Stopping Smoking Boosts Everyday Memory

Giving up smoking isn't just good for your health, it's also good for your memory, according to research from Northumbria University.

Research published in this month's online edition of Drug and Alcohol Dependence reveals that stopping smoking can restore everyday memory to virtually the same level as non-smokers.

Academics from the Collaboration for Drug and Alcohol Research Group at Northumbria University tested 27 smokers, 18 previous smokers and 24 who had never smoked on a real-world memory test.

Participants were asked to remember pre-determined tasks at specific locations on a tour of a university campus. While smokers performed badly, remembering just 59% of tasks, those who had given up smoking remembered 74% of their required tasks compared to those who had never smoked who remembered 81% of tasks.

Dr Tom Heffernan from the Collaboration for Drug and Alcohol Research Group at Northumbria University said: "Given that there are up to 10 million smokers in the UK and as many as 45 million in the United States, it's important to understand the effects smoking has on everyday cognitive function of which prospective memory is an excellent example."

He added: "This is the first time that a study has set out to examine whether giving up smoking has an impact on memory.

"We already know that giving up smoking has huge health benefits for the body but this study also shows how stopping smoking can have knock-on benefits for cognitive function too.''

Dr Heffernan, together with Dr Terence O' Neill, is now set to research the impact of 'second-hand' smoke on health and everyday memory.

Kiwis Have Great Health Benefits

Also known as the Chinese gooseberry, kiwifruit is a very delicious fruit that is known for its appearance and flavor. Kiwis are about egg size and have a brown fuzzy-like surface. When cut open a bright lime green flesh is revealed. Within the bright lime green flesh are black seeds which can be eaten. The skin is somewhat tough, but the flesh is soft. There are both green and yellow kiwifruit.

The Gold Kiwifruit has a yellow flesh which is characterized by its sweet flavor and less acidic base which is found in the traditional green kiwifruit. The golden variety is also shaped with a pointed end and is a bit less hairy than the green variety of the kiwifruit. It should be noted that although most people removed the skin from the kiwi before consumption it is edible.

      

The kiwifruit is native to southern China. Other varieties of the kiwifruit are available in Japan and India. The kiwifruit is the national fruit of the People’s Republic of China. The kiwifruit would eventually be cultivated in New Zealand when Mary Isabel Fraser, a principal of girl’s school, was visiting a school in China and obtained the kiwi seeds and bought them to New Zealand.

The seeds were planted by the nurseryman Alexander Allison in 1906 and the first fruit appeared in 1910. Currently, there are a number of countries which cultivate kiwifruit which include Italy, New Zealand, France, Chile, Japan, Greece and the United States. Kiwifruit is still grown in China, but the country is not considered to be a major producer of the fruit today.

The process of cultivating kiwifruit is interesting. This fruit is produced in warm climates. In order for fruit to be produced pollination is necessary. It can be difficult to pollinate kiwifruit because the flowers of this fruit are not very preferred by bees. Thus, to increase pollination two methods are used. There is the method of saturation pollination where a large number of beehives are placed in the kiwi orchards forcing them to collect pollen from these plants.

Also, there is the method of blowing pollen over the female flowers to begin germination. Because many kiwifruit can be produced on one vine it is necessary to grow this fruit on a supportive structure. Many times the structure is also accented with a watering system to ensure proper irrigation.

Kiwifruit is a small fruit which packs a load of healthy nutrients. Kiwifruit are very delicious, and there are a number of vitamins and minerals available in this fruit. It is very high in vitamin C and it also contains potassium, vitamin A and vitamin E. The skin of the kiwifruit contains antioxidants so even though people usually discard this part of the kiwifruit they shouldn’t because it offers lots of health benefits.

Kiwifruit is also high in fiber making it a natural laxative. It is possible that there are a number of cardiovascular benefits to eating kiwifruit as it is a natural blood thinner which means it can naturally prevent blood clots and lowers the fat content in the blood to prevent blockages. Because kiwifruit contains lutein it can also be consumed to promote eye health.

Basic Ways To Lose Weight

It seems like there is a never ending quest for the great secret to weight loss.  Everything from great grandma’s recipe to modern scientific discoveries have been used and abused in an effort to lose that extra poundage.  Advertisements and commercials promise immediate and fully successful weight loss with just the use of a few pills each day.  Numerous diet plans are available that supposedly provide the perfect plan for trimming down.

Of course none of these special plans or pills are free, they all come at a price, and often a rather expensive price tag at that!  Unfortunately, all too many of these purported weight purging techniques are nothing more than that another technique.  There will always be another person with another idea at the expense of a naïve or desperate society.    

    

So, how can a person truly lose weight?

What is the right plan?

We tend to run with greedy eyes to the newest fad, the newest diet, and all too often with great disappointment.  Sometimes going back to the basics is the best way to accomplish some of the most formidable feats of life.  Losing weight doesn’t have to be a great struggle or costly process.  There are some basic ways to lose weight that are both workable and affordable.

First, the right mindset is essential to accomplish any task or goal in life.  If I am going to lose those extra pounds, I have to be determined in my own mind that it is something I can and will achieve.  Human nature tends to dictate to us that if at first I don’t succeed then I need to simply stop.  Weight loss is not an easy task. It takes determination and time.  The miracle weight loss programs that make their grandiose claims of phenomenal, and speedy weight loss, are for the most part scams.

Unfortunately, they tend to build a mindset that I will look like that toned actor on television who supposedly used that weight loss product and lost an incredible 50 pounds in an unbelievable short time.  I have to remind myself that no one product can really do that, and if I am to lose weight I must be determined that I can do this, but it may take a great deal of dedication and time.  The right mindset is the beginning place of losing weight.

Second, a healthy weight loss diet is highly recommended, but not one that requires a drastic reduction of calories.  The best rule is to take it easy, and slowly reduce certain foods and calories.  As the body begins to lose weight it requires less calorie intake to maintain endurance and good physical health.  Yet, this takes time.  Once again, patience is going to be a key to success.  Make sure that you look carefully at a variety of food plans, and choose one that best fits your needs.

Third, eating right is great, but doing so with no physical activity is senseless.  A basic exercise or workout plan is essential to burning those calories and ultimately losing those extra pounds.  Start easy and build as your strength and endurance builds.  Just as one diet plan is not good for everyone, so no one exercise program will work for everyone.  Find a program that works for your particular, weight, age, and time economy then get at it!  Make it a routine or habit for your life!

There are many ways to lose weight.  Check them out.  See what program best meets your needs and set your mind to do it!  You must own the program in your mind, will, daily routine, and diet.  If you do then you will be on the right path to weight loss.

3 Steps to Good Nose Hygiene

Can you imagine life without a nose? No more smelling the wonderful scents of freshly cut grass or roasted coffee beans. Not being able to have a proper conversation, since your mouth is on double-duty for breathing as well. Not to mention you’d look pretty funny!
It doesn’t stop there, though. The air you breathe in would be rife with dust and harmful microbes, since the little nose hairs and nasal mucous will not be there to filter them out. Without a nose, you’d have lost a crucial component of your body’s defense mechanisms.

So why is it that we do not properly maintain our noses? everyday, we brush our teeth and wash our faces, but we fail to take time to properly clean our noses, leaving them vulnerable to irritation and infection. Fortunately, it’s never too late to start. Here are three easy steps to go nose hygiene!

Step1 Clean your nose every day

The nose does a great job filtering the dust out of the air you breathe in, but this means that the dust is only confined to you nostrils.
Also in the  nostrils is the mucous secreted by the cells at the back of the nose. All that gunk trapped inside needs to come out, so blow each nostril in turn to clear it out.
Alternatively, use a neti pot filled with a warm saltwater solution. Used widely among Ayurvedic practitioners, this small, shallow pot with a long, tapered spout – it looks like a cross between a teapot and Aladdin’s lamp – can help you do a thorough job of  cleaning and moisturizing your nasal cavities. The answer is poured into one nostril and arrives from the other, rinsing the nasal cavity in between and flushing out excess mucous and irritants that may trigger sinusitis or allergies.
You can easily make your own saltwater solution at home, but be careful not to put too much salt as this could irritate your nose. If you prefer, over-the-counter saline nasal solutions are widely available.

Step 2 Don’t re-use tissues
Rather than a handkerchief, use tissues to blow your nose, Remember that each tissue is good for one time only, so be sure to dispose of it after use. Never re-use it as you could be re-introducing germs to your nose.

Step 3 Don’t overdo it
You’ll only aggravate your nose by rubbing or blowing it too often. Always treat your nose gently.

Try a nasal spray
When you have a cold, the use of a decongestant nasal spray can help relieve some of your symptoms.Under normal circumstances, however, a non-decongestant, saline nasal spray can help keep your nose and nasal passages in tip-top condition by introducing a saltwater mist to moisturize the nasal cells and to clear secretions.
Commercially-available saline nasal sprays are engineered to prevent backflow during use. This is very important to ensure the solution remains sterile and is safe for repeated use.

Overview of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The question has to  be asked: how common is rheumatoid arthritis in United States? It is estimated that approximately 0.5% of the American population has rheumatoid arthritis. However, this estimation is based on figures from the 1990s. There have been no recent studies in United States.

The lack of current statistics does not mean than rheumatoid arthritis is becoming a thing of the past. This disease has no cure and patients have to endure a lifetime of adjusting to its effects.

The progress of disease
Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain and swelling in the joints. Typically, it affects the small joints of the hands, wrists and feet, but can affect any joint in the body. With the joint pin and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis have difficulty using their joints.

When the hands or upper limbs are affected, patients face difficulties gripping and other fine had movements essential in daily tasks, eg, dressing, bathing,  cooking and doing housework. In the feet and lower limbs, rheumatoid arthritis causes problems in walking, climbing stairs and getting up from a chair or the toilet.

This is apart from the pain that can be felt much of the time. Untreated, the symptoms will gradually worsen and lead to damage of the cartilage and bones of the joint, resulting in deterioration of joint function.

Women at higher risk
Rheumatoid arthritis is 2-3 times more common in women than in men. This is thought to be due to the stimulatory effects of the female hormone oestrogen on the immune system.

As rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, the body’s immune system is stimulated to produce abnormal antibodies that ‘attack’ the body. The process involves T-cell, whose functions are affected by oestrogen.

Men with rheumatoid arthritis frequently have slightly lower testosterone levels than normal.

The importance of the oestrogen link has been shown in epidemiological studies, which found that the risk of RA is increased in women who have never been pregnant. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis can often go into remission when a women is pregnant.

Could it be the gene?
Rheumatoid arthritis is not an inherited disease, but certain genes affect a person’s risk. Individuals with precise variants on the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are additional most likely to build rheumatoid arthritis than men and women with other gene variants.

However, there are just as many people with these genes who never develop the disease, so there must be additional precipitating factors that are not well understood.

Smokers and infections
Cigarette smoking may also play a role. This habit can increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, which then may be more severe when it happens.

Infection from bacteria or viruses is one factor that has long been suspected to initiate rheumatoid arthritis. Nevertheless, at this time, there is absolutely no definite evidence of this

Systemic autoimmune disease
Rheumatoid arthritis is not only about the joints; other health complications may also arise in affected individuals. As rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, patients can have other organ involvement.

The inflammation in the joints can affect the lungs, skin and nerves, among others. This gives rise to its own set of problems. There is also an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Consulting rheumatologist regularly
There may also be complications from rheumatoid arthritis treatment. As the treatments work by suppressing the immune system, these patients are at an increased risk of infections.

Other drugs will have other specific complications which have to be discussed between the patient and doctor before starting the drug. Patients should be monitored regularly by their rheumatologists.

PREVENTING BAD BREATH

BY Dr. Angelo V. Fernandez, DMD, FICD

Bad breath, or halitosis, as what dentists normally call it, is a condition described as breath with unpleasant odor that causes embarrassment. With 85 to 90 percent of all the causes originating from the mouth itself (bacteria that live in the mouth are the primary causes of bad breath), bad breath affects a significant number of people.


Common causes

Some people with bad breath are not even aware that they are suffering from this condition; it is because the odor-detecting cells in our nose eventually become accustomed to the constant flow of the bad smell in the mouth. The following are the most common causes of bad breath:

• POOR ORAL HYGIENE: infrequent and improper tooth brushing and flossing can leave food debris to decay inside the mouth, giving off the characteristic of rotten egg smell.

• TOOTH DECAY: Bacteria-caused tooth decay is an important causative agent of bad breath. The bacteria have a putrefactive or rottening action on the mouth leading to its demineralization.

• DRY MOUTH: When there is a reduction or absence of saliva in the mouth, it leads to accumulation of plaque, favoring bacterial growth and bad breath. Mouth breathing is also one of the causes of dry mouth.

• SYSTEMIC ILLNESSES OR MEDICAL DISORDER: Local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, post nasal drip, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney dysfunction, and chronic bronchitis are possible causes.

• SEVERE DIETING: This causes bad breath due to ketoacidosis from prolonged starvation.

• EXTERNAL AGENTS: What you eat affects the air you exhale. Avoid eating certain foods like garlic, onions, coffee, and chewing tobacco.

• SMOKING: Smoking causes ‘smoker’s breath’ which is due to the accumulation of nicotine, tar, and other foul-smelling substances in the mouth.

• INFECTION OF THE MOUTH: Gum and periodontal diseases, oral cancer, and oral lesions are few examples.


Prevention

Bad breath can be prevented easily. Eat a well-balanced diet. Proper dental care should be observed by brushing your teeth, tongue, and gums; floss at least twice a day and rinse with mouthwash, so that food debris would not remain in the mouth. We can prevent dry mouth by increasing our fluid intake and chewing sugar-free dental health gum with xylitol that stimulates the flow of saliva and helps prevent dental cavities. Eat foods that keep breath fresh and prevent plaque from forming like raw carrots and celery.

Stop smoking, ask your dentist for tips on how to kick the habit. Smoking also interferes with the normal functioning of the cells in the gum tissue. It is also associated with lung cancer, but another major bad effect of smoking is “oral cancer.” Periodontal disease or gum problem also responds quickly to proper dental treatment, so visit your dentist’s at least twice a year. Dental caries should be restored immediately through dental filing, in some severe cases root canal treatment is an alternative procedure. If left untreated, it may lead to tooth loss.

Bad breath caused by systemic illness may be a long-term problem that can also be controlled with proper medical care. Once bad breath has been diagnosed, the expectation for fresh breath is usually excellent as long as you follow your dentist’s or physician’s treatment plan.

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About the speaker/author:

Dr. Angelo Fernandez, DMD, FICD, is the Chairman of the Philippine Dental Association Committee on Dental Public Health 2011.  Click on www.pda.ph.

Kristen Stewart's Surprise Reaction to Being a 'Sex Symbol'

By Celebrity Health & Fitness,

Twilight’s Kristen Stewart raised eyebrows when she showed off her trim body in a tiny white bikini while shooting scenes for “Breaking Dawn” in Brazil. Since then, she’s started making lists of sexiest celebrities — much to her chagrin.

In her new movie, “On the Road,” there are rumors that Kristen will briefly appear topless, and she’s practically naked in “Breaking Dawn, Part 1,” according to reports.

In her movie “Welcome to the Rileys,” she plays a down-and-out teen who works part-time as a stripper.

Check out Kristen’s photos; click to enlarge.

And, in red carpet appearances, Stewart has dazzled in the latest fashions.

Still, she’s determined to be the anti-glamour Hollywood star and was irritated when FHM magazine named her recently as one of the world’s sexiest women.

She revealed that she hates to be called hot and rarely feels like a sex symbol.

“I can’t stand that,” Stewart, 21, tells UK’s Closer magazine. What does that even mean? I don’t feel hot.”

The slender 5’6″ Kristen, who dieted for her bikini and honeymoon scenes in “Breaking Dawn,” admits she still unaccustomed to the fame from starring in the popular vampire series.

“I have to pick and choose where I’m going,” says Stewart, who’s dating hunky co-star Robert Pattinson.

“I have become very reclusive. Sometimes I’m like, ‘Oh, I can’t deal with anything right now, I can’t see anybody.’ ”

Stewart, who has been acting since childhood, likes to cook, watch the Food Network and relax with friends during her free time.

Kristen is a good chef, whose culinary skills have earned her praise from co-stars.

“You got to try her tortilla soup! It’s incredible,” gushed her “On The Road” co-star Garrett Hedlund.

When she’s out in public, she’s likely to be dressed down in jeans and tees, and she drives a somewhat disheveled Mini Cooper.

While Kristen likes to avoid the limelight, she’s like most of her fans. Celebrities intrigue her, and she’s curious about them.

“If I knew that an actor was nearby, I’d be interested,” she confesses.

“I’m a people watcher, and I’d definitely choose that person to watch. It’s human nature to look at others and everyone is the same.”

Breaking Dawn, which co-stars Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz and Robert Pattinson, hits theaters Nov. 18.