A Life, Lived

National Geographic Secrets to a Long Life

For the past eight years Dan Buettner, the Blue Zones team of scientists, and National Geographic researchers have explored five places around the world where people live measurably longer lives: the interior of Sardinia, a remote peninsula in Costa Rica, a Greek island, a Japanese archipelago, and a community in southern California.

The secret to longevity has less to do with diet—or even exercise—and more to do with the social and physical environment in which people live. Buettner identified nine powerful yet simple lessons that debunk the most common myths and offer a science-backed blueprint that could give the average American another 12 quality years of life.  

The Power 9 ™ from The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest:

1. Keep moving
Find ways to move naturally, such as walking and gardening, using fewer laborsaving devices.

2. Find purpose
And pursue it with passion.

3. Slow down
Work less, rest, and take vacations.

4. Stop eating …
… when you're 80 percent full.

5. Dine on plants
Eat more veggies and less meat and processed foods.

6. Drink red wine
Do it consistently but in moderation.

7. Join a group
Create a healthy social network.

8. Feed your soul
Engage in spiritual activities.

9. Love your tribe
Make family a high priority.

How to Quit Your Diet Coke Habit . . .

This is for my friends and family who can't get through the day with knocking back 2 2 litre bottles of pop . . .

How to Quit Your Diet Soda Habit for Good

Elise Solé, Shine Staff | Healthy Living

Frosty and fizzy diet soda may seem refreshing when the weather is hot, but diet drinks have been tied to weight gain, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and high blood pressure, according to an article published by a Purdue professor and researcher in the journal Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, this week. 

Artificial sweeteners (such as aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin) present in trendy zero-calorie drinks, energy drinks, and diet sodas might seem like a smart alternative when compared to their sugary counterparts, but that’s often a false perception. “We’re taught that diet beverages are tools to help prevent health conditions such as obesity and diabetes, but the reality is, people who drink full-calorie soda have about the same health outcome of people who drink diet soda,” lead author Susan E. Swithers, PhD, professor of behavioral neuroscience at Purdue University, told Yahoo! Shine.

Based her review of recent scientific studies, Swithers sees a ‘health halo effect,’ or an unhealthy pattern of thinking, in regular soda drinkers. “People often give themselves permission to indulge in fatty foods because they've consumed a diet beverage,” said Swithers. “But if they do it enough, they’ll develop consistent unhealthy eating habits.”

Artificial sugar also pulls a bait-and-switch on the body that changes the way it processes food. “Sugar isn’t always bad for you—for example, there are natural sugars in fruit and vegetables that benefit your body,” says Swithers. “When you eat real sugar, the body releases hormones that activate the metabolism, creating feelings of satiation, regulating blood sugar, and protecting the heart. However, when you consume artificial sweeteners, your body initially recognizes their sweet taste, then quickly gets confused, suppressing those hormones your body needs to function.”

What’s more, people who consume lots of artificial sweeteners actually alter patterns in their brain’s “pleasure centers” in response to them. According to Swither's paper, that process suggests that artificial sweeteners may not even satisfy one’s sweet tooth.

The takeaway, she said, is that public health campaigns for limiting sugar in soda and packaged foods should also extend to limiting artificial sugars. Recently, diet soda has been linked to a slew of health problems—the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that daily consumption of the stuff was linked to an increased risk for heart attack and stroke; also, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking artificially sweetened beverages raises one's risk of type 2 diabetes.

But what if you can’t envision powering through the day without your afternoon diet soda? You would be in good company—according to an article published in the New York Times, Bill Clinton, Harvey Weinstein, and Elton John have all professed their love for Diet Coke. Victoria Beckham even reportedly told Newsweek that she drinks it all the time because she doesn’t like the taste of water. “The good news is, you don’t have to quit artificial sweeteners cold turkey," Patricia Bannan, registered dietician and author of Eat Right When Time is Tight told Yahoo! Shine. 

“It’s true: There’s nothing like the feeling of that first sip of diet soda, but when you taper off your consumption, you’ll be surprised at how many chemicals you taste if you even have one sip,” said Bannan.

If you’re drinking one soda per day, Bannan suggests slashing your intake to one every two days, and then one every three days and so forth. “You’ll feel uncomfortable at first but you can try various substitutes for diet soda,” said Bannan. 

For example, carbonated water offers the fizzy kick of soda but without the chemicals. “Adding a splash of 100 percent fruit juice or a lemon or lime wedge can also satisfy your sweet tooth,” she said. 

Another option: Brew tea. “People are often drawn to diet soda because of the caffeine, not necessarily the taste,” she says. “Black, green, white, and oolong tea all contain an amino acid called 'L-theanine' which sends the body into a calming yet alert state.”

Also, be aware that many habits are formed when people associate behaviors with their activities. If you  hit the vending machine daily for your diet soda fix, you could break your dependency by simply rejiggering your schedule: When the urge strikes, swap the vending machine visit for a walk around the block (walking releases feel-good endorphins that may quell your craving) or make a point to schedule a meeting during that time so your mind is otherwise occupied. 

Also, try this mind trick: “The next time you reach for a diet beverage, take a look at the list of ingredients on the back,” says Bannan. “The more ingredients a product has, the more artificial it probably is. If you can’t pronounce it, do you really want to drink it?"

Sick Day

Isn't it wonderful when a wretched illness that had finally moved on decides to revisit for some more fun?

I guess that I got lucky or something.

:-(

Guide to Pesticides

If you're concerned about the pesticides in your produce then this guide will be a handy helper:

Chocolate, Red Wine or Aspirin: Which Should you be Ingesting Daily?

Please make it red wine. Please!

It seems that every day there is a new study saying 'eat this' or 'drink this every day'. People, knowing that they are out of shape after a lifetime of super sized fries and chicken nuggets are happy as clams because it means health=easy to them

Recently a local paper examined the usual suspects and shared some wisdom . . .

ASPIRIN

The claim: A daily pill helps prevent cardiac events and even cancer.

Science says: Three different studies published last month in the medical journal The Lancet found that daily aspirin use reduced a person’s risk of a cancer death by up to 37 per cent, and that it reduced the spread of several cancers. As well, previous studies have shown that aspirin can help prevent a second heart attack or stroke, thanks to its anti-clotting properties.

Swallow it? With caution. Studies, including one published in February, have shown that taking a daily aspirin has no demonstrable effect on preventing fatal heart attacks or strokes in healthy individuals. It does, however, significantly raise the likelihood of gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as increasing the risk of brain bleeds, known as hemorrhagic strokes.

WATER

The claim: You need to drink eight glasses of water a day to be adequately hydrated.

Science says: Not only is that idea nonsense, it is “thoroughly debunked nonsense,” according to a commentary by Dr. Margaret McCartney in the British Medical Journal last summer. The eight-glass myth has persisted simply because it’s easy to remember, but multiple sources all concur it’s just that – a myth. Health Canada does not specify how much water should be consumed daily since a review of data on the subject found a wide range of intakes are compatible with normal hydration.

Swallow it? No. Drink when thirsty, experts say. One caveat: With increasing age our sense of thirst declines. Since you can be dehydrated but not feel thirsty, look at the colour of your urine. If it’s light, you’re well-hydrated; if it’s dark yellow or amber, you need fluids.

FISH OIL CAPSULES

The claim: Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil capsules lower your risk of a range of illnesses, especially heart disease.

Science says: Multiple studies suggest that omega-3 fish oils can reduce the risk of heart attack, hardening of the arteries, strokes and risk of death, as well as lowering blood pressure. As well, low levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to prostate, breast and colorectal cancers as well as dementia, macular degeneration and Type 2 diabetes.

Swallow it? One or two servings of fish each week can cut your risk of dying from heart disease by 36 per cent, according to estimates. Or you can take a daily capsule.

APPLE

The claim: One a day keeps the doctor away.

Science says: It might not keep the doctor away, but a large Dutch study published last year suggested it might keep strokes at bay. Each 25 grams of apple and pear (about one-sixth), consumed per day lowered stroke risk by seven per cent. And a separate study released last year by researchers at Florida State University found that women who ate a third of a cup of dried apples every day for a year had lower levels of bad cholesterol compared to a second group who ate another dried fruit. The apple eaters also lost an average of 3.3 pounds over the course of the study.

Swallow it? Apples may be a “miracle fruit,” as the Florida State researcher called them, but they shouldn’t be the only fruit you eat each day.

VITAMIN D

The claim: Take vitamin D to boost overall health.

Science says: Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to heart disease, several types of cancer, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis and even your chances of catching the flu. One study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2007 that looked at 18 separate randomized controlled trials involving nearly 60,000 participants found that taking vitamin D supplements was linked to a seven per cent reduction in mortality from any cause.

Swallow it? Yes. The Canadian Cancer Society suggests Canadian adults should pop a pill containing 1,000 IU of vitamin D a day during the fall and winter. The society also says that some people – such as those with dark skin or over the age of 50 – should take supplements year-round.

DARK CHOCOLATE

The claim: A little bit of dark chocolate every day works as a sugary miracle.

Science says: Studies in recent years have found dark chocolate reduces blood pressure – good news for the nearly one in five Canadians over the age of 12 who have hypertension – as well as inflammation, which can be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. On top of that, it is also believed to ease emotional stress. Why? Thank flavonoids, the powerful antioxidant found in dark chocolate.

Swallow it? Yes, but not as much as you might want. One or two squares a day is optimal, researchers say. More than that could lead to weight gain, which might cancel out the health benefits.

RED WINE

The claim: A glass of red wine every day is good for your heart.

Science says: It’s not just red wine. Any alcohol, consumed in moderation, will improve cardiac health. A study published last week in the European Heart Journal found men who have two drinks a day after a first heart attack have a lower mortality risk from heart disease compared to non-drinkers. A Canadian study published last year also found that people who have one drink or fewer each day are up to 25 per cent less likely to develop heart disease than teetotallers. Other studies have linked moderate alcohol consumption to a decreased likelihood of stroke

Swallow it? Yes, but not too much of it. A scientific review published in 2011 found that women who drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day are up to 50 per cent more likely to develop breast cancer than women who abstain.

There you go . . . apparenlty you can find a stufy that says anything is good for you (well, except for liking Stephen Harper - there is no good at the bottom of THAT glass!)

The Happy Side of Being Sick

I, like may folks, don't take time to get sick as a rule. When the twinges of a sore throat stir I pop drugs and send it away. I refuse to allow my routine to be altered by some germ invading my system.

Now in the grand scheme of things a cold, no matter how annoying, is pretty mild as far s illnesses go. You know in a few days it shall pass and then you'll get on with your life.

The timing of this beast sucks. Christmas vacation. I now have a new appreciation for those individuals who used to call me after a vacation and wonder if they could take a few weeks off of work since they spent their vacation ill.

I'm the type of person who tends to see the glass as being both half empty AND dirty so I'm striving to look at the positive side of this beast . . .

1. It's forced me to sleep a lot. This is a good thing since I never get enough sleep.
2. It's forced me to catch up on my reading. I've read 5 books over the past 3 days.
3. It's forced me to not spend money. Normally I'd be in the mall enjoying the wonderful Canadian tradition of Boxing week sales. Feeling like I've been hit by a bag of cement has forced me to sit tight.
4. It's forced me to catch on stuff around the house. Sure I haven't had a ton of energy to do much but when I do rise to the occasion I've been able to tackle some long neglected jobs around here.
5. It's forced me to relax. Yes, relax. This isn't something I do well at all. I wish I did but I don't. I've been relaxing myself to coma level these past 4 days . . . and I've LOVED it.

Pizza a Vegetable?

 . . . or 'this is why we're fat and have excessive health care costs'.

I confess to being more than a bit shocked when I saw this story:

Pizza still counts as a vegetable in U.S. public school cafeterias.

The U.S. Agriculture Department originally wanted to require a half cup of tomato paste for a pizza slice to qualify as a vegetable. But on Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives backed off from the stricter requirement.

A slice of pizza will continue to qualify as a vegetable because it contains two tablespoons of tomato paste.

"It's an important victory," Corey Henry, spokesman for the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), told Reuters.

The trade association lobbied Congress on behalf of frozen pizza sellers, such as ConAgra Foods Inc and Schwan Food Co and french fry maker McCain Foods Ltd.

The USDA also proposed limits on french fries, increasing the variety of fruits and vegetables and limiting starchy vegetables including corn and green peas.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Center for Science in the Public Interest said the legislation would be a bigger "blunder" than when U.S. President Ronald Reagan's administration tried and failed to credit ketchup as a vegetable in the school lunch program.

"Pizza should be served with a vegetable, not count as one," the consumer advocacy groups said on its website.

The mind boggles (or is that the mind is boggled?)!

Firstly, doesn't the government have anything better to do with its time than try and pass legislation determining what is or is not a vegetable. Funny how many Americans get into a lather at the thought of Washington interfering in their health care but don't seem to give a care about politicians determining status as a vegetable.

Pizza, at least the types I've seen sold in schools, generally come laden with fatty pepperoni and loaded with cheese. I remember passing out pizza at school on pizza day . . . when I was finished I had to scrub nasty grease off of my table. It was gross. Funny though, I don't recall a real vegetable requiring a scrub with Mr. Clean.

Finally, any situation where the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) declares a victory is bad, bad, bad news for food lovers EVERYWHERE!

Weird pregnancy Cravings

We've all heard the pregnant women crave the oddest things at time - the yearning for a particular type of food is an undeniable part of carrying a baby. About 85 per cent of women report at least one food craving during pregnancy. And not all of these cravings can be neatly catalogued - or stomached.

This morning when I was driving into the office I heard about a craving that turned my stomach . . .

Alison Brierley of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is in the news for eating roadkill.

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

When Brierley got pregnant and she developed intense cravings for roadkill meat. She started regularly cooking with run-over hare, deer, squirrels, pigeon, rabbit, owls and partridges. She fried a roadkill pheasant like chicken, and stuffed Japanese Gyoza dumplings with squirrel meat.

“I’m craving junk food which is really unlike me and I am eating a lot more roadkill and red meat in general,” Brierley told the British Daily Mail.

One has to ask - what the hell is she pregnant WITH?

Another Pesky Mo Update

Hello . . . this is my mo!

I can't believe I haven't had one of these things forever!

I was asked this morning how Team ETFO is doing . . .

Well, we continue to grow our Mos.

Many of us are shocked at how grey those Mos are. I suspect we’ll need some Mo hair dye before long.

They say that the Mo chooses the bro and not the other way around. Apparently My Mo has decided it wants to be a ‘Flanders’ (fans of the Simpsons know of what I refer). SIGH

The team has grown as well with more people joining. Right now there are 93 MoBros and MoSistas on team ETFO.

Team ETFO has raised $ 9,400 over the first week. I have raised $ 575.

This week I had one of my programs - the ETFO Union School. At the Union School we ran the famous Union School 50/50 draws (which a colleague won BOTHdays . . . although we made her throw her ticket out the second time). The Union School participants donated $ 175 to team ETFO!

People have asked how they can donate to the team. You can donate online to the team here: http://mobro.co/jdeqbut click on ‘donate to team’  . . . unless of course you just want to donate to ME then you can click on 'donate to me'.

 Here's a cool google crome video showing what this is all about . . .

A Mo Update

(yes, the earth stopped turning on its axis for a second there - jerry posted a pic . . . GASP)

So here it is day 3 of Movember - the month long fundraising effort for Prostate Cancer - my Mo was noticed today. It was NOT noticed positively, mind you, but noticed it was.

Day three has been tough. I'm a shy sort of fellow . . . really . . . so I don't love all of the attention my upper lip is getting. Nor do I love the way it itches like heck.

I have noticed that my mo has a mind of its own. They say that the Mo chooses the Bro and not the other way around. I am fearful that I will end up with what is known as a 'trucker' instead of something sophisticated that doesn't look like an escapee from a 70's Smokey and the Bandit flick.

I have noticed that my Mo is gray! ARGH I don't want a gray Mo at all.

On a happier note, more than 160,000 Canadian MoBros and MoSistas have raised $5,700,00 in the first three days of the campaign. That is pretty awesome.

Movember's primary campaign objective is to raise awareness of men's health issues, specifically cancers affecting men. Everyone should remember that most cancers are highly curable if caught in the early stages - including prostate and testicular cancer. Movember aims to increase early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment, as this will ultimately reduce the number of deaths from cancer. It’s time men face the startling health facts.

The Stats

There are 177,800 new cases of cancer and 75,000 cancer deaths expected in Canada in 2011.

The average life expectancy for men is five years less than women (presently 78 years old compared to 83).

In 2011 there will be more cases of prostate cancer diagnosed than breast cancer.

After prostate cancer, lung is the most common cancer in Canada.

5% more men will develop cancer during their lifetimes in Canada than women.

Incident rates of cancer are highest in the Maritime provinces and Quebec.

After cancer the leading cause of death in men is heart disease.

Approximately 93,000 Canadian men will be diagnosed with cancer, and an estimated 39,900 men will die of cancer.

On average, 11 Canadian men will die of prostate cancer every day.

Testicular Cancer is the most common cancer in young men in Canada between the ages of 15-29.

Among Canadians of all ages 4 out of every 5 suicides are male.

Chilling stats indeed.

So how is the team doing? Team ETFO now has 84 members which is a respectable number. We've raise $ 6500 which is OK. We can do better. I invite you to support me or my team at http://mobro.co/jdeq.

Grow Mo, grow!