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Entry bubble Child Vegetarians

By: Colleen | January 14, 2009 | Category: Health

vegetarian

The government released a study with its first estimate of the amount of child vegetarians in the U.S. About 1 in 200 minors actively avoid eating meat.

When asked why they choose not to eat meat, the overwhelming response was out of respect for the welfare of animals.

This seems like a very noble reason for choosing one's dietary lifestyle, but some worry that a vegetarian diet could actually be detrimental to a child's developing body. Often, people associate being a vegetarian with a low-calorie, healthy, lifestyle. With children, a lot of times they are swapping out meat for other foods that are unhealthy like potato chips or candy. Another concern is that without meat, kids don't properly substitute foods to get the proper amount of protein that the body needs. Some vegetarians get protein by continuing to eat fish (I've never understood this realm of thinking, could someone please explain to me why fish don't count as "real" animals?).

I have lots of adult vegetarian friends. They're all committed to their cause against cruelty to animals but are still aware of the body's need for the benefits that meat provides. They stock up on beans and lentils as a means of getting plenty of protein in their diet. Dietary supplements are used with doctor's approval to be sure the body is getting vital vitamins and minerals.

Is your child a vegetarian? How do you make sure they're educated about getting a well-balanced diet?

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Entry bubble National Glaucoma Awareness Month

By: Jake | January 05, 2009 | Category: Health

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the world and it occurs when the fluid pressure inside the eyes gradually rises until it damages the optic nerve.

Nearly 2 million Americans age 40 and over suffer from glaucoma. Half of these people don't even know they have it since there are no symptoms. Luckily, glaucoma can be easily detected with a comprehensive eye exam. Early treatment, which includes prescription eye drops and sometimes surgery can prevent vision impairment and blindness.

Young people can get glaucoma and if someone in your family suffers from the disease, it puts you at greater risk. My grandfather has glaucoma so that puts me at risk. Since I am at risk, it is recommended I get my eyes tested every two years.

Find an eye care professional and get an eye exam scheduled today!

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Entry bubble Diet Pill Warning

By: Joanne | December 30, 2008 | Category: Health

a bottle of pillsHow timely. Just when half the country is looking for an easy way lose weight in 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has come out with a warning about tainted, unsafe weight loss pills. This is not just one product, but actually more than 25 different products that contain dangerous chemicals.

So far, there’s no recall and these products are still available to consumers, so if you’ve got a bottle of “natural” or “herbal” weight loss pills in the house, check to be sure that yours isn’t on the list of tainted products.

Come on, we all know that these kinds of products aren’t the answer anyway. We think it would be wonderful if we could just pop a pill once a day and have the figure of a supermodel. Sure, weight loss pills and slimming diets can help us lose a few pounds, but once you’re off the diet, the pounds always creep back.

To risk sounding old and wise, I have to tell you that it’s all about your every day food choices and exercise. Really. You know I like to ride my bike, and I have to confess that I’m riding my stationary bike while I'm writing this. That’s right, I can pedal and type at the same time. I get some exercise and changed my diet and I’m here telling you it works and it’s not so terrible. I needed a nutritionist to help me figure out what I need to do, but if you don’t want to spend the money then head to nutrition.gov and read up. Make a little effort, and you’ll get the lasting weight control you’re looking for and you won’t need the silly pills after all.

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Entry bubble Season Affective Disorder (SAD)

By: Colleen | December 24, 2008 | Category: Health

"'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse..." I'm not exactly sure whose house Clement Moore was referring to when he wrote that, but it certainly wasn't mine. On the night before Christmas there is PLENTY of stirring going on. People rummaging around looking for last minute wrapping paper or shooing others out of the bathroom when we're all trying to get ready for church at the same time. Unexpected guests dropping by to exchange presents we'd already agreed not to buy in the first place...

Ah, the holidays. While this time of year is associated with hustle, bustle, and cheer, it can also be a difficult time for those with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Sure, it's normal to come down with a case of the "winter blues" (freezing cold temperatures, no summer tan remaining, scraping your windshield every morning—what's not to love?) SAD is when things get more serious and you experience symptoms like extended depression, lingering lethargy, appetite changes/weight gain.

Medical professionals link the disease to the limited amount of sunlight experienced during the winter months. This causes interruption to your circadian rhythm and in turn triggers depression. Other potential causes are changes in hormone levels also altered by lack of exposure to sunlight.

If you suspect you might be experiencing SAD, see your doctor for treatment. Some ways to thwart SAD are to pursue outdoor activities and get more exposure to sunlight. Use artificial light as a means of combating the lessened hours of sunlight. Hormone medication may be prescribed to restore chemical balance to where it is during the other seasons of the year.

Spring is just around the corner. What wintertime activities do you enjoy that others can try?

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Entry bubble World Aids Day

By: Jake | December 01, 2008 | Category: Health

AIDS Ribbon DayToday is World Aids Day. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988 to provide governments, nationals AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations and individuals with an opportunity to raise attention on the global AIDS epidemic.

While the global percentage of adults living with the HIV virus has leveled off since 2000, there are still an estimated 33 million people living with the disease. In the U.S., it's estimated that approximately 1 million people are living with the HIV virus and a quarter of them don't even know it. That's why World Aids Day promotes HIV testing and provides resources where people can get tested.

AIDS.gov wants you to get the word out. There's the "Facing AIDS: World AIDS Day 2008" campaign where you can take a picture of yourself wearing a red ribbon and post it to your social networking site or blog. AIDS.gov and the National Institute on Drug Abuse created the "Bloggers Unite on World AIDS Day" to get bloggers to write about the topic. You can also attend the World AIDS Day in Second Life.

World AIDS Day is also a day where we remember those lost to the disease. If you have lost a loved one or know someone affected by this terrible disease, I'm sure you'll observe this day in their honor.

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