Most recent international health newscast in addition to examination from our health explore band.

2) Renal system— from birth to about age 30 the kidneys actually increase in weight, then a reversal of that process begins to take place. A cumulative decline of 20 to 30 percent is not unusual by age 80. In simpler terms, the kidneys filter waste more slowly as we age. Some women in their 40s who have had children may begin to experience a leakage of a few drops of urine whenever they cough or sneeze. That problem can be corrected with some basic exercises which strengthen the stretched pelvic muscles.

3) Coronary heart disease— after the age of 45, the leading cause of death is heart disease. According to research scientists, one American man in five develops symptoms of heart disease by the age of 60. Statistics show that from the age of 40 to the age of 60, heart disease claims more lives than does stroke, bronchitis, and cancers of the lung, stomach, and breast, combined.

Up until menopause women are far less vulnerable to coronary heart disease than men. Estrogen may work as a protector by affecting the “good” cholesterol (HDLs) which keeps the “bad” cholesterol under control. By age 65, women begin dying of heart disease as often as men do.

Studies have shown that a lifelong low-fat diet and exercise program can help prevent coronary heart disease. And it is never too late to change. Regular exercise and good eating habits can give both men and women protection from heart disease, even in the most vulnerable years.

4) Functional capacity— as we get older, our ability to generate energy for work and play decreases. By age 40, many men and women find that hills seem a little steeper and that they run out of energy quicker. While the aging process plays a part in this “slowing down”, sedentary lifestyles are also often at least partly to blame. Many people in their 40s are under more pressure and stress than they were at 20, and they devote less time to exercise. Research has shown that stress can lead to lethargy and that regular exercise can help people cope better with stress.

As part of a decade-long study, sedentary women from 35 to 65 were enrolled in a program of aerobic exercise. At the end of 10 years, their functional capacities were a full 6 percent higher than when they began.

In another study, a group of men and women with an average age of 90 worked with weights and increased their muscle sizes by 10 percent and nearly tripled their strength. The results seem to indicate that proper training can build muscle and increase or maintain functional capacity at any age

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Comments (0) Mar 24 2009

Even though restrictions on the levels of lead allowed in paint, cookware and other products are stricter than ever, thousands of Americans still suffer from lead poisoning. Lead poisoning has been linked to decreased coordination and mental abilities, as well as damage to the nervous system, kidneys and red blood cells.

Here are several things you can do to help “lead-proof” your home and reduce your exposure:

1) Don’t remove any paint that you suspect may contain lead. Get an expert to test and remove the paint. (Current estimates indicate that nearly 75 percent of American homes built before 1980 have some lead-based paint.)

2) If you have any questions about lead testing or removal, contact your local health department or call the Toxic Substances Hotline

3) Test your drinking water for lead.

A new, fast and effective home test can help you detect the presence of lead in your dishes and cookware. The home test uses swabs, which change color if lead is present. Although the swabs won’t indicate how much lead is present, all dishes or cookware that test positive should not be used for either food or drinks.

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Comments (0) Mar 24 2009

The most important part of any effective plan to control stress is learning how to relax. The following technique was designed by medical experts to promote deep muscle relaxation. With regular practice, the technique can provide you with such muscle relaxation in as little time as two minutes. For best results, it is recommended that you practice this technique once or twice a day before meals, or at least one hour after you have eaten.

1) The first step is to find a quiet, peaceful place where there are no distractions. Be sure to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. You should take off your shoes, and undo any belts or tight buttons.

2) Lie down on your back with your feet about 18 inches apart. Your hands should rest on the floor, palms upward and about a half foot from your sides.

3) Once you have settled into position, begin tensing and then relaxing each part of your body. Start with your feet, then proceed with your legs, buttocks, abdomen, back, chest, shoulders, arms and hands, head, and face. You should tense each part in its turn as hard as you can, then let it relax.

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Comments (0) Mar 24 2009

Chew Your Food Slowly To Eat Less At Mealtimes

One way to ensure that you eat less at mealtime is to eat slowly. By eating slower you provide extra time which lets your body know when it has received enough fuel and doesn’t require any more. One of the most natural and healthful ways to slow down eating is to consume more fiber. Fiber is not only satisfying but it provides mouthfuls that must be chewed thoroughly. In other words, when eating fiber, you must take your time. The end result is that you’ll eat less food than you would if you hurried through your meal. Fiber also requires a lot of room in the stomach, which reduces the appetite and makes you feel full longer.

Water And Your Appetite

One of your best weapons in the “battle of the bulge” is water. Many times we think we are hungry when we are actually thirsty. Sipping water throughout the day— especially when you feel a craving for food—may satisfy your hunger and help you avoid unnecessary eating.

Exercise Is A Must To Lose Weight

Any weight control program must include regular exercise. It doesn’t necessarily have to be vigorous exercise like aerobics, jogging, or swimming. A brisk 20 to 30 minute walk can be very helpful as well as increasing the rate that excess calories are burned off. Here are some common exercises and the number of calories that are expended practicing each one for an hour at a time:

1) Brisk Walking (4 mph)— 440 calories expended in one hour.

2) Jogging (5 mph)— 740 calories expended in one hour.

3) Bicycling (6 mph)— 240 calories expended in one hour.

4) Running in place— 650 calories expended in one hour.

5) Jumping Rope— 750 calories expended in one hour.

6) Swimming (25 yards per minute)— 275 calories expended in one hour.

7) Tennis (singles)— 400 calories expended in one hour.

Recent research indicates that aerobic exercise may reduce fat first and quickest in the stomach. A study conducted at the University of Washington monitored a group of men participating in an intensive six-month aerobic program. The men lost 20 percent of their abdomen fat— practically twice the amount of fat reduction in their arms and legs.

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Comments (0) Mar 24 2009

Most people already know some of the worst offenders in this group— candy bars, soda, and potato chips. All of those foods are either loaded with fat or sugar, and high in calories.

Candy bars are heavy with saturated fat and calories, but as long as you are also eating a well-balanced diet, they are not especially bad for your health. However, a more sensible and healthful alternative is low-fat or no-fat candies, such as jelly beans, gumdrops, marshmallows, and hard candies.

Sugar is the big culprit in soda. Drinking one can of soda is about the equivalent of eating 10 packets of sugar and washing it down with water. Soda will also make you thirstier than you were before you drank it, because your body will require more fluids to dilute that much sugar. As an alternative to soda, try a 16 ounce drink made from equal parts of your favorite fruit juice and flavored seltzer. This 16 oz. drink has only about 55 calories (1 12 oz. can of soda has about 128 calories) and the sugar will appease your appetite.

Even if the label states “no cholesterol”, potato chips get as much as 60% of their calories from fat. In just one ounce of potato chips (10 or 12 chips) there are about 150 calories and 9.8 grams of fat. And most corn chips are just about as bad. Instead of chips, try snacking on baked tortilla chips. There are only about 110 calories and 1.4 grams of fat in an ounce of tortilla chips that are baked instead of fried.

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Comments (0) Mar 24 2009