator, the higher your incidence of suffering from this very real form of depression. In most cases, SAD occurs each year around the same time. Common symptoms include depression, sadness, inability to concentrate, lack of motivation, increased carbohydrate cravings, weight gain and longer sleep patterns. Many become frustrated because they have a difficult time “snapping out” of these feelings. Women are more likely to suffer SAD and most fall between the ages of 20 and 40. The short daylight hours seem to play havoc with our body’s internal clock and interfere with our normal biological rhythms that regulate all of our physical and psychological functions. Symptoms generally become worse in January and Februa...

Mental Health Minute:  Tips for managing holiday stress   The holidays are jolly, but can be a hectic and stressful time. Whether your stress comes from being alone or being surrounded by loved ones, holiday stress can happen to anyone. Healthy ways to manage holiday stress include budgeting, volunteering, planning, relaxing and sticking (somewhat) to your usual routine. Frivolous spending can certainly increase stress during the holidays. One way to decrease holiday stress is to budget realistically for holiday spending. Using credit to buy gifts can increase stress when the credit card bill arrives. Decide how much you can afford to spend on gifts and plan what to purchase. Giving homemade presents can be an excellent way to save money and make others happy with a thoughtful gift. Whether you're alone or with loved ones, volunteer your time and help others this holiday season. There are plenty of non-profits that will really appreciate your contribution. Volunt...

Stem cells may prevent tissue rejection in breast reconstruction surgery  Stem Cells  Scientists are reporting breast reconstruction surgery may be improved by adding stem cells and fat to the procedure.  A new study published Sept. 26 in The Lancet found the technique was superior to typical reconstruction surgeries that use only fat grafts harvested from elsewhere in the body. More than 232,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Women who undergo surgical removal of their breasts, or mastectomy, to treat their cancer may undergo breast reconstruction. Options include getting breast implants or taking skin, muscle and fat from elsewhere in the body to help reconstruct the breast. According to the study's authors, the majority of board-certified plastic surgeons in the U.S. opt for this technique which is called lipofilling or autologous fat grafting. But all the fat doesn't always take in its new location, they added, with rates of the per...

Ginseng, Fish, Berries, or Caffeine Listen to the buzz about foods and dietary supplements and you'll believe they can do everything from sharpen focus and concentration, to enhance memory, attention span, and brain function. But do they really work? There's no denying that as we age chronologically, our body ages right along with us. The good news is that you can increase your chances of maintaining a healthy brain -- if you add "smart" foods and beverages to your diet. Caffeine Can Make You More Alert There's no magic bullet to boost IQ or make you smarter -- but certain substances, like caffeine, can energize and help you focus and concentrate. Found in coffee, chocolate, energy drinks, and some medications, caffeine gives you that unmistakable wake-up buzz -- though the effects are short term. And more is often less: Overdo it on caffeine and it can make you jittery and uncomfortable. Sugar Can Enhance Alertness Sugar is your brain's preferred fu...

8 Benefits of Aloe Vera Gel for Face  Aloe Vera Gel. There are numerous benefits of aloe vera. Aloe vera has been gaining popularity worldwide because of the many benefits this cactus-like plant offers. Its extracts have been used in many kinds of skin care and cosmetic products throughout history. Using aloe vera gel provides many nutrients to the skin/ The gel from the pulp of this succulent plant is rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamin C, A, amino acids, polysaccharides, enzymes and proteins. These are some of the vital nutrients required for a healthy skin. It is a natural moisturizer which means it retains the natural pH balance and moisture. Plus, it also absorbs water from the air providing additional moisture for the skin. It helps heal chapped skin, minor cuts, rashes and can also be applied organic after-shave for relief from irritations. t is suitable for any skin type whether it be dry, oily, normal or combination. It is also beneficial for sensitive skin...

The newest miracle drink might not be as healthy as you think   Aloe Vera juice If you do a Google search for ‘aloe vera juice’ you’ll quickly conclude that drinking aloe vera juice is the ultimate healthy habit, as it seemingly aids in weight loss, digestion, immune function, and even ‘easing general discomfort’. But when you look beyond the first 40+ search results (all of the sites that list the amazing benefits of aloe vera juice just before they sell you an ongoing monthly supply), it’s a different, more accurate story. What is interesting about aloe vera juice is that despite the huge marketing push to educate people on its benefits, there is very little scientific data to support its use in humans. What’s more, some of the toxicity research done in animals is alarming. Information regarding aloe vera’s use dates back nearly 5,000 years to early Egyptian times. It has since been used both topically and orally. Aloe vera gel, found when you break open the green leafy skin, is ...

What you need to know about breast reconstruction  Brad Pit, Angela Jolie As more women are learning about the heroic steps that Angelina Jolie took when she decided to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy, I’ve received many questions regarding the surgical techniques used in these reconstructions and how they have improved. We spoke to leading reconstructive surgeon Dr. Richard Winters, vice chairman of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, about the latest techniques. Once a woman decides to have this surgery, what are her options? “When a woman decides she is having a prophylactic mastectomy, the first consideration is whether she will keep her own nipple or not. Will it be ‘nipple sparing’ or ‘skin sparing’ surgery? Angelina Jolie had ‘nipple sparing’ surgery. Nipple sparing is simply that – you leave the nipple. If a woman comes in who has breast cancer, it is not conventional to ever leave the nipple behind. In a p...

Aloe vera is known as the magical herb as it has many medicinal benefits. Aloe vera benefits are mentioned in almost all books on medicine and herb. The herb is also known for its various skin care benefits. It contains many elements that have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. The use of this herb for skin care dates back to the times of ancient Egypt and Greece. Some of the aloe vera benefits for the skin are mentioned below. Aloe Vera Inner side  Aloe Vera Benefits for Skin Aloe vera is very good for cracked and dry skin. It can be applied to dry and cracked skin in order to get relief. It helps dry skin by moisturizing it. Aloe vera juice acts as a natural barrier and protects the skin from dangerous toxins. Various wounds, burns and inflammations can be cured with the help of lotions containing the herb. It also helps in reducing the pain caused by them. It also helps in fighting acne. It does this by preventing the excessive production of sebum...

Benefits of Aloe Vera for Hair Aloe Vera for hair The benefits of Aloe Vera for hair can be traced to its 75 known nutrients, but it is hypothesized that Aloe Vera, or aloe barbadensis, contains over 100 traceable nutrients. It should come to know surprise that Organic Color Systems would take advantage of this awesome plant as an ingredient in the majority of products, including our ammonia-free professional color line.   1) Promotes Hair Growth According to University of Hawaii researchers, we can trace the use of Aloe Vera for hair loss back to the ancient Egyptians. In fact, Aloe Vera contains enzymes that directly promote healthy hair growth. These proteolitic enzymes are able to to eradicate dead skin cells on the scalp that could be clogging the the hair follicle, not allowing for the proper penetration of nutrients in the hair. Conditions like seborrhea, which occurs from an accumulation of sebum on the scalp, can contribute to partial baldness. Aloe Vera’s keratoli...

Safety Advice Clean: Wash Hands and Surfaces Often Bacteria can be spread throughout the kitchen and get onto hands, cutting boards, utensils, counter tops, and food. • Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and after using the bathroom or changing diapers. • Wash your hands after playing with pets or visiting petting zoos. • Wash your cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go on to the next food. • Consider using paper towels to clean up kitchen surfaces. If you use cloth towels wash them often in the hot cycle of your washing machine. • Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water, including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten. • Rub firm-skinned fruits and vegetables under running tap water or scrub with a clean vegetable brush while rinsing with running tap water. • Keep books, backpacks, or shopping bags off the k...

Tips for Eating Healthy When Eating out Eating out • As a beverage choice, ask for water or order fat-free or low-fat milk, unsweetened tea, or other drinks without added sugars. • Ask for whole-wheat bread for sandwiches. • In a restaurant, start your meal with a salad packed with veggies, to help control hunger and feel satisfied sooner. • Ask for salad dressing to be served on the side. Then use only as much as you want. • Choose main dishes that include vegetables, such as stir fries, kebobs, or pasta with a tomato sauce. • Order steamed, grilled, or broiled dishes instead of those that are fried or sautéed. • Choose a small" or "medium" portion. This includes main dishes, side dishes, and beverages. • Order an item from the menu instead heading for the "all-you-can-eat" buffet. • If main portions at a restaurant are larger than you want, try one of these strategies to keep from overeating:  o Order an appetizer-sized portion or a side dis...

 Autism Risk to Creases in Placenta After most pregnancies, the placenta is thrown out, having done its job of nourishing and supporting the developing baby. But a new study raises the possibility that analyzing the placenta after birth may provide clues to a child’s risk for developing autism . The study, which analyzed placentas from 217 births, found that in families at high genetic risk for having an autistic child, placentas were significantly more likely to have abnormal folds and creases. “It’s quite stark,” said Dr. Cheryl K. Walker, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Mind Institute at the University of California, Davis, and a co-author of the study, published in the journal Biological Psychiatry. “Placentas from babies at risk for autism, clearly there’s something quite different about them.” Researchers will not know until at least next year how many of the children, who are between 2 and 5, whose placentas were studied will be found t...

The new research suggests that giving diabetics a hormone might help them avoid insulin shots. A newly discovered mouse hormone may open the door to better treatment for diabetes, researchers suggested Thursday. The hormone, called betatrophin, triggers the growth of pancreatic "beta" cells lost or ineffective in diabetes. Insulin is produced by beta cells in the pancreas. Diabetes afflicts more than 25 million people nationwide, according to the American Diabetes Association. It is a condition that causes high blood sugar that can lead to heart disease, kidney failure and blindness. In the journal Cell , a team led by Harvard's Peng Yi reports that betatrophin can produce a roughly seventeenfold increase in these cells, and its increase may partly explain the rapid growth of these cells seen during pregnancy to feed developing fetuses in mammals, including people. "This is really an amazing discovery. Hormones with this kind of effect aren't ...

Facts About Diabetes About 25.6 million people age 20 or older -- more than 1 in every 9 -- have type 2 diabetes. Another 79 million people are considered prediabetic. Type 2 diabetes is serious. In 2007, diabetes contributed to 231,404 deaths. Adults who have diabetes are two to four times more likely to die of heart disease compared to those without diabetes, and 67% have high blood pressure. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and blindness in adults. Nerve problems -- such as impaired sensation in the feet or carpal tunnel syndrome -- affect 60% to 70% of people with diabetes. More than 60% of lower-limb amputations that are not a result of trauma are performed on people with diabetes. The average medical expenses for someone with diabetes are 2.3 times more than for someone without.    Types of Diabetes Although both type 1 and type 2 diabetes affect the way the body controls the level of blood glucose, the two conditi...