Findings by Harvard researchers show that medical-related bankruptcies have increased from 55% in 2001. The report could boost Obama's bid for healthcare reforms.
President Obama's push for healthcare reforms gets a boost today from a new study by Harvard University researchers that shows a sizable increase over six years in bankruptcies caused in part by ever-higher medical expenses.
The study found that medical bills, plus related problems such as lost wages for the ill and their caregivers, contributed to 62% of all bankruptcies filed in 2007. On the campaign trail last year and in the White House this year, Obama had cited an earlier study by the same authors showing that such expenses played a part in 55% of bankruptcies in 2001.
Health & Wellness
Too much television may hamper a baby's ability to learn language and speak, according to a new study.
Dr. Dimitri A. Christakis, of the University of Washington in Seattle, and his team said their findings are worrying because exposure to television can lessen human interaction which is essential to learn language and develop broader thinking.
"The effect of having a television on is that babies do speak less and they're spoken to less," said Christakis.
Dr. Dimitri A. Christakis, of the University of Washington in Seattle, and his team said their findings are worrying because exposure to television can lessen human interaction which is essential to learn language and develop broader thinking.
"The effect of having a television on is that babies do speak less and they're spoken to less," said Christakis.
A team of researchers from the U.S., Germany and the Netherlands investigated prescription levels in the three countries. Antidepressant and stimulant use was three or more times greater in the U.S. than in the Netherlands and Germany, while antipsychotic prevalence was 1.5 to 2.2 times greater.
Selenium is an essential trace mineral that forms an important part of our immune defense function, as well as a component in heart muscle. Found naturally in animal protein and vegetables, it is also found in fish, vegetables, and especially Brazil nuts. Its anti-oxidant functions have now been shown to reduce the risk of many cancers as well as thyroid disease, infertility and arthritis. There is even a suggestion that selenium alters genes that cause cancer.
Because selenium occurs naturally in the soil, organic crops will absorb it and transfer it into a form that is bioavailable to humans. The East Coast has selenium deficient soil, but the soil in the rest of the United States is rich in this mineral. To maintain the proper levels, supplementation is advised.
The effective form of selenium is L-selenomethionine, as this is the form most easily absorbed and stored in the body. This is also the form of this important mineral used in most clinical trials. Other forms, such as selenite, are not as easy for the body to assimilate.
Selenium has now been approved by the FDA for cancer reduction. "Selenium may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. However, the FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive." The statement that the results are" limited and not conclusive" is a major breakthrough for the health benefits of this nutrient.
Because selenium occurs naturally in the soil, organic crops will absorb it and transfer it into a form that is bioavailable to humans. The East Coast has selenium deficient soil, but the soil in the rest of the United States is rich in this mineral. To maintain the proper levels, supplementation is advised.
The effective form of selenium is L-selenomethionine, as this is the form most easily absorbed and stored in the body. This is also the form of this important mineral used in most clinical trials. Other forms, such as selenite, are not as easy for the body to assimilate.
Selenium has now been approved by the FDA for cancer reduction. "Selenium may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. However, the FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive." The statement that the results are" limited and not conclusive" is a major breakthrough for the health benefits of this nutrient.
For better sleep, the body needs healthy foods and nutrients. Many nutrients are known to have a calming effect on the nervous system and help promote good sleep. Whole foods contain many of these natural insomnia cures, but supplements are also available to ensure that you obtain the proper dietary amounts.
Calcium
is nature's tranquilizer. Some feel that calcium is best absorbed in the evening, suggesting that the folk medicine suggestion of a glass of milk before bedtime might be a good idea. Natural forms of calcium are dairy foods as well as green vegetables and sesame. A spoon of sesame seeds has ten times the calcium as a similar amount of milk. Spinach is also high in calcium. Take 1000 milligrams of calcium daily.
Magnesium
is needed to absorb calcium. Many calcium supplements also contain magnesium. Epsom salts are made of magnesium and an Epsom salt bath is one way to absorb magnesium. Magnesium is a muscle relaxant as well as important for balancing blood sugar and blood pressure. Natural sources of magnesium are halibut, peanuts, whole grains, spinach, bananas, avocadoes, and nuts and seeds. Diabetes and those on diuretics need to insure proper intake of magnesium, as much magnesium is lost through urine. Symptoms of deficiency are muscle spasms, nausea and loss of appetite.
Calcium
is nature's tranquilizer. Some feel that calcium is best absorbed in the evening, suggesting that the folk medicine suggestion of a glass of milk before bedtime might be a good idea. Natural forms of calcium are dairy foods as well as green vegetables and sesame. A spoon of sesame seeds has ten times the calcium as a similar amount of milk. Spinach is also high in calcium. Take 1000 milligrams of calcium daily.
Magnesium
is needed to absorb calcium. Many calcium supplements also contain magnesium. Epsom salts are made of magnesium and an Epsom salt bath is one way to absorb magnesium. Magnesium is a muscle relaxant as well as important for balancing blood sugar and blood pressure. Natural sources of magnesium are halibut, peanuts, whole grains, spinach, bananas, avocadoes, and nuts and seeds. Diabetes and those on diuretics need to insure proper intake of magnesium, as much magnesium is lost through urine. Symptoms of deficiency are muscle spasms, nausea and loss of appetite.
New York - Extreme binge-drinking may be putting college students at significant risk of accidents and injuries, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that among more than 2,000 college students with drinking problems, those who admitted to "extreme" drinking -- eight or more drinks in day for men, five or more for women -- were more likely than their peers to have suffered a recent alcohol-related injury.
Researchers found that among more than 2,000 college students with drinking problems, those who admitted to "extreme" drinking -- eight or more drinks in day for men, five or more for women -- were more likely than their peers to have suffered a recent alcohol-related injury.
New York - The number of middle-aged and older Americans who eat right, exercise and keep their weight down has declined substantially in the past two decades, a new study finds.
Using data from a large government health survey, researchers found that in 2006, 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.
Using data from a large government health survey, researchers found that in 2006, 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.
Chef Dina Knight explains how a healthy diet helped her father recover from a quadruple bypass.
© Agence France-Presse/Guillaume Baptiste
Hong Kong officials have found traces of cocaine in cans of Red Bull, a few days after Taiwanese authorities confiscated close to 18,000 cases of the popular energy drink
Hong Kong officials have found traces of cocaine in cans of Red Bull, a few days after Taiwanese authorities confiscated close to 18,000 cases of the popular energy drink
Officials at the Centre for Food Safety said a laboratory analysis found tiny amounts of the illegal drug in samples of "Red Bull Cola," "Red Bull Sugar-free" and "Red Bull Energy Drink", a spokesman said.
The drink has now been taken off the shelves of major supermarkets, the spokesman said in a statement issued late Monday. He added that the amount of cocaine found in the drinks posed little health danger.
© Garden Backlash
We're so used to getting orange juice 365 days of the year that it may come as news that even Tropicana Pure Premium has a season. But it does. From March until June the Valencia is in its prime in Florida, and even Californians will admit that Florida grows a superior Valencia. The state produces a few other varieties for juicing. The Hamlin, which peaks in late fall, is the most heavily planted. But anyone who has anything to do with the manufacture of commercial orange juice knows that nothing compares to Florida Valencia juice.
Comment: Avoiding toxins and eating healthy food are two major steps on the path to healing.
However a vegan diet as advocated in this video is an approach amongst many others and might not suit everybody's physiology.