Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Wealth of Online Health Information

Much health information can be found online. We take this free massive amount of information for granted. If we have a quick question that does not involve illness or risk, we can look online. For health and science in formation, we must make sure that the Web sites have authority control. this means that they have been written by and-or peer reviewed by physicians, scientists, nurses, physical therapists and others who know what they are talking about. (Different Strokes: Whatcha talking about, Willis?) Now, some sites with no authority control, like Wikipedia, have been shown to be overall reliable. This must be "look good" patrol, but that's another blog post. Other Web sites, such as WebMD, Livestrong, Yahoo Health, etc., cannot be relied upon alone. Often they are written by writers who are not educated or experienced science writers who have referenced articles. Use your common sense to see if the source of the data is reliable.

Some good health Web sites are: www.pubmed.gov, www.cdc.gov, www.who.int, www.aarp.org and www.mayoclinic.org. As with physicians, get a second opinion.

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Get a Partner

Many people have partners for jogging or swimming. Partners are good for motivation, accountability and to keep from getting bored. I personally do not get bored exercising. I am in the zone, I get creative, I think of kicking butt (my own or others', or I can read or watch television on cardiovascular equipment. But there is nothing wrong with having a patner. Just make sure to breath well and deeply if you are talking.

You can of course shoot some hoops, do calisthenics, run an obstacle course, dance, and more. Use your imagination.

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Lunge and Lift

Here's an advanced variation of the lunge:

Lunge with your right leg forward and, after you stand in the starting position, bring up your right leg, still bent 90 degrees, over the floor, thigh parallel to the floor. Your back is straight. You can also hold this for three seconds. Now repeat after you lunge with your left leg forward. For a harder exercise, jump up after you thigh is parallel to the floor. Do one set of ten repetitions until you can do more.

For standard lunges, search this blog.

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Chocolate on Oprah Magazine

I have written a blog post weeks ago on the antioxidant benefits of dark chocolate. I love reading O, the Oprah Magazine. She had a small article in about the benefits of dark chocolate. The writer wrote that years ago studies came out on dark chocolate's benefits against heart disease and cancer. Do a www.pubmed.gov search for abstracts or www.pubmedcentral.gov search for full text articles. Now a new study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology claims that dark chocolate protects from sun damage due to sun exposure. Cacao is the important ingredient, according to Joe Vinson, Ph.D., one of the study's writers and a chemistry professor at the University of Scranton. It is best to eat a little thorughout the day, like dark chocolate tasting squares that many companies have. Dark chocolate may avoid one or two facials and save money too! I like it!

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Waist to Hip Ratio

First, calculate your waist to hip ratio. Measure your waist at its smallest circumference. Measure your hips-buttocks at the largest circumference. Use the same measurement, centimeters or inches, for both. Divide the waist measure by the hip measure. The ratio 0.80 and below is healthy for women.

According to the AAFP, a small waist to hip ratio is an even better predictor of health than BMI. Women naturally have more fat than men or female primates. Abdominal fat for both me and women is more dangerous than hip fat. A 2008 study showed that lower body fat may even be healthy.

William D. Lassek of the Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh and Stephen J. C. Galli of department of Anthropology, University of California at Santa Barbara conducted a study in 2008 about the waist to hip ratio. They concluded that women with a waist to hip ratio of about .70 are not only more attractive to men, they may be a bit smarter than women with a smaller waist to hip ratio. The study, which included more than 16,000 women aged 18 to 90 years between 1988 and 1994, is inconclusive. However, scientists pointed out again that excess waist fat is more dangerous than fat on legs and hips. Waist fat tends to contain omega-six fatty acids such as linoleic acid that may lead to inflammation. Leg and hip fat tends to be composed of omega three fatty acids, which are healthier. Omega six fatty acids have been linked to depression. A 1991 University of Pittsburgh study showed that a larger waist compared to the hips in middle-aged women was associated with cardiovascular risk such as smoking, low exercise levels, weight gain during adulthood, and higher caloric intake, and with anxiety and anger.

Some information for this blog post was obtained from http://www.e-healthcaresolutions.com/AAFP/dell-afp-0210-inter.php?url=http://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/0601/p2046a.html and http://www.psych.ucsb.edu/research/cep/papers/whrlassekgaulin2008.pdf.

Here is a chart form http://www.bmi-calculator.net/waist-to-hip-ratio-calculator/waist-to-hip-ratio-chart.php.

Male Female Health Risk Based Solely on WHR
0.95 or below 0.80 or below Low Risk
0.96 to 1.0 0.81 to 0.85 Moderate Risk
1.0+ 0.85+ High Risk
Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Film Food Inc.

I watched the film Food Inc. yesterday on DVD. It was very good. I thought it would be more compelling. However, the slaughter of the chickens and cows with feces were bad enough. I really felt bad for the animals. I have not been able to be a vegetarian. I also think one can have some processed foods and fats in balance and while thinking healthy and exercising. I believe that there is a dilemma with keeping food cheap and making a profit and having all farms be organic.

There must be more competition in companies that produce food. Farmers should be able to speak up without spending enormous amounts on legal help Mosanto should not control seeds, as is claimed in the film. I loved the commitment to integrity and accountability of the organic farmer.

I am not sure about genetically engineered food being bad for you necessarily. Some may be good. I think genetic medicine in the future can be beneficial. I would need to know about each molecule.

I cannot believe that farmers often go to debt opening $500,000 hen houses to make $18,000.00 a year. According to the film, this is how large corporations control them. I also cannot believe a lady who lost her so due to Escherchia coli cannot say what diet changes she has made because she is afraid of being sued by a large corporation.

A major point was how less healthy food like McDonald's hamburgers can be cheaper than vegetables at the market. One cannot feel full on one or two fruits and vegetables for hours as they can with a McDonald's meal, let's say. A Hispanic family needed to choose between buying healthy groceries and spending money on the Dad's needed prescribed drugs each month.

There is a glimmer of hope in that we can use the power of the purse as consumers, as many did with tobacco, to send a message to governments and corporations.

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

New York Times Article of 3.14.2010 The Obesity-Hunger Paradox

There is a wonderful article in the Metropolitan section of the New York Times linking obesity to not having enough food to eat. The Bronx is the poorest county of New York State. Many there are obese and report not having enough money to buy food to eat. According to one poll, 37 percent of Bronx residents polled reported not having enough money to buy food in the past 12 months. Many residents rely on food stamps. Triada Stamps of the Food Bank of New York City said that the following factors are interconnected: obesity, diabetes, poor access to grocery stores, poverty rates, unemployment and hunger measures.

The author Sam Dolnick writes that a predominance of fast food neighborhood restaurants and a lack of education are two leading factors for this obesity. Mr. Dolnick quotes Mr. Berg, the author of All You Can Eat: How Hungry is America?: "When you're just trying to get your calorie intake, you're going to get what fills your belly".

I recommend reading the article and doing more research on this. The New York Times is carried in all or most libraries. Tour your neighborhood grocery and restaurant stores to see what food bargains you can find that are healthy. Do your own cooking several days a week.

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Metro New York Article on Smoking

I read a great article today in Metro New York, and perhaps in other Metros, summarizing the effects of smoking. I smoke a little. Two things popped out the most for me -- skin effects and fertility effects.

Here is a summary:

Lungs: Paralyzes ciliary hairs that clean out the lungs. About 70 percent of tar sticks to the lungs ad kills healthy cells. It's the same tar used in road paving.

Heart: Your heart beats a extra 36,000 beats per day. Arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat can result.

Blood: Carbon monoxide takes the place of oxygen in blood, which is therefore less oxygenated. Less oxygen is available to cells. If you exercise, this is especially not good.

Blood Pressure: Increases blood vessel constriction and raised blood pressure 10 percent to 15 percent, increasing the risk for heart attack or stroke.

Brain: The brain endorses endorphins, making you feel good when you smoke.

Teeth: They get stained from nicotine and tar.

Nose and tongue: The senses of smell and taste fade.

Skin: Because of decreased oxygen levels, premature aging may occur.

Fertility: Women -- Heavy smokers show a 43 percent decline in fertility.

Men -- Male smokers may have a lower sperm count, altered sperm shape and erectile problems.

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Should People Take Nutrition Supplements?

This is one of my comments from a discussion on LinkedIn Group Fitness and Wellness Professionals. I can add to it but won't for now.

Insiders like pharmacists or doctors can cite more studies, probably on either side. I won't spend a lot more time on this. The supplement biz is a biz just like pharma is. There are "good and bad" people everywhere. Some pharma companies have really smart people turning out drugs that save lives. And some drugs have may side effects that can harm or kill. And some people that don't need to take them take them, when more can learn about the mind-body connection, meditating, etc. Some people try to get away with things like working around regulation. [Again, if pharma people do it, supplement ones can too.] You can see two sides in almost anything. For the most part, I'd bet that unless one is sick, pregnant, old, going through extreme training or competition, etc., a daily good diet will take care of what they need. Many vitamins and minerals are water-soluble, which means you get rid of them in the bathroom, and high amounts of the fat-soluble ones are not good.
A good resource is www.pubmed.gov. Here are two articles. There are more that can be found on "both sides" I am sure. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15229713
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15035689 ("not enough studies")
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19584605
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19960886 (supplements alter chemistry; deaths found)

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Cover of New York Magazine: Woman of the Hourglass

I was going to ask the dentist for 20% off and he gave me 40% without my asking! In his office I saw the cover of New York on voluptuous being back. The beautiful voluptuous redhead bombshell Christina Hendricks is on the cover with the story: Woman of the Hourglass. It is my commitment that not only will there be less obese in this country and that people will learn that exercise is fun, but that there will be a shift in fashion and media away from the often prevalent fat phobia and idea you must be thin or have all your muscles showing to be fit. Although beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, I do prefer the balance of thin, curves and muscles, and that, if you ask most doctors, is most healthy. I think different images can be used, but it would not hurt some health magazines editors and designers to show an athletically fit woman who actually has some fat (over 20%) and is not either a rail, nor has all muscles showing due to very low body fat. Most dangerous fat is around the waist, but some think that healthy breasts and hips mean fat. (See other sections on recent scientific studies.)

I cannot vouch for Ms. Hendrick’s fitness. I have my ideas as a trained eye, but did not take her body fat percent or BMI. But I can say some of what the writer wrote I could have written myself, and it is quite funny. Here are some quotes by Amy Larocca.

Unfortunately, some images from the same magazine, like on page 40, 105 and 115, show emaciated figures, like in some refugee camps. Call the UN!

“But lately there have also been baby steps take toward the (unfortunately) radical idea that looking good need not involve so much rejection of the naturally occurring female shape.” I add: what estrogen does naturally.

“But too often the size discussion becomes almost grotesque, as if the only alternative to being as lean as a skinless Perdue chicken breast is to veer wildly (and unhealthily) in the opposite direction (Gabourey Sidibe, Beth Ditto). One can’t help wonder if the fashion world’s obsession with those two women, both of whom deserve prominent coverage for their talent first and foremost, isn’t in some sense overcompensation, an attempt to atone for the terribly thin models who still hold sway everywhere. Either way, it becomes a game of extremism.” (Bravo) “It is perhaps ironic that Hendricks actually started out as a model—catalogues, mostly, but there was one season on the London runway that ended when her agent said, “Darling, did your boobs grow?” (One imagines that future seasons might see the question posed in the opposite direction.)” LOL

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.