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July 15, 2009

Use It (your body) or Lose It (your mind)!

Fit Body, Fit Mind? Your Workout Makes You Smarter

So you want to be smarter? Then exercise your body together with your brain for overall better results. A study released in Scientific American, reports of the powerful link between physical activity and mental acuity. If you find yourself struggling to break through a mental block, try exercising to break down that barrier and get your mind fit as well as your body. There are three key concepts explained below that should help spur you to add consistent, moderate exercise to your daily regime. On a personal note, I have found that when I am struggling to overcome a mental block, I take a long walk or a hike in the nearby mountains and let my subconscious mind go to work. on the issue. This has proven incredibly beneficial; the only real problem is that I can lose myself to thought so much I can find myself exercising into my work time! A healthy body and health mind can be achieved at the same time, try it for yourself and reap the benefits.

*Below are the key concepts from the article.


Key Concepts
  • We are used to thinking of intelligence as largely a matter of genetic inheritance, but that is not the whole picture. What you do affects your mental well-being: staying physically and mentally active helps us stay sharp as we age.
  • Nevertheless, our personal efforts to bolster cognitive enhancement cannot forestall all declines in our cognitive performance.
  • What is especially surprising is the powerful link between physical activity and mental acuity. Staying fit helps us keep cognition more robust as well.

    Sources:
    Scientific American magazine
    http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fit-body-fit-mind

    by Derek Burreson

Posted by Derek Burreson at 10:36 AM |

July 06, 2009

It’s So Easy Being Green (Tea)

Green Tea Could Delay Prostate Cancer: U.S. study

Green tea, a great alternative to the cup of java to get our morning started but here is some helpful information to its other benefits as well. In the great reference book “Prescription for Nutritional Healing” by Phyllis A. Balch, green tea is said to have *antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral health-enhancing properties.
According to a recent research article, it’s reported the active antioxidant compounds in green tea have shown to slow down the progression of prostate cancer. The testing is in its early stages but it looks promising. The article goes on to state that Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men. The American Cancer Society projects prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 192,280 men and will kill 27,360 in 2009. These are some scary statistics, but it’s important to remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Whether you enjoy drinking your green tea or through supplements, it can be a healthful addition as part of an overall nutrition plan that includes multiple-antioxidants that can work synergistically to support the body.

Source:
(Reporting by I-Ching Ng; Editing by Maggie Fox and Eric Walsh)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090619/hl_nm/us_cancer_tea_1

* Though green tea has shown to have antioxidant properties, the FDA currently does not recognize it as an “antioxidant” for marketing and label claims.
by Derek Burreson

 

Posted by Derek Burreson at 10:42 AM |

June 30, 2009

Is Botox Just the Beginning?

Marijuana is often labeled as a "gateway" drug.  It is considered a starter drug, that once a tolerance is achieved, many move on to more "serious" drugs.  Botox has been considered the same with regard to the plastic surgery genre.  Botox has become more commonplace, both for it's seeming benefits and it's considered low price. Despite the fact that it is the most toxic protein known, it is used world over in minute quantities to treat muscle spasms. Administered properly, it prevents a muscle from contracting for three to four months at a time, which makes it appealing for those with facial lines and such.  But, what happens when the effects of Botox don't' seem enough anymore?  Many are moving from Botox, to Restalyne, to full-on face lifts.  As I've said before, I am for whatever makes you feel good about yourself, because YOU have to look at yourself in the mirror each day and one's perception of them self is reflected in all aspects of their life.  However, there is something to be said for living a healthy life, and growing old gracefully. 

By Cindy Burreson

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 10:56 AM |

June 02, 2009

Are You Waiting For The “Health Pill”?

by Derek Burreson

A study of middle-aged and older Americans who eat right, exercise and keep their weight down has declined substantially in the past two decades. Only 26 percent of Americans ages 40 to 74 said they ate five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day -- down from 42 percent in 1988. When it came to exercise, 43 percent said they worked out at least 12 times per month, versus 53 percent in 1988.
If you fall into this category, what are you waiting for?
Our health is of the greatest importance, but we must make an effort to take responsibility to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Modern medicine has made incredible advances in treating sickness and disease, but our goal should be to do all we can to prevent or prolong it in the first place.  Take an honest look at your health habits today then think about how that may affect you five, ten and even twenty years from now. How does your future look? If you’re not happy with the road you’re on, change it. Make small steps toward a healthier future and give yourself at least ninety days to let your new habits become part of your life style.
The prescription for health lies within you, don’t wait around for a health pill.

Source:
Fewer Americans Following A Healthy Lifestyle
http://health.yahoo.com/news/reuters/us_fewer_lifestyle.html

Posted by Derek Burreson at 10:51 AM |

May 13, 2009

Free Radical Cell Death Switch Identified: Molecular pathway may contribute to age related diseases

by Derek Burreson

Oxidative stress on our cells have been shown to be a major factor of many non-germ caused diseases or as they have been called - age related diseases. An article I came across in Science Daily website reports on a  Harvard Medical School study about this oxidative stress in our cells that can cause a build-up of damaging excess free radicals. There have been many studies about the effects of this cellular damage, but what I found quite interesting in the article was the fact that their conclusion seemed to be that these findings may “pave the way for new drugs and diagnostic strategies”.  Our bodies produce free radicals through our cells conversion of oxygen to energy and we combat these with antioxidants, (think of vitamins C, E and beta carotene to be the most recognized) but excess free radicals can damage our cells over time and this is where many problems can be found.
Are drugs needed to mimic the processes of natural antioxidants? That’s an individual choice to be made, but it takes many years of research and millions of dollars to bring a new drug to market. For now I will stick to an antioxidant rich diet and supplementation to give my body the tools to help combat cellular free radical damage.

Source:

Harvard Medical School (2006, June 2). Free Radical Cell Death Switch Identified: Molecular Pathway May Contribute To Age Related Diseases.
ScienceDaily  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060601220956.htm

Posted by Derek Burreson at 01:55 PM |

February 08, 2009

Vitamin E and Free Radicals- What you should know.

by Derek Burreson

I came across another study in the Natural Products Insider that was done on vitamin E and its beneficial effects against free radicals in the body. You can read the report by clicking the link below, but what is vitamin E and how does it work? Much like vitamin C, vitamin E is a power antioxidant that protects human cells and LDL cholesterol from damage caused by free radicals. According to research, vitamin E is actually a family of eight antioxidant compounds. I will save the specifics for a later post, buy it also protects other fat-soluble vitamins from oxidative damage and aids in the utilization of vitamin A.  The recommended daily intake U.S.R.D.A. for vitamin E is about 22 IU (International Units) up to the maximum upper intake level of 1,500 IU. It is also recommended that you take the natural form of vitamin E which is listed as d-alpha-tocopherol, rrr-alpha-tocopherol, d-alpha-tocopherol-acetate or d-alpha-tocopherol succinate. The natural form of vitamin E is better absorbed by the body than the synthetic form (dl-alpha-tocopherol, all-alpha-tocopherol). Synthetic is only 67 percent as active as the natural form. So if you are currently taking a supplement that contains vitamin E, check the label to see what form it is and you are getting what you pay for.

Sources: Prescription for Nutritional Healing: Fourth Edition:    Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
               National Institute of Health
               Natural Products Insider
 
http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/hotnews/vitamin-e-fights-free-radicals.html

Posted by Derek Burreson at 01:32 PM |

September 11, 2008

How A-Peeling

In our quest for better, more youthful looking skin, we've all heard about chemical peels, but did you know that there are different types and very different results and effects?  First of all, a chemical peel is defined as using a chemical solution to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers. There are three basic chemical peels; they use Phenol, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and alphahydroxy acids (AHAs).  The mildest form uses AHAs, found in many over-the-counter skin products.  Glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids are used to produce a light peel which requires little recovery time and produces smoother, brighter-looking skin and improvements in blemishes, fine wrinkling and uneven pigmentation.  These peels can cause redness, itching and other irritation that should subside as your skin adjusts to the treatments. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is most commonly used for medium-depth peeling. Fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems are commonly treated with TCA. The results of TCA peel are usually less dramatic than and not as long-lasting as those of a phenol peel.  This treatment can result in the discoloration of skin, and sunscreen is recommended for life.  Phenol is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces a deep peel. It is used mainly to treat patients with coarse facial wrinkles, areas of blotchy or damaged skin caused by sun exposure, or pre-cancerous growths.  The recovery time can be several months, and you can't even work for two weeks following this treatment.  With this treatment you will lose the ability to "tan" and must use sunscreen for life.  With this peel, you will need someone to care for you for a few days, and are limited to a liquid diet during that time.  Your face could become very swollen, and your skin will completely crust over.  Chemical peel is normally a safe procedure when it is performed by a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon, but as with all surgeries, there are still inherent risks.  Be sure to thoroughly research the procedure, your doctor, and your insurance policy if you plan to use that to get it done. 

Source: www.plasticsurgery.org

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 11:22 AM |

October 03, 2007

What is Botox?

According to Forbes, Cosmetic Surgeons collected fees of $1.3 billion for Botox injections last year.  It seems that Botox is all the rage, and I fear the day I get an Evite for a Botox party.  But, Botox parties are a reality in today’s world of desired perfection.  So, what exactly is Botox? 
 

I went on the Allergen website and they describe three different reasons customers would use Botox.  These reasons include cosmetic reasons, neurologic conditions and underarm sweating. I am going to focus on the cosmetic reasons for now. 

According to www.botox.com, “BOTOX® Cosmetic is a simple, nonsurgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people from 18 to 65 years of age. It is the only treatment of its type approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  One 10-minute treatment—a few tiny injections—and within days there's a noticeable improvement in moderate to severe frown lines between the brows, which can last up to 4 months. Results may vary.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those frown lines between the brows to form over time.”
Upon reading further, they recommend a treatment schedule because results only last for four months, and then your face will look as it did before treatment. 


Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium that produces the toxin botulin, the causative agent in botulism.  That doesn't sound good to me!

According to what_is_botox.com, here is a list of side effects which, by the way, are played down on almost every website I researched.  Hello?  Droopy eye?  Well, the justification is that it will only last 4-6 months and then you'll be normal again.  Great.

The side effects of Botox includes:

Pain and bruising after the injection

A temporary facial droop, if the toxin involves more muscle than is intended

Headaches

A flu like illness

Feeling of nausea

Other rarer side effects. Some of these rarer and more severe side effects include paralysis of the body, usually due to injection of non FDA approved Botox.

Anyway, I would never judge anyone who got Botox treatments, as I am a firm believer in doing whatever it takes to increase your self-esteem.  YOU are the one who has to live each day with the body, face, etc. you have, and your impression on yourself has a tremendous affect on every aspect of your life.  But, I wanted to research the topic and provide some information that I think is useful and interesting.

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 10:18 AM |

August 30, 2007

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today is my grandma's 82nd birthday and she spent the day yesterday celebrating at the casino with my mom and aunt and had a wonderful time.  So, this morning, after blessing her with my rendition of "Happy Birthday", I paused to ask her what her secret is to staying young.  She said that she "didn't think she WAS young, but if you're 82 and walking around, she guessed she was".  She said that her secret is the fact that she "loves music".  It sounds strange, but thinking back to my life around her, it's true.  My grandparents always have the radio on, from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed.  They listen to the likes of Roger Miller, Patsy Cline and so forth, and surprisingly I can sing all of those songs, having been around it growing up.  My grandma is always singing and humming and if she's not, you know something is wrong.  I think music brings her back to good memories, and puts a song in her heart.  It's a means for the family to sing together, which we do, and it is a common bond.  So, let the music play on, because we want that heart filled with music for many years to come. 

Grandma

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 09:37 AM |

August 07, 2007

Happy Birthday to Me!

So, today is my birthday, and it's always a good time to reflect on the previous year and what you've done to better your health and what things you can incorporate in the year to come.  Looking back, I have bettered my vitamin regime, becoming more informed about the newest available supplements and including the ones that will benefit me into my routine.  I've increased my cardiovascular exercise and included spin classes and hiking.  I've started taking better care of my skin and become more aware of the sun and it's damage and how to protect myself.  And most importantly, I am healthier mentally than I've ever been in my life.  I have the most incredible husband in the world, and the greatest family, and I've surrounded myself with great friends and good times.  We have an awesome dog and two cats and we have carved out a wonderful life for ourselves.  I think happiness goes furthest with regard to one's health, as your mental state often dictates your physical being. 

Today, I will write down my health goals for the following year and start implementing them.  One thing I like to do about every six months, is go to REALAGE (which I found on Oprah about five years ago) and take their "real age test".  It is a test that questions your different areas of health and gives you a determination as to your real age based on your habits, rather than your chronological age.  It offers tips on changing your lifestyle in ways that will benefit you, and tells you which things in your life you are doing well.  According to the test, I am seven years younger than my chronological age.  And I know what things I need to start doing to keep that number going down.

So, happy birthday to me, and if I could wish anything, it would be continued health to you, my family, and my friends!!!!  Smile

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 08:31 AM |

August 02, 2007

Antioxidants- Free Radical Fighters

Antioxidants are a well-known word these days, and with good reason.  Antioxidants are extremely important in your supplementation regime.  Though we've heard the word, we may not know exactly what antioxidants do.  According to wikipedia.org antioxidants are defined as follows:

Antioxidants are molecules that slow or prevent the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols or polyphenols.

The most popular example of how antioxidants work is the example of the oxidation of metals.  When metal is exposed to aging, moisture, light, etc. it becomes rusty.  The same sort of thing is happening in your body and antioxidants help to protect human cells from oxidative damage.  Antioxidants are naturally occuring phytochemicals or phytonutrients that are in certain fruits and vegetables.  The highest ranking fruits and vegetables for antioxidant content are broccoli, spinach, greens, Brussel sprouts, beets, red peppers, carrots, tomatoes, berries, oranges, pink grapefruit, apricots, plums, peaches, red grapes and papaya. 

So, consuming more fruits and vegetables on a daily basis or supplementing with a phytofood blend could be one of the best additions to your health routine!  I for one, believe in the power of antioxidants and have seen good results with their use.  I wish you the same!

Posted by Cindy Burreson at 12:02 PM |

July 30, 2007

Sunburn Prevention

My husband thinks I'm sort of a freak because I am really quite concerned with skin cancer and how my lifestyle thus far, has not been very preventative.  I love the sun.  Always have...I have gotten numerous bad sunburns, and gone back for more.  I've used tanning beds for extended periods of time. I have laid out with baby oil.  I do not wear hats.  I STILL don't always use sunscreen.  And it makes me crazy.  I have freckles and moles and live in fear of "what if".  So, I want to share information from skincancer.org on how to prevent sunburns.  I wish I had heeded my mom's advice with regard to lying in the sun.  Hopefully, I will be able to take action now to prevent premature aging, and worse.  I have purchased some sunscreen for my face and I will start putting it on every day.  And I will make an effort to limit my tanning.

Here is  a scary statistic:

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 1 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually according to The National Cancer Institute, 2007 SEER Database.

So, how can YOU (and I) prevent sunburn in the first place?  Here is advice from www.skincancer.org.

  • Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
  • Do not burn.
  • Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
  • Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
  • Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30  minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
  • Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
  • Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
  • Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
  • See your physician every year for a professional skin exam

    • So, if you've been a little complacent with regard to the sun and it's affects on your skin, heed some of this advice.  It's never too late to start.

    Posted by Cindy Burreson at 09:00 AM |