The Case for Healthy Bowels: The Vital Connection Between Your Gut and Your Health

How healthy are your bowels?

Does that sound silly? It shouldn't. In fact, improving and maintaining the condition of your bowels is serious business.

Chances are you have digestive issues. And you're not alone. According to recent studies conducted by the Dannon Company in 2007, nearly 90 percent of Americans deal with occasional problems with digestion.¹ Seventy percent of women say digestive concerns negatively impact their lives every single day.

Digestive concerns aren't a fun topic of conversation. In fact, many people have trouble talking to their own doctor about their concerns. Others suffer in silent embarrassment, worry and discomfort over the rumbling and gurgling -- the cramps, bloating and gas. The constipation. Or diarrhea. 

The fact is that if your digestive tract isn't operating efficiently, you have more to worry about than just your colon. When you carry around too few friendly bacteria and an overabundance of the bad stuff, your body doesn't make use of all the nutrients you're feeding it.

Your healthy diet won't matter, nor will the nutritional supplements you take. If your digestive system isn't operating efficiently, you aren't getting the full benefit of your good nutritional habits. Not only is your health at risk, but you're throwing money away on high-quality food and nutritional supplements that your body can't make use of.

The good news?

Improving the health of your digestive system is often a simple, straightforward process of achieving the right balance of good and bad gut bacteria. It's a matter of moving the right bacteria, in the right amounts, into permanent residence in your digestive tract.

There are various ways to get the job done, some of which will be discussed later on in this report.

Three very positive changes occur when your good-to-bad intestinal bacteria ratio is brought into balance:

1. Your digestive symptoms diminish or disappear, leaving you comfortable and free to enjoy every day to the fullest.
2. Your body begins to use all the good food and nutritional supplements you feed it.
3. Your immune system de-stresses and is better equipped to fight off disease, contributing to a longer and healthier life.

A few interesting facts about intestinal bacteria:²

1. Your body is home to about one hundred trillion bacteria.
2. There are 500 different species of bacteria comprising that population.
3. The ratio of good to bad bacteria is a critical measure in determining your overall health. The ideal balance is 85 percent good and 15 percent bad.
4. One of the jobs of good bacteria is to control the growth of bad bacteria by competing for nutrition and attachment sites in your colon.

Chances are you have a good idea... a gut feeling... whether your digestive system is working properly. What you probably don't know, though, is how things got out of whack to begin with.

If your colon has been suddenly overtaken by bad bacteria, it likely started in one of two³ ways.

1. Have you taken a course of antibiotics recently?

Antibiotics kill off both bad and good bacteria. If you don't have enough good bacteria in your colon to control the growth of the bad guys, the balance will tip in favor of unfriendly bacteria.

1. You've contracted disease-carrying bad guys such as the Clostridium difficile bacterium, or yeasts... or fungi. Perhaps even parasites.

But what if your digestive issues are as old as your memory or have gradually worsened over the years?

Some scientists are studying the possibility that we've taken the use of anti-bacterial products too far.⁴ They suspect that modern hygiene regimens result in too little exposure to helpful bacteria -- bacteria that protect us from allergies and other faulty immune responses.

Bacterial imbalance in your gut can be worsened by processed foods and foods that have been pasteurized or sterilized.

Other factors affecting your good-to-bad bacteria ratio include where you live, your age, your stress level, and any health issues you may have.

The friendly bacteria that reside in your gut have a number of very important jobs to do.⁵

• Digesting and absorbing certain carbohydrates.

Without good gut bacteria, your body cannot absorb certain undigested starches, fiber, and sugars. The friendly bacteria in your digestive tract convert these carbohydrates into primary sources of important energy and nutrients.

• Keeping bad bacteria under control.

Simply stated, friendly bacteria compete with the bad guys for room and board in your digestive tract. Since beneficial bacteria are more at home there, they win most of the battles for nutrition and attachment sites within your colon.

The good bacteria tell your body how much nutrition they need and your body responds by supplying just that much and no more -- so that any excess bad bacteria are starved out. The helpful bacteria also produce a substance that kills harmful microbes.

• Preventing allergies.

Friendly bacteria train your immune system to distinguish between pathogens and non-harmful antigens, and to respond appropriately. This important function prevents your immune system from overreacting to non-harmful antigens, which is the genesis of allergies.

• Providing vital support to your immune system.

Beneficial bacteria have a lifelong, powerful affect on your gut's immune system and your systemic immune system as well. The bacteria play a crucial role the development and operation of the mucosal immune system in your digestive tract. They also aid in the production of antibodies to pathogens.

About 80 percent of the cells of your immune system are located in your digestive tract. With that in mind, it's easy to see why the health of your colon dictates your overall health.

When gut bacteria is out of balance not only is your digestion and feeling of well-being compromised, so is your immune system -- and therefore your ability to defend against serious illness and disease.

The list of conditions and diseases thought to be directly or indirectly related to a shortage of friendly gut bacteria is long and growing longer. It includes the following:

Gut-related issues:

1. Infectious diarrhea
2. Intestinal infection caused by the Clostridium difficile bacterium
3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease)
5. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infection which causes ulcers and chronic stomach inflammation
6. Leaky gut (a compromised intestinal wall that allows undigested foods and toxins to pass into the bloodstream, triggering an inappropriate immune system response)
7. Lactose intolerance

Surgery-related:

1. Pouchitis (a condition that sometimes results from removal of the colon)
2. Post surgical infections

Infections-related:

1. Stomach and respiratory infections in children in daycare settings
2. Urinary and female genital tract infections

Skin-related:

1. Skin infections
2. Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
3. Acne
4. Autism

Other:

• Premenstrual syndrome
• Bladder cancer
• Diabetes
• Tooth decay and gum disease

According to Dr. Martin Blaser, a pioneer in gut microbe research, chronic inflammatory conditions -- diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis -- are among the most challenging medical issues of our day.

Blaser, a NYU Medical Center microbiologist, believes that these diseases could be genetic or autoimmune in nature. OR... they could be a response to the gradual changes in gut flora that are the result of our modern lifestyles -- the drugs we take, the food we eat, and our growing obsession with all things anti-bacterial.

Helicobacter pylori, a strain of bacteria once present in all human guts, has mostly disappeared in the West.

The good news: H. pylori plays a major role in inflammations associated with peptic ulcers and certain stomach cancers, so it appears at first glance that eradication of this microbe is movement in the right direction. However...

The bad news: H. pylori has a benefit -- it actually reduces acid reflux. Acid reflux disease is serious in and of itself, but did you know that it's also implicated in both asthma and cancer of the esophagus?

Dr. Blaser, an expert in H. pylori, links the decline of the strain to the dramatic rise in acid reflux disease and associated conditions. Blaser also points to a connection between H. pylori depletion and obesity -- the bacteria help regulate production of hormones that act on appetite and metabolism.

The theory behind the dramatic rise in allergies and autoimmune diseases holds that we are actually suffering from a lack of bacterial exposure in our modern-day environments.

Scientists believe that early contact with microbes teaches our bodies to respond appropriately to pathogens later in life. It is a lack of exposure, according to experts, that is contributing to a rise in ineffective immune systems.

How attached you are to speed and convenience when it comes to making food choices?

Modern day convenience foods -- foods that are heavily processed and often loaded with sugar -- are essentially the equivalent of pesticides in farming.

Think about it. Pesticides are designed to quickly and conveniently kill plant bugs. What they also unavoidably kill, however, are the microorganisms in the soil, and ultimately, the soil itself.

In much the same way, processed and prepackaged foods are designed to quickly and conveniently kill your hunger or thirst, or both.

But convenience foods are often so preservative-dense and nutrient-deficient that they do more harm than good inside your body. Among other things, they promote the growth of pathogens -- bad bugs -- thereby hampering the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut. And you know where that leads -- right?

What, exactly, are processed foods?

Simply put, they are foods altered from their natural state.⁶ They might be canned, frozen, or dehydrated. They frequently contain trans fats, and high levels of sodium and sugar. A few processed foods can be healthier than others -- 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices, for example. Or frozen vegetables.

Processed foods to be avoided include:

• boxed meals (macaroni and cheese, hamburger and tuna 'helpers,' etc.)
• chips and other high-calorie snack foods
• foods made with refined white flour (white breads, pastas, rice)
• frozen dinners
• high-fat canned foods (spaghetti, for example)
• packaged cakes and cookies
• processed meats (sausage, hot dogs, bologna and other packaged lunch meats)
• sodium-laden canned foods
• sugared cereals

If you're planning to wean yourself from convenience foods, start by eliminating processed meats. They're the worst of the worst and are thought to increase your risk of certain types of cancers.

Even though the average modern American ingests over a half-cup of sugar every day -- 175 pounds per year -- it may surprise you to know that sugar is not a food.⁷ And your body doesn't like much of it since it has trouble digesting the stuff and making use of it.

Sugar promotes the growth of disease-causing yeasts and fungi. Symptoms of a yeast (candida) overgrowth include fatigue, lethargy, depression, irritability, headaches, problems concentrating, muscle weakness, recurrent vaginal and urinary tract infections, athlete's foot, jock itch, persistent heartburn, indigestion, constipation, swollen joints, nasal congestion and sore throat.⁸

Like processed foods, sugar encourages your bad gut bacteria to grow, flourish, and overwhelm your digestive tract.

And that's just for starters.

Sugar in all its forms is the number one source of calories in the American diet. It is also the number one reason 66 percent of Americans are overweight, and half of that group is obese.

The list of sugar consumption-related health problems -- over and above those associated with weight gain and obesity -- is long and impressive. Conditions and diseases that affect every square inch of you, inside and out, can be directly or indirectly the result of excessive sugar intake.

From problems with your eyesight to the very structure of your DNA -- from tooth decay to fluid retention to Alzheimer's to cancer -- sugar can play a role.

What you should avoid:

• All artificial sweeteners, such as: NutraSweet, Equal, Splenda, sucralose and others
• The obvious sweet and dessert-type stuff -- candy, gum, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, ice cream, etc.
• Cane syrup
• Corn syrup and corn sugar
• Invert sugar
• All the -- oses, including dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, and maltose

In case you don't have reason enough yet to re-evaluate your sugar intake, here's another twist in the sugar-obesity connection. Researchers have discovered a difference in gut bacteria between the overweight and those of normal weight.⁹

In the obese, a bacterial strain known as firmicutes is found in much greater abundance than in leaner individuals. In those of normal weight, the bacteroidetes strain is in greater supply.

The firmicutes bacteria appear to be much better than the bacteroidetes strain at turning calories from complex sugars into fat. But as those who are overweight begin to slim down, the bacterial balance shifts from predominantly firmicutes to predominantly bacteroidetes.

Despite the fact that modern day lifestyles and habits have contributed to our digestive issues and related health concerns, the answer is not to turn back the clock.

There are steps you can take -- foods and supplements you can consume -- that will help to re-balance the bacteria in your digestive system and maintain it at an optimum level of health.

When your good-to-bad bacteria ratio is ideal (85 percent good to 15 percent bad), your digestive symptoms will subside. You can relax knowing that you are giving your immune system the support it needs to respond effectively to serious threats to your well-being.

In contrast to the pesticide effect of processed foods and sugar on the state of your health, fermented foods act as natural fertilizers, if you will -- providing nutrients and promoting growth of healthy bacteria in your digestive tract.

For ages, humans have used fermented foods to improve intestinal health. In fact, people of Bulgarian and Asian descent are known for their longevity -- and their consumption of fermented foods.

Traditionally fermented foods contain living micro-organisms that replenish the friendly bacteria in your digestive tract.

A few of the foods in this group include:

• Fermented milk
• Natto
• Miso
• Kimchee
• Tempeh
• Kefir
• Yogurt
• Olives
• Sauerkraut
• Pickles

It is important to note that traditionally fermented foods are not the equivalent of the same foods, commercially processed.¹⁰ The only way to insure you're consuming the real thing is to prepare your own fermented foods at home.

Try a Kefir Cocktail

Kefir, which means ‘feel good’, is a traditionally fermented food rich in enzymes, beneficial yeast and gut-friendly bacteria. It is similar in consistency to liquid yogurt and when prepared correctly is refreshing, energizing drink.

Kefir provides all the benefits of a probiotic – and much more.  It’s considered superior therapeutic nutrition, rich in many of the minerals and essential amino acids your body requires for optimum health.  And Kefir not only contains strains of friendly bacteria that yogurt does not – it also helps to colonize your digestive tract.

Another benefit of Kefir is that all lactose is digested in the culturing process, making it safe for many who are lactose-intolerant.  If you find that you do have trouble digesting the milk Kefir, you can substitute coconut juice.

Kefir is easy to make at home.

Combine Kefir granules with your favorite milk or coconut juice and let the mixture ferment.  Both temperature and time play a role in determining the consistency and taste that is most appealing to you.  Shoot for a creamy texture – a little thicker than milk.  Refrigerate and drink a toast daily to your good health.

If you don’t have the time or interest in experimenting with traditionally fermented foods, don’t despair.  There is an alternative.

The word probiotics means 'for life.' The dietary supplement was invented by Elie Metchnikoff, a Russian physiologist and Nobel prize winner. Metchnikoff was the first to suggest that consuming acid-producing live organisms maintained the vitality of your large intestine, leading to a longer and healthier life.¹²

Like those found in traditionally fermented foods, the live micro-organisms in probiotic supplements help to replenish and maintain the friendly bacteria in your intestinal tract. Good bacteria drive down the pH of your gut, which creates an inhospitable environment for bad bacteria. The result is that the good guys flourish and the bad guys are kept in check.

How often should you take a probiotic supplement? Taken daily, probiotics will help ease any current digestive upsets you're experiencing and will also act to maintain the bacterial balance in your gut longer term.

What you should look for in a probiotic supplement:

• No need for refrigeration
• Long shelf life
• Can survive stomach acid so that it reaches your small intestine
• Stays resident in your digestive tract long enough to be effective

There is mounting evidence that probiotic supplements can be beneficial for everyone -- from infants to the elderly -- for a wide range of symptoms, conditions and diseases.

Infants and children

Probiotics have gained recognition as an effective treatment for diarrhea in children. They have also been used in newborns and infants to repair and support the reliability of their developing digestive systems.

What you might not know is that a number of studies are planned or underway to test the benefit of probiotics in treating a wide variety of other conditions and childhood health issues:

1. Probiotics are being considered in the treatment of children with HIV/AIDS.¹³
2. A study is currently underway to see if probiotic supplements can prevent asthma in children.¹⁴
3. Still another study was conducted to gauge the impact of probiotic supplementation on the oral health of children.¹⁵
4. A European study reported good results in achieving relief of colic in infants.¹⁶
5. There is evidence that probiotics can prevent eczema in infants.¹⁷
6. The beneficial effects of probiotics on GI symptoms related to autism have also been studied.¹⁸

Women We've already discussed the benefits probiotics can provide to the vast majority of women who suffer from digestive distress. However, there are a number of other health issues specific to women that may also be positively impacted by probiotic supplementation. Among them:

1. Urogenital infections¹⁹
2. Immune system support during pregnancy and breastfeeding²⁰

Aging Boomers and the elderly

Around age 60, there is a significant drop in the number of bacteria in our guts.²¹

People over 60 have 1,000 times less friendly bacteria than younger adults. The drop in helpful bacteria increases susceptibility to bowel disorders and infections. Infections may necessitate treatment by antibiotics, which further decimate the good bug count... and you see where this can head.

Clearly, a daily probiotic supplement is an excellent way for older adults to replenish and maintain friendly intestinal bacteria.

Also as you age, your cellular immunity declines.²² (These are the white cells that are absolutely critical to your ability to fight infection and life-threatening diseases such as cancer.)

A nine-week New Zealand study of seniors 63 to 84 indicated that consumption of the probiotic strain known as Bifidobacterium lactisresults in increases in both the number and disease-fighting capacity of white cells. And in fact, the greatest improvement was seen in seniors with the worst immune system responses prior to the study.

Dr. Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., physician and former member of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy, uses probiotics to treat irritable bowel syndrome, acne, eczema -- even PMS.

Says Pizzorno, "It's unusual for me to see a patient with a chronic disease that doesn't respond to probiotics."

Two things are clear:

1. Sufficient amounts of friendly bacteria are fundamental to your good health. It's impossible to be optimally healthy if your gut's bacterial balance is out of whack. 
2. Your lifestyle -- your diet, medications, the antibacterial cleansers you use, and other factors outside your control -- are working together to compromise the number of lifesaving friendly bacteria in your digestive system.

Maintaining a good balance of gut bacteria through diet and regular probiotic supplementation is one of the most important things you can do to increase your chances of remaining healthy and vital for a lifetime.

Source:  Dr. Mercola

Posted:  TrueHealthIsTrueWealth

Checkout:  Sanoviv Medical Center & TaiSlim - The Weight Is Over

32 Girls Have Died

11,916 adverse events already reported to the CDC… and counting. 

Pain and swelling. Life-threatening muscle weakness. Blood clots in the heart and lungs.

And the deaths of 32 innocent girls and young women.

You might think I'm talking about a deadly new disease or a global epidemic…

I'm not.

Sadly, it's more sinister than that. The health threats listed above have all been linked with Gardasil, the so-called "cervical cancer vaccine." And thanks to Pharma giant Merck, desperate parents and naive young women believe this vaccine saves lives… they couldn't be more wrong.

That's why HSI's Jenny Thompson has released a new video in which she exposes the deception for what it is…and reveals some truly shocking information no one else is talking about.

And you are the very first to see it.

Please, if you have daughters, granddaughters or friends who might be considering this terrible vaccine, you must watch this video. And please forward it to anyone you think would benefit from the vital information it contains.

If you think you know the whole story on Gardasil, I think you'll be shocked by what you're about to see. Just click here to start watching the video. It's just a few minutes long…and those few minutes might just save a young girl's life.

Be sure to checkout: HPV Vaccine Dangers 

Suorce: HSI Code Red

Posted: True Health Is True Wealth

Related Articles:  Why Use Vaccine For HPV When Green Tea Works?

Chocolate May Boost Brain Power and Fight Fatigue

The next time your energy slumps, but you need to be sharp, a cup of hot chocolate might be just the boost you need.

That’s because flavanols, which are chemicals plentiful in dark chocolate, fight fatigue and hone mental sharpness, according to scientists at the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Center at Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK.

Researchers gave 30 people a series of math tests before and after having either a flavanol-loaded chocolate drink or a placebo beverage. On a test that required repeatedly subtracting numbers, volunteers who got the flavanol-rich drink performed better than those drinking the dummy drink. In addition, the flavanols seemed to offset the fatigue from the intense mental concentration.

“We asked them about their mental fatigue, and that increased, but the cocoa offset that increase,” said researcher Crystal Haskell.

The brain-boosting effect is tied to flavanols’ ability to dilate blood vessels, allowing more blood to reach important areas of the brain.

The study also found that a 500 mg dose of flavanols worked best. That’s the equivalent of five bars of chocolate, so researchers are trying to discover whether lower levels work as well.

“The amounts we were giving them were more than you would get from eating small amounts in diet,” said co-researcher David Kennedy, “But there is quite a bit of evidence showing that general consumption over time is protective against neurodegenerative disease and decline in cognitive function.”

Flavanols are also found in red wine, olive oil, broccoli, blueberries, tea, and onions. They’ve been linked to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and brain function.

Editor's Note:

Help stop brain shrinkage by exercising your brain; stretch your brain with new challenges, word and number games & puzzles, and by using your memory store: like writing a book, organizing old photos with information or lecturing and teaching about history and past events within your lifetime stored in your memory bank.

The Basics of Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you've recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis — or have a loved one who has — you're likely to have a host of questions. Let's start with the basics: risk factors, symptoms, and treatments. Rheumatoid arthritis, also known as RA, affects more than two million Americans; it's three times more likely in women than men and strikes patients of all ages and races. Symptoms range from mild to severe, with varying degrees of inflammation, swelling, pain, and damage in the joints. While there is no known cause, there are numerous treatments — from medications to lifestyle modifications — to help ease day-to-day living. 

The symptoms of RA vary from person to person and can mimic those of other inflammatory joint conditions, sometimes making the diagnosis difficult. So how can you know if the signs are pointing toward rheumatoid arthritis? One of the unique features of the disease is that it involves the small joints; for example, of the hands or the feet. And the pain is symmetrical — if it affects the first finger on the right hand, it usually will affect the same finger on the left side.

When it comes to diagnosing, treating, and managing your rheumatoid arthritis, experts say a team approach is your best bet. In addition to finding a reputable rheumatologist — your team leader — you may also need help with physical, occupational, and mental therapy to cope with the condition. Alternative and complementary treatments, like acupuncture, are also used to relieve pain. 

The chronic pain and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis is most often caused by inflammation. In RA, the body's immune system attacks the synovial membrane (the tissue that lines the joints), the tendons, or the ligaments. If not treated properly, the inflammation can affect your heart, increasing the risk of heart disease. Understanding the role of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis will enable you to work with your doctors to find a suitable treatment. 

Rheumatoid arthritis is unpredictable: In some, the disease will remain active for a year or two. Others may have periods of flares, followed by remissions; and still others may live with the condition for years, resulting in significant and often permanent joint damage. While rheumatoid arthritis mostly begins in the smaller joints of the fingers, hands, and wrists, it can also affect hips, knees, ankles, feet, neck, shoulders and elbows. The good news: diagnosing and treating rheumatoid arthritis early can help slow — and even stop — the damage.

Millions of dollars are spent each year on prescription drug advertisements. Restricting the advertising of prescription medication from TV and every magazine in the grocery store would reduce the cost of medications. 

Source: everydayhealth 

Many conditions that the AMA pushes drugs for can be helped with natural or holistic remedies and even cures.

Big Red Juice

Sanoviv Medical Center

Goji Health Stories - RA

Adoption and Social Styles

Adoption of non-family members, has always been a crap shoot for the adoptive parents as well as for the adopted children. And whether it is a private adoption, a conventional government supervised adoption or an out of Country adoption there has traditionally been only one main criteria; matching up whatever child is up next or found first with whatever family is up next or found first. Screening pretty much consists of whether an adoptive family or person is free of unacceptable legal complications, has a basic place to live with the child in question, makes enough money for them to survive and whether they are willing to jump through the hoops of the agency they are working with, plus the weeding through children based on any requests for sex, age, race or religion that the adoptive parents might have; a process that could definitely use some refining for all concerned.

One of the things that we have realized through scientific studies, pure observation and experience is that exactly the opposite of former conventional beliefs is true. Inherited and genetic traits far outweigh the affects of upbringing and environment. So armed with that information should come the realization that the more adoptive parents and their adopted children have in common, the more simpatico they would be; cutting down on factors that cause unnecessary strife in their relationships. Often adopted children will say that they always felt out of place or like a square child in a round family. Whereas adoptive parents will often feel frustrated and guilty when their children turn out exactly opposite from themselves or without reflecting the upbringing or embracing values they hold dear and tried to pass on. In extreme cases some adoptive parents feel that they need to tell everyone they meet and talk incessantly about the fact that they adopted their child, to somehow feel less responsible for their behavior.

As we find out more and more about DNA and genetics we are realizing that much more than basic looks and the proclivity for certain health factors or talents are passed down, perhaps explaining why the respective members of the legendary Hathaway and McCoy Clans would keep their feuds going for years and even generations. They think alike, are attracted to the same behaviors and repelled by the same actions. It also explains why some families seem to be stuck in poverty while others are driven to succeed like America's almost Royal Family, the Kennedys, who also came to America with little, yet became millionaires, politicians and achievers. They are a family of competitors and doers.

If you view well adjusted 'natural' families they tend to be in sync or compliment each other whether they are loud, quiet, extroverted, serious, pranksters, introverted, sports minded, nerds, techies, achievers or part of the 'Silent Majority'. Very seldom do you find completely mismatched temperaments unless the parents were a totally mismatched couple to start with.

There have been many studies done on social styles and the results of their findings have been used and taught extensively by large companies, in management training and by networking groups. Different studies define 'the social styles' in varying terms using colors, animals, shapes and other indicators to make the concept more understandable to the average or unfamiliar person. Essentially, people can be divided into 4-groups or 4-personality types: amiables, drivers, analyticals and expressives. Ideally as we mature we become a blend of the four, but most people begin life with one predominant or main social style and then have a secondary core style. Rarely do you find people with traits virtually entirely in one social style or evenly mixed between 3 or all 4 of the social styles at a young age.

Whole books and courses have been written on social styles and even packaged, sold and taught, at sometimes high sticker prices, so the following is a very quick and general overview. Amiables are nice and the supporters. They are unassertive but responsive and want to be liked. They tend to be the worker bees in a group and the helpers at home; often like to be helpful but unnoticed; and definitely don't want to be on stage, the leader, or do any public speaking. Amiables often don't even want any 'public' credit for their efforts, but need to feel appreciated. Drivers are the movers and shakers in the group, the directors. They are assertive but not responsive and are in control of their emotions. They are natural born leaders who love to be in-charge; tending to fall into the category of somewhere between a bit bossy to down right aggressive; and love to get the credit for any success. They are intense and like to be in control; many really don't need breaks from work or studying. Analyticals are the clinicians and thinkers in the group. The problem is that they often over-think. They are good with numbers and they like order and rigid timetables, in fact they need order around them to be comfortable. They are not assertive, unresponsive and relatively unemotional. Expressives are the socializers and the clowns in the group. They are both assertive and responsive and very emotional. They are fun and love to be center stage; the 'life of the party' but are hard to keep on task. They need fun and some diversion in their life or sometimes actually get sick without it.

Each social style has their strong and weak or good and bad traits, depending how you see it, and a good team or work group has members of each type. A normal well-functioning family generally does not. You can find every combination of all the social styles, as primary and secondary core styles, some combos much more common than others, except Amiable Drivers or Driver Amiables. It is impossible to be an amiable driver or a driver amiable. This combination only exists in people who have continually been abused in some way or have extreme emotional issues so are hiding or have changed their true personalities as a defense mechanism. Sadly a group you do see in higher proportions than in the general population, among the population of 'system kids', children who have been abused and neglected, bounced around, abandoned, and grown up within the social service system: group homes, orphanages and various foster homes; often too many to count and often as many or more bad experiences as good.

Expressives do well with other expressives, but usually get little done. They also do well with aimiables and drivers find them entertaining as friends or siblings, but they can have their ups and downs in a business or parent-child relationship. Expressives do not do well with Analyticals. They are at the opposite ends of the spectrum on almost everything, so neither social style naturally relates to or understands the other. Amiables and drivers often have difficult relationships for the same reason; opposite end of the spectrum. Amiables are often attracted to Drivers, but Drivers tend to get bored or irritated in those relationships. A driver parent would have the tendency to constantly push an amiable child to achieve and stretch, which could be great or devastating depending on the degree and the individuals. Analyticals do well with other analyticals and amiables, but often miss an aspect of fun in their lives. Amiables do well with other amiables, especially socially, but usually don't achieve much. Drivers and analyticals can do well together in work relationships, as long as the driver is the boss, but not as well at home. And drivers respect other drivers, but there is also a lot of competition which can turn out to be either motivating or devastating, depending on the type of relationship. A person's secondary social style also makes a lot of difference in how these different social styles relate and interact as well as: age, upbringing, race, culture, religion, experiences, education, status within their individual relationship (and some would say even astrological signs), and the list goes on, but matching compatible or like social styles in adoptions would definitely be a step in the right direction toward more harmony.

If you have ever worked for a boss or had an employee or co-worker that you had to deal with daily that drove you crazy or that you just could not make a connection with, no matter how much either of you tried, you have a slight idea of what it would be like to live your life in a family where either you or a family member absolutely did not fit. Imagine being a child and having that relationship with both your parents and siblings. The simple attempt to give the birth parents and adoptive parents a personality test or social styles evaluation as part of their paperwork or having a psychologist or trained social worker in social styles do an evaluation, if they are not willing or able to take a test, and then compare the two (or up to 4 parent tests) could have a huge positive affect on adoptive families. If the children are older, obviously the analysis can be done with them and compared to their prospective parents. Not fitting in reinforces the feelings in kids, who know they are adopted, that they don't belong. Not fitting in makes kids who don't know they are adopted wonder what is wrong with them. And having kids that don't fit in frustrates adoptive parents.

Remember, adopted children and their adoptive families face many challenges that natural families do not. So taking this simple step and adding it to the adoption process, when possible, to match up their social styles and thereby raising their chance of compatibility, could ensure a much higher level of success in blending these families, lowering the stress levels for all involved and helping to raise the percentages of happy adoptive families. Happy families and less problems also reduces the costs to the cities, counties and states that these families live in.

If pre-adoption screening of this type is not possible or you have already adopted a child, I would then recommend the entire family being tested and taking some classes or workshops on how to deal with, mirror and negotiate with other social styles, like they do for business and networking. Understanding our differences and mirroring are great tools for every situation in life.

Amiables 
• Not assertive but responsive 
• Dependent on others 
• Respectful, willing and agreeable 
• Emotionally expressive 
• Everyones' friend; supportive; soft-hearted 
• Low risk takers and like security 
• Group and relationship builders 
• Over sensitive 
• Not goal orientated

Drivers 
• Assertive but not responsive 
• Task rather than people oriented 
• Decisive and determined 
• Controlled emotions 
• Set on efficiency and effectiveness. 
• Like control and are often in a hurry. 
• Firm, stable relationships 
• Stubborn and tough. 
• Impatient 
• Inflexible and often poor listeners

Analyticals 
• Not assertive and not responsive 
• Precise, orderly and business-like 
• Rational and co-operative 
• Self-controlled and serious 
• Motivated by logic and facts 
• Not quick to make decisions 
• Distrust persuasive people 
• Like things in writing and detail 
• Security conscious 
• Critical, aloof, and naturally skeptical 
• Excellent problem solvers 
• Like rigid timetables

Expressives 
• Assertive and responsive 
• Reactive, impulsive, make decisions spontaneously and are intuitive 
• Placing more importance on relationships than tasks 
• Emotionally expressive and sometimes dramatic 
• Flexible agendas, short attention spans, and easily loved 
• Enthusiastic, to the extreme at times 
• Strong persuasive skills, talkative and gregarious 
• Optimistic and take risks 
• Creative and fun

By Marion Algier/Ask Marion - Mother, Stepmother, Adoptive Mother, Former Social Services Counselor and Lecturer & Trainer on Social Styles - True Health Is True Wealth: http://truehealthistruewealth.blogspot.com/2009/04/adoption-and-social-styles.html Ezine Article Source:  http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marion_Algier Related Articles: Traditional parenting 'leads to well-adjusted children' Mother's Day Mother's Day Part Two

Traditional parenting 'leads to well-adjusted children'

Traditional parenting methods that focus on breastfeeding, discipline and high expectations are most likely to produce well-adjusted, able and healthier children, a study has shown. 

And the more 'nuclear centered' families are for the children's values and main input, the better adjusted and functioning the children are.

Breastfeeding, discipline, high expectation and nuclear family centering are best for children, researchers have found Photo: GETTY

The research found that a culture of "good enough" parenting - under which children are not stretched or closely supervised - led to a greater risk of behavioral and emotional problems among young people.

The greatest gift a parent can give a child is their involvement, interest in their activities, supervision & guidance, discipline when needed, and their presence.

It was also found that children who received continual contrary input, to their parents', from outsiders or non-nucleus family members suffer high levels of emotional stress, are less likely to make sound decisions and are likely to suffer from a large variety of both emotional and health disorders throughout their lives.

Also, the more outside interference during the formative years, the more turmoil there is between parents and children, leading to permanent damage to the family unit and the Mother-Child and Father-Child relationships; which are the most basic and important unit and relationships in anyone's life. (Note: The family unit can be birth parents, step-parents, adoptive parents or foster parents and the children they are raising. Anyone else is a remote relative who needs to respect that unit and the parents who are at the head of it.) 

The strength or dysfunction of someone's Mother-Child and Father-Child relationships (again with those individuals who actually fill those rolls) affect all other relationships people have throughout their lives, their decision process, their perspective and the relationship they go on to build with their own children.

The study found that the extended family and outside input are only valuable if they support and enhance the parent's vision, their general teachings and their wishes for their children.

Breastfeeding for at least six months also improves the relationship mothers have with their babies as well as boosting their health and educational development, according to the Institute of Education in London.

Its study of 1,136 mothers found that breastfeeding is associated with more positive parenting practices that can continue beyond infancy.

When researchers studied mothers reading a storybook to their one-year-old children, they found those who breastfed made more effort to engage their infants in the book than mothers who bottle-fed and they appeared to have a warmer relationship with their babies.

Low income mothers who bottle-fed their babies tended to communicate with them much less.

The UK has some of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in Europe and many mothers give up because they do not feel supported enough or they return to work.

Fewer than eight in ten mothers breastfeed their babies from birth and only one fifth are still feeding naturally six months later.

Researchers said women should be offered targeted support and if necessary financial help so they can delay their return to work.

It is already known that breastfed babies are healthier, tend to be less prone to obesity, have fewer allergies and respiratory illnesses, have fewer emotional problems throughout life and have higher IQ’s.

The study found single mothers and those from low income families could help overcome the disadvantages their child was born into through breastfeeding.

Dr Leslie Gutman, who led the research, said: "Breastfeeding is a time-consuming activity and mothers can be tempted to put their babies on the bottle earlier if they feel they have to return to work for financial reasons.

"Mothers are given information leaflets in hospitals about breastfeeding but we may need more than this. Another option is workplace nurseries where mothers could go and feed their babies during the day."

A repeat experiment four years later found that mothers who had been on a low income when their child was one, but had breastfed for more than six months, had a higher quality of interaction with their five-year-old than other mothers.

They also made more effort to engage their child in the book-reading exercise than mothers who had not breastfed. By contrast, breastfeeding appeared to have no lasting effect on the parenting behaviors of married and higher-income mothers.

Marital status had no effect on the quality of a mother's interaction with her child, provided she had breastfed for six to 12 months. In fact, single mothers who had breastfed for this period made slightly more effort than other mothers to explain the storybook to their child.

Experts recommend women breastfeed exclusively for at least six months if they can. They also recommended a return to the focus on the nuclear family structure, strong discipline and the setting of high standards.

It appears that a ‘back to basics’ approach to parenting is definitely worth another look.

Source:  Rebecca Smith/Time Medical
Last Updated: 7:20AM GMT 27 Mar

Posted:  True Health Is True Wealth - 11:27 PST 30 Mar

Related Articles:  

• Adoption and Social Styles
  
• Mother's Day
  
• Mother's Day Part Two

A Drink for a Smaller Waist

There’s an easy way to turn a routine workout into a powerful waist-whittler: Drink green tea. 

That’s right. Ditch the Gatorade and instead sip several mugs of the green stuff throughout the day. Research shows that the wonder duo of green tea and exercise may target belly fat better, so it shrinks more easily than with exercise alone. 

Fat-Busting Brew
In a study, overweight adults who engaged in an exercise program for 12 weeks lost more belly fat if they also drank green tea daily. The green tea seemed to boost overall weight loss and triglyceride control in the study group, too. The magic amount of tea needed for the effect? Enough to get about 625 milligrams of catechins plus a little caffeine every day (roughly 7 cups daily). 

The Power of Green
Researchers think that catechins in green tea might blast tummy fat by acting on enzymes that influence the body’s calorie- and fat-burning mechanisms. And catechins and caffeine together may boost the body’s metabolism. Brew up a pot of tea the next time friends visit and you can all enjoy these extra benefits as well:

• More Energy
  
• Healthier Joints
  
• Stronger Heart
  

Source:  RealAge

Related Articles: Foods That Fight Belly Fat

FDA Approves Deadly Antidepressant for Children

CODE RED - FDA Approves Deadly Antidepressant for Children Is the FDA insane or just stupid? Barely a month after the U.S. Department of Justice sued Forest Labs, maker of blockbuster and potentially suicide-inducing antidepressant Lexapro, for illegally marketing the drug for children when it wasn't approved for use in children, the idiots at the FDA approved this highly dangerous drug for use in…you guessed it….children. Hopefully, doctors won't be stupid enough to prescribe it to children in the newly approved 12-to-17-year-old population, or to kids even younger. But we can't count on that – especially considering that the DOJ suit alleges that the Big Pharma firm essentially bribed doctors to prescribe the drug to kids. And it's not like the danger of death isn't widely known. On the Forest Labs own Lexapro website, you'll find this very clear warning: Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Bottom line: If your child is depressed, Lexapro could send them over the edge to suicide. If your doctor recommends this dangerous drug for your child, walk out of his office and find a new doctor immediately.

Hold the Mayo and Cream Cheese

Health Tip...

Was just reading an article on fat loss where the author recommended getting a knife when you order a bagel or burger.

This was so you could scrape off the mayo or cream cheese.

If you're ordering a bagel with cream cheese or a burger with mayo, then you definitely need to pick a better midday snack. Maybe some nuts or fruit.

Catsup, because of the sugar content is another culprit... so hold the mayo, hold the cream cheese and hold the catsup.  And don't forget, thousand island dressing is essentially mayo and catsup with salty pickles... ooops!

On second thought maybe hold the burger, bagel and sandwiches.

Related Articles:  

• What's Really in Your Fast Food?
  
• Eating Salads Can Make You Fat
  
• Foods That Fight Belly Fat
  

By Marion Algier - Ask Marion 

How sleep affects your blood-pressure

This may sound trivial but it's important to acknowledge that sleeping well can help lower blood-pressure. Here are some facts and suggestions for getting a good night's sleep, every night.

·              Get plenty of sleep - When you are refreshed, you're better able to tackle the next day's problems, allowing you to avoid and better cope with stress.

·              If you have difficulty falling asleep, try keeping a schedule; going to sleep and awakening at a consistent time each day. A bedtime ritual such as taking a warm bath, reading or eating a light snack helps many people relax.

·             Make sure you sleep healthily - People with high blood-pressure are more likely to suffer from a condition called sleep apnea. In this potentially serious sleep disorder, breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Apnea is Greek for "without breath."

If you have been told that you snore loudly or you wake up feeling tired after a full night's sleep or you are sleepy during the day, it may be worthwhile to learn more about sleep apnea.

Related Articles:  The Night Shift Isn’t Called Graveyard for No Reason 

Avoiding Diabetes Helps with Incontinence

Overweight women who suffer from pre-diabetes can lower their risk of developing urinary incontinence by preventing the onset of full-blown type 2 diabetes. That's the primary finding of a study published by the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group based at Maryland's George Washington University School of Medicine. George Washington researchers pointed to past studies showing that type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of urinary incontinence among women. According to this study, efforts to control pre-diabetes through weight management and dietary modification can significantly reduce pre-diabetic women's incontinence risk. Women in the study who avoided the onset of full-blown diabetes were up to 30% less likely to develop incontinence than women who did not successfully manage their condition

Source:  LifeScript

Why Does the FDA Maintain a Conspiracy of Silence about the Health Benefits of Vitamin D?

In other vitamin news, British researchers have found that vitamin D may help slow aging—in the study, women with higher vitamin D levels showed fewer aging-related changes in their DNA. Professor Brent Richards, who led the study, said, "This could help to explain how vitamin D has a protective effect on many aging-related diseases, such as heart disease and cancer."  And a study in the Journal of Geriatric Psychology demonstrates that vitamin D deficiency is linked to mental decline in older people, and may contribute to the severity of Alzheimers Disease. Researchers found an inverse correlation between blood levels of vitamin D and performance on tests of attention, memory, and orientation in time and space. A lack of vitamin D has also been linked to multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.  Vitamin D is produced naturally by the body upon exposure to sunlight. It is known to play a critical role in calcium absorption and bone health, while recent research has suggested that it also contributes to healthy immune function and cancer prevention. At latitudes far from the equator, however, it may be hard for people to get enough vitamin D from sunlight alone, so a supplement becomes necessary. Some foods also contain very small amounts of vitamin D, notably oily fish and eggs. Source:  American Association for Health Freedom

Foods That Fight Belly Fat

Did you know that besides doing wonders for your health, a certain nutrient group might also help keep your pants size down? 

It's true. Flavonoids -- those antioxidant-like compounds found in fruits, veggies, chocolate, tea, and wine -- seemed to help ward off belly fat in a 14-year study. 

Multitasking Flavonoids 

• Specifically, catechins, flavonols, and flavones -- types of flavonoids -- may help curb belly bulge by improving the body's metabolic profile, the researchers noted. So where can you get your fair share? The study participants got most of theirs from pears, apples, tea, chocolate, broad beans, onions, leeks, and sweet peppers. Pretty tasty choices. 
• Got some chicken in the freezer? Got an apple rolling around the crisper drawer? Great! Then grab some leeks on the way home and make this: Saute of Chicken with Apples & Leeks
• Need a yummy side dish that's full of flavonoids but isn't salad? Try Pear & Red Onion Gratin.
  
• Got nothing for dessert? Make: Green Tea-Poached Pears with Matcha Cream.

Low-Cal Delights
Interestingly, only the women in the study experienced a waistline benefit from flavonoids. But because flavonoid-rich foods like fruits and veggies are often low in calories, they're still a smart choice for anyone who is weight conscious.

Saute of Chicken with Apples & Leeks

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (1-1 1/4 pounds), trimmed 
3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 large leeks, white parts only, washed and cut into julienne strips (2 cups)
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 firm tart apples, such as York or Granny Smith, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

1. Place chicken breasts between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin or a small heavy pot to pound them to a thickness of 1/2 inch. 
2. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and add to the pan. Cook until browned on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
3. Reduce the heat to low. Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and leeks. Cook, stirring, until the leeks are soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, sugar and rosemary and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Increase the heat to medium-high, stir in vinegar and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated.
4. Add apples and broth and cook, stirring once or twice, until the apples are tender, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and return the chicken and any juices to the pan. Simmer gently until the chicken is heated through. Serve immediately.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 235 calories; 7 g fat (1 g sat, 4 g mono); 64 mg cholesterol; 19 g carbohydrate; 25 g protein; 2 g fiber; 245 mg sodium; 346 mg potassium. 
Nutrition bonus: Selenium (30% daily value), Vitamin A (16% dv). 
1 Carbohydrate Serving 
Exchanges: 1 fruit, 4 very lean meat, 1 fat

Pear & Red Onion Gratin

1 large red onion 
3 ripe Bosc pears 
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 cup coarse dry breadcrumbs, preferably whole-wheat (see Note)
1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1. Fill a large bowl three-quarters full with water; add a handful of ice cubes. Cut onion into 16 wedges, place in a strainer and lower into the water. Let stand for 20 minutes. 
2. Preheat oven to 400°F.
3. Halve and core each pear; cut each half into 6 slices. Drain the onion wedges well and place them in a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish along with the pear slices, 1 tablespoon oil, thyme, salt and a grinding of pepper; toss to combine. Cover with foil.
4. Roast for 30 minutes, stirring twice.
5. Meanwhile, combine breadcrumbs and cheese in a small bowl. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil; stir to combine. Remove the pan from the oven, sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the gratin, return to the oven and roast until the breadcrumbs are well browned, 20 to 30 minutes more. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 188 calories; 7 g fat (1 g sat, 4 g mono); 3 mg cholesterol; 29 g carbohydrate; 4 g protein; 4 g fiber; 225 mg sodium; 215 mg potassium.

Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (15% daily value). 

2 Carbohydrate Servings 

Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1 fruit, 1 vegetable, 1 fat

TIP: Note: We like to use the Ian's brand of coarse dry breadcrumbs, labeled "Panko breadcrumbs." Find them in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets. 

To make your own breadcrumbs: Trim crusts from firm sandwich bread. Tear the bread into pieces and process in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. One slice makes about 1/3 cup. Spread the breadcrumbs onto a baking sheet and bake in a 250°F oven until dry and crispy, about 15 minutes.

Green Tea-Poached Pears with Matcha Cream

1/4 cup Matcha Cream (recipe follows)
4 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoons green tea leaves, preferably sencha
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon chopped crystallized ginger
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
4 firm, ripe Anjou or Bosc pears, peeled, halved and cored
1 tablespoon sliced almonds, toasted

1. Prepare Matcha Cream.
2. Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a shallow pan or deep skillet. Stir in tea, turn off heat and let steep, covered, for 5 minutes. Pour through a cheesecloth-lined sieve to remove leaves; return tea to the pan. 
3. Add sugar, ginger and almond extract and bring just to a boil. Add pears, cut-side up, and poach over low heat until quite tender when pierced with a wooden skewer. Transfer to a bowl and let the pears cool in the poaching liquid. 
4. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Use a slotted spoon to place two pear halves in each dessert dish. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the poaching liquid over the pears. Serve with a generous dollop of Matcha Cream and garnish with almonds.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 369 calories; 4 g total fat (1 g sat, 1 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 86 g carbohydrate; 2 g protein; 5 g fiber; 23 mg sodium; 408 mg potassium.

4 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings

TIP: To toast almonds:
Heat a small dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add nuts and cook, stirring constantly, until the nuts are lightly browned and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl to cool.

 Matcha Cream

1 cup (8 ounces) low-fat or nonfat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 1/2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons matcha dissolved in 1 tablespoon very hot water (optional)

1. Line a sieve or colander with cheesecloth and set over a bowl, leaving at least 1/2 inch clearance from the bottom. (Alternatively, use a coffee filter lined with filter paper.) Spoon in yogurt, cover and let drain in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Discard whey. 
2. Whip cream in a small bowl until soft peaks form. Add sugar and continue whipping until firm peaks form. Fold in drained yogurt, along with matcha mixture, if using.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per tablespoon: 37 calories; 2 g total fat (1 g sat, 1 g mono); 8 mg cholesterol; 4 g carbohydrate; 1 g protein; 0 g fiber; 15 mg sodium; 581 mg potassium.


Nutrition Bonus: Calcium (45% daily value), Vitamin A (20% dv), Selenium (18 dv), Potassium (17% dv).

0 Carbohydrate Servings

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Source:  RealAge

Related Articles:

Olive Oil for a Flat Belly

Blood Test Predicts Dementia Risk

A new test can help predict whether a patient will develop frontal lobe dementia (Frontotemporal Dementia or FTD). Next to Alzheimer’s, FTD is the form of dementia that strikes people most frequently at a relatively young age—younger than 65.

In FTD, large numbers of brain cells begin to die off in the frontal lobe, the foremost part of the brain which comprises about 30 percent of brain mass. The frontal lobe helps regulate behavior, movement, and mood, and is responsible for functions such as language. The first signs of FTD are changes in behavior and personality. In later stages, the victim suffers from memory loss.

Researcher Christine Van Broeckhoven and her colleagues found that a large percentage of people who have FTD have a genetic defect in chromosome 17. Those people produce only half the normal amount of a progranulin protein, and Van Broeckhoven discovered that a shortage of this protein, which is a growth factor, leads to cells dying in the frontal lobe. Additional results indicate that a lack of progranulin also plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Krisel Sleegers, one of Van Broeckhoven’s scientists, has developed a test to measure the amount of progranulin in the blood. The test, which is simple and could be used on a large scale, will help doctors determine if someone is at risk of developing FTD long before symptoms appear. 

 

Click Here & Checkout:  GojiHealthStories/onDementia  

&  The Big Red Juice - GoChi & Goji

Computer Vision Syndrome

People who sit in front of a computer for long periods of time often encounter a variety of uncomfortable symptoms.  Headaches, neck strain, backaches and wrist pain are common, but, sadly, the most prevalent symptoms of prolonged computer use-eye strain, blurred vision and dry eye-are often overlooked. In fact, eye and vision problems are the most frequently reported health care problems among computer users.

Computer Vision Syndrome:

These symptoms contribute to computer vision syndrome, which the American Optometric Association defines as "the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work that are experienced during or related to computer use."  Sitting at a computer generally causes a person to look straight ahead for long stretches, work in a dry office or home environment, and to blink less often.  These factors can lead to vision problems.  Additionally, computer use requires specific vision skills, which add further demands to the visual system and contribute to eye and vision discomfort.  These skills include:

• Ocular motility- the ability of the eyes to move in various positions.
  
• Accommodation- the ability of the eyes to focus clearly at various distances.
  
• Vergence- The ability to move the eyes in (convergence) or out (divergence).
  

A queston to ask yourself:  Is Your Work Station Properly Arranged?

Related Articles:

The Night Shift Isn't Called Graveyard For No Reason