Rabih Dagher

Last week, the largest study of its kind published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that those who ate large amounts of red meat and processed meats faced a greater risk of death from heart disease and cancer. In contrast, a higher intake of white meat was associated with a slightly reduced risk of death over the same period.

The researchers from the US National Cancer Institute, led by Dr. Rashmi Sinha, evaluated more than 500,000 men and women over a 10 year period. For the study, red meat included beef, pork, bacon, ham, hamburger, hot dogs, liver, pork sausage, steak, and meats in foods such as pizza, stews, and lasagna. White meat included turkey, fish, chicken, chicken mixtures, and other meats. Processed meat was either white or red meat that was cured, dried, or smoked, Sinha said, such as bacon, chicken sausage, lunch meats, and cold cuts.

More about this in the video below by Dr. Rhonda Low from CTV:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disease of the brain (central nervous system) that often impairs motor skills, speech, and other possible functions. There’s no cure for it yet, but scientists at the Duke University Medical Center are nearing a huge breakthrough in treatment, and it involves zapping the spinal cord.

The scientists believe electricity can restore the spinal cord disruption that causes Parkinson’s. In their research published in the journal Science, they attached tiny wires to the spinal cords of mice and rats whose brains produced so little dopamine that they had the slow, stiff motions of advanced Parkinson’s disease. When the electricity was turned on, the animals became 26 times more active and movement visibly improved in seconds

CTV health specialist Dr. Rhonda Low explains this breakthrough below:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Nanotechnology is the study of the control of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally nanotechnology deals with structures of the size 100 nanometers or smaller, and involves developing materials or devices within that size.

Nanotechnology is extremely diverse and spans many subfields such as nanomaterials, nanomedicine, molecular self-assembly and nanotechnology, nanoelectronics, and many others. It is already applied in hundreds of consumer products to enhance colour and durability of paints or make socks less smelly etc…

Researchers are now focusing on nanotechnology to develop new cancer treatments that could one day replace radiation and chemotherapy. Scientists can use nano particles, created in the laboratory and delivered deep into the body, that would recognize, target, and kill tumor cells.

More about this in the video below from CBC:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change movement habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a reeducation of the mind and body. It is promoted for the alleviation of back pain, rehabilitation after accidents, improving breathing, playing musical instruments and singing.

The technique dates back to the 1890s when Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869-1955), an actor who began his career as a Shakespearean orator, developed chronic laryngitis while performing. Determined to restore the full use of his voice, he carefully watched himself while speaking, and observed that undue muscular tension accounted for his vocal problem. He sought a way to eliminate that restriction. Over time, he discovered and articulated a principle that profoundly influences health and well-being: when neck tension is reduced, the head no longer compresses the spine and the spine is free to lengthen. From this work on himself and others, he evolved this hands-on teaching method that encourages all the body processes to work more efficiently - as an integrated, dynamic whole.

The Alexander Technique is not something you can learn from a video or a book. You need a teacher to review your own personal situation and guide you, so taking lessons is very important. If you are in the New York area, I suggest you contact Mark Josefsberg who is a certified Alexander Technique teacher. You can find a lot of informative articles and videos regarding this topic, as well as his contact information on his website at www.MarkJosefsberg.com .

You can find a detailed guide about the technique at AlexanderTechnique.com. Dr. Rhonda Low from CTV explains it more in the video below:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

A recent study published in the journal of Neurology showed that rising temperatures increase the risks of migraines. The study, led by researchers from Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Harvard School of Public Health, spanned over seven years and looked at 7,054 people suffering from migraines and headaches so bad they had to visit an emergency clinic. Those visits were matched with weather and air pollution information.

The study showed that every 5°C increase in temperature led to a 7.5% increase in headaches. It also found that changes in barometric pressure had much less of an effect, and that there was no evidence that pollution played a role. The researchers don’t know what it is about the rising temperatures that trigger severe headaches.

Dr. Marla Shapiro explains the study more in the interview below:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Last month, research showed that drinking alcohol increases the risks of breast cancer, but researchers, led by Polly Newcomb from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, wanted to analyze red wine specifically because it has been shown to have beneficial effects on prostate cancer and heart disease.

This recent study, published in the March issue of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, showed no difference between red or white wine when it comes to breast cancer risks; both increase the risk of the disease.

Dr. Rhonda Low from CTV talks about it in the video below:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

It takes me a couple of days everytime I travel to adjust to the new time zone. A large number of people, including me, experience jetlag in their travel, but following some simple tips can help them avoid or even lessen the impact of jetlag.

It can start with diet, since foods with high protein make you feel alert whereas those with high carbohydrate levels make you feel sleepy. On-flight tips can help you avoid jetlag as well such as drinking lots of water, setting the watch to where you are traveling, eating and sleeping according to the new time zone, and not overeating since it makes you sluggish.

Fore more information about this, you can watch the video below by CTV’s health specialist Dr. Rhonda Low:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

There’s new debate about the controversial chemical Bisphenol A, commonly abbreviated as BPA, and its use in consumer products in Canada. BPA has already been banned in 2008 from infant items, such as baby bottles. Now, testing by Health Canada has highlighted its presence in some pop and energy drinks packaged in cans.

Watch the video below by Dr. Rhonda Low from CTV:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

We know that an adequate intake of calcium benefits bone health, but according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, it appears that it may also lower the risks of digestive cancers, and particularly colorectal cancer (colon cancer).

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute analyzed data from half a million men and women over a long period of time who participated in a diet and health study. Those records were then linked to cancer registries. The men who consumed the most calcium had a 16% lower risk of those types of cancer, while women who consumed the most calcium reduced their risk by 23%.

More about this study in the interview below by CTV with Dr. Marla Shapiro:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

I have recently been introduced by a friend of mine to a new fruit named Açaí. It has only been exposed to the West a couple of years ago. Since not too many people have heard of it, I decided to introduce it here, with an emphasis on its extraordinary antioxidant effect and its benefits to our health.

Açaí is a fruit that grows on the Açaí Palm Trees in the Amazon rain forest of Brazil. The Açaí berry is small in size (smaller than a grape) and is dark purple in color. Açaí is mostly seed, covered in a small amount of pulp. In fact, about 80% of the Açaí berry is seed, which is not eaten.

While Açaí may be small in size, it packs a nutritional punch unlike any other food in the world. Açaí is one of the highest antioxidant fruits in the world. Açaí has 10 times the antioxidant level of grapes and twice that of blueberries. Açaí has 10 to 30 times the Anthocyanins of red wine. The Açaí berry is very rich in healthy Omega fats. Nearly 50% of the Açaí berry is fat - with 74% of the fat coming from healthy unsaturated fats such as Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9. Açaí is also a good source of proteins. 7.59% of the weight of the Açaí pulp is from amino acids. 19 different amino acids have been identified in Açaí . Since amino acids are the building blocks of protein, it is no surprise that you have over 8 grams of protein in a 100 gram serving of Açaí . Moreover, it contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E are all present in Açaí . In addition, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc are all found in Açaí . As for fiber, there are about 14 grams of fiber in every 100 grams of freeze dried Açaí powder.

Due to their high content of fat, Açaí berries will go rancid very quickly, usually in a day or two. Therefore, if you don’t live in the Amazon rain forest, getting fresh Açaí berries can be close to impossible. But to get it to the West, Açaí can come in two forms and at a very expensive price: frozen pulp or freeze dried powder.

For more information, you can find a detailed report on Açaí at the PowerSupplements.com website.
Some scientific studies made on Açaí can be found at the AcaiHealthInfo.com website.

Açaí berries

What are Free Radicals?
We are all made up of atoms. Atoms that have a full outer shell of electrons tend to be stable. Atoms that do not have a full outer shell of electrons want to get another electron very badly so they can be stable and inert. These unstable atoms are called Free Radicals.

Free radicals tend to move quickly to try to steal an electron from whatever molecule happens to be around them. Of course, whoever they steal an electron from becomes a new free radical and the process is like a domino effect. Our body performs many functions and there will always be some free radicals created. However, if the level of free radicals gets too high in the body, you can run into major problems. Numerous diseases and health issues have been linked to high levels of free radicals.

One of the more common types of free radicals are oxygen free radicals. These are oxygen atoms missing an electron. You know that rust you see on the side of your car - well the same thing basically happens inside our body. Oxidative stress is what it’s called when oxygen free radicals start to cause damage in your body.

What causes Free Radicals?
Breathing, eating, moving - basically living! Yes, basically any stress we put on our body can cause free radicals. While obvious things like polluted air, smoking, stressful events and unhealthy foods can cause free radicals - many “healthy” activities can also create free radicals. Almost any type of exercise will put stress on our body, and all this stress on our muscles creates free radicals.

Antioxidants to the rescue
So, how do you turn a free radical into a harmless cell? You give the free radical the extra electron it so desperately wants. What substance can supply this extra electron? You guessed it - antioxidants. Antioxidants are any substances that prevent or slow the oxidation process. Remember, free radicals cause oxidation - and antioxidants prevent oxidation. Antioxidants work by donating an electron to a free radical so it becomes a stable oxygen molecule.

Source: www.PowerSupplements.com

Free Radicals and Antioxidants - healthfruit.com

The Swedish company ProMedVi is introducing a new gadget called Vibrosphere for those eager to lose weight in half the time. The gadget combines two recognized methods of training: balance and vibration training.

According to the company, the tactile stimulation under the feet in combination with the element of balance can lead to a rapid improvement in proprioception and consequently balance. The vibrations also increase activity in the neuromuscular system through involuntary muscle contractions which contribute to an improved musculature performance and interplay between the muscles and the nerves.

Check out the video below from CTV for more information:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Past research has shown that following a Mediterranean diet can help protect from heart diseases and diabetes, but now there is a new evidence that it could protect your brain as well. The study, performed by doctors from Columbia University, followed 1800 seniors over a five year period. One of the things it found is that people with no memory problem, who followed a Mediterranean diet, reduced their risks of developing cognitive impairment by 28%. Those with some memory problems reduced the risk of developing a full blown Alzheimer’s by half.

Dr. Rhonda Low from CTV explains it more in the following video:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle have just found that frequent or long-term marijuana use can significantly increase a man’s risk of developing the most aggressive type of testicular cancer.

The team interviewed 369 men with testicular cancer, in the Seattle area - mostly in their 20s and 30s - about their history of marijuana use. Even after other “lifestyle” factors such as smoking and drinking as well as risks such as a family history of the disease, cannabis use emerged as a significant possible cause, the study published in the journal Cancer concluded. But they emphasized that their results were not definitive and called for further studies.

Dr. Rhonda Low from CTV explains it more in the video below:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. It affects three times more men than women. The individual with sleep apnea is rarely aware of having difficulty breathing, even upon awakening. Snoring and daily fatigue are the common symptoms of this disorder.

Toronto researchers suggest that people who sit for long periods of time, like working on a computer, accumulate fluids in their legs during the day. And that fluid moves from the legs to the neck when you lie down to sleep, making breathing very difficult. But staying active during the day, such as stretching, exercising, or even a short walk can help with the problem. It is unclear yet how much movement is needed and needs further studies.

More about this in the video below by Monica Matys from CTV Lifetime:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

In its annual report on Canadian Health, the Heart and Stroke foundation found that there is a huge difference of prices for healthy food between cities, and within cities as well. The report looked at 66 communities across Canada between Oct. 15 and Oct. 25, 2008. An example of such difference is the following: one kilogram of lean ground beef was $13.21 in Ottawa, but only $4.14 in Barrie, Ont. In contrast, there was little variation in the cost of snack foods such as cookies, potato chips and pop that should be consumed in moderation.

In addition to that, healthier foods were found to be more expensive. For instance, margarine with trans fats cost on average $2.79 compared with $3.29 for trans-fat-free margarine. A survey accompanying the report suggested that 47% of Canadians reported occasionally going without fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products, whole grain products, meat or fish because of high cost. Healthy eating is a key factor in preventing heart disease.

Watch the following interview by CBC with Stephen Samis, director of health policy for the Heart and Stroke Foundation:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

The London-based Japanese writer Kimiko Barber has just introduced a new book entitled The Chopsticks Diet, in which she explains that eating with chopsticks will help you lose weight. According to Barber, “Eating with chopsticks slows you down, and so you eat less.”

Eating fast will make the person overeat because it takes 20 minutes for the brain to register what the stomach contains. It’s harder for Westerners to eat with chopsticks; Therefore, when eating with chopsticks, it means taking smaller mouthfuls, which tend to get chewed better, slowing down the meal, and making it easier to digest.

This brings up to my mind a brilliant money making idea! I should introduce to the Japanese a new book entitled “The Knife and Fork Diet”, claiming that eating with a knife and fork will help people lose weight.

The Chopsticks Diet by Kimiko Barber

When I first heard of this a couple of months ago, I did not pay much attention to it since it was brand new and not much testing has been done on it. But now, it is hitting the markets, and a lot of people are willing to pay a few thousand bucks for it.

The Israeli company UltraShape has just introduced a new fat-busting technology that uses ultrasound to target fat cells and literally make them explode. The procedure does not involve surgery, and costs around a thousand dollars a session. Each session takes nearly an inch of fat.

It is mostly intended for the extra fat (that people cannot remove with regular exercise), and not to remove large quantities of fat. It does not work on cellulite, but the company said they are working on it. It is now available in Canada, but is waiting for the FDA approval in the States.

More information in the video below from CNBC:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Bad breath happens when food breaks down in your mouth or on dentures and isn’t brushed away. You can clean it off by brushing your teeth and your tongue, but if the problem persists, it could be part of a much bigger dental or medical problem.

The video below from CTV Lifetime explains it more:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Nowadays Yoga is becoming more and more popular. A growing number of people is learning it day after day. While there is much more to Yoga than just the physical fitness, it can still induce injuries if it’s not done right. So it’s important to take precautions to avoid getting hurt.

Dr. Rhonda Low from CTV explains, in the video below, precaution steps to keep in mind when going for Yoga:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Most, if not all Canadians apply moisturizers to their skin in Winter to keep them from drying out. But the Dermatologist Dr. Harvey Lui gives out some tips to efficiently keep out your skin from irritation, drying out, and all the skin related symptoms of Winter.

Some of those tips are: applying the moisturizers right after a hot shower, using mild and basic soaps, avoiding exposure to too much hot water and heat.

More in this video from CTV:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as “winter depression” or “winter blues”, affects one in 10 people. I always believed that the brain neurotransmitters responsible for this are affected by weather conditions, but studies suggest that they are affected by latitude.

All Canadians know that Winter is harsh in Canada, but we can now fortunately prevent a Winter depression. Light therapy can be a quick and simple solution. Two thirds of people with the SAD condition, sitting in front of a light device or light box, for thirty minutes every morning really alleviates most of their symptoms. The good thing is that results can come quickly, usually four to seven days.

Watch Dr. Rhonda Low from CTV explaining this solution:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Spanish researchers have found that people who followed a Mediterranean diet and added a few daily handfuls of nuts were 70% more likely to reduce their metabolic disorder. Specifically the participants ate walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds.

Watch Dr. Rhonda Low from CTV talk about it:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

A recent scientific research done by University of California, San Diego and Harvard Medical School found that if you hang out with someone happy, your chance of happiness increases by 15%. But if you have unhappy friends, they decrease your happiness by 7%. So go and spread happiness to your surroundings.

Watch the news clip from the CBS Healthwatch:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.