Better Health in America

The following information is based on a lecture at Binghamton University on September 17th, 2009 by physician and nutrition expert Dr. Michael Greger. He has been published in several academic journals and is the author of two books titled, "Bird Flu: A Virus Of Our Own Hatching," and, "Carbophobia: The Scary Truth About America's Low-carb Craze."

Over the past year Dr. Greger has paid close attention to recent findings in diet and nutrition and was kind enough to share some of these important findings and insights with Binghamton students and faculty members. The theme of his talk was "Optimum Nutrition 2009," and focuses on a switch towards a more plant-based diet for Americans.

 

1. AMERICANS CONSUME TOO MUCH ANIMAL PROTEIN

One of Greger's biggest critiques on the current eating habits of Americans is that we eat too much animal protein. Why is this a bad thing? Because an increase in animal protein intake correlates with higher cholesterol, higher blood pressure, and a greater risk of heart disease - one of the top killers in America next to cancer.

Over consumption of red meats like beef can have an especially detrimental effect on our cholesterol levels and overall health. One recent study showed that when pregnant women consumed more beef that it negatively affected the sexual development of males in the womb.

Solution: According to Dr. Greger, scientific evidence suggests that the healthiest way to eat is a vitamin-rich diet of whole plant foods. For optimum nutrition, Greger suggests that we include an array of whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fruit, and as many vegetables as you can eat, but also specifically dark greeny leafy vegetables, berries, and green (or white) tea.

One of the best reasons to switch to a plant foods diet is that most meals will be low in calories (especially when compared to meals with animal meat), but at the same time more nutritious in vitamins and minerals. We eat less, but still replenish our bodily functions and energize our bodies.

On a side note, many may worry that a switch to a more plant-based diet may result in a lack of protein, but many nuts and vegetables provide plenty so that a dieter should not have to resort to protein supplements.

2. AMERICANS DON'T EAT THE RIGHT VEGETABLES (IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER)

Even when Americans do eat their veggies they still aren't making the best choices. Among the most popular plants consumed in the west - tomatoes, lettuce, potatoes, and spinach - none of these are particularly good at fighting cancer as other alternatives in eastern countries. Again, perhaps these eating habits shed some light on why cancer (and other medical illnesses) is growing so prevalent in the United States.

Solution: Vegetables that have shown to be better cancer fighters are cabbage, soy, ginger, and umbelliferous vegetables such as carrots, celery, cilantro, parsley and parsnip. The number one rated fighter against cancer was garlic.

3. AMERICANS TOO OFTEN CHOOSE CONVENIENCE OVER CONSCIOUS-EATING

It is far easier for a busy mother or college student to go to a fast food restaurant - or resort to some other convenient fatty food - than to prepare a healthy meal. This is part of a growing problem. It isn't that Americans don't understand what constitutes good eating, only that we have become complacent in continuing our bad habits.

Solution: If we want to change our diet then we need to become more aware of how we choose our meals when we choose them. It requires our conscious effort. Our diets already fluctuate subtly from week-to-week, but by shedding a greater awareness on what we eat as we eat it we can begin to take greater control over our diet, and hopefully move it in a more positive direction.

What I call "conscious eating" includes looking into the nutritional facts of what we are consuming on a day-to-day basis, making incremental changes over time, and maintaining the will to eat and live healthier.

4. IMPORTANT MICRONUTRIENTS TO PAY ATTENTION TO

Dr. Greger also recommends these important micronutrients (some of whose needs can be fulfilled in our food and others which may require supplements).

A. Vitamin B12 (at least 2000μg each week - ideally as a chewable, sublingual, or liquid supplement).

B. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (250mg daily of algae-derived DHA).

C. Vitamin D (most of which can be absorbed by the sun during summer months, but may require a 4,000 IU supplement during the winter).

D. Calcium (most greens are rich in calcium except spinach, chard, and beet greens, recommended 600mg daily).

E. Iodine (for those who don't eat seaweed or iodized salt, a 150μg daily supplement should be sufficient).

F. Iron (especially for menstruating women but men should check for an iron overload disease before any attempt to increase intake).

G. Selenium (Northern Europeans may need to take a supplement or eat about 20 Brazil nuts a month).

FINAL WORDS ON HEALTHY EATING

Diets do not change overnight; they take time and sustained effort. This does not mean that changing one's eating habits is an exhausting process, but that it is something that needs to be on your mind whenever you are planning to eat.

The core lesson of Dr. Greger's lecture is that by switching from a dependency on animal protein to a more plant-based diet we can simultaneously tackle a wide variety of health issues that are linked to poor eating habits. Optimally, Greger recommends we rid our diets of animal protein completely; but realistically, any change from less animal meat to more plant foods will probably have a positive affect on our health.

The Biggest Health Benefit of Using a Fish Oil Supplement That I Experienced



The biggest benefit of using a fish oil supplement that I have experienced is without a doubt the increase in happiness. You see, the human brain alone is comprised of 60% fat, which should start to tell you how important omega-3 fatty acids are for your brain and well-being.

The human body has a natural antidepressant called serotonin. This is a simple chemical that can be enhanced by giving your body the omega-3 fatty acids that it needs.

I know that most people would like to be happier, but most of them are unaware, or unwilling to try a simple fish oil supplement. I think this is unfortunate, because omega-3 supplements are extremely easy to use and very affordable when you find a good company, just like I have.

There are also other benefits of using a fish oil supplement. Researchers believe that most people are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids today. These can begin to explain why so many people are having difficulties with their health with their mental faculties.

I have personally experienced many other health benefits aside from feeling happier, a few examples are improved memory, sleep, joint health, focus, stomach function, skin and energy.

Studies done in Canada, Sweden, USA, United Kingdom and Australia have proven the amazing health benefits that come from using omega-3 fatty acid capsules. Researchers have for over 20 years been looking at why omega-3 fatty acids are so powerful.

They have discovered that the human body cannot produce omega-3 fats on its own accord, which is why even the FDA and the American Heart Association now recommend that you get more of these essential fats into your body.

With so many people having health problems today, now is the time to give your body the nutrients that it requires to stay healthy and function optimally.


If you're interested in learning more about the best fish oil supplements, visit my website, where I share what products I have personally been using daily for several years.

Sanitizers - How to Participate in Your Own Health and Wellness



Protecting you and your family from Super Bugs like MRSA and Staph largely depends on how you maintain, balance and protect the skin.  Although topical antibiotic, antiseptic and antibacterial products are in wide supply these days, the problem continues to worsen. So much so, over 19,000 Americans died last year from flesh eating, deadly bacteria that gained access to its victim's internal environment via a minor cut or abrasion.

Because bacteria are capable of asexual reproduction and binary fission, it didn't take long to adapt their immunity to the Broad Spectrum Antibiotics we've all had prescribed for us at one time or another. However, this knowledge hasn't deterred Pharmaceutical companies from researching and developing stronger strains of antibiotics to stay in a race they know they can never win. Any solution that stays focused on killing the symptom and not the cause is like mopping up a floor without turning the faucet off first.

One thing the medical and holistic community has always agreed on is the need to improve basic sanitation; frequent hand washing cited as the most important act. However, what you clean your hands and nails with is more important than the regimen itself. While OSHA advocates and demands the use of petro-chemical derivatives found in soaps, disinfectants and sanitizers mandated by the State for widespread use in all regulated institutions, it's no wonder these facilities are the hardest hit by infectious bacterial virus' and disease.

Over the decades, Chemical companies have found many profitable ways to peddle petroleum bi-products for profit rather than get saddled with the expense of dumping or disposing of these dangerous substances in a safe responsible manner.  With so many politicians elected into power on the backs of chemical company contributions, millions of trusting consumers have been blinded (in many cases literally) into believing that anything the FDA deems safe and necessary must be so.   It doesn't matter that the FDA requires that all consumer products openly disclose active ingredients on the back of a label when approximately 5,000 carcinogenic ingredients can "legally" be omitted for one "constitutional" reason or another.  At the end of the day, it comes down to us using our intuitive faculties and power of reason. Unless we participate and take full responsibility for what we put on, in and around our body, things are likely to get worse.

Although it might seem like a daunting task to right the oh so many wrongs, like anything, it's about taking one step at a time and finding out as much as you can on the subject. The cool thing about bacteria is they are the ultimate workaholics and take their jobs very seriously. If you consider we use them to clean up oil spills, break down garbage, fight disease, produce energy, process food, clean up water ways, kill aliens (remember the War of the Worlds?) then you start to see that they are only capable of reacting in direct proportion to the jobs we are forcing the to do.  Because Super Bugs are anaerobic or thrive in the absence of oxygen and a majority of common personal care and household products are made from chemically inappropriate ingredients devoid of any oxygen molecules, bacteria are forced to proliferate and adapt accordingly. So if super bugs thrive in the absence of oxygen, it would make sense that they would weaken in the presence of oxygen; right?

Surely if it was that simple, it would be all over the news. It might even be worthy enough to get a segment on Oprah, What gives? Well, the problem my friend is twofold:

1. The Media would have to cut off their nose to spite their face by exposing and ruining their cash cows - the advertisers.

2. There is no real money to be made if a product cannot be patented for exclusive rights and distribution, thereby necessitating the need to use synthetic components.

By now, you may be feeling a bit gutted to know that the proverbial wool has been pulled over the eyes of consumers for all these decades and overwhelmed at the prospect of having to rethink everything you believed was right. The great thing about a free economy (well almost) is we get to vote which products stay and what goes using our wallets. To fight this at a legislative level would be futile as some lobbyists are given pockets as deep as they are tarnished.

So how do we combat this dire situation and protect our families from unnecessary infection? By getting back to basics and participating in our own rescue. It's time to ask the right questions and demand rational answers. When it comes to self health, onus is on each of us to learn and abide by the natural laws that govern our physical selves. Fortunately, there is now plenty of great information and resources ready and willing to help you in these areas. Now that the blinders are off and your awareness peeked, you will begin to see them everywhere. Good people running great companies who produce phenomenal goods and services because they have the passion and moral integrity to want to do so.

Connections Between Aging Skin, Health and the Brain



When we were babies, our brains were like sponges; soaking up everything around us, growing and making connections. Our skin was soft and supple. The healthier foods we ate back then encouraged production of collagen for that soft baby skin, and encouraged the constant electrical connections the brain needed to make in order to learn and understand everything that was being absorbed. The fact that we went on to learn to walk proves that the brain was absorbing and learning not only from our surroundings but what our bodies were telling us. Back then, our brains listened to our bodies and attempted to give it what it needed, like activity. We start school and continue to keep our brains active. However, when school is finished and we work all day, the brain may not be as active as it was while we were in school. Active learning throughout your life is one of the best ways to keep your cognitive functions sharp. I would be a professional student if I could. I love to learn new things.

As we age, the activity in our brain slows down naturally; and during the sunset years of our lives, mental faculties can become seriously impaired. We need to take steps to assure that our brains stay active. As we get older, hormones that give our brain its ability to make connections and our skin its suppleness, decrease naturally. We need to take steps to replenish these hormones. Excessive stress may also cause malfunctions in the brains chemistry. Hormonal imbalances also age the skin and interfere with brain function.

Keeping a positive attitude will help to keep brain functioning at its optimum. Positive thinking can reduce stress and therefore, keep your skin looking younger. My mother was a very unhappy woman. It didn't matter what anyone did, she was never happy, and I've never seen one little woman with as many wrinkles as she had. She also died at a relatively young age; having lost most of her cognitive abilities and her health.

Studies have proven that if you keep a close connection with friends and family your mental faculties are stronger and you will actually look and feel younger. The reasons for this are explained by psychoneuroimmunology, which is the way our emotions affect our health and appearance.

A healthy diet is necessary to keep your brain functioning at optimum. Blueberries have been proven to improve short-term memory and have a high amount of antioxidants for aging skin care. Eat a lot of fruits and dark green leafy vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, which help your skin appear younger and help your body repair and repel toxins. Antioxidants can even help prevent some diseases. It is also known that a lack of certain vitamins can cause diseases. Some experts believe that certain toxins can make autism worse; and some vitamins and minerals can make autism better.

Since I have a son who has Asperger's Disorder I can honestly say that his vitamin regime improved his mental and emotional functioning a great deal. I realize that the American Medical Association has not completely backed this treatment, but for all of us who have experienced the improvements in our loved ones, we don't need any proof from them. We all need to begin to realize how important it is to eat healthy and avoid toxins in our environment. For the sake of our future brain functions, our health and the appearance of our skin, we need to keep all toxins out of our system.

Many doctors are now accepting and even encouraging the position that supplements, including supplements not in the regular vitamin range, are able to help us heal and stay healthy.

There is no realistic way we can remove all stress from our lives; in fact, a certain amount of stress is good for us, as long as we are able to deal with that stress in an emotionally healthy way. It is important to remember that excessive stress will age our skin and can even cause diseases. I have personally been stressed to the point that I was spitting up blood. It took quite a while, but I have learned to deal with stress in a more appropriate way; and I can report that I have been in good health ever since.

If we are worrying excessively, we need to immediately get some guidance to deal with the stress before it has an opportunity to affect our health. The brain releases stress hormones to help us manage our stress. When we become excessively stressed or for longer periods of time, the hormones build up and can cause damage to nerve cells. Also, excessive stress hormones can cause depression, which will also age your skin.

If I can learn to be a positive, upbeat person, anyone can. I had to learn how to make myself exercise regularly, eat healthy and handle stress appropriately (I'm still working on the exercising regularly.) It was a long process for me, but my health was definitely worth it. I'm happy, active and healthy; and my skin is still relatively youthful.

The connection between the brain and our health is still being studied, but it is clear that there is a very strong connection. We already know that stress and disease can destroy our skin. We all want to be able to retain our cognitive functions and have youthful skin as we age and there are some very basic things we can do to help make that happen. Be positive, handle stress well, eat healthy, keep learning and stay active.


I am introducing natural herbs and homemade skin care recipes, and recipes that will actually fight aging for you, and tips to make your aging skin care routine more effective. Visit: Aging Skin Care Tips

University Survey Types - Education Survey, Campus Evaluation, Faculty Review and More



Any university survey in the world would reveal that people would be willing to spend for top-quality education. For schools to know what would it take for them to provide the best curricula, instructors, facilities and other necessary aspects of their whole education experience, they need to research not just about the advancements in the academe, but also what are the students perceived needs, wants and goals. Various types of researches and questionnaires are conducted to determine these essentials.

An evaluation about the campus is one of the most basic questionnaires you would want answered about your school. The aim usually is to find out what your students are experiencing regarding student support services and mostly tangible aspects in the school premises, such as transportation, housing, health care and food, among others. You might also want to ask about the school paper and student groups. It normally ends with questions asking your students' opinions about how to improve the quality of students' life on campus.

An education survey is done to determine mainly if your offered courses are relevant, if the content of the courses is what the students expected, and if the instructors of the courses were effective in delivering the course objectives. You could also ask if the reading and other course materials, projects and exams were reasonable and significant.

Instructor-related questions may also be included here. You should find out if the instructor was fair in treating students, demonstrated knowledge and ability about the subject, always came prepared for class, and helped stimulate students' interest in the course. You might also want to ask if the instructor used teaching aids and technology effectively.

A faculty review is an administrative audit generally to improve the efficiency of the faculty members, eliminate redundancy and bureaucracy, and help everyone in the faculty to be more effective in his tasks. It usually looks closely at the major elements that affect teaching, such as learning objectives, curriculum and co-curriculum, teaching methods, student learning assessment and quality control. Have you clearly defined what you want students, who finish your program, to know and be able to achieve? Do you collaborate as a team in developing and implementing assessment of program learning objectives? Do we point out best practices in teaching and utilize them to improve our teaching?

Education survey, faculty review and campus evaluation are just some of the types of effective surveys to know if your school is providing effective programs and satisfying students. People invest in education and it is just right that schools offer excellent quality education, facilities, instructors and environment.




Education survey, faculty review and other school surveys will help you know how you can further improve your schoolÂ’s quality in all aspects. Web Survey Creator helps you produce effective questionnaires for your students and teachers. Visit them online for free template samples.

Fish Oil For Brain Health - Enhance Your Brain Functions With Quality Omega 3 Fish Oil

Did you know that using fish oil for brain health is very effective? Yes it is, but how do you find quality brand that will give you the desired benefits? These are the issues this article is going to discuss; so read on to find out.

Research shows that using fish oil for brain health helps to prevent mental conditions like depression, ADHD, Autism and Alzheimer's; those who already have these diseases but take omega 3 supplements regularly also report improvement in their conditions.

What makes fish oil for brain health effective is DHA; science tells us that the human brain consists of 30% DHA. This vital fatty acid helps the clear the neuron path-ways of obstructions, thereby enhancing transmission and communications between your brain and other parts of your body; it helps to improve moods, boost memory and enhance concentration and learning. However, studies show that shortage of DHA leads to mental problems.

Other benefits of omega 3 include helping to keep your heart healthy (it lowers bad cholesterol, triglycerides and high blood pressure, thereby lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke). It is also helpful for arthritis, type 2 diabetes and helps to improve vision.

Having said that, if want an effective fish oil for brain health, you need one that contains the right amount of dha; that is a minimum of 250mg per 1000mg capsule. Experts advise that the more amount of this fatty acid contained in the supplement, the more effective it will be.

You should also make sure that the supplement does not contain impurities; pollutions in the oceans contaminate fish with toxins like mercury, PCBs and other heavy metal. So, look for a brand that is molecularly distilled; molecular distillation ensures that the toxins are remove from the oil, thereby making it pure and safe for human consumption.

Now that you know that fish oil for brain health is effective and how you can choose a quality brand, it is time to boost your mental faculty with the right supplement; if you want to know about the premium brand I personally take, visit my website.

Student Loans For Those Seeking Health Professions

If you are a full-time student looking to study to be a doctor of science in pharmacy; or a doctor of dentistry, podiatric medicine, optometry, or veterinary medicine, you may be eligible for the need-based Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL), designed to provide financial assistance in the form of long-term loans.

HPSL is a federal loan program administered by the University as the lender.

The aggregate maximum you may borrow in HPSL loans is limited only by the cost of tuition and fees, and by the funds available and the 5 percent annual interest is subsidized by the federal government during the time you are in school and the one-year grace period. You begin repayment at the end of the grace period. Your payments are calculated for full repayment within 10 years (120 months).

For consideration for the HSPL loan, you must report parental data on the FAFSA, even if you have independent student status.

Each and every time you accept an HPSL loan, you will be mailed a paper promissory note and loan disclosure form that you are required to complete and return to SFC before loan funds can be disbursed to you. You will be required to attend an exit interview if you:

* are about to graduate.

* leave the University (even if it is just temporary).

* drop your registration below half-time enrollment.

* transfer to another school.

* leave for a National Student Exchange (NSE) experience.

Are there any restrictions? Funds are allocated to schools by statutory formula for the purpose of capitalizing a student loan fund. Funds on deposit can only be used for loans to eligible students pursuing a full-time course of study; for costs in connection with the collection of any obligation to the fund. The maximum amount a student may borrow is cost of attendance (including tuition, other reasonable educational expenses and reasonable living expenses). Third and fourth year medical and osteopathic medicine students may be eligible for additional funding to repay earlier educational loans.

Students of allopathic medicine and osteopathy must meet financial need criteria and agree to enter and complete a residency training program in primary health care not later then 4 years after the date on which the student graduates from such school and to practice primary health care through the date on which the loan is repaid in full.

To be eligible for Loans for Disadvantaged Students (LDS) students must meet the HPSL criteria and also be from a disadvantaged background as defined by the Secretary. To be eligible for LDS funds a school must be carrying out a program for recruiting and retaining students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities and carrying out a program for recruiting and retaining minority faculty.

In addition, the school must agree to ensure that adequate instruction regarding minority health issues is provided for in the curricula of the school.

Participating schools are required to renew their agreement periodically as specified by the Secretary to operate a student loan fund with the agency responsible for administering the program. Student applications for financial assistance indicating the basis of approval or disapproval of a loan are maintained on file in the school.

Health Benefit Green Tea Examples That You Should Know



People in many different cultures understand the way that teas of various types can help with maintaining good health. There is more than one health benefit green tea offers in every cup that you enjoy. Here are some of the examples of the benefits to your health that come with sipping on green tea on a regular basis.

One health benefit green tea affords to the average person is an increased sense of energy and interest. Because there are properties of green tea that help to stimulate the metabolism, you will find yourself wanting to get up and out of the house more often. With the aid of an enhanced metabolism, your body will naturally make better use of the foods that you choose to eat, and will tend to burn excess calories much more quickly. Thus, you get the benefit of a leaner body and lots more energy to enjoy life.

The presence of antitoxins in green tea also helps your body to function at its best. Toxins tend to slow down natural processes in the body, making it harder for your vital organs to do what they are designed to do. Flushing out the toxins and preventing buildup of more toxins means your body does not have to struggle simply to perform the tasks that should be easy for each organ to perform. When your body is able to function at optimum levels, you will find that your mental and emotional faculties also work more efficiently. The result is a much happier person all the way around.

Whichever health benefit green tea example you think is more important for you at this time, make a decision today to give green tea a try. You will find the taste to be enjoyable and you could begin to see differences in the way you feel within a week or two. What have you got to lose but a little time spent brewing a pot of tea?