Daily Health News Blog

The holiday season brings joy - but it doesn't have to bring unwanted pounds. Whether it's your mom's eggnog or Aunt Judy's homemade holiday cookies, it can be tough to pass up those favorite holiday foods you taste only once a year. After all, 'tis the season to indulge, right?  Before you reach for that next gingerbread cookie, think about this: Extra pounds can affect more than your ability to fit into your holiday party apparel - being overweight can also increase your risk for cancer and other diseases. This holiday season, choose to put your health first. To stay well, the American Cancer Society recommends:  · Maintaining a healthy weight throughout life  · Staying active with at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week (or a combination of these), preferably spread throughout the week  · Eating a healthy diet emphasizing fruits and vegetables  · And limiting the amount of alcohol you drink. 

What to consider when giving a holiday tip If you have many people on your tip list, you may be considering how much to give this year. Though the economy is recovering, many people are still cutting back on tips, but here are the recommendations from etiquette authorities. If you see them more, tip them more. That includes the salon, where the price of one visit (or more) is advised. The waitress at your favorite restaurant should receive more than the mail carrier or the trash man who you rarely see. People who work in your home more than two days a week, such as nannies and housekeepers, should get one week's extra pay, more if you can afford it and want to give it. Be careful not to practice one-upmanship with teachers. Gift cards are a nice thought. Personalize them to a teacher's tastes if you are familiar with them. Day care workers can be gifted, the value depending upon how much time each spends with your child, $25 and up. Money isn't

It is possible to enjoy the holidays without becoming totally stressed and exhausted. Here are a few ways to do it: * Shopping: Order early from the Web. Late purchases can be shipped overnight, but be sure to make a record of each purchase, and follow up to see if it arrived. General rule: Ship gifts by December 15.  * Decorating: Your place will look warm and inviting with just one or two displays. No need to decorate inside and out. Finish decorating by the first week of December.  * Baking: If you are busy, give yourself a break and shop a bakery. * Christmas dinner: Forget a hundred side dishes. Make a turkey, rib roast or ham and add baked potatoes, vegetables, and salad. Keep it simple.  * Demand appearances: Schedule early so there is no confusion. If two sets of parents want you to celebrate with them, schedule one for Christmas (afternoon after your private celebration) and one for Christmas Eve. Consider visits on Sunday before Christmas or the Saturday after. 

The day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. It's called Black Friday because by this date, retailers were traditionally "in the black" for the year. Black Friday is now known as the beginning of Christmas shopping. Of course, people do buy gifts prior to this date. But on Black Friday, there are huge sales. Our question this month is: Did you shop for great bargains on Black Friday, or do you think the big crowds make shopping too difficult? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. Thanks for sharing.

It's the holiday season, a time to eat, drink and be merry. But with a strategy of your own, you could avoid having to loosen your belt mid-way through and wondering how you will lose the typical 6 or 7 pounds you could gain this year.  These common-sense tips can help.  * Don't go there hungry. Eat before you leave home so you won't overload your plate because you feel starved.  * Watch the alcohol. It's high-calorie and impairs judgment. The more you drink, the more you'll eat.  * Check the table or buffet line to determine what you really like and what you can skip. Focus on fruit and vegetables, unless the vegetables are swimming in cheese. Look for good foods that aren't high in fat. Skip the bread at first so you have more room for the good stuff.  * At a buffet, fill your own dish so you can choose what you want and your dish won't be overloaded.  * For baked potatoes and sweet potatoes, avoid the butter, cheese and bacon. Look for low-fa

Do you find your belly wiggling like a bowl full of jelly every January? It can be hard to keep from overindulging when you are faced with a December full of buffets, cookies, and holiday dinners. But there are ways to battle the holiday bulge. Exercise is an important part of anyone’s healthy lifestyle. During the holidays it is even more important to include exercise in your busy day. There is a stronger tendency to skip your daily walk, aerobics workout, or swim during winter. There are fewer daylight hours, and there are additional activities that demand your time. Taking time for yourself every day, however, will reduce stress and help you to stay fit and trim. As for the eating, remember that the key to success is moderation. You don’t have to deprive yourself of all those holiday goodies. Just keep portions reasonable and opt for some healthy substitutes. If you are invited to a holiday gathering, try to eat something healthy before you go. You won’t be starving and

Parades, football, turkey and thankfulness define November 22, the fourth Thursday of the month, a national holiday by federal decree. Family members, often from great distances, come "to break bread together." It's Thanksgiving Day. Traditions are observed. Everyone is eager to kick back, laugh, catch up on what everyone is doing and comment on how the kids have grown. TVs are turned on early in the morning to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Football games are available for the rest of the day. This year, the networks give fans an NFL triple-header; no station switching necessary. Local stations may broadcast Turkey Bowls, high school games held on Thanksgiving or the day before; every state has them and thousands are in attendance. Many gatherings hold their own backyard games, and rivalries enhance the fun. The need to connect with loved ones and to express gratitude is at the heart of this day of feasting. It may be over a dining roo

 5 Great Ways to Express Thankfulness Year-Round - By Loren Meier What are the biggest parts of positive thinking and the law of attraction? Can you guess? Appreciation and gratitude! The title may have given it away, huh? Start appreciating what you have right now!  I am challenging you to start getting the "attitude of gratitude"! Start by appreciating what and whom you already have in your life. Be thankful! Celebrate Thanksgiving everyday (minus the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and crazy Aunt Sally!). Here are a few steps you can follow to get in the mood of appreciation. Step one: Appreciate what you have right now! You may not have the car, home, money or clothes that you want right now. Even so, be thankful for what you do have. Appreciating what you have right now will create a feeling of abundance. If you focus on wanting or on being discontent, those negative thoughts will attract even more negative feelings. I am thankful for

Happy, Feel-Good Holiday Seasons Start With Healthy Choices at Thanksgiving, Nutrition Experts Say While most people only gain about a pound of weight during the holiday season, that pound may never come off, increasing the likelihood of becoming overweight or obese and the risk of related health problems, according to a National Institutes of Health study. University of Missouri dietitians recommend families maintain healthy diet and exercise habits during the holiday season beginning with Thanksgiving. Donna Mehrle, registered dietitian and extension associate in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, reminds people to consider how they feel when they eat healthy foods and are physically active, so they're more likely to continue those behaviors when holiday stress and cold weather offer convenient excuses. Feeling better is a great motivator, she says. "People can continue their healthy habits by being aware of their food choices at the Thanksgiving

Californians are about to experience the biggest change in the health care system since the 1960s By  Daniel Weintraub Special to The Bee JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Do you think that you or your employer will benefit from the federal health care reform law? Add your comment below. To write a letter, go to sacbee.com/sendletter . If this year's election was a referendum on President Barack Obama's first term, then it was also a test of the voters' support for his biggest legislative achievement: federal health care reform. And while polls continue to show widespread public skepticism about the Affordable Care Act, Obama's re-election means the law is probably here to stay. That prospect should cheer Californians, who support the federal health care reform in greater numbers than voters in most other states. Not coincidentally, California has also done more to implement the law than other states, where officials were holding back to see if the reforms w

So you may be wondering what to do about the fibromyalgia pain and other devastating symptoms you have. You may be wondering if there is a fibromyalgia diet out there that works. See if this scenario sounds familiar to you. You have gone from doctor to doctor looking for a diagnosis. You have terrible pain in the trigger points, you are severely fatigued, anxious, experiencing brain fog, but don’t know what to do. Doctor’s are having a hard time diagnosing you and treating your symptoms. You may feel crazy, like no one understands how you are feeling and what you are going through. Doctor’s may not know how to treat you, but there is help. You are not crazy! There’s a secret out there in the medical community that can help your Fibromyalgia symptoms get better. Many studies have been done to show that changing your diet can help you alleviate the severity of your symptoms. A magic diet? No, there is no such thing. But there are some things that research is validating when it comes to

YOU die alone, philosophers say. But you could die sooner if you live your life in loneliness. Close connections to friends and family may ward off poor health and premature death, recent research suggests. Loneliness is a risk factor for functional decline and early death in adults over age 60, according to a University of California, San Francisco study  published in July. More than 43 percent of the 1,604 participants reported that they often felt left out or isolated or lacked companionship. In the six-year follow-up period, more than half of the self-identified lonely people had difficulty with basic housekeeping and personal tasks. They also had a 45 percent greater risk of dying earlier than older adults who felt more connected to others. The majority of lonely people (62.5 percent) were married or living with others — an indication that feeling lonely and being alone are not the same. “It’s not the quantity but the quality of your relationships that matters,” said Dr. C

As winter closes in, it is important for seniors and those who care for them to be aware of some simple precautions. Seniors are at risk during the winter months for several reasons. Winter weather and storms may isolate the elderly more than usual. Diseases such as the common cold and the flu are more prevalent and present a particular risk to those who are older or already in weakened health. There are also the dangers that the cold weather itself presents to those who are vulnerable. In response to these circumstances, the American Red Cross has issued its annual winter-preparedness tips for senior citizens. Be sure to arrange to have someone check on older persons regularly. It is also a good idea to have a plan to signal the need for help. For example, a daily phone call to check in might be appropriate. Post emergency numbers near the phone as well. We never know when severe weather might hit. If specialized care, medical supplies, or equipment is needed, plan ahead

The day after Thanksgiving Day will be marked by millions of shoppers and businesses as something worth celebrating. Some people like it as much as the holiday turkey.  Store sales are plentiful and prices are dramatically lowered on the 23rd. Although Black Friday comes during what many have come to believe is a 4-day holiday, it's not. Most people have to work on Friday, unless they've taken the day off or their state has proclaimed a legal holiday. Mail delivery resumes. Some major retailers open at midnight with a "midnight madness" tactic; some even earlier. They want to capture as many shoppers as possible before they run out of spending money. But that's not a problem in many stores that have layaway programs: buy now, bail out your stuff before Christmas.  Increasingly, people are concerned sales will begin on Thanksgiving Day, and some already do. They're signing petitions against Thursday hours that can spoil the attitude of togetherness and

Discover the Value of Vitamin D By Sara Lovelady The US Institute of Medicine of the National Academies recently tripled the recommended daily vitamin D intake to 600 IU for people between 1 and 7 If there was ever such a thing as a “popular” vitamin, then vitamin D surely qualifies. After a flurry of scientific studies showed a link between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of several chronic diseases, it captured widespread interest. Here are the basics to know about this compelling nutrient. What does D do in the body? Vitamin D helps maintain blood levels of calcium, so it increases bone strength. It also works with calcium to prevent falls in seniors. But vitamin D is more than just calcium’s sidekick. Intervention studies have shown that supplementing with vitamin D may provide modest benefits in helping you kick the winter blues and tamp down high blood pressure—and, if you have diabetes—balancing blood sugar. Population studie

(BPT) - The holidays are full of fun activities, tasty treats and plenty of celebration, but being busy and eating all the extras can quickly lead to weight gain. With a few key strategies, it's surprisingly easy to enjoy the season to the fullest and still avoid Santa's extra bulge. Dr. Christopher Mohr is a fitness and nutritional expert who consults for television, print and radio outlets throughout the country. He understands the difficulties of staying health-focused during all the festivities. Mohr offers some good reminders and unique insights on how to avoid gaining extra weight during the holidays. Eat quality calories 'Too many people think that to avoid weight gain you need to avoid calories. In reality, you need to eat calories to stay healthy, but you need to focus on quality calories,' says Mohr. 'Choose foods that are packed with vitamins and nutrients, rather than just empty calories.' Seek out 'real' foods for snacks and meals ove

- There are almost 22 million military veterans in the United States. - Female veterans number over 1.6 million. - There are three U.S. states with over one million veteran residents: California, Florida, and Texas. - Almost 10 percent of all U.S. businesses are owned by military veterans. - There are about 54,000 living veterans who served during all three of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam era. Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey

This is the time of year that many people donate food to food drives. To ensure that your donation can be used, remember these donation tips. Non-perishable items are always needed. Donate items that are factory sealed and try to avoid dented or rusted cans. Most agencies will not accept home-canned or home-packaged foods, but be sure to ask—you may be surprised. Open or partially used items can usually not be accepted. If you are planning on shopping for items to donate, call the agency first to see what they are low on. Try to contribute basic foodstuffs, including rice, pasta, canned tuna, canned soups and stews, peanut butter, canned milk, canned beans and vegetables, and hot or cold cereals. Extras like coffee, tea, spices, and condiments are nice to include as well. If you have non-food items to donate, ask if the agency will accept those as well. Many people are in need of tooth care products, personal hygiene items, diapers, pet food, and basics such as cleanin

A flu shot protects you from coming down with influenza. While it may not always provide total protection, it's certainly worth getting. Influenza is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, and flu immunizations are the most effective way to prevent it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated annually. The influenza viruses selected for inclusion in the seasonal flu vaccine are updated each year based on information about which viruses are being found, how they are spreading, and how well the previous season's vaccine might protect against new viruses discovered in the current year. National influenza centers in over 100 countries conduct year-round surveillance for influenza viruses and disease activity. These laboratories send found viruses for additional analyses to the five World Health  Organization Collaborating Centers, which are located in the followi

Mastering Weight-Maintenance Skills Before Embarking On Diet Helps Women Avoid Backsliding Would you take part in a weight-loss program in which you were explicitly asked not to lose any weight for the first eight weeks? Although the approach sounds counterintuitive, a study from researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine found that women who spent eight weeks mastering weight-maintenance skills before embarking on a weight-loss program shed the same number of pounds as women who started a weight-loss program immediately. More importantly, the study showed that the "maintenance-first" women had regained only 3 pounds on average a year later, compared to the average 7-pound gain for the immediate dieters. The study's authors say that the maintenance-first approach may offer a way to halt the cycle of yo-yo dieting. "Those eight weeks were like a practice run. Women could try out different stability skills and work out the kinks without the p

Bariatric surgery, which significantly curtails the amount of food a person can eat, is the most effective treatment against obesity and is being recognized as a potentially valuable tool in the fight against diabetes related to obesity. It is being performed on increasing numbers of people worldwide, including teenagers. Unfortunately, some types of bariatric surgery may also cause bone loss, a cause for concern, particularly when carried out on young people who have not yet reached their peak bone mass, say endocrinologists from Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research, who have just published a review of current literature in the journal Obesity Reviews , now online. Authors, Dr Malgorzata Brzozowska and Associate Professor Jackie Center, say that skeletal examination and treatment should be considered part of patient care, before and after procedures. In the United States, 'Roux-en-Y' gastric bypass surgery, one of the most invasive of the proce

If you are exercising regularly but not losing weight, take a look at how you eat on the days you work out. Many people feel hungrier after a strenuous workout or feel like they deserve a reward for a good fitness effort. They may eat more on those days without even realizing it. Plan your meals ahead of your workout so that you aren't tempted to overeat and undo all the good you've done. For more articles, tips and advice on nutrition and healthy eating and weight loss please visit my websites:   Nutrition and Healthy Eating  and  Losing Weight Answers