Lack of  regulation of fast  food fuelling obesity epidemic, study says

Source: Reuters

Governments could slow or even reverse the growing obesity epidemic if they introduced more regulation into the global market for fast foods such as burgers, chips and fizzy drinks, researchers said on Monday.

A study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization(WHO) suggested that if governments took firmer action, they could start to prevent people becoming overweight and obese - conditions with serious long-term consequences such as diabetes, heart diseases and cancer.

"Unless governments take steps to regulate their economies, the invisible hand of the market will continue to promote obesity worldwide with disastrous consequences for future public health and economic productivity," said Roberto De Vogli of the University of California, Davis, in the United States, who led the study.

The WHO is urging governments to do more to try to prevent obesity happening in the first place, rather than risking the high human and economic costs when it does.

Suggested policies include economic incentives for growers to sell healthy, fresh foods; disincentives for industries to sell ultra-processed foods and soft drinks; cutting subsidies to growers and companies who use large amounts of fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals and antibiotics; and tighter regulation of fast-food advertising, especially to children.

The research analyzed the effect on obesity of deregulation in the economy over time, including in the agriculture and food sectors, and the resulting increase in so-called "fast food transactions" - in other words, the number of times people bought fast food.

The researchers compared the number of fast food transactions with body mass index (BMI) in 25 high-income countries between 1999 and 2008.

They found that, as the average number of annual fast food transactions increased from 26.61 to 32.76 per person, average BMI increased from 25.8 to 26.4.

Someone with a BMI of 25 or more is overweight, while a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.

Vogli said that, while the research was based on data from wealthy countries, its findings were also relevant to developing countries.

"Virtually all nations have undergone a process of market deregulation and globalization - especially in the last three decades," he said.

The average number of fast food transactions per person increased in all 25 countries. The sharpest gains were in Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, while the lowest were in countries with more stringent market regulation - such as Italy, the Netherlands, Greece and Belgium.

Francesco Branca, director of the WHO's Department of Nutrition for Health and Development, said the findings showed how important public policies were in addressing obesity.

"Policies targeting food and nutrition are needed across several sectors including agriculture, industry, health, social welfare and education," he said.

"Countries where the diet is transitioning from one that is high in cereals to one that is high in fat, sugar and processed foods need to take action to align the food supply with the health needs of the population."

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Are you aware of : Heart attack warning signs? 

First share this vital health tips with your contacts and then Read..........

How can your jaw (and other parts of your body),  tell you if you have just experienced a heart attack?: symptoms of a heart attack generally occur on the left side of your body-so take note!!!!

If you experience a dull, vague pain on the lower left side of your jaw which increases and decreases over the course of a few minutes, and moves around- this is known as “referred pain”. This pain is associated with a heart attack-so be careful. This sensation occurs when the nerves surrounding the heart become agitated, sending pain through the nerves in the spine to other locations in the body, specifically the left jaw, shoulder and arm.**

If your jaw pain happens in the morning, this serves as a warning sign that you are at risk for a heart attack. Your blood is thicker at this time of the day, which causes blood pressure to surge, increasing heart attack risk.
Pain brought on by physical activity can manifest in several areas including the chest, jaw, left arm and shoulder, a scenario that typically indicates you’re having a heart attack.

Shortness of breath, a common heart attack symptom in women, may also occur. You may also get additional classic heart attack signs such as dizziness or nausea. In this case, see a doctor immediately.

Source: NHS

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Can Small Town Living Teach Us How to Have Healthy Relationships?

by NativeR  www.gooddeedsmall.com 

5 lessons to help forge relationships

I grew up in a very small town- you know, the kind of town where you swap recipes, a head of lettuce for a block of cheese, or work on someone’s truck so you can borrow their lawnmower. Although this quaint upbringing didn’t seem very spectacular whilst in my teenage years, could it have taught me some valuable lessons about healthy relationships?

Lesson #1 – Sharing with the neighbors

If the neighbor comes over to borrow a cup of sugar, the word ‘NO’ never enters a small towner’s brain- this leads me into the sharing aspect of a relationship. Sharing is important whether it’s a bite from your plate, space in the bathroom, or even your time. When in a relationship with someone, it’s important to think “us” instead of me. This lesson tells us to be a little more selfless- and share more with our partner.

Lesson #2- Keeping up with the Joneses’

We have all seen and heard the phrase, “Keeping up with the Joneses’, and maybe have even done it ourselves; Ted Smith bought a new car and so John Brown must as well! Instead of comparing ourselves or watching someone else compare themselves, be happy for that other person. Envy over friends’ goods, life or thoughts will only bring strife in the relationship-instead, think positively. Remember, positive thinking can only do one thing- turn into a positive action for US!

Lesson #3- Keep a smile on

Let’s face it, sometimes we are having a bad day and the person behind the supermarket counter seems like the perfect person to take it out on. However, small town living taught me to always keep a smile on my face, even when things are tough. Oprah.com posted an article about smiling, it actually helps physical health, “There’s a reduction in cortisol, a chemical that indicates stress in the body, and an increase in mood-elevating endorphins.”Besides, when you smile you make people want to be around you- automatically making you feel better!

Lesson #4- Advice from the locals

One of the things about small town living is, even if you don’t know what direction you’re life is going, everyone else does. Sometimes when problems start to occur in life we tend to become a hermit, and even though we may not know what to do, asking for advice from a close friend can help. Asking your friend for some advice about a particular situation can be rewarding the both of you; not only will you get options about the situation and a good shoulder, but your friend will feel better knowing that they helped you- creating an open, honest relationship.

Lesson #5- Take a Hike

In a small town with all the rural areas, taking a walk with someone was easy – and sometimes it was the ONLY thing to do. Studies show that physically fit people have stronger relationships and improved sex lives. Instead of going to the movies, where you know you’re not going to say two words to your partner, try exercising. This of course doesn’t have to be rigorous, maybe a simple stroll around the block- then save a bigger, better walk or hike for the weekend.

Mood Tonic^™ is a homeopathic remedy calms emotional outbursts and reduces mood swings.

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Get Twisted! Detoxify Your Body with Yoga

by NativeR  www.gooddeedsmall.com  

A funny thing happened the first time I ever practiced yoga. After a night out with friends, I went to the gym and not feeling particularly keen on getting on the treadmill, I decided join in on yoga class they were offering that morning. The only thing I was sure of was that I had no idea what I was doing.

After a couple of postures involving a twist, I looked down at my body and I had red blotches all over me. At first I was a little worried, and then I asked the instructor what she thought was going on with my body. She told me my red blotchy skin may be a sign of detoxification, and since I had a couple drinks the night before, I thought maybe she was right.

If you are new to yoga, you should know that a twist does not mean that you have to be extremely flexible to attain the benefits they provide. Yoga twist benefits include stimulating internal organs and improving digestion. When we stimulate the internal organs and improve digestion, detoxification of the body is inevitable.

Just like a dirty dishrag, twisting the body through yoga wrings toxins and tension from the body.  The twisting action helps muscles to relax and increases blood flow to areas of the body involved in the pose, thereby allowing nutrients to flow more freely. Twisting is also a great stress reliever and helps balance emotions.

Now that we know how beneficial twists are, now we must talk about safety because proper alignment is key to not injuring yourself. A couple rules of thumb while practicing twists, is to always elongate the spine by sitting up tall and lengthening through the torso. Use your abdomen to guide the twist instead of using your arms as leverage. Both of these tips will ensure you are completing the pose safely.

One of the best things about twisting poses is that you can practice them in a studio, at your house, or even at the office. So when you find that you have been out the night before, ate everything at the baseball game, or had a second helping at dinner, remember that a twist can be your best friend. As for me, after the first initial blotchiness in my skin that only lasted an hour, it never happened again.

Detox Drops^™ Promotes natural cleansing, detoxification and toxin elimination

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Are Some Beauty ‘Tricks’ Bad for Health?

by A. Grano 

Natural Ways to Get Better Skin & Hair

You’ve probably heard of some of the ‘tricks’ beauty pageant queens pull before a performance – such as dabbing hemorrhoid ointment under their eyes to reduce puffiness, or using plastic wrap around their thighs to induce sweating to help shed excess water weight.

While it’s debatable whether these methods even work (let alone if they’re safe), women and men alike are often apt to trying potentially dangerous ways to feel better about their appearance. Some even go as far as to try off-label prescriptions to enhance their looks, such as the recent trend in using glaucoma medicine to attain thicker eyelashes. With potential side effects including inflamed red eyes and cornea damage, these are not quite symptoms to bat an eyelash at (no pun intended).

Natural Ways to Enhance Skin Health

To help retain moisture, elasticity and reduce wrinkles, turn to nature! Many herbs have been used for centuries to promote and maintain skin health. Aloe ferox, Glycorrhiza glabra and vitamin E oil keep skin nourished, supple and hydrated.

To promote the healthy elimination of toxins that can lead to dull skin and blemishes, Cleavers and red clover are natural blood purifiers, promoting lymphatic cleansing.

Detox Drops^™ promotes natural cleansing, detoxification and toxin elimination.

To support the regenerative processes of the skin, homeopathic Natrium muriaticum, Kalium muriaticum and Kalium sulphate help to maintain skin health and support.

In addition, try these skin health tips:

• Reduce your intake of alcohol, which increases capillary leakage, sagging and puffiness.
• Train yourself to lie on your back when sleeping, as sleeping on your side or stomach contributes to wrinkles.
• Here’s an excuse to pamper yourself! Having frequent facial massages helps retain moisture and elasticity and increases blood flow in the facial area.
• Exercise regularly to keep the blood flowing and oxygenate the skin.

Natural Ways to Enhance Healthy Hair

To stimulate healthy hair growth for lush locks and lashes, Ginkgo biloba and Rosmarinus officinale encourage healthy blood supply and circulation to the hair follicles and scalp. Another great herb to try is Field Horsetail, which is rich in minerals, especially silica, an important component of all connective tissues in the body, as well as hair and nails.

In addition, try these healthy hair tips:

• Help hair grow faster by increasing your intake of zinc and iron
• Avoid known hair growth blockers, such as smoking, caffeine, carbonated sodas, sugary and fatty foods.
• Use heat sparingly. Avoid using very hot water and limit the use of hot blow dryers, flat irons and other hair tools that damage hair.
• Here’s another excuse to pamper yourself! Scalp massages stimulate hair follicles. Using hot oil, (such as warmed olive oil) and protein treatments can help protect the hair shaft.

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How Detoxing Helps the Appearance of Cellulite

by A. Grano 

Few women can take comfort in the fact that cellulite affects an estimated 90 percent of all females- they would rather it not be a concern at all! However, they are not alone in their plight for smooth skin-  about 10 percent of men have cellulite, too.

Although men and women typically suffer from different ‘trouble zones’ due to differentiation in fat deposits, hormones and skin thickness – women tend to yearn for smooth thighs, while men who suffer from it tend to have it appear on their necks or abdomens– reducing its appearance is a universal goal!

Why We Need to Detox

Detoxing can greatly complement natural cellulite treatments, as the lymphatic system plays an integral role in the development of cellulite. If the lymphatic system is not properly functioning and taking away toxins, connective tissues can stiffen near the surface of the skin as a result of impaired blood flow, and thus lead to the appearance of cellulite.

Over time, toxin build-up can happen eating too many processed foods and chemical additives. Alcohol, cigarettes and medication are also examples of toxin sources. Stress also plays a role in generating toxins within the body.

The Power of Detox

It is a wise idea to consult your doctor before beginning a detox plan, and avoid any harsh treatments like liquid diets that can deplete the body of essential nutrients. Instead, replace the unhealthy foods in your diet with healthy, nutritious foods that are free from the preservatives, chemicals, artificial hormones, etc. Amp up your fitness routine to help your body sweat out harmful toxins. Also, be sure to get plenty of rest and manage your stress levels.

Many herbal ingredients also aid in the natural detoxification of the body. Dandelion and Fennel have been used throughout history to cleanse and promote body detoxification, rejuvenate liver functioning, and kick-start the body back to life! Pelargonium reniforme is another ingredient great for natural detox that also supports liver functioning and the body’s natural ability to break down and eliminate fat.

CelluTight Massage Oil^™ Nourishing massage oil improves the appearance of dimpled, bumpy skin and promotes smooth skin all over the body

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Simple Steps to Detox Your Home

by A. Grano 

Our home is supposed to be our safe haven, a sanctuary from daily stressors and a place to restore and refresh. However, with environmental toxicity on the rise, our homes may not be very healthy habitats, and we may actually be compromising health with some of our common household practices and habits.

How do you clean?

Particularly for allergy sufferers, keeping a clean home is of vital importance to remove dirt and airborne particles such as pollen, dust mites, and animal dander that can cause sneezing, coughing, congestion, and itchy, watery eyes.

Unfortunately, chemicals found in many household cleaners as well as laundry detergents and pesticides can cause bothersome symptoms such as skin rash, hives, eye irritation, wheezing, and itching of the skin.

Many cleaners are now available that contain natural plant-based ingredients and provide a sparkly clean without harsh chemicals. A simple mixture of white vinegar and baking soda is another good option that you likely already have for quick cleaning. Washing soda has also increased in popularity, which is in the same family as baking soda and cuts grease, removes wax or lipstick and neutralizes odors.

Skip the scents

While heavily fragranced candles and air fresheners are readily available, they typically contain synthetic scents and a myriad of irritants and potentially even carcinogens. They also coat the nasal passages, actually diminishing one’s sense of smell, and may lead to conditions such as rhinitis.

To help neutralize and reduce odors, add houseplants to your home. To freshen and add fragrance, place potpourris of dried herbs and flowers around your rooms. Pure essential oils used on a diffuser reed can also add scent. To help reduce cooking odors, grind a lemon rind in the garbage disposal.

Go barefoot

Once you arrive home, leave your shoes at the door. This simple practice can significantly reduce the amount of dirt and toxins that enter the home.

Detox Drops™ Promotes natural cleansing, detoxification and toxin elimination  

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