Here's Everything You Need to Ramp Up Your Camping Game
https://ift.tt/2r66PEO There's no time like the present to spend quality time in the great outdoors. And regardless of whether you're a novice or a veteran camper, the benefits of spending time in nature are exponential. For example, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation found that spending time in forests can actually boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, increase energy, and improve the quality of sleep. So if you're keen on escaping your fast-paced life for a breather, getting your Zen on with camping this Summer is the way to go! Scroll through to see all the camping essentials you need before you pitch a tent and begin to roast marshmallows. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI April 29, 2018 at 08:23AM
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Patients say Mexican weight-loss operations killed 1, harmed others
https://ift.tt/2r79kWw Two related lawsuits contend Arizona businesses and individuals marketed and profited from weight-loss operations in Mexico that led to the death of one patient and harmed several others. Jessica Ballandby is a plaintiff in two lawsuits filed this month at Maricopa County Superior Court that take aim at medical tourism and the doctors, referral agents and aftercare businesses that encourage patients to cross the border for care. In one lawsuit, Ballandby names as defendants the Show Low (Arizona) Unified School District, former Show Low school district officials, Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center and Tijuana surgeon Mario Almanza. Ballandby alleges that Sandra Brimhall, a principal at her son's Show Low elementary school, "used high-pressure sales techniques" that persuaded her to get a weight-loss operation in Tijuana, Mexico. The 2014 surgery performed by Almanza led to several medical complications, including severe bleeding, sepsis and and continuing health problems, the lawsuit states. When she returned home to Arizona, she spent nearly one month at Summit Healthcare in Show Low before she was released. She later spent five weeks and underwent emergency surgery at a Scottsdale hospital. The lawsuit says Brimhall gave "inconsistent statements" about getting paid to refer patients to Mexico but also "confided with Ms. Ballandby that she did receive kickback" for referring patients to Almanza. None of the individuals or entities named as defendants have filed paperwork responding to the lawsuit's claims. Brimhall did not return an email request for comment, and a representative of the Show Low School District did not return a message about the lawsuit. A Summit Healthcare spokeswoman said the hospital does not comment on continuing litigation. Almanza could not be reached. A customer service representative of Weight Loss Agents, a Florida-based business that facilitates appointments for Almanza, said she would relay an interview request to the Tijuana surgeon. Weight Loss Agents owner Jarred Cohen said he did not feel comfortable commenting because his company was not a party to the lawsuit. Accusations of misrepresentationThe second lawsuit by Ballandby and three other patients claim several doctors, businesses and consultants involved in medical tourism and postsurgical care misrepresented the "nature, quality and safety of bariatric procedures." Justin Blackburn, one of the plaintiffs in the second lawsuit, claimed he had complications such as acid reflux and esophagitis after getting gastric-band "fills" following his operation. These fills involve injecting saline through a port to tighten the opening to the stomach. The lawsuit states Blackburn's stepmother, Elizabeth Erickson, died following complications from her surgery and aftercare in 2013. Blackburn said he pursued the lawsuit against individuals and businesses to raise awareness about potential risks. "We've got to put a stop to this and draw enough attention so someone can do something," Blackburn said. © Gannett Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved Health News 1 Weight Loss Google News Feed via weight loss - Google News https://ift.tt/2HelBzU April 29, 2018 at 01:32AM
Hate to Break It to You, but Your Favorite Granola Bars Could Be Causing Weight Gain
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When you're looking for a healthy snack to eat that will help you feel clear-headed and maybe even help you lose weight, a granola bar is probably a common choice. But Ryan Carter, livevitae on Instagram, wants you to rethink that "healthy" granola bar you love to unwrap every morning or afternoon. "Just Because 'Vegan' 'Natural' 'Free From' 'High Fibre' are labelled on a Product it Means Nothing," he wrote in an Instagram post. "You might be Surprised to see sneaky addons + ingredients or a fraction of what the product highlights." He uses the granola bar on the left as an example, which contains glucose syrup, dextrose, sugar, honey, and milk chocolate with only 11 percent cacao. It's 431 calories, which is "pretty caloric[ally] dense." If you're craving a nutty, chocolaty snack, Ryan suggests reaching for some good ol' fashioned dark chocolate and nuts instead. The snack on the right is 92 percent dark chocolate made with only four ingredients and "sweetened with minimal sugar from coconut." The four activated Brazil nuts have micronutrients such as potassium, magneium, and selenium, and they're a great source of omega-6 fatty acids. Altogether it's only 289 calories. That's a pretty big difference from the packaged good on the left. So next time you need a snack but you want to also eat healthy, reconsider that granola bar, and maybe instead reach for whole foods that will do your body some serious good. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI April 28, 2018 at 05:38PM
Tone It Up Shares an Exclusive Workout That Will Firm Your Butt and Tone Your Legs
https://ift.tt/2I0npPO You may know the Tone It Up girls, Katrina and Karena, as some of the happiest women on Instagram. Their sunny personalities and love for all things fitness and wellness have inspired many women to turn their lives around and get their health on track. Tone It Up has a brand new 8-week fitness and lifestyle challenge starting on May 7 called 2018 Bikini Series, and to give you a little preview of what the workouts will look like, they've given POPSUGAR an exclusive booty session that will surely tone your legs and strengthen your glutes. "We're sharing a brand new workout designed to tone that cheeky ? of yours!" Tone It Up told POPSUGAR. "This routine will sculpt your legs and booty and majorly boost your metabolism with heart-pumping cardio moves! Since your booty is one of the largest and strongest muscles in your body, it can handle a lot of toning love. We suggest doing this routine up to three times a week with 8-12 pound dumbbells. You'll be feeling so strong and confident - and rocking those cut-off shorts this summer!" Descriptions for each move are below. Enjoy the burn! Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI April 28, 2018 at 05:02PM
Want to Try the Whole30 Diet? Here's Everything You Can and Cannot Eat
https://ift.tt/2KnvH2z With so many diets out there today, it can be overwhelming choosing the right nutrition regimen for yourself. If you're not sure which one to go with, the Whole30 plan might be a good place to start since it's only a 30-day commitment. The goal of the Whole30 diet is to eliminate certain food groups that might have a negative effect on your health - not just weight - from mysterious aches to chronic fatigue. Then, after the 30 days are up, you'll hopefully have a better idea of which foods you should permanently cut out and which ones you can reintroduce to your diet. Unlike many diets that focus on eating less, the Whole30 diet emphasizes eating healthier, which might make it the most sustainable diet yet. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI April 28, 2018 at 10:58AM
13 Delicious Salads to Sprinkle a Healthy Dose of Pomegranate Over
https://ift.tt/2JyKztQ If you're not already sprinkling your salads with antioxidant-rich pomegranate, you'll probably want to change that. Not only are the fruit's delicious juicy arils high in vitamin C, but they also help lower cholesterol and prevent overeating due to their high fiber content. Additionally, the fruit's unique, tart taste perfectly pairs with a variety of different flavors, adding a colorful touch to any dish. Read on for 13 salads that will get you inspired to work pomegranate into your diet - your body and your taste buds will thank you. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI April 27, 2018 at 01:19PM
These 10 Must-Have Keto Groceries Are All Available on Amazon
https://ift.tt/2Kj32vu The keto diet has grown in popularity over the last few years and has become a go-to way for people to lose weight. The diet, which is high in fat, moderate in protein, and super low in carbs, puts your body into a state of ketosis where the body produces ketones in the liver to use as energy instead of carbs. To get into ketosis, you need to load up on high-fat, low-carb grocery store staples such as meat, cheese, oil, nuts, and lots of veggies. Luckily, there are plenty of pantry staples you can order from Amazon to be delivered straight to your door. Before embarking on the keto diet, stock up on these must-haves. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI April 27, 2018 at 01:19PM
New 'Superblood' Treatment Targets Deadly Cancers
https://ift.tt/2r2sZrk April 27, 2018 -- Scientists are harnessing the untapped power of red blood cells to help fight deadly cancers and other diseases. Nicknamed ''superblood,'' the treatment is under study by at least three companies following similar approaches. Researchers collect red blood cells from patients, modify them so anti-cancer or other medicines can be enclosed, then inject them back into patients. The goal is improve the medicines' effectiveness while reducing harmful side effects. Experts not involved in the research say the approach has merit, while cautioning that it is in the early stages of research. "It has broad applications -- if it's proven to be effective and safe," says Caius Radu, MD, professor of medical and molecular pharmacology at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Research UpdateIn a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research conference in April, researchers said that adding L-asparaginase, an enzyme that’s part of a multi-drug chemotherapy treatment, to red blood cells and injecting the cells into 13 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a blood cancer, appears safe. More studies are planned. "L-asparaginase is a very good treatment” for acute lymphoblastic leukemia," says Alison Walker, MD, an associate professor of hematology at Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. Walker presented the findings at the conference. But ''toxicity from (the chemo itself) can be significant and can delay further (needed) chemo," she says. "Because the chemo is inside the red blood cell, there is less exposure,'' she says. And that should translate to less toxicity, she says. Erytech Pharma in Lyon, France, developed the treatment and funded the study. EryDel, an Italian company, is working on a superblood treatment, EryDex, for the rare genetic disease ataxia telangiectasia (AT). AT starts in childhood and causes neurological problems such as balance issues, problems with motor skills and the immune system, and respiratory infections. Patients can lose the ability to write and talk and walk normally. Many patients die in their 20s. EryDex loads a steroid drug into red blood cells, then gives it to patients through an IV once a month. More than 200 people have been given the treatment, says Luca Benatti, PhD, EryDel's CEO. EryDex is a slow-release system, he says, and research has found that it ''prevents the typical steroid side effects." These can include thinning of bones, high blood sugar, cataracts, and high blood pressure. Research has shown the treatment can delay symptoms and the course of the disease. In one study, 18 patients given monthly infusions for 6 months had a better score on a commonly used scale to assess motor skills and many other aspects of daily living. The company is conducting its final study before seeking FDA approval. Results of that study are expected by the second half of 2019. The treatment has been granted orphan drug status by the FDA. That means the drug is designed to treat rare diseases or is unlikely to ever be profitable to a drug manufacturer. Besides ataxia telangiectasia, the company is looking at other diseases, including cancer, their system could treat. Rubius Therapeutics in Cambridge, MA, is also studying superblood treatment for rare diseases, cancers, and immune system disorders. It has raised more than $220 million in financing for research. Advantages of Superblood, How It Compares With Other TherapiesThe less-toxic superblood approach also allows the drugs to target tumors more directly, experts say. The drugs also stay in the body longer, so superblood may be more effective in the long term. Experts say the new technology builds on another treatment advance known as CAR T-cell therapy. CAR T-cell therapy draws on the power of the body's T cells, known as the workhorses of the immune system, due to their ability to find and kill diseased cells. In the CAR T process, blood is drawn from a patient, T cells are separated and genetically engineered to boost their tumor-fighting ability, then returned to the patient through an IV. Compared to CAR T, superblood has more advantages, experts say. The superblood treatment is easier to use, can be made more quickly, and is long lasting. Expert Perspective"The [superblood] concept is interesting," says Brian Wolpin, MD, MPH, director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center and the Hale Center for Pancreatic Cancer at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Further testing will need to prove whether it will have a substantial impact on the diseases it treats. Whether the new approach catches on will depend not only on how superior the treatment is, but also on costs, Radu of UCLA says. Health via WebMD Health https://www.webmd.com/ April 27, 2018 at 01:17PM
5 Ways to Stop Grinding Your Teeth (That Don't Involve a Mouth Guard)
https://ift.tt/2JtRDI0 One night last year, after a long day at a work conference, I got back to my hotel room to eat dinner and discovered, to my horror, that I couldn't open my mouth. It just… wouldn't open. Fortunately, this bizarre episode didn't last long—the evening ended with me managing to painfully pry my jaw open about half an inch, which was enough to force-feed myself a plate of room-service pasta… glamorous #BusinessTripLife, right? To my surprise, I later learned that the symptoms were caused by grinding my teeth in my sleep—something I didn't even know I had been doing. Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is startlingly common: Some metrics estimate that this repetitive, involuntary movement, a clenching of the jaw muscles, can affect up to 16 percent of the population. Some people grind their teeth during the day, but many do so in their sleep—often without even realizing it's happening. While there are different medical explanations as to why bruxism happens, and each case is different, most experts trace the majority of their clients’ cases back to either a bite imbalance or stress. "Grinding one's teeth is a way your body is coping with stress," says Kruti Patel, D.M.D. "It releases an endorphin in your brain, which makes your brain feel good, and you continue to grind." How bad is grinding your teeth, really?Since teeth grinding is so common, it's easy to assume that it's nothing more than a minor annoyance. Sure, there are those wild cases of people forced into dentures at 50, you might tell yourself, but for most people, it doesn't really matter, right? Well, kind of. The extreme cases are rare, but according to the experts, grinding on a regular basis is definitely not ideal. Extreme cases are called "extreme" for a reason—they don't happen to everyone. If you only grind your teeth occasionally, you may never develop any dental issues from it. Even regular grinders aren't necessarily doomed to early dentures, but consistent grinding over time can lead to pretty intense dental wear and tear. You could experience tooth cracking, bone loss around the roots of your teeth, and sometimes even loss of the teeth themselves. "Excessive force on your teeth can cause cracks in your teeth," Patel says. "Depending on the crack, you may need anywhere from a filling to an extraction." You may also experience enamel loss. "Once enamel is lost, it is lost forever," says Robert C. Rawdin, D.D.S., co-owner of Gallery 57 Dental in Manhattan. "It can only be restored through the restoration of the teeth." Restoration involves the use of methods like bonding, porcelain crowns, or veneers. Tooth grinding can also lead to pain in the joints around your jaw, as well as migraines caused by the exertion of your jaw muscles. Ron Rosenthal, D.D.S., a retired dentist and dental educator, explains the migraine-bruxism connection by comparing the experience to a leg cramp—only way worse. "The chewing muscles are the strongest in the body," Rosenthal says. "They are far more powerful than the calf muscle in your leg. If you're like most of us, you’ve had a leg cramp at some time or other. It felt kind of like someone stabbed you in the calf muscle with an ice pick, right? Remember, the calf muscle is nowhere near as powerful as the chewing muscles—now, imagine that same kind of spasm in the chewing muscles on the side of your head." Oof. Is your jaw hurting yet? When it comes to treatment, lots of dentists recommend custom-made night guards to wear when you sleep, which can buffer your teeth from the damage of the grinding. You can also buy night guards off the rack at a store, but they haven’t been fitted to your individual bite, so you might not see the same results. That said, there are some dentists who feel that the results of night guards aren’t worth the trouble, and if your bruxism is triggered by a bite problem rather than stress, they might opt to focus on dental intervention that can correct an unbalanced bite. "The jaw muscles want to be in a comfortable orientation," says Benjamin Lawlor, D.D.S., of Maine Cosmetic Dentistry. "When this doesn't happen, the muscles will uneasily shift back and forth trying to find that comfortable position." As you can imagine, this leads to grinding and pain—so if your dentist can get to the root of the problem by helping you adjust your bite, it's probably worthwhile. There are other potential solutions—if you've got an open mind. When it comes to bruxism that's triggered by stress, there are all kinds of wacky remedies that have been tried to varying success. Some of these options are backed by solid research, while others are just beginning to be explored, although there’s reason to believe they can work. Here are a handful of promising solutions for teeth grinding—and info about the current research surrounding each. 1. BotoxYep, really! While Botox won't "cure" grinding, it can drastically reduce the symptoms for some patients, and each treatment lasts for several months. It's not a fit for everyone, and it's a bit divisive among experts, but some bruxism sufferers have described Botox as life-changing. The solution can paralyze or slow the activity of some of the muscles around your jaw—which can lead to a whole lot less pain from clenching or grinding. "For nocturnal teeth grinding, I inject a small amount of Botox into the masseter muscle—the big round muscle under the ears at the angle of the jaw you can feel when you bite down with your mouth closed," explains Charles Crutchfield, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology and medical director at Crutchfield Dermatology. "It does not work for everyone," he says. "But in my experience, it gives significant relief to about three-quarters of those who suffer from teeth grinding during sleep and wake up with sore jaws and headaches." Plenty of professionals are recommending Botox these days, but others aren't convinced. One dentist even laughed when I asked him if he'd ever recommend the treatment. Early research isn't very substantial on either side of the debate just yet, but it's worth noting that two small studies pointed to Botox as a positive option, with one noting that Botox "effectively and safely improved sleep bruxism.” On the other hand, another small study found that Botox led to bone density loss in rabbits. (Reminder: You are not a rabbit, and non-human studies should be taken with a small bucket of salt.) All in all, just be sure to consult with a dentist or medical professional before you try it. 2. Cognitive Behavioral TherapyCognitive behavioral therapy is a form of short-term talk therapy that explores the thoughts behind your behaviors and feelings. CBT helps you build healthier habits and thought associations to empower you to ditch negative patterns in your life. Initial research has hinted that CBT could help with treating bruxism, but more data is needed to find a conclusive and clear connection. "CBT may help treat underlying anxiety that causes bruxism, but a night guard definitely helps protect against the consequences," says psychiatrist Sandip Buch, M.D. CBT, founder of Skypiatrist. This form of therapy can be incredibly effective when it comes to managing stress and breaking unwanted habits, so as you can imagine, it has the potential to be a good fit for stress-fueled bruxism. 3. HypnosisAccording to the Bruxism Association, research has indicated that hypnosis has had a positive impact on some bruxism suffers for more than two years after treatment. Like other treatments, hypnosis might not work for everyone, but if you’re down to "get sleepy... very sleepy," it could be worth a shot. You can undergo hypnosis in person—or, if you're looking for something more low-key, you can download or buy hypnosis recordings created especially for bruxism. 4. TappingTapping, also known as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), is a therapeutic method of "psychological acupressure" that takes its cue from certain key facets of acupuncture. Instead of acupuncture needles, the treatment involves tapping with your fingers on designated pressure points on your body. Many bruxism sufferers have said it works wonders, but there's not much research on the topic. Research has found, however, that EFT is beneficial in treating PTSD, so there's certainly a possibility that it could help with stress-related habits as well. 5. General De-StressingBecause teeth grinding can be driven by stress, both physicians and more holistic-leaning practitioners have suggested relaxing at night. "Find ways to relax and de-stress before bed, such as getting a massage, using a warm compress, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine," says certified personal trainer Caleb Backe of Maple Holistics. Yoga, stretching, meditation, or any kind of self-care routine you'd usually use to de-stress is a good bet. Claire Hannum is an NYC-based writer, editor, and traveler. Health via Greatist - Health and Fitness Articles, News, and Tips https://greatist.com/ April 27, 2018 at 12:54PM
4 Reasons Taking a Lunch Break Is Better For Your Health and Career
https://ift.tt/2HCjVQ3 It's surprising how few people take advantage of a lunch break during their workday. Although taking a lunch break might be guilt-inducing for those who work in offices that encourage a "working lunch," taking time to focus on yourself can have positive effects on your physical and mental health. Read on for four reasons that will convince you to reclaim your lunch hour. Stress ReliefHigh stress levels can affect your mental health and lead to sleeplessness, irritability, and fatigue. If you simply don't have the time to go for a run or fit in a yoga practice to relieve the stress, stepping away from your triggers - like work - can be just what you need. Taking a lunch break gives you the chance to eat your way to stress-relief and practice a quick feel-good-inducing activities. Better Blood CirculationTaking time away from your desk at lunch time requires movement. Stretching isn't just something you do to begin and end a workout; it's important in your everyday life, too. Going for a short walk during your lunch break gives your muscles a good stretch, which improves blood circulation and maintains range of motion in your joints, thereby making our bodies less susceptible to dizzy spells and cramps and helping us avoid injury. Vitamin Top-UpAlthough you can eat your way to healthy vitamin D levels, taking a break from the artificial light in your office and walking out into the daylight can greatly improve your body's intake. When human skin is exposed to direct sunlight, namely UVB sun-rays (with sunscreen on!), it produces vitamin D. A deficiency in this vitamin can affect you in many ways including general fatigue and lethargy. Improved ConcentrationYou may think sitting down at your desk all day increases your productivity, but in actuality it does the opposite. Taking regular breaks isn't a waste of time; it improves your cognitive function by giving your mind something else to focus on in between big tasks. Any time out works to deactivate and reactivate your goals which gives you a new sense of purpose and focus when approaching a task. Health via POPSUGAR Fitness https://ift.tt/2mWxwLI April 27, 2018 at 12:40PM |
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