Technique to lower stress levels in 5 days
http://www.headlinesindia.com/lifestyle-news/health-&-fitness/mindbody-technique-cuts
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 (16:34:51)

Washington: Researchers have unravelled how an emerging mind-body technique, adapted from traditional Chinese medicine and practised by thousands in China, cuts down stress levels in just five days.

The integrative body-mind training (IBMT) is now being taught to undergraduates involved in research on the method at the University of Oregon (UO).

In October 2007, researchers led by visiting UO professor Yi-Yuan Tang and UO psychologist Michael Posner documented that doing IBMT prior to a mental math test led to low levels of the stress hormone cortisol among Chinese students. The experimental group also showed lower levels of anxiety, depression, anger and fatigue than students in a relaxation control group.

"The previous paper indicated that IBMT subjects showed a reduced response to stress." Tang said. "Why did it work so fast?"

The new findings point to how IBMT alters blood flow and electrical activity in the brain, breathing quality and even skin conductance, allowing for "a state of ah, much like in the morning opening your eyes, looking outside the grass and sunshine, you feel relaxed, calm and refresh without any stress, this is the meditation state," he said.

Data were drawn from several technologies in two experiments involving 86 undergraduate students at Dalian University of Technology, where Tang is a professor, said an UO release. The data were analysed and prepared for publication at the UO with help from Posner and psychology professor Mary K. Rothbart, who are not co-authors of the paper.

The study was published online in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences.(IANS)

Overeating, Not Lack of Exercise, Faulted in US Obesity Epidemic
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/health/2009/may/Overeating--Not-Lack-of-Exercise
May 13, 2009 10:25 AM | by Liz Colville

If food intake is too high, exercise is not enough to control excess weight, suggests a new study by a World Health Organization obesity research center.

Overeating Is Riskier Than Sedentary Lifestyle
In examining the eating and exercise patterns of Americans over the past 30 years, a team of researchers based in Australia has concluded that Americans’ weight gain “seems to be virtually all due to the consumption of more calories, with declines in physical activity playing only a minor role,” Reuters reported.

The study, led by a team at the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Obesity Prevention at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, suggests that “energy intake” is a more important factor in combating obesity than exercise.

“[W]hen it comes to placing priorities, I think it needs to be on reducing energy intake,” said Professor Boyd A. Swinburn, the director of the center. In October 2008, Nashville considered requiring restaurants to post calorie information on their menus in an effort to combat obesity. The study was presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Amsterdam May 8. It is “the first to quantify the relative contributions of food and exercise habits to the growing number of Americans with bulging waistlines,” Reuters added.

It comes just a year after a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine strongly encouraged those who are overweight or obese to spend 60 minutes on most days of the week on aerobic exercise—twice what is typically recommended by organizations like the American Heart Association and American College of Sports Medicine.

But Professor Swinburn and his team argue that exercise time would actually have to be increased by 110 minutes a day in order to curb weight gain; however, “the focus would have to be on reducing calorie intake," he said.

Canadians missing the beat on heart health

Survey shows most Canadians unaware of atrial fibrillation; a heart condition with serious health consequences

MONTREAL, May 25 /CNW/ - Results of a recent Leger Marketing survey announced today reveal that the majority of Canadians do not recognize that atrial fibrillation is a heart-related illness. On an unaided basis, only two per cent of the 4,274 respondents polled were able to link this condition to heart disease. When shown or read a list of heart diseases, fewer than half of the respondents (40 per cent) were able to make the link, even though atrial fibrillation affects nearly a quarter of a million Canadians who could potentially end up in hospital with strokes, congestive heart failure and other heart-related problems. The results were similar in British Columbia, with two per cent making the link on an unaided basis and 46 per cent making the link on an aided basis.

While awareness of this condition is low, 54 per cent of respondents nationally and 53 per cent in British Columbia, reported having symptoms that could be associated with atrial fibrillation. This is particularly relevant for those 65 and over, the population at highest risk. In the survey, 23 per cent of British Columbians mentioned having experienced a "racing, uncomfortable, irregular heart beat" while another eight per cent reported experiencing a "flopping" feeling in the chest. "There are many causes for heart palpitations and, in the majority of cases, it doesn't mean that people have atrial fibrillation", said Vancouver's Dr. Charles Kerr, Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of British Columbia, who points out that atrial fibrillation currently affects six percent of those over 65. "In fact, the majority of palpitations are due to abnormal heart rhythms that are benign and of little or no risk. Nevertheless, it's important that we raise public awareness about this issue because atrial fibrillation is a common condition that is likely to affect more and more baby-boomers who will be entering their sixties and seventies soon. If left unchecked, it can have serious health consequences, the most important of which is stroke," he said.

Recognizing the risk factors

In addition to age, risk factors for atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm in which the upper chambers of the heart beat in a wildly erratic manner, include disease of heart valves, heart failure, high blood pressure and excess weight. While heart valve disease and heart failure are less common in the general population, excess weight and high blood pressure are prevalent. In the survey, 29 per cent reported they were overweight and 21 per cent reported having high blood pressure. In British Columbia, the percentages were slightly lower at 25 per cent and 16 per cent respectively. While Dr. Kerr emphasizes that having these risk factors does not automatically mean
that people will develop atrial fibrillation, he does state that the chances of developing this condition increase exponentially with each passing decade.

Recognizing the symptoms

Although 46 per cent of British Columbians (40 per cent nationally) initially indicated an awareness of atrial fibrillation, once the condition was described to them, more than half (56 per cent compared with 54 per cent nationally) could not name any symptoms associated with it. On an unaided basis, only three per cent of the respondents (five per cent nationally) who reported they were aware of atrial fibrillation mentioned heart palpitations, even though this is the most common symptom associated with this condition. When aided, however, 62 per cent of this group (65 per cent nationally) identified a "racing, uncomfortable, irregular heartbeat", while another 38 per cent (same percentage nationally) identified a 'flopping' feeling in the chest.

"Symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Some patients can be completely disabled while others can be completely asymptomatic. Many find themselves in between the two extremes, said Dr. Kerr. "The most common symptoms tend to be heart palpitations and shortness of breath, with dizziness, fatigue and chest pain being less common."

Quality of life out of sync

In addition to the serious heart health consequences that may result from having atrial fibrillation, there are also quality of life issues that can have an effect on a patient's daily life. For those who experience some of the more debilitating symptoms of atrial fibrillation - including dizziness and chest pain - seemingly simple tasks can become nearly impossible. Of the 115 Canadians who reported that they had personally been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, close to half (46 per cent) stated that this condition has a negative impact on their daily activities. As the survey reveals, atrial fibrillation's negative impact can also be felt by family members who can find themselves in a caregiver role. Of the 524 Canadians who reported that a family member had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, more than half (56 per cent) said the condition negatively impacted their loved ones' daily activities, indicating they may be sharing in the distress experienced by those who have debilitating symptoms.

Keep the rhythm: Talk to your doctor

While the majority of British Columbians (84 per cent compared with 83 per cent nationally) say their family physician would be their number one source for information on atrial fibrillation, only 56 per cent of undiagnosed respondents who had experienced one or more symptoms associated with this condition actually spoke with their family doctor about their symptoms. The majority of those who did report their symptoms to their doctor said that this led to an electrocardiogram, the most common diagnostic test for atrial fibrillation.

Beyond health care professionals, with family physicians being a clear favourite (84 per cent), British Columbians reported that they would also seek information about atrial fibrillation from other channels. Close to seven in 10 said they would consult some form of media, the most popular choice being the Internet (61 per cent). According to Heart & Stroke, the most important thing individuals can do is to speak to their healthcare professional if they believe they may be at risk. They can also consult their Web site at www.heartandstroke.ca for more information on this condition.

About atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common form of arrhythmia that can cause many symptoms including heart palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue, and raise the risk for more serious heart problems. It increases the risk of mortality two-fold, the risk of heart failure by two to three-fold, and the risk of stroke by up to five-fold. It is estimated that up to 15 per cent of all strokes are due to atrial fibrillation. The condition is more frequent in men than in women across all age groups.

Home Comforts or Hidden Dangers?

Safe Kids Canada unveils startling new data on product safety in the home

TORONTO, May 25 /CNW/ - A new review of child injury research from Safe Kids Canada demonstrates that Canadian homes may not be as safe for children as many parents mistakenly believe. According to a new Harris/Decima survey on home product safety unveiled today as part of the national Safe Kids Week campaign, the majority of Canadians (86 per cent) assume the products they buy for their homes are safe for the family to use. This is not always the case. While products used every day by adults have a purpose, these same products can become dangerous when used incorrectly by children.

Between 1990 and 2007 there were over 1.6 million emergency room visits for children under the age of 19. In the last 10 years nearly half of these (46 per cent) were as a result of product-related injuries. However, according to the survey results, nearly half of Canadian parents (49 per cent) feel children are rarely injured by home products. In reality, there are 18,000 emergency room visits each year as a result of Canadian children who have been injured by products found in and around the home. "Children are particularly vulnerable to home product-related injuries, often using normally safe products in ways they were never meant to be used," says Pamela Fuselli, executive director of Safe Kids Canada, the national injury prevention program of The Hospital for Sick Children. "The majority of Canadians incorrectly assume the products they use in their homes are safe - especially if they've never had an incident - but this is not the case. Parents and caregivers need to consider how a child sees different products in the home and anticipate how they could be harmful if used improperly."

Danger in disguise: Injuries to children by products found in and around the home are common throughout all age groups - not just younger children. In fact, as children grow they are at risk for different kinds of injuries from various home products.

Risk for children ages 0 - 4 years: FALLS FROM FURNITURE

Young children are at risk for falls from beds (i.e. bunk beds) and furniture such as tables, chairs and couches. Between 1990 and 2007, more than 5,403 injuries from bunk beds were reported. While bunk beds are functional and allow for maximum use of space, injuries from a fall from a top bunk were almost twice as likely to require hospital admittance than other injuries. Only allow children over age 6 to use the top bunk and install padded carpeting in rooms where bunk beds are used. Thirty per cent of Canadians have owned bunk beds; however 10 per cent of Canadians do not believe they could cause injury to a child.

Risk for children ages 5 - 9 years: TOPPLING FURNITURE

Whether climbing furniture to reach items they want or to turn on the television, children ages 5 - 9 years are most at risk of injury from toppling furniture such as televisions, dressers, wall units, bookcases and water coolers. Between 1990 and 2007, children's injuries from toppling furniture, televisions and larger appliances averaged approximately 9,000 cases per year. Specifically, more than 100 children visited the ER each year from toppling televisions alone. Televisions need to be kept on low, sturdy furniture - never on dressers - and safety products like angle-brackets or furniture straps can be used for better security. Nine per cent of Canadians do not believe toppling furniture could cause injuries to children.

Risk for children ages 10 - 14 years: BACKYARD EQUIPMENT

Older children are at risk for injuries from backyard equipment such as playground sets. Approximately 25 per cent of injuries to children occur on home playground equipment. Falls and strangulation are the leading causes of injury to children on backyard playground equipment. Playgrounds should be surrounded by a deep, soft surface such as wood chips or sand to help cushion a child's fall, plus in order to prevent strangulations, drawstrings on children's clothing should be removed, and scarves should be tucked into clothing, before children play on playground equipment.

Keep Your Home S.A.F.E.

• See products around your home through the eyes of your child and anticipate how a child might use it differently. Keep potentially dangerous products out of reach.

• Ask yourself if the products you purchase are appropriate for your child. Look at the size, surface and remove any strings. Remember, the smaller child, the bigger the product.

• Find products that follow safety standard seals such as CSA or ASTM when choosing an item for your home.

• Educate yourself on products that have been recalled and contact Health Canada if you have a concern at 1 866-662-0666. Their website, www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cps/, has extensive information on product recalls, product advisories and children's products.

Doing Your Homework

If problems do occur with products used in Canadian homes, consumers need to be aware in order to take action. The majority of Canadian parents (48 per cent) say they rely on news reports as the most common ways to find out about product recalls. Another 32 per cent say they do their own Internet research and one fifth (20 per cent) rely on manufacturer updates to find out if a product has been taken off the market. In reality, news reports are unable to cover the sheer volume of product recalls each year. According to Health Canada there were at least 82 separate product types were recalled in 2007 including window blinds (cords), toys, pencils, party favours, ice hockey helmets and visors, children's necklaces just to name a few. Parents should be sure to frequently visit the Health Canada web site to stay in the loop of product recalls, plus they should report any problems to 1-866-6623-0666. A resounding 93 per cent of Canadians agree that the government should created laws to ensure all products are safe before they are available on store shelves. The introduction earlier this year of the proposed Canada Consumer Product Safety Act will make children's products safer. Today marks the start of the 2009 Safe Kids Week - Home Safe Home - which runs from May 25 - 31, 2009 and is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.

Spokespeople across Canada

Safe Kids Canada has local expert spokespeople in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver available for interviews.

Home Safe Home Pamphlet

Safe Kids Canada and Johnson & Johnson are offering a free Home Safe Home educational pamphlet for parents and caregivers. Log onto www.safekidscanada.ca to download your copy.

David Suzuki Encourages Canadians to Adopt Environmental Best Practices From the "Original Green Team"
June 01, 2009 @ 07:00AM

Canada’s world leader on sustainable ecology says seniors continue to hold the key to many enviro-friendly practices that younger generations can learn from

Mississauga, Ontario – June 1, 2009 – Canada’s most renowned and revered environmental activist is urging Canadians to listen to and learn from their “elders” when it comes to doing their part to help protect and preserve the environment.

During the month of June when seniors across the country are celebrated for their rich contributions to Canada’s vast framework, award-winning author, broadcaster and senior himself, David Suzuki, calls Canada’s aging population “the original green team” and says they hold much wisdom and experience in environmental preservation that younger Canadians should learn from.

“During the Depression and lean times, our elders knew how to reuse, recycle and repair things,” says Dr. Suzuki. “They were the original green team. They have so much knowledge and so much experience. We should be following their example.”

“The economic times were such that Canadians had to adopt these environmental practices in order to survive. Today the survival of our planet dictates that we need to revert to employing many of these common sense practices that were commonplace 80 and 90 years ago,” he adds.

For Video click here