Monthly News Archives



		Facts You May Not Know About Fluoride February 27, 2009 Although advocates of Fluoride say its use in munipal water systems poses no adverse health concerns, results from investigations clearly state the opposite. There has been considerable research done on fluoride regarding cancer, birth defects, and risks to the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary systems, however, very little has been done on its neurological effects. Vitamin D: A Cure For The Common Cold? February 27, 2009 Is sunshine more than just a home remedy for a cold? New research suggests it may be: In a study being published, people with low levels of vitamin D also known as the "sunshine vitamin" were more likely to catch cold and flu than folks with adequate amounts. Consuming Calcium Will Reduce Your Risk of Colon Cancer Risk February 27, 2009 Regular consumption of calcium appears to cut the risk of developing colon cancer or other tumors of the digestive system, a new study said. Caffeine May Kill Some Cancer Cells February 26, 2009 A cup of joe a day may help keep skin cancer away: A new study shows that caffeine helps kill off human cells damaged by ultraviolet light, one of the key triggers of several types of skin cancer. Natural Living Is The Way To Beat Cancer February 26, 2009 Over 40% of breast and bowel cancer cases in rich countries are preventable through diet, physical activity and weight control alone, experts say. Noah's Ark of Seeds In The Event of a Global Catastrophe February 26, 2009 The largest seed repository in the world, located near the village of Longyearbyen on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, has in one year amassed a collection of more than 400,000 unique seed samples -- some 200 million seeds. Being Overweight As Bad As Smoking 10 Cigarettes Per Day February 25, 2009 Being overweight or seriously underweight as a teenager curbs life expectancy as much as smoking 10 cigarettes a day, a study suggests. Music-Memory Connection Found in Brain February 25, 2009 People have long known that music can trigger powerful recollections, but now a brain-scan study has revealed where this happens in our noggins. Conflicting Reports On Alcohol Continue: One Drink Per Day Increases Cancer Risk February 25, 2009 A glass of wine each evening is enough to increase your risk of developing cancer, women are being warned. Social Websites Such As Facebook Are Harming Children's Brains February 24, 2009 Social networking websites are causing alarming changes in the brains of young users, an eminent scientist has warned. Why Our Hair Turns Grey As We Age February 24, 2009 Wash away your gray? Maybe. A team of European scientists have finally solved a mystery that has perplexed humans throughout the ages: why we turn gray. Despite the notion that gray hair is a sign of wisdom, these researchers show that wisdom has nothing to do with it. Are Free Radicals Responsible For Aging? February 24, 2009 The oxidative stress theory postulates that when molecules like free radicals, oxygen ions and peroxides build up in cells, they overwhelm the cells' ability to repair the damage they cause, and the cells age. However, clinical trials have not shown that reducing oxidative stress has statistically significant effects. How Some Cleaning Solvents Increase Your Risk of Lymphoma February 23, 2009 Women exposed to organic solvents on the job face an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), according to new research in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Breathing Incense Smoke Increases Your Risk of Cancer February 23, 2009 Regular inhalation of incense smoke could increase the risk of a variety of respiratory cancers, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Statens Serum Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark, and published in the journal Cancer. Trans Fats Are Being Substituted, But Is The Substitute Any Better? February 20, 2009 It was inevitable that food manufacturers and the edible oil industry would find a substitute for trans fats, now that consumer backlash is forcing the issue. But is the substitute any safer? CO2 is Not Our Enemy: Sun-Powered Device Converts CO2 Into Fuel February 20, 2009 Powered only by natural sunlight, an array of nanotubes is able to convert a mixture of carbon dioxide and water vapour into natural gas at unprecedented rates. Saliva Is The Secret Ingredient In Increasing Your Sex Drive February 20, 2009 Go ahead. Kiss the girl. And you might make it a wet one, because scientists who are starting to understand the biochemistry of kisses say that saliva increases sex drive. More Breast Cancer Screening Frauds February 20, 2009 Women undergoing routine breast cancer screening are not being warned of the risks, with many tests ending in unnecessary treatment, leading health professionals say. Can Lecithin Help Control Cholesterol? February 20, 2009 Lecithin is a complex fat-like substance found in the cells of all living organisms. You will certainly find it wherever dietary supplements are sold, because it has been promoted as a natural remedy to combat atherosclerosis, improve memory, and fight Alzheimer's disease. Physical Activity Guidelines Are Too Confusing, Say Researchers February 19, 2009 Whether you are defined as leading an active or inactive lifestyle can depend on which country you are in and which guideline your GP picks off the shelf, say researchers at the University of Bath. Hot Pepper Nose Spray Relieves Hay Fever February 19, 2009 A second-generation all-natural nose spray called Sinol-M, whose main ingredient is capsaicin derived from hot peppers, safely and effectively relieves stubborn nasal allergies, according to results of a clinical study. Antioxidant Benefits From Fruits and Veggies May Be Destroyed By Milk Products February 19, 2009 Milk may destroy the antioxidant benefits of tea, fruits, vegetables and even grains. Veggies Are Not What They Use To Be February 18, 2009 Apparently produce not only tastes worse than it did in your grandparents' days, it also contains fewer nutrients - at least according to Donald R. Davis, a former research associate with the Biochemical Institute at the University of Texas, Austin. If You�re Aggressive, Your Dog Will Be Too February 18, 2009 In a new, year-long University of Pennsylvania survey of dog owners who use confrontational or aversive methods to train aggressive pets, veterinary researchers have found that most of these animals will continue to be aggressive unless training techniques are modified. Muscle Strengthening Aids New Knees February 18, 2009 Patients who underwent six weeks of progressive muscle strengthening aimed at the quadriceps did much better than patients given conventional treatment. The study appears in the February issue of Arthritis Care & Research. New Research May Prove Injuries Sustained by 'Shaken Babies' Also Occurs Naturally February 17, 2009 Two British pathologists have found that a combination of injuries used to diagnose abuse, known as the "triad", can happen naturally. Babies Who Gesture Learn Words Sooner February 17, 2009 Parents who gestured more frequently to their children to convey meaning and new concepts, in turn had their kids gesture more to them. When researchers tested the same children at 54 months of age, those early gesturers turned out to have better vocabulary ability than other students. Fructose-Sweetened Drinks Increase Triglyceride Fats February 17, 2009 Obese people who drink fructose-sweetened beverages with their meals have an increased rise of triglycerides following the meal, according to new research from the Monell Center. Honeybees Under Attack On All Fronts February 17, 2009 The world's honeybees appear to be dying off in horrifying numbers, and now consensus is starting to emerge on the reason why: it seems there is no one cause. Three Recent Studies Reveal How To Prevent Alzheimer's Disease February 17, 2009 Alzheimer's disease is a much feared condition, especially in view of the soaring numbers worldwide. What can we do to prevent the contraction of this debilitating ailment? Of course, an overall health-promoting lifestyle and dietary protocol would go a long way. How about simple steps to incorporate into our daily lives? Three recent studies put forth some suggestions. The Sweet Truth About Chocolate February 13, 2009 The ways in which the compounds in chocolate interact with our bodies' systems, from the stomach to the heart, have been an active area of research in recent years. Several studies have found that in small amounts, dark chocolate in particular can help prevent the blood from clumping up, keep the heart healthy and even provide some anti-cancer benefits. The Biology of Belief February 13, 2009 Needy creatures that we are, we put the brain's spiritual centers to use all the time. We pray for peace; we meditate for serenity; we chant for wealth. We travel to Lourdes in search of a miracle; we go to Mecca to show our devotion; we eat hallucinogenic mushrooms to attain transcendent vision and gather in church basements to achieve its sober opposite. But there is nothing we pray - or chant or meditate - for more than health. Higher Blood Sugar Levels Dictate Lower Brain Function February 13, 2009 Results of a recent study conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues show that cognitive functioning abilities drop as average blood sugar levels rise in people with type 2 diabetes. Have Chest Pain? It Could All Be Stress February 12, 2009 Each year, many people seek emergency treatment for unexplained chest pains. A thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, indicates several common factors among those affected, including stress at work, anxiety, depression and a sedentary lifestyle. Vigorous Exercise May Help Prevent Vision Loss February 12, 2009 There's another reason to dust off those running shoes. Vigorous exercise may help prevent vision loss, according to a pair of studies from the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Dangerous Particles Are Being Released From Your Printer February 12, 2009 The identity and origin of tiny, potentially hazardous particles emitted from common laser printers have been revealed by a new study at Queensland University of Technology. Exercise Will Reduce Your Risk of Colon Cancer February 12, 2009 Exercise can cut the risk of the most common kind of bowel cancer by a quarter, research suggests. That Gut Feeling May Actually Reflect A Reliable Memory February 10, 2009 You know the feeling. You make a decision you're certain is merely a "lucky guess." A new study from Northwestern University offers precise electrophysiological evidence that such decisions may sometimes not be guesswork after all. Sunshine Is Still Our Best Protection Against Disease February 10, 2009 Our bodies make vitamin D when the sun shines, and new research suggests the positive effects on health are greater than we ever imagined. But too much sun causes skin cancer. It's a dilemma provoking fierce discussion among scientists. Organic Labeling-Truth or Consequence? February 10, 2009 Much confusion abounds over the term Organic. We see it everywhere now and marketing and advertising agencies have lead us to believe that this term is synonymous with "healthy." This article will explain what the organic symbol means, when it can be used and the fact that it is often not an indicator of a healthy product. A Natural, Alternative Insect Repellent February 9, 2009 Isolongifolenone, a natural compound found in the Tauroniro tree (Humiria balsamifera) of South America, has been found to effectively deter biting of mosquitoes and to repel ticks, both of which are known spreaders of diseases such as malaria, West Nile virus, and Lyme disease. Is This The Coffee of The Next Generation? February 9, 2009 According to a 2008 report by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1.5 billion cans of Red Bull were sold in the United States in 2004. Consumption in Canada is said to be comparable and it is a growing trend for 18-to 24-year-olds. This market segment is broadening as younger children are beginning to consume these drinks before doing physical activity. Fat Cells Talk To The Brain February 6, 2009 Researchers have found that fat cells give feedback to the brain in order to regulate fat burning much the same way a thermostat regulates temperature inside a house. Does Your Brain Run A Screensaver? February 6, 2009 Your brain's visual centers remain active when your eyes are closed and even when you sleep, studies have shown. But it's a different type of activity, one not fully understood. It's Your Lifestyle, Not Your Genes, That Add Years To Your Face February 5, 2009 Your mother's wrinkles � or lack there of, may not be the best predictor of how you'll age. In fact, a new study claims just the opposite. Vitamin D Linked To Better Muscle Power February 5, 2009 New study reveals teen girls with higher vitamin D levels may have improved muscle performance. Physically Fit Kids Do Better In School February 4, 2009 A new study in the Journal of School Health found that physically fit kids scored better on standardized math and English tests than their less fit peers. Why Do Consumers Have Different Freshness Standards At Home? February 4, 2009 Why is it acceptable for someone who would never purchase "expired" milk at the store to pour "expired" milk into a cup of coffee at breakfast? A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research explores the reasons consumers are more likely to consume products that are past their expiration dates if they are in their refrigerators than if they are in a store. Fermented Soy Is The Only Soy Food Fit for Human Consumption February 4, 2009 Ancient writings suggested that the Chinese recognized the unfitness of soybeans for human consumption in their natural form. Now 5000 years later, we are once again catching on to the anti-nutritive qualities of the soybean, and realizing that the only soybean worth eating is one that has been fermented. Pulse Rate May Forecast Heart Attacks February 4, 2009 Simply measuring a woman's resting pulse rate can predict how likely she is to suffer a heart attack, says a study in the British Medical Journal. Not Just Your Imagination: Brain Perceives Optical Illusions As Real Motion February 3, 2009 Ever get a little motion sick from an illusion graphic designed to look like it's moving? A new study suggests that these illusions do more than trick the eye; they may also convince the brain that the graphic is actually moving. Study Finds Zen Meditation Alleviates Pain February 3, 2009 Zen meditation � a centuries-old practice that can provide mental, physical and emotional balance � may reduce pain according to Universit� de Montr�al researchers. Chemists Explain The Health Benefits Of Garlic February 3, 2009 Researchers have widely believed that the organic compound, allicin - which gives garlic its aroma and flavour, acts as the world's most powerful antioxidant. But until now it hasn't been clear how allicin works, or how it stacks up compared to more common antioxidants such as Vitamin E and coenzyme Q10, which stop the damaging effects of radicals. Global Warming? Europe is Shivering In Heavy Snowfalls February 2, 2009 A blanket of snow covered much of western Europe on Monday with heavy falls causing major flight disruptions in Britain and France and bringing misery to the roads. Why You Should Balance Omega-3 and Omega-6 February 2, 2009 To our great detriment, most North Americans and Europeans now get far too much of the omega-6s and not enough of the omega-3s. This dietary imbalance may explain the rise of such diseases as asthma, coronary heart disease, many forms of cancer, autoimmunity and neurodegenerative diseases, all of which are believed to stem from inflammation in the body. Bringing these fats into proper proportion may actually relieve those conditions. The Benefits of Ancient Chinese Qi Gong February 2, 2009 We can't control the stock market or what other people say, feel or do, but what we can we do to help ourselves deal with the multiple stresses we face every day. One very safe and extremely effective method of calming these disruptive energetic vibrations coming from stress is the practice of Qi Gong. To practise Qi Gong is to let our energy flow freely, allowing us to feel more balanced physically and emotionally.