Published December 15th, 2008
in Cancer Help and Healthy Foods.
Indole-3-carbinol, a powerful compound found in broccoli and cabbage, appears to help fight late-stage cancer in the body. Researchers from UC Berkeley found that the compound works by reducing the activity of an enzyme associated with rapidly progressing cancer.
Indole-3-carbinol is already being studied in other labs because it’s been found to stop the growth of breast and prostate cancers in mice.
This is yet another reason to include the “powerfoods” broccoli and cabbage in your diet!
Learn more:
Broccoli compound targets key enzyme in late-stage cancer
Published December 3rd, 2008
in Children's Health.
A new report confirms what many parents have long known: too much exposure to television (and media in general) can significantly harm a child’s long-term health. Researchers from the Yale University School of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, and California Pacific Medical Center found a “strong correlation between media exposure and long-term negative health effects to children”… especially obesity.
The bottom line: Don’t let your kids develop a TV or computer habit. Get them involved in positive and productive activities!
Learn more: Report Ties Children’s Use of Media to Their Health
(via Eco Child’s Play)
Published October 7th, 2008
in Health Studies and Children's Health.
Using a fan to circulate the air in the room where your baby sleeps may help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of death in infants during the first 12 months of life. Researchers from Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, California found that circulating air using a fan significantly decreased (by 72 percent) the risk of SIDS in a study of about 500 infants.
According to researcher Dr. De-Kun Li:
“The baby’s sleeping environment really matters… his seems to suggest that by improving room ventilation we can further reduce [SIDS] risk.”
Other things experts recommend for preventing SIDS include:
- placing your baby on his or her back to sleep
- having a firm mattress
- removing toys, pillows, and other objects from the crib
- keeping the infant from getting too warm
The bottom line: make sure that your baby is able to get enough air into his or her lungs during sleep.
Learn more:
Fan use linked to lower risk of sudden baby death
Published August 13th, 2008
in Exercise, Anti-Aging and Health Studies.
You may be able to slow down the aging process and live longer by taking up running… or any other form of consistent aerobic exercise. A new study from Stanford University confirmed what most health experts have long suspected: runners live longer, healthier lives.
The study found that middle-aged runners were 50% less likely to die over a 20-year period as non-runners. According to researchers, consistent running reduced the risk of heart disease, cancer, and even neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
According to researcher Dr. James Fries:
“Both common sense and background science support the idea that there is nothing magical about running per se… It is the regular physical vigorous activity that is important.”
Obviously, if you want to live a long, healthy, and enjoyable life, you should take up running or some other form of consistent vigorous exercise!
Related:
Runners’ High: Joggers Live Longer
Eating large amounts of watermelon may provide some Viagra-like effects, according to a new study from the US Department of Agriculture. Researchers said that a compound found in the watery fruit called citrulline triggers production of the important amino acid arginine. The arginine in turn boosts nitric oxide in the body, naturally relaxing blood vessels in a way similar to Viagra.
Researchers said you would have to eat about 6 cups of watermelon to get enough citrulline to notice any benefit. They also noted that yellow-fleshed watermelons contain the highest amount of the substance. Among all plant foods, the highest concentrations of citrulline can be found in walnut seedlings.
The bottom line: If you’re looking for a natural Viagra-alternative, try eating some watermelon and/or walnut seedlings!
Related:
Scientists: Watermelon yields Viagra-like effects
Natural Alternatives to Viagra