Key Elements for a Bigger Bench Press

Proper positioning on a weight bench to maximize leverage Keep the bar in line with the eyes; if you are too far towards the top of the bench it puts your shoulders in a weak position and wastes energy, and creates unsteadiness when lifting off. Firm foot contact with the floor close to the bench is Paramount! Feet on the bench, straight legs with feet lightly touching the floor is a recipe for failure; it decreases force and puts you out of balance. Feet planted firmly on the floor and push from that foundation to blow through sticking points. When your feet are close to the bench, it's easier to keep the arch in your back. Keep a solid foundation by retracting your shoulder blades and powerfully push yourself through the bench. Keep the chest the highest point with the back slightly arched and shoulder blades retracted, stay tight in the midsection; this will keep your back securely in contact with the bench and create the stability needed for heavy benching. Keeping the chest with a slight arch in the lower back will decrease the distance the bar has to travel.
A word about grip strength
You will notice most Big Benchers have huge forearms; that is because grip strength is a huge factor in controlling the bar. Wrap your thumbs around the bar and squeeze hard as if you squeeze right through the bar.
Grip the bar low in the palm towards the heel of your hand and lock your wrists straight to create leverage! If you correct the frequent mistake of holding the bar near the base of your fingers causing a backward bend in your wrist you will notice an immediate increase in your max bench due to the improved leverage and increase in sending the force of the chest, deltoids, triceps bicep tendon… straight through to the bar
Use the width of your grip to exploit your strengths!
Sticking Points result from weakness in secondary muscle groups. Where the bar stalls will pinpoint the weak muscle. Mid point = weak pecs and/or triceps Bottom = weak front deltoids Lock out = triceps. Use a wide grip if you have strong pecs and are weak in deltoids and triceps
Choose the grip width and elbow placement based on your body Long arms use a wide grip to shorten the path of the bar (elbows out) Short arms use a closer grip (elbows in more)
Employ your strengths Strong triceps? use a closer grip and elbows close to your body Weak in the Delts? use a close grip keeping elbows wide
Strengthen assistance muscles and eliminate weak points!
A Big Bench = Powerful Deltoids, Lats, Triceps, Forearms and Bicep Tendons.
Work with heavy weights on these groups and your bench will improve, (especially go heavy on triceps!)
Use rows to exercises the lats think of barbell rows as a reverse bench press this trains the back in the same plane as the bench press.
Lifting Form = Physics. The shortest distance between 2 points is a straight line! If you have shoulder pain, (like I do), keep your elbows and arms at a 90° angle and lower the bar a bit below the nipples to increase leverage, recruit more of the assistance muscles mentioned above and prevent external arm rotation which is hard on shoulder joints. Lift right away once the bar is above your chest, it's a little late to get "geared up" so don't just hold the bar over your chest, get on with it! You are stronger on the eccentric, (negative), so slow down and lower under control Pause at the bottom to prevent momentum, this is important on working any muscle for hypertrophy. Quick movements are better suited to certain sport specific training. Press straight up unless it feels causes shoulder pain or feels too abnormal Again for most people developing tricep strength will help form the most so train them heavy! Breath in deep on the eccentric stage hold your breath during the initiation of the concentric phase Push as hard as you can through a full range of motion
Between set resting
The one minute rest won't get it on a heavy bench day 2 to 3 minutes is more like it, many advanced lifters adhere to a 5 minute rest between heavy sets.
Initially strength is determined by your nervous system and connective tissue integrity 80% of initial strength increase is determined by nervous system motor unit recruitment. A motor unit is a nerve and all the muscle fibers innervated. Heavy tension is required for the recruitment of high threshold motor units- these are fast twitch which tend to grow, (increase in mitochondria and supporting cytoplasm). Slow twitch become more metabolically efficient. If the impulse from the nerve is too weak you're muscles are weak the more motor units recruited have more muscle innervations and strength increases. Once that nerve fires once in the movement it will fire every time; this is called the all or none principle.
When a motor unit is sufficiently activated once the entire pool of fibers contract. The central nervous system can increase the strength of muscle contraction by: Increasing the number of active motor units (i.e., spatial recruitment) Increasing the firing rate at which individual motor units fire to optimize the summated tension generated (i.e., temporal recruitment) Both occur concurrently
Heavy Benching is very taxing on the nervous system overtraining is a common mistake as trainees don't take into account nervous system recovery!
Mindset
Benching near your max has as much to do with your mind as it does with strength and technique weight mentally, you need to believe, (even picture yourself), or it will not happen Sometimes little rituals before the lift are a good idea to clear your thoughts and put you in the mindset, you've seen this with field goal kickers and other sports that are primarily mental; these are called "anchors". Develop a simple action, (anchor) such as: clapping, stomping, or something as simple as deeply breathing a given number of times. It should be an uncomplicated movement that you don't normally do. It is common for lifters to hit sticking points at times when they add another 45 lb plate (i.e. 225, 315, 405…); this is obviously a mental barrier not physical. When training people I would have them go from say 215 to 230 to avoid this (but that is just a band aid for mental barriers!). Focus and maintain your concentration and be only selectively aware of your surroundings. You must picture in your mind doing and believing you will make the lift, a grain of doubt will = an avalanche of failure, a valuable lesson successful lifters learn early.
Apply these techniques and get the proper equipment and I guarantee serious results and a bigger bench!
Look for future articles from FitnessScape with information and tools to light the way to achieving your fitness goals.

The Effectiveness of Vitamin C

We all know that vitamin C is one of the most popular health supplements which acts as a stimulant for the immune system of our body. Recent research has revealed that vitamin C could play a part in cancer prevention.
Food Sources
Some of the sources of vitamin c are cabbage, cauliflower, guava, kiwi, papaya and strawberries.
Who Needs Extra Vitamin C?
Although all of us need vitamin c there are others who need it more than us. Who are they?
1. Elderly Folks
As one grows older the ability to absorb vitamin c also decreases.
2. Smokers
Smoking not only harms the lungs but it also depletes vitamin C from the body.
3. Undergoing Surgery
If you are undergoing surgery you would need an increased dose of vitamin C as your body would need it to recover.
How it helps in preventing cancer?
Vitamin C neutralises the free radicals and thus reduces the chance of cancer cells from developing. Those who eat vitamin C regularly have shown to be at a lower risk level in getting cancer.

Skin Cancer - a Reminder

We need to get alerted: skin cancer is the most popular cancer. Every year, more than 1,000,000 skin cancer cases are diagnosed and tens of thousands of skin cancer patients die in the U.S. alone. The number of skin cancer exceeds that of all other cancers combined. Among more than 1 million of skin cancer cases, 100,000 are melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer and there is no cure for it.
The skin cancer risk is more serious to the children because they are young and more susceptible, and they expose to more sunlight than adults due to their extensive outdoor activities. Half of the total life time exposure for an individual is received during his childhood. So special care is needed for the children.
Usually, skin cancers come years later after the subjects get exposed to too much sunlight. So just because you do not see a skin cancer right away does not mean you are free of skin cancer risk. So careful protection is the key.
The government health officials are working hard to alert people of the skin cancer risk. They try to have schools to take measures to protect students against excessive exposure to the ultraviolet light.
Both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B can cause skin cancer, which means some ultraviolet light once thought safe can be dangerous. In the summer, it's advised that people avoid sunlight from 10 a.m through 4 p.m. when the sunlight is strongest and you are likely to get sunburn. Sunburn can be defined as a condition that your skin receives so much sunlight radiation that a skin color change is noticeable. Rules of thumb to avoid sunburn is, if your shadow is shorter than you are, then the sunlight is too strong and you can get sunburn. If you have to go outdoor, wear something protective such as clothes and big wide-trimmed hat to shield as much sunlight as possible. In the hottest day, the sunlight can burn your skin in a couple of minutes or less. Statistics indicated that people get one or more blister caused by sunlight will have 2 or 3 times higher risk of getting skin cancer than the general population. Both occasional heavy exposure and mild chronic exposure can cause skin cancer.
Also keep in mind that ultraviolet rays exist not just in the summer, or hot days only. In the spring or even winter, you do not feel the heat when exposed to the sunlight, but the ultraviolet rays are there. You can still get sunburn in such cool days. So do not take the sunlight lightly. Other than the sunlight, sun lumps and tanning facility that emit ultraviolet rays can also pose a serious risk of skin cancer.

Weight Loss by Treadmill

Weight loss using a good Treadmill workout program has worked for many people - and it can work for you too.
Treadmills can be used by virtually any age group, and by individuals of any activity level. Treadmills can help you lose weight, and maintain your weight loss.
It really is a numbers game. The more time you spend doing cardiovascular exercises the more calories you are going to burn and the more weight you will lose. And if you are looking for fitness equipment that will get the maximum burn, then a treadmill should be at the top of your list.
The treadmill is unsurpassed for a cardiovascular workout. According to a study done by the Medical College of Wisconsin and the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, calories burned on the treadmill for 60 minutes averaged 865 - 705. This compares to:
Stair machine 746 - 637
Rowing machine 739 - 606
Stationary cycle 604 - 556
Cross-country ski machine 678 - 595
· This is one of numerous studies, that rank a treadmill as the number one cardiovascular machine.
Here are a few steps you can take to develop your own weight loss treadmill program:
Find ways to make your Treadmill session enjoyable, by listening to music, books on tape, or teaching tapes. Or, some people prefer to just enjoy nature and life around them, and the time to think, pray, or just let their mind wander. The more you enjoy your Treadmill workout, the more likely you are to workout consistently.
Make it a DAILY habit - just like brushing your teeth. Working out on your Treadmill daily makes your weight loss ambitions much more likely to succeed than if you are working out two to three days a week. And, most people that make the switch will tell you that it's easier to workout every day. You don't have to think about whether it's a workout day or not and get geared up for it - you just do it every day and your body gets used to it. It soon becomes a normal part of your day and you begin to look forward to it.
Incorporate "intervals" into three or four of your Treadmill sessions each week. Intervals are brief periods (about one minute) of more intense exercise mixed into your Treadmill sessions. For example, you would do a one minute interval of faster walking about every five minutes throughout your exercise session.
Here's how it will look; you'll start with your normal three to five minute warm-up and then five minutes into your walk you do your first interval, one minute of faster walking (or perhaps jogging). At the end of that minute you should be "winded" and ready to slow down. You'll slow down to your normal walking speed for the next four minutes and then your fifth minute is another one minute interval. This pattern continues throughout your exercise session.
Intervals increase your aerobic fitness level by "pushing the envelope." While doing your interval you cross the anaerobic threshold into anaerobic metabolism, forcing your body to become conditioned to more intense exercise and making it a better weight loss program.
Intervals increase your basal metabolic rate (BMR), causing you to burn more calories 24 hours-a-day, and intervals can make your exercise less monotonous and help the time pass more quickly.
If you're not weight training, walk on your Treadmill with light (one to two pound) hand weights two to three days per week. Swing your arms and also use a variety of arm movements while walking to tone your upper body muscles and further increase your basal metabolic rate.
If at all possible, do your Treadmill workout first thing in the morning. Over 90% of people who workout consistently, do so first thing in the morning. If YOU want to exercise consistently, odds are in your favor if you hop to it early.
Make one day a week your "easy day." Make this a very leisurely workout. Appreciate how good your walks are starting to feel as you lose weight and tone your muscles.
Keep a record of your workout. There's something very motivating about seeing your workout accomplishments and paper. Record the date and time-of-day of your workout, and the distance and/or time you walked. Keep a running total of the miles or minutes you've walked. Also, record your thoughts or feelings for that particular workout.
By taking these steps you're making this time each day a special time to take care of yourself. Make that a priority in your life and don't let anyone or anything keep you from that time. Working out on your Treadmill every day will help you achieve your weight loss goals and have a positive impact on all aspects of your life, including fitness level!
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So, from the simple perspective of weight loss, the treadmill is by far the best exercise machine given its significantly associated energy expenditure. Treadmills have consistently provided quality results and lasting benefits. Treadmills allow you to work at your own pace, but don't allow you to slack off. You'll be able to burn calories effectively and reach your weight loss goals. It's that simple.
If you're in the market to seriously educate yourself about treadmills, visit http://www.treadmilladviser.com where you can obtain more detailed information.

ADHD and Food Allergies

There are a number of controversial areas in medicine when it comes to ADHD. Food allergy is certainly one of them.
The classic allergic reaction, which is classified as the type-1 hypersensitivity reaction, can be elicited by food, but this is fairly uncommon. When we discuss food sensitivities in ADHD we are discussing a different, not well-defined, mechanism.
One of the main progenitors of the food allergy/ADHD connection is Dr. Doris Rapp. Dr. Rapp was a pediatric allergist who noticed that many children in her practice had significant physical and behavioral changes when exposed to certain foods. They may have red ear lobes, dark circles under their eyes, or glazed eyes after eating certain foods. These children could have tremendous swings in behavior. They can be calm one minute and wildly hyperactive a few minutes later.
To make it more interesting, children with food allergies usually crave the food that affects them negatively. That means a child who is allergic to peanuts will demand peanut butter and jelly for lunch everyday, and for the rest of the afternoon you have to peel him off of the ceiling.
What is Food Allergy?
The classic allergic reaction operates through a very specific mechanism. The reaction is caused when a specific type of antibody, called IgE, reacts with a specific provoking substance called an allergen. The result of this interaction is an allergic response and the person is deemed allergic to that allergen.
The specific type of antibody involved in classic allergy is called IgE. The proposed antibody mechanism for this type of food allergy does not involve IgE, but a different antibody called IgG. This is significant because standard allergy testing tests only for IgE antibodies. If your child has IgG mediated sensitivity, his allergy test is going to miss it. That means that your child may have a severe allergy to a specific food, but your allergist will tell you he is not allergic to it.
Why the Controversy?
Reason 1: Diagnosis
I said this was a very controversial area of medicine and here is one of the reasons why. Food allergies are very difficult to diagnose. One reason is that the symptoms wax and wane. When a child has a classic allergy, for example to bee stings, then every time a bee stings him, he will have a reaction. Food allergies don't work that way. There seems to be a threshold that must be exceeded before there are any symptoms. In addition, this threshold seems to vary from day to day. On some days a food will affect the child, and on other days it won't. Dr. Rapp explains this phenomenon using the analogy of a barrel.
We can view each allergic child as if he has a barrel. As long as the barrel is empty or only partially full, your child will have no problems. Your child won't become hyperactive until his barrel is overflowing.
Various things will fill your child's barrel. Let's say your child is sensitive to chocolate, cats, and peanut butter. Each of these things all can partially fill his barrel. As long as he only has peanut butter or only plays with the cat, his barrel is only partially full. That means that there are no symptoms and that his behavior is fine. Then, one day he has a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, has chocolate ice cream for dessert and plays with the cat all afternoon. These things in combination make his barrel overflow, and by evening he is out of control. Your child has food allergies, but sometimes they affect him and sometimes they don't.
The barrel can change sizes. If your child has a cold or is upset his barrel gets smaller. It takes less to make it overflow. If he is happy his barrel is bigger. It takes more to make it overflow. If he isn't eating well and that day he is low on certain nutrients his barrel gets smaller.
Many traditional allergists find this barrel concept ludicrous. It doesn't fit into the pattern of how other allergies work.
Reason 2: Method of Diagnosis
The next problem is the way in which you test for food allergies. Dr. Rapp describes a technique called provocation-neutralization testing. This method works as follows: Say that a child frequently has headaches after eating eggs. The practitioner will give an intradermal injection of egg extract. If this elicits the child's headache, then the child tests positive for egg allergy. Other signs of a positive test include an increase in pulse rate of 20 points, a large skin reaction (this indicates a classic IgE reaction), a change in the child's handwriting, or some other physical or emotional complaint. This last criterion "some other physical or emotional complaint" is problematic. It is too vague. The result is that when studies compared how several physicians evaluated the same group of patients, their results didn't agree. For each patient if there were twenty different doctors with twenty different sets of findings. None of their diagnoses matched.
Reason 3: The Mechanism
As I mentioned before, the proposed mechanism is an IgG mediated response. Some food allergists diagnose specific food allergies by measuring IgG levels. This runs counter to all of modern allergy practice.
Allergists give allergy shots to treat allergy. The way this works is they give a low level of allergen, which is not enough to elicit an IgE reaction. The dose is slowly increased until eventually the patient can tolerate a significant exposure to the allergen.
This is how it works. The repeated low-level exposure to the allergen induces the body to make a different antibody to the substance. This antibody attaches to the allergen and deactivates it before IgE can cause the allergy reaction. What is this antibody that allergists try to induce to cure their patients of their allergies? You guessed it, IgG. So the very antibody the traditional allergists have been inducing for decades to successfully treat allergies, the food allergy people claim is the antibody guilty of causing allergies.
For a traditional allergist this is nothing short of heresy. IgG has been used for decades to treat allergies successfully. Comes along Rapp and her friends and they claim that IgG causes allergy? This is a little hard for some people to accept.
Just how strongly do allergists reject this idea? I once tried to contact an Israeli physician who was a food allergy specialist to discuss with him provocation-neutralization testing. I called the hospital where he is on staff and asked to speak with him. For some reason the operator instead put me through to the head of the Department of Allergy.
I began discussing with him the theory of food allergies, provocation-neutralization testing and IgG testing. He told me that he was the head of a committee of allergists who were in the process of testifying before the Israeli Knesset to get legislation passed to make IgG testing illegal in Israel.
Can you imagine? You visit a prison in Israel. In one cell there is car thief. In the next cell there is a mass murderer. And in the next cell there is a guy who tested someone for food allergies. Now that's pretty strong opposition!
Do Food Allergies Really Exist?
The formal medical societies like the AMA claim there is no such thing as food allergies. Rapp and her friends have been screaming for decades that they do exist. So, what is the bottom line? Does it really make sense that what a child eats can affect him so strongly that experts will diagnose him as having ADHD?
We know that the brain is a highly complicated and sensitive organ. We know that many foods have a physiological effect on the body without inducing a classic allergic response. For example, people who are sensitive to monosodium glutamate can have a severe reaction to eating it. The chemicals in red wine affect certain people. We also know that ingesting certain foods alters brain function. Diet has been proven to influence neurotransmitter function. Components of foods can also be used as drugs. For example, tryptophan, tyrosine, and choline have been used in the treatment of sleep disorders, pain, depression, mania, hypertension, shock, or dyskinesias.
The logic of Rapp's argument is so strong and there is enough circumstantial evidence, that I feel that the question is really the other way around. We know that the brain is intricate and has tremendous metabolic requirements. We know that some people have very strong reactions, including behavioral changes, to certain foods. These things are undisputed. If it turns out that foods do not elicit significant problems in sensitive children, in my opinion, we would need to explain why not!
Are we really seeing an allergy mechanism to food? I prefer to stay out of that debate. Rather than be ostracized by the doctors who specialize in allergy, I feel it is safer to call them food sensitivities. There are no doctors who specialize in sensitivity.
Does Your Child Have Food Sensitivities?
A large number of ADHD children may be having a negative response to food, and this response may be the primary cause of their ADHD. In what type of child should you suspect food allergies?
The following is a list of symptoms that resulted from food allergies in certain children: Hyperactivity Changes in mood Halitosis Sleep disturbances Delay in sleep onset Migraines Other headaches Abdominal pain Bedwetting Tantrums Eczema Asthma Seizures
Research shows that by treating the food allergies all of these symptoms can be relieved.
If you see your child's symptoms in this list it is possible that food allergies may be contributing to his problem. If your child also has other allergic problems, such as allergy or asthma, then food allergies are almost certainly contributing to his problems.
What Should You Do?
As I wrote in How to Help the Child You Love, there are a number of approaches to diagnosing food allergies. None of them are well substantiated and all of them have difficulties. Yet, many people find that these diagnostic techniques worked for them. Therefore, I'd suggest you could use them provided you have it on good authority that the person administering them has a strong record of success. In my experience, these techniques are more of an art than a science. They really depend upon the talent of the diagnostician.
As I said last time, the best approach to finding food allergies in your child is an elimination diet. It doesn't really matter which one you choose. I prefer the three that I outline in How to Help the Child You Love. (see http://addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html)
Conclusion
Researchers claim that the percentage of ADHD children whose behavioral symptoms are affected by foods ranges from 60% to 75%. This, however, is probably not an accurate number. Parents who consent to have their children participate in diet studies usually believe they have observed food-induced problems in their children. Therefore, children who participate in these studies are more likely to respond to foods than the general population. The truth is we do not know what percentage of ADHD children will respond to dietary changes, but it seems that the number is significant.
Treating the food sensitivities in ADHD children has a number of advantages over using medication. One major advantage all the current methods of treatment can be used to treat pre-school children. Most clinicians do not use medication on pre-school children. A more significant advantage of treating food allergy is that when it works, it works all day. In contrast, Ritalin wears off in about 4 hours.
All this, of course, is providing that food allergies really do exist.
The main thing to remember is that if you think your child has food allergies, then the biggest mistake you can make is to go to an allergist. They don't believe in food allergies. And whatever you do, do not go to an allergist and ask to have your child provocation-neutralization tested for food allergies. He is going to laugh at you.
Food allergy is an alternative medicine diagnosis. Still, there are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating these sensitivities, but they no longer call themselves allergists. Rapp and her group were so ostracized by the formal allergy societies that they eventually broke off and formed a new field called Environmental Medicine.
Therefore, if you want a physician to treat your child you need to find an Environmental Medicine specialist. They are not so common, but they are around.
As I mentioned before, there are a number of approaches to treating food sensitivities. The one you can do yourself is to use an elimination diet. I devoted a large section of How to Help the Child You Love describing exactly how to use elimination diets to diagnose and treat food sensitivities.
In the final analysis, I feel it is fair to say that many ADHD children have sensitivities to the foods they eat. These sensitivities may exacerbate their ADHD symptoms. I won't go so far as to say that food allergies cause ADHD. That means that if your ADHD child has severe food sensitivity, treating that sensitivity may not get rid of his ADHD. However, until you treat his food allergy, nothing else you do will really help your child's ADHD, either.
Anthony Kane, MD
ADD ADHD Advances
http://addadhdadvances.com

ADHD and Iron Deficiency

About 8% of children, ages 4 years and under, are deficient in iron. Between the ages of 5 and 12, the percentage rises to 13%, and then settles back to 8% in people above the age of 15. Anemia is the best-known repercussion of iron deficiency. However, even minor deficiencies in iron may weaken the immune system, affect the thyroid, and impair general physical performance. Iron deficiency has also been implicated in a number of psychiatric and neurological conditions, including learning disabilities and ADHD.
Iron is a co-enzyme in the anabolism of catecholamines. That means it is essential for the creation of certain neurotransmitters. It helps to regulate the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which probably accounts for the association of iron deficiency with neurological problems. It makes sense that supplementing ADHD children, who have some level of iron deficiency, might have some effect on their ADHD. However, what makes sense in theory, does not always work in practice. Unfortunately, there have been very few studies done testing the effects of iron supplementation on ADHD.
One study, done in Israel, evaluated 14 ADHD boys for the effect of short-term iron administration on behavior. Each boy received iron daily for 30 days. Both parents and teachers assessed the behavior of the children. The parents found significant improvement in the behavior of the children. However, the teachers noticed no improvement.
In a second study, 33 iron-deficient, but otherwise normal, children were given an iron supplement. The children became less hyperactive. This study suggests that iron deficiency may cause hyperactive behavior in some children and that hyperactive behavior is reversible when the deficiency is treated.
A third study tested the affects of iron supplementation on a group of teen-aged high school girls who were determined to be iron deficient. At the end of the 8-week study, the researchers found that girls who received iron supplementation performed better on verbal learning and memory tests than those who did not.
This is about all the evidence we have. It's not a lot and it's not very impressive. None of the studies were double-blind studies, which means we cannot really rely on them all that much.
If this were the only consideration, I would say you should definitely try to treat your child for iron deficiency. The reason is that hyperactive children are more likely to be iron deficient than other children. Also, there is a possibility that your child has a higher than average iron requirement. That means that he might test normal on all the iron blood tests and still be iron deficient because he requires more than the average amount of iron.
So why not just give your child iron supplements and see what happens? Because iron functions in the body like a two edged sword.
Iron exists in the body in two chemical forms. There is the ferrous form, where the iron atom will bond to two electrons and the ferric form where the atom will bond to three electrons. Iron can go back and forth between these two forms. This is the property of iron that allows it to play a role in carrying oxygen as part of hemoglobin. However, it also makes iron an active player in oxidation-reduction reactions. What that means is that iron has the ability to act like a free radical and cause significant damage to tissues. Whenever iron is not bound to hemoglobin or to some other carrier protein, it travels around the body as free iron and can cause damage anywhere it goes. To further exacerbate the problem, excess iron is not eliminated well by the body. Most of the iron in the body gets recycled. Therefore, not only is excess iron toxic, but also once you have excess iron in your body, it is going to stick around for a long time. High amounts of iron have been ! found in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease. It is very likely that excess iron can aggravate, if not cause, other neurological problems as well.
With that in mind we have to approach iron supplementation with caution. My feeling is that if your child turns out to be one of the 8-13% that is deficient in iron, it is worth giving iron supplements. I doubt that it will help much with his ADHD, but it should help with his general health. This advice applies to your non-ADHD children, also.
How should you test iron deficiency? The hemoglobin and hematocrit counts that come as part of the standard complete blood count (CBC) are good for diagnosing anemia. They do not really give you accurate information about the body's iron status. The best test for iron status is the serum ferritin test, which measures how much iron is stored in your body. It will be low if you are deficient and high if you are overloaded.
If you find your child has an iron deficiency problem, there are several approaches to treat it. Probably the safest is by giving him more iron-containing foods. You can serve him red meat several times a week. Liver is an excellent source, if you can get him to eat it. You can enhance dietary absorption by supplementing with vitamin A (about 10,000 IU) and vitamin C (about 500mg) with the meals.
The most likely the reason that your child is deficient is because he is a poor eater; so, dietary intervention may not be practical. A second and far inferior source of iron is through supplements. The primary difficulty of iron supplements is that they do not get into the body. Fortifying foods with iron in general does not work. Many foods bind iron and, as a result, the iron is excreted rather than absorbed. The best form of supplemental iron is Ferrochel. Ferrochel is an amino acid chelated iron, which is highly bio-available and is not affected by foods that bind iron.
Most iron supplements have a ten percent absorption rate. That means if you take 10 mg of the supplement, your body absorbs 1 mg. Ferrochel is different. Ferrochel has a 75% absorption rate. That means 1.5 mg of Ferrochel provides more iron to your body than 10 mg of other supplements.
That is an interesting fact, but it is not why I am recommending it. The more important property of Ferrochel is that since it is already amino acid bound, it does not become free iron in the body. That means it does not have the dangers and side effects of other iron supplements. The FDA has given Ferrochel the designation of GRAS, (generally regarded as safe). No other iron supplement has this designation.
The take home message is that iron deficiency may be the cause of hyperactivity in some children. It is worth your while to have your child tested. If for some reason you suspect your child is iron deficient, the best approach is to increase your child's iron intake through his diet. If that doesn't work and you need to use supplements, the best supplemental iron is Ferrochel.
Anthony Kane, MD
ADD ADHD Advances
http://addadhdadvances.com

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Introduction
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a psychiatric behavior disorder that is characterized by aggressiveness and a tendency to purposefully bother and irritate others. These behaviors cause significant difficulties with family and friends and at school or work.
Oppositional defiant disorder is sometimes a precursor of conduct disorder. Much of the literature tends to lump these two conditions together. However, they seem to be distinct entities and, although conduct disorder does have a genetic component, ODD does not.
Description
Oppositional defiant children show a consistent pattern of refusing to follow commands or requests by adults. These children repeatedly lose their temper, argue with adults, and refuse to comply with rules and directions. They are easily annoyed and blame others for their mistakes. Children with ODD show a pattern of stubbornness and frequently test limits, even in early childhood.
These children can be manipulative and often induce discord in those around them. Commonly they can incite parents and other family members to fight with one and other rather than focus on the child, who is the source of the problem.
Behavioral Symptoms
Common behaviors seen in oppositional defiant disorder include: Losing one's temper Arguing with adults Actively defying requests Refusing to follow rules Deliberately annoying other people Blaming others for one's own mistakes or misbehavior Being touchy, easily annoyed Being easily angered, resentful, spiteful, or vindictive. Speaking harshly, or unkind when upset Seeking revenge Having frequent temper tantrums
Many parents report that their ODD children were rigid and demanding from an early age.
Normal children, especially around the ages or 2 or 3 or during the teenage years display most of these behaviors from time to time. When children are tired, hungry, or upset, they may be defiant. However, children with oppositional defiant disorder display these behaviors more frequently and to the extent that they and interfere with learning, school adjustment, and, sometimes, with the child's social relationships.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of ODD is not always straight forward and needs to be made by a psychiatrist or some other qualified mental health professional after a comprehensive evaluation. The child must be evaluated for other disorders as well since ODD usually does not come alone. If the child has ADHD, mood disorders, or anxiety disorders, these other problems must be addressed before you can begin to work with the ODD.
If you feel your child may have ODD, there is a quick screening test. Go to: http://addadhdadvances.com/ODDtest.html
Causes
What is the cause of ODD? The real answer is that nobody knows. However, since as scientist we hate to admit this, we have currently have two theories.
The developmental theory proposes that ODD is really a result of incomplete child development. For some reason, these children never complete the developmental tasks that normal children learn to master during the toddler years.
The learning theory suggests that ODD comes as a response to negative interactions. The techniques used by parents and authority figures on these children bring about the oppositional defiant behavior.
ODD is the most common psychiatric diagnosis in children and it usually persists into adulthood. One would think a lot of research would be done on this condition. That is not the case. While there are hundreds of research studies on ADHD and childhood mood disorders, there is very little research on ODD.
Co-morbidity
ODD is frequently goes along with other disorders. 50-65% of ODD children also have ADHD. 35% of these children develop some form of affective disorder. 20% have some form of mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety. 15% develop some form of personality disorder. These children frequently have learning disorders and academic difficulties.
If your child has ODD it is important to know there are other co-existing problems. These other problems usually must be addressed before you can begin to help your child with ODD.
Prognosis
So what happens to these children? There are four possible paths. Some will grow out of it. Half of the preschoolers that are labeled ODD are normal by the age of 8. However, in older ODD children, 75% will still fulfill the diagnostic criteria later in life. The ODD may turn into something else. 5-10 % of preschoolers with ODD have their diagnosis changed from ODD to ADHD. In some children, the defiant behavior gets worse and these children eventually are diagnosed with Conduct Disorder. This progression usually happens fairly early. If a child has ODD for 3-4 years and he hasn't developed Conduct Disorder, then he won't ever develop it. The child may continue to have ODD without any thing else. This is unusual. By the time preschoolers with ODD are 8 years old, only 5% have ODD and nothing else. The child develops other disorders in addition to ODD. This is very common.
Treatment
Most of these children have some other disorder along with their ODD. Treating this other disorder is the key to proper ODD management. This frequently means giving medication. Although this type of medical intervention does not make the children "normal", it can make a big difference. It often allows other non-medical interventions to work much better.
For example, if a child has both ODD and ADHD, then giving the child Ritalin may have a significant effect on his ODD, also. This positive effect does not seem to be related to the severity of the ADHD. That means even if the child has mild ADHD and could do without Ritalin, if he is treated medically, you might see an improvement in his ODD.
Once the other problems are under control, the best treatment for ODD is parent training. In a study published in 1998, eighty-two research studies were evaluated were examined for efficacy. Approaches focusing on parent training were the most affective techniques.
The main point is that some parent-training program is essential in addressing ODD. This is not going to work for everyone, but it is the best treatment that we have available for ODD.
Advice to Parents
That is with regard to your child. If your child has ODD you need to take care of yourself, also. No child needs a martyr as a parent.
Here are some of the things you can do: Maintain interests other than your child with ODD. You have to be a person. Try to work with and obtain support from the other adults (teachers, coaches, and spouse) dealing with your child. Take time to work on your relationship with your spouse. Raising these children is very difficult and can put a strain on the best of marriages. Manage your own stress with exercise and relaxation. Take frequent vacations. This is a must.
Conclusion
It is tough to live with children who have ODD. What is worse is that there does not seem to be any cure. However, if you make sure that your child has his other problems addressed and you improve your parenting skills by enrolling in a parent training program, you can do a great deal to improve your child's condition and your own.
Anthony Kane, MD
ADD ADHD Advances
http://addadhdadvances.com

Is your Dog Malnourished?

Americans are more concerned about health than ever before, so we should also have an equal amount of concern for our pets ... particularly with regard to the ingredients in their food. We would want the ingredients in our pets' food to be acceptable for human consumption.
After all, If byproducts are not tolerated in our food, why should they be tolerated in our pets' food? We're also starting to realize that our dogs and cats need daily supplements the same way that we do, in order to take care of their bodies for the inevitable ravages of aging. In the span of an animal's life, an early start at good health ensures less vulnerability to degenerative diseases, joints that are less likely to creak with pain and a healthier heart. Naturally we want our dogs and cats to live with us for as long as possible.
Renowned holistic veternarian Dr. Jane Bicks says that when looking at dog food, one should be be weary of dyes, chemicals and artificial preservatives as much as possible. For example, BHA ... one of the most common synthetic antioxidant preservatives mainly used to prevent food discoloration and rancidity ... has been found in scientific studies to cause stomach cancer in lab rats at certain doses. In lesser doses, the preservative doesn't have a cancerous effect but there is no telling what BHA can do to the body in small doses over a long period of time.
Dr. Jane states that the maximum life span of dogs is estimated to be between 25 to 30 years, but the average dog often lives no longer than 13 to 14 years.
And she says that this difference is caused primarily by inadequate nourishment.
She also states that protein is a critical part of a dog's natural development so pet owners should look for foods which have whole ingredients like meat, eggs, fish and dairy as opposed to byproducts.
Harder working or more energetic dogs require more protein and fat in their diet to maintain stamina and good body form. A dog food that is complete and balanced and includes at least 26 percent protein and 1650 kilocalories of metabolizable energy per pound is ideal. During the seasons when dogs are not working, their energy requirements decrease. Feed less of the high calorie food or change to a less nutrient-dense dog food.
Unbleached rice is one of the more digestible carbohydrates and supplies a wide array of energy for your dog. Corn and wheat, meanwhile, are considerably more difficult to digest. It is also a great idea to look for antioxidants. In recent years, we have become much more conscious of our antioxidant intake, so why shouldn't we have that same attitude towards our pets?
Dr. Jane Bicks has been honored on many occasions by the veternary profession and is the author of several books inlcluding 'Thirty days to a healthier, happier dog' and 'Dr. Jane's Natural guide to a healthier, happier dog'. She has been involved in many advisory boards including Canine Companions for independence and has served as the President of the Veterinary Medical association of New York City. She formulates Life's Abundance premium dog food as well several types of dog supplements. For more information about Life's Abundance dog food and dog supplements go to http://www.dog-food-nutrition.info/

Just Diagnosed With a Visually Impaired Child

Finding out that your child is blind, partially blind, or has low vision can be a scary experience. Some disorders will be discovered at birth, if the vision impairment has observable characteristics such as cataracts or congenital glaucoma, but many go undetected until the child doesn't meet certain visual milestones. Parents may start to notice that their child does not seem to make eye contact or track bright high contrast items. Children with profound vision loss will often have nystagmus. Nystagmus is an observable condition where the eyes tend to shift back and forth rapidly, giving the appearance of jiggling eyes. There are a few children that are born with normal vision and develop vision loss due to accidents, brain tumors, or severe illnesses. Generally if your child is not meeting typical vision milestones by around three or four months your pediatrician will refer your child to an ophthalmologist. Proper diagnosis cannot be made without a thorough exam from an ophthalmologist.
Visual Acuity
Visual Acuity may not be determined until your child is older. When doing an exam on an infant, ophthalmologists often use visual acuity cards. Basically these are large posters of black and white lines. Infants see high contrast, black and white items the best. The cards will start off with very thick black lines and each card will have gradually thinner black lines. The thicker the line, the easier it is for an infant to see. By observing how your infant tracks these cards, your ophthalmologist can determine more about your infant's visual acuity.
Dealing with the shock
There is no easy way to deal with finding out your child is blind or has a significant vision issue. Usually the diagnosis comes as a shock. Even if you are aware that there is a problem, actually hearing the words that your child may be blind or partially blind is emotionally crushing. Talking to others parents going through the same thing will help some. Educating yourself on the subject matter will also help. Not knowing what to expect is one of the most difficult aspects of having a vision impaired child. With most conditions your ophthalmologist can't give you a perfect idea of how well your child will be able to see in the future. Once your child starts being able to communicate well, you will have a better idea of the severity of your child's condition.
Coping with family members and friends
Not only do parents have to deal with their own emotions but also they have to handle the reaction of their family and friends. Sometimes family members can say things to make the situation worse, questioning your prenatal care, dismissing the problem as not as severe as you are telling them, or giving you unwanted advice. You may hear things like "well you can just get him glasses", or "you know they have surgeries for that". Even as you try to educate them on the subject, often times they have their own beliefs. Sometimes it is best to keep the discussions to a minimum if they are not supportive or helpful to you.
What to do next
Once you receive your diagnosis, you may be wondering what you can do. Talk to your pediatrician about getting services with a vision therapist. This is often available through Early Intervention programs. Ask your pediatrician whom to contact for more information on this. Read as much as you can on the subject. Knowledge about your child's vision condition will make you feel less helpless. Find a support group. If you can't find one locally, you can find one online. There are many support groups available for specific vision disorders.
Helpful links:
Albinism- NOAH
http://www.albinism.org
The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation
Nystagmus - American Nystagmus Network
http://www.nystagmus.org
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia/ Septo Optic Dysplasia - Focus Families
http://www.focusfamiles.org
Retinopathy of Prematurely
The Association for Retinopathy of
Prematurity and Related Diseases
http://www.ropard.org
Strabismus
http://www.strabismus.org
Blindness and low vision
http://www.blindness.org
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
http://www.spedex.com/napvi/

Bad Breath and Gingivitis

Does this sound familiar to you? My dentist and hygienist mentioned that I had irritated gums as they cleaned my teeth. This is a symptom of gingivitis.
Gingivitis can be a stepping stone to major problems in the mouth and gum line. It can lead to periodontal disease, which is a much more serious problem with the potential for actual bone loss.
Halitosis (bad breath) could be related to a gingivitis infection as both are caused by bacteria. Red, swollen and/or bleeding gums characterize gingivitis. These symptoms are most evident upon flossing and sometimes from brushing.
Bacteria cause gingivitis. And bacteria are considered to be responsible for bad breath.
Sometimes, I could even see the bloodstains that the hygienist quietly wiped away with a towel. It was embarrassing enough to know that I wasn't controlling my gingivitis problem, but to know that she was actually trying not to make a big deal out of it was troubling.
I knew my dentist was concerned because she gave me a bottle of alcohol based mouthwash to try and mentioned that she wanted to see how I looked next time. I don't like using it; there is too much alcohol and the taste is not very pleasant. Alcohol may also dry the mucous membranes in the mouth.
The Problem
Bacteria can stick to your teeth and secrete acid onto them contributing to cavity formation. They can also infect the gums, particularly around the gum line, causing gingivitis. This can manifest initially as bleeding and irritated gums.
Having a lot of uncontrolled bacteria multiplying in the mouth may also lead to bad breath, but there is a natural and normal amount of bacteria in the mouth, and you will never completely get rid of them all, nor would you want to.
Theory has it that it is actually the anaerobic bacteria that live in the tongue and throat that produce sulfur that in turn produce hard to get rid of bad breath. These anaerobes create VSCs or volatile sulfur compounds. One type is the familiar rotten egg smell. There are other odors coming from VSCs as well. These sulfur-producing bacteria may feed on certain foods, like coffee, alcohol and meats.
A gingivitis problem can offer a way for bacteria to easily enter your blood stream and that can lead to additional problems. Systemic infections could come from this. Gingivitis can be something that makes your gums bleed easily in a mild case or it can be the root of deep gum recession, leading to bone loss in the worse case scenarios. (Periodontal disease)
Loss of gum line can be discouraging. A friend of mind once described the process as, "getting long in the tooth". Sometimes, people experience this problem by brushing too hard. TIP: Using a soft bristled toothbrush with the type of motion that your hygienist recommends may help prevent eroded gum lines.
Treatment and Prevention
Had you ever heard of under-the-gum cleanings? This could be part of the protocol your dentist might invoke, should you develop periodontal disease. If you know people that have had an under-the-gum cleaning; they may tell you that it is not very pleasant.
Your dentist can deal with this problem in a variety of ways. However, prevention probably is the best option. Include good flossing and brushing habits - see your dentist for details. And you could add a non-alcohol based mouthwash alternative to your regimen.
I'm currently using a special toothbrush that uses vibration to clean the teeth. This device does a better job than a regular toothbrush in keeping my teeth clean. It does take a little while to get used to because of the vibration. It makes many, many vibrations per second. This helps to give it such wonderful cleaning abilities.
Don't feel sad if you have excellent oral health habits but you still have bad breath. This is common and many people experience this same situation. Oral health products that don't contain sodium lauryl sulfates or artificial flavors that can still kill the bacteria that cause bad breath without using harsh alcohol or tough chemicals may be helpful.
I am not a dentist. This article is for information purposes only. This article is not meant for diagnosis, treatment or prevention nor is it meant to give advice. If you have or suspect you have gingivitis, periodontal disease or any other dental problems, visit your dentist for a consultation.

Negative Calorie Foods & Weight Loss

You gain weight when your calorie intake is more than your calorie expenditure. But if this calorie equation is reversed, then it results in "negative calorie" balance in your body. In this negative calorie case, you expand more calories than you take in, resulting in a decrease in the stored calories in the form of body fat, and you experience a weight loss. About 10% of daily caloric intake is used to process foods in the body. You can expand more by doing physical activities.
There are certain foods that show negative calorie effect because the body has to expand more energy to extract calories from these foods. The negative calorie foods need more calories to break down the foods and digest than the calories the foods actually contain. The extra calories are taken up from the stored fat in the body. Thus the negative calorie foods (may also be called as minus calorie foods or fat burning foods) are ideal for reducing the body fat and for losing weight.
Let us take an example. A piece of dessert consisting of 300 calories may require only 150 calories to be digested by our body, resulting in a net gain of 150 calories which is added to our body fat! So if you eat 100 calories of a food that requires 150 calories to digest, then you have burnt an additional 50 calories simply by eating that food. These 50 calories are used up from the stored fat in your body!
These foods are widely available in nature. Some of the foods from the list of negative calorie foods (about 100 in number) are: asparagus, broccoli, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, carrot, garlic, papaya, spinach, turnip, zucchini, apples, oranges, lettuce, grapefruit, pineapples, strawberries, and raspberries.
It is a great idea to eat these negative calorie food items to your full satisfaction without counting calories. Include these foods in your daily diet and plan your diet according to food pyramid. You will be amazed to see the fast weight loss results. You can follow a negative calorie diet plan for safe and permanent weight loss.
Copyright 2004 P. Mehta http://www.fatfreekitchen.com
You have permission to publish this article in your web sites, ezines or electronic publication, as long as the piece is used in its entirety including the resource box, all hyperlinks (HTML clickable) and references and copyright info.

Control Cholesterol Naturally

Blood Cholesterol is produced by our body for several purposes. In some people it is produced more than is required by our body, especially when the diet contains saturated fats. Saturated fats in the diet force the body to make too much cholesterol. The cholesterol may become high when our diet is rich in saturated fats that are found only in animal products. Plant foods do not contain any cholesterol, but the animal foods are loaded with cholesterol and fats. Most of the fast foods are very rich in fats, monounsaturated fats. If you eat lot of meats and fast foods, then the chances are that you have high cholesterol. You should get your blood cholesterol checked. Remember that without your blood cholesterol report, you can not know if you have high cholesterol.
Blood cholesterol can be both good and bad. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol & HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol. The LDL cholesterol is known as "bad cholesterol" because it gets deposited on the walls of the arteries as plaque, and restricting the flow of the blood. The HDL cholesterol, known as the "good cholesterol" helps remove the plaque from the arteries. Both the types of cholesterol are produced by our body for certain functions and are always present in our blood. The problem arises when the cholesterol is produced more than is required by our body. The following are the desirable levels of cholesterol in adults: Total Cholesterol: below 200 mg/dl LDL cholesterol: less than 130 mg/dL HDL cholesterol: more than 35mg/dL
HDL cholesterol of less than 35mg/dL is a risk factor for heart disease, even if your total cholesterol is within limits. Both LDL and HDL cholesterol can be improved with regular exercise and eating low fat cholesterol friendly foods.
To take better care of your heart and reducing your risk for heart attack, you must understand the complete facts about cholesterol and how to control cholesterol.
Note that you do not always need to take medication for controlling your cholesterol. There are several natural heart friendly foods that are good for controlling cholesterol without any medication. Good eating habits and some exercise can control your cholesterol and triglycerides naturally.
Copyright 2004 P. Mehta http://www.fatfreekitchen.com
You have permission to publish this article in your web sites, ezines or electronic publication, as long as the piece is used in its entirety including the resource box, all hyperlinks (clickable) and references and copyright info.

Keys To A Great Diet

Are you confused about how to lose weight the healthy way? Have you tried all the fad diets on the market and still are frustrated about weight loss? Do you know just how much protein is enough? Are you confused about carbs? Are you wondering why the weight won't stay off? Just what is a healthy diet?
There are many aspects to a healthy weight loss program, and to help you sift through faddish information, here are two keys you should know. You need to know your body's protein requirements and know your resting metabolic rate.
There are many other aspects of healthy weight loss, but these two points are a sensible place to start when you are looking for a program that will help you lose the weight and keep it of, forever!
Just why is protein so important? Protein helps you to build and maintain lean muscle. Apart from creating a pleasing body shape and providing your body with strength, lean muscle burns calories and helps to keep your metabolic rate up. If you do not have enough protein in your diet, you will compromise your body's lean muscle tissue and not build your best personal shape. Another wonderful aspect of protein is that it signals to the brain a feeling of fullness. This in turn, controls your appetite, making weight loss easier!
How much protein do you need for healthy weight loss? To know this you need to find out your personal lean body mass. Your lean body mass is the weight of everything except the weight of your fat, muscles, bones, organs and fluids. A weight loss professional may be able to measure lean body mass. However without the equipment for a precise reading the general rule for healthy weight loss is 1 gram of protein for every pound of lean body mass. If you weigh 100 pounds, then your maximum level of protein would be 100 grams.
Usually when we think of protein, we think of red meat, chicken, turkey, fish and cheese. However, if you tried to eat all the protein your body required by eating meats (and many cheeses), you would be consuming too many calories. Protein in these forms often comes with additional fat and that means unwanted calories. This would work counter to your weight loss goals so we should go carefully with these forms of protein.
There are other ways to obtain your body's proteins needs with fewer fat calories. Soy protein is the highest quality plant protein available. It is a great source for the amino acids your body needs as well as the antioxidants that help maintain healthy cells. Soy protein does not have the high fat calories, and is long acting and slowly metabolized (helping you to keep feeling full). Some high-protein, low calorie drinks can help meet these protein needs as well as being an enjoyable food source.
So what happens if you don't eat enough protein? This is a very important point because many people don't even come close to meeting their daily protein requirements!
When your body doesn't get sufficient protein you can experience food cravings, fatigue, moodiness, depression, poor memory, and poor sleep. Further, you can find yourself out of shape and with excess fat. Your body may even steal protein from your muscles and organs, including the heart! Over time, your metabolism may slow down and you may even be at increased risk for a variety of diseases.
The second key element of designing a healthy weight management program is to know your resting metabolic rate (RMR). This is the number of calories your body burns while at rest per day. If you eat 500 calories less per day than your resting metabolic rate, you will lose about 1 pound a week. If you eat more than your RMR, and you don't exercise to burn off those excess calories, then you will gain weight.
When designing your weight management program it is generally considered unhealthy for women to consume less than 1200 calories a day and for men, 1800 per day. As a woman if your resting metabolic rate is 1700 calories or less, you will need to consider exercise as part of your weight loss regime in order to see results in the first week or two.
Armed with these two pieces of information you will be able to assess many of the faddish diets that abound and cut through the diet-hype. Of course, there are many other aspects of healthy weight loss, but these two principles are cornerstone to building a healthy program that will enable you to sustain long term weight loss.

Red Wine Compound May Extend Life

Good news! A recent study suggested that resveratrol, a red wine compound, may extend our life.
The study was conducted on fries and worms to see if resveratrol can extend life in these creatures. Previous studies suggested that yeast life can be extended with resveratrol.
It was found that worms and fires fed resveratrol live 30% longer than those that were not fed resveratrol.
Fries and humans share many biological processes. Therefore, there is a chance this red wine compound may also extend life in humans.
Previous studies have found that resveratrol is protective against heart diseases largely due to the antioxidative properties of this compound.
However, the current finding, life-extension with resveratrol, may not be due to its antioxidative properties. Rather, resveratrol may act just like calorie-restriction that activates proteins called sirtuins similar to sir2. Sir2 is an important protein that is present in many animals and participate in the aging regulations.
More good news with resveratrol! Resveratrol does not have any negative impact on the fertility while calorie-restriction may cause infertility. Actually, resveratrol boosts the fertility of fries.
The researchers plan to continue their work on mice. If they can duplicate the same results in mice, resveratrol can be a wonder chemical that can help us extend our life to certain degree.
This study was done by David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School in Boston and colleagues at the University of Connecticut and Brown University in Rhode Island. The study was published in the July 13 issue of journal Nature.

Which to Use When: Ice or Heat?

Knee pain after running? Wake up with a backache? Twist an ankle?
When aches, pain, strains or swelling take place due to an injury or chronic condition, what is the best course of action: ice or heat? Many people automatically assume heat will ease their discomfort. Think again!
Ice and heat have opposite effects when dealing with inflammation and pain. Both are useful when applied at the correct stage of an injury. Ice constricts blood vessels and decreases blood flow to an injured area, therefore reducing inflammation. It also numbs pain. Heat increases local blood circulation and relaxes tight muscles. When is it appropriate to use each?
The Acute Injury Stage:
Immediately after an injury occurs, inflammation and swelling takes place due to damaged soft tissues and broken blood vessels which leak blood into the affected area. This is considered the acute stage of an injury and lasts about 48 to 72 hours. Pain, stiffness, bruising and tissue tenderness are symptoms of the acute stage. Ice should always be used immediately following an injury because it constricts blood vessels, which will lessen swelling, as well as numb pain and control bleeding. Apply ice no more than 20 minutes at a time. Always protect skin from tissue damage by using a cover over the ice pack. Allow the skin to return to normal temperature before reapplying ice. Heat should not be used during the acute stage. It will increase blood leakage, which increases swelling and possibly pain. Most professionals agree that icing an acute injury will facilitate healing. Applying heat may actually slow healing during the first 72 hours after an injury takes place.
The Chronic Injury Stage:
This is normally the point at which inflammation decreases, approximately 72 hours after the injury. Pain and stiffness may still be present. At this point, both ice and heat can be used to assist in healing. Use ice to control pain and to help with inflammation that might occur after working the injured area, such as a sore knee after running. Use heat to relieve muscle tightness or joint stiffness. Heat is also helpful before a workout to increase blood flow to the injury and warm up the affected area. When applying heat, use moist warmth. Never use a heating device that is too hot nor sleep on a heating pad, which may result in burns. Apply heat only for 20-minute intervals, using the same general guidelines as ice.
An Easy Guide for Ice and Heat:
When to Use Ice:
During Acute Stage (48 to 72 hours immediately after an injury) To decrease swelling and inflammation To numb pain To decrease muscle spasms To treat an acute burn
During Chronic Stage (after inflammation subsides, usually 4 or 5 days after injury) To manage pain and possible swelling After an activity or workout involving an overuse injury to decrease pain and swelling To treat joint swelling due to inflammatory arthritis
When to Use Heat:
During Chronic Stage (after inflammation subsides, usually 4 or 5 days after injury) To warm up stiff joints and aid in joint mobility To decrease chronic muscle spasms To aid in stretching tight muscles Before an activity or workout involving an overuse injury to warm up the affected area
Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical treatment or consultation. Always consult with your physician in the event of a serious injury.

4 Keys to Weight Loss

First off, let me start by saying this list is by no means exhaustive. However, if you can manage these 4 important components of a weight loss program, you will be on your way to a slimmer body.
Build the Foundation
Many people begin a weight loss program with their basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the amount of energy (calories) your body uses in a resting state, in the gutter. The key then is to increase your BMR so that you are burning more calories throughout the day, every day. Increase the amount of calories you burn, increase the amount of fat you lose. Makes sense, yes? The best way to increase your BMR is through adding muscle tissue. Females often shudder at the idea of adding muscle due to their fear of becoming "bulky." Relax babe! It's a little harder to add that kind of muscle mass than you think. Besides, a little muscle mass goes a long way toward achieving a leaner body. And this is what you want, right?
Specificity of Program
Not just any exercise program will do for weight loss. Simply burning calories is not good enough. The program must be designed to elicit specific hormonal responses that are conducive to weight loss. I'll give you a hint…hours and hours of cardio is NOT the answer!
Consistency
This one pretty much speaks for itself. Have you ever achieved anything great with an inconsistent effort? Unless you consider failure a great achievement, you probably haven't. You must exercise consistently to get the results you want! It amazes me how many people put so little effort into their exercise program and complain about not seeing results. Even the most well designed programs are useless if they are not adhered to on a consistent basis.
Diet
Again, this one goes without saying. You can't expect to achieve a leaner body by continuing your unhealthy eating habits. This isn't to say that you should drop everything in your diet immediately and exchange it for "healthy" food. You would end up miserable and revert back to your old habits within a month. Instead, practice moderation and don't overindulge. Also, phase certain unhealthy foods out of your diet while introducing healthier foods. The transition will be easier to make and a lot easier to maintain.

Protein Diet - What Does It Mean For Your Body?

To really understand the impact of a protein diet, it's important to know how it affects and interacts with your body.
When we speak of your muscles, glands, and organs, they are mainly made up of protein. Indeed the two major components making up our bodies are water and protein. So, why all the fuss about protein diet?
There is definitely a link between enhancing muscle and protein since muscle is largely composed of protein. So the argument goes, protein diets help in muscle growth which in turn, helps to fight fat.
Just as there are good and bad fats and carbohydrates, there are different categories of proteins as well.
Proteins are composed of amino acids, and the human body requires 20 such amino acids for it's normal growth and development. When considering a protein diet, it is important to know that certain foods carry proteins containing essential amino acids which are NOT produced by the body itself but ARE essential to the body's processing of the other 12 non-essential amino acids.
What does all this mean? Your protein diet must include foods that not only provide non-essential amino acids, but more important, must include foods that supply your body with essential amino acids.
Foods you should consider for your protein diet include: broccoli, spinach, walnuts (or many other nuts), beans, lentils, pastas, and barley.

7 Surefire Strategies For Fat Loss!

1. Weight Training. Building lean body mass (muscle) will speed up your body's metablism. Muscle is "active" tissue, meaning it takes calories to maintain. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn. You build muscle by doing resistance training exercises. Simple enough? Let's go on...
2. Reduce Carbohydrate Intake. Say what? I thought you need a lot of carbohydrates for fuel? True, but an excess intake of carbs (please don't call them carbos) can and will be stored as body fat. 100% of all my clients who reduce their carbohydrate intake for fat loss succeed. I can't let all my tricks out of the bag in fairness to my paying clients, but a good starting point would be 1 - 1.25 grams of carbohydrate per pound of lean body weight per day.
3. Eat Frequently. I know you've all heard this before and it's true. Four to six meals daily has its benefits, especially on a sub maintenance calorie diet. It allows for a steady flow of nutrients to the body which creates a favorable metabolics environment for muscle growth and fat loss.
4. Eat More Protein. That's right... The building blocks of muscle are amino acids, and you get that from protein. I've found that many of my clients consumed too little protein. Now that I've taught them these nutritional tactics, they're on their way to losing fat and getting lean! Isn't that what you want?
5. Reduce Intake of Saturated Fats. Notice that I was specific in saying saturated fats. Saturated fats are the ones that cause the most problems, healthwise. There are good fats and there are bad fats. There are a group of fats called Essential Fatty Acids (or EFAs) that are just that. They are essential to life. The body cannot make them so we must consume them though our diet. There are certain fats that I recommend to people to help them lose fat! My clients know, but do you? (Hint: F??????? Oil)
6. Water. Drink, drink, and then drink some more, not necessarily in that order. An adult can probably survive several weeks without eating food, but only a few days without drinking water. Need I say more? Water regulates body temperature, rids the body of waste, lubricates joints, and provides a medium for chemical reactions that occur in the body.
7. Know What You're Doing! Get with someone who knows or better yet - Get a personal trainer! Do you know when the two BEST times are to do cardio (aerobics) for fat loss? Do you know how many sets and reps to perform for a given exercise in order to MAXIMIZE your goals? Do you know how to use free-weights? What are macronutrients and how can I manipulate them to enhance and hasten fat loss? If you don't know the answers, be efficient and get a personal trainer. It'll save you time and money in the long run.
Copyright 2004 By Richard Rigor

Once You Discover and Act on This .Secret. to Health and Energy, You May be Changed for the Better for the Rest of Your Life

I discovered something completely, 100% amazing about 5 years ago. The first thing it did for me health- wise was get rid of my back problem to the point that I no longer needed the chiropractic treatment that I would get once or twice per month. Another thing it did after a while was give me the energy to get things done. Do you know what I mean?
Does this sound familiar to you? Getting through a long day of work, then engaging in whatever preferred social activities you have, plus doing the maintenance on your house or apartment, can drain every last second of time out of your day. And if you have children that you love and care for, forget it, your energy and time are spent. Finally, when you get to the end of a long day filled with demands on your time and energy, you just want to collapse on the floor.
Then you wake up and have to do it all over again the next day. Sound familiar?
I want to tell you about the key component to my personal health, fitness and wellness program. This is really it. This one key powers my ability to get more done with more gusto and energy than before I discovered this powerful 'secret'. And I'm going to tell you all about it right now, right here.
By the time you get done reading this article you are going to know exactly where to go to find this free resource that will turn your life around. You might become a healthier and happier person and you may find the energy you wish you had now. I know because I used to wear a similar pair of shoes. I'm still just as busy as ever, maybe even more so. But, I have the energy I need to get through it all. And now, I can really get more enjoyment and satisfaction out of my life.
Enough said, I'm going to cut to the chase because I know in my heart that this is something everyone would want to have for themselves if they just knew what I know about it.
In 1999, I was fortunate to discover an amazing exercise and self improvement system. Hold on, this may be the easiest exercise to learn that you ever heard of. It is such a good exercise that it doesn't leave you feeling tired and worn out at the end. Instead, it leaves you feeling good and energized. This is completely different than what a typical person envisions as exercise.
Then there are the gigantic health rewards that come with it. You read my simple and tame by comparison story above, but go to this webpage to read about someone else's story. This was someone who was in a little more dire circumstance than me. And on the same page you will find a zero cost e-book that you can download, written by two medical doctors, called Ultimate Health.
Now here is the catch. Ha, you knew this was coming didn't you? I bet you didn't expect what I am going to say next though. This entire system is available to you at no cost. None- Zippo- Nadda. There are no fees and donations will be flatly refused.
What does this amazing system consist of? The answer depends on how you approach it. What you need at the bare minimum are a book and exercise instruction. You can download the book at no cost from a website: http://falundafa.org (you won't even be asked for an email address). The name of the book is Zhuan Falun. Go get it now and start reading it. If you want to step up gradually, you can download a book called Falun Gong first, before reading Zhuan Falun. Falun Gong is a bit shorter and quicker read. It also is available at no cost.
Ok, you don't have to read the book first, but you will have to read it at some point to gain the full benefits of this self improvement system, which is called Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong. If you really are determined to learn the exercises first, which is fine, you can also download all the instructional videos at no cost to you from the same website mentioned in the last paragraph.
Now, I know it may not be easy to learn all the ins and outs of these 5 sets of simple, energizing exercises just from a video. So I am going to let you in on another no cost resource. On the very same website mentioned two paragraphs ago, you will find a volunteer instructor list. It covers most major cities around the world and even many smaller cities. The bottom line is, you can find a volunteer to help you learn the exercises if you really want to. The best part, none of these volunteers will accept a penny of your money. They will show you these exercises out of the kindness of their hearts with no strings attached. Let me say it again, "No strings attached". If you find anyone adding any strings at all, email me right away: david@tobeinformed.com.
You might ask me, "OK, Dave. How do you make money from this?" The answer is, I don't make money from it and I never want to make even a single penny from it. The reason why is that it has given me so much, I'm not going to let something like money stand in my way of sharing it with others. Besides money isn't everything. In fact, when we pass away, money means absolutely nothing to us anyway.
My reward is the satisfaction that will come to me from seeing more people practice this wonderful system. And seeing those people reap the same wonderful benefits that I have. That is why I took my time to share it with you today. In fact, I should have shared it with you a long time ago. But this may be the first time you and I have crossed paths in this lifetime. So I am telling you right now.
Tell you what, if you really want me to know how you feel after you learn it, just send me an email. I would love to hear your story and maybe we can add your personal experience to my website.
This article and all of the above is for information purposes only. It is not meant to prevent, treat or diagnose any health condition or disease. If you have or suspect you have any type of health problem whatsoever, you are advised to consult your physician right away. And you are advised to consult a physician before embarking on any exercise regimen or program, no matter how simple it might be.
My best wishes to you ,
Dave Snape

Should You Be Taking Liquid Vitamins?

How many pills do you have to take every morning? Lots of multivitamins in there? For most people the answer is yes, considering there are more multivitamins sold than Prozac or Viagra!
I think my mom used to take at least five or six vitamins. I don't know about you, but I think that sounds like a big hassle, and I don't have time for it.
The thing is, vitamins and minerals are necessary. You can get most of your nutrients from eating a balanced diet which includes lots of fruits and vegetables, but you can't get everything. That's where vitamins come in.
You may be wondering, "Why do I actually need vitamins and minerals?" Let me tell you about the United States Senate Document #264 from way back in 1936.
The main point of the document is that the soil in developed countries, especially North America, has been nearly depleted of all important minerals. And this was in 1936! Thank about how bad it is now. We should be getting minerals from the foods we eat, but we aren't. (Don't worry, the end of the article has a solution.)
To quote directly from the document, "The alarming fact is that foods, fruits and vegetables and grains, now being raised on millions of acres of land that no longer contain enough of certain needed minerals, are starving us - no matter how much of them we eat!"
One mineral you're probably familiar with is calcium. We need that for our bones. And since cycling is not a weight bearing sport, we need extra calcium. Calcium does more than build strong bones, however.
Read this interesting selection from the document for more detail:
"A cage full of normal rats will live in amity. Restrict their calcium and they will become irritable and draw apart from one another. Then they will begin to fight. Restore their calcium balance and they will grow more friendly; in time they will begin to sleep in a pile as before."
Now we come to another important question: Do you have a dangerous mineral deficiency?For example, if you are deficient in selenium, you could experience an irregular heart beat, infertility, or muscular dystrophy. A deficiency in tin could lead to male pattern baldness. And a lack of lithium could cause reproductive failure. Yikes!
(By the way, the product I'm going to tell you about contains all the macro and trace minerals known to man!)
Hopefully you now realize the importance of vitamins and minerals in your diet. But you probably know how annoying it is to take pills. Well, what about liquid vitamins?
First off, let's talk about absorption rates. In pill form, only 10-20% of the vitamins are absorbed. However, in liquid form, 98% are absorbed. (Think of taking pills as flushing 80-90% of your money down the toilet!) (1996 Physicians Desk Reference, p. 1542)
Along with actually working, liquid vitamins are easy to use. Just take a few sips, swish it around in your mouth, and swallow. That's it.
Personally, I hate swallowing pills. I know some people who couldn't swallow a pill to save their life. And I know people who pass pills through their system without breaking them down at all. However, everyone I know can swallow a liquid.
Not too long ago, Centrum actually came out with a liquid multivitamin because they could see the potential in this market. However, it is simply a multivitamin in liquid form. Wait…isn't that what we wanted? Well, yes. But there is something even better.
Remember how I said it would be a good idea to get your nutrients from actual whole food? Now there's a way to do that, but with a liquid.
That way is with a product known as Body Balance. By taking it, you're getting organic vitamins and minerals derived from live plants. Specifically, from pure deep sea vegetation. (See why Centrum isn't on par with whole food like Body Balance?)
For more information, or to order Body Balance, go to:http://bloombikeshop.com/lifeforceintl
For a limited time only, new customers are eligible for a free quart of Body Balance!
To get yours, go to http://www.lifeforcefamily.com. When prompted, enter the code: 20436468.
Check it out today. Isn't your health worth it?
Article not evaluated by the FDA. Some statements are just the opinion of the author and should not be used as a substitute for qualified medical advice. Body Balance works for most people, but that does not guarantee that it will work for you.

Colloidal Silver - Time For a Comeback?

I'm sure you know what it's like to be sick. Stuffy head, running nose, sore throat, coughing, fever, and maybe even vomiting. It really sucks. And with the overuse of prescription antibiotics, you can't be sure if they will even help next time around.
So it's time now to test out some alternative medicine that was actually used commonly before 1938. This product is colloidal silver, which is simply silver particles suspended in purified water. Silver was pretty popular back in the early 1900's, but it was fairly expensive to make. It slowly faded into the background once more "financially lucrative" drugs came out.
Here's a little info from a couple decades ago:
The March 1978 issue of Science Digest, in the article, "Our Mightiest Germ Fighter," reported: "Thanks to eye-opening research, silver is emerging as a wonder of modern medicine. An antibiotic kills perhaps a half-dozen different disease organisms, but silver kills some 650. Resistant strains fail to develop. Moreover, silver is virtually non-toxic."
From what I've heard, it sounds like the silver binds to an enzyme in these single-cell organisms, and then the organism can no longer use oxygen, so it dies. You get the picture.
The cool thing is, while the silver destroys these pathogens, it does not harm the cells in the surrounding body tissues. It's safe for humans, animals, and plants! And you do not develop a resistance to it like with other antibiotics.
Feel free to use it for nasal drops or put it directly on cuts or burns. It's even supposed to fight athlete's foot!
I started using it last year (2003) and have had pretty good luck. Even though I'm in college and live in a dormitory, I haven't been sick for more than a few days and never was I sick enough to have to stay in bed more than usual. Whenever my mom first told me to take it, I said it was worthless, but I have since changed my mind.
If you want to try it out, I suggest you buy it from LifeForce International. Some other sources are quite inferior.
If you're feeling sick, the sooner you try it the better!
Article not evaluated by the FDA. Some statements are just the opinion of the author and should not be used as a substitute for qualified medical advice. There are no guarantees that it will work for you.

How Can Green Tea Benefit My Family?

No doubt you've heard of Green Tea and the health benefits you can experience from drinking it.
Are you giving your family this powerful antioxidant daily?
Here is a refresher on some of the benefits you can experience with Green Tea.
Historically, Green Tea has been one of the world's most popular beverages. The Chinese have been drinking it for thousands of years. It is now the second most popular beverage in the world, after water!
Green tea is made from the Camellia Sinensis plant...as is black tea. The difference is that Green Tea is unfermented, which means that the powerful antioxidant properties are fully intact.
The power of Green Tea lies in its catechin polyphenols, particularly something called epigallocatechin gallate (say that 5 times fast!). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: not only does it inhibit the growth of tumors, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.
Green Tea has been reported to:
*Assist in weight loss.
According to a a study conducted at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, Green Tea seems to help the body burn more calories.
Green Tea also slows down the release of carbohydrate in the body, preventing sharp rises in blood sugar.
I know a couple who lost ten pounds each in the first few weeks after drinking Green Tea every day, with no other changes in their diet.
*Boosts the immune system.
Green Tea is one of the most potent antioxidants available. It also contains some vitamins and minerals. Green Tea lowers the risk of cancer.
In 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking Green Tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in Green Tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
A study in September 1997 by the University of Kansas reported that Green Tea has the highest amount of any known antioxidant. EGCG (that tongue twisting antioxidant found in Green Tea) is 100 times more effective than Vitamin C, and twice as powerful as resveratrol (the antioxidant in red wine).
*Lowers cholesterol
University of California scientists discovered that the caffeine in coffee is bound with coffee bean oils, which raise cholesterol levels.
In contrast, research indicates that drinking Green Tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.
Green Tea Benefits Moms
*Helps with morning sickness
There are no studies that confirm this, this is a personal observation.
I had severe, prolonged morning sickness with all 3 of my pregnancies.
With my third child, I discovered Green Tea and noticed that when I drank it, not only did it ease the nausea, but it seemed to have a mildly stimulating effect on my appetite and it helped me keep the food that I ate down. My guess is that the astringent effect of the polyphenols caused this.
Historically Green Tea has been used as a digestive aid. That can certainly be helpful to a pregnant woman.
*Natural energy boost
Again, I could find no studies that proved this, but I drink Green Tea primarily for the natural energy boost it gives me, without any unpleasant side effects. I used to drink a coffee in the afternoon, get shaky and hyper, only to crash later on.
Green Tea doesn't cause those unpleasant side effects, and it also gives me the same feeling of "clearing the cobwebs" from my brain.
What Mom doesn't need this?
*Lowers the risk of blood clots
Green tea has been shown to be effective in preventing abnormal clotting of blood, which is especially important during pregnancy.
Green tea is non-toxic and safe. It doesn't cause birth defects and has no adverse affect on pregnancy or breastfeeding.
In fact, a study conducted at Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern California, researchers found that women who drank more than one half cup of green tea every day doubled their odds of conceiving.
No significant association was found for other beverages, researchers concluded that some chemical component of tea might have been responsible for the increase in fertility.
Green Tea Benefits Kids!
*Helps prevent tooth decay
Green Tea can kill the bacteria that causes plaque. Does your child's juice do that?
Having a hard time getting your kid to eat his veggies?
A cup of Green Tea has more antioxidant ability than a cup of broccoli or spinach!
*Helps prevent illness
Previous tests prove Green Tea can neutralize germs, including some that cause diarrhea, pneumonia, cystitis and skin infections.
New research by Milton Schiffenbauer of Pace University finds that Green Tea deactivates viruses.
Recent research at Harvard indicated that tea chemicals stimulated T-cells that bolster immunity against bacteria and viruses.
Would fewer illnesses make life more pleasant in your home?
*Ok, so why aren't you drinking Green Tea already?
If you're like me, it's because the Green Tea you've tried tastes terrible. I've tried many brands that reminded me of diaper rash ointment...no I'm not kidding!
I found a brand of Green Tea that tastes delicious...it also has additional nutrients and fruit extracts added. It comes in a variety of flavors including peach, cinnamon, mint, raspberry, and lemon. A few are even available as a powder form for convenience, no brewing necessary.
My kids and picky husband even love it.
It's formulated by Chinese Herbalist Dr. Tei Fu Chen and his wife, Dr. Oi-Lin Chen, a Western trained Medical Doctor, in their manufacturing plant in Torrance, CA. The herbs are grown organically under very strict conditions to ensure quality. They are not irradiated nor sprayed with pesticides.
Contact me for more information about obtaining these delicious varieties of Green Tea.
Here's to your health!
Carrie Lauth
http://tinyurl.com/35p68
MsBiz@Earthlink.net
770-356-9980

Dermatology Association Calls for Tighter Regulations on Indoor Tanning

For most teens, getting a tan during spring break or in preparation for the prom is as common as these rites of passage themselves. Although teens hear dermatologists' warnings that tanning is the most avoidable risk factor in the prevention of skin cancer, studies find they forgo this advice in favor of the bronzed look.
Speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology's (AAD) Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month news conference, dermatologist James M. Spencer, M.D., vice chairman, department of dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, addressed the incidence of teens and tanning and how the AAD is trying to combat it.
Alarming Trends This year, more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States – exceeding the incidence of all other cancers combined. It is estimated that there will be about 95,880 new cases of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) in 2004, which represents a 4 percent increase in new cases of melanoma from 2003.
"While many health issues are complex and involve multiple factors, in the case of skin cancer we know that ultraviolet light is the culprit and avoiding excessive exposure is the solution," said Dr. Spencer. "Yet despite this knowledge, the number of skin cancers continues to rise each year. Even more disheartening is the fact that teens continue to tan despite the known health risks."
A national study of 6,903 non-Hispanic white adolescents – between the ages of 13 and 19 – found that indoor tanning is not only prevalent, but influenced by factors such as demographics, the use of controlled substances (e.g., alcohol, tobacco and marijuana), appearance-related factors (e.g., dieting), and psychosocial factors (e.g., cognitive ability). The study, "Use of Indoor Tanning Facilities by White Adolescents in the United States," was published in the September 2003 issue of Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine.
Overall, when taking the national population into consideration, the number of young women who reported using a tanning booth at least once far outweighed the number of young men who engaged in this activity (36.8 percent vs. 11.2 percent, respectively). The number of young women who reported using tanning booths also increased with age. The study found that 47 percent of young women aged 18 to 19 years old reported using a tanning booth three or more times, compared with 11.2 percent of 13- to 14-year-old girls.
Geographic region greatly influenced the likelihood of using an indoor tanning facility, with adolescents in the Midwest and South being two to three times more likely to use tanning booths than the rest of the country. In addition, teens that attended a rural high school were more likely to report using an indoor tanning facility than their counterparts at urban high schools.
"This study confirms that despite the risk, indoor tanning seems to be increasingly popular with young people – and particularly young women," said Dr. Spencer. "It's unfortunate that the pressure these teens face to conform to cosmetic ideals presented in popular culture and advertising is so powerful, even with all we know about the dangers of tanning."
Dermatologists Take Action
Indoor tanning is a booming business in the United States, generating estimated revenues in excess of $5 billion dollars a year. Most salons use bulbs in their tanning beds that emit a significant amount of UVB and UVA radiation – both of which are associated with the development of skin cancer and premature aging. In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services has added UV radiation from the sun or artificial light sources such as tanning beds and sun lamps to the government's list of known carcinogens.
The manufacturers of indoor tanning equipment are regulated at the federal level. Once manufacturers sell the equipment to a tanning salon, it is generally up to the states to regulate their operations. While 29 states regulate tanning salon operators, the legislation varies in severity and there is limited enforcement. While some states go so far as to prohibit access to tanning booths by minors without parental consent, some require salon owners to post warning signs in a visible location in the salon, and others may only establish educational and training standards for tanning salon operators.
"Even in those states that have some elementary safety regulations, it is not clear who would enforce them," explained Dr. Spencer. "That means children and teens have open access to equipment that appears to be utilized in an often careless fashion. We applaud states like Texas, California and Tennessee that have worked feverishly to enact tough legislation restricting the use of indoor tanning facilities, especially among minors. But more states need to take their lead and enforce regulations that limit access to this dangerous activity."
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) recently issued a new position statement on indoor tanning, encouraging states to aggressively pursue legislation that protects children and urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action that will ban the sale and use of tanning equipment for non-medical purposes. Specifically, the AADA supports the following requirements for indoor tanning facilities:
No minor should be permitted to use tanning devices. A Surgeon General's warning should be placed on all tanning devices.
No person or facility should advertise the use of any Ultraviolet A or Ultraviolet B tanning device using wording such as "safe," "safe tanning," "no harmful rays," "no adverse effect," or similar wording or concepts.
"Throughout most of the country, none of the basic safety measures that we are proposing are required," explained Dr. Spencer. "Research has shown that indoor tanning is dangerous, and there should be laws to protect children from engaging in this activity as there are from other unhealthy behaviors such as drinking or smoking. We urge all states to take immediate action to prohibit indoor tanning for minors."
In addition to the AADA's call for tighter regulations, the AAD is targeting teens with print and broadcast public service announcements (PSAs) on the dangers of tanning that are scheduled to be released nationwide to the media this summer.
"We conducted focus group testing with teens across the country and found that while teens know that overexposure to the sun can cause skin cancer and premature aging, they are reluctant to change their behavior because they feel more attractive with a tan," said Dr. Spencer. "For our new PSA campaign, we used this research to develop the messages and images that almost force teens to stop and re-examine their behavior. If we're successful in getting even one teen to change his or her behavior, that's one life we eventually might save."